It was the perfect day!
Not only was I greeted by sunshine upon arrival in Frankfurt, but many events took place at the same day.
Every year the tourist organizations from Koblenz to Bingen decide to close the valley for motorized traffic and cyclists and hikers rule the river valley. It is called "Tal total"-or total valley! Great to see so many people out and about and being active! The best part is, there is always a chance to a enjoy a glass of wine-my kind of sport!
At the same time , Ruedesheim hosted a bikers meet, not my kind of gig, but people congregated to this event from all over the country.
Bingen celebrated with a Blues festival, much more my speed.Sitting in the sunshine and listening to some music, surrounded by fantastic scenery-unbeatable!And again,wine is being served , that goes without saying!
The special days just kept coming, Monday was "Siebenschlaefertag" Meaning, the weather on this day sets the trend for the next 7 weeks. How cool is that! Specially, when the temperatures reached mid 30,s-super summer ahead for the Germans.
Hopefully that same rule applies for us as well,Werner told me, that we had sunshine in Alberta as well.& weeks of summer would be nice!
Next Saturday is "Rhein in Flammen"-Flaming Rhine-with fireworks and music and , did I mention this, wine!
So much fun-Germany rocks1
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Friday 13, May 15, 2011
Upon getting up on Friday I thought about nothing but breakfast and riding my bike as usual. Once I was on the road, driving to work, it occurred to me that it was Friday the 13. I decided that wasting time about it would be conjuring imagery of awful things to happen so I asked my spiritual guide to take care of it and my day went on flawlessly.
Not so at home .
Werner got the full brunt of it!
Sometime at noon , he phoned me at work to let me know, he had to go tractoring, reason being , things went from bad to worse! Wow, I had no idea, he was so exasperated, it made not much sense to me, but I knew instinctively not to ask to many questions at this point in time. Something about iron filter, flooding and septic system. Pretty nightmarish, so I decided to stay at work for a while and chose to work overtime. May be things would calm down later!
When I got home , Werner told me , better sit down, I have to tell you something. I needed I big glass of wine to better digest what was coming and I pleaded to sit outside, looking at the majestic Rocky Mountains to calm my fears.
Well, because of some problems with our iron filter, which was repaired this day,it produced a huge amount of backwash. This large amount of backwash went as usual into the septic field,as usual. Because we had some rain and lots of spring thaw from our heavy winter , the septic field was filled to capacity. We had also never pumped the field in the last years because of some errous information which made us believe that we don't have to.
Well it all, came together nicely, orchestrated just right for Friday 13.Too much inflow, too much back up of solids , a stuck valve -overflow! Come to think of it, not unlike what I do at work in cardiac surgery-ha, ha.
We waited until 8pm for the septic sucking systems operator to arrive, I always thought that was just a character on the Red Green Show, but no ,, they exist and he sucked the S... right out of our septic system!
We do need to repair the septic pump , but we are now good to go. Estimated time for the next suck up, 3 years!
Poor Werner, I felt for him, but I had to laugh, what else can you do to cope with a day like this!
Not so at home .
Werner got the full brunt of it!
Sometime at noon , he phoned me at work to let me know, he had to go tractoring, reason being , things went from bad to worse! Wow, I had no idea, he was so exasperated, it made not much sense to me, but I knew instinctively not to ask to many questions at this point in time. Something about iron filter, flooding and septic system. Pretty nightmarish, so I decided to stay at work for a while and chose to work overtime. May be things would calm down later!
When I got home , Werner told me , better sit down, I have to tell you something. I needed I big glass of wine to better digest what was coming and I pleaded to sit outside, looking at the majestic Rocky Mountains to calm my fears.
Well, because of some problems with our iron filter, which was repaired this day,it produced a huge amount of backwash. This large amount of backwash went as usual into the septic field,as usual. Because we had some rain and lots of spring thaw from our heavy winter , the septic field was filled to capacity. We had also never pumped the field in the last years because of some errous information which made us believe that we don't have to.
Well it all, came together nicely, orchestrated just right for Friday 13.Too much inflow, too much back up of solids , a stuck valve -overflow! Come to think of it, not unlike what I do at work in cardiac surgery-ha, ha.
We waited until 8pm for the septic sucking systems operator to arrive, I always thought that was just a character on the Red Green Show, but no ,, they exist and he sucked the S... right out of our septic system!
We do need to repair the septic pump , but we are now good to go. Estimated time for the next suck up, 3 years!
Poor Werner, I felt for him, but I had to laugh, what else can you do to cope with a day like this!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
the world is our legacy, April 24, 2011
Ever since little Cole has been born, I have been trying to put a finger on how my world has changed.
In a nutshell, I am not overcome by visceral maternal instincts, I think the others will be much better at that, but I see the bigger picture here, my chance to be directly involved in keeping our world habitable for future generations to come.
My husband and I have gone far beyond the usual recycling of newspapers , but have put our money where our mouth is by installing a photovoltaic system which allows to micro generate our own electricity without the use of coal fired power plants.
Due to increased drilling activity in our neighborhood, we became aware of what ails the current system of safety regulations and of the almost non existent rights of Alberta landowners , should big oil choose to drill on the land.
The problems range from noise pollution, overuse of our road structures by water trucks,lack of communication between County , ERSB, oil company and landowner,lack of disclosure of fracking fluid components and possible water shed , aquifer , or well contamination.
We became involved , my husband more actively than me, he became an out right activist with 2 groups currently involved in water awareness and drilling regulations.
At an upcoming town hall meeting I will present information about possible sub surface water pollutants and their health effects.
In the mean time , I am plainly shocked and overwhelmed the more I read about what is going on in Alberta.
Potemkin's villages come to mind, for all to see , we have the mountains, the rolling hills , the farmland, with all these lovely animals , but out of sight we have polluted rivers , clear cut forests ,metastasizing urban sprawl and polluted water wells.
Enough to spent a life time of raising awareness!
I begin to understand now, why so many activists are Elders, it is , because they have realized that they are part of generations to come and shape life and they often have the drive, the knowledge and the resources to be influential.
Not that I am an Elder yet, but my husband surely qualifies and believe me , I am on my my way to become a Matriarch to be reckoned with.
For our family, our children and future generations!
In a nutshell, I am not overcome by visceral maternal instincts, I think the others will be much better at that, but I see the bigger picture here, my chance to be directly involved in keeping our world habitable for future generations to come.
My husband and I have gone far beyond the usual recycling of newspapers , but have put our money where our mouth is by installing a photovoltaic system which allows to micro generate our own electricity without the use of coal fired power plants.
Due to increased drilling activity in our neighborhood, we became aware of what ails the current system of safety regulations and of the almost non existent rights of Alberta landowners , should big oil choose to drill on the land.
The problems range from noise pollution, overuse of our road structures by water trucks,lack of communication between County , ERSB, oil company and landowner,lack of disclosure of fracking fluid components and possible water shed , aquifer , or well contamination.
We became involved , my husband more actively than me, he became an out right activist with 2 groups currently involved in water awareness and drilling regulations.
At an upcoming town hall meeting I will present information about possible sub surface water pollutants and their health effects.
In the mean time , I am plainly shocked and overwhelmed the more I read about what is going on in Alberta.
Potemkin's villages come to mind, for all to see , we have the mountains, the rolling hills , the farmland, with all these lovely animals , but out of sight we have polluted rivers , clear cut forests ,metastasizing urban sprawl and polluted water wells.
Enough to spent a life time of raising awareness!
I begin to understand now, why so many activists are Elders, it is , because they have realized that they are part of generations to come and shape life and they often have the drive, the knowledge and the resources to be influential.
Not that I am an Elder yet, but my husband surely qualifies and believe me , I am on my my way to become a Matriarch to be reckoned with.
For our family, our children and future generations!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
on aging ,April16,2011
On this eve of my personal destruction, i.e. the eve before my 54th birthday, I sit here trying to come to terms with the fact , that as of tomorrow, I'll definitely will be mid fifties. Well, I don't like it. Not one bit! It sounds old, I am not old, at least not on the inside. Sure outside there are the tell tale signs of aging, wrinkles, some sagging in formerly perky parts and some unwanted bulges which before where definitely not there.
But usually I don't care , I wear my gray hair proudly, often in a wild mane of an unbridled beast.
I think I am still sexy, but to whom? My sedated 80 year old cardiac patients?
Where has my youth gone?
Not only am I getting officially older, I just recently had the honour to become a grandmother, now that is old right there.Old, Old Old Old.... ancient!
But I am still young ,young young young!!
Age does not matter, nor does being a grand mother or not. What counts is how I feel.
Bulls...., give me Botox, exercise, diet,a positive outlook, happiness-to hell with aging, it happens and lets stop thinking about it.
Happy birthday to myself and let me feel as old as I think I am.
But usually I don't care , I wear my gray hair proudly, often in a wild mane of an unbridled beast.
I think I am still sexy, but to whom? My sedated 80 year old cardiac patients?
Where has my youth gone?
Not only am I getting officially older, I just recently had the honour to become a grandmother, now that is old right there.Old, Old Old Old.... ancient!
But I am still young ,young young young!!
Age does not matter, nor does being a grand mother or not. What counts is how I feel.
Bulls...., give me Botox, exercise, diet,a positive outlook, happiness-to hell with aging, it happens and lets stop thinking about it.
Happy birthday to myself and let me feel as old as I think I am.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Aida, April 10, 2011
Long hiatus, bloggers block, or honestly too much work .
Yesterday we went to the long awaited premiere of Aida in Calgary. This particular production has been shown in Calgary before, but I had never seen it . My excitement was mounting , just thinking of the dramatic of the story , the music , the powerful choir ,and imagining the stage presentation.
I was not disappointed. In times , I was transported into a different world, totally absorbed by the voices of Aida , Radames and particularly the choir. The trumpets got me as well-it was wonderful !
Going to a live opera performance is such a treat and I appreciate it so much. I feel privileged to be able to buy the ticket, dress nicely, be able to afford to park the car and sit down to enjoy the event.
Many years ago I could not afford any of this.
Shortly before I left Germany I was broke from trying to pay my way out of a deceitful husbands debt-no money for cultural events by any means , and after arriving in Canada I was busy establishing my place in this new country.Now that house , retirement and a wonderful marriage are taking care of, there is time and some money for the nicer things in life , like operas.
Boy, that makes me proud !
.....and the next operatic event is already in the planning, how wonderful!
Yesterday we went to the long awaited premiere of Aida in Calgary. This particular production has been shown in Calgary before, but I had never seen it . My excitement was mounting , just thinking of the dramatic of the story , the music , the powerful choir ,and imagining the stage presentation.
I was not disappointed. In times , I was transported into a different world, totally absorbed by the voices of Aida , Radames and particularly the choir. The trumpets got me as well-it was wonderful !
Going to a live opera performance is such a treat and I appreciate it so much. I feel privileged to be able to buy the ticket, dress nicely, be able to afford to park the car and sit down to enjoy the event.
Many years ago I could not afford any of this.
Shortly before I left Germany I was broke from trying to pay my way out of a deceitful husbands debt-no money for cultural events by any means , and after arriving in Canada I was busy establishing my place in this new country.Now that house , retirement and a wonderful marriage are taking care of, there is time and some money for the nicer things in life , like operas.
Boy, that makes me proud !
.....and the next operatic event is already in the planning, how wonderful!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
memories of chernobyl
As the day of the Chernobyl disaster nears , it will be 25 years ago on April 26 , that the reactor had a core meltdown and our world suddenly became radio active!
The world watched while commandos of "volunteers ",did what they could to contain the damage and radiation.These people all succumbed to the fatal effects of radiation disease. Sadly their death did not prevent the contamination of a whole continent!
Due to unfavourable weather conditions , the radioactive clouds spread all over Europe and rained their deadly cargo onto the ground.
It was spring and plants and animals were fertile and growing.
We were told to have none of it! No eating of spring greens,picking of flowers and drinking of milk , lest we would add to the radio active exposure .
Kids were not allowed to play outside on the grass, pets activities were restricted , contaminated shoes were to be left outside and feet had to be washed off before entering the house.
The worst was , the danger was silent, has no smell and no shape.
We were all shell shocked that our lives were so gravely affected by something from so far away.
Timely and eerily, almost to the day , the world is again watching as Fukushimas 4 reactors are in grave danger to contaminate our world.
Due to my in depth experience from 25 years ago I snapped into action, iodine-check,emergency ration of uncontaminated food-check,dubious about fish from anywhere in that region-check,listening to what is not being said or minimized-check.
Conflicting messages from the authorities were the norm and nothing much has changed.assume the worst and discover happily you were wrong in the first place .Don't let your guard down.
25 years ago, I decided at some point to ignore all the dire warnings and I went to pick mushrooms which were growing untouched in large numbers.I ate them of course and now I am worried that my time is up , they say cancers can develop 20-30 years after the fact.
That is my legacy.
The world watched while commandos of "volunteers ",did what they could to contain the damage and radiation.These people all succumbed to the fatal effects of radiation disease. Sadly their death did not prevent the contamination of a whole continent!
Due to unfavourable weather conditions , the radioactive clouds spread all over Europe and rained their deadly cargo onto the ground.
It was spring and plants and animals were fertile and growing.
We were told to have none of it! No eating of spring greens,picking of flowers and drinking of milk , lest we would add to the radio active exposure .
Kids were not allowed to play outside on the grass, pets activities were restricted , contaminated shoes were to be left outside and feet had to be washed off before entering the house.
The worst was , the danger was silent, has no smell and no shape.
We were all shell shocked that our lives were so gravely affected by something from so far away.
Timely and eerily, almost to the day , the world is again watching as Fukushimas 4 reactors are in grave danger to contaminate our world.
Due to my in depth experience from 25 years ago I snapped into action, iodine-check,emergency ration of uncontaminated food-check,dubious about fish from anywhere in that region-check,listening to what is not being said or minimized-check.
Conflicting messages from the authorities were the norm and nothing much has changed.assume the worst and discover happily you were wrong in the first place .Don't let your guard down.
25 years ago, I decided at some point to ignore all the dire warnings and I went to pick mushrooms which were growing untouched in large numbers.I ate them of course and now I am worried that my time is up , they say cancers can develop 20-30 years after the fact.
That is my legacy.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Full Moon Night-Full Mourn Night
Every so often I wake up in the middle of the night and find myself in tears , having just been very close to my parents and than realizing that they are gone.
This is what came to my mind tonight.
...and at night come the memories
fragments of normal, not designed to be remembered
words spoken not intended for eternity
a touch given or received not known to be the last one
vignettes of before ,like a kaleidoscope of loss
all these memories-beyond reach
what's left is emptiness
This is what came to my mind tonight.
...and at night come the memories
fragments of normal, not designed to be remembered
words spoken not intended for eternity
a touch given or received not known to be the last one
vignettes of before ,like a kaleidoscope of loss
all these memories-beyond reach
what's left is emptiness
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