Mooooorgen!!!😆
I just came home from a tiresome stroll “around the block” and I am resting on my porch. One of our many squirrels came visiting, but once it realized that the immobile stuffed figure sitting there was really alive, it turned and left the concrete slab.
They say it’s 59 degrees here but it feels not at all unpleasant. 🤡🤡😍💕😄
Newest installment of “Opa, please write it down and tell it better than I can!”
At the park yesterday, as we were chatting, I told Opa about how one of our kids has acquired a nickname when younger. He then shared this:
That is how it goes with these nicknames. They arise naturally out of experience. I had an aunt whom we called “Tante Illa.” This was derived from “Villa,” which is what this particular aunt used to go around shouting, calling out for her sister (my mother). “Villa” was short for her name, “Wilhelmina”... and “Illa” was short for “Villa.”
“What was her real name?” I asked.
“Luise.”
Today we walked to the park that is up the road from Opa’s new house. Once there and seated, he told us a remembrance from his childhood.
“You should write up a short vignette story like that every day on your blog. It doesn’t have to be polished or anything; just get it down!” I said.
“These sorts of stories come out in conversation,” he replied.
“Well, you just have to view this blog as a conversation with us, in a different form!”
Here’s to hoping he gets going again with this blogging!
Laurie, Iivo, and Kaarin had this text exchange with Opa after his having read an article in the Swiss Review entitled "How Julius Maggi Took Kitchens by Storm."
Opa: Where can I find Maggi? It’s the basis of my life! Most foods without it are - just - stomach stuffers! 😂
Laurie: It’s on its way from Amazon! Should be there Monday…
Kaarin: I had no idea he loved this seasoning so much! 😂
Opa: Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn. (“You don’t see it, you don’t want it.”) But many thanks! It does bring a welcome light in my new kitchen !
A couple of days later:
Opa: Hi Laurie! Your package has arrived Monday the 13th of June. 😁 Many thanks for this surprise. Maggi is such a great part of “that old time cooking” that I am tempted to give it idol status with its own marble pedestal. But then, what can it do there? I am looking forward to setting my dinner table with the meals supplied out of my new kitchen and sprinkling my Maggi all over them. Thank you!
It has all the forbidden (good) things in it! Sugar, wheat , gluten …
The first three ingredients listed are water, ionized salt, wheat gluten.
I’ll try to have it with me next time we have one of your delicious bean meals together. Unless you forbid entry in your house. 😅 You use it as added spice after cooking, much like the salt and pepper shakers on your table, though sometimes you may sprinkle it in your pots on the stove.
When queried about the pronunciation, Opa indicated: I pronounce it with an “open a”, like “bagatelle” but with a “closed g”, not like gin! Simple, phonetic.
I love the Before and After pictures and the progress! Before we realize it, my new hermitage will be ready. Y’all come visit me, soon, hear!
Thoughts upon his reading this article: Ikea’s restaurants were failing. Then it turned to Swedish meatballs. - CNN Business
When we’ve been researched and found wanting — Swedish meatballs!
When Opa's offer to purchase his new condo on Autumn Woods Lane had been accepted, I sent the following text message:
Laurie: Your offer has been verbally accepted. Just waiting for the contract to be signed!!!
Opa: I forgot that the word does not count anymore while the dollar does. And I just observed that it loses value day by day. What then will be left to underline what we say? It can’t be the Rubel - that is already rubble.
When the readers ordered by Kaarin from Amazon arrived:
They have arrived! And they fit! And they serve! Thanks, Kaarin, for arranging the fast stop for an emergency!! 🤣❤️🤗🤟🏻
In response to popular demand: I pushed a button on my “where is” app that should allow you to determine whether I am where I can legally be, or elsewhere. Tell me if this works.
The possibility to locate me is of course of any value only if you use it!
It could, for instance, lead to my retrieval from the gutters where I fell on one of my frequent unsupervised walks to Aldi or the bank or to Gelati. 🤣🤣🤣 ❤️❤️
