Yes. It is a loooong holiday weekend, and Monday was the last day of the holiday and the last day of an exhibit by Maria Matthieu. I'd done a translation for her some time ago, and got an original print in return. You remember that, of course. Here it is on the blog from 2014.
We wanted to share this time with Ursel, but it seems some bad fish got in the way (bad fish will happen and it will soooo get in the way) so Werner and I went on our own. It was a treat. For us. Not Ursel. She stayed home.
The show was in an old half-timbered building originally used as part of a large farming complex. It's been renovated several times over the last few hundred years, and is now used as a community exhibit center. It works well.
Comparisons of thematic prints by Gerhard Marcks and Maria was the core of the exhibit - trees, human forms, inorganic forms. Because Maria was there herself to explain these connections, it was especially good.
I am sorry to not have more of Marcks' prints to show you here. They are quite wonderful and rarely displayed. That was a special treat of this exhibit, to see his work.
One of Maria's themes is the Amazon, the powerful woman as a mover and shaker in the world. Different, and noteworthy, is that Maria's Amazons keep their bodies intact. We women don't need to disfigure ourselves to have strength and purpose.
She uses maritime and geographic maps to enhance her graphic work. Here, a boat load of refugees painted on a Mediterranean Sea chart. Topical to say the least.
Totally aside from the art, the FLOORS. I covet them. I want them in my house. Wide old cured sometimes charred planks. Love the patches, too.
It was a rainy, cold, gray, gray, cold, rainy day. We wished that the charming restaurant in the old mill house had been open for a refreshing coffee and yummy cake, but it was not, so we drove home in the misty rain and sometimes sun and amazing cloudy skies. Fewer calories that way.
Good Friday, a federal holiday, no shopping, verrry quiet. And rain. No one sitting out in this weather!
It seemed a good reason to visit a museum, so off to the Paula Becker Modersohn Museum on the Böttcherstraße. We like it a lot.
Currently they're showing a Scandinavian artist, Per Kirkeby, a geologist by training. He did a lot of large abstract works, but if you look carefully - and if you know what you're looking for - there are always some natural elements to see: tree trunks, sunlight, stones.
And some don't need an interpretation. This was untitled, but I immediately thought of Posey's down at the St. Marks River.
And he designed brick and stone memorials. Of all he designed and were built, this "Traffic Tower" in Bremen was the only one that ever had a practical use.
Getting home train adventure Nr. 2 for the year. Because they're replacing track at the central rail station (less traffic on this long holiday weekend) we had to take a special bus from an earlier station. Wouldn't you know - shades of Brussels! - the driver didn't know Bremen and didn't know where she was going!!! Werner saved the day and sat next to her and gave directions. Some of our fellow travelers joked that Werner should send a bill to the Bundesbahn!
Saturday, there was a birthday to celebrate - our friend Vera. She apologized for inviting folks to a party the day before Easter. Yes. It's an odd time to have a party, here in Germany. Easter is such a serious holiday, bunnies and eggs notwithstanding.
But it was a party with classical music and food and lots of good conversation. Vera is a few years younger than we are, so there were folks there who have not yet retired. Talk about a mixed group.
And sunshine! What a lovely day we had! Afterwards, a bike ride, the first one this spring really just for pleasure. There will be many more.
We came across a Chainsaw artist's place - interesting!
And then later it was the Osterfeuer - the Easter Fires.
It was really, really big this year! By tradition, old man winter has had his fangs removed and kicked back to last year. These days though it's just another reason to have an outdoor party - Band, Beer, Bratwurst.
It does occur to me that I have posted fewer things in the last year or so because we just keep doing the same old things!! So here we go again: the annual Grühkohl und Pinkel Fahrt und Essen.
And yeah, it's the same ol' same ol' but the year would simply not be complete without our annual to dos. Klaus and Johanns do not disappoint.
Step 1: Coffee and chocolates.
Step 2: A walk. That includes sweets. Again.
Step 2a: Schnapps.
Step 2b: Conversation.
And sometimes a couple wander off because they were so engrossed in conversation!
But we find each other again (missing temporarily Ludwig and Elke who had to detour).
Step 3: E A T because after a bit we get back to the house and it is time to E A T. Just like Thanksgiving, we don't mess with the basics here - kale, the appropriate sausages, potatoes, a drink of your choice.
Step 3a: And this year an added attraction - a short visit from the grand kids. I do love a kid.
Step 3b: More talk. There is always more talk. Why don't we run out of stuff to talk about?? Good question, but this year there is again the US election which keeps us all, well, talking. Plus poems from Ludwig.
Step 4: DESSERT. Always the same. Stewed fruit with cream sauce, ice cream and whipped cream. We are the crème de la crème, for sure.
Step 5: Wander home. No pics here since it was 1. dark and 2. late and 3. I was done with pictures.
As all you regulars know (lol) we redid the bathroom a couple of years ago. I love it, but there's been this one spot I was just not happy with - the little space beside the sink.
What's been filling in there is this aluminum/glass character-less thingy from the local "Home Depot" that I never liked, but it fit. For a time.
So, an interim solution, for a week or two, right?? We can find something we want long-term pretty quickly, right? Well these solutions take longer than we think. Always.
We stalked antique and second-hand stores, looked at offers from cabinet makers (for lots and lots of dollars!!) and then thought, hey, we have family!
Werner's cousin is the director of a facility that helps folks with problems get back on their feet, and there they have a wood shop. Can we ask them to solve our problem? Yes, we can.
Werner sent the drawing, and in a week it was done. Yesterday we picked it up.
But first we had to marvel at some of the work they do at the shop.
Carvings. Hey- a gator!!
A sphere carved from a 150-year-old oak that had to be felled. Here, footsteps, traces that we leave behind us.
And someone is carving a chain which reminded me so of a smaller version Grandfather Goode did many years ago.
Our little treasure was sitting on the desktop.
Really, such a small piece. You have to wonder what all the fuss is about! Why was that so hard for us? Now Werner will do some painting and staining, and make it just what we want it to be.
It has to be in parts, sorry, though the parts are compact. But this is after all, four weeks of visits and kids and family and friends and even other stuff (though I forget exactly what "other stuff" is). But it's none of those things when we are there. It's fun in parts. Vacation parts. And we love each one of those parts.
Part 1 is a teeny bit of Orlando. We arrive, touch down, and move on. It's hard to take in all the changes at Lee and Crissy's - paint inside and outside, NEW POOL!! Outdoor kitchen!! This looks so great, but we have to wait for our return to fully enjoy it. What we could enjoy immediately was warm temperatures and wonderful sunshine. I even got a bit of sunburn. Oh, Florida!
Then off to Lynn Haven and the Ginns. Yes, they all live there, but these people are busy (!) and it seems seldom in the same place at the same time. Hunter at college, Hannah a junior in high school, classes for both of them, after-school job for Hannah, Michelle and Joey with work and boards and volunteer activities. I think I remember some of this, but teenagehood with parenthood is a world of its own and hard to comprehend when you are out of it. But the teenagers seem to handle it well. These parents too. Good for them!
There was the obligatory visit to the beach. My first visit to the beach in Panama City was August 1962. I remember sitting under the pier (the earlier incarnation) and reveling in the surf and sand. I still enjoy both. A ladybug on a piece of driftwood caught my eye. It's springtime.
Hannah's working at Cahall's taking orders and making sandwiches after school and on weekends and we went there for lunch one day. I ordered the Reuben since the owner told me it was wonderful. OK, he was right! But Hannah actually made it. Soooooo good!! Thanks, Hannah!
The guys put together a potting bench because there are so many pots on the deck that need attention now and again.
One night there was a beer and wine tasting event at the beach - oysters for us and Apalchicola beer followed by a dinner nearby. Fantastic! I have to say, we had more than a few amazing dinners.
We got to meet the newest member of the family, Andy. Andy the dog. But don't tell him he's a dog. He's people, just like Riley.
Looking back I have to say that was incredibly short, that visit. I'm thinking it's time to move closer to my people.
Quick, quick, drive to Atlanta!
A lot of this part of the visit was about mother, who's recently been moved into the "memory care" section of the assisted living facility where she's been happily settled for a couple of years. Werner and I went to visit her each day and were glad to meet the thoughtful, patient and kind caregivers, and have a look at the new surroundings. We're convinced she is in good hands.
But of course most of the time was spent with sisters and BIL's, for sure some of the best BIL's in the world. Werner reminded them of when he first met them, and Barry and Larry introduced themselves as the other -- really, guys! Even now, poor Werner gets a bit confused...
Here we are in all our glory:
There were lunches and dinners together, a mall walk or two, a bit of shopping, but of course the highlight was a family get-together on Saturday. Almost everyone got there, though we missed Gina and Tim+Carla. Steve is looking and sounding great after a more than challenging year. Mother was happy to give lots of hugs to everyone (more than once, since she forgets she's already done that) and there was time for kids to play and others to have conversations. Another great day!
Back to Florida - a stop at St. George.
But first a stop in Cairo and a short visit with Judy, former colleague and still a good friend. It was such fun to catch up after a long time and since Cairo is on the way to here and there, we'll for sure do this again!
It's a treat to visit Nancy wherever she is, but I have to say that St. George is my favorite place to visit her. We get the upstairs bedroom facing the ocean, hear the surf going to sleep, waking up in the middle of the night, and waking up in the morning. It wasn't always warm.
The Sun did her thing and shone phenomenally, there were oysters and shrimp (!!!!!),
a side trip to Apalachicola, a bike ride along the island,
and a short visit with Sam and Tom. A lot packed into just three days.
And back to Orlando ...
We had fun with the kids. Dylan finished up a potholder for me - a reminder of the ones I did as a kid just about her age.
Hayden finished up another 3-D puzzle or two, this one the Parthenon which he'll see this summer.
There was build-your-own-pizza night.
Time around the pool.
Dylan helped Werner finish up a bird house for Julia. Great job, folks!
There was a chance again to see an old friend - Beth Boozer, staying in Cocoa for a few of the winter months. We last saw each other in England in 1998! I hope it isn't so long till the next time.
And a birthday!! Hayden is now 11 years old. Looks like he can't quite believe that hug from Meemaw. Really lady??
He got lots of presents including Kinder Überraschung from us (those surprise eggs that are illegal in the USofA) and was not a little disappointed when all the present opening was over. But is that a great smile or what?? More next year, Hayden, next year.
And ending up here with a favorite picture. It is great being around the kids (big and small) and I hope they have as many good memories of our visits as we do! See you soon!!
