Here comes the story about my – almost – secret travel to Wisconsin, USA.
As some of you already know, I have a very special home in Wisconsin at the farm of my friend Nan and her husband Jeff. How we both met is a story of its own, I might tell some day in the future.
A few weeks ago I had the idea to come visiting Nan for her birthday, and probably make it a surprise. So I talked to her husband about it, and he was thrilled. There was a lot of planning, writing and excitement between the two of us, and it also turned out as a real challenge, to not let it slip. There were a few (serious) obstacles on the way, but after spending a great day in Chicago I made the drive to the farm early in the morning.
The birthday cake!
Nan was supposed to arrive in the evening, Jeff hade made a cake, and she didn’t have a clue. We’d really managed to keep it a secret.
When Nan arrived I was hiding in the house, and seeing her again was a very emotional moment. Wow, keeping this a secret was such a hard work, and I probably will never do something like this again, but seeing her surprised face was … a memorable moment!
So now I just indulge in being here!
Life, friends, family and dogs are treating me good right now!
Lady Keeper – waking me up in the morning by licking my face – priceless 😉My friend Scooter, he doesn’t have to lick, just look into his eyes and you’re done!
Be welcome to meet the elephant Lill Mimi, designed by the Luxembourg artist Marco Weiten for the Elephant Parade 2013 in Luxembourg and Trier.
I received Lill Mimi a few days ago as a present from my mother, who ordered it for me after I visited Trier last year, when the Elephant Parade had just ended. I was lucky to had the chance to see most of the lovingly designed Elephants in a row in front of Triers famous roman ‚Porta Nigra‘ on a sunny autumn day.
There is a lot to know about the idea behind the worldwide Elephant Parades, created by father and son Marc and Mike Spits in 2006, who organized the first exhibition 2007 in their hometown Rotterdam, Netherlands. You can get all the information what it’s all about on the Elephant Parade Website.
Today I just wanted to express my sincere joy for this precious gift, that my 88yrs old mother remembered how enthusiastic I was about the exhibition and ordered a beautiful designed elephant replica for me. And even if she hadn’t read the artists description, she picked the perfect one:
„Lill Mimi passes on love of life, beauty, lightness of being, spontaneity, dreams. It is the bearer of the faith in the good, in love and joy. All we need to be happy is love. Life is beautyful and you’re the architect of your own life!“
…and here are some Elephant Parade photos from the last day of the exhibition in my hometown Trier…
The end of a year is … actually just a date. But, like most people, I also like to see it as a break, as a possibilitiy to think about what was and look forward what comes. Sure you could set any date for it, and some people do, but for me it’s the Holidays.
This last year 2013 was in many ways a hard one. And as I realized throughout the year, not just for me. All around me friends have had some really tough times. So when I started thinking about my ‚end-of-the-year‘-review by strolling through my photos (it’s like a diary in pictures) I was overwhelmed by the amount of highlights, great experiences, events, nice encounters, adventures, discoveries, happy moments … I was so engrossed in all the happy times, that I had problems to remember what made me think it’s been a difficult year. Well, I remembered, after some thinking, but also noticed by doing so it’s not the hard times we keep in mind, it’s the good times, the happiness, joy, great moments and small incidents.
My biggest disappointments and most difficult times had been in connection with friends and family, and as it goes, my most positive and surprising experiences had been with friends and family 🙂 I guess, that’s what life is all about!
What I really missed? Travelling. I did travel, around Germany some, and a short trip to Venice, but I couldn’t travel to the USA. Since my first travel to the US in 1988, I loved to come back now and then, went to other places in the world in between, didn’t miss a thing.
Two years ago that changed. Now I don’t want to go on a simple sightseeing trip, driving, hiking through the beautiful landscapes the country has to offer, or visiting some impressive cities. Now it’s the open hearted people that crossed my way, the wonderful friends I found (not just) in Florida, Indiana and my home in Wisconsin.
You see, there is a lot to look forward to, the future is wide open and better times are waiting right behind the corner, or – as I like to believe – in the beginning of a New Year!
With this in mind – I wish everybody a great New Year 2014, filled with excitement, joy, relaxed times, friends, family – life!
…and here are some photos of my highlights 2013
My mothers 88th birthday – going out for dinner, just the four of us, family.Trier, spending a lot of time in my home town – this is the ‚Elephant Parade‘ in front of the roman Porta Nigra.Venice – went with friends for a long weekend. We make this trip every other year, it’s almost a tradition.Unbelievable, it’s been my first visit ever on the Oktoberfest in Munich – it was fun!Surprisingly nice events with lovely people, and good food! 🙂Hiking with a friend on a long distance trail during the whole year…being outside, nature…the small thingsHiking through woodlands……and on mountains
As some of you already know, I have a very special home in Wisconsin at the farm of my friend Nan and her husband Jeff. How we both met is a story of its own, I might tell some day in the future.
