We have all been touched by cancer . . . by having it or had it or knowing someone who does or has had it.
Cancer knows no age, color of skin, religion . . .
Here is a link to a Mommy's Blog whose son has just been diagnosed with leukemia.
He is my grandson's four-year-old little buddy.
Please take the time to visit the blog and leave them words of support and comfort.
If you are interested in knowing where to mail cards, toys, games, etc., leave me a comment, and I will get the address to you.
It's that time of year again ! If you are interested in growing your own Easter basket grass, NOW is the time to start at least thinking about gathering up everything needed to make these baskets.
Easter is March 31, so it's not too early to at least think about planting your own Easter basket grass.
One of my pet peeves, and I have several of those, is picking up that dratted plastic colored grass that clings to everything for months after Easter. Even the dogs have it hanging from their muzzles, not to mention theHansMan.
After the Easter bunny has come and gone, the rye grass can stay. It can be planted in a special place in your yard or garden where it will grow if cared for. Children can continue to enjoy it for a long time.
Just to prove that planting rye grass for Easter baskets is a tradition around here, this is the 2010 version of the process.
All that's needed to create real live green grass for an Easter basket is:
1. plastic saucers
2. potting soil
3. rye grass*
4. sprayer of water
5. plastic wrap
6. cute little munchkin to help
*It's best to purchase the rye grass at a feed and seed store where you can buy smaller amounts. This was the smallest bag we could find, so now we have enough rye grass seed to plant over a square mile.
First you must put the potting soil into the plastic saucers.
Then, you sprinkle the rye grass seeds over the potting soil.
It's very important to push each and every seed into the soil
Well, maybe pushing each and every seed into the soil might take to long.
Spraying the seeds with water is a serious process as indicated by the furrow in her brow.
It's very important to take time to pose and smile for Gammy's camera.
Place plastic wrap over the seeds to create a "greenhouse."
Then while Gammy steps out of the room for just a second, Little Miss P grabs a pot and fills it mostly with rye grass seed.
Just in case you couldn't see exactly how many rye grass seeds, this photo should clear things up.
Happy springtime from Little Miss P and Gammy.
Planting rye grass seeds is a fun project. Even if your springtime doesn't involve celebrating Easter, rye grass can be planted in styrofoam cups that have faces drawn on them so that eventually hair grows out the top.
Below are previous posts on the same subject:
(For those of you who know Little Miss P, it's fun to look at these posts to see how she's grown.)
Easter Rye Grass Baskets: Episode 2011 in Georgia
Easter Rye Grass Baskets: Episode 2008
Easter Rye Grass Baskets: Episode 2008 Finished Product
Growing Grass (Rye Grass, that is.)
Mowing Easter Basket Rye Grass
The Very First Post Ever with Other Rye Grass Ideas
Not sure which 'part' we're on. It really doesn't matter. Does it ?
These are just random photos from Rothenburg. Of the cities we visited in Germany, if given the choice to go back to any of them, Rothenburg would be mine.
Some of the photos have a caption . . . most don't need one.
Remember the tower we climbed yesterday ! That's it up there.
Even if you don't speak German, "Biergarten" is fairly easy to translate.
"Prost"
He was in Germany, too !
That man does get round !
Magical !
|That little red truck is the same little red truck you saw yesterday from the tower.
Just one more hot mulled wine. It's called ____________.
By the way, this does come in the child's version. (non-alcoholic)
Plans are to send him to try out for Cirque du Soleil.
Him, too.
Yes.
The carousel is spinning.
She follows the rules and doesn't get thrown off the rides like her brothers.
Test:
1) Name the men in both windows.
2) What is one man drinking ?
3) How much is he drinking?
4) Why is he drinking ?
5) How long did he sleep ?
6) What time is it ?
The wall.
A man (theHansMan) looking at the wall.
One of many gates leading into the city.
View from a Hole in the Wall
The River Tauber
Georgsbrunnen (St. George's Fountain)
Due to the town's plateau location, the digging of wells was both essential and time-consumng, because the water had to be piped over long distances from the neighbouring mountain ranges. Moreoever, the location of these pipilines was kept secret, in order to prevent the water supply from being cut off in case of siege.
It's almost impossible not to shudder at the numerous instruments of torture and execution in the Crime Museum, but at the same time, giggle at the masks of disgrace and throat devices used for Civil Punishment.
Hotel Reichs Kuchenmeister (Flair Hotel)
Our home away from home while visiting Rothenburg.
Ida and Madison !
1, 3, 2 . . . I never said I could count !
Today's post starts with a test.
What is the name of this building ?
Yes, you can look back at a previous post if you don't remember.
Today's post doesn't have much to do with that building except for its tower.
See that middle tower ?
Yes, this one.
The one with those people standing looking down . . . way down ?
Well, take a deep breath because we are going up there.
Yup.
We are going to climb the narrow, steep entrance to the fifty-two+ meter high Tower Gallery.
Believe me, it's worth it because once up there, you will see a wonderful view of this medieval town with its gabled skyline and the surrounding area.
The stairway starts out fairly normal, but it becomes narrower and steeper and narrower and steeper until you come to a place, a very small place, to pay your 2 Euro and then you get to climb a ladder.
Yes. I said a ladder.
The ladder takes you STRAIGHT up and through a tiny hole.
This bell is up there. It's so far up there, you can't see it. But, here it is, and that means only one thing: We are at the top !
Once you catch your breath, you enjoy breath-taking views like this:
Several shots of a church mentioned in an earlier post.
Do you remember the name of this church ?
This is the back of St. Jakob's Church, other buildings and the pastoral setting in the background.
What ?!? How'd he get up here ?
See the river ?
See the Christmas tree down there ?
Way down there !
That's where I was standing when I took the first two photographs.
You are now leaning over the rail, looking straight down to the street below.
That little red truck is the Käthe Wohlfahrt’s wagon parked in front of the Christmas store.
Dizzy yet !
We have now walked completely around the tower and had a bird's eye view of the town.
St. Jakob's Church
According to legend, the south tower was erected by the master himself, and the more slender north tower by his apprentice. Enraged that his apprentice's work was better than his own, the master is said to have thrown himself from his tower and was killed.
The church was built during the height of the Gothic era and took more than 150 years to complete. (1311-1484)
We were lucky enough to attend an organ concert one chilly, rainy-snowy evening. The organ is located in the west gallery where it was dedicated in 1968. It has 69 registers and 5,500 pipes which are operated from 2 consoles with a total of 6 keyboards.
The most precious work of art in the church is the Holy Blood Altar. It was produced between 1499 and 1505 in the workshops of the Rothenburg cabinet maker, Erhard Harschner, and the sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider, who produced all the figures and the reliefs. It is said that a capsule of rock crystal contains 3 drops of Christ's blood, and is embedded in the gold-plated cross above the shrine and which gave the unique work of art its name.
Rothenburg ob de Tauber is a town in the district of Ansback of Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia) region of Bavaria, Germany. It is the best preserved medieval town in Germany and is quite romantic.
It is pronounced Rote-en-bourk Obe Derr Taw-burr. (Or something like that.)
Tr: Rothenburg-on-the-Tauber (River)
Tr: Red Fortress above the Tauber
Grab a cup of hot Glühwein and come on along as we stroll the streets of his fascinating walled-town. And, by the way, many travel reviews may tell you to avoid visiting here because it is "touristy." I'm here to tell you that this is a place NOT to miss.
Walk the wall that encircles Rothenburg to get various perspectives of architecture of the Middle Ages. Be sure to wear comforable shoes and layer your clothing.
See, you've already had too much Glühwein, and the clock tower is leaning.
Ratsherrntrinkstube (City Councillors' Tavern)
One legend of Rothenburg is that in 1631, during the 30 Years War, Catholics besieged the town. In order to save the town Mayor Nusch pleaded with the Catholic General that if he were able to drink a tankard containing three and a quarter litres of Frankonican wine, in one gulp, that they would leave the town. The Catholic General agreed and Mayor Nusch stepped up to the challenge. He drank the tankard in one gulp, thus saving the town! It is rumored that the mayor slept for three days.
The artistic clock is on the gable and in the center is the old town clock , circa 1683. The two windows on either side of the old town clock is where Mayor Nusch and Tilley 'perform.'
The video above is of the "master draught" scene from the historical "Meistertrunk" as the mayor drains the tankard and the Emperor's General Tilly observes.
Rothenburg Town Hall (Rathaus) (circa 1250-1400)
Imperial City Museum (Reichsstadtmuseum)
This museum contains a vast, eclectic collection of armament, weapons, dishware, glassware,
Jewish artifacts . . .and a cannon . . . complete with three kiddos.
Inside the town hall are "Historical Archways" . . .
. . . displaying exhibits and scenes from the Thiry Years War.
There is a staircase that leads down to . . .
You guessed it . . .
. . . a dungeon !
Many a prisoner was once made to talk in the torture chamber without their screams being heard.
These three kiddos didn't seem to be too concerned with the goings-on that happened here hundreds of years ago.
This gentleman seemed to be missing some fingers (on purpose).
They didn't just happen to break off.
And, there's also a stretching machine.
No, we didn't leave him here.
Shopping for tools made of chocolate. It's unbelieveable how real these tools look.
The view from the arcade porch of the Town Hall looking across the street to magnificent patrician buildings.
The tour will continue. Stay tuned . . .
Trier is located on the banks of the Moselle River. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC. It is pronounced Tree-ah.
The city lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills of ruddy sandstone in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, near the border with Luxembourg and within the Mosel wine region.
Trier is the oldest seat of a Christian bishop north of the Alps.
Trier is known for its well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings, which include:
1)
The Porta Nigra constructed in 160-180 A.D.
It is the best preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps.
A view from inside Porta Nigra.
Yes. The city is old. According to the legendarium recorded in the 12th century, the city was founded by an eponymous, an Assyrian prince, placing the city's founding legend centuries before and independently of ancient Rome.
There is a medieval inscription on the facade of the Red House in the Trier market which reads,
Translation: "Thirteen hundred years before Rome, Trier stood / may it stand on and enjoy eternal peace, amen." This quotes reflects the proud city tradition.
These little Santas are looking at a building which I thought was the St. Matthias Benedictine Abbey. But, I think it is some other famous building, and I'm not sure which one.
If you know, please tell me what it is in the comments.
2)
The Trier Cathedral (Trierer Dom or Dom St. Peter)
This Roman Catholic Church is the oldest cathedral in the country and dates back to Roman times. It is home to the Holy Tunic. This garment with a recorded history back to the 12th Century is said to be the robe Jesus was wearing when he died. It is only exhibited every few decades, at irregular intervals.
The edifice is notable for its extremely long life span under multiple different eras each contributing some elements to its design, including the center of the main chapel being made of Roman brick laid under the direction of Saint Helen, resulting in a cathedral added on to gradually rather than rebuilt in different eras. Its dimensions, 112.5 by 41 m, make it the largest church structure in Trier.
3)
The Church of our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche)
This is one of the most important early Gothic cathedrals in Germany and falls into the architectural tradition of the French Gothic cathedrals.
This star is on the floor inside the church, and when you stand on it and turn 360 degrees...
. . . beautiful stained glass windows tell a story.
4)
Constantine Basilica
This massive structure, in the original Roman sense, was the 67 m (219.82 ft) long throne hall of Roman Emperor Constantine. Today it is used as a Protestant Church.
5)
The
Electoral Palace
This building sits directly next to the Basilika and is considered one of the most beautiful rococo palaces in the world.
Concerts are performed in the Grand Chamber of the rococo wing
or summer open-air concerts in the courtyard. In both photos above, the Basilica can be seen looming behind the palace.
6)
Imperial Baths
Going to the baths was an important part of Roman life. Over 1600 years ago, the Romans built one of the grandest and most impressive baths in the world: The Imperial Baths. This was a gigantic bathing facility and descended into a subterranean labyrinth.
Men and women bathed naked, not always
separately, and could engage in sports, sit in cold and hot baths, swim,
get a massage, have their body hair removed by tweezers or wax, and be cleaned
with the help of scrapers, pumice stone, or fermented urine. Yup. You read that correctly. Fermented Urine. They could
relax, gamble, do business, go to the hairdresser's, libraries, reciting
rooms, or pubs.
And outside the entrance to the baths,we discovered Big Foot. Imagine giving this person a pedicure !
7)
Roman Amphitheater
Near the Imperial Baths are the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, dating from the first century AD. The amphitheater was used in the Roman imperial era (until the 5th century) for gladiator fights and animal contests.
The person waving to you is is theHansMan. He is going to enter that 'rectangle' and visit the basement underneath the arena. This is where gladiators,
criminals, and exotic beasts were kept prior to their release into the
arena.
The entire structure, consisting of an elliptical arena and a stepped auditorium, was surrounded by a high wall, divided into individual stories by colonnaded arcades. The complex could seat up to 25,000 people.
In the 5th century, the inhabitants of Trier used the amphitheater as a place of refuge from the increasingly frequent raids by Germanic tribes. The site was used as a quarry in the Middle Ages.
Today, the amphitheater area is used for the Antiquity Festival and open-air concerts.
This is the basement. Good luck figuring out what you're looking at. I was more concerned with staying on the narrow wooden walkway and not falling into the water than taking photographs.
It was a bit creepy, and I just couldn't help but think what had gone on down here years ago.
AACCHHKK !
You have just visited seven of the most important sites in Trier.
And yes, in Trier there are . . .
Carousels and gluhwine . . .
Christmas pyramids . . .
Chocolate covered bananas . . .
Healthy food like this . . .
More gluhwine . . .
Tools made out of luscious chocolate . . .
Bouquets of fresh tulips . . .
Houses that look like this . . .
And then it was . . .
time to go home !
Heidelberg is a city in southwest Germany. The fifth-largest city in the State of Baden-Württemberg. Heidelberg is part of the densely populated Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. In 2009, over 145,000 people lived in the city. Heidelberg lies on the River Neckar in a steep valley in the Odenwald.
It is at this point we must pause and address something that must be understood when traveling in Germany or points close by. In the past few posts, you have probably seen me mispell places ending in -berg and -burg.
So, is it:
-BERG or -BURG ?
When spoken by most Americans, -burg and -berg sound the same (kind of like "burr g"), and incorrectly spoken, by the way.
A fortified town was called a Burg (pr. bourk).
A mountain is a Berg (pr. beark).
When named, Salzburg and Rothenburg were fortified towns (Rothenburg still is). On the other hand Nürnberg was so named for the castle that sits on a hill.
This is important because much of the software for searches and train schedule won't come up with the right place if you spell it incorrectly. Put in Salzburg on the Bahn query site, and you'll get Mozart's birth town. Put in Salzberg, and you'll get a pulldown menu with bunch of choices. The first few will be towns in Baden-Württemberg or Hessen; the town in Austria will be well down the list.
Also, those two little dots over the vowel, called an umlaut, are important. Füssen is NOT Fussen! However, using "ue" for "ü" works (and is, technically, correct). So, if looking for a route to Neuschwanstein, use "Fuessen Bahnhof".
Got it?
Great. We'll move on.
This is where the place Burgberg must be introduced.
Confused ?
Good.
These signs prove to be equally confusing for non-German-speaking-Americans.
One of the first sights on our walk was this place.
Does anyone remember thePannekoeken Huis in Bartlesville ?
This was my first thought when I saw the windmill.
My second thought was the fluffy cinnamon apple pancakes the restaurant served.
No stroll through the streets of Heidelberg can be endured without a hot drink.
This one has a bit more 'kick' to it.
Turbo Gluhwein ? Is that gluhwein with Red Bull ?
Do you see what I see ?
Keeping up with three children in the crowd is no easy task.
Especially when two of them make it a game to hide.
Boleslawiec Pottery can be found everywhere.
So far we still have the three kiddos with us.
The streets look like this.
This scene is reminiscent of Venice Beach.
Heidelberg is not without its magnificent churches.
There are Chrismas Pyramids everywhere.
And it makes a beautiful backdrop for a family photos.
Pops is intrigued with the unique way food is prepared.
Especially potatoes.
Heidelberger Schloss looms above the goings-on of the Christmas Market below.
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St. Sebaldus Church (St. Sebald, Sebalduskirche) is a medieval church in Nuremberg, Germany. It takes its name from Sebaldus, an 8th century hermit and missionary and patron saint of Nuremberg. It has been a Lutheran parish church since the Reformation.
The construction of the building began in 1225, and the church achieved
parish church status in 1255. It was completed by 1273-75.
The church suffered serious damage during World War II and was subsequently reconstructed. Some of the old interior did survive, including the Shrine of St. Sebaldus, works by Veit Stoss and the stained glass windows.
Along with Frauenkirche (Our Lady's Church) and St Lorenz,
it is one of the most important churches of the city, and also one of
the oldest.
It was
originally built as a Romanesque basilica with two choirs.
The sunshine, which was a welcome sight, added a different effect to the church, along with the steam that wafted past the choirs.
The two choirs can be seen from all over the city. They stand here just past a glimpse of a Christmas Pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide) and the beautiful fountain (Schöner Brunnen.)
It is located at the Albrecht-Dürer-Platz, in front of the
old city hall.
It is especially beautiful at night.
The following photos do not do the inside of the church any justice but worth posting. . .
Several important composers occupied the post of organist. One of my favorites, Johann Pachelbel, was there from 1695-1706. His son, Wilhelm Hieronymus Pachelbel also played at St. Sebald.
I found it ironic that there were 26 candles burning here...the same number of those killed at Sandy Hook, the day we visited this church.
One of my favorite photos of St. Sebald is this one...theHansMan meeting a fellow Lions' Club member.
Entrance to Zeppelin
Tribüne and Golden Hall
(photo taken from the street)
The photograph above shows the rear of the reviewing stand built in 1934 at the Zeppelin Field in Nürnberg, Germany for Hitler's Nazi party rallies. On the far right is the front entrance to the Golden Hall, which has been converted into a museum called Faszination und Gewalt (Fascination and Violence).
Also seen in the photo above is the modern sculpture, constructed out of salvage from World War II and spray-painted battleship gray, which stands in front of the Museum. Hitler favored classical art and deplored this kind of modern art, which he referred to as "degenerate art." It has often been said that the winners write the history of a war; the winners also build the monuments, so the memorial artwork at all the World War II historical places is the opposite of what Hitler admired.
The marble reviewing stand at the Zeppelin Field,
shown in the photograph above, is the place where the Nazi swastika
was blown up by the Allies in a symbolic display of victory over
the Nazis on April 24, 1945.
These stands are where the Nazi dignitaries
sat and enormous flags with the swastika
emblem were displayed. Now the former parade ground has been turned into a soccer
field.
On the central promontory, which is the speaker's stand where
Hitler used to give his speeches, you can still make out the
faint outline of another swastika which was removed from the
marble by the American military.
Inside the Golden Hall, a gold mosaic swastika has been left on the ceiling as a grim reminder of Germany's dark past.
It was an eerie feeling walking up these steps knowing that Hilter walked up them, too.
Standing where Hilter addressed the multitudes.
You can see the stands over a quarter of a mile away.
This is what Hitler saw when he stood at the speaker's stand.
The field that stretched before him was filled with 100,000 marching soldiers and there was a capacity crowd of 340,000 spectators.
The door from which Hilter emerged and walked down the steps to his podium.
In the video below you can see where there was once a large swastika just above that door.
Evidence of previous Nazi symbols having been 'erased.'
The three divisions that fought in the battle of Nuremberg were the 3rd, the 42nd and the 45th Infantry divisions. The 42nd Rainbow Division and the 45th Thunderbird division went on to liberate the Dachau concentration camp on April 29, 1945.
The Battle of Nuremberg was given great importance by the American military because it "was in the eyes of the Americans nothing less than the sacred home of National Socialism."
The destruction of the hated Nazi swastika emblem, encircled by a gold-plated laurel wreath, took place four days after three divisions of the American Seventh Army had captured the city of Nuremberg on April 20, 1945, which happened to be Hitler's 56th birthday.
On the day that the swastika was blown up, the victorius Americans held their third victory parade on the Zeppelin field.
Even though it was a memorable experience to visit this place, there was an ominous feeling surrounding me.
Even the clouds felt it.
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