WINTER SOLSTICE UPDATE 2009

At the end of June, occasional helper, Marijo came to me under threat of instant eviction. I said:

"Well you can come here, but you'd have to be vegetarian. I don't want dead animals brought in and eaten."

"Food animals?" he queried.

You might call them 'food-animals'.

"Fish?"

"No fish."

"Could I eat the things that look like meat?"

"Yes, if you like them. Just not dead creatures. There are plenty of other things to eat. You can have cheese and eggs."

He brightened: "All right."

I said: "That's a very big life-decision to make; not one to make on the spur of the moment because you need accommodation."

I went on to persuade him that he should stand up for his rights and insist on proper notice and I believe he did!

There was no rain to speak of between 2 July and 12 Oct. and I enjoyed the longer-than-usual, almost-weed-free period. Many people fear the Summer heat here but it is like being in a constant, warm embrace. Also, of course, there is the succession of wonderful fruits: Strawberries, cherries, melons, apricots, plums, peaches, apples, loganberries, grapes, figs, and then pomegranates, kiwis, mandarins’ kakis and oranges for the Winter. Two people who have visited in high Summer are so enamoured with Potok and Brac that they are seeking to come here long-term. In late July, Rick and Vedrana's daughter Helena and friend, Andy, found walking and cycling to local beaches so blissful that they abandoned their intention of seeing the whole island!

They were followed by Domogoj from Zagreb. A young man of great warmth, psychological and spiritual insight and a remarkable capacity for breaking things! We spent most early-mornings in the adjoining field to the north, cutting down the bushes that threatened my view of the sea, one of Potok's greatest assets. Domogoj and Misel spent much of their free time together. On the day I went out with them we based ourselves between the naturist and textile sections of the coast, so that they could swim with the suited and I, with the naturists!

In Sept. Dorothy from Swansea, an active member of the Green Party and surely one of the most serene, also enjoyed the many beaches. As with Domogoj, our main work was cutting and on alternate days we visited different parts of the island and walked. The weather, perfect for both swimming and walking, made it an ideal month.

On 1st Nov, first day of the bonfire season, I burned all our piles in front of the house, Dorothy and I having cut round them with the object of confining the flames. Having burned all the others one by one, I became less careful, allowing the last two to burn together. The wind escalated and for at least half and hour I was rushing madly to and from with buckets of water, climbing over a fence and jumping down a wall on each journey, praying that I would be able to regain control. The phone was ringing for some time, probably the Police or Fire Brigade! Then, miraculously, the wind dropped and my prayer was answered! How embarrassing, not to say wildly expensive, it would have been if an aeroplane had had to be sent: a fire-engine would certainly not have been able to gain access!

It was my first experience of fire-fighting so let’s hope that no further such initiation is in store for me!

Like all resorts, Brac becomes full of homeless animals, particularly kittens, after the Summer when the holiday-makers, who feed them, have left. On seeing a poster about a litter in early Sept., I phoned and the advertiser, Tom, kindly had the weakest kitten spayed for me as he felt she had the least chance of surviving on her own.. When he returns from Canada next Summer he wishes to get a spaying programme underway so as to put an end to the poisoning that is practised here.

The kitten is mostly white with black markings and I called her Shakti. (It is known to be beneficial to repeat the names of the gods so if you have a pet named after one you are bound to!) I feared she would lose entertainment value as she grew up but of course, she deepens in affection and personality!

When I had my week in the UK, 16-23 Oct., Misel and a neighbouring boy fed her until the arrival of Oz, three days later. It was wonderful that he could cover for me again.

Then, the day after my return, a very pleasant man, Roland called and said he had heard that I loved animals and would I have his kittens while he went to Bosnia for a funeral. They were 3 ginger brothers, Two-eyes, One-eye and No-eyes. (No-eyes can see well enough to play and explore) Shakti spent two days growling at them then started to play with them.

When Roland returned, he could not believe how relaxed and affectionate his trio had become in 6 days. He had handled, but not exactly cuddled them! He needed to home them so displayed posters quite widely. Two homes were offered, one of which he accepted (the other was only a part-time home) and Two-eyes was chosen. Shakti, One-eye and No-eyes continue to cause havoc here most of the time and sleep irresistibly piled-up and intertwined!

Not wanting to support the level of suffering that goes into tinned pet-food, I feed them cat-meal, which contains slaughterhouse products at least in far smaller amounts, and fresh fish from Supetar market once a week, emptying it straight from the bag onto their plate on my return! Vegetarian pet-food is unavailable here and of course it is enormously expensive.

Anyway, the big news is that Roland and his father fell in love with Potok and want to sell their flats on the coast which they are now finishing, and buy it! They will cover for me when I next visit the UK in early May. No doubt there will be more news on this in my Summer Solstice Update 2010! Kittens certainly seem to be heralding my way forward!

My trees again yielded 7 litres of oil and I gained 5 more litres from the left-over olives of friends, that is, olives that had to be climbed for!

Dorothy’s departure on Michaelmas day, 29th Sept., marked the transition to Autumn and I began to have bouts of sadness as I felt the loss of all that is Summer!. At such times I try to find strength in Steiner who said that if we wish to live with Nature in Summer we should be prepared to die with Her in Winter, to go within, to turn from Nature-consciousness to self-consciousness. One may go deepest in the month around the Solstice, especially, Steiner and other teachers contend, from 24th Dec. to 6th Jan. Domogoj and his fiancée Patricija will be coming for most of this period so I expect we will be exploring this idea.

Throughout the Christmas festivities therefore, let us bear it in mind and heart.

With warmest wishes, Jenny