WordPress Daily Prompt: The Eighth Sin

Remember the seven cardinal sins? You’re given the serious task of adding a new one to the list — another trait or behavior you find particularly unacceptable, for whatever reason. What’s sin #8 for you? Why?

I was never an ace at firework photos, probably because I am too lazy to carry my tripod everywhere I go with the camera, but even this amateur presentation shows the explosive nature of the whole thing. Actually I am supposed to invent a new eighth deadly sin, although I must admit without having the link from the man in the WordPress t-shirt I would not even know what they were. Just a moment, I remember a film called “Seven” with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt about some serial killer that decided to kill people according to the seven deadly sins. Unfortunately I only really had eyes for Brad Pitt, and do not exactly remember what the sinful bit was, although there was quite a lot of blood and sadism.

“Tabby, did you want to say something?” My Tabby feline is waving her paw in the air and probably wants to correct my previous statement, as usual.

“Yes Mrs. Human I do. Where was I yesterday evening? Think about it.”

“You were at home, although I was surprised. You are usually exploring the landscape on the search for a poor unsuspecting mouse to devour.”

“And why was I at home and where did I spend most of the evening?”

“Yes, I remember I opened the window to let you out, and you immediately decided to stay and disappeared under the settee in the spare room.”

“Mrs. Human I was ready to take my usual evening walk and as you opened the window there was a bang: a loud bang, followed by more loud bangs.”

“Ah yes, the Swiss nation is celebrating its national day on 1^st August with firework displays. They are very pretty. We also light fires on the mountains and the children have processions with their pretty patriotic lanterns.”

“I know all that Mrs. Human, but yesterday was not the 1^st August.”

“I know Tabby, people cannot wait and the celebrations begin every year earlier.”

“So what about us felines. It is not fun to be followed by ear splitting explosions. When the humans say “aaah” and “oooh” we cats hide and say “MEOW”. We do not like loud unexpected noises. My cousin in the States hates 4^th July, my friends in France dislike 14^th July and the 5^th November is one big cat problem in England. You can add 1^st August to the list.”

“OK, Tabby, this evening I will stay at home and hold your paw whilst you are quivering from the fireworks.”

“And something else: tell the guys in the WordPress t-shirts that the eighth sin will be NOISE.  You humans are far too noisy. If you have a problem you shout, if you have a war you let bombs and missiles explode. It seems to be the only way you solve anything. We felines might have our territorial problems, but we solve it with a hiss and meow and an aimed swipe of the paw. Afterwards we retreat and go each other out of the way. And Mrs. Human, forget Brad Pitt. He was paid for the role in the film and it was all make-believe in any case.”

So it seems again the felines know what they are talking about. As I am writing this piece outside on the porch it sounds like world war three has broken out. There are explosions everywhere. I will also be glad when 2^nd August arrives. I will probably be picking up the remains of burnt out rockets in my garden.

Click here for more

Excitement in a Swiss Village

It looks like one of those photo quizzes where you have to guess what it is. Well I will put you out of your misery. But to begin from the beginning it was around 09.30 yesterday evening and we hear a noise like something from one of those American war films. Very loud, machines running and my husband reaslised that we were listening to the sound of a helicopter churning its blades very near.

We naturally rushed outside to see if anything could be seen. Unfortunately it was already dark and in the hurry I could not make the correct adjustments to my camera, although I don't think I even knew them. I altered it to something like night sky but the above picture is the result. Mr. Swiss said that they must be searching for something as the white light was a giant search light. The helicopter was making a path over the local river. Here is a rough translation of what was in the newspaper today.

"Search operation along the river Aare
Yesterday evening around 9.30 the Kantons police of Solothurn received a report that someone jumped into the Aare from the bicycle bridge in Solothurn (see photo of bridge) and did not surface afterwards.
With a helicopter and two motor boats a search operation began from the Kantons police. Up to now it is not known if the missing person has been found. Up to the present time it cannot be excluded that the whole thing was a false report."

So that was that. Just a little bit of excitement to brighten up a dull day in a Swiss village.

Another piece of local news was that the restaurant in a near bye village was not the victim of fireworks as first thought (see my blog) but seems that it was the result of a fuse box that started burning on its own late during the night. It was just a stupid coincidence that Switzerland was completely in firework mania on that evening. The restaurant is a complete loss and the owners are now trying to come to terms with their fate. I feel sorry for them as it is a group of 4-5 young people that had really built something for the local youth. They had music groups appearing and there was never any complaint that it was rowdy. My son often paid a visit on a music evening and he never had a problem.

Seems that quiet times are on us at the moment in Multiply, but I always find something to say or show. Now take a look at this little man.

I found him on my blackberries yesterday evening. Must be some sort of blackberry bug as he seemed quite partial to the fruit. Any ideas welcome. So I have other things to do now like putting something in the washing machine. What a way to spend Friday evening.