So I am one of those rare people who get to bring my own horses to work! With the rainy season in full bloom now, there is so much grass growing – and what better solution to cut the lawn but to bring over two very eager grass-loving horses? Lol, that picture almost looks like [...]

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Since we started watering the bougainvilleas in the horse yard, they have been in full bloom ever since! If you wonder what plant I’m talking about, click here for the Wikipedia link. Bougainvillea was one of my mother’s favorites, and it’s not hard to see why!

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After a Saturday spent mostly in bed due to a stubbron migraine, I was keen on doing something new on Sunday. Aïssa came over for brunch and a Bollywood movie, and an hour later, her brother brought over someone to give me a henna-makeover. Ah, do I see remnants of the migraine, perhaps? Lol! The [...]

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Sometimes, when Amadeus the goat frustrates me too much, I think of sending him to the market and exchanging him for someone more… grateful. Perhaps someone like this one…? (and yes, that is Munir doing his homework in the background…) But then I look at Amadeus again and his endless silliness sort of charms me, [...]

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Weekends for me mean an obligatory horse back ride in to the Nigerien bush! Last week, my sister and I had one of our greatest rides ever, and how fortunate then that I decided to bring the camera! Riding out of Zinder only takes a moment (10 minutes) Having crossed the main road, most of [...]

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Last Saturday, my sister, my sister-in-law and I decided it was time to check out the fabrics at the Zinder market. Tabita wanted to come along, making it her first visit ever to the marketplace of Zinder, something she was pretty keen on! The weather was beautiful that morning as it had rained all night. [...]

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Past Tuesday, after coming home from a full day at the field station, my sister suggested we treat ourselves with some good food and a cosy evening in front of the TV. I asked her want she had in mind (foodwise), and she said: “Oh, can’t you make one of those nice pasta dishes that [...]

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With the rainy season in bloom, the garden is now full of greens. At first sight, the little plants popping up may look like insignificant weeds (or horse fodder), but on closer inspection, you will find Niger’s nature’s pantry right now in its most generous element. In addition to the hanza beans (whose fruits are [...]

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It was my sister who discovered this little scorpion baby at the field station (not very far away from her feet). He is so see-through that you can hardly spot him in the sand, and I must admit, I wasn’t all that keen on taking a supermacro shot…

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Well, actually the entire Niger is turning green right now, but I posted a picture of last week at the field station, as that is where I am heading today. In just a few, actually, so I’ve got to run! See you when I get back, after a day’s work in the sun!

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I was walking in the garden the other day with the camera in my hand, taking pictures of all and nothing, when I looked up at the wall and met the sight above, which of course startled me in a not-so-positive way. It’s the lizard season right now, with males killing each other as they [...]

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I am so lucky I have a life that makes sense, a job that gives meaning a wonderful family and friends that really care Life may not always be easy but it’s the little moments that count and counting my little moments, I realize just how fortunate I am Life is good!

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The garden is starting to get green right now; at least the part the part that is protected from the horses! Every morning when I come out, the girls are waiting for me, eagerly expecting their fair share of green (weeds)! And who can say no to a sweetheart like Arwen when she’s looking like [...]

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Gurji is the name of the local Nigerien cucumber, and because it is full of taste and texture, I vastly prefer it to any imported type. It may not grow to become a straight line but varies greatly in shape and size, which I don’t mind a bit. Nigerien gurji reminds me of what cucumbers [...]

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Life the way I love it…

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