I Heart Germany

Happiness in Germany

 

When I left you last, I believe we'd been discussing my award-winning ("Debbie-Downer-Most-Depressing-Post-of-the-Year, 2009") tale of innocent duck death, entitled..."And He Shall Quack No More." 

It was a blow, I won't lie. That mallard's death resulted in the loss of exactly 1/3 of my closest village friends. Recovery takes time. One doesn't suddenly strike up a new friendship with a local stork, for example. It's not a matter of replacing one fowl with another. There is a period of mourning one must work through.

Over the last few days, with Frau Müller's help, I've felt stronger, (heavier?) and ready to move on (lumber on?). Thank you for your kind words of comfort. I read them and felt heartened, as I stuffed my face with flaky pastries and crumbly streusels...eating away my pain, bite by bite.

Today I'm hoping to make up for my sombre tale of fowl death, by sharing a very happy experience from last evening, when Mr. Lush and I celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary at a nearby Gasthaus.

This Gasthaus is located in the apse of an old church, set up on the top of a very high hill, in a village about 10 minutes drive away.

 

When we arrived, we made our way over to a small wooden table by ourselves.

 

Sitting under the shady trees sipping our drinks, we could look out and see the most lovely of views. The tiny villages below seemed to nestle comfortably into the hills. The late evening sun blanketed the land with a gorgeous orangey-pink light. It was Germany for lovers. (Insert Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable," followed closely by Salt-n-Peppa's always- appropriate-for-every-occasion: "Push It."*)

 

Next to the church, on a rocky outcropping, were the ruins of an old castle. Naturally. It's Germany, for gods-sake--everywhere you turn are the ruins of old castles. This one reminded me of a Renaissance painting I've seen somewhere before.

  

After our meal, we walked up to the castle, and found we were the only ones there to watch the sunset.

  

A stone marker, set among the ruins, explained the castle's significance and probably a lot of other interesting stuff--none of which we could understand. (I've decided from my deciphering that this was the castle of the mighty Queen Chlodwig, supreme ruler of pastries and beer--royal friend and protector to all water fowl. This may or may not be right.)

 

The views from the castle were stunning.

 

As I looked out at all the beauty surrounding us, I imagined for a moment that I was a ruling despot, with an iron fist--an evil tyrant of sorts--wielding an oppressive power over my kingdom and all its inhabitants--in a heartless, cruel fashion--spreading terrible suffering and abuse across the land. Feeling slightly giddy, I smiled. What fun it would've been to be alive back in "ye olden days."

 

I think I would've made a good ruler.

   

Eurolush the Terrible.

 

 

*I know I need to come up with a new go-to song, but damn--it's not easy finding something better than old-school Salt-n-Peppa, y'all.

Goodbye, Dear Friend

 

Though I spend much of my time alone here in the village--with the kids at school and Mr. Lush at work, I do find time to forge quality friendships with the locals. Let me introduce you to a few of my dearest feathered friends--and frequent visitors to das Haus Eurolush.

Isn't she adorable?

She's beloved by those two in the feather suits with the green heads. They worship her. They accommodate her every whim. They follow her all over the village, like two lovesick puppies.

  Is it strange to feel love for wild ducks? 

No.

Not when those very same ducks come to your door each day and quack, like friendly, chatty neighbors stopping by for a cup of tea--only in their case it's for a bit of bread and a bowl of water. They have simple tastes.

Not when they have a sparkle in their eyes, and the sweetest of duck smiles on their bills. 

My three feathered friends have taken to sleeping in the sunlight on the front porch. More than once I've opened the front door and nearly tripped over them, as they slept soundly, with their heads tucked under their wings.

 Some people have decorative lions on their front stoops. We have live ducks.

Sad update: Last night one of the males was run over on the road through town. My neighbor stopped by to tell me this morning. It made me weepy...like losing a friend. What does it say about me that I am grieving for a wild duck? Don't answer that.

I will miss hearing the sound of his webbed feet slapping the ground, as he waddled over for a visit. I will miss the small, happy noises and whistles he made, as he ate little bits of bread from my hand. I will miss seeing him from my kitchen window, nesting in the grass across the road with his lady, whispering sweet nothings in her tiny ears.

Sigh.

Today will be the first day he will not be coming for a visit.

I am sad.

 

But life goes on.

  

There are walks through the village,

 

and gardens to admire.

  

There are familiar facades and roses.

 

There are the flower boxes, newly installed, and already brightening the road through the village with cheerful color.

 

You can't help but feel that even in loss and sadness, there is beauty.

 

It's a comfort.

 

 

Neighborhood Friends from Eurolush on Vimeo.

Still Here

 Hi. Remember me?

  

I used to have a blog.

 I wrote about walking my dog.

 And took far too many photographs of plants with my new camera.

 

 Sometimes I wrote about living in Germany.

 

And snapped a few photos of what I was seeing along the way.

I've been gone from blog world for a while, but all's been well. No worries. Just taking a break and enjoying life.

 

And eatin'.

Wherever you are, I hope you're enjoying life, too. 

Spring Update

 

  

That last photo is über-creepy, what with the close-up of the giant bumble bee and all. I apologize. I've been having the strangest desire lately to photograph bees. It's probably the result of hearing the buzzing sound they make constantly these days. It's slowly driving me insane. Mostly, it's because it's giving me the impression I'm only inches away at any given moment from THE HIVE. They are everywhere, these German bees. I am haunted by them day and night. Even when I'm inside the house, I can hear them. *Turns and slowly looks over shoulder.*

The weird thing is though, that the closer you look at bees, the cuter they seem to get. Take this most recent bee photo, for example. Look at that fuzzy little guy with those big black eyes and tiny antennae, buzzing through the flowers. Isn't he sweet? He could be a pet. Of course, once you've regained your senses, you have to remind yourself that beneath the cute, fuzzy exterior beats the heart of a born killer. I possess a completely irrational, irritating and most intense fear of bees for a reason...self-preservation.

Lots of walks have been happening lately through and around the village. Tex and I are out and about every day together. The weather has been sunny and warm, with the smell of flowers and freshly mown grass on the soft breezes. In the farm fields, the tractors are mowing the tall grasses and wild flowers, which have been growing like crazy. It's hay-making time. The rumble of tractors is a constant white noise throughout the day. It's the sound of spring in these small German farm villages.

 

Yesterday, from my window, I watched a little old woman mow and rake an entire field by herself. She was at it for hours. In the hot sun, she made her way around the field using a long wooden rake. She wore a kerchief on her head and stooped over as she worked. It looked as though she'd just stepped out of a painting of Russian peasants working in the field. Slowly and painstakingly, she loaded the wagon by hand, until it was completely full. I watched in awe, from the comfort of home, feeling a sympathetic, vicarious kind of exhaustion. (I prefer this form of exhaustion to the real thing.)

As she was finishing up, I came outside with the dog and walked down the hill toward where she had been working. She smiled at me as I passed, with a tired but genuinely happy smile. Then she climbed onto her tractor and drove off down the road. I watched the tractor and its wagon as it chugged along a grassy trail, to where it disappeared around a bend and continued on into the fields.

Today is Father's Day in Germany. It's a holiday. The roads around the village are full of bike riders and walkers, enjoying the warmth and sunshine. The Germans are such an active bunch. It's inspiring to see so many elderly men and women out exercising and enjoying the fresh air. Seeing them with their ruddy cheeks and smiles as they slowly ride by on their bikes, or walk by with their Nordic walking sticks, makes me realize there's no excuse for a sedentary life. We all need fresh air and exercise and companionship. Those three things together add up to a healthy, happy life. So sayeth Eurolush.

The countdown is on to my return trip back to the US for a large chunk of the summer. One month from today I leave for Atlanta. I'm really looking forward to being home and seeing my family. I will miss my man candy, though. And by Man Candy, I mean Mr. Lush. If only he didn't have to work for a living. It's so unfair. We'd have been so much happier together had he been independently wealthy. How inconvenient that he must work to support his wife's internet shopping habits. As it is, he will not be able to join us in the US. Instead, he will stay in Germany and drink away his loneliness at Trafo.

My oldest sister and my newly graduated 17 year old niece will be coming to visit us in mid-June. My sister will only stay two days, but my niece will be here for a week. I can't wait. My niece is adorable and funny and smart--and truly makes the best companion. I just can't believe that she, who was only a tiny little girl a few years ago, is now a young woman ready for college. Makes me realize once again how time flies. My own 14 year old will be starting high school in the fall. Unbelievable.

 

Here are a series of shots I took yesterday of Tex on one of our walks. He's hurrying to catch up after stopping to explore a new and powerfully irresistible scent:

     

Whew! That's enough running for the day. Time for a nap.

My own running is going relatively well--12 miles so far this week. I have yet to buckle down and start my marathon training for real, though--but plan to go for a long run tomorrow morning...6 miles (long for me.) I'll be keeping track of my marathon training and inserting it here and there in my posts. Thanks for all the well-wishes for my upcoming September race. I'm really excited and happy to have a goal on the horizon. It's made me refocus my energies on more positive things.

All for now.

Today's Remorse Update

11:26 AM: Reading NY Times online.

11:28 AM: Come across article about running a marathon.

11:29 AM: Read about one woman's commitment to finally run a marathon after 20 years of talking about it. Here.

11:35 AM: See link for Berlin Marathon.

11:35.14 AM: Click on link.

11:45 AM: On whim, fill out health form, entry form, enter credit card information, call husband at work, talk shit, then sign up for Berlin Marathon-- scheduled for September 19, 2009.

11:46 AM: Am remorseful.

11:47 AM: Am very remorseful.

11:47 AM - 8:29 PM: Still remorseful. But also a little giddy.

8:48 PM: Berlin Marathon, anyone?

Also currently enjoying this.

 

 

PS-Anything you're remorseful about?

Unsolicited Confession

    

You know you've been in Germany long enough, when a tractor drives slowly by your house, pulling a large wagon full of drunken local men--who are singing, yelling and, of course, drinking heavily--and you don't even bat an eye. It's not even weird. It's the norm. It's 3:25 on a Monday afternoon. There's a wagon full of drunkards cruising through the village. An old farmer is pulling them with his tractor. I'm standing at the window. They're passing in front of my house. What of it? Yawn.

Then later, a fist-sized spider in the garage--hanging perilously close to my head--which elicits no response from me. No leaping in the air. No screams of holy terror. No fanning myself while wailing, AY DIOS MIO! Nothing. Just, oh...look: It's a very, very, very big spider. S'up, Herr Spider. Go on witcha bad self.

Either that or I've lost the will to care anymore. Drunkards. Spiders. Drunkard spiders. Who cares? Not me.

Confession: I just ate an entire Toblerone in one sitting.

Additional confession: The sitting lasted approximately 1 minute.

Final confession: There's another one in the kitchen. I actually considered eating it as well. I resisted. For now.

I've been enjoying reading all the memes lately. Today I read Limecat's meme and thought she was very charming. Same with Coffee Lady, much as I hate to admit it. Ditto for Julia, Lynn and Tuli. Why is everyone else so witty and charming? It makes me really angry. Don't worry, though. I'm not about to go postal. I've learned to swallow down all my rage and save it for another day.

On a more personal and unsolicited note, I haven't been feeling myself lately. This accounts for my lack of posting. Can't quite put my finger on what it is. I guess the best way to describe what I'm feeling is to say I feel as though my brain has been replaced with cotton balls. Much as I try, my concentration is off. I read everyone else's posts and marvel at how creative they are...words! So many words...together...that make sense! Cool.

Man. I think the cotton balls in my head are starting to sizzle. Too many words. Too much thinking. Me no likey.

Anyway. I'm putting the whole Toblerone episode behind me. Blurgh. I probably shouldn't have mentioned the Toblerone and the word "behind" in the same sentence. I think I've gained about five pounds, if my pants are any indication. That's yet another unsolicited confession.

UPDATE-I can still hear the drunken men singing somewhere in the village. It's now 4:58 PM on Monday.

Evening Walk

   

 

 

 

Morning After Rain

 

 

 

   

Meme & LOL TWINS!

   

We iz swingin'.

I've been going through a dry spell here. Haven't been able to post, due to over-exciteability, followed closely by accompanying lethargy. Also unable to figure out why half this post is in BOLD and the rest is not. Copy and paste be a beeyotch fo' reals.

Also slightly obessesed lately with video camera feature on my new lap top. Making lots of videos to send out to my fans friends. Let me know if you want me to make you one. Just send your name, email address and any special requests...Remember, clothing is optional! I am comfortable in the nude! No shame!

Thanks to Duyvken for the meme. In my humble opinion, she's a quiet, unsung hero with a very high likeability factor. Reminds me of someone...someone with a big heart...someone courageous and pure. But who? The name's right at the tip of my tongue. Wait. Does it start with a C?

Could it be Coffee Lady?

Could SHE be the other quiet, unsung hero?

Hahahahaha!

It's ME, you guys! The high likeability factor? Hint! Hint!

Alright. Enough gushing. Here's what you're all here for:

Meme & LOL TWINS

  

We iz going to fall out window?

FYI: My mom just sent some photos recently of my twin sister and me. Although it appears we were born in the year 1917, the year was actually 1971. Photo quality was not a top priority then, I'm guessing.

 

Okay, on to the Meme:

What are your current obsessions?

Cupcakes. Teasing my hair into a proud bouffant. Following my dog around the house. Dust. Stacking things. Lambrusco. Opening and closing windows. Watching my neighbors. Recycling. The sun. Pretending to be an old woman. Napping. Resting. Stretching. Sensible shoes.

Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

Soft fleece blanket, thrown over my shoulders like a shawl...warm, yet stylish.

What's for dinner?

Last night...salmon with pasta and peas. Followed by cupcakes! Tonight? Grilled pork loin, etc. Followed by cupcakes! Tomorrow night? Blah, blah, blah, CUPCAKES!

We iz in da cribs!

What's your greatest fear at the moment?

Running out of cupcakes.

What are you listening to?

My stomach growling. Cupcakes?

If you were a goddess what would you be?

Some sort of Candy Goddess. Whenever I appeared, skittles would fall from the sky. Shhhh! Taste the rainbow.

What are your favourite holiday spots?

Anywhere in Europe. Also, ATL., where my homies at.  

 

We iz out for walk.

What are you reading right now?

The Book Thief, Kitchen Essays, New Girl, blogs

What is your guilty pleasure?

Watching Youtube. While eating leftover cream cheese icing with my fingers. So good.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My sister Beth, Fail Blog, and this.

What is your favourite spring thing to do?

Put on short shorts and a tube top, sit on my front porch in the sun, drink too much, get into violent altercations with my friendly neighbors, sing, pray.

 

She be nappin', y'all.

Where are you planning to travel next?

In June the kids and I will head back to Atlanta. In August, we'll be going to Italy to see Positano and Paola! Then maybe Prague in September to see Julia.

What is the best thing you ate or drank lately?

Cupcakes! Hefeweizen. More cupcakes!

When was the last time you were tipsy?

My tolerance is legendary.

What is your favourite ever film?

Kramer vs. Kramer.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned from your children?

Why it's important to lie well. They still have so much to learn.

What song can't you get out of your head?

The new Souljah Boy...Kiss me through the phoooooooone!

What book do you know you should read but refuse to?

War and Peace. I've tried TWO times now...made it half-way through...cannot for the life of me just FINISH. So many characters. Cannot possibly remember them all. Damn you, Tolstoy!

What is your physical abnormality/abnormal physical ability?

No physical abnormalities...only God-given perfection. Abnormal physical abilities include: very high kick with right leg, ability to spin two times in a row without stopping (when in socks on the tile floor), ability to run very fast for about ten yards, ability to balance on one foot indefinitely, leaping abilities, ability to hear bee from 50 yards or more away.

What is your favourite candy?

Toblerone, followed very closely by Ritter Sport.

What is your favorite body part?

My left hand...specifically, the fingers. The thumb is just okay.

What other bloggers are you tagging for this Meme?

Only the coolest bunch of gentlewomen:

Tuli, Limecat, Lynn, Coffee Lady and Julia.

Peace.

Early Morning Walk

 

 

 

First thought upon seeing neighbor's new cylindrical wood pile:

Now that's just showing off.