Nearing the End of the Year.

 "Keep true to the dreams of your youth." Friedrich Schiller. "A man is not idle because he is absorved in thoughts. There is visible and invisable labour." "To die is nothing, but it is terrible not to live." Victor Hugo. "If you are going to live by the riverside, make friends with the crocodiles." Ubuntu African Proverb.  "The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but becausd of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein. "A man without education is like a building without foundation." George Bernhard Shaw.                                                                                                                                        In US a German shephard dog went missing, then the door bell of the owner rang - it was the dog (caught on camera), waiting to be let back in. A knock at our door. My husband called: "I am coming." In front of the door stood a cat. Some ferals manage to open doors, if there is a handle. In addition we had a cat that used to bang the key attachment against the door, when he wanted to enter a certain room. Several cats learned this method from him. Experts say cats can approx. reach the intelligence level of a 2 year old child. In spite of the meanwhile often cold and rainy days the majority of the youngsters on my road still wear the open summer sandales. A homemade drum from an empty paint bucket and a wooden kitchen utensil, covered in plastic, ensures it doesn't get too quiet around here, it's to celebrate the starting school holiday, I am told. It never gets boring in our quarter. Poor, gentle Schmusi went over the rainbow. He lately lost a lot of weight, a sad sight, just bones and fur. The vet had diagnosed anemia. Our sweet little treasure loved to cuddle and loved his food, but it didn't stop him from getting thinner and thinner in spite of this and his medication. In Germany it was discovered that so called "chewing bones", made in China out of cows' skins, caused 50 dogs to suddenly fall sick, suffering panic attacks, cramps and sudden aggresion. Luckily it can be cured, first step to calm down and relax, keep the dog in a dark room, without noise. Plus veterinarian treatment .  Now that less folks are sending letters (mainly elderly folks), the post office in France has taken on additinal tasks, delivery of cooked meals and on 6 days per week checking that elderly folks, living on their own, are okay and don't require help. Sounds like a good idea. We can learn so much from each other, i. e. fighting rabbies. Old methods that aren't very effective, why continue (some vaccinatons are meanwhile carried out here, but not on a big enough scale), when other countries are actually successful without killing the poor, so called strays (all too often pets kicked out for convienence, to save money, owners' lacking sense of responsibility). Antoine De Saint-Exupery once said that we are during our whole life responsible for that what we have made known to us. Wise words, but how many are listening? We seem to be living in a world that usually doesn't allow the best to make it to the top. The other day Jimmy Carter, 100 years old, Nobel Peace Price holder, passed away. In my opinion the best president the US ever had and will have for the foreseeable future, highly dedicated to human rights, peace and democracy. Now politicians all over the world praise him (including  Joe Biden and Donald Trump), even though, many of them don't share his values - judging by their actions. At least the Pope condems the cruelity of war that kills children and the bombing of schools and hospitals. UNRWA says that a child is killed every hour in Gaza, more than 14,500 since the start of war. So far

7 babies have frozen to death. In view of 70 % of destroyed houses, makeshift shelters that don't deserve to be named as such, minus 10 degree centigrate, heavy rain falls, lack of blankets, food, water and medication, it is getting worse. Meanwhile all hospitals are destroyed in Northern Gaza. Alon Pinkas, a former Israelian ambassador, has a clear opinion: "Hospitals should be out of bounds, hospitals should not be targeted, period." What was or was not in the hospitals "doesn't matter."  Netanyahu sees Hamas terrorists everywhere, it's a magic word that excuses everything, but he all too often fails to produce proof. Violation of international laws and regulations are the new standards, who can say he/she didn't know? At the end of the year we always hope the next one will be better. May God/Allah have mercy with us, punish the evil and provide those in charge with wisdom, empathy and respect for human and animal rights. 

Some Days we could Do Without.

A visitor to my Cats'  Table. 

My beautiful tree. 

My killed tree, a great shock. 

 "No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose that they are like himself." "Time is the only critic without ambition." John Steinbeck.  "Fear is the mother of morality." "Success has always been a great liar."  "A casual stroll through the lunitic asylum shows that faith does not proove anything."  "To forget one's purpose is the commenest form of stupility."  Nietzche  "Hounds follow those who feed them." Bismark.  "The highest we are placed, the more humble we should walk."  Tullius Cicero. - It is getting pretty cold, feels like freezing. In most European  countries Christmas school holidays have started. In Tunisia also - oh waite a minute, I guess it's called something else here. Pity many kids don't know what to do with all that spare time on their hands and books seem to be out of fashion. Several years ago I planted a tree in Kairouan and it grow up healthy, strong and very beautiful, ideal to help improve the environment and reduce the temperature (up to 5 degree scientists say). I was very proud of my lovely tree that now required trimming, cutting off lower branches and a bit on the right of the top (near a neighbour 's window). A woman whom we paid in the past to keep an eye on the house (and do a bit of watering) said she found an experienced man to do the job for 45 Dinar. Knowing that one doesn't always get here what one ordered (i. e. if you say "in the middle," it is understood as either mainly to the right or left), we stressed that we want to be present to control the performance, therefore we would need to know the suitable time a day in advance. Blow and behold, this was too much to demand! Unfortunately I allowed my husband to persuade me to pay in advance - which I really didn't want and I would strongly advise against it, if you don't enjoy having tradesmen "dancing on your nose". Anyhow, when we arrived on the scene I felt close to a heart attack, why do ignorant folks hate trees? For me it was an "environmental crime" and in many countries it is against the law to do this to a well grown healthy tree, so important to reduce air pollution and create oxygen! There was a "corpse" of a tree, a sad view, I was close to tears. Those responsible are lucky that trees cannot scream. I hope Allah will punish them. Well, we failed to read the "writting in the sky", a warning, when the aforementioned woman informed us last summer that we won't have any grapes to harvest (should have been more than a bucket full) as 300 birds (!!!) suddenly appeared and ate them all. Strange, birds normally leave marks of their picking, did they all swallow complete grapes? We are convinced that she was simply too lazy to water the plant. Someone famous ones advised : "Trust is good, control is better." Daily collection of household garbage worked perfectly well for several years, though often an unpleasant job as not all landes in the right place and some folks are too inconsiderate to care. Anyhow, in Sousse  waste disposal vans no longer arrive every day. I tried to work out the system as no official data is suppied. Seems to 3 times a week, not on one or two weekend days. Wonder whether the employees (as a special peek) can choose the relevant days at short notice. 

Those are our Days

Myriam

 "The future influences the present as much as it does the past."  "He who fights monsters should see to it that in the process he doesn't become a monster."  "If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you."  "In an individual insanity is rare, but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule."  "Those who cannot understand to put their thoughts on ice, should not enter the heat of debate."  Nietzsche.  Sweet, gentle, beautiful, 3 coloured, Myriam has disappeared. She sneaked out one evening, unnotiiced until the next morning, breakfast time. I called her to serve her her special meal of sliced sausage with salmon oil (good for the fur). She loves it, but didn't turn up. I searched every corner of my house and in the neighborhood, called her in vain. My sweetie didn't have an easy life. Approx. 5 yeas ago a neighbour showed me her photo and asked whether I can help her, following a car accident. The vet discovered a broken jaw and one eye so badly injured that it had to be removed. After a little while Myriam integrated well into our big family. Some months ago she sadly started to develop daily cramps. For a few seconds she then moves in a circle, wets and sometimes injures herself. I fear that ignorant folks seeing her outside, may think Myriam is a stray and maybe having a contagious sickness, therefore should be killed. I had her examined by our vet, an x-ray made, but the reason for her cramps remained in the dark. She received Tetra B vitamines to strengthen her. I miss my little treasure, feel depressed, hope and pray she's okay and can return back home. There is a small chance a kind soul took her inside, but unfortunately most Tunisians only want a "perfect" cat, at least the cat should be perfect in the house. I love her as she is, but can others see her true beauty? My feral family as well as the guests visiting my "Cats' Table" lately developed a larger appetite (plus probably some folks "helping themselves" to free pet food from my bowls outside). In addition an unknown person stole yet again the pottery bowl in front of my house. As experts recommend to avoid plastic bowls for cats' food and drink (can cause brown spots on their gum), I used it to provide fresh water in addition to the croquettes, even though I was well aware that the bowl is likely to disappear quickly, sadly the same applies to any other nice piece of decoration. - Not only in my opinion, we have too many school holidays in the country. Around here these kids and youngsters then spend most of their time on the street, playing football with a lot of screaming, not caring about possible damages to house walls, throwing stones "just for fun", getting up to no-good, lately also playing with lighters and a rope emitting sparks when hurled in a circle, looks like lots of little fires - some kids showed me resulting holes in their clothes and one boy burn marks on his skin. Trying to advise that this is a dangerous toy, produced the usual reaction from the neighborhood children, for revenge stone throwing and breaking bricks (fitted to stop cars from parking on our pavement) . Luckily one of our neighbors knows the concerned youngsters. Speaking with the parents - if they are senseable - can be the solution and it seemed to work here. One doesn't always need to call the police. Still no sign from Myriam, I fear the worst. Nonetheless we will try to gain information about her fate. We got some leaflets printed with her photo and offer a small reward. Our poor little darling really has suffered enough in life. Chances she has been taken indoors by someone are minor since there are more beautiful cats outdoors around here. Why do animals have to suffer so much? Their character is often better than that of humans. They don't start wars, create or buy horrible destructive weapons, don't torture, don't lie...... In Aleppo young  guys meet to tidy up their town, they want Syria to become again a good and attractive place to live. Much can be achieved if more persons would adopt such an attitude. Would be a good idea also for Sousse and other places. Butter is available again and also sugar for a short spell. Coffee and honey prices have gone up quite a bit, some medication and sweets also as well as other items. We won't grumble as long as essential products remain on offer and are reasonable priced. 

Age of Reasons as well as Double Standards.

 "Man is the only kind of varmit sets his own traps, baits it, then steps in it."   "A sad soul can kill quicker than than a germ."  "The discipline of the written word punishes both stupidity and dishonesty."   "I have seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing  look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think that humans are nuts." "Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts..... perhaps the fear of loss of power." John  Steinbeck.                                                                                                                                                Winter  is gently starting, usually after 4 p. m., lasting until round about 9 or 10 a. m. thus still sunny during the day. Autumn and spring only make a brief appearance in our time and age. Now in November, those who wish to send X-mas greetings to other countries, may be starting to do so, hoping it will arrive punctually. After the revolution, for some time, Tunisian postal service left must to be desired (delivered by "snail mail" or may be getting lost in transit, "Barmuda triangle" ). Well, this very much improved, but now the German Post's services are often of a "Third World" standard, so it seems., more than 26,000 complaints, notifications often unreadable, wrongly delivered letters and parcels. Have they employed too much cheap, unmotivated labour, folks who need glasses? As the British say, if you want to pay peanuts, you end up with monkeys. Well, it can only get better. Possible problem : many elderly postmen retired and are replaced by new employees who may be require training in reading various types of handwritting. On the other hand, I just found out, it is also possible to get mail delivered from Tunisia to Germany in just 11 days, normal letter without extra charge, astonishing. - Precious, the lovely street cat I recently took to the vet, looks as if she could be the mother of our gorgeous Ali, fluffy, well fed, long hair (some Persian blood) big paws, gentle. Only the fur has a different design, but after all the mother usually has only one kitten looking like "a copy of mummy". Anyhow, since I started to offer Precious separately her own sausage, with Marbourcyl medication hidden inside, she now sits in the morning on my pavement, waiting to be served, lets the others chase their share of delicious pieces of "salami". She is so sweet, I love cats with their own character and feel honoured to serve this lady! The latest hit and presently the most expensive cat in the world is a very special breed, cats without fur. Apart from thus removing the beautiful protection that nature gave to the poor little treasures, isn't it cruel? And why, just to create something exotic and make extra money from those that regard animals as expensive toys to show off? These naked cats' skin must be very sensitive, poor creatures. Hope this fashion won't last long. -   According to UN officials Palestinian children have per capita the highest amount of amputations in the world. Lord have mercy. Wondering why US is not a member of ICC supporting countries, those that signed when it was founded, but nevertheless wants to dictate the ICC policies? In the 2002 Hague Invation Act the United States actually threatens invation of any state complying with an ICC warrant for US citizens. Guess they don't trust their army members always abiding by international laws and regulations. What do they fear? Strange, as long as their country investigates and proscecutes possible war crimes the ICC won't act. While the international arrest warrant was fairly quickly issued against Putin - even though not a member (it was considered important against which country war crimes were committed) - some countries want to apply different conditions concerning Netanyahu and Galant. Now that at long last the international arrest warrents are issued (even several Israelian politicians call it war crimes and genocide against Palestinians), not all western countries seem to be willing to act in line with the ICC rules. They are loosing their credibility. "All are equal and some are more equal than others." (George Orwell). Even Marcon doesn't want to cleary say that Netanjahu would have to be arrested should he visit France, seems to be a reaction to demanded conditions (from Netanjahu) for signing a cease-fire deal for Libanon. Amnesty International doesn't state any accusations as facts if they haven't been thoroughly investigated, listen to their clearly worded reports. Doctors without Borders are shocked by the continued attacks against hospitals, patients and medical staff. This is unprecedented. All this senseless suffering must end. The world deserves better politicans, diplomatic not weaponry solutions. I hope and pray for a two-

states solution, money spend on urgently required aid, reconstruction, and environmental protection. Hate and revenge only destroys our world, we should be more advanced. 

Postscript A New Season

H

 "Weaklings must lie."  "Age does not matter if the matter doesn't age."  Jean Paul. "If you want  to fool the world, tell the truth." "Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear for death."  "People never lie as much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt."  "God has  a special providence for fools, drunkards and the United States of America." "Hounds will follow those who feed them." Bismarck.  "Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error."  Tullius Cicero.                                                 Sweet Mary, for a long time our guarding 'watch cat' , sitting in front of our house, until a cheeky cat decided to take over her post, suffers from bad teeth and gum. She has become more nervous, not very helpful when I try to get her inside my transport box, so far unsuccessful. The other big cat with health problems, I managed to trick inside and take to the vet. He discovered that her swollen cheek was actually caused by parasites (mites) inside her ears. Itching ears in addition often lead to external wounds caused by ferals scratching themselves. Now I have to hide her antibiotics in pieces of sausage. But the recent experience to be left in a box for hours, and taken to undergo unpleasant treatments, was a shock for the lovely girl. So she didn't turn up for breakfast the next day, after that she had second thoughts and decided that I am not such a bad person after all. I was so happy to see the little darling again, no hard feelings. Tiger, our senior tomcat, is just crazy about sausage. The other day he bit my finger, while I was feeding him. I guess he needs glasses!!! The same applies to those cats who like to sit or walk in the middle of the streets. Perhaps one should put up a sign asking drivers to be aware of playing children and cats. Wondering why potatoes aren't always available? Are folks storing them, exspecting a war soon? No, definitely not. Folks not caring for their fellow citizens, only  interested in making profits, no matter what, withhold potatoes and some other basic foods from the market for monopoly and speculation. Some suspect that such criminals also intend to harm certain food supply for their own political reasons. Lately Tunisian authorities managed to discover and size 10 tons  of potatoes in a warehouse in outskirts of Sousse, 700 tons in Monastir, 40 tons in Madia, 2.2 tons in Bizerte. There are also other incidents where the concerned authorities' investigations were very successful. Thank heaven for that. It may sound strange that private tutoring outside educational institutions is banned by law, but not when one bears in mind the high percentage of pupils who have in the past been receiving private lessons by their teachers (boosting their income, those whose parents can pay thus get better results) . If the majority of students in a class are very weak, in my opinion either the pupils are exceptionally stupid or the teacher is not well trained. Teaching can be exciting, rewarding, fun, for both sides, but of course the teacher must not feel bored with teaching but kids used to spending lots of time on the street, no kindergarten, are not easy to educate. Parents should be made aware of this. (When I gave up teaching, my pupils protested, they wanted me to carry on.) A German politician suggested children should learn to read before starting school. It is estimated that every 5th Tunisian suffers from Diabetics, many not aware of this. Unfortunately quite a few products (soft drinks, including Coca Cola, cakes, and other processed foods) contain lots of sugar, much more than necessary, actually too much for my taste. -  The Pope urges investigations into  accusations of genocide committed against Palestinians. Interesting criminal court cases are about to happen, concerning Netanyahu, Trump and Mari Le Pen. The later can be sentenced to 5 years prison and equally long ban on all public/political functions (would mean no chance to become the next French president) plus a 2 million Euro fine. While the judge in Israel refused to further delay Netanyahu's court case, Trump was more successful. Judges had decided to postphone part of his cases until after the election and now the situation is difficult. The judges need a lot of courage if they intend to sentence the incoming president. Should it come to that, once in post, Trump will doubtlessly grant himself the 'Royal Pardon.' He inquired about this possibilty approx. 2 years ago and was advised, though this has never been done before in American history, the answer is Yes, he can. 

Another Season

 "The conscience of children is formed by the influence that surrounds them, their notions of good and evil are the result of the moral atmoshere they breath."  Jean Paul. "How did it happen that an enlightened country like Germany was pulled into Nazism? That question has occupied me since 'The Tin Drum' my first book. The story shows that one can never know how a person's life will unfold, there is no guarantee that a person will do what is right and avoid what is not right. "  Guenther Grass. " What makes old age so sad is not our joys but our hopes cease. "  Jean Paul.                                                                Middle of November, getting earlier dark, nights are colder, but during the day it still feels almost like summer, pretty hot, though, on the roof. Our feral family enjoys the sunshine, but it gets interrupted by occasionally thunder and heavy rain (badly needed). So we mustn't grumble. Certain food items like coffee, tea, sugar, butter, milk, bananas come and go, prices have risen, including for potatoes, so not always everywhere available. Gives us a chance not to take everything for granted. We are better off than many in the rest of the world, a paradise doesn't exist in any country. When you think you found it on earth, it certainly won't last forever. One can place one's household waste directly in one of those containers designed for garbage ( in various places) , usually within a few walking minutes, or leave it outside (in bins or plastic bags) to be collected on route by rubbish collection vans. At present no longer on a daily basis, exact program unknown. So we are not amused to discover some unknown neigbours add their garbage to ours. Left there for a couple of days starting to smell and attracting lots of flies. One of my visitors to my Cats' Table lately turned up with a big swollen cheek, guess a sign of an infection. Feeling sorry for the poor, gentle darling, I arranged an appointment with our vet. Sadly the little treasure didn't turn up today. I can only hope that he will be well enough to do so tomorrow. - Wondering why Americans with Arabic rootes voted for Trump, in spite of his often not exactly moslim- friendly rhetoric? Well, several stated that under the Biden administration their family members and friends died, their houses were destroyed," there is nothing worse Trump can do" . They said that they had warned for more than one year that Palestians need to be more protected, weapon sales must stop, but the Democrats didn't listen. Camilla Harris said she would continue the support for Israel and its "right to defence itself". So why should they vote for them? Trump intends to deport more 'illegal' immigrants than ever in American history. Listening to him I sometimes wonder whether he wants to leave America to the First Nation, people who once came from India (and according to new discovery also from West Africa). Much later Europeans arrived, e. g. Huguenots from France (their life threatened there because of their religion), poor Irish families, following a famine due to rotting potatoes, other mainly poor European people looking for a better life (including the Trumps). Donald's present wife, by the way, arrived with a visa from an Eastern European country and worked in US without a permit. Nowadays quite a few Israelis, not happy with the state Netanyahu created, decided to leave and immigrate to Germany. A Jewish couple who did so was asked: "What do you think of the Democracy in Israel?" They replied: "We think it would be a good idea." Please note, they did not say they hate their country, but that there is room for improvement, equal rights for all should be standard. 

Postcript Trying to think Positiv

 "How do we prevent Iran develop an atomic bomb, when, on the American side, dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is not recognized as a war crime."  "I have had my fill of hurtful words. I think especially egregious when citizens like me, who point out abuses in their country, are referred to as 'do - gooders'. This is how a phrase that can be used to stop an argument dead, becomes part of common usage. " Guenter Grass. "  "A man  never discloses his character as clearly as when he describes another. "    " You prove your worth with your actions, not with your mouth. "   Jean Paul.                        Providing my guests with breakfast at my " Cats' Table", suddenly some started to run away. What happened? Two youngsters were taking their German Shepherd sized dog for a walk, they had removed the lead, but then quickly put it back on again. Interestingly cats don't show the same reaction to all dogs, they seem to know which one is gentle and represents no threat whatsoever. Janina suffers from fungus and has a wound on her back. The application of a spray to the wound, as prescribed by our vet, appeared to be highly unpleasant for my little darling and she seemed "to think of murder", attacked me. I put Betadine on my wounds and ignored her. A little later Janina jumped on my lap and wanted to cuddle. No feelings of revenge, no hard feelings, amazing. Is that why cats don't get wrinkles? We could learn from cats. Life would be so much easier. - Garbage collection (at least in Sousse) has lately been reduced to only 4 to 6 times a week, reasons unknown, could be due to lack of staff, some garbage trucks out of service, a strike, an attempt to demonstrate the importance of regular garbage removal, or to reduce expenditures., after all, some citizens don't pay the charge for this important job, say they don't have the money to do so. Seems we (within limits) are paying for such neighbors as well, as the authorities presented us with a double bill on account of two doors belonging to our house. Well, we neither possess two houses nor do we share our house with tenants, only feral little treasures without any income, but they thank with the love they give us. Luckily I don't smoke, reduces our expenditures, so we won't grumble. As long as our little treasures don't require many medical treatments and medications, we get by. Lately the croquettes I leave outside for poor hungry cats are always gone in no time. Either the ferals' appetite has increased or some folks help themselves to get free pet food, or let their dogs eat our cats' croquettes. The later can cause diarrhea in dogs. In several European countries tinned tuna has lately been tested and a three times higher quantity of mercury than permitted was discovered. - Erdogan called Netanyahu an enemy of humanity. "International laws are being replaced by the rules of the jungle."  Israelian soldiers made videos of their rather strange army actions, (I am not saying all are doing this, but that is what can be seen on their videos) cheering while destroying Palestians property, entering Palestinian houses, playing with women's dresses and underwear, smashing crockery, TV sets, etc. Having posted such videos on internet, some fear now they may get identified. Fifteen top humanitarian  UN officials and partner organizations (e. g. Unicef, Oxfam) call on Israel to end its attack on Gaza. Their statement lists various violations of international humanitarian laws "that must stop," e. g. attacks on humanitarians and health workers trying to help, attacks on hospitals, killing patients, fighting inside hospitals, denying basic aid and life saving supplies. Israel has yet to provide evidence for  many of their accusations, e. g. against UNRWA. Can't Netanyahu understand their tasks? It is not a crime to help Palestinian civilians. It is not a crime to take the wounded to a hospital. As one doesn't need to negociate with friends, with whom does Netanyahu wish to hold peace talks? Lord have mercy. 

Trying to think Positiv.

Siamese  cat

 "When a madman appears to be thoroughly sane, in deed, it is high time to put him in a straight jacket."  "Believe nothing you hear and only half that you see." "I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity." EdgarAllan Poe.  "Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakes." "Thinking is difficult that is why most people judge." "Twelve experts gathered in one room equals one big idiot."  Carl Jung.                                                    I have visited 15 countries, but only in Tunisia I found out on the street the once most expensive cat in the world, Siamese, blue eyes, lovely soft white fur, dark socks and ears, face mask and dark tail. There is not just one poor little treasure, forced to hit the road, but several, a sign they had become fashionable, became an interesting source of income for breeders and are unfortunately no longer expensive and thus less appreciated. Exotic animals is what folks want. Well, if you yourself are not high class, at least your pet should be......Different world, in Cuba we once viewed a man taking his pig, on a leash, for a walk. Experts say pigs are intelligent and that we have more with them in common than most folks would like to hear. That is why it is possible to carry out forensic surveys on dead pigs. Following heavy rainfalls (some parts of Tunisia even got flooded) and several thunderstorms, only 3 cats attended my Cats' Table the next morning. Normally all my guests are punctual, so I got  worried. Luckily most of them turned up again the next day. I try to provide them with a bit of more nourishing and delicious food than the normal spaghetti, noodles, or just leftovers, some folks give them. But I don't want to criticize, in particular when poor people donate this. Cats are great pets, we see them as family members that deserve to be treated well. Carlo just adores my husband and wants to be always with him. I joke, "you are the love of his life, wonder what he sees in you....".            Some citizens in Tunisia ask: "Why does Germany hate us? We used to have a friendly relatonship." Well, I don't think that Germans hate Tunisia, though some changed their attitude, following terrorist attacks from ISIL. In addition, unfortunately, the German government turns a blind eye towards the suffering of Palestinians and their aid is like a drop in the ocean, in particular compared to the amount spent on weapons in support of the Israelian army. Whenever Netanyahu says something it is treated like an absolute fact, chiseled in stone. This is in complete contrast to the normal practice to not even call a murderer a murderer, in spite of being caught in the act, gun still smoking, he remains a presumed suspect until he has been taken to court and sentenced. Like a broken record German and US politicians continue to talk of Israelian "self-defence", though according to international human rights it is not the right belonging to the occupiers but to the occupied people. Strange that Germany, generally speaking, doesn't see his responsibility also for Palestinians. If Hitler had never been born, or Germany had deported him as a "person non grata", following his prison sentence, we could still have Jews, Palestians and Arabs living peacefully together, of this I am sure. Israel and US would be different, many European Jews, including scientists, famous writers, folks like Einstein, wouldn't have immigrated. Without the brutal Nazi state that Hitler created, they would have stayed in their country of origion. There would be less hate and revenge in our world, less money spent on destroying, more available for humanity. By the way, 30 German lawyers tried months ago to take the German government to court for violating his own laws, stipulating that no weapons must be send to conflict or war zone countries. I haven't heard the outcome. 

So What

 "Disappointments are to the soul what a thunderstorm is to the air."  "Against stupidity the very gods themselves contest in vain." Friedrich Schiller.  "Our mind is enriched by what we receive, the heart by what we give."  "To learn to read is to light a fire." Victor Hugo.  "It is criminal to steal a purse, daring to steal a fortune, a mark of greatness to steal a crown. The blame diminishes as the guilt increases." Friedrich Schiller.                Still missing my very special, amazing, little treasure Malek, in spite of presently having 25 other adopted feral children, several trying to comfort me, in particular those who have lately been close to death., but thank heaven, with the aid of our dedicated vet luckily recovered. Pretty sure they understand, they give love and deserve love, very much so! In town we viewed a lovely, well kept cat with a special connection to a kiosk. The lady owner told us that she saw this cat's kitten being killed by a car. After this dead body was removed the mother continued to sit next to the spot where her kitten had died. She was mourning for at least 3 days. Being impressed with so much motherly love, the kiosk owner decided to make the cat's life a little easier, she provides her with food, water, and a blanket in a secure corner. Six years old, big boy, white and yellow, Ricardo discovered approx. one year ago that if he sits apposite Tiger or Alien and just stares at them, he can frightem them like cracy. He enjoys this power, but we are actually not so amused. The quickest way to stop this is to shout at him (I know one isn't supposed to shout at cats), declare that "his mummy is getting angry"...... Sadly 6 year old gentle Janina needed once more dental treatment. At the tender age of only 4 months, she already had to have 4 teeth removed. I found her at the time in a poor state of health, nonetheless a real little treasure. - Politics nowadays are difficult to understand. Honest and wise leaders have become a rar species. I think it was the US journalist Bob Woodward who said Joe Biden surprisingly called Netanyahu a s. o. b. who has lied a lot to him and is only interested in his political survival. Why then does Netanyahu receive this massive US support and why is there this strong prevention to hold him and the defence minister, Galant, accountable for assumed war crimes? (When will the international arrest warrants, as decided by the ICNC be issued? In case of Putin it happened quickly. ) Is it fear to loose the votes of American jews? Many, in particular young and educated jewish people, believe that Netanyahu does a lot of harm to the Israelian soul and the reputation of Jewish citizens all over the world. They don't want the Israelian society he is creating, several declared they can't live in such a state, "not my country". Netanyahu had promised to make the world safer for Jewish folks, he achieved the opposite. I keep telling people that it is wrong to see any religious group as homogeneous, there are the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. By the way, Kissinger (an immigrant from Germany and a  jew, who in the past managed to become US secretary of foreign affairs), in the presence of Haig, referred to military men as "dumb, stupid, animals to be used" as pawn for foreign policy. (Quote from Bob Woodward's book:  "Fear: Trump in the White House")  A rather shocking point of view. The World Bank estimates the war damage in Gaza at 20 billions dollars. U. K. will introduce sanctions against several Israelian settlers (partly also been done already by U. S.) . Presently they appear to be above laws and regulations, lately on various occasions supported by army members, (in the past they used to stop them instead), a shame for any civilized society. Once the war is over Israel will have problems with such citizens, as well as those army members, who now violate international standard rules and regulations.  After the Vietnam War several returning American soldiers had difficulties to lead a normal life again, took to alcohol and drugs, marriages broke up, in some cases even "run amok". The late human rights activist, writer and psychologist, Franz Fanon, said that in Algeria French army members asked him for help, they wanted to lead a normal life after working hours, during which they had tortured Algerian "terrorists". Nir Barkat, minister of economy and industry in Israel, said in an interview with France 24: "We want Gaza to become like Dubai, a better model than 2 states."  An interesting and surprising suggestion, but is it feasable? Anyhow, I believe it should always be left to the concerned people to decide what kind of state they want, if realistic. The aforementioned minister further expressed a thought that could generally be a solution, for all sites, not just Palestions (whom he had in mind) : Love your children more than you hate your enemy. - We desperately need love not hate. Hate and revenge are only destructive and create more hate. Lord have mercy, we must not loose our humanity. 

Postscript Whoever keeps Quiet Agrees to Everything

Visitor, sweet little kitten

Siesta

Snowflake, our late little treasure

A visitor

 "You are what you do, not what you say you'll do."  Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darkness of other people. " " Shame is the soul eating emotions. " " Who has fully realized that history is not contained in thick books, but lives in our very blood. " Carl Jung. "  " The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk in our souls." "I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat." "I have great faith in fools, self-confidence my friends call it." Edgar Allan Poe.                                                                               Recently we had the international day of old people. When my husband viewed a young boy dropping near our door the wrapping of his sweets, he asked him why does he do this? The surprising reply: "To make you work." In view of us being old enough to be his grandparents, I wonder which values his parents teach him. Getting dark, someone knocking at our door. When I opened I couldn't see anybody, but then I discovered a black and white kitten, approx. 3 to 4 weeks old. So the knocking served to make us aware of the little one in need, bleeding from the anus, as I discovered a little later. The bleeding stopped before I managed to buy the medication the vet suggested over the phone. I gave her a bit of milk, tiny pieces of cats' sausage, which she ate. I placed the  poor black and white little girl (that should have still been with her mother, brothers and sisters) in my small outdoor shelter, though, I would have loved to take her inside. But my head told me no, we have reached our limit and in addition, if neighbours view us taking all inside, they will continue to bring us more and more kittens, so convient for them, overwhelming us, so what, they just don't care..... After 2 days the kitten disappeared without a trace. Something simular happened before, after we discovered 5 beautiful little feral darlings in front of our door. I fed them, they enjoyed their food, but first the black beauty disappeared, 3 days later the others also, except one. I strongly hope and pray that they haven't got run over by a car (or got killed by ignorant kids or adults and instead found a loving home. Maybe it was just a test whether we are ready/capable to offer shelter to more cats. Yesterday our sweet, little, blind, approx. 6 months old, snowflake passed over the rainbow. She was so brave, often made me forget she was blind, but used to call me whenever she needed help. Unnoticed she run outside early in the morning, and died within 3 hours, another "sudden child death", no bleeding, no injury. It made me very sad to find our little treasure like that near our house. I had taken her indoors because the street with all those cars and crazy motorbike riders is too dangerous for a blind stray.  We miss her, every cat is special and precious. One can of course live without cats, but is it worth it? They give us so much love and joy. Rest in peace little sweetie. - For quite some time there has been so much talk about self-defence, mainly by Netanyahu, German and American politicians and various News channels . What does it mean? By international standards it concerns the right of the occupied, not the occupiers. If the aforementioned would use this term correctly, we would possibly have a solution before it all gets competely out of control.  Jimmy Carter, in my opinion the absolute best president in America's history, celebrated this year his 100th birthday. In 2009 he said about Palestinians in Gaza: "They were more treated like animals than human beings." The  Israelian defence minister, Galant, adviced: "We are fighting against human animals and we are acting occordingly." Scientists say that it's easier to kill your enemies if you de-humanize them. Joe Biden suggests that Netanyahu should seek alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields (for retailiation in discussion) . Donald Trump advises to first of all strike nuclear power plants in Iran, "then deal with the rest." Lord have mercy, haven't we got enough environmental disasters, e. g. numerous in America? Climate change no longer a problem? No thoughts, empathy, wasted on the peoples of the effected countries and Netanyahu wants to advise how civilized countries should react (support Israel, their "self-defence", shameful to stop arms supply......). Two Americans talking, one of them says:  "What I don't understand, whenever we like a government somewhere, the citizens there are of a quite different opinion." Replied the other:  "Well, he's a  s. o. b. but he is our s. o. b. !"  Gaza now consists of heaps of rubble, the infrastructure destroyed, experts worked out that it will take approx. 15 years to clear Gaza of the debris.  The formally fertile soil, now polluted like the water, compressed through tanks, will take years to recover. So will the traumatised children and adults. UK expresses her worries ref. the strikes on hospitals in Libanon (the new normal, often practised in Gaza), "disturbing" . The UN warns that the health system is under thread. At present only 1 mosque has been attacked, in Gaza this happened to many, including churches, alleged Hamas or Hisbollah quarters. In Libanon inhabitants of more than 20 town and villages have been told to evacuate, meanwhile the entire south of Libanon, 400,000 have fled to Syria. 40 rescue workers and fire brigade members, more than 2000 people have been killed, including 130 children, more than 10,000 are injured. Mean while one fifth of the population is homeless, sleeping on the street.  700 school facilities are targeted. Figures are increasing. Almost 42,000 Palestinians are dead, plus a high number under the debris (millions of tons) of destroyed buildings. Where does "self-defence" end? Lord have mercy, we need wise leaders to end this nightmare. 

Whoever keeps Quiet agrees to Everything.

 "To study history means submitting to chaos and nevertheless retaining faith in order and meaning." "Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one can not communicate and teach it."  Hermann Hesse.  "India was remarkable to see, all those parrots flying about, the brilliant foliage and the brilliant sky. It was tremendous pageant, I never noticed the poverty." Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. "As a body everybody is single, as a soul never."  Hermann Hesse.   While tomcats mark their area with urine (unless spayed and neutered), hooligans mark it with their litter (usually various kinds of wrappings, peelings, paper cups and plastic bottles). Kids copy adults and youngsters. As they rarely get criticized for this, they see no reason to change. Looks look milk is getting difficult to obtain again soon. Sugar and coffee, confiscated from those who intended to make money on the black market, is about to arrive in shops /has returned and will be much appreciated. North Africa likes it sweet. Following a fair amount of rain, we now have tapped water around the clock. We had stopped taking it for granted and should continue to value the supply. Of all those kittens in front of my house only 3 remained. Hopefully the others are still alive and found a loving home. New ones are brought by ignorant folks, wonder what is going on in their heads. We aren't getting younger, definituly aren't rich, don't receive any donations and don't even posses a garden. How can we be expected to cope with an endless flow of kittens? Placed in front of our house they are at risk of getting run over by cars. It breaks my heart, but I cannot take them indoors. Janina has lost a lot of weight, even though she hasn't stopped eating, cats' sausage in small chunks and croquettes. Approx. 6 years ago I found her close to my house, only 2 month old. Two months later she already needed dental treatment. Janina is a quiet, gentle little treasure, getting on well with everone, humans and cats. I fear she might be the next one to leave me (over the rainbow).  - The German minister of foreign affairs, A. Baerbock, speaking about Palestine, said that "coarse force must not win." Having listened to Netanyahu in front of the UN assembly, I fully agree. Netanyahu at least was honest, he doesn't want peace but continue fighting until a complete victory has been achieved. Sounds familiar (historic speech). Many - of the few who remained present during his speech or listening to his words later through a different media- were shocked by his contempt for the UN organisation, calling it " a swamp of antisemitism" . Netanyahu had promised more security for Israel and Jewish folks, but he obviously is not the right leader to accomplish this, his own citizens say so. Proud to have been elected (too few votes to govern without his far right, extreme coalition), he is as destructive as an elephant in a porcelain shop, putting it mildly. Further, he didn't seem to understand why there are plans to issue an international arrest warrant for him and his defence minister (Galant). I've heard folks with little education and lack of historic knowledge, sometimes say " Hitler was a good man and he was right murdering Jews." That really makes me mad. How can anyone say such horrible things? Hitler was a monster and he had no reason whatsoever to commit such horrible crimes! Hitler, came from a poor family, some relatives suffered from mental disorder, a jewish doctor saved his mother's life. When the unemployed Adolf slept on the street (in Austria) and later on in a house for homeless persons, he enjoyed free meals (Suppenkueche) sponsored by Rothschild, a rich Jew, who had empathy with those in dire need. The Jewish guy, with whom Hitler shared a room, suggested for income to do postcard sized copy drawings of paintings. He helped selling these to tourists, mainly Jews. Since Hitler owed a lot to Jews, why this hatred? It was convient to have a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong, plus envy, and a chance to shamelessly exploit and rob, enjoy the power to torture and kill, being able to decide who is to die and who to live. European Jews and certainly those living in Germany, had no plans to leave the country, where they and their ancesters were born and raised, which language they spoke and culture they knew. They often were well educated, had good jobs and houses, considered themselves rightfully as Germans. During the 1. world war they fought for Germany (approx. 10 % didn't survive), so why should they be arrested, tortured, murdered in concentration camps? Those who couldn't believe such senseless atrocities will happen, paid a heavy price. Understandable that Germany now continues to feel they have a lot to "make good". But is it the right way? And why doesn't the country see the connection with the suffering of Palestinians? Aren't the Palestinians "the Jews of the Jews?" People like Netanyahu destroy the soul of Israelians and jewish folks' life has become less secure. It is wrong and shows a lack of historic knowledge, to lump all jews together. Are all moslims alike, no matter where they live? There is no such thing as a jewish race, we are talking about a religion. The often extremist settlers living on occupied land in Gaza and well educated jews in Europe are planets apart. In UK I knew several jewish folks, obviously well educated, generous, liberal minded. I enjoyed our discussions and I can't say even one bad word about them. In Germany I never met any jews, but I once listened there to an amazing concentration camp survivor,  Margot Friedlaender: "What has happened we can't change, only it must never happen again."  This great lady is meanwhile 102 years old. She teaches love, not hate.