Today’s title, as I learned today, means “meeting place” in German. September’s here, and I find myself meeting new situations while reflecting on the summer now (sigh) behind me.
This coming week I get to prepare for a trip to the land where treffpunkt is a common word. Tim and I leave in nine days for Germany! Our friends, Anna and Doug, who knew us way back when, have invited us to take up space in their home for two weeks. We’ll see some sights. I’ll use my new passport for the first time. (The best part so far: I ordered a gluten free meal for our trans-Atlantic flight.) I’m sure many new stories await.
The past three months besides changing my eating habits I’ve written and read a great deal. A few inner worlds appear to be widening, expanding simple views to lovelier, though sometimes grittier, complex ideals and ideas. At the same time my energy spurts appear to be fewer. What’s going on inside can’t often process outwardly. But maybe that’s all right, since a good stew simmers before becoming worthy of a taste.
It should be interesting to discover how my physical productivity, or lack thereof, affects our Germany agenda. I’d better pack books and journals aplenty, in case I must send the other folks off to sightsee while I curl up with our friends’ kitties and read. Perhaps I’ll catch Tim’s ever-enthusiastic touristy sparks. More likely I’ll clutch his shirt tail and hang on till he notices me dragging and clunking behind.
Either way, we get to miss two weeks of campaign coverage. :o)
lol–isn’t that the best part? Enjoy your trip. I’ve heard it’s beautiful in Germany *so envious*.
Have no fear Deanna – if you ever want to stay behind somewhere, I can join the kitties in keeping you company! In fact, my girls may be in hiding till they get to know you – can’t guarantee there’ll be any kitties to cuddle with in evidence! Although we do have beanie buddy facsimiles…
I’m curious, Jodi, to see how Deutschland compares with the Pacific Northwest.
Thanks, Anna. I’ll do my best to keep up, but I’d love time to catch up with you! I don’t blame your girls for being shy…beanie buddies will suffice. :o)
You’ll miss campaigning??? Awww, I’m so sorry. ;P
Enjoy your trip! It will be fantastic I’m sure. I look forward to hearing and seeing all about it when you return.
What fun!
Yes, Cherie, every morning when the news is on I think, at least next week it’ll be in German…
I’m actually a big fan of taking books and reading in other places far away.
I had a breakthrough when I went to London by myself for ten days a couple springs ago. I was still very, very low energy from grief and whatnot, and I promised myself I would let myself do nothing, if that’s what I needed, rather than pushing myself to sightsee etc.
And sure enough, for most of the ten days I just hung around the hotel and environs–of course, since that means I hung around Bloomsbury, it wasn’t like there was nothing to do or see or think about!
It turned into one of the best trips I’ve had–including some astonishing grace notes out of the blue from strangers, because I was sitting still long enough to receive them…
Sort of created a treffpunky by NOT doing things!
Anyway, everyone travels in her own way and I hope you have a terrific time–will you be blogging?
Fresca, in case I haven’t said it, that picture of you looks so freeing. We ought to seriously consider someday a Star Trek, Firefly, Europe-trip stories, Eddie Izzard fest. As they (whomever they are) say, it would rock. I will only blog if a computer accosts me while on the journey, and of course one may do so. :o)
What a great idea!
An Izzard Firefly Travel Trek Fest!!!
Let’s do it when you get back. (I’m not sure how, but I’m game!)
Thanks for saying about the picture. That trip two falls ago was a real turning point. I didn’t even realize the old friend I was staying with had taken that picture–in fact, I didn’t even realize I had assumed that pose!–until she sent me the photos from my visit.
My response was that it was a picture of how I wish I were. And since it was a picture of me, I must actually be, at least sometimes, the person I want to be!
Talk about a bit of grace….
Took about 45 years. But who’s counting?
Here’s to grace and being your own best person, no matter the time it takes. :o)
Wow Deanna… how exciting! Hope you have a brilliant time. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
P.S.
Just to say, apropos the reading list on my blog of a couple weeks ago—I read “Call of the Wild” last night, and you’re right–it’s really good and totally holds up for an adult reader!
So I’m glad I added it to my list.
I don’t personally resonate with all of London’s Hemingway-like “he-man” worship, (Buck’s extreme adoration of Thornton struck me as a bit like an obscene worship of power), but it’s still a terrific read, right from the get go.
Wow.
It was your response that encouragee me to re-read it, so thanks.
P.P.S.
Oh–and bon voyage! Watch out for thin ice, and be sure to rest your dogs!
Cecily, I thank you, and I hope to enjoy and maybe send postcards.
Fresca, I’m glad Buck’s adventures were mostly good for you. I also recommend White Fang as the companion dog story by London. It’s story is sort of opposite to Buck’s, and the worshipy parts are more human (maybe what London thought of human religions), with love being the greater theme near the end.
How fun for you! I don’t have your new blog site in my rss reader, so I think that’s why I missed knowing about all these great posts. I love your writing. I wish I had the same flair for words you do.