Monthly Archives: May 2011

Memorial Day – Meuse Argonne Cemetary France

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When we learned that the WWI Memorial near my husband's birthplace was having a Memorial Day ceremony we decided to pack up and make the trip this weekend.  

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Measuring 130 acres, the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetary is the largest of several WWI era cemetaries scattered throughout the region. The Argonne Offensive called upon more US troops than ever before in history up to that time and was instrumental to winning the first world war. 

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The remains of over 14,000 soldiers rest here, marked by white marbles crosses and Stars of David.  The original number was twice that, but in the 1920's the others were repatriated back to the States. 

 

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The grounds are owned and meticulously maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.  The land was given to the US, tax-free in perpetuity, by the French government in gratitude for the aid provided by the soldiers. 

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The memorial cemerony included US and French Army troops and dignitaries as well as smaller groups from the Boy Scouts, French Fire Brigade, local clergy, and many veterans.  

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We drove through some really nice little villages on the way there.  Romagne, which is the nearest village to the cemetary, was in full patriotic array with red, white and blue flowers and French and US flags tucked into the flower boxes and planters in front of EVERY home.  Sadly you will have to take my word for that because we took a different route home which was less lovely.  It did however take us through Verdun, which meant a lot to my husband.  He was born here while his father was stationed at Metz.  It was a kick for him to see his birthplace. 

May 11 meuse alannah moira aidan kieran brendan web

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The cows come home

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The cows have come home – well to my home anyway.  The grass is so high out back the farmer came to mow and bale for grass hay.  But there was plenty left for grazing. 

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I can't remember if I shared here or on Facebook but this is how they left us last fall.  The farmer came along with his tractor and pen-on-wheels.  You don't see large stock trailers here.  Actually I have never seen one here.  But we did see this.  They herded the cattle into the pen and began to slowly move down the road to winter quarters.  

(an aside – that sign says Road Damage which in CO means "Get out and walk because you aren't getting through here no how."  Here it means, "Someplace on this stretch of road there may be a small bump.  We will be along shortly with road crews to block the way and fanatically smooth and level to perfection.") 

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There is a lot of farmland around us but the farmers all live in the villages and the barns are usually attached to the farmhouses.  The tractors and the animals move in and out from the fields but return to the village at night. This works well for creeper photographers longing for a close up.  

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This fabulous vintage tractor was parked at a farmhouse down the street last week. I noticed it driving home from an early morning errand and thought about Rebecca's awesome tractor pictures.  I figured this was my best shot. 

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I toodled down the street and snapped a few quick shots.  It was good thinking too.   They had been working on the old empty place and moved the tractor shortly afterward.

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There’s another day tomorrow

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Oh, drive dull care away

For weeping is but sorrow.

If things are wrong today,

There's another day tomorrow. 

 

So drive dull care away

And do the best you can.

Put your shoulder to the wheel

Is the motto for every man. 

 

…and woman.  Lovely folk ballad sung by Pa Ingalls under another starry sky.  

 Just some random everyday-ness here tonight. My shoulder has been to the wheel and there hasn't been much time for blogging.  But we have walked and read and these is what has stayed with me.

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corners of my home – something old and something new

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This pillow is one of two I stitched up – truly stitched because my sewing maching foot has walked off – last weekend.  The fabric is part of the stash that came from the sale bin at Joann's many years ago.  It was supposed to redecorate our last living room but never really came together.  It's working here. At least in it's second incarnation. First time around it became valances which came dangerously near to 'country with a K.'  I ripped the seams and re-purposed them into pillows which look just right resting between the gnomes and the floral drapes.  

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I have been meaning to show you the delft canisters we picked up in Belgium last winter.  Actually my husband snagged these.  Like I have said before, everything in this house is slightly imperfect. (everything ; ))  That is fine by me. It makes for affordable collecting.  These sets were often extensive and finding every piece still together could cost a fortune.  These were not a fortune and I suspect there was at least a flour canister at one time. Since they are decorative for us we don't mind a bit.  

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Paging through an old (circa 1986) House Beautiful the other day I found an article about the restoration of an old farmhouse in the Netherlands. I saved the magazine all this time because I love historically accurate restorations not to mention all things Dutch.  

Different things jump out at me today:

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I haven't really looked closely at this issue in forever but I seem to have begun collecting many of these things.  My short term goal is to try to find some hand painted wood.  These boxes are Hindelooper pieces from the Frisian region of the Netherlands, which is where I spent a summer in high school.  Germany is known for its Bauernmalerei, which is literally Farmer Painting.  Sweden has Rosmaling.  It is all wonderful and I hope some of it follows me home. : ) 

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Alannah and I have been encouraged by our first hat projects.  As in, they actually fit people's heads.  (we aim low lol) It was rather instant gratification as well since they came together inside an hour using this pattern. 

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We also got a little addicted to trying the sampler shapes from the Crochet Bible.  There were hexagons, squares, circles, flowers in circles.  Then I saw the African Flower pattern at Craft Passion and loved it immediately.  Or maybe really loved her color scheme. Either way I tried one of those as well. Since I have only scraps yarn these serve little purpose other than to affirm to us that yes, we can follow patterns and make cool things. And some days, that little reminder is really plenty of project incentive. : ) 

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Any new hobby worth it's salt involves favorite new blog bookmarks.  Favorite new crafty blog is Rose Hip.  Her whole blog looks like Moira's room.  I want to make one of everything. Most definitely some edged pillow cases. Just as soon as I order the thread. (Let's pause for a little reality check here – this charmed country I find myself in is nearly devoid of craft stores.  What there is smacks of 1983.  Just saying. You mail order your craft supplies here.) 

And on the real stuff – I will say too that I have started two sweaters since which have not materialized as yet.  The first pattern I messed up and had to rip a bit out.  And have not been terribly motivated to continue because the worsted weight yarn, even in a soft blend, feels poufy for a little girl.  The second, from the Crochet for Tots book is true to its stated measurements, however it should be noted that those measurements are NOT typical for the sizes they are supposed to be.  I realized a young teen could fit into the sweater at the size it was stitching up, which is a good 9 inches wider across the chest than most size fours. 

So I am on the hunt for some cotton/bamboo blends in a lighter weight and patterns to work with.  Or maybe just a candy colored assortment of yarn to make Moira the Rose Hip inspired afghan she requested.  Really there is something so incredibly soothing about the repetitive motion and the delicious colors. I am glad we picked up the hooks again. 

Changing what you can

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A recurring comment I have gotten lately mentions the peace some people notice in the images shared here.  I have thought about this a great deal.  There IS great peace but I would add that it is also the very kind Jesus promised – not the kind the world usually refers to.  It has taken me a long time to understand the difference. 

"Even peace may be purchased at too high a price." – Benjamin Franklin

So often we confuse peace with with conflict avoidance.   That isn't real peace.  It is simply the refusal to acknowledge a problem and in fact creates exponentially more inner turmoil.  Part of cultivating real serenity  - for me – has been being very honest about what I am comfortable with and what I am not. What I can do, and what I truly feel I should not.  That is the first, essential step to peaceful living – honesty, as much with ourselves as with others. 

It can be very hard to know which response will result in true peace and healing because sometimes God asks us to be still, and allow him to be mightier than the storms which surround us.  Other times He says Arise, and walk. He gives you strong legs to replace those once paralyzed by fear and intimidation.  He leads you to a different place. Sometimes we are to remain and endure bravely and quietly, other times we are to shake the dust from our feet and move on. 

Peace is costly but it is worth the expense. – African Proverb

 It takes careful discernment coupled with sincere prayer to know what He is calling us to in a given situation.  But in the end we know.  It is a 'simple, not easy,' thing.  Sometimes the most difficult steps are taken with remarkable calm.  Conversely, what others around us assert should be easy leaves us with tremendous inner unrest.  And we just know.  

Blessed are the peacemakers.  – Mt 5:9

Peace is defined not as a gift of the Spirit, but a fruit borne through careful cultivation. It is not something you get but something you make.  That is where the blessing is promised. I have stopped waiting for it to just happen and tried to understand what had to change in my life for it to grow.  

Peace is not the absence of conflict but the ability to cope with it. 

Be assured of this. We do not have a perfect life, but no doubt we the perfect life for us. Perfectly suited for our salvation.  Perfectly fitted with crosses which many would find unbearable to carry.  His simple – but never, never easy – plan for my life is indeed perfect. Resting in that knowledge brings true peace. Nothing else can. 

And I am not sure any of this makes sense to anyone else.  It is just what I have been thinking about lately.  

 

Serenity

Ombachsee

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The rest of the pictures from the wonderful day at Ombachsee. There were some wardrobe changes but they are all from the same day, which involved sand, trail, water, and lots of sunscreen. : ) 

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The sand pit at Ombachsee has a system of narrow troughs channeling kid pumped water.  I am telling you, the Germans think of everything.  Except ceiling fans.  And ice. But that is another post. 

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They were enthralled with every part of this system. 

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The sand pit fun, delightful as it was, was just a prelude to the lake itself. 

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We had all the ingredients – kids, water, stones, dirt.  Not much else needed for a perfect day. 

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Omsee ….perfect day. 

New International Picture Blog Project!

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I am so very excited to share a project that has been brewing the past few weeks. Friends from very different regions of the world have teamed up with me to create an international picture of the week project called Snapshots Around the World.  Each Monday Sue in Japan, Rebecca in the US (midwest), and I in Germany will share an image from our own cultural perspectives interpreting a general theme.  (Earthquakes, labor strikes, floods, nuclear blasts, emergency surgery, and acts of God permitting – because between us we have some of those this year ; ))

Please come join us and if you want to play along leave us a link in the comments with your take on the week's theme.