Happy 31st

Whatever you do to celebrate, have a happy 31st!

What a Wonderful World

This is my favorite Louis Armstrong song of all time. Needed to share it with you (and myself) today. Despite all the pain and sadness in life, I don't ever want to forget -- what a wonderful world.

Just One Of The Crowd

La Boqueria Produce Market--Barcelona, Spain

Words Can Be Tricky

A few weeks ago, I visited the Frankfurt Book Fair, since it's only 45 minutes north of me--and one of the biggest events of its type in the world. Did I mention BIG? Overwhelming might be a better word.

Anyway, I mainly stuck to the hall for English language publishers, but visited the area for German publishers at one point. Pushing past the crowded masses of stalls with an acquaintance, I asked her, "Do you have any idea how I can find my friend's publisher? She said she'd be at their booth."
"What's the publisher's name?" Kristin asked.
"Umm. Hmm. Oh, I remember...it's Verlag!" I answered, feeling proud of myself.
Silence. Kristin smiled.
"Laurie? You do know that Verlag just means publisher in German?" Kristin said.
Oh.
Never did find that friend. Too many Verlags.

Halloween Approaches...

With Halloween quickly approaching, our thoughts turn to costumes and candy bars (ok, I confess, I was the mother who handed out plastic spider rings and boxes of raisins when my kids were little). While you're choosing a costume or helping family and neighbor children think of good dress-up characters, here's a helpful perspective to ponder.

Also, see Betsy's blog for a unique costume link!

Why Do We Write?

Our discussion question this week from the Writer's Center: Why do you write?

My answer:
I write because I like words. I like putting them together. I enjoy their sounds.
And it’s amazing to see a poem or story emerge that I never knew was inside. Sometimes writing helps crystallize a moment in time.
I write to understand, to “make sense of life,” as Nadine Gordimer says. To try and figure out how I feel and think about spiders, people, God, spaghetti, and anything else. Somehow the act of writing taps deep inside and accesses those thoughts and emotions.
I write to have a voice. So many people want to talk loudly, all at once. Maybe it’s easier for me to speak through writing.
I write because I love reading the writing of others -- books and essays and poetry and stories. And I hope to give at least give a little of the same.
Good question!

Happy 25th to Us!

Wow, I really liked primary colors back in 1982, didn't I?

Yesterday was our 25th Anniversary. Jeff and I celebrated earlier in September by taking an overnight trip to Cologne (Koln), Germany.

My grandfather, Rev. Daniel Brose, helped marry us, and that means even more to me now then it did back then. Susan, Beth and Jackie, my two sisters and Jeff's sister, were bridesmaids, along with my brother Dan as a groomsman. Mom and Dad walked me down the aisle. And I can't forget my college roomates, Lisa, Allison, and Mary, also bridesmaids.

What a bunch of wonderful people! They made me laugh--when Jeff and I kissed, everyone pulled noisemakers out of pockets and bouquets, and blared a loud "Waanhh."

Remember anything funny that happened at your wedding or a friend's wedding?

Divided

Stone from the Costa Brava, Spain
We, too, can divide ourselves, it's true.
But only into flesh and a broken whisper.
Into flesh and poetry.
—from "Autotomy" by Wislawa Szymborska

Listen To This!

Amazing.

Thanks to Natalie from Italian Moments for the link.

Jeff, Minus The Mustache

Just wanted David to see proof that his Dad shaved off the mustache. Now do you believe me, Javier? (Jeff's never been seen without facial hair, at least not in recent memory)

Another Reason To Love Paris

From New York Times travel section: a slide show of "Sacred Paris."

It's Autumn Again

The Schwetzingen Gardens on a beautiful autumn day.

Gotham Writers Center

This is week four of a class--Children's Book Writing--I'm taking through the Gotham Writers' Workshop, based in New York. They offer both in-person and online classes . So far, so good. This motivates me to write every day and to try some new ideas. Nora Raleigh Baskin teaches the class I'm in at the moment.

Sonnenschein Für Immer

I joined friends in the Schwetzingen gardens for a picnic today. After munching, I wandered around, using my camera's macro mode (which I only just discovered--good reason to read instructions when the camera arrives in the mail). Shot lots of closeups of flowers and other autumn-looking vegetation. Just can't believe I waited all this time to figure out a few buttons on my camera. You'd think the tulip symbol on top of the dial might have given me a small clue...

At Least It's Not The Plague

I'm the designated "nurse" today--Anna caught a flu bug or something, and keeps a stainless steel bowl ready beside the couch for her next stomach upheaval. No fun, for her. I have to make sure the dog doesn't jump on her in his exuberance. He doesn't seem to understand the concept of sickness or being quiet.

Today, I remembered what Mom used to do when I was sick. She'd toast a piece of white bread, butter it, and float it in warm milk. Then she served me "milk toast," guaranteed to warm the body and spirit.

Wonder if that's where the phrase "milque-toast" originated. Must google it. Hmmm...this sounds like the same dish, but not with such fond memories.

Think About It

Last week, we had visitors from Oregon--Ashley, who lived up the cul-de-sac from us in Aloha, and her friend Andrea. Fun times. I showed them around Heidelberg and they washed clothes in between outings. Ashley and Andrea had just come from Italy and kept saying va bene (it goes well). After two days here, they boarded the train for Paris.

I love it when friends visit. So, I wanted to extend an invitation to any readers: if you visit Germany while I'm living here, email me. I'll pick you up at the Heidelberg train station or Frankfurt airport and give you the tour! And if we have room, you can stay a few nights at our house. Just think about it.

Thoughts On Hebrews Eleven

I've been mulling over Hebrews 11 lately. Recently, I submitted a poetry collection entitled "A Stranger On Earth" to a children's publishing house and I'm waiting for their reply. The poems are about the country of Burundi and its people, and about my experiences growing up there. Here's where the title of my collection comes from:

11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.
--Hebrews 11: 11-14

I think part of the reason this passage speaks so strongly to me is due to my upbringing as a "Third Culture Kid." Home is important to me--but where's my real home? In Africa, where I spent most of my first ten years, a year in high school, and a summer in college ? Or in Oregon, where we moved next? It took quite a long time (into my thirties) for me to begin to feel truly American. At the core, I was still a mix. Anyway, you get the picture.

Now, we're in Germany, and Oregon feels like home. What a crazy mixed-up world...

More Signs

Once again, I had to post a few signs from around Germany. I particularly like the one below:
which leads me to ask, are you a "friend of weasels" too?

My Saturday Entertainment

I took part in my first Volksmarch on Saturday -- we started in Heidelberg, walking 10 kilometers up into the hills above the city and then back down. Quite an idyllic view up top. Reminded me of Switzerland, with cows grazing and green pastures.

I also made a sidetrip into the World War One cemetery (with Kelly, who likes taking pictures too). Sobering, seeing the names engraved on grave markers. So many fallen soldiers, so many stone crosses.

After the Volksmarch, I claimed my prize for finishing: a large beer stein with a picture of Heidelberg's Königstuhl. I enjoy a few sips of beer, but that's all. Guess I'll have to use it for Orangina ... I know, sacrilege for those true beer fans.

Around Town

What do you think of this sign?

I'm not so sure I'd want my children watching "Cinderella Meets Dirty Old Drunk Guy..."

Maybe I missed something in translation.