Germany

Earlier this month, Zac and I had a quick trip to Germany for a job interview. We didn't get much sight-seeing in, but we did see a few neat things in Ulm. Gerald, Zac's old lab-mate, showed us around and even let me borrow his awesome camera. I really enjoyed the Christmas mart and the Ulm Cathedral. The stained glass windows were awe-inspiring. Last year Zac and I read "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follet. I thought a lot about the book when touring the cathedral (think masonry, flying buttresses, etc). We climbed about 250 stairs to a spot above the bell tower. The stairwell was narrow, round staircase with little windows here and there. You could see for miles! Luckily I'm not terribly afraid of heights.
Ulm was beautiful! We walked along through the streets, along the city wall, next to the Danube and soaked in all of the beautiful architecture. There was also a house that was so old, it was beginning to lean over. It looked as if it would topple over into the nearby canal. Zac was fascinated with the interlocking beams. I took a picture of one to remember the detailed workmanship. A big thanks to Gerald for showing us around. We were lucky we had him there, he ended up being our tour guide and translator.

Warning: picture overload ahead!



Live sheep in their full size nativity just outside the cathedral!!!












We climbed these spiral stairs for what seemed like forever. I felt quite dizzy after awhile, but it is now one of my favorite memories of the trip.
















Eating some traditional German food: Sauerkraut and Bratwurst...yummy!




See! It leans!





These next few pictures came from a little town/village on the way to Stuttgart- Blaubeuren. We walked through the monastery grounds to get to a path around the entrance to an underwater cave entrance. They dive it, wouldn't you know! Zac was fascinated. The picture with the church and the water is my favorite. I'm proud to say I took that picture!





Waiting for our flight home at the Stuttgart airport.

Who Doesn't Love to Receive Flowers?

The picture above is one of the many beautiful flowers I have received from my boys throughout the years. A simple dandelion, I know, but isn't it beautiful? I know the little yellow weed brightened my day when I received it.

From early on in our relationship Zac, too, has been wonderful about bringing me flowers. Roses cut from his mother's garden or a small bunch from the store would often greet me as he returned home. A few years ago he began to bring home a different sort of "flower" - Lindt truffles. I'm not sure how our little exchange got started, but now when he comes home, he'll announce that he bought me roses and hand over a truffle or two. I love it!

Well, in my Victorian Literature class we are reading Middlemarch, by George Eliot, and I came across a passage where another type of "flower" is exchanged. Mr. Casaubon left Dorothea some religious "pamphlets," and the text describes her taking them in, "as eagerly as she might have taken in the scent of a fresh bouquet after a dry, hot, dreary walk" (from ch.4).

I have a final example of a type of "flower" that we all receive but might not think of at first. The example comes from a song by Cherie Call, "He gives flowers to everyone." Here are a few lines from the song:

And when they're out of season, she has snow
And when she's in the desert where they hardly ever grow
He gives her diamonds in the midnight sky
Season after season, His love will never die

He gives flowers to everyone
Not just the girlfriends or the brides
He sees the beauty inside her life
And He gives flowers to everyone

...

I'm amused and delighted that "flowers" can uplift so easily, no matter the shape or form they come in. I'm hoping that whoever reads my post today will see it as a "flower" to you from me. XOXO.

Guess What Book I'm Studying?

"Reader, I married him."

Payback

About a month ago, while at the store, Tyson found a video game he really wanted. He had enough money but didn't have it with him. We purchased the game for him and told him to pay us back later. Tyson was good for the money. This is how he paid us back:

A Stunning Piece of Music

I have never had a piece of music affect me quite so strongly as Debussy's "Sarabande" from his Pour le Piano suite. The piece is pure emotion. Tonight while re-listening to it for one of my homework assignments I found myself weeping aloud, eyes dripping tears. My reaction to the song startled Zac who turned off his football game to come and comfort me (sweet husband). He assumed the workload was overwhelming me again. I suppose I was overwhelmed-overwhelmed by the beauty of the music.
Please listen to the piece. I found a decent youtube video here. I dare you to listen to it and not feel anything.
Enjoy!

My Musicians