The twins were so enthusiastic about their new shoes, that we had to shoe and unshoe them several times during the day. We still had yesterday's russian salad. The turkey thigh roast was gone, but there was fresh švargla I got when I was buying bacon for Lena two days ago. She just made fresh dumplings for the soup and a tall stack of pancakes and we stuffed ourselves.
The twins are getting hyperactive these days, not just playing but playacting at times, running their own little scenarios. So we took them to Springfield. Dropped by the butcher's (actually Mrkšić chain, but what to do when all independent guys in the area have closed and Žika is... well, by Lesnina and I went there two days ago) and bought a butkice for the beans, but found that they have a prepackaged set for pihtije, so bought that too. We put it into the rear netting of the stroller.
Neither of the usual two animator/nanny girls were there (actually one of them, I think Vesna, appeared later, shift time) so we had to explain a dozen things to the substitute. First of all tha the twins are better off barefoot, they are used to it, there's in-floor heating here just like at home, nothing to worry about. While I was at a smoke break, I called Borče to start arranging a tasting - most of the bottles are empty now, so it's about time to start refilling them, and it's also time to try this year's crop. So I checked when he's available within next four days, and planned to call Dragana during the next cigarette break.
Then while she was on her break and I was sitting on the edge of a trampolin with the girls, my phone rang (the distinct sound of our old mortar and pestle). It was Boba, to tell me that Silvija died today. He and Dragan were all day at the hospital, waiting to see when. Not what, they knew this was the end.
Called Borče to cancel. Went home and spread the news to family, via skype.
Then around midnight, when all the kids were in bed or at least near it, brought the bottle of apricot brandy upstairs. Counted on the apple brandy bottle having about quarter left. She made an extra tozna of cigarettes. Then we sat there and drank. And drank. When no other method works to get the reality through the brain, drink.
Eventually we decided that there was no way we'd go downstairs to pee, so we opted for our usual 6l bottle, which I successfully did twice. The gravity was a bit off kilter, pulled to the right, but I compensated. Her loop held tighter, so her turn came much later, and she didn't have her private news about gravity delivered yet, so she fell, on her back. I saw 2012 repeating and played my part - came to help her up, forgot about my special deal with gravity, and the floor met me halfway. Just four drops of blood, no pain, and a big nasty funny looking scab above my whole left eyebrow. Some scratches on the nose.
Farewell, Silvija.
18-I-2020 - 17-IV-2026