As I said, I’ve been suffering from an embarrassing laziness these days, since my Mom took all the initiatives of cleaning, refreshing, dusting and redecorating the house while my father found Bebeloi’s tools and gave them new meaning. The cat and I have retired in this pleasant abstinence to a corner of the house where we spin thoughts and smell the pleasant scents that have taken over our living space.

Mom does not understand why the lady-neighbor to the right never says “Hello!” as she appears to be an educated, young woman, but is filled with contentment when the husband-neighbor greets her with a big smile on his face. And the wonders never cease.

It’s hard to explain why there is not a small kiosk near our house where we could buy bread,  eggs, or a roll of toilet paper if needed. I try to convince Mom that although the cashier lady at the store widely smiled at her and wished her the best, she does not necessarily need the recipe for her turnip soup. Then we chat about the dogs pushed in pet strollers, the young ladies wearing training suits at the Mall, the empty sidewalks, and why I do not have some sort of designated closet to store some onions and potatoes.

I have no idea why the responsible nerve with my sensitivity is still bothered by such gestures after having had the experience of the Romanian roads, but it is. Honestly? I was upset for the whole day!