Starry Sky Ranch

a wing and a prayer

 

Johnny Cash is ringing in my head lately.  "I've been everywhere, man. I've been everywhere."  I haven't actually been everywhere.  It just felt that way some days. 

We got word that last week in the States that my husband needed to be in Germany shortly after we returned.  We made some last minute plans and I went along for the ride. Seemed a little crazy but it was good actually to have a short time out.  

I have to tell you though that the flying is still not easy.  There is nothing glamorous about my life the night before a flight. Giant bundle of nerves.  There were actually a number of things about this trip that stretched me way, way out of my comfort zone.  I keep thinking eventually it's going to get easier.  Meantime I am just doing it scared. There should be a medal for that.  A big one.

Just sayin. 

Actually the reward this time was beautiful Deutschland in springtime. I have missed those tiled roofs and deep forests. I had one whole day to do with as I pleased.  A friend took me to breakfast.  Then I went to the American bookstore and realized it has been years.  YEARS and years since I have been to a bookstore with absolutely noone waiting for me.  I lingered long over shelves that wouldn't likely have made the triage when people were waiting outside. 

We are home again and catching up.  We have had a series of challenges to meet here as well but are trying to just use that same approach, one thing at a time, even in the absence of feeling personally prepared and equal to it. A dear friend had just the right words tonight.  Just wait on Him and be courageous, said she.  

 

Courageous.  Yes.  Because courage isn't the absence of fear after all. It is acting in spite of it.  Wishing you same for all the brave things that may be asked of you today as well. 

 

a look back - 2012

 

What a year it was.  We rang it in with fireworks in a tiny farming village on the highest peak in our part of the Rhineland Pfalz.  We closed it out watching magnificent fireworks explode over the London Eye.  (and can't wait to share!) 

In between there was dancing

in Stuttgart, Ramstein, Munich...

and in Ireland.  Beautiful Ireland. 

There were parades big and small. 

There was a lot of football.  From little boys playing alongside the flight line to American pro football in Wembley Stadium

to English football in Manchester. 

There were great celebrations. Holy Communion...

Confirmations.   

As well as solemn memorials to a good man gone too soon for us.  

We cheered at a high school graduation and a college graduation. 

And then there were the road trips.  Lots of them. 

 

Luxembourg

Köln

Trier - a couple times. 

Some of them hiked the French rock formations along the old Roman road.  

another put her toes in the sand on the Italian coast

 

Others splashed along the Suffolk coast. 

We watched another cross the finish line in Prague

Prague, the city which stole Abbie's heart.  

And we boarded ship for the white cliffs of Dover, not a road trip but to  make a home. 

Where we pal around in Cambridge and London

From flowering rapeseed in Germany to the bowing fen grasses of East Anglia. 

We have been blessed to share this year's adventures with over a half dozen American students as well.  The one face you don't see in these pictures is our son Asher. He spent 2012 in Korea.  Major goal of 2013 is a picture of him next to his mama. 


 It's been quite a ride y'all. I count it as a singular blessing to have been able to share it with the people I dearly love near and far, face to face and via this screen.  2012 saw a lot of boxes and suitcases and smiles - as well as tears.  Life is full.  

It is never easy. 

It is always good.  

Life is good. Hold on to that. 

Martinmas!

 

Martimas has been a family tradition for many years thanks to my dear friend Karen whose family hosted the feast day party and bonfire.  In Germany it was a local holiday as well.  I don't know that it is in England but since it is a three day weekend we will make our lanterns and have a little parade after dark. 

If you want to incorporate some simple crafty or kitchen goodness today visit here or here. 

Gorgeous lantern inspiration from this German site. 

 

Happy feast!

temporarily

We packed up our home last week and have been in a temporary furnished rental until we leave.  It has been a bit of a culture shock for us all since it is right on the main street of a much larger town.  When you say "on" the main street in Germany that means you have the street, then the sidewalk (no grass between) and the wall of the house juts straight up from the edge of the sidewalk.  The master bedroom is streetside, downstairs so its a little unsettling to hear the sirens and trucks roar by within feet of the bed.  

The house is decorated in a, um, global theme.  There are buddhas, African tribal statues, Chinese vases and a certain glass tubed contraption used for herbal inhalation of semi legal substances.  ahem

 

 

the shower has its own remote control.  I swear it looks ready to beam you up.  There are lights in the ceiling - blue and yellow flashing lights.  Ceiling of the shower that is.  Along with the radio.  

this is the groovy upstairs lounge. 

this is the toy  environmentally friendly washer. When you open it you see the above. 

When you press the button it unbuckles and looks like the below pic.  You fill it and close it back up to wash. It actually works well for all six items of clothing you wash. 

You just need to be patient because those numbers indicate how long the wash cycle takes. : ) 

And this man is in the back yard.  Why not?

Rob's Run

The local community organized a Stand Against Sarcoma 10k this morning for our friend Rob.  It was a most appropriate way to show support for this avid runner.

Krissie did an awesome job when put on the spot to say a few words, though I know she would have given anything to be cheering her husband from the sidelines vs speaking on his behalf from the truck.  This a hard thing, cancer. 

"One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong..."  Yeah, that would be me up front.  In my dress - partly because the pair of sweat pants I packed had to be tossed after we painted and partly because who is going to talk you into running 6 miles when you are dressed like that right? I did what I do, took pictures, and handed the camera up to Krissie so Rob could have a look at the crowd which took several frames, left to right,  to capture. 

Allen finished in very good time.  And this run, Aidan was determined to join in.  He has run 4.5mi but never a 10k til today.  He did a fantastic job and is very encouraged to try it again. 

Kieran and the kids hanging out waiting for the runners to finish. 

We love you Krissie and family.  We really do.

an (ex)patriotic 4th

We weren't sure we would be attending the 4th festivities this year. Our movers were scheduled to load this day.  By the end of Monday they had nearly packed the house so we wrapped up a day early on Tuesday.  We went back to the house to clean up and touch up paint Wednesday morning and then regrouped and headed to the base late afternoon for our last American celebration in Germany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the last dance

The kids had a party for their last night at the dance studio.  Games, candy, lots of dancing. Lots of laughing.  Lots of wonderful people.  I was doing really well ri-i-i-ght up until Miss Mary told them to line up for the last time they would dance out the door.  Agh.  Last times are hard for me. Very hard.  

 

 

My lovely Moira put on a brave face for her dance-around but this was a rough night for her. It is hard to remember this is the same girl who cried for having to come to Germany.  

 

 

 

These three look like trouble. <g>  

Rousing game of freeze tag here, hand in hand. 

Watching Tess looking so very big also caught my breath.  She began to dance two years ago and stumbled over her own feet for months.  Several weeks into it I wasn't sure she was ever going to get it.  But suddenly she is no longer round and tentative but this lanky, confident girl in long braids who knows many dances. And I am happy for her, for them all.  Happy they pushed through their sadness over leaving the ranch to have this German adventure.  Happy for all they have seen and done. Happy that they are well and strong and so very alive.

But there were still tears over here, because that is how milestones go for me. 

cattle....drive

Oh the things I see while washing up dishes at the kitchen window. 

sounds of the forest

One of these nights soon will be the last we hike through the forest surrounding our village.  I can't seem to get enough and wish to plant these sights deep in my memory, for we will not be back down these roads. 

I did a quick spin in my spot listening to the birds on this damp evening.  It probably loses something in recording but it was a beautiful walk nonetheless. 

 

 

 

 

volksmarch

The Homburg flea market yielded what, for me, was an awesome snag - an old volksmarching walking stick.  When we were here in the 80s volksmarching was huge.  They were 10km walks which drew large crowds.  People joined volksmarch clubs and hiked together socially.  When you participated in a walk you would earn a small metal badge which you tacked onto a walking stick like this one.  People collected badges from all over. 

People still walk here with great enthusiasm, but I see few sticks.  Nordic walking poles have largely replaced the old canes.  I was glad to find this one which was covered in badges.  The others I have seen have had far fewer.  Must have been a well-traveled volksmarcher. : )