La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I was in the hardware store recently and I have a question. Can anyone tell me why I might want a microball douchette (first photo below)? The balls are clay; the contraption is French (which may really be all I need to know… although I have no idea what I mean by that). My father regularly muttered about someone or another having a pair of brass balls but he never mentioned clay ones.
Speaking of douchettes, this month has welcomed many special events around the city. One Friday night, several dozen portable toilets were hauled into the Palacio de la Merced parking lot and a concert stage was set up. I never did see what went on that night but by Friday the stage was gone and the portable toilets were being removed.
I took the above photo (and the final one) at one of the patios of Córdoba. The flowers were in abundance but the decor was a bit too precious for me. And isn’t it odd that the owner clothes-pinned a tag to the magnificent (grandiosa) flower petal? It pained me. Is it a type of fuchsia? NOTE: Thanks to reader, Ms. Moon, I now know it’s a medinilla magnifica (rose grape).
Estuve en la ferretería hace poco y tengo una pregunta. ¿Alguien podría decirme por qué querría una ducha vaginal con microbolas (primera foto abajo)? Las bolas son de arcilla; el artefacto es francés (que quizá sea todo lo que necesito saber… aunque no tengo ni idea de a qué me refiero). Mi padre solía murmurar que alguien tenía un par de bolas de latón, pero nunca mencionó las de arcilla.
Hablando de duchettes, este mes ha dado la bienvenida a muchos eventos especiales en la ciudad. Un viernes por la noche, llevaron varias docenas de baños portátiles al estacionamiento del Palacio de la Merced y montaron un escenario para conciertos. Nunca vi qué pasó esa noche, pero para el viernes el escenario ya no estaba y estaban retirando los baños portátiles.
Hice la foto de arriba (y la última) en uno de los patios de Córdoba. Había flores en abundancia, pero la decoración era demasiado recargada para mí. ¿Y no es extraño que el dueño le pusiera una etiqueta con una pinza de ropa al grandioso pétalo de la flor? Me dolió. ¿Es un tipo de fucsia? NOTA: Gracias a la lectora, Ms. Moon, ahora sé que es una medinilla magnifica.
• La traducción al inglés es incorrecta. En francés dice duchette con bolas de arcilla. Si esas son microbolas… bueno, no importa.
• Estaba en la cocina y me sentí como si me estuvieran observando. (Ventana de la oficina de San Geraldo.)
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Such cute cats. A quick Google search, confirmed my guess that the clay balls are seen to soften the water.
David:
Thanks. I finally did a search. It seems the jury is out about their effectiveness in all the things they claim (lots of doubts).
I was wondering about the reason for the clay balls in the first place, but David above helped to answer the question!
Michael:
Yes, after David’s comment, I did a search. It seems the claims are questioned.
La Grandiosa is beautiful! Some kind of fuchsia would be my guess too.
Debra:
Ms. Moon pointed out that it’s Medinilla magnifica, rose grape!
Hmm! Never heard of this clay balls thing for softening the water. I don’t actually want my water softened for showering, anyway… never feels like you’re fully rinsed.
And… hey! Merci for teaching me a new French word! I guess I’ve never had occasion to speak about a shower head or a hand-held shower … I’m glad to know!
Judy C:
I don’t think there’s any strong evidence for the effectiveness of the clay balls. Just come to me for any French questions.
Oh, and I seem to have missed everyone’s blogs yesterday! I am excited to see the new terrace glass, and I hope the nephrologist visit went well. Beautiful collection of colors once again, yesterday 🙂
Judy C:
Dr. visit was fine. Nothing new really to report (i.e., no miraculous cure). We’re thrilled with the new terrace.
So you have to eventually replace the little clay marbles? Sounds like a solution in search of a problem. Boud.
Boud:
And no proof it actually does what they claim it does.
While I don’t have micro balls, thankyouverymuch, I might like a microball douchette.
I love Spy Cats!
Bob:
I wonder why the company translated clay balls to micro balls!
Do you ever think of the people who actually make products like the Microball Douchette and wonder what in the world these objects are? I mean the people who work in the factories or wherever they make these things.
My plant app says that is a Medinilla magnifica, aka Showy medinilla, aka Rose grape. I use the same app as Steve- Picture This.
I love the fact that there’s an old sewing machine on that patio. I have an old typewriter on my front porch.
Cats spend a great deal of time staring, don’t they?
M. Moon
Ms. Moon:
Funny to think about. What do you do at the factory, mom and dad? We make showers with balls. Why? We don’t know. Thanks for the info on the flower. I remember the name Rose Grape!
I’m picturing a Porta potty convention with the entertainment being that old Motown group Clay Balls and the Douchettes. The opening act? Peeoff Bidet. What a load of talent!
Sorry, Scoot. My colonoscopy is looming, and this is how I cope. Flight of fancy notwithstanding The plant is purty and the kitties are cheering as always.
Deedles:
Oh, groan! And the image of a looming colonoscopy? That’s what nightmares are made of. And, come to think of it, there must be Portable Toilet conventions. I wonder where they hold them. Maybe Flushing, New York.
I’m really glad you provided the photo since I had no idea what a douchette was, much less one with clay micro balls. My imagination was running wild. We had a water softener when we were on a well, but it used salt, not clay.
Kelly:
I didn’t know what a douchette was until this, so I would have had the wrong idea in mind without the photo.
Hmmm. My thought is that the microballs are a way to reduce the water flow from the shower head and save on water costs. Wonder what the concert was! Probably good that you couldn’t hear it. Olivia
Olivia:
The claim is the clay (ceramic) balls soften the water, but there doesn’t appear to be scientific evidence to support the claim. We heard music being tested (too loud) on the speakers in the afternoon, but never heard anything more. We must have been out for the evening.
Those douchette balls…forget it. This is just not my area of expertise.
Kirk:
SUPPOSEDLY, they soften hard water. However, the only ones strongly supporting the claims are the douchette makers.
Here in France, billes d’argile are used as a draining aide for potted plants. I will say no more.
Walt the Fourth:
I’ve been doing my reading (what a waste of time). The claim is the balls filter out impurities and soften the water, among other more extreme claims. Proof is hard to come by.
I read those balls improve water pressure and you save on water in the end. They are to be replaced every 5 years. They also make you look 30 years younger and hip.
larrymuffin:
30 years younger and hip? I need balls!