Random observations from your day

[Phoenix]

I can finally see the bottom of my pool. There's hope this algae issue is being resolved 

[Pyraxis]

Is it the chlorinated kind or the saltwater kind?

[Phoenix]

Chlorine. Switching to saltwater next year.

['andersom']

It's the hardness of the water that wants me to out sugar in my coffee and tea.
Thought of sugar in my tea did not even cross my mind when on holidays. Water was so soft there. I used to get that quality of water out my tap, when I lived elsewhere.

[lutra]

Saw one of these creatures humming around the blue Buddleja yesterday whilst I was eating my dinner. Stopped eating and had a proper look (in the garden).

Think that's quite special for these moths (Sphingidae) usually live more South or more Central Europey. Totally reminds me of seeing a hummingbird fly. Totally cool.

 
(photo NOT shot by me/from wikipedia)

[Phoenix]

^ That is so cool!

[lutra]

Yes, it is. Um, today I'm constantly looking outside (when I'm downstairs) in the hope to see the insect again. None seen though.

Should have my camera ready/at hand, I think now..

['andersom']

Had one of those visiting my lobelias bit more than a month ago. They are cool and make a nice sound too.

["couldbecousin"]

  My brother owns that house now and gets wild turkeys in the back yard. 

I once heard the US national bird was almost the wild turkey. I wonder if Americans would have still been so arrogant without the eagle. 

     Probably not.  Wild turkeys are not too bright.  I remember there was one who lived in a
  high-traffic area of my city, and in all her months in that area, the poor thing never became traffic-wise.

[lutra]

Hey CBC, ça va bien? 


But re Hykey (I wrote):

Once, two whiles ago, a bright pink one (Roze Pijlstaartvlinder?) flew through the open Velux window in the attic and it made a noise then. Incredibly loud. Well, for a creature that small.. it did. It flew between the curtain and the glass and.. FFFRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR (or sutin') and it amazed me. Think it was the first time I encountered such a moth.

Oh, and I thought they were quite rare here (in Holland) but they're not that rare. Um, have to read up on that for a bit more.. but Wikipee states there are 19 species of hawk moths at our whereabouts.

[Phoenix]

These sorts of things fascinate me. Now I want to go to Holland and see one for real.

['andersom']

There were a few weeks of continuous passive aggressive conversations outside. I heard a relationship going to pieces in detail, without the chance to avoid hearing that. It was loud, it was specific. Now the neighbours do not venture out at all anymore. Even the kids do not play outside. Last I saw of them was kid two weeks ago telling me out of the blue his mum and dad were sleeping apart (not surprising), his mum shutting him up immediately. Since then hardly a sign of life anymore, bar slamming of doors or banging of stairs a few minutes every other day. And yesterday one snarky remark of neighbour to his wife.

These were neighbours who were almost always outside, with one very noisy and attention seeking seven year old. This is weird. Way more silent, but weird. Especially the kids this muted is almost scary.

[Walkie]

There were a few weeks of continuous passive aggressive conversations outside. I heard a relationship going to pieces in detail, without the chance to avoid hearing that. It was loud, it was specific. Now the neighbours do not venture out at all anymore. Even the kids do not play outside. Last I saw of them was kid two weeks ago telling me out of the blue his mum and dad were sleeping apart (not surprising), his mum shutting him up immediately. Since then hardly a sign of life anymore, bar slamming of doors or banging of stairs a few minutes every other day. And yesterday one snarky remark of neighbour to his wife.

These were neighbours who were almost always outside, with one very noisy and attention seeking seven year old. This is weird. Way more silent, but weird. Especially the kids this muted is  almost scary.

Now I want to hear those specific details.
Not that we do gossip here. Purely scientific interest. 

I do feel sorry for those kids , though.

['andersom']

Things like him asking her for days and days if did not love her child (only mentioning the youngest) because she pondered on taking a job 30 km from home. Things like telling oldest kid off all the time (not his, but hers) also when youngest clearly was the asshole of the moment. Things like him shouting, dancing and screaming with joy when he got a Tinder match.

Yesterday I heard him snarking at her because she had not checked his bedroom for mosquitoes...

The joys of neighbours with a loud outdoor life. I spent way more time than other summers with doors and windows closed.

OK, it is calmer than when I had a golddigging neighbour with a horizontal sidejob and the moaning powers of Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis combined. So I should not complain.

Do find it sad for the kids. Parents breaking up is hard enough. No need to add to that with games like this.

[Pyraxis]

Love that the parents make it loud and clear for all and sundry and then shut up the kids.