Couch Cat

Jackie Wilson Asheeke My girlie doggie baby, Artemis, a Labrador retriever, is now 13. She is blind, has a heart issue, and has arthritis in her back legs. I have let it go on too long. I have taken the decision that is going to put me in tears and sorrow. I have to take her in to the Vet for the last time, and let her go. Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is hard. Those who are like me and love their pets like babies, ‘get’ me on this one. I have been putting the inevitable decision off…

Jackie Wilson Asheeke I have been cleaning out cupboards and store rooms with a vengeance lately. I had completely forgotten about an old suitcase full of the ancient music cassettes that used to be critically important to my music listening joy about 25-30 years ago. I also found a huge box full of CDs. And I found a small zip bag with two old MP3 players. It is amazing that these tapes, CDs and old time digital devices used to be the center of my entertainment life in their time. But now, they are spider web magnets as digital music…

Jackie Wilson Asheeke I have colonies of ‘little animals’ all over my garden in Eros. They started popping up about 5-6 years ago. Now, they have burrows under my wall and bolt holes everywhere. These guys were cute a natural at first, but now, they own my entire garden. Honestly, I am not lying. I heard them having a braai and swimming in the water tub I put out for them. Where I live in the USA, we have squirrels, pigeons (rats with wings) and sometimes a chipmunk or two if you live near the woods. But, here in Windhoek,…

Jackie Wilson Asheeke I ‘get it’ that we have to wash our hands or have ‘sanitizers’ sprayed onto our hands before we enter every store or building. But, here is the thing. ‘Sanitizers’ is too general; it is not defined. We have some places spending the money to use actual alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The majority are cutting corners. They are using floor cleaners, bathroom disinfectants and industrial detergents mixed with an undefined amount of water and spraying our hands with it. I have the chapped, red and peeling hands to prove it. A visit to the mall may mean entering…

Jackie Wilson Asheeke My electricity bill has long been climbing for unknown reasons and it is putting me into the poor house fast. In a few more months, we will be using candles for light at night, grilling our food and heating water outside on the braai. With earning prospects dimmed, looking hard at every expenditure is no longer an option. For years now, I have reduced power drains severely. There is no more swimming pool pump, no more dishwasher, the geyser is off during the day and most of the night, and no more dryer. And yet, my bill…