Banquet, Birthday Blessings, and some Blues

What’s been going on? It seems something all of the time!  I’m sure there were equally busy times in my life, but then I was younger and had more stamina.  It seems keeping up is about all I’m able to do, and sometimes not event that!

This past weekend was the BFA Christmas banquet.  What does that mean?  In USA terms think of prom and homecoming combined in the fall.  Herbstmesse, the Basel fair you saw from October 31st pictures, initiates the asking...an art in itself.  The girl being asked is presented with flowers at the time of asking which can be done in quite an elaborate ways.  On young man got into a box, which he then “mailed” via his dorm van to a young lady at Wittlingen dorm...and there were several others. Of course for weeks squeals in the hall, friends celebration, and giggles accompanied each newly asked person.  Then the Sunday before there is a fashion show in the girls’ dorms, to share in the excitement and make sure clothing is appropriate.  

Then came the big night: Saturday.  The boys gathered at school and shortly the girls arrived, and before long the area was awash of suits, boutonnières, corsages, and gowns. The evening festivities included not only dinner, but photos, roasted chestnuts outside, line dancing lessons in the gym, and a program of homegrown talent and some not so talented fun, plus a “wish list” fulfilled with fun stuff:  A lock of one boy’s dreads, a girl being serenaded by one of the dorms where her parents used to be dorm parents, the principle doing a Korean dance, and anything else that can have special meaning with fun.

All of this I watched from the wings as I, along with a large crew, served and cleaned until 11:30 in the evening.   It was fun serving the students and seeing them have fun, but imagine how special to have the student council students return after their evening of fun to finish up the cleaning, and in addition, to have one say, “Thank you for helping.”  Needless to say “tired” was an understatement, but the sleep that night and Sunday afternoon was delightful!

Since I last wrote many other things have happened.  November 12th, Monday morning, Lynda’s husband, David, who flew over to visit his brother in the Netherlands and  landed in Zurich. He then took a train east to Basel, from there boarded a bus up here to Kandern!  He made a special trip to say “HI” and tour “greater” Kandern in the rain, have dinner, only to go to his B&B, and leave the next morning!   He returned to Zurich for a few days and then take a train to finish out his time with his brother.  Wow, talk about being touched. What a blessing.  Home never felt closer, and of course Lynda always has her special touch.  She works full-time and still manages to make gifts for her grandchildren’s teachers each year.  I received the teacher gift as well! :) hand delivered!

Also, thank you for all the birthday wishes, and if you did not know...that’s as I would prefer.  I planned to keep it under wraps, but two days ahead, one of the other new teachers commented about a “special day.”  From him I learned that our school home-base website lists birthdays, something I’d not seen.  That evening Pat called and said that she and Julia and Rich (the other neighbors) wanted to take me our to supper Friday.  That night I planned to go to the music recital and have a quite, relaxing evening... something that now seemed lost amid all the new plans.  Laura and Brant, our hosts, couldn’t come because of starting their substitution at the Sanctuary (TeachBeyond’s B&B) that afternoon and couldn’t leave, so they invited us over for cake after.  

The day came, and while talking with Julia during the day, I found that she too wanted to listen to the students.  After calling Laura, it turned out to be fine to go to the recital after dinner and then go over to the B&B.  Super.  I really did not want to miss some really talented young people--just an example, Ben, who plays the violin beautifully, is applying to Juilliard, a believable outcome--and he was playing that evening!  After a delightful dinner and the last half of the music, we headed to the B&B.  Once we arrived Laura told me of secretly contacting Ruth on Facebook to learn which cake I would like best. Subterfuge!  Without hesitation Ruth replied: “banana bread,” something she would make for me with the extra Sam’s bananas that went into the freezer.   

The kids were in contact throughout the week, Ruth waiting on the edge of her proverbial seat for me to tell her about what happened.  It’s so hard for her to keep a secret!  She was tickled with that, but in addition, she had sent a package and was antsy to know when it arrived.  This meant as much to her as if she were receiving a gift!  She has a talent at selecting such timely or appropriately suited things.  Now I have fleece leggings and pink flannel p.j.s for cold, gloomy days plus some other goodies. :)

After all of these things, I felt like Mary when the scripture said, “She pondered these things in her heart.”  Here in a strange place, with new people, and friends thousands of miles away, I felt just like He was filling in all the gaps, making this a very special time with all of the well-wishers in many and varied ways.  

These times are needed.  The trips, the events, the special moments blogged--some of which remain uncovered, are not the routine daily grind, only highlights.  With all of the blessings involved, in many ways these months here have also been some of the most challenging months I’ve faced:  Not having a rhythm because all is new--Not having the confidence in the content area--Spending endless hours reading and preparing daily and then searching for ways to present a lackluster content area effectively and meaningfully--Not yet connected with the students as in the past--Attending German classes myself and scrambling to keep up instead of being on top all the time, all of this and more is new to me.    

Would I change any of it?  Never.  Knowing this is where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to do, what would be the fulfillment is doing anything less?  It, instead, has become a lesson to me in understanding needs of others that may have been less clear to me before.  Some lessons in life just “stick.”  One of those times occurred when I lost my dad

only a couple of years into our marriage.  It was at that time I first learned the truth of II Corinthians 1:3-4, “...the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”  It has helped me through all the “big” events that followed, and will continue even now.

Back home I’m so glad to have the Friday prayer group, my small group and other friends who pray and support me.  This update will help know more how to focus those prayers. Without sounding totally facetious--I would really like to ask that you include with that prayers that will ask for instant understanding and insight to all I read related to class preparation and planning.  If that were accomplished, everything else would be falling into place!  Christmas break, which begins in a few weeks, is greatly anticipated:  No classes daily and time for other things like painting, sewing a couple of things, and just relaxing.  Hopefully and prayerfully I’m asking for more balance in my life next semester, a necessity.

There is always more to say, but not the time--plus who would read endlessly?  Thank you again for your encouragement and participation.  Each and every personal note is a connection to home that is greatly appreciated, and some of them help me know how to pray for you, too.  Love you in Christ.

BFA Journey Vignettes

This last week's continued constant work, never free time, has proved more taxing than usual.  However, sprinkled throughout have been little delights.

Saturday I experienced one of life’s “ah ha” moments, when you realize you’ve changed.   Socked in grey skies and more than drizzle and less than a hard rain greeted me as the day started.  It was here for the day, and I had promised to take sandwiches to our church’s auto-clinic where men volunteer to change summer tires to snow tires, check car fluids, etc...an awesome, amazing ministry for church members.  Pat and I also had planned on a short outing to try out her new car (she’s been like a bird with clipped wings), but she needed to run an errand before leaving and wasn’t sure she would be back before I had to get the sandwiches there in time for the 11:45 lunch.  I blurted out, “Don’t worry, I can just walk over there and you can come by when you’re finished.”  Never in my life would walking somewhere in the rain to do something been considered so blithely.  Here it’s part of life, and now I don’t even notice, like a native--and just like the men doing this ministry.  Out I splashed to deliver sandwiches, bundled under a red hooded Fog raincoat and umbrella. That’s a change!

That night we attended the high school play, a comedy.  Unlike the music recital, none of my students were in the performance, but it was delightful.  The play, yes, but even more so were the students in the audience.  Before the play were quiet conversations, but also loud clamor as students called out to people behind the curtains before the play.  However, this is not the same commotion found in school back home.  When the house lights went down, the students became silent, and not a single distraction occurred, only attention to their classmates on stage.  Then during intermission, the volume increased, only to die down again upon the opening of the next act.  I cannot tell you what a stark contrast this was to school experiences of having to constantly be concerned about discipline issues. None here... at the end of the play, another treasure.  The Maugenhard dorm guys who had been seated  together, mobbed their dorm-mates performance conclusion, congratulating and encouraging him.  The bond they have is rather like seeing college frat brothers positively elevating their brothers, only this is all positive.  That, too, is normal here.

At the end of the school day, Tuesday’s German class brought a surprise--a quiz on Thursday!  The already overwhelmed feelings of constant work--the never ending study for teaching, study for German class, reading for monthly certification in-services--just was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.  Overwhelmed, I immediately decided to cancel the talk I was to attend that night, no time.  Frustrations of never even feeling like I have the time to figure out my printer problem--why it took all night to print a page, and not wanting to take the time to reload Rosetta Stone on this computer plus the other technology quirks that seem to always surface.  I had had enough.  Grace was coming over to help with the printer and Rosetta Stone in exchange for dinner, but after this news we both chose not to go anywhere else.  Instead, that night I did German homework and set out to study more as did she.

The next morning, to my surprise there in the school e-mail was a study group planned for that evening.  Grace and I did that.  Four of us made good use of two hours prep.  Somehow this “girls gathering” was a pick-me-up from the weight of work.  By the way, the quiz went well this afternoon, PTL.

Tonight a forth treat, an American Thanksgiving dinner was served at all the dorms, and Pat and I were invited.  Delicious turkey, absolutely scrumptious vegetables (mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole--all with the best crunchy toppings I’ve ever eaten, dressing, and more), and home made pies--plus NO DISHES! What an amazing out-of-the-norm dinner, something  I didn’t miss it until it was made available.  Thanks to the dorm parents who organized and invited, and thanks to the girls who cleaned up...what a special way to end a rather a draining week or more of days.

Have I bounced back?  No, but I’m waiting for a non-event weekend that may help.  However, rays of light like these reaching through the clouds keep me going.

Pictorial Two Week Journey

It's been that long since last posting a blog...just a tad busy.

The Thursday after the last post, October 25, has no pictures, sorry.  Dinner for six sent me rushing home after German class to finish preparing what was begun the day before.  The "celebration" was in honor of two sets of dorm parents, two couples who parent girls dorms 14/7 every week...drama, emotions, and all.  Thursday is their only day off, and the desire was to have someone doing something for them for a change.  They had a break and Pat and I realized anew how fortunate we are to teach!

Friday had been anticipated for quite awhile...student music recital night!  One of my girls sings opera, and several are accomplished musicians.  What a wonderful way to spend an evening, especially when you find out how talented some of your students are in areas outside the classroom.  The violinist and cellist are graduating and should continue when they graduate, outstanding.

Then after spending the “SNOW” day inside writing, that evening I walked to school for a student led chapel.  Imagine about half of the students deciding to come on a Saturday evening to worship together. Though open to all, as one of a few adults I felt like an interloper...watching.  Worshipful praise songs opened, but the most touching part of the evening was prayer time.  While sharing personal needs and concerns for fiends, one boy asked prayer for friends who “have the same problems we do, but they are turning to the wrong things for help.”  Afterward the students sat on the floor in small groups--some in twos, others in threes or fours, maybe five--holding hands praying for each other and friends.  The following song time was even more vibrant.  During this extended time they individually wound their way to the side of the room where communion was available.  I so appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this...especially seeing how they reach out to one another.  This next picture typifies that.

Well, after church on Sunday the day was spent with more planning for the week ahead...not unusual, but certainly not picture worthy.  Oh, wait, remember earlier in the year how I told you about the leather covered park bench of a couch that needed replacing as there was no decent place in which to sit and study in the apartment?  Later I told you about getting used recliners to replace it, so maybe this would be a good place for that picture.  This has made a world of difference...as has the lamp next to the left chair.

Monday and Tuesday were just school, but that is a daily block of time, until the time change, lasted until 5:30 or 6:00 each night.  Oh, yes, every Tuesday and Thursday is German class after school.  Talk about being spent, sometimes my brain is so foggy it's difficult to think.  I even chose to not go to that Tuesday night's new staff gathering for that reason, and in addition I knew the next day was to be a super long one.  

Wednesday day, October 31, was a special occasion, Herbstmesse down in Basel.  The school had 6 busses to transport students, faculty, and staff that wanted to go. Halloween is nothing over here, but this is an annual carnival with rides...what school kid doesn't want to go to that!  The busses are quite the way to go, comfortable and great for sightseeing, but the trip was short.  Walking in Basel, however, wasn't. After watching some of the rides and walking half way to the final designation, Pat and I stopped for dinner at a lovely restaurant, complete with cloth table cloths and all (the norm here).

We never did find the "home show" type of area, so we made our way to the final destination--bumper cars!  Of course it is all the way at the other end of the entire area which is several blocks long and over a bridge and up hill a few more blocks.  The high schoolers go there at 7:30 and have a blast.  It is just fun to watch them have fun.  One of the rides at the beginning really go my attention.  Rather like a propeller, it turns, but so does the entire arm upon which it is attached.  As if that were not enough motion, the arm undulated up and down while spinning around, AND the individual propeller branches with seats turn as well, so throughout the "upside down" roll over is not uncommon...even watching gets me.

 Thursday was a German holiday, All Saints Day...NO SCHOOL!  Actually this was anticipated as the first quarter ended Wednesday and final grades were due by the weekend.  Since the research papers were due on Monday, this day was set aside for grading purposes.  Fun...yes, we teachers know how to have it!  We were told the day would be very quiet, nothing open, and we would see people dressed in their Sunday best going to graves to place flowers.  Well, I didn’t plan on being out to see that.  While holed up at the table grading, I heard and felt rumbling.  I couldn’t imagine what it would be.  Even someone in the neighborhood would not likely disturb the quiet.  Germans love quiet, especially on holidays and Sunday afternoons, so when it continued, I had to check it out...even if it meant getting dressed to do so.  Opening the huge wooden gates at the front of the apartment drive exit I was most surprised to find the road crew paving the road in front that they have been working on forEVER.  Apparently so were the Kanderners as they were standing around watching, supervising, and one person even taking pictures!

             

Well, that day went well into the night to finish,  but I was ready for the next day, Friday.  I had to be.  Pat and I were going with Sharyn and Dan Galvin--ironically from Texas, other new staff here, to Zurich that afternoon right after school.  This had been in the works for quite awhile. 

 It turns out the drive isn't terribly long, but driving in the dark in unfamiliar places, especially as busy as Zurich, can fray one's nerves (even with TomTom).  A guardian angel kept us from having an accident in an intersection that ole Tom didn't make clear to us.  Dan was amazing to do this. Then when we arrived, according to Tom, the street did not seem accessible...it was a walking road. Getting to the hotel itself proved to be an adventure and took several tries, and as it turn out, those posts marking this as a walking road have not been there that past five years---until this very day!  Go figure.  After getting in our rooms, getting dinner was about as difficult as getting to the hotel.  I'm used to Kandern...never a wait, never a crowd, never a rush; here it was the total opposite.  We had to try several places and even then we had to wait before the four of us could sit together!  Dinner, however, was delicious and the company enjoyable.

After breakfast in the hotel the next morning, we set out to do two things:  take a boat excursion on the lake and then take a bus tour of Zurich that afternoon.  I thoroughly enjoy using a tram for the first time, and it made getting around town so much easier.  The crisp, cool air and brilliantly blue sky made the day's events totally delightful.  The boar quietly cruised the perimeter of the lake, allowing us to view beautiful sights, including distant alps covered with snow at one end of the lake.  

Whether by boat or bus, the homes and architecture in town totally captured my attention--these are buildings like I've seen in movies, but never in real life.  The City Bus Tour office provides entertainment in itself.  One place we saw from the boat that looked like a palace up on a hillside turned out to be a stop on the bus tour. The bus parked at the base of the hill and we took a tram to the top.  Up there we viewed Zurich from above, and then saw the hotel.  We learned these rooms run in the thousands per night, in the area of 14 not two or three!  That made our expensive rooms seem so much more reasonable.  Zurich is quite a thriving, busy, wealthy area.  I've never been anywhere to take such a tour, and found it a most enjoyable experience.

You, too, can stay here if you can afford it.  They do have a 9 hole golf course, but not sure it comes with the room.

When I get an album made, I'll post pictures of the Zurich buildings on Facebook.  For many it is not fun to see a bunch of pictures without meaning, so that posting will allow those who wish to get a visual taste of the city a chance to do so.  

At the close of our whirlwind Zurich overview we had dinner once again and then journeyed back without incident.  This is Pat, Sharyn, and Dan, and proof I was there, too:

Dan, Sharyn, and Pat

Well, that would seem to be enough for the two weeks, but there was more.  I've been anticipating a visit from David for quite awhile.  He and Lynda have been friends for over 30 years, and he was coming to Europe to visit his brother and made a special trip to come by Kandern.  That was exciting.  So after serving coffee after church, another friend, Grace, and I went to check out a restaurant that had been suggested to us because of it's German cuisine and seasonal menus.  A HIT!  That afternoon and evening were again spent with lesson plans and preparation, but with excitement for the next day.

Monday came along with rain.  With little sleep on the transatlantic flight and the train and bus ride here, David had to walk around Kandern dodging drops.  He came to the school and was able to see parts of it and meet a few people.  Then we toured the town by foot and visited.  What a joy.  I am content and comfortable here.  God has blessed me with people with whom life can be shared on a meaningful level, but when we talked and called Lynda and he gave me her gifts...so Lynda, floods of home came.  What a special occasion.  After dinner we returned to the apartment and we went to introduce him to Pat, the other part of the "we" I so often write about.  After a visit, he headed to his room for sleep and departed the next morning.

Tuesday was back to normal, the long day with German class at the end.  Oh, yes, that is a good thing in many ways.  We had a quiz last week, and they are reminders of what the kids are always facing.  For the first time I can remember as an adult studying, I just don't even expect to get everything right.  With all that is going on and every evening filled after school with studying German, writing, or planning for class, I'm past expecting that.  I'm waiting for a comfort level in science class where I can do something in the evening and not feel guilty if it isn't work related.

That brings me to tonight. Leaving t a little earlier than usual, about 3:30 p.m.--that's 16:00 here and I'm still not used to that time stated that way, I stopped by the apartment to pick up some crocheting to take to the biweekly knitting/crocheting group that meets every other week.  Wanting to check something before leaving, I ended up a little after 4:00, and it dawned on me that they start at 3:30 and leave at 5:00.  Well, I didn't make it.  That's the second time the plans never came to fruition.  Maybe it isn't time yet.

I ended up staying at home, fixing dinner, studying German, and then finally getting to the blog.  Well, over four hours later, I'm just finishing. Maybe one day I'll get faster.  Anyway, it feels good to let you see some of what has been happening.  Thank you for caring enough to encourage me and be a part of all of this.  

(This is dangerous.  I'm posting without much rereading and revising...forgive mistakes you see.)

    

Tuckered and Tired

Remember the phrase, “Not on a school night,” we told our kids?  Well, I need to remember those words for me.  

Every week there has been some evening event, valuable time, but depleting thirteen hour days have been almost a weekly occurrence  As if that were not enough, this past Saturday was another thirteen hour day.  What started out as only an evening of listening to the Kandern men’s choir, soon became dinner and the musical concert. Friends invited Pat and me to dine with them, however, that did not seem too much as Saturday would be an entire day at home, delightfully restful and overdue.  But, that did not happen.

The train travel we planned for the following Saturday, October 27th, had to be pushed ahead to this past Saturday.  It was more than my body wanted to do, but my mind said, “This is an opportunity to see how the train system works--something you’ve wanted to learn, to see a little of Switzerland for the ride, and enjoy good company...Carpe Diem.” 

Kristin, Debbie, Grace, and the Pat you always hear about

The ride through gorgeous countryside was quiet and comfortable, and the conversation delightful.  Our destination, a waterfall, was obscured by fog when we arrived, so we had to go into town for coffee and try something new in the pastry line...a requirement on such outings.  However, this proved to be a difficult endeavor as my left knee decided to “act out”--yes, act out like an unruly kid. Just the day before I was thinking of writing and telling everyone how much better my knees were from the walking required here. Now I had to retract all my positive thoughts about getting better.  I limped so badly that Pat and I did not return to climb down the torturous descent and eventual trudge back up.  Instead we took a different route back to the depot, had a delightful experience getting tea served by the proprietor of a closed “beirgarden!”  Charming and refreshingly different.  We sat outside in the beautiful weather, chatting while our other friends worked at enjoying the scenery.  The ride back was so relaxing and restful, that if I were traveling alone, I could easily have gone to sleep and missed my stop!

The dinner and music concert that night were enjoyable, quite a different experience than usual.  However, it was all possible as our friends picked us up in a car--no walking required.  Sunday morning I wasn’t any better, so I stayed home, concerned about even getting to work the next day.  Fortunately, it improved enough to walk better in the apartment that evening.  Something will need to be looked into, but even though medicine here has an excellent reputation, I would much rather go to my own orthopedist. The frustrating thing is not knowing when this will happen.  All I did was ride in the train...no difficult or odd experience at all.

Resting all day Sunday should make someone feel rested.  Not so.  Yesterday after school our neighbor, Julia, took me to another little town to see about a winter jacket at a consignment shop (I’m covered for really cold weather and slightly cold weather, but not the windy, in between weather) and then some groceries.  After returning, unpacking, and fixing dinner, I was shot.  In bed early last night and getting up later this morning was not enough to get me through this day, especially with German class later in the afternoon.  Right now I’m headed to bed early again.  Hopefully this extra rest will help tomorrow seem less difficult to stay awake.

The week's goal--getting through to this weekend...for which no plans have been made.  Thursday two couples, dorm parents, are joining Pat and me for dinner;  that is this week’s “night out.”  (Yep, another thirteen hour day, I'm sure because we have an early start again.)  Dorm parents only have Thursdays off, so we could not do this on the weekend, a more logical time.  Because German class dismisses around 5:20, and they’ll be here about 6:00, Wednesday will early prep time.  This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time because they are always taking care of someone else. It just seemed like someone should let them know they are special.  Imagine parenting a houseful of high-schoolers--especially girls--24/7, every day of the week, every week of the month, and every month of the school year.  They are my heroes.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to a totally dull, boring weekend, and after this week I’ll try to take my own advice, “not on a school night.”

PS:  Do you think my no longer being 39 has anything to do with this fatigue and all?

I just loved the iron work and old doors at the castle we visited the previous weekend.  Check out the size of the keg they had inside.

It's Wednesday, and tomorrow is Tuesday

The days march, twenty-four-hours, one-thousand-four-hundred-forty minutes, eight-thousand-four-hundred seconds, and it starts all over again. Sometimes it feels like I’m on the ground looking up at the soles of all 160,800 shod seconds.  Here it will be Thursday tomorrow, and the week seems like it just began and tomorrow will be Tuesday.

It’s Wednesday night, the blog has been postponed from having been to a meeting last night, and all the things I wanted to tell you have eluded my mind.  Actually, I could dredge them up, but that what it would sound sloppy and forced.  (Visions of the road workers shoveling the muddy, clumpy dirt on the road excavation we pass on our way to school each day filled my mind...unclear, drudgery, and often in the rain.) The students are special and I don’t want to take away from the pleasure they provide.  

Even as I say that, one wisp of a refreshing memory returns.  Lizi.  Last Friday she came up to me after class and said, “I want to apologize for my bad attitude.”  That came as a total surprise.  When I came into the classroom she and another student were sitting on a couch, but they quickly and pleasantly went to their seats when asked. I never saw any of it.  Chatty and social because that’s who she is, yes.  Less than an honor roll student, yes, but always pleasant and cooperative both in and out of class.  Then she went on to explain.  “I’ve always had a hard time in science, and I never feel like I can do well, and  I’ve not even been trying,” as she sighed. How refreshing to have a young person sensitive to life like this. Am I blessed or what.

Well, this is not as planned, but now at least you have a small taste of daily life here.  Maybe next time I’ll be a little more “on.”

Fall in Germany--Fests, Food, Photos and Facts

Loved the vine-covered garage/barn

Facts, the latter, would be best to get rid of first--rather like a child eating his vegetables before the other food on the plate.  Thank you to those praying for my “out of field” assignment in science.  Until we went out of town last Wednesday, during the day off due to German Reunification, I did not realize how many hours were consumed daily with either research, preparation, or agonizing...we’re not even talking about teaching here.  Last Friday’s prayer request was for focus and some greater understanding of the end from the beginning to ease this constant pressure of lots of information and a lack of direction.  (Thanks to those of you praying with me.) That afternoon, as I was going through material on my computer stored for future use, I came across an on-line course that did not make much sense earlier; I did not have enough information at that time.  The great things is how it fills in the big areas for the overall pattern desired for the year.  Yes!!!  Between the research plans and this presentation of various segments, it seems like it will come together; now if it could just magically fall into place while I was sleeping. I’d really like that.

“Fests” and “food” equal the vocabulary of the season.  “The Holtsen craft fair is fantastic; you have to go the weekend of the 6th,” was heard repeatedly in one form or another, and I love craft fairs.  Well, it was uncertain because without a car it was too far to walk.   That, too, became a matter of prayer on Friday morning.  (Trying to help Him out, I checked the bus schedule Friday afternoon--yes, a bus goes to there, but not on the weekends.) Late Friday evening Laura, our host, FBed asking if Pat and I would like to go to Lörroch for the Kürbisfest, the pumpkin festival the next day.  Long story short, Saturday afternoon Pat, Laura, Brant, and I were headed there.  Delightful.  While there, my food choice was the creamy Kürbissuppe, of course!  Delicious.  These red, roundish pumpkins can even be cooked and eaten with the skin on!  While strolling amid the various pumpkin related tents,  naturally the storekeepers had wares out to attract as well, lots of eye candy.  After a morning of productive study and walking around the fest, the day was topped off by finding computer speakers so I can listen to iTunes radio, something I’d been looking for online.  Double jackpot!  Then we headed back, and Laura said, “Plan on coming to Holtsen with us after church tomorrow.”  Well, I’m not a gambling gal, but isn’t that like the slot machine handle that is pulled and the pictures whirl around, and if you’re lucky, three of the same things coming up at one time...home run. (jig dance here) Oops, mixed metaphor.  Excuse me.

MISSING PHOTO:  In the Kürbisfest one vender of food had an entire cow carcass on a rotisserie from which they sliced off meat to make the sandwiches.  By the time we were there it was almost all bones.  I'll have to get that one for you.  And this is in the city!

Laura & Brant, our hosts, w/ a hand carved deer

Holsen is a stork preserve...they're all over 

Sunday’s message was MUCH more encouraging than the dreary, rainy weather that started the day.  However, being true to the German fortitude--can’t refrain from going in lousy weather or nothing will ever get done attitude--we went.  The food tent was the first stop in hopes the rain would give up.  Kürbissuppe could be had, but I opted for another local food, a thin crust pizza with sautéd onions in a cream sauce, one of the few pizzas they have here that I do care for.  Then the rain stopped and we could look around. I loved the felted scarfs and hats, beautifully colorful and gauzy. Farther down one lady had rocks painted with cats, “Ruth” written on every one, but especially the tabbies.  As we walked, a woman walzed among the crowd dramatically dressed in black with red roses liltingly playing an accordian.  To add to the effect was her partner dancing to the rhythm, circling her while covering her with an umbrella...wonderful!  We agreed to meed at certain time...where else but a place for Karottenkuchen (carrot cake) and Kaffee...really inexpensive at fairs and home-made-by-a-baker-person good.  Afterward I had to return to the one thing that grabbed my attention--uniquely shaped and glazed tableware at one booth. The slightly arched mug in variegated greens and brown glazes perfectly complements a bowl and plate with a slight triangular shape, all delicately and finely crafted.  After getting it home, I wished it could have been a set of each of the color it is so gorgeous...a perfect finish to a delightful outing.

Yes, I started back to work that evening, but not for long.  It was good to have a chance to talk to Ruth.  This time difference really makes calling difficult.  I go to bed around 10 here, which is 6 in the Eastern time zone...not very flexible, especially for those who work until 6 in the evening.  That was a great way to end a full weekend.

The next time we’ll have to talk about the kids, school, and some unusual announcements there.

The dishes 

Shopping and Touring

I’m inside this rainy and cool Saturday morning, suffering with my self-imposed exile... and relishing every moment.  Getting my new-to-me printer onboard with the Mac, doing laundry, cleaning this huge apartment, and doing online business provided a sense of accomplishment at a leisurely pace.  A delightful day so far and it’s only noon.  This is especially appreciated as this week’s germ-share has left me rather run-down.  Part of the ability to relax is know that the next week will be rather light. 

Just having received a phone call, I now have to make a trip to the grocery store for more ground beef and taco seasoning for tonight’s pot luck gathering.  How great everything is within just a few block of walking.  Several of us are converging on Gail’s place for a pick-me-up for her.  She just had arthroscopic knee surgery and has been rather housebound as she lives up three flights of stairs.  (I’m so thankful for my bottom floor apartment!)  We (Pat is going, too) will be picked up and driven, making it much easier.

Yesterday our other neighbor , Julia, asked if we would like to drive to Lörroch for shopping.  To clear Saturday and avoid the crowded parking, we opted to go early from school.  Though having been there and shown around briefly when we got our visas, this time we explored many other places.  Pat opted to shop at a department store while Julia and I went to other places.  At the health food store we scored natural peanut butter!  Any peanut butter was hard to find before, but the PB with sugar and salt can now be found in small jars in the local markets.  We also visited a euro store, like our dollar stores, a great way to purchase basics like printer paper, and odds and ends...no nylon net bath scrubbers though.  

We met up again and headed to the huge basement level grocery store, which like many others here, carries a wide range of goods aside from groceries.  There I was able to get something totally elusive up until then--scotch tape!  Can you imagine?  Index cards here are not 3x5 but almost 2x3...lined or graphed.  With the small stapler purchased, I’m almost complete in the office supply department.  They even have quite a selection of fresh fish.  Julia, with her Japanese cultural experience introduced me to a marinated mixed fish pieces that need only sautéing for a meal. I also now have a one serving fondue cup and raclette cheese (I’m not sure about this, but it is used on some device for making melted cheese sandwiches with veggies on top--more after next weekend’s gathering).

(Guys reading this can skip this paragraph...girls will understand.)  I’m excited about one of my purchases yesterday...I now have all-weather boots!  That may sound silly, but that is something on my list since before coming.  None of my shoes from Naples would serve the needs of wet and cold weather, especially walking everywhere.  These aren’t fashion statements, but one pair is cute enough, and both have wool lining, all weather exterior, and no high heels to cause me to be klutzier than I already am, plus being reasonably priced.  Perfect!  They had so many cute styles, but spending that kind of money on leather that would be getting wet and ruined kept me in line.  

I was ready when we headed home.  By the way, did I tell you Julia’s car is a cute, two-door  Mini Cooper (do they even have a 4 door model?), one of those really adorable little cars that are so perfect for these narrow roads and the expensive gas (though it isn’t the best for gas milage).  Well, don’t be envious if you're the third passenger.  These cars really seat two people with a back seat for looks only.  Actually, it isn’t too bad to sit in, it is the getting out that is the problem.  I was on the passenger side rear seat.  Pat slid the seat forward and tilted its back forward, leaving a few inches between the front seat and the frame.  Well, the best way to describe this extrication maneuver is to imagine pulling yourself up from the bottom of a large, wide vase with a narrow neck opening.  I reached out with both hands and managed to get one leg out past the seat...just not far enough to touch the ground.  I could also get two legs out and not touch the ground.  There was no place inside to turn around for leverage to push up and out.  Well, since you’re reading this, you know at some point I did get out.  Such were the adventures of Friday shopping. 

Fast forward to Wednesday...today

We just returned from a day trip to Titisee, a tourist area and lake in Swartzwald, the Black Forest.  The rainy, cold start found us under prepared for the cooler, higher Titsiee area.  Warm, spiced wine (typical for here) and a brot helped as we ate in a glass enclosed area, but having the doors closed on either end would have been better yet.  Once fed, we perused a beautiful glassware shop (all my mind could think of was the word "breaks") and, of course, we had, just HAD to check out the cuckoo clock stores.  They were at least two shy by the time we left, as  Pat and Grace both purchased one.  What a variety: little magnet-on-the-fridge size to monstrous wall hangings.  Clocks were always a delight to Bill and me (even though neither of us cared to be governed by time), and this would have been a special day.  In memory, I did find one that would interest me, rather different than the usual.  It is elongated rather than wide, with the beautiful wood working, and three weights: time, cuckoo, and music.  However, now is not the time as it needs to be shipped home.  Maybe that will be the special memory purchase  I'll take back when I return...if there is another like it at that time. 

Why were we not with the kids at BFA, you're wondering?  It is German Reunification Day and nothing is open in the Kandern area, not even a grocery store or an apothecary.  Since we’ll have no Thanksgiving Day off here, we gave thanks for this holiday!  Actually, I have to (and am glad to) say that this is the first day of feeling better AND the first day that a constant pressing forward to prepare or do school work has not occurred.  Teaching science has allowed little relaxation on that front. This was totally relaxing, a welcome gift.  As soon as I send this is off; however, it is back to the books and preparation for class, plus there is a quiz in my German class, too!