More Spring

In Appenzell 

Totally untended beds, blooming anyway. Such a cheery greeting. 

Anniversary Excursion

35 Years

We get extended time now in Singrüeni, so we decided to have a quiet celebration for our anniversary today in Sankt Gallen, the closest “big” city. 

We haven’t been there much, so we are still enjoying exploring the old town. It is old. This was a Roman fort town, then a monastery town when the Irish monks brought Christianity to the pagans, then a textile factory city in the Industrial Revolution, and now it is notable for some industries, libraries, and its business university. It retains some old buildings from four or more centuries ago. We went to one for dinner. 

It is springtime with trees blooming everywhere, and flowers in the grass and gardens. 

The trees are still leafless, but the sun shone. 

This is a statue of martyr saint of the tenth century named Wiborada. She lived walled into a room with no door, and one window to the church and one to the world, through which she counseled people. She memorized all the Psalms, and probably found them more appealing than the all the annoying people around her. (That’s how you get away with getting away from people.)

At one time the city was quite rich, so some of the old buildings are immense. 

Or just picturesque.

Some Easter trees are out already. 

No city planners here, and no straight streets. 

We had dinner at the Golden Sheep.

Note the sloping floor. ALL the floors sloped a good foot from outside walls to the inside of rooms. It was a little disconcerting, but very picturesquely historical. 

Walnut table, hand wrought beams, wooden wainscoting, and art that didn’t fit. But the food was sehr fine. 

In-season asparagus and fresh caught fishes. 

This table was a student fraternity commission, and is inscribed with the nicknames of many of them. 

After dinner, we wandered the streets a bit more….

And stopped awhile to listen to these traveling musicians, playing Pachelbel and other classics, very well performed. They are from Eastern Europe, bringing their employment with them. 

This is one of the old clusters of houses around a tiny courtyard….



…..through a narrow passage……

… where lower classes live.

And this is a much abused tree, with huge tumors, but still hanging on, and arrayed in a pretty flower carpet.

Goodbye, Sankt Gallen, until next time. 

Rigi Hike

It’s Been Awhile

Today we hiked up the Rigi, for a memorial service for Opa, especially for the children who were not able to be present for his funeral. The day had perfect weather, the flowers were blooming, and the sun shone.

The Felsentor (Rock Gate)

Still snow at the top, in places. This is Rigi Kaltbad, where we stopped. 

The narrow entrance to the chapel courtyard with its healing springs.

In the small chapel where we had the memorial service. Two sons played the organ in the balcony. We sang, we heard a biography of Opa’s life and Bible readings, and each shared a special remembrance of Opa. 

Dinner at the Alpina, as we did for so many years with Opa and Oma. 

Mit Eis

Then hike down the other way. At this cross one son proposed to his now-wife. This cross was the rest point for the children, when they were little, and Opa would give them something from his magic pockets to keep them going up the last stretch.

And a mountain farm.

What we felt like doing afterward.

Twas a very fine day. 

Sweetness

A Little Sweetheart 

Turned one today, with a big party 

Set on UrOma’s tablecloth

And Jello from her Wisconsin grandma - a long tradition from that family - it’s not a party without it. This one, though, instead of being made with evaporated milk, which is not readily available here, was made with Möwenpick ice cream. Yum? Yup! 

And for dessert, the floofiest chocolate cream cake - this is also a family history staple on her mama’s side, passed down through the years in Wisconsin. It was the great-grandpa’s favorite. The younger generation, when asking for the recipe, were warned, it was an expensive cake to make: it required six candy bars. This was from the days that you could have butter OR jam on your toast, but not both- too luxurious. 

So this cake for today was modified for Swiss ingredients, too: no Graham crackers and Cool Whip and Hershey bars. This one had Petit Beurres (butter cookies), whole cream, and Swiss chocolate. Yum? Yup! 

So another generation is started in the footsteps of her predecessor’s traditions, a heritage passed down. This little girl hadn’t had sugar before this, so she was introduced to that, too, and after some hesitation, found it quite edible. Now no more until next year!