Can someone please explain to me what the Ukraine is like?

I want to have another look at this important video. I would love to have some comments about it!

Frans Vandenbosch has actually lived in China for many years and studies their culture. His view of China is very different from the way our media describes China! He reckons our media is totally ignorant about what China is really like. In his opinion and what he observed about the political system in China, he comes to the conclusion, that it is more democratic than our Western democracies!

I love all these photos. They bring back great memories!

https://auntyuta199172524.wordpress.com/2022/10/25/utas-diary-towards-the-end-of-october-2022/

Am I already like a 100 year old or what?

It looks to me, that some people like to treat me, as though I am not anymore capable of making any decision of my own, meaning they want me to do as they tell me to do.

Well, in case I should have to live a number more years, then most likely, at some stage I do have to be treated like I do need total looking after. And I am sure, once I am that far gone, I am going to accept treatment like this. But really, I would not mind at all to die before I get to that stage!

Why do I feel that I am not that far gone yet? Do I really give other people the impression that I am that far gone already? Or how come, that they insist on treating me like this?

I must admit, when they make me so upset and nervous, I seem not to be able to act normally! My heart starts to race, my breathing gets bad etc. I am so grateful, that most weeks, that is 24/7, I am just on my own. Peace, peace, and I can do as I like. Being alone is nearly always a good thing now. 

I can still go for long walks every day, when the weather is good. I would say, on average, I converse with people only for a very limited time. This usually has to be just enough.

On a lot of days I also go without touching someone. But really, more than any touching, I miss that usually there is now nobody actually personally present for some beautiful extended conversations! 

Well, I wrote the above a few weeks ago. So, we have December now. Yesterday was the first Saturday of the month. Mark and his mother Merl invited me for lunch in Dapto. After lunch the three of us had coffee on my beautiful deck. It was a very calm, sunny day. All of us enjoyed very much sitting outside. Some of our conversation centered on the above subject, namely how the elderly should be treated and be helped to remain independent for as long as possible. But often they are being treated in a way that makes them become more and more dependent, when really they could be helped to still be totally independent!

What do you think?

I love this story that is set in the Murray Mallee country!

In memory of Helvi!
It is so good, I could find this post with a bit of googling!
Some three years ago Peter and I drove to Bowral for Helvi’s funeral. I don’t think I’ve been to Bowral ever since.
Thanks for the reblog, Therese.

Finlandia – for Helvi | Window Dresser’s Arms, Pig & Whistle

https://pigsarms.com.au › 2019/11/01 › finlandia-for-h…

November 7, 2019 at 2:33 pm

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I am sorry I haven’t looked here earlier… The funeral was yesterday with a celebratory meeting afterwards at our place. The house now still echoes with Helvi’s voice and Milo keeps looking at the bedroom door hoping to see Helvi come again to give him his morning pat. It is not to be anymore and now I have to keep busy and in moments of ache and pain tend to the garden of memories of which there are so many. The house is now empty of Helvi. She has gone.
It all happened so quickly but Helvi knew and wanted to come home where she died on the 29th of Oct. at 6pm.
She remembers you all and I let her know whenever I happened to visit this pub of so many years of contact. Some asked where to give donations. Here is the website;
https://inmemory.cancercouncil.com.au/ways-to-donate?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImbPDs5LX5QIVgSQrCh2HVQ3GEAAYASAAEgJo6_D_BwE

While Helvi wasn’t given to malice or wishing ill to others, there was one item in her life that would make her angry. The treatment of the downtrodden, the mentally ill, refugees and others. She would be merciless and heap scorn on those that caused social injustices and misery to those that least deserved it. Our Sunday mornings were always special when we would settle-down on the settee in keen anticipation of the ABC’s program ‘Insiders’. A special treat at 9am.
The appearance of Morrison on the News would have her immediately break out in some very strong and unusual language. With Dutton it was worse, I needed to restrain her on the couch. She was merciless and politically astute enough to see the falsehoods, pretence and sheer humbuggery in politicians.
She was so sad that the issue of refugees in endless detention wasn’t solved. The treatment of the elderly in aged care left her speechless. ‘They would never have done that in Finland’, she often said.
Dearest Helvi, I will try and live up to your wishes but I will miss you so much. I’ll keep up your fight against injustices and I also know you want me to get over sadness and continue forward. That’s how you were. Always so positive and cheerful. Helvi, I’ll do my best to get away from myself as much as possible.
Goodbye Helvi, from Gerard, your best and lifelong friend.

Does this sound, like a fictional story that could be of interest for some readers? What do you think? I would very much appreciate some input. 🙂