SNAKE. FISH, PIGS, AND BULLS

A very eventful week with highs and lows, rain and heat. A snake we hadn't seen before (anybody ID it out there?) in the garden now seems like an omen of the good/bad to come. The local pond expert came out to diagnose why the pond wouldn't clear up ---- says it's mostly fish waste --- and scooped up a lot of muck without much change. And even before arriving in Toronto, I was told a dishwasher had "malfunctioned" and the laundry room ceiling below had collapsed. Welcome back!!

The van and truck both had full loads from the barn. The apartment, which we hadn't seen for 5 years, was a mess. Filthy floors, carpet and appliances. Handrail torn off completely. Cabinets sagging, hinges unhinged. A roomful of garbage and recyclables. How had responsible, professional people lived like this?? Makes a pigsty seem like the Taj Mahal. But we cleaned for days and are now setting up in the new/old home. The Canada Day fireworks on  the Beach kicked in some excitement and a promise of bright things to come. For instance, a new mattress was delivered by a guy who looked like Michael Jordan!

One reason to return to Toronto was to enjoy all the festivals and attractions of the city. First up, the South Asia Fest in Little India. Immediate multiculturalism swirling around us. like a cold mango drink for a thirsty nomad. But I haven't forgotten my beloved and distant Pamplona where today the bulls and the runners rumble in the streets. I hope the bulls even the score!