Watching BBC news talk about the election results from Baden-Würtemburg made me smile, because so many times I had stood in exactly the spot the announcer did. They were broadcasting from Stuttgart.
I felt almost as smug as the day I was channel surfing and stopped and new exactly where they were photographing in Damascus.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Misc
On the way to a Chinese buffet in France today for lunch, we saw a field of camels.
Got the bill for two eye surgeries and four appointments from the surgeon. 456CHF or about US$515. I expected at least another 0 on the cost. All but 10 percent is covered by insurance and mostly I can see again. It is even a pleasure to look at the spot on the ceiling that was invisible for six years prior to the surgery.
Walking down the hill from the village looking at the lake, I passed violets and forsythia. The birds were obviously auditioning for some choral production.
Got the bill for two eye surgeries and four appointments from the surgeon. 456CHF or about US$515. I expected at least another 0 on the cost. All but 10 percent is covered by insurance and mostly I can see again. It is even a pleasure to look at the spot on the ceiling that was invisible for six years prior to the surgery.
Walking down the hill from the village looking at the lake, I passed violets and forsythia. The birds were obviously auditioning for some choral production.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Destination Dijon
My housemate reached into the bowl with five pieces of folded paper. She pulled one out. “Dijon.”
Thus we determined the location of our next mini adventure.
“Let’s not use the major roads, let’s just wander. Thus we crossed the border at Vallorbe and wandered through countryside that could have Norway, the Black Forest or Maine. We stopped to ooh and ahh at lakes and church steeples.
At Arbois, we stopped for what was supposed to be a light lunch with a good dinner planned for Dijon. Instead as we peered out this window, we had the house paté rapée carrots and purple cabbage, trout, chicken, courgettes, chocolate mousse and crème brulée.
The waiter, from the region explained that this was the wine capital of the region and talked of yellow wine (like sherry) and straw wine (grapes dry on straw for three months before the fermentation process is begun).
We found the most interesting statues including hitchhiking bees along the main road and statues in the river running through the time.
We poked around and around, finding Louis Pasteur’s home and all kinds of statues in strange places. Outside the town we found a hotel where we enjoyed the local wine.
A group of businessmen from Holland, Belgium, the UK and US were talking about their project and waiting for Steve to join them, who was on his way for Dijon. They decided not to wait, because Steve always found a reason not to join them for dinner.
The next morning we headed for Salin-les-Bains to look at the pottery studios before heading home.
The weather was rainy and foggy and beautiful. Dijon will be there another time.
Thus we determined the location of our next mini adventure.
“Let’s not use the major roads, let’s just wander. Thus we crossed the border at Vallorbe and wandered through countryside that could have Norway, the Black Forest or Maine. We stopped to ooh and ahh at lakes and church steeples.
At Arbois, we stopped for what was supposed to be a light lunch with a good dinner planned for Dijon. Instead as we peered out this window, we had the house paté rapée carrots and purple cabbage, trout, chicken, courgettes, chocolate mousse and crème brulée.
The waiter, from the region explained that this was the wine capital of the region and talked of yellow wine (like sherry) and straw wine (grapes dry on straw for three months before the fermentation process is begun).
We found the most interesting statues including hitchhiking bees along the main road and statues in the river running through the time.
We poked around and around, finding Louis Pasteur’s home and all kinds of statues in strange places. Outside the town we found a hotel where we enjoyed the local wine.
A group of businessmen from Holland, Belgium, the UK and US were talking about their project and waiting for Steve to join them, who was on his way for Dijon. They decided not to wait, because Steve always found a reason not to join them for dinner.
The next morning we headed for Salin-les-Bains to look at the pottery studios before heading home.
The weather was rainy and foggy and beautiful. Dijon will be there another time.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
No glasses
For those who won't recognize me, I'll either
1. Wear a name tag
2. Identify myself
yesterday at Manana, a TexMex restaurant I go to often, the manager didn't know me.
I can't look that differently. Makes me think that hiding out might not be so hard to do after all, especially if I change my hair colour and don't speak. My accents would give me away in either English or French.
On our white board
We've begun listing things that make us happy or that we are grateful for on the white board also known as communication centre. My next listing will be "this morning." Not that anything spectacular happened, but the day began awash in pleasantness.
I needed to go to the bank to trace down a missing money wire. My housemate needed therapy, which seemed like a perfect excuse to stop at the tea room in the next village. The plates we selected for our treats were like an English garden alive with blue and yellow flowers. The tea room is full of rustic tables, art work, novelties. The tables were full of people talking. My housemate's cappuccino was a work of art with cocoa sprinkled on whipped creme as thick as ice cream.
My housemate left ahead of me for appointment and sneakily paid for my almond croissant and green tea.
Outside the tea room the first spring flowers were being brave enough to show their faces.
At the bank, the teller found the missing money. Not only is she extremely helpful, she always has her nails done with different designs. Today different tiny flowers decorated each nail. They would have been a good match for the plate at the tea room. I confided my desire to some day have my hands done with the lacy henna of the Middle East. She replied with the French version of "Go for it."
I walked back home, about twenty minutes in the sunshine, but the shadows of the trees on the church caught my eye. Still no leaves but birds were singing their little hearts out.
The air is still tingly but pleasantly so. The ground on one patch of farm land has been turned. The snow on top of the Jura is melting, the mountains looked as if they were part of a Monet.
As I said, nothing spectacular, just pleasant. I don't need more.
I needed to go to the bank to trace down a missing money wire. My housemate needed therapy, which seemed like a perfect excuse to stop at the tea room in the next village. The plates we selected for our treats were like an English garden alive with blue and yellow flowers. The tea room is full of rustic tables, art work, novelties. The tables were full of people talking. My housemate's cappuccino was a work of art with cocoa sprinkled on whipped creme as thick as ice cream.
My housemate left ahead of me for appointment and sneakily paid for my almond croissant and green tea.
Outside the tea room the first spring flowers were being brave enough to show their faces.
At the bank, the teller found the missing money. Not only is she extremely helpful, she always has her nails done with different designs. Today different tiny flowers decorated each nail. They would have been a good match for the plate at the tea room. I confided my desire to some day have my hands done with the lacy henna of the Middle East. She replied with the French version of "Go for it."
I walked back home, about twenty minutes in the sunshine, but the shadows of the trees on the church caught my eye. Still no leaves but birds were singing their little hearts out.
The air is still tingly but pleasantly so. The ground on one patch of farm land has been turned. The snow on top of the Jura is melting, the mountains looked as if they were part of a Monet.
As I said, nothing spectacular, just pleasant. I don't need more.
Potato Sticks and Gin Rummy
The package in the mail with potato sticks brought it all back, a good memory from a horrible time in my life. The gift was from a high school friend, who in the early stages of my separation and divorce, would take the train from Boston to visit me and my infant daughter. M claimed Llara's nose was so tiny that it was a miracle she could breath through it. Neither of us were in good places, but days never seemed sad when we we could talk it out together.
When the baby napped, M and I would play gin rummy and munch on potato sticks. It didn't matter who won, she was a breath of sanity.
Her parents were surrogate parents as well as they had been for me throughout high school. Her mother would visit on Tuesday nights often bringing something for the baby. Her father would do chores, and unlike the husbands of some of my friends, they were needed household chores -- a leaky faucet, a lamp that didn't work -- which had nothing to do with sex. One night he appeared with a big, big grin and a round green moon wagon that Llara loved to ride in.
M and I have shared being foul weather friends for years and later in life were able to transition into being fair-weather friends, delighting in the fact we each have found ways to be happy that we would never have thought possible when one of us would say "Deal," or do "Do you want another glass of Coke?"
So the can contained more that just the potato sticks. It contained a life full of memories.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
My heart is with Wisconsin
"We must close union offices, confiscate their money and put their leaders in prison. We must reduce workers' salaries and take away their right to strike." Adolf Hitler, May 2, 1933" and we all know how well that worked out.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Goop
“Don’t be a goop,” my grandmother used to say whenever I said or did anything ridiculous.
As I lay under the warm duvet in the clinic watching a cat run through the little courtyard outside my window, I wondered if my abject terror at the coming operation was just a bit over the top or had it gone all the way into goop status.
I had heard from the doctor who would knock me out, the admitting clerk and the nurse that “Vous êtes très drôle.”
Great!
Not only was I going to let someone stomp through my eye, they found me funny. I had a future career as a comedian for the medical profession.
I really was totally unaware of what happened and soon my ever-so-patient housemate was telling me to watch my step as I left the clinic. I was back speaking English. I had been worried that the stress would drive the French from my brain.
Now that the bandage is off, and although it will take a few days for everything perfect I’m shouting down the stairs “I can read the clock without my glasses,” “I brushed my teeth without my glasses,” etc.
Seeing that is a novelty and when the second eye is done, it should be even better.
If my grandmother were alive, I would admit to being a total goop about the whole thing.
As I lay under the warm duvet in the clinic watching a cat run through the little courtyard outside my window, I wondered if my abject terror at the coming operation was just a bit over the top or had it gone all the way into goop status.
I had heard from the doctor who would knock me out, the admitting clerk and the nurse that “Vous êtes très drôle.”
Great!
Not only was I going to let someone stomp through my eye, they found me funny. I had a future career as a comedian for the medical profession.
I really was totally unaware of what happened and soon my ever-so-patient housemate was telling me to watch my step as I left the clinic. I was back speaking English. I had been worried that the stress would drive the French from my brain.
Now that the bandage is off, and although it will take a few days for everything perfect I’m shouting down the stairs “I can read the clock without my glasses,” “I brushed my teeth without my glasses,” etc.
Seeing that is a novelty and when the second eye is done, it should be even better.
If my grandmother were alive, I would admit to being a total goop about the whole thing.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The penguins and the ball
Er guys, we have a problem.
We can take it. Hold your positions!
WE GOT THE BALL SURROUNDED!
The water cure
It had been a good writing day. Words seemed to just flow from my fingers to the hard disc. At the same time My back and shoulders were sore from staying in the same position. (yes, yes, I know I should know better).
Outside the weather was a perfect late winter day, something that is rare in Geneva, and much too nice to spend the entire day inside. I grabbed my coat and was off to visit my favourite stream. To get there is necessary to walk by the lake (no chore at all), and down a path with hedges. The there is a little bridge with the stream flowing under and down to the lake.
The water was in perfect form, bubbling over itself almost as if it were laughing at the world for being allowed this wonderful journey.
I don't know how long I stood there, but as I started back home, I realised that my shoulders no longer hurt.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Friends
Anyone who knows me well knows I'm paranoid about having anything near my eyes. Wearing mascara is impossible because I can't stand to get the little brush near my eyes. It took my dermatologist more than 35 minutes to remove a growth near my eyes in what should have been a few seconds job.
I tend to hit my ophthalmologist during an eye exam, assuming he can get near enough me to examine my eyes.
I'm a normal patient with all other kinds of doctors.
Thus facing surgery on both eyes, on what is a simple operation for sane people, but causes terror in me, the doctor decided the best course was to knock me out. I think he envisioned chasing me around the operating room or dragging me out from under the car in the garage to work on me.
On the positive side, I've been totally touched by my friends reaction. My housemate decided to stay home from an event in case I needed anything. Another friend was more than willing to stay with me until I took off the bandages. My Indian friends asked not IF they could help (go in my place was not an option) but what they could do, and another friend hearing about it from a mutual friend, wrote words of encouragement and offered me a free massage (which she does) if that would help.
My new mantra to get me through until the 24th and 3rd (two surgeries) is I'll be able to see well again I'll be able to see well again. I'll be able to see well again...
Don't anyone mention the word eyedrops, please...
I tend to hit my ophthalmologist during an eye exam, assuming he can get near enough me to examine my eyes.
I'm a normal patient with all other kinds of doctors.
Thus facing surgery on both eyes, on what is a simple operation for sane people, but causes terror in me, the doctor decided the best course was to knock me out. I think he envisioned chasing me around the operating room or dragging me out from under the car in the garage to work on me.
On the positive side, I've been totally touched by my friends reaction. My housemate decided to stay home from an event in case I needed anything. Another friend was more than willing to stay with me until I took off the bandages. My Indian friends asked not IF they could help (go in my place was not an option) but what they could do, and another friend hearing about it from a mutual friend, wrote words of encouragement and offered me a free massage (which she does) if that would help.
My new mantra to get me through until the 24th and 3rd (two surgeries) is I'll be able to see well again I'll be able to see well again. I'll be able to see well again...
Don't anyone mention the word eyedrops, please...
Monday, February 14, 2011
Laughing
I finally found the baby laughing adver on you tube by putting in bébé rire pub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E0IS-pUZXY
I just love those 29 second especially with the little boy puts his head down on his high chair tray totally convulsed with laughter.
I mention I found it to my housemate as we to and fro getting ready for bed between bathrooms and bedrooms, mentioning last minute things.
"Did you know adults laugh an average of 15 times a day," she calls across the hall.
"Does that include laughing clubs?" I call back. "I wonder how those work."
As I look for my book to pretend to read before falling asleep, she comes into my room and starts to laugh.
I can't help it. I have to laugh too.
And we laugh and laugh almost to the point where we hurt.
Then she leaves.
Finally settled down in bed, I giggle myself to sleep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E0IS-pUZXY
I just love those 29 second especially with the little boy puts his head down on his high chair tray totally convulsed with laughter.
I mention I found it to my housemate as we to and fro getting ready for bed between bathrooms and bedrooms, mentioning last minute things.
"Did you know adults laugh an average of 15 times a day," she calls across the hall.
"Does that include laughing clubs?" I call back. "I wonder how those work."
As I look for my book to pretend to read before falling asleep, she comes into my room and starts to laugh.
I can't help it. I have to laugh too.
And we laugh and laugh almost to the point where we hurt.
Then she leaves.
Finally settled down in bed, I giggle myself to sleep.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Killing ten minutes
"Ten minutes," my housemate said about the store that was closed until 14:30.
That was just enough time for a brief exploration.
We ambled down this small passage
No sense in taking art too seriously.
Roots, a mosaic almost gives life to the tree above. There are both cement and ceramic painted tiles.
A nursing mother cuddles her child. In a way it would be wonderful if our children could always stay small and cuddly. On the other hand having grown up children is equally wonderful.
That was just enough time for a brief exploration.
We ambled down this small passage
No sense in taking art too seriously.
Roots, a mosaic almost gives life to the tree above. There are both cement and ceramic painted tiles.
A nursing mother cuddles her child. In a way it would be wonderful if our children could always stay small and cuddly. On the other hand having grown up children is equally wonderful.
The Knight in Shining Trash
At a restaurant near our house run by the mentally handicap, this statue was made by the students out of old circuit boards and other trash. Nearby are the remnants of a medieval château. Maybe he is looking for this château through his glases. On the base of the statue there is a sign not to mount the horse. However, it said nothing against taking photos.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Lovely lunch until
It had been a lovely lunch at Le Cottage, the restaurant in a small park overlooking the lake.
I was brainstorming with two writers. The food was excellent.
Then the owner came over and mentioned to the man, that there might be aproblem. The client behind him had been known to be a pickpocket. Sure enough, although the man's wallet was three: His money was gone.
These things happen, but what was upsetting the restaurant knew the pickpocket was trouble yet served him anyway.
She did not warn her other client in time.
She made no offer to apologize nor did she offer to pickup the cost of his lunch.
She couldn't stop smiling.
The food and ambiance at restaurant is wonderful. The owner IS NOT!
I was brainstorming with two writers. The food was excellent.
Then the owner came over and mentioned to the man, that there might be aproblem. The client behind him had been known to be a pickpocket. Sure enough, although the man's wallet was three: His money was gone.
These things happen, but what was upsetting the restaurant knew the pickpocket was trouble yet served him anyway.
She did not warn her other client in time.
She made no offer to apologize nor did she offer to pickup the cost of his lunch.
She couldn't stop smiling.
The food and ambiance at restaurant is wonderful. The owner IS NOT!
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Beauty and loss
I chose a walk not just because it was a beautiful day, but because I could put off a phone call I didn't want to make. Sadly it is not a single phone call but one that I do so regularly that the sadness multiplies each time as I answer the same questions, repeat the same information and try to break through the ever deepening fog to the person whom I'm losing even though she is still there.
As I crossed the street, the sun shown on the stone wall and the moss moved ever so slightly in the breeze, a reminder that even in sadness there is a moment where one can see beauty.
Boatyard cat
A sunny spot, sheltered from the breeze on a winter day, this cat poses allowing people walking by the boatyard a chance to admire her beauty.
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