Re-finished

Rocker

We have an old rocking chair. It was bequeathed to us long ago by an old man in our church, after his wife died. We were newly wed, and in a new state, and that elderly couple were some of the first to welcome us to the congregation and to the area. The chair has gone with us to our many homes over the years. It had been painted a green, and a yellow, and then a non-descript dinginess. The seat started shedding its innards. Parts were held together with angle irons. But it means something to us, so eventually we took it to the furniture re-finishers in this area to make it better. They did. The paint is gone, and it has a lovely stain to show off the wood. It is re-enforced and strong. It is newly stuffed and upholstered in a sturdy leather. It will serve at least a couple of generations well. The old man is long gone, but we think he would like to see it. 

We always enjoy seeing what the furniture refinishers have on offer when we visit, which is infrequently. This time it was these:

For a particular taste, I suppose. 

I like these colors. 

Happy end-of-May to you. We have been in drenching downpours for a week, and are hoping for some sunshine soon. It would make the tomatoes happy. They are covered, but it isn’t warm and cozy outside. 

Deidesheim Tour

Wine Country

After a fine German dinner in the restaurant, a relative (native to the town) took us on a little walkabout, and to a wine distributor for a tasting session, that, of course ended with some cartons full of bottles leaving with us. The wines from here never disappoint. 

Notes about Deidesheim: first mention of it in AD 699. It was founded on a Roman road. It was granted the right of fortification in the 1300ˋs and had walls up to recent times. A couple of segments and towers remain. It is in that part of Germany that was constantly fought over between the Germans and French, and was for a time under French rule in the early 1800‘s. It has a very long history of wine growing, cultivating 485 hectares currently (a bit less than a thousand acres). 

A painting in the restaurant. A runaway carriage horse. 

Deidesheim’s main square. Note the palms have come out of winter protection. The area is quite mild for its latitude, and the soils and sun are ideal, making conditions right for vineyards. 

The wine distribution center, for all the vineyards.

Fig trees are a common sight here. They are usually grown next to a house wall or one of the stone walls around the vineyards, where heat is stored in the rock mass. They do produce fruit, some kinds more than others. This one is being trained to grow against the wall. 

The heart wood of the pruned fig tree. 

A map of the vineyards on the hillside outside the city. The names are old, and many have been in the same family for generations. Our relatives’ family plot is on the right. 

This is a vintner family historic home

An Easter tree in someone’s yard. 

This is not a wonderful photo, but it shows the character and form and uniformity of materials in the architecture. 

Goodbye, Deidesheim, until Wine Festival at the end of summer. 

Excess

Tomatoes

Adelina planted a dazzling array of seeds of colorful tomatoes, and they germinated in good order. But then she had way too many, so offered us some, which we accepted. BUT, when she planted hers out, the dastardly slugs ate them. So we are sending some back to her. But we still have a lot. Takers? 

We have a number of other things starting, and some disappointments that have not appeared at all, or got immediately eaten by slimy critters.

These are safe in raised beds.

The wild strawberries are coming out. Tiny and tasty. 

And roses are blooming! We love our roses. All kinds.

The early spring flowers are done, and some later spring blooms are delighting the eyes. 

Both potted and planted. 

A Dutch Iris. I miss my profuse German irises from the old homestead, now blooming merrily. 

Back to Deidesheim next. 

Deidesheim Day

Visit

Back during Holy Week, on our Anniversary, on our way to the Easter Retreat, we stopped to visit relatives in an old German town.  We had an excellent dinner at a fine old restaurant, and then got a little tour and wine tasting. The area is vineyard country, and produces very fine vintages.

A vintner’s house

Spring gardens everywhere 

Old, old grape vines that will be lush and full of grapes as the year goes on.

A good traditional German meal

One of the fine rooms in the historic restaurant 

Woodwork details

To be continued…..

Furniture Maker

Craftsmen

The shop that made several pieces for our house, including the recent plinth, had some pieces exhibited that are worth sharing. The craftsmen are particularly noted for their beautiful inlays and use of wood grain. 

This piece had a story: the owner didn't want to pay a certain amount to get a plain old top replaced, so he gave the whole cabinet to the shop. They turned it into a concealed liquor bar, that rises smoothly and soundlessly out of the base, with lights. The former owner then decided he loved it. 


The new top was made to match the inlays on the sides. 

Or if one wants a little something…..

Decorative wood arts.


Folk arts from scrap wood.



The scenery in the area. This is Maria’s mountain range, where her little house is. 

May Flowers

From April 

These are remains of early Spring flowers. 

Summer blooms starting

Heidelberg 3

Upward

Getting closer to the top, and the castle ruins.

There. The French blew this up - gun powder storage - in one of the innumerable wars over this border section of Germany. 

Note the thick walls.

The view from the hilltop.

Castle fortifications.

Castle ruins

Somebody’s sculpture. There was a similar one down in the city. 

The city below

Then down we went for drinks along a small city street, before heading to a very German supper, that went well into the night. And we lost an hour on Easter morning. 

This is what we think of time changes. 

End of Heidelberg.