Labyrinth – Irrgarten

It’s been an unusual hot and dry summer in Germany. I think 2018 will go down as the year of extremes in my book. Everything has been extreme and few things have been simple this year. I remember back to the extreme cold as I got here, dealing with frozen pipes and trying to sleep while seeing my own breath in front of me. I’m thinking of all the battles with Mom, her extreme condition in the beginning, when everybody thought we might not see her the next day, to her extreme and remarkable recovery so far.

Now it is that the extreme heat has arrived and it’s been an extreme summer, with extremely little rain. I think that it really heavy rained once in months now, and it happened while I was away in Mittenwald. The crops and harvests are extremely early this year and everyone tells me that summers in Germany are usually not like this. The year of extreme has set the pace for me right from the beginning, so why would this be any different?

There was a maze discovery, a Irrgarten how we would call it the other day. Funny enough, and extreme again, it started to rain just about as we couldn’t find our way back out and got lost in the maze. I was inviting of the rain as visions from the notebook crossed my mind, seeing myself get soaked with my hair sticking to my face. I started to walk faster with childlike abandon. A walk that might turn into a run with crazy laughter and carelessness. It sadly never came to be and it was just a little sprinkle tease. But hey, there is always a next time….right?

Behind the times

I haven’t worked since the end of February. Not in the workforce anyways, but there has been plenty to do. Yet there is more balance and more free time, although it feels as if I have less time as to when I was working a full-time job. I’m behind the times, mainly answering your comments and reading your blogs. Your with me in mind each day, but you wouldn’t know based on my absence.

The tables have reversed, and a once physical job has now turned into a self employed, no money making, mental challenge. My mind is tired and I simply don’t find the energy most days. I could go on listing more reasons such as the heat and the what seems to be now the permanent absent wifi, but it would sound just like a bunch of excuses to me. I think the only solution is to write less of the little I already do, and spend the time to catch up. I know I owe it to you and it sounds like a good idea. 😉

A Pommes – Pool Day

Temperatures are in the 90’s today and the pool is just about the only place to stand the heat and humidity. So early on it was that I pedaled the bike to the neighboring village to spend the day at the pool. And what would a pool visit be without “Pommes”? It’s what we call French fries here in Germany. The other fun fact is that most of us eat them with mayonnaise.

Have you ever enjoyed them this way?

Enjoyment of Life

The hummingbird has shown up several times in the past weeks. Today he crossed my path once more with a reminder to enjoy life’s simple pleasures and take time to enjoy myself. The hummingbird’s wisdom carries an invitation to take part in and draw to your life’s sweetness, like you would drink the nectar of your own flower.

I don’t feel I was successful with this today, and perhaps it is the reason this reminder was sent. Although I always enjoy the little and simple things in life, today I let circumstances influence my life to be more serious then it has to be. As if it wasn’t serious enough already. Today, perhaps the enjoyment of life fell a bit short and sometimes life can feel pretty lonely, tiring and downright exhausting. I know it’s only a day in time, a day that allows me to appreciate all the good even more so, and a day that was necessary to determine what and what not still fits our lives. Sometimes the baggage gets too big and weighs down such enjoyment, but in the end it’s always up to us to lighten the load.

Mountain chapel

Another beauty encountered on our hike was this little mountain chapel. A storm was brewing and it softly rained off and on throughout the day. The peaks were hiding in the clouds at times, but the ambiance and feel couldn’t have been any more peaceful. The trails were deserted and left mostly to ourselves while exploring this prestige wilderness.

Karwendel

Another picture of the “Rock Garden” with the Karwendel mountain range in the background. I walked almost ten miles that day, and the views are forever engraved into my heart. This was one of the last sites before making the final descend back into the village of Mittenwald. There was something so peaceful about this particular place, I could have sat for hours, be still and perfectly content.

Have you ever visited a place where you hab felt like this?

A world of thunder

Please don’t try to tip toe – don’t try to fit in. Some forms of gorgeous cannot be silenced with subtlety. That heart doesn’t humbly whisper, it screams. And you couldn’t hush the things you love if you tried. Let the numb ones lose themselves trying to skate between the raindrops. You, sweet girl, are in this world for the thunder. ❤️

~Stephen Lizotte

Kanapee Street

Tonight was Kanapee Street fest in a neighboring city and I got to experience this unique feat with Moni (cousin) and the kids. All the shops stay open late, there is food and games all over the place, and various street musicians can be found rotating spots strategically placed through the old, inner city. I even saw Elvis 😉. Couches (Kanapee’s) are placed throughout the cobblestoned city roads to just have a seat and enjoy the sound.

This is a picture of one musician who was very talented, playing “Midnight train”. I found it fitting after my recent train experience, riding the train until 1AM. A experience I will never forget.

Finding my cool in Summer-Days

The temperatures have been rising into the upper 80’s to mid 90’s. It’s been tough on me, and I lack energy most days. The fatigue is worse and the smallest chores can become a huge task. Although used to the heat from living in the high desert in the states, the humid heat here in Germany is definitely something else to contend with. I don’t tolerate it as well as many others, and my joints are constantly swollen. My hair is in a permanent updo and I feel like I dress poorly compared to everyone else. Loose clothing it is most of the time, and it doesn’t take much to break out in a sweat, just sitting. It was so hot and sticky in Mom’s room yesterday, I had to make my hair wet and wrap a cold wet bandana around my head to cool my brain. It seems to have become a permanent accessory as well, and makes me feel a little like I am in battle mode, Rambo style. I could tell that I got irritated from the heat yesterday and today is finally a rest day for me. I’m trying not to feel guilty being lazy, but it feels really good and I needed the break. I woke up early, full of excitement, knowing it is the birthday of a very special person in my life. Happy Birthday my soul sister. May you float through the day, and let the sea carry you in total weightlessness. May all worries lift at that point and remind you that it is all small stuff. You are loved.

I myself found a means to float. Every first Wednesday of the month it is off to the salt pools where the water carries me with minimal effort. Further, and with the heat, I have rediscovered the place I learned how to swim. The public pool, in the town where Mom is. Perhaps the only place to stay sane during those temperatures, and I have gone several times by now. I visit Mom and go to cool off afterwards. Besides the refreshing break, it is helping the joint pain and I always knew that water is perfect for it. A low impact exercise that places minimal pressure onto my joints.

Lying on the grass, relaxing, I was watching others enjoying themselves and having a good time. My inner child rejoiced as I recalled my own memories of a time that has long past. I wasn’t always that lucky to have made it to the pool. One time my cousin and I wanted to go spend the afternoon at the pool. We never made it, and instead we each got a bucket of water to stand in with our feet. A far cry from the pool, but a memory that now brings a smile. Sitting there, caught up in nostalgia, it felt as if revisiting my past in the current time. As if looking back through the eyes of an adult now seeing it all unfold once more. I may have not liked the bucket at the time, being a child, but it was my inner child now that spoke to me and said

“See, if this didn’t happen way back when, you wouldn’t have this memory today to smile upon.”

Celebrating “YOU” ~ Deb from Theveiledfacet.wordpress.com

This week we are celebrating Deb from The veiled facet. She comes highly praised from our friend Novus and has made our nomination for this week. Congratulations and thank you for all you do.

And here I am again to make a “You” made my day to Deb from The Veiled Facet (https://wp.me/p8Jr9z-pl) She is a young poet and brilliant mind from India. She was (and perhaps is will be again) my Poem book’s editor. She helped me a lot to correct all the mistakes I’ve written and she even chose the book cover for me. The thing is, even though she was a great help for me, she didn’t want anything in return. How many people out there can spend their time for you for nothing in exchange ? Well she did.
And I want to say if you read this now: Thank you, it is not easy to find people like you out there.