Saving Rain

The Green Party didn't take first place in the election last Sunday, but they came in a very strong second and ahead of the CDU for first time ever!  Yea!

So what does that have to do with rain?  Well, we added another "green" element to our lives - a Rain Barrel.

It seems to me that at least every other home has one "Regentonne" or more.  In the hobby gardens, there are often four or five strung together but they tend to be on the - ummm - utilitarian side  (read:  ugly).  Since our rain barrel would have to go next to the front door, ugly would not do.

Search and research.  Measure and plan.  We found one.

First we had to get rid of the old cypress that was in the corner.  Done.

Then a base for the rain barrel. Done.

Open the package and set it up.  Done.

The top has a planter to help sorta kinda incorporate it into its surroundings; in another few weeks the petunias and such should gracefully drape from the top.  In winter, it'll be ivy.

 
And just in time!  It rained the day after we got it all set up and I was amazed that the tank was almost full after a very short rain - 300 liters.  Good for us.

Asparagus Fest

Yes, it's that time of year and can you believe it has been another year - they're going by ever faster.

This year, unlike some others, we had perfect weather!  Ilsemarie and Ulli had set up chairs and tables in their back yard and after our dry rosé sparkling wine, we started with the Starter - shrimp salad.  Lovely.

We retired to the inside for the main course, which varies not at all from year to year - wonderful fresh asparagus, boiled potatoes, smoked meats and butter sauce.  We ate our fill and then some.

But there was more:  Dessert with a capital "D."  In German, this is called Fürst Pücklers Torte (the name is a mouthful!).   Strawberry and vanilla creams layered in a form and then covered with chocolate sauce.  Home made ice cream. Bowls of strawberries.  Coffee.  Schnapps.

And of course unending conversation on politics (US and German), the election, recent trips, planned trips, catching up on family events.  As always, an evening with friends is an evening well spent.

Elections and Justin the Bi(e)ber

Scheduled elections aren't scheduled here like they are in the US of A.  Elections in the US are always in November it seems with primaries leading up to the big day.  Not here.  No primaries. Short campaign season -- I could go for that!   And until this election, you went and you made two "x's" and that was it - one vote for a party, one vote for a person.  (Please don't ask me to explain because I can't.)  This time, the voters can choose FIVE individuals and they're all going nuts.  Just to add to the confusion, the parties have put forth generous slates of folks who want your vote (total about 300).  Add too that there are lots more parties here than there.  One is called the Piraten Partei (The Pirate Party!) whose platform centers on internet freedom.

Then there's the "I'm ticked off and I won't take it anymore" Party. They want to get rid of everyone.

But they're minor.  The major parties are the SPD (aka Democrats), CDU (aka Republicans) and the Greens (well, Greens.).  Since the disaster in Japan, the Greens, who've been gaining more and more converts over the years, experienced a huge surge of support.  Even the conservative government has agreed that all the nuclear power plants have to be closed down, and sooner rather than later.  That's good.
 
The Greens are feeling confident and well they should.  They won the governor's house in a state that had been CDU-controlled for 40 years.  They may do well enough in Bremen, an SPD stronghold, to take the mayor's seat.  And they're making clever with their ads. 
 

"We were beaver fans before there was a Justin"

Cute!

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There are, of course, cultural differences between Germany and the US of A - the afternoon "quiet time" when you don't make phone calls to private homes, run the lawn mower, or in smaller villages, expect to find a shop open!

And there's the language - some words look the same and even sound pretty much the same, but the meanings are quite different.  One is "Handy" which is what they call a cell phone here - it is handy, of course, but not A Handy.

I had an appointment yesterday.  The doctor's waiting room had only baby and young parent magazines, so I picked one up and this insert fell out.  Not something that translates well into English.  And I guess too these folks aren't planning on going global.  But if you want to order something, I have a 5€ discount coupon!

Out with the old ...

So, what do you think?

It seemed the old header was getting stale to the eyes and what with spring and fresh air and colors and light, I was inspired.  I don't know if the realization matches the inspiration, but until I get inspired again, it will have to do.  Three different programs, a thousand different options - graphic designers deserve a lot of credit for getting it right.

Speaking of spring and cleaning, we have made one small step in the attic;  Werner's set of The American Peoples Encyclopedia  (edition 1967 !!) has found a home.  A former classmate from high school has moved back to Germany after 30+ years in the US and thinks they'll look great on his bookshelves.  I couldn't agree more!

Ready, Set, Sun, Bikes

It's been such a long time since we've taken a really good little tour on the bikes, and to tell the truth, biking back from Bremen (approximately 18 miles) is not such a challenge anymore - even Hunter and Hannah can manage that!  But it was great to get out nonetheless.  

But first breakfast!  We dusted off the Egg Coddlers that Werner brought back from England an eon ago, added chives from the garden and some lovely cured ham.  What we hadn't planned  for was NO BREAD for Werner's butter sculpture!  It was May 1, a holiday, and all the bakeries were closed.  We had to make do with baguette.

Since it was the first semi-lengthy trip and since it was incredibly windy, we took the train into town and then biked through City Park, past the Stage in the Woods where Sunday jazz wafted our way, and then went through the Riensburg Cemetery.

I'd not been there before - it's an old city cemetery, not associated with a church, and there are some impressive mausoleums there.  It's a bit more tended than Pére LaChaise, but beautiful as well.  We'll have to go back again.

Then on to the Rhododendron Park.  

It was a holiday, and a Sunday, and gloriously sunny and not too cool, so the place was packed.  People of all ages strolling with or without canes, sticks and rollators, children and older folks in strollers and wheelchairs, photographers with ladders and lots of good cheer. 

And it's not just rhododendrons.  There are all sorts of herbs and medicinals and lovely ferns getting ready to show their own stuff.

Not all the rhododendrons were out by a long shot, but there was enough of a show to enjoy and lots of hints of the show to come. 

Heading home, we sorta missed the turn through the park to the train station and just kept going.  The wind was at our backs and we took a favorite way home along the small gardens near a stream.  Here's one just FULL of tulips!

And the lilacs are out.  Full.  Perhaps you noticed them on the breakfast table.  I can't get enough of their wonderful scent - it's such a fleeting time.  

We got home still in the sunshine and refreshed from the ride, but maybe just a little tired, too.  But a nice kind of tired.  

Happy May.