How do you know summer has arrived in a hot country? Mosquito bites. I fell asleep without a sheet covering me and woke at dawn with hot red itchy lumps all over my legs. Got up and smeared Betadine from an old half-finished tube all over my legs like greasy yellow unguent.
No water yesterday and the housemate arrived back and said she would throw a steak on the coals, never mind the birthday supper. So we sat outdoors and the neighbours came over and we watched a full moon climb into the sky and listened to night birds calling. I made a green salad, we had jacket potatoes and steak. The South African braai (barbecue) is a lifesaver when essential services break down.
Took out a pair of rounded scissors and trimmed my small white dog who has a thick curly coat. She looks like a lamb someone forgot to slaughter, but she is cooler and very bouncy. The snipping of the blades did not bother her at all, but her sister the neurotic small brown dog, went and hid behind the sofa.
Dog momma: Who’s an itsy-bitsy sweet Chub then? Come for a cuddle.
Chub (rolling her eyes in terror): Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her poor dog 40 whacks.
If you’re a dog lover, take a look at this, which has everyone laughing about the realities of living with dogs. Trouble linking: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/11/dogs-dont-understand-basic-concepts.html
I don’t like to cover myself with repellent but have found it necessary on the boat during summers here. Right now the mosquitoes are on holiday.