Maxi Got His First Clue From The Opened Window.

 ...and I had to have opened it!

Who knows at just after three in the morning what the weather might bring? Especially with our triple glazed glass windows. But open the window I did wanting to contact the new day only to be surprised by the hard sound of rain falling.

Yes, the rain had sneaked up on us during the night-yes, we desperately need it-but when one has a dog who despises rain, it wasn't a good start to the day.

Mr Maxi had vetoed a final walk last night which meant that by the time I had opened the window he had gone without a loo break for over twelve hours. Don't blame us, we valiantly tried everything to entice him for his final pee-pee break, but alas, he didn't budge an inch! Stubborn little man! So, by the time our alarm clock went I was quick in getting up and putting on proper clothes in order to take Maxi outside for his long overdue toilet break.

One would think that his bladder was bursting, wouldn't one? The moment I opened the window and heard the rain, I realized my mistake as the mister might be blind in one eye but can hear a pin drop across the room. He wouldn't budge an inch. For over an hour I tried to take him outside to no avail. You might think I should just leave him be; but don't forget most of our house has wooden floor boards and any liquid, god forbid pee-pee, seeps into the cracks rather quickly.

Eventually after an hour he deigned to be taken outside and even that, reluctantly. Thankfully he used the ablutions and at least that worry was off my mind, but he wouldn't go any further than twenty meters. No way, not in a million years. As small as he is, he has a will of steel and consistency. Can't help but admire him!

What can one do but to learn from today's affair...check the weather before opening the window within earshot of the little scamp. Who said that life with a dog was boring....?

Biggi

A Rainy Friday In May.

 Normal, who knows?

Waking up to rain makes a bit of a difference. Knowing it is going to rain most of the day makes the choice of clothes much easier. Layers, jackets and sturdy shoes. Forget about being fashionable, comfort and staying dry are of the order of the day. Anyway, when it rains hardly anyone takes the time to look up and really see you.

Rainy days bring forth visions of Agatha Christie with the inevitable murders in the village. Often I catch myself wondering who would be a perfect match for characters in her books. Village life a hundred years on surely isn't that much different? There will always be the gossip, the know-it-all, the grumpy one and the belle of them all...ah, the plot thickens as to who would be first in Ms Christie's bloodthirsty stroke of the pen...

Thank goodness it is raining today as our fields, lawns and vineyards have been dusty and dry. If the rain proves to be too much, only time will tell but according to our weather gal ( she who has been wrong before ) only today is going to be rainy and the weekend will be full of sunshine and magical May weather. Great, I'll wait to do a load of laundry until then.

Taking Mausi outside for her morning constitutional is actually a breeze and a scream when it rains. As much as she meouws to go outside, the minute her paws hit the wet grass and or a drop of rain has the audacity to land on her fur, she bolts back inside. Oh, what an character.

Both of us have plenty of books still to read and that should make the start of the weekend nice and interesting. Although, both of us do tend to get sidetracked by the darn computer and its temptations. Here is to a nice and magical weekend ahead...

Biggi

It's Raining The Proverbial Cats & Dogs In Our Paradise.

An adventure indoors for a change.

Naturally there are a few negatives to this continuous rainfall. A mudslide here or there but frankly, it often is the result of bad planting or urbanization ( not many places left for the water to be absorbed ) and it's not nice to blame Mother Nature. Doing laundry in rainy weather means that bathrooms and hallways will be stacked with those pesky drying racks.

A weekend where it is raining can easily translate into reading your favourite book. Is there anything nicer than reclining on the couch, book in hand, chocolate within reach and a story that has made you forget your surroundings.

Water is a precious commodity and when it rains, I feel as if gold is dropping down from the heavens. Years ago a farmer from Dalton told me that when it rains, it saves him a fortune each day. A day of rain means not having to irrigate his crop. Massive savings to the farmers.

No weather is perfect and as we are only human, we tend to complain in all types of weather. Either it's too hot, too wet, too cold, too cloudy ....etc.

Tomorrow, Bob is joining his Fireman's troop to walk to a Frühschoppen at a village nearby. Well, not so near as it is about 10 km from us. He got his marching orders for 7.15 sharp tomorrow morning, come rain or shine!

Frankly I tend to think that Bob would prefer it to rain. Last year was the first time he walked there ( oh yes, it is an annual event ) and it was blazing hot. So hot in fact, that when he was walking, one of the other walkers told Bob in the local dialect:

" Bob, hoas ias! ( Bob es ist heiss / Bob, it is hot ) "

and as Bob was still new to our local dialect, he told me that all he heard was:

" Bob, there is a horse "

...and after looking everywhere for this horse in vain, he thought to himself that this person was a bit dilly!

Well, to this day, they remind him of this bit of linguistic misinterpretation while doubling over in laughter. Of course, in Bob's defense, I have to tell you that some Austrians from Vienna, would have also thought it meant Horse...

Biggi