Nina and Kai took me just recently on a boat tour on the Rhine river and we sped past an old sign which announced "Grosse Baggerei".If you pronounce it in German it sound somewhat odd in English , so we had a nice chuckle. Nina had mentioned that she loves the word "baggern",digging in English, so I saw the connection.
Anyhow, little did I know that the grosse Baggerei would follow me home.
Here we are again , 4 years after a big renovation, which included digging down to the basement foundation, we have to do it again. Hopefully right this to time!
The very snow rich winter , followed by an extremely wet spring was too much for the precautions we took to keep the basement dry.
Mercifully there is no damage inside. But with the prospect of more extreme weather due to climate charge , we thought it would be prudent to be more pro active.
It comes at a cost of course, in this case , it means probably no asphalt in front of the garage and the house for now. There go my high heel dreams!
The walls on the north -east side of the basement have been tared today , and in a few hours we can begin to put down the weeping tile and fill it up with gravel. That way we don't get a moat going , should the weather forecast come true with thunderstorms and severe weather.
Can't wait for the grosse Baggerei to start in front of the house!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
To whom the bell tolls
To whom does the bell toll? Good question , when you are awake in the middle of the night and the bell tolls once for every 15 min and the exact number of hours every hour. Sleeplessness as a count along.
Hearing the church bells is something I so dearly miss in Canada, even if it keeps me awake at night.
I love this sound representing the passage of time . The bells are heard calling for worship, they are sound for weddings , baptisms and for burials. But they are never heard on Good Friday, as they travel to Rome to be blessed.
Hearing the bells throughout my trip ,made me belong and I felt welcome.
Who knows , may be the bells tolled for me after all.
Hearing the church bells is something I so dearly miss in Canada, even if it keeps me awake at night.
I love this sound representing the passage of time . The bells are heard calling for worship, they are sound for weddings , baptisms and for burials. But they are never heard on Good Friday, as they travel to Rome to be blessed.
Hearing the bells throughout my trip ,made me belong and I felt welcome.
Who knows , may be the bells tolled for me after all.
Grimm's Sister's Fairy Tale Week
Saturday was Rhein In Flammen! (Burning Rhine)
Talk about finishing my week in Style!
The Rhine river was closed to all commercial freight traffic and a convoy of at least 20 pleasure boats slowly wound it's way from St. Goar to Bingen to enjoy a series of firework displays done by the various communities along this stretch of the river.
We sat right on the edge of the fireworks firing area in Bingen and the most magnificent fireworks happened right above our heads. We even felt the debris rain on our heads and we smelled the gunpowder or sulfur .
The best part, that this evening started with a boat ride along the promenade to the local wife beater wearing camp ground .What joy to ride the waves and what fun to scream with each jump! We also had a lovely dinner at a local Strauss wirtschaft(seasonal wine bar and restaurant).
And that was only the last day of an unbelievable fast and event filled week.
Arrival last Sunday to Total Valley event with Blues Festival, visit at my parents grave before admission to hospital on Monday, Tuesday successful knee operation, Wednesday meeting my friend Monika stay with her for 2 days, continuous excellent recovery with good friends and good food, Friday arrival in Neuwied , visit with lots more friends and a good visit with flowers to the cemetery .
And than the before mentioned finale.
Unbelievable, fast, successful and eventful.
It felt like I was reading the story of a crazy trip to Germany, but I lived it all-what fun!
Talk about finishing my week in Style!
The Rhine river was closed to all commercial freight traffic and a convoy of at least 20 pleasure boats slowly wound it's way from St. Goar to Bingen to enjoy a series of firework displays done by the various communities along this stretch of the river.
We sat right on the edge of the fireworks firing area in Bingen and the most magnificent fireworks happened right above our heads. We even felt the debris rain on our heads and we smelled the gunpowder or sulfur .
The best part, that this evening started with a boat ride along the promenade to the local wife beater wearing camp ground .What joy to ride the waves and what fun to scream with each jump! We also had a lovely dinner at a local Strauss wirtschaft(seasonal wine bar and restaurant).
And that was only the last day of an unbelievable fast and event filled week.
Arrival last Sunday to Total Valley event with Blues Festival, visit at my parents grave before admission to hospital on Monday, Tuesday successful knee operation, Wednesday meeting my friend Monika stay with her for 2 days, continuous excellent recovery with good friends and good food, Friday arrival in Neuwied , visit with lots more friends and a good visit with flowers to the cemetery .
And than the before mentioned finale.
Unbelievable, fast, successful and eventful.
It felt like I was reading the story of a crazy trip to Germany, but I lived it all-what fun!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Germany rocks
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
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
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.
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