Hurrah! This is not about Germany, and of course we are back in Virginia.
In spite of falling asleep at odd times for close to a week, I am semi alert and almost fully functioning.
Next: A Family Visit
And having emerged from tracking in the footsteps of the ancients, I am now enjoying the excitement of a visit from our son and three grandgirls.
They are volatile, young, fun, and sort of tornadic.
A Bear Stops By for a Look
To add to the excitement, a bear came for a visit too and my middle grandgirl, Kendall, fearlessly dashed out on the deck to get a picture! The bear admired her beauty for a minute and then headed for the woods.
Celebrating Birthdays
Two of the three girls share close together birthdays, so we are celebrating those too. Their birthday dinner request is always for Hungarian Paprikash, a kind of stewed chicken with “knuckles.”
When my brother and I were little we could not pronounce the word Nokedli (little dumplings) so we called them Knuckles, and that stuck (the word, not the dumplings). And I still cannot pronounce Nokedli.
On a sad note:
Our old friend, Buddy died while we were in Germany and today was his Celebration of Life. Buddy did not want us to mourn but to remember him with happiness. We loved him so and had so many years of grand laughter and shared kindness. The memories are many and we are grateful for that friendship and to continue it now with his daughter, Pam and the rest of his family.
To the Drive-in Movie
This evening our son and grandgirls are headed for Hull’s Drive-In Movie Theatre. Remember those?
Tonight’s weather prediction is for FROST! I will stay home in a warm place for dozing and predict they will not make it through the first feature.
Safari Park
Tomorrow is dedicated to pumpkin carving and a traditional visit to Safari Park, where we have been going since the girls were little. No visit is complete without high pitched screaming in the car when an emu or other big critter sticks its head through the window for a little more snacking!
The Shock and Awe of Silence
When everybody leaves our home and life returns to a normal routine, I may be accosted by the shock and awe of silence. But for now, it feels like an extension of our vacation and a time to contemplate the joyful ties of family and friends.
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I’m so very sorry about the loss of your friend, Buddy. Cherish the memories. I’m sure they are very special.
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Love the safari park photo, such fun. It is wonderful to have the grandchildren visit isn’t it.
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Oh my, open your gate and maybe you can get photos of the bear in your pool!!!!! 😉
So sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. Always painful.
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I’m sorry about the loss of your good friend. I’m sure your memories will always be best ones.
Yet it seems your life is such a whirlwind, Dor. Enjoy the visit with your son and granddaughters – whirl away!
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I loved this post where you wrote of various things and deftly tied them together. You are a marvelous writer, and I’m so happy to have you as a blog friend.
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I am curious as to those bears Dora, I have seen on other photo’s from friends they seem to come so close to their houses , I guess for food. Do you have to protect your property from them. The one looking up at your balcony seems friendly. What do you do to send them away if they become aggressive. With regard to feeling the quiet after family leave. My family have just gone home after coming for a week for my birthday which they do every year. It takes a time to get used to the quiet and get back into the routine of every day life. But we Skype each other every week end.
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In our German family we call them knuckles too! So sorry about your friend. Enjoy your family!
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Sounds like you are having a wonderful visit! But frost?!? What is that? I think I have forgotten! We are not quite ready to turn off our AC here!
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Love the title, The Shock and Awe of Silence – happy to see you again Dorann and catching up on your news. Very sorry to read of your loss, happy to see your family visits are as exhausting and exhilarating as always, and I’ll bet your had the trip of a lifetime. Have a lovely Sunday and best wishes for a wonderful day with the family.
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Thanks Cindy. I think losing people who are dear to us is the hardest part of aging.
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You are right Charlie – the grandkids are great fun all around. 🙂
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Great idea Cindy except the pool is closed for the winter and has a trampoline cover. Maybe the bear would love jumping for joy though? 🙂
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You have nailed it as always Eliza…life is “such a whirlwind.” It should quiet down after this next week though. 🙂
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Anne, I do love you for saying those lovely things, and ditto – “I am so happy to have you as a blog friend.”
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Thanks for asking about the bears Rita. There is a saying here, “If you think you have seen a bear, you have.” They are notoriously shy and the one yesterday ran into the woods as soon as he saw us watching him from the deck. We have only had 3 sightings in the last 26 years and those are recent sightings. I think our dogs used to deter wildlife from approaching the house. I’m working on getting another dog though. Happy Birthday Rita and I know you must have enjoyed the family visit. Our family are still here but the quiet time will come along soon enough.
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How strange that you call them knuckles too! 🙂 🙂 And thanks Kate.
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It was downright cold today. I went for a walk this morning with a flannel shirt and fleece vest and wished for a warmer jacket and gloves! Enjoy the sunshine! 🙂
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Thanks so much for your thoughts Mary, and I am sorry about your travails lately too. I listened very carefully to the Teepa Snow video and was so very impressed. I wish I had known about her before.
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Buddy sure has a sweet smile, Dor. No doubt, he was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Today, in The Charlotte Observer, there’s a big article on The Shenandoah Valley…can’t wait to read it! Of course, I immediately thought of you.
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My parents have been going through this a lot lately, and I know it has been very hard for them too. I’m sending lots of hugs!
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I really agree with you Dorann, Teepa’s message and how she delivers is pretty powerful. Watching the video’s had me recognizing an awful lot of what has been going on with my Mother. Perhaps we’ll be able to introduce many more to her. Glad it spoke to you ~
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Why do I have this funny feeling you will be moving back here?
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Thanks for that info Dora so that was great you got a photo of him. Yes I too am thinking of getting another dog, The house is not the same with out a pet even though I have two Budgerigars I still miss a dog in the house. What breed are you thinking of, or shall you go for a rescue dog ?
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Probably a rescue dog but we love them all.
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Family time is great, no matter when. I’ve been known to sleep at odd times of the day in recovering from those.
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