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Our elderly neighbour. Eighty years old and working out in the scorching sun. She rises well before dawn and is down at her vineyard working hard, returning around midday before the heat is unbearable. Well, unbearable for her. We are having a heatwave at the moment, temps are up in the late 30's (40s tomorrow) and the humidity is debilitating. I'm exhausted just doing a little housework and organising grandchildren
The vines must be weeded and watered and if she doesn't do it then no-one else will.
She came in for a chat about the automatic watering system which uses water from their well and keeps on breaking down.
Poor Vaso looked rather tired and admitted that she was 'whacked'. She had fed the chickens and milked the goat, watered her vegetable garden and cooked some beans before walking the half kilometre to work in the vineyard.
The pump is bringing up water into the resevoir but she is worried that it will dry up soon and she'll have to water it all with a hose from the town water.
K has arranged for a special timer which will top up the tank without wasting any of the precious water and she should have enough till August
She came back this morning with a dozen fresh eggs to say 'thank you'.......
and stayed for a glass of water and a couple of cigarettes
But look at the lady she turns into when scrubbed and dressed up. This photo was taken a few years ago when she came to one of our neighbourhood get togethers. She was a beauty and is still a good looking woman (with her teeth in).
She has a hard life. She's a proud woman. Good for her. She looks a decent woman (with her teeth in). We all get old someday. I bet when she was younger she would have given the SpiceGirls a run for their money.
ReplyDeleteShe was definitely a woman to be reckoned with. The stories she tells are incredible. she was one sharp lady and quite a beauty, so say others and so does she!!
DeleteThat's the way to keep on going, a body must keep in motion moving on, or cease up. That's what I tell myself anyway. Good for her.
ReplyDeleteShe is amazing . I forgot to post a photo of a gate which she rolled under. Only my grandchildren can do that!
DeleteAre you ok? I have only just read the news, were there any tremors there? I hope you are all ok.
ReplyDeleteEarthquake was on the other side of the Aegean opposite turkey. A long way from our island.
DeleteI guess she has seen it all before.
ReplyDeleteShe's seen t all, done it all and knows that if she wants something done she has to it herself...and she does
DeleteNo point on relying on anyone else. That';s the way of country people, you get on and do things yourself and would never dream of asking or expecting anything from anyone else. I like life that way, you know where you stand.
DeleteShe is lucky to have you neighbors that can help her. Are you OK,i heard about the earthquake.
ReplyDeleteHi Yael, thanks we all fine. No shakes here. The earthquake was way over the other side of the country
ReplyDeleteYup they breed them tough in the villages. My grandmother was 85 when she died. It was a particularly hot summer and she was still walking around to all the fields and doing what she had always done. Watering, weeding, looking after the animals. It was the heat that killed her. But she wouldn't of had it any other way
ReplyDeleteThat generation was/is tough. The women just about always seem to outlive the men and keep on going, looking after their family and fields till thelast.
DeleteVaso should be more careful in the heat now but she does disappear indoors during the worst heat. Would never use a fan or air-conditioning!
Most of us take water for granted, but for many it's a constant worry. I really mustn't moan when it rains!
ReplyDeleteKeep busy, drink good natural wine, and eat a little of everything.
That's the formula for a long happy life!
DeleteI really think that keeping busy and having a purpose is what keeps most people alive. I really admire this lady. (She does look quite different sans teeth!) I hope you manage to find a little relief in the heat. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteExactly she has a purpose in life! Heavens know what will happen to all her property when she's gone!
DeleteSounds to be an amazing lady - there's hope for us all.
ReplyDeleteKeep busy, like Jen says, have a purpose. Drink wine, eat a little of everything as cro says and you'll many long years in good health, like Angela's Yiayia and Vaso herself
DeleteWhat a lovely lady!.
ReplyDeleteHope Vaso enjoys her life, that it,s not a daily burden.
Does she have family?.
She has three children who all have really good careers. Two of them visit quite often and help out with olive picking and wine making but she lives alone here next to us. The kids live in Athens
DeleteWhat a remarkable lady. Wine, home grown veg, locally produced food and lots of sunshine seems to be the elixir for a long life.
ReplyDeleteThat's right Dave though I'm not sure how much sunshine you need. Over here it is too much sunshine which sometimes sends the elderly off to new pastures....so to speak. Sunshine without excessive maybe, like what we're having this summer
DeleteWell done Vaso!. Every generation dreams that their children have a better life. Her work is done!.
ReplyDeleteWith proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, ... They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
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