It’s high time I do my Calendar post in which I look back a year at twenty images to see what was going on this month last year, just without the masks. And with insects.
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Since our Thursday Doors host Norm is on holidays for three weeks, there won’t be a regular door post today, but some doors have still crept in.
You will see lined up: first in Slovenia, a swim in one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, a concert by the same lake of two sisters who always lift me up, our regular garden card tournament, some more seaside days in Piran, a lovely reunion, and just before the end of the month uncle brought me back to Tuscany.
Unlike last and pretty much every August for the last seven years since I’ve lived in Tuscany, this year I returned from Slovenia early, two weeks ago. I, and bestia just as much, went through a heat and crowd shock. Now it’s been a bit breezy and better, especially since we figured out that our air-conditioning, even without gas which is leaking somewhere, makes for a grand heavy metal fan.
I’m so out of touch with humanity that when I pass the first who wears a mask on my dog walk, I almost gasp. Almost forget why. In Slovenia we only wore them publicly indoors, whereas Italians wear them on motorcycles, in this heat.
What I notice, and cannot pretend I don’t, is severe lack of insects. Amore says it’s because of LED lights, and I nod. This must be it.
There was one bird by the lagoon. On the other hand, the first flamingos have been seen on Lake Burano already. And they set up a huge illuminated sign there that reads SPAZIO AMATO. Yes, this place is loved. (And the space too. Spazio also means the Universe.) I’ll show it here soon.
Plus I have seen two rabbits. And that sole remaining Goose of the Apocalypse that seemed so sad? Now they are two again.
I realise that with my sporadic blogging activity, and especially by not visiting other blogs, I’m losing my dear readers. I wish you well, wherever you are. None of you is forgotten nor ever will be. (Oh, and Fabrizio has a book out!)
And finally, this was last August.
Lake Bled with the only Slovenian island. See the church? I swam too. 
But we came to Bled for a free concert, even though I’d pay. The castle overlooks the lake by day… 
…and by night. 
Larkin Poe are two American roots sisters from Georgia and they rock. 
Whereas this is the winner of our tournament (right) with the mascot. 
I went to another tournament in the middle of the forest in the city. Amore fetched me based on GPS alone and I was impressed. 
Anderson .Paak was sold out, though. This is Metelkova City in Ljubljana. 
A Ljubljana window scene. 
Whereas this is Piran on the coast. Slovenia is a many-splendored thing. 
Spying on my parents unobserved. I love this view and this house! 
And them most of all. Going to town all pretty and handsome. 
Whereas I’m going door-to-dooring. 
Before I left for Tuscany, we had a reunion of kids, now grown up, who used to spend many Augusts together in Duba in Croatia with our parents. 
Next generation: Harry Potter mode. 
Here we are, four pairs of siblings, pair us up! Plus one partner and one dog. 
Grandfather’s Japanese maple. 
From that serenity to this… Porto Ercole clearly shows what it will do to aggressors. 
But it has many green doors so all is forgiven. 
Pretty overall. This year we visited that fort up there. People live there, you can’t enter! 
And you know that you’re home when amore makes you a favourite: spezzatino con patate.
Here are the seven months of 2019 so far:
And here are three previous Augusts for comparison:
Always happy when you post, Manja. You are not losing this reader! 😉
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Thank you so much, Lois, this is great to hear. ❤
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You’re not the only one posting your regularly. I think we are all learning to be Buddhists and live in the moment, one day at a time. It’s hard to blog when you can’t hold a thought for more than 2 seconds before your brain returns to the world and our situation. Always enjoy your pictures and seeing you pop up in my reader. Glad you are enjoying your home country. Stay healthy.
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Thank you, Susanne. It is so indeed, isn’t it. Zen all the way. I always love to return to Slovenia, now more than ever. This year was a bit hard to come back to Italy.
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Never lose me as a reader Manja 😀 I love going on adventures with you
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Thanks so much, Bushboy. I’ll hold onto you tight. 🙂
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Fica is the best.
Just without the masks…this ‘just’ makes all the difference.
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Thanks, Bojana. Fića was Fiat 600, this one is 500. 😉 A smaller difference than masks.
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I distinguish the cars only by color.
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You cannot get rid of me, Manja! I will follow you everywhere and anywhere you go! So glad you are back ♥
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Oh, Ann-Christine, I’m truly happy to know this. ❤ Thank you so much. I'm never far away but I'm not quite sure how to proceed with this blogging. I think it's the heat. It will be better in a little while.
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I hope it is getting better, Manja – here it is now pouring rain every day. Stay well – looking forward to hearing more from you when the heat goes down!
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A great variety of photos, Manja. Enjoyed them. Everyone has an ebb and flow with blogging…you are human! Take care and be safe. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Jane. I wish you the same. Much love to you and San Francisco. I was there once, around Christmas. It reminded me of Vienna. 😀 Wet and a bit dreary, but still wonderful.
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