Heidelberg

From Easter Retreat

On Holy Saturday we had time to go visit the castle ruins and grounds above the city. 

It is a steep climb up. Many beautiful old houses line the way. Heidelberg had the privilege of not being bombed to smithereens in the War, as most other cities were, because - as we heard from a German lady - the American officer deciding targets had either himself, or someone close to him (I can’t remember,) went to university in Heidelberg, so he wanted to preserve it. 

Every story is somebody’s - some individual’s - story. 

Part of the famous and very old university.

Snapped driving by….

City zoo next to the youth hostel where the Retreat was held.

Egyptian geese along the Neckar River, which flows through Heidelberg. 

Heading up to the castle

Probably barracks, armory 

Note the etched glass

To be continued…

R.I.P. Arthos

Old Friend

Yesterday in the early morning hours, my old horse left this mortal coil. He was 28. I had him for 23 years, and he was part of our family in all our children’s growing years. He had gotten threadbare and tooth worn with lots of ailments, but he was a character up to his end. He was perfectly normal at night chores the day before.  The vet said he had a peaceful end. 

And so an era ends. 

My last photo of Arthos about two weeks ago. A casual snap as I was walking by. I’m glad now I took it. 

Gardening Day

A Start

It’s too early to plant most things, but we emptied the greenhouse, and salvaged what we could from the short, sharp freeze that took some things. It is surprising what survived and what didn’t. One geranium did, and the rest didn’t. Some avocado trees did, and a couple didn’t, but they are all valiantly pushing out new growth, so we will start again. A petunia, of all things, survived and is blooming with jolly red flowers. And the wild Geraniums are entirely unfazed. They are kind of a weed, but have pretty, small fuchsia flowers and keep bugs at bay, so we keep some around. We trimmed, weeded, repotted, added some commercial bedding plants, worked on raised beds, and enjoyed the sunshine. Much more to do, but it is a good start. 

Preparing the Sitzplatz for summer.

As the sun is going down. 

Cherry trees in bloom. We are hoping for no more freezes. 

Many spring flowers are in full bloom, some done, some still coming. 

And the wisteria is starting to open, so we smelled it’s heavenly scent all afternoon while we worked. 

It is a pretty time of year. 

Giardina 4

More

A forest path in an exhibition hall.

No Ikebana show this year.

So, 

The End

Got It!

Sculpture Set Up

Some months ago I mentioned Better Half getting me a lovely turn-of-the-last-century sculpture in the little German town we visited. I said I would show you sometime. Yesterday we got the plinth we had made for it, and today I got pictures. 

Whitewashed ash wood to match our walls. 

It has a secret door. Door? What door?

With a cabinet inside to store (some of) my music. 

Wifey is happy.

Giardina 4

More

To be continued….

Giardina 3

More

Lights IN rocks

Beautiful stone fountain 

To be continued…