Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Thoughts on Life from trustworthy sources

I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.  
Psalm 121:1,2








“You will never know how much you believe something until it is a matter of life and death.” “If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.” 
– God in the Dock, page 52  
--C.S.Lewis








In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, 
for I have overcome the world. 
--Jesus Christ

The world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it. 
--Helen Keller

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Sunday Morning Stroll in the Rain

 There is something almost 'spiritual' about a very quiet Sunday morning stroll in an old traditional Bavarian town with its inimitable sounds of tolling bells
and singing wet woodland birds.
I trust you will enjoy it with me again....
Okay, okay.  These first two don't come from my camera, true.
But all the rest of these do.....and they are published in chronological order of my stroll as well.
I had all 70 pic's arranged in a slideshow and set to Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor 
but alas, I couldn't upload it to my blog for love or money.  Pfft!  
Now you have to do the walkabout sans serene music.  :(







Listened to a sermon online today and have to think about the fact that I serve a RISEN Saviour.
The cross is paramount to my faith but the resurrection is what propels it and drives me forward!
You will see several pictures of massive Copper Beech trees. While they are a personal favourite of mine (yes, I have favourite trees), I publish them mainly as an educational opportunity for my sweet sister, who, though we have grown up side by side in the same nursery tree environment
all our lives and who,
even works in that business to this date.... does not know what said tree looks like.
I hereby suggest that TreeTagging 101 should be mandatory for all nursery office secretaries.
Paid hours of course - with a Starbucks in hand.






So there you have it sista.  Copper Beech's in all their immense glory.
More is on it's way but right now, I have a chance to Skype with my husband and YIPPEE,
THAT is not going to wait!!
One sweet hour lapse of time passes....


Hey Richie?  Identify this for me please...
(I don't do perennials very well)



Stumbled across Mr. Tumnus in the bushes.  Boys are so yucky.

C'mon y'know Mr.Tumnus - meets Lucy by the lamp-post in Narnia?

The rear of the Leonardis Klinik

That upper balcony to the left is my room.  Fortunately, there's an overhang so I can still stand out of the rain (which has not stopped since we've arrived) to enjoy the mountain air.




Somewhere out there - is a very big mountain range....









And now I submit evidence of the farm that is literally 200 steps from the Klinik (I counted them:)
This is the 'front lawn' of an old traditional Bavarian Working Farm.  I couldn't spot the Clydesdales anywhere (I did smell them tho') & when I see them next, I hope to have the camera in hand.  




Exhibit A -The horse trailer


And full circle back 'home' (for a little while longer)

My beautiful strong mom.  When I grow up, I want to be like her.
   Hans found a bottle of Italian Merlot.  
*sigh*

Saturday, June 19, 2010

The Beauty of Blessing











Thanks sister Pauline, 
your morning mail 
is a great inspiration!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Port-Cath Install & Touring Bad Tolz

This sidewalk cafe is owned and operated by the Asklepios Hospital.  It's adjacent to the garden park (well-benched!) in front of the hospital.   Esthetics is so important for wellness.  It's a nice thought to be connected in blood & marriage to so many people who understand & commit to this in their vocation!
The infamous hospital garb once again...
For two euro's you can plunk your weary body into a Rucken Massage chair (this stand is down the hall from the hospital foyer) and treat your back to a glorious ten minute massage.  We rushed into the Leonardis clinic like two little school girls to tell Christine all about it.  She sniffed & politely informed us of a massage bed available in the lower level.  Well then!  The things we have yet to discover.

Isn't this a quaint cobblestone street in upper Bad Tolz.  The regular patrons here at Leonardis have suggested that there's not much happening here but at this stage of the stay, Mom and I beg to differ.
The 17th century church rebuilt after a fire claimed the original building.  I'll try and dig up some history on it later but for now - just enjoy the fantastic sights and views that were ours to revel in this day following the Port plant.  
Flash update!  Remember I was going to research some history on this church?  
Here it is from Google Translate: 
Bad Tolz an der Isar
Hoch uber der Isar auf dem Kalvarienberg steht die Krone von Tolz, die barocke Kalvarienberg-Kirche diese uberdacht die ehemals dort im Freien stehende Heilige Stiege mit 28 Stufen, diese wurde nach dem Vorbild derjenigen in Rom gefertigt, welche der Stiege nachgebildet wurde, auf der Christus zu Pontius hinaufgefuhrt und von dort oben dem Volke vorgestellt wurde.

Bad Tolz on the Isar
High above the river Isar on Calvary is the crown of Tolz, the Baroque church of Calvary that formerly covered the Holy Staircase standing there in the open air with 28 stages, this is modeled after those made in Rome, which the staircase was modeled on the Hinaufgefuhrt Christ to Pontius and from there to the people was presented.

(Many thanks to my dear friend Lilly who somehow gets me out of every technical fix I find myself!) 

Oh, the sound of a tolling church bell!  Victor tells us that it still tolls for ten minutes every Saturday at 3pm to commemorate a time when that signaled the end of the work day 
and the duty to start preparing for the Sabbath.   
Now there's a good custom to get back into.
An exquisite work of ceiling art in tile.  Man. That'd give you one crick in the neck eh?

I'm a bit of a freak for ancient doors.
Hey beloved?  Are we still considering a new wooden door entry?  :)
This is at 700m elevation.  The Alps tower to 2000m elevation.
Victor lit a candle here and I asked about the propriety of taking a picture.  We were the only three in the church but I didn't want to offend him.  No chance of that, so I took one anyway.  The town is decidedly Roman Catholic - and he thinks the possibility of locating an English speaking Protestant church is slim to none.  Good thing you once gave me your pastor's website and archived sermons Pouse.  It'll be 'church on the little screen' come Sunday.  Maybe I should find a bottle of wine in town....and some baguettes..... & then compliment that with some Muenster cheese??