It was an absolutely beautiful day today. The sun was bright, the sky blue and the air felt so fresh coming in through the open window. Del taught today, and I had research to do for the slp group, and Lithuanian memorization, so it was pretty quiet around here.
The city is doing something to our water that causes us to have cold water only, so keep your fingers crossed that the hot will be on tomorrow. The dishwasher is full and hair is dirty.
The great news is that David, Tracy and Rosa are officially arriving on June 8! Can't wait!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Day 66 The Day I Turned off Two Alarm Phones
Del has given up on his daily battle with our alarm clock. It will coo coo, play a can can or any number of other themes while announcing the time and inside temperature in English on the hour, but it refuses to speak to us only at the time we thought we set. So, we are relying on our alarm phones. Being the belt and suspenders sort of person that I am, I set both of them, five minutes apart and this morning, turned them both off and went back to sleep. Strange since I went to bed early last night. I have some vague recollection of doing it, but getting up at 6:35 instead of 5 did not make for a good hair day. I rushed through a shower like a child running through a lawn sprinkler, but went to school with limp, flat, day old hair. When I took off my hat at school and took a look, I felt pretty sure I could predict what my nursing home hair do will look like.
One good thing about being late, was that I met a new taxi driver. He listened to my broken attempt to tell him where to drop me off and started talking English to me. He said he had seen me walking around in the Old Town with "one man" and a camera, taking pictures. Again, I wonder how it is people seem to remember us. By the time we got to campus I had learned that he had spent his first 23 years in Russia and served in the Russian sea service (?) and the last 23 in Lithuania. His ship had docked in Alabama one time. He also asked about how long I had been married, our family, why we were here, etc. He is also the first person here who has asked whether I like Obama. I replied that I did and that I also like Hillary Clinton. He agreed that he liked her as well. He did not comment on Obama, and I didn't ask.
Fairy godmother, Daiva, picked us up about 3 and drove us out to Palanga, the sea side city where she lives and where we went to the stenta festival right after we got here. We walked down to the sea and then walked in the wooded park that is right along the beach. It seemed strange to be walking in the woods listening to the sound of birds while also hearing the sound of the waves. We saw pussy willows beginning to open and a few other trees and bushes beginning to blossom.
After our walk, we had wonderful coffee in a place noted for its good vibrations or vortexes. It is attached to a nice hotel. It was a lovely shop and the sun felt awfully good coming through the glass ceiling, but I'm not sure I felt anything else. By the time we finished our coffee, Artyvus had finished his last client of the day. He is a famous healer, known all over, as well as a musician and writer. We went to their flat to get him to go to dinner. Daiva has the most beautiful plants, and they have a wonderful view of a modern Russian church.
After a short visit, we went to an interesting compound that has restaurants for up to 1200, playground, shooting range, souvenir shop, paint ball, basketball and handball, horseback riding, swinging bridge and other things that looked like something you would see in a wilderness survival training place. It also had an exhibit of old cars and motorcycles, a guest house, camping places, spa and a brewery. I think that's all It was built out in the country from Palanga by the drummer of a famous Lithuanian group after the band broke up and has been a big hit. Daiva said that on Sunday, it was so full you could not even get into the parking lot.
The food was good. We had fried bread with cheese and garlic to start, and I had zepelins filled with cottage cheese. Del had potato sausage with what looked like corn beef hash, but tasted like bacon. The sausage just looked like mashed potatoes in a skin. I had learned my lesson and also felt that I had previouusly proved I like Lithuanian food, so I took the liberty of eating only a half of a zepelin. The other one and a half are in the fridge for another day. No one seemed insulted.
My next few days need to be spent preparing a lecture, as they call it here, for the local preschool SLP group. Daiva had called to see if I could visit a school and told me today that they asked for this instead. Until after Soviet Times, 1991, there was not education for the more seriously challenged students, so they want to know what sort of things we do in the States. I guess I will have to learn to make a power point. Rosa could do it when she was seven, so maybe I can learn. I didn't bring materials here, of course, so Swag Bucks and Google will be my friends.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/Palanga02?authkey=Gv1sRgCJbgn9fluc3ITQ
One good thing about being late, was that I met a new taxi driver. He listened to my broken attempt to tell him where to drop me off and started talking English to me. He said he had seen me walking around in the Old Town with "one man" and a camera, taking pictures. Again, I wonder how it is people seem to remember us. By the time we got to campus I had learned that he had spent his first 23 years in Russia and served in the Russian sea service (?) and the last 23 in Lithuania. His ship had docked in Alabama one time. He also asked about how long I had been married, our family, why we were here, etc. He is also the first person here who has asked whether I like Obama. I replied that I did and that I also like Hillary Clinton. He agreed that he liked her as well. He did not comment on Obama, and I didn't ask.
Fairy godmother, Daiva, picked us up about 3 and drove us out to Palanga, the sea side city where she lives and where we went to the stenta festival right after we got here. We walked down to the sea and then walked in the wooded park that is right along the beach. It seemed strange to be walking in the woods listening to the sound of birds while also hearing the sound of the waves. We saw pussy willows beginning to open and a few other trees and bushes beginning to blossom.
After our walk, we had wonderful coffee in a place noted for its good vibrations or vortexes. It is attached to a nice hotel. It was a lovely shop and the sun felt awfully good coming through the glass ceiling, but I'm not sure I felt anything else. By the time we finished our coffee, Artyvus had finished his last client of the day. He is a famous healer, known all over, as well as a musician and writer. We went to their flat to get him to go to dinner. Daiva has the most beautiful plants, and they have a wonderful view of a modern Russian church.
After a short visit, we went to an interesting compound that has restaurants for up to 1200, playground, shooting range, souvenir shop, paint ball, basketball and handball, horseback riding, swinging bridge and other things that looked like something you would see in a wilderness survival training place. It also had an exhibit of old cars and motorcycles, a guest house, camping places, spa and a brewery. I think that's all It was built out in the country from Palanga by the drummer of a famous Lithuanian group after the band broke up and has been a big hit. Daiva said that on Sunday, it was so full you could not even get into the parking lot.
The food was good. We had fried bread with cheese and garlic to start, and I had zepelins filled with cottage cheese. Del had potato sausage with what looked like corn beef hash, but tasted like bacon. The sausage just looked like mashed potatoes in a skin. I had learned my lesson and also felt that I had previouusly proved I like Lithuanian food, so I took the liberty of eating only a half of a zepelin. The other one and a half are in the fridge for another day. No one seemed insulted.
My next few days need to be spent preparing a lecture, as they call it here, for the local preschool SLP group. Daiva had called to see if I could visit a school and told me today that they asked for this instead. Until after Soviet Times, 1991, there was not education for the more seriously challenged students, so they want to know what sort of things we do in the States. I guess I will have to learn to make a power point. Rosa could do it when she was seven, so maybe I can learn. I didn't bring materials here, of course, so Swag Bucks and Google will be my friends.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/Palanga02?authkey=Gv1sRgCJbgn9fluc3ITQ
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Day 65 Feeling Like Ohio in the Springtime
Woke up to snow/tiny ice balls falling. Nothing stuck, but it was bone chilling damp, even though its was above freezing. It turned to light rain and then mostly stopped just as we needed to leave for Lithuanian class. We headed out to the bus stop and got to the Humanities Faculty just as it started to sprinkle.
We had a new student today. He is from Turkey and must have been studying independently, because he knows a lot more than we do. I had hoped that having him in the class would move Del and me from the basement, but I can tell you right now that it did not happen. Next week we are adding food words to our vocabulary and working on past tenses. That should be right up my alley since I spend so much time in Iki, the old market and restaurants. Today, we continued putting tails on words and changing cases instead of using prepositions. We also studied months of the year and days of the week. Lithuanian months are nature related - some trees and birds. Januany is Sausis, the dry month and February is Vasaris, the warmest month of winter. That last is pretty optomistic, I'd say.
I have heard that it is a good sign when a person begins to dream in the language he/she is studying. What do you supose it means when the dreamer dreams that the teacher has written a list of common ordinary Lithuanian words she introduced weeks ago and she/I can define not one of them? Probably that the trifflin' student/I should study harder.
One of the women from the Fairfield Woman's Club sent an email about a virus set off when you open a message that says "an invitation ..." and another that is about Osama Ben Lauden. Is the information correct? If so, you have probably heard all about it, but we're not as up on the news as when home.
I have wanted to make deviled eggs or potato salad or some such, but my mama made them all with sweet pickles, and we seem to have only dills over here. So, I decided to experiment. I made a heavy sugar water solution, added a little vinegar, chopped up some baby dills, soaked them for a couple of hours and gave them a taste. The typical pickling spice flavor is not there, but I made potato salad and it wasn't bad. We had it, grilled chicken and salad for a late lunch before going to class, so I wouldn't have to mess with dinner after getting home. A handful of trail mix and a piece of fruit took care of dinner.
We were later getting home than usual because we decided to try a different bus, thinking it went to our stop. It went to the main bus station instead, so we knew we would have to transfer. That's when bus passes come in handy. There is a big Iki in the shopping area right there, so we went in for the one thing we needed - milk. I discovered a couple of treasures that I don't see at little Iki - frozen green peas, a can of corn for an approximation of Mexican bean salad, (Thank you, Mark and Sandy.) and a jar of bubbles to share with our little friend, Joris. Neither unflavored tortilla chips nor corn tortillas so I could bake my own were available. I could have bought barbecued, tomato flavored or cheese flavored chips, but even I have to draw the line somewhere. I have some flour ones, but don't know if I can turn them into vehicles for salsa. I'm thinking it would lead to a load of wash.
Oh, time for a reminder that my spell check still only speaks Lithuanian, and I've forgotten how to spell.
We had a new student today. He is from Turkey and must have been studying independently, because he knows a lot more than we do. I had hoped that having him in the class would move Del and me from the basement, but I can tell you right now that it did not happen. Next week we are adding food words to our vocabulary and working on past tenses. That should be right up my alley since I spend so much time in Iki, the old market and restaurants. Today, we continued putting tails on words and changing cases instead of using prepositions. We also studied months of the year and days of the week. Lithuanian months are nature related - some trees and birds. Januany is Sausis, the dry month and February is Vasaris, the warmest month of winter. That last is pretty optomistic, I'd say.
I have heard that it is a good sign when a person begins to dream in the language he/she is studying. What do you supose it means when the dreamer dreams that the teacher has written a list of common ordinary Lithuanian words she introduced weeks ago and she/I can define not one of them? Probably that the trifflin' student/I should study harder.
One of the women from the Fairfield Woman's Club sent an email about a virus set off when you open a message that says "an invitation ..." and another that is about Osama Ben Lauden. Is the information correct? If so, you have probably heard all about it, but we're not as up on the news as when home.
I have wanted to make deviled eggs or potato salad or some such, but my mama made them all with sweet pickles, and we seem to have only dills over here. So, I decided to experiment. I made a heavy sugar water solution, added a little vinegar, chopped up some baby dills, soaked them for a couple of hours and gave them a taste. The typical pickling spice flavor is not there, but I made potato salad and it wasn't bad. We had it, grilled chicken and salad for a late lunch before going to class, so I wouldn't have to mess with dinner after getting home. A handful of trail mix and a piece of fruit took care of dinner.
We were later getting home than usual because we decided to try a different bus, thinking it went to our stop. It went to the main bus station instead, so we knew we would have to transfer. That's when bus passes come in handy. There is a big Iki in the shopping area right there, so we went in for the one thing we needed - milk. I discovered a couple of treasures that I don't see at little Iki - frozen green peas, a can of corn for an approximation of Mexican bean salad, (Thank you, Mark and Sandy.) and a jar of bubbles to share with our little friend, Joris. Neither unflavored tortilla chips nor corn tortillas so I could bake my own were available. I could have bought barbecued, tomato flavored or cheese flavored chips, but even I have to draw the line somewhere. I have some flour ones, but don't know if I can turn them into vehicles for salsa. I'm thinking it would lead to a load of wash.
Oh, time for a reminder that my spell check still only speaks Lithuanian, and I've forgotten how to spell.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Day 64 Spring Today, Gone Tomorrow
It was beautiful but chilly yesterday, so it was a surprise to wake up this morning to see a wet snow falling. The flakes were small, and part of the time seemed to be falling sideways because of the wind. Nothing stuck because it alternated snowing and rain and then stopped around 1. The weather made me scrap my plan to go out to Hyper Maxima to get some things I needed from the you name it, we probably have it side of the store. It really makes no sense, because I then proceeded to walk to the Old Market, which is less than a block from the bus stop. I needed to buy some chicken and some bacon. I buy a couple of slices very couple of weeks. The man just shakes his head and starts slicing when I walk up.
I also stopped by the Humana (Goodwill) where I found a tote made of strips cut from coffee bags. It is rather like the ones people make from the juice drink bags. I can't remember the name. Those who know me well know that I never met a basket or a tote I didn't like/want to own.
I also stopped by the stall run by the suspender man and woman. Del needed a pair of boot laces, and I remembered that they had some. Their stall is right by the sidewalk to the food building, so I always wave when I go past, and they nod. Today the lady came over from her part of the stall when I started gesturing and sticking my foot up in the air to show that I wanted to buy laces. I had known she had a at least some English because she had said "Why you want take?" when I asked with camera in hand if I could take the man's picture.Today, however, she came over and started talking to me about color and length of laces in quite good English. I commented about how well she spoke, English and she said she had been an English teacher in the high school. She came to work at the stall 16 years ago. I assume when she retired, but I don't know. We had a nice chat, and she asked all sorts of questions about us and why we were here and for how long. I guess she decided she couldn't get rid of me, so she might as well talk to me.
I stopped at another stall to buy a pair of hand knit socks. I had been meaning to do that, but today the woman at the stall was knitting, and I stopped to admire her work. They use a short piece of the yarn to tie the socks together, which makes sense, and she took out a lighter and lit the end of the yarn and put it up to my nose, after it stopped burning, for me to smell. I think that was to prove it was pure wool, or at least she said wool several times. I turned down her offer to buy dog hair socks, and thank goodness she didn't burn the end of that yarn for me. Burning dog hair sounds almost as bad as wet dog to me. It was the first time I had known what they were. Del was disappointed that I didn't bring him a pair, but I would not want to deny him the honor of picking out his own dog --hair socks, that is. If any of you want me to, I will buy you some and send them right off to you. Jerry, the man whom we met last summer, went home with 25 pair. I hope he hasn't gotten fleas, ticks, distemper or the mange.
Our landlord brought us the things we had asked for: a bigger frying pan, towels, a baking dish, silverware and bowls. I had asked for soup bowls, but these may double as serving bowls. Better to have bowls that are too big than bowls that are too small, or no bowls at all, so I am happy. It would give new meaning to the phrase "a bowl of ice cream." We never have any, though.
QUESTION FOR COMPUTER GENIUSES: We had a Lituanian speaker ask Rimas what we should do if our computer goes out again and no one is available to let us into the apartment where the router lives. He said, and showed me how to do it, that if I go down and turn off the electricity in that apartment and then turn it back on, it will reset the router. Is that true? We've only had trouble one day, but for most of the last two months we are here, we may be the lone residents of 11- 1 Kepeju Gatve, and Mr.and Mrs. Rimas live in Kaunas, except at rent time. Can two people be lone residents?
Rimas was very nice about getting us the things we asked for, and we were able to tll him the dates we will need to have their apartment when we have our much looked forward to company.
Lithuanian class tomorrow. Oh, boy.
I also stopped by the Humana (Goodwill) where I found a tote made of strips cut from coffee bags. It is rather like the ones people make from the juice drink bags. I can't remember the name. Those who know me well know that I never met a basket or a tote I didn't like/want to own.
I also stopped by the stall run by the suspender man and woman. Del needed a pair of boot laces, and I remembered that they had some. Their stall is right by the sidewalk to the food building, so I always wave when I go past, and they nod. Today the lady came over from her part of the stall when I started gesturing and sticking my foot up in the air to show that I wanted to buy laces. I had known she had a at least some English because she had said "Why you want take?" when I asked with camera in hand if I could take the man's picture.Today, however, she came over and started talking to me about color and length of laces in quite good English. I commented about how well she spoke, English and she said she had been an English teacher in the high school. She came to work at the stall 16 years ago. I assume when she retired, but I don't know. We had a nice chat, and she asked all sorts of questions about us and why we were here and for how long. I guess she decided she couldn't get rid of me, so she might as well talk to me.
I stopped at another stall to buy a pair of hand knit socks. I had been meaning to do that, but today the woman at the stall was knitting, and I stopped to admire her work. They use a short piece of the yarn to tie the socks together, which makes sense, and she took out a lighter and lit the end of the yarn and put it up to my nose, after it stopped burning, for me to smell. I think that was to prove it was pure wool, or at least she said wool several times. I turned down her offer to buy dog hair socks, and thank goodness she didn't burn the end of that yarn for me. Burning dog hair sounds almost as bad as wet dog to me. It was the first time I had known what they were. Del was disappointed that I didn't bring him a pair, but I would not want to deny him the honor of picking out his own dog --hair socks, that is. If any of you want me to, I will buy you some and send them right off to you. Jerry, the man whom we met last summer, went home with 25 pair. I hope he hasn't gotten fleas, ticks, distemper or the mange.
Our landlord brought us the things we had asked for: a bigger frying pan, towels, a baking dish, silverware and bowls. I had asked for soup bowls, but these may double as serving bowls. Better to have bowls that are too big than bowls that are too small, or no bowls at all, so I am happy. It would give new meaning to the phrase "a bowl of ice cream." We never have any, though.
QUESTION FOR COMPUTER GENIUSES: We had a Lituanian speaker ask Rimas what we should do if our computer goes out again and no one is available to let us into the apartment where the router lives. He said, and showed me how to do it, that if I go down and turn off the electricity in that apartment and then turn it back on, it will reset the router. Is that true? We've only had trouble one day, but for most of the last two months we are here, we may be the lone residents of 11- 1 Kepeju Gatve, and Mr.and Mrs. Rimas live in Kaunas, except at rent time. Can two people be lone residents?
Rimas was very nice about getting us the things we asked for, and we were able to tll him the dates we will need to have their apartment when we have our much looked forward to company.
Lithuanian class tomorrow. Oh, boy.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Day 63 Yesterday's Visit to Sculpture Garden + Today
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/SculptureGardenEtc?authkey=Gv1sRgCPbw9IPWoIPhFw
Today you get to see way too many pictures of the sculpture garden in Klaipeda. It was named for Manlynas Mazvydas, who wrote the first LIthuanian book in 1547. The park is located on the site of an 1820 German graveyard which fell into ruin. Most of the grave stones were removed, but there are a few which have little lanterns and some artificial flowers. The earliest of the 120 sculptures were dated in the late 1970's and the latest 1988, so they were put up in the Soviet times, as they say here. There is a large Soviet war memorial and a small memorial dedicated to those killed in an uprising in 1923 to bring Klaipeda into the new Lithuanian Commonwealth.
We spent a couple of hours there, but I want to go back without the camera so I can really see things. I remember that Miss Tucker, a crabby old English teacher at Westhampton, used to travel a lot, but she never took a camera. She said taking pictures kept her from making pictures in her own mind. She may have been on to something as far as taking as many as we did in the garden. I didn't dress properly for the wind, and it took several hours, a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa before I was warm agian. Even then, I slept in my warmest pajamas. First time I've worn them.
My favorite picture was not taken in the garden. It is the Chimney Sweep on a roof of a house on the way there. It is considered good luck to touch the clothing or even the button of a chimney sweep's clothing, so there is an oversized button on the side of the house that people can touch for a whole year of good luck. We both did. You probably saw that there are also some ordinatry buttons glued around that big button. I would like to know the story of that. I found a button on the ground and placed it on a ledge. Hopefully someone will find it and glue it on.
I am so taken with the way sculptures are placed here and there all over Old Town. We have a map that shows where all 23 of the main ones are located. We've seen most of them, but still have a few to see and show you.
Today, the internet was on and off, mostly off, but it seems fine now. Amazing how cut off that makes me feel. I was pleased that it came back on shortly after we got home from church.
We met a couple who are visiting Klaipeda from their base in London. They work in pastoral care for Mennonite families who are on the mission field all around the world. He had previously been a pastors' pastor for the denomination and she was a mental health worker, so they were snapped right up when they applied. Of course, they have to provide their own funding. So far, if I understood correctly, they have been for one to six or more weeks in over 30 countries, some more than once. I don't imagine they have to pay for the plane tickets, do you? What interesting, but challenging work. She said that sometimes it seems that what the people need most is a chance to talk to someone in their first language What a responsibility.
We went to a pizza place and had pretty good pizza, as pizza goes here. I did turn down the opportunity to have banana on my pizza. I love bananas but that's just not right. We ordered the large pizza, so no cooking tomorrow. I'll just whip up a salad to go with it.
The minister for the night had spoken of eating something called kepas duona or fried bread two nights in a row with guests from Germany and having paid for it yesterday. I asked the dinner group what it was, and after the description, Del ordered some for the table. We were told that it is always listed in the menu in the snacks with beer section. There is also a snacks with wine section. Kepas duona is little french fry like sticks of dark rye bread fried until crispy and then rolled in cheese and enough garlic that we will not be bothered by vampires for some weeks. When it gets to the table, the cheese is all gooey around the crispy bread and the garlic is stuck to the cheese. Yum! I assumed that we had the extra large order for the table, but apparently that is a standard portion, so we will only be able to order it when we have 6 people. I believe Del would disagree, however.
We started Summer Time today. That's Daylight Savings Time for us. I googled DST the other day, and it was quite interesting how it all started. If I didn't already bore you with the story, I won't now. You might want to look it up, though.
Today you get to see way too many pictures of the sculpture garden in Klaipeda. It was named for Manlynas Mazvydas, who wrote the first LIthuanian book in 1547. The park is located on the site of an 1820 German graveyard which fell into ruin. Most of the grave stones were removed, but there are a few which have little lanterns and some artificial flowers. The earliest of the 120 sculptures were dated in the late 1970's and the latest 1988, so they were put up in the Soviet times, as they say here. There is a large Soviet war memorial and a small memorial dedicated to those killed in an uprising in 1923 to bring Klaipeda into the new Lithuanian Commonwealth.
We spent a couple of hours there, but I want to go back without the camera so I can really see things. I remember that Miss Tucker, a crabby old English teacher at Westhampton, used to travel a lot, but she never took a camera. She said taking pictures kept her from making pictures in her own mind. She may have been on to something as far as taking as many as we did in the garden. I didn't dress properly for the wind, and it took several hours, a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa before I was warm agian. Even then, I slept in my warmest pajamas. First time I've worn them.
My favorite picture was not taken in the garden. It is the Chimney Sweep on a roof of a house on the way there. It is considered good luck to touch the clothing or even the button of a chimney sweep's clothing, so there is an oversized button on the side of the house that people can touch for a whole year of good luck. We both did. You probably saw that there are also some ordinatry buttons glued around that big button. I would like to know the story of that. I found a button on the ground and placed it on a ledge. Hopefully someone will find it and glue it on.
I am so taken with the way sculptures are placed here and there all over Old Town. We have a map that shows where all 23 of the main ones are located. We've seen most of them, but still have a few to see and show you.
Today, the internet was on and off, mostly off, but it seems fine now. Amazing how cut off that makes me feel. I was pleased that it came back on shortly after we got home from church.
We met a couple who are visiting Klaipeda from their base in London. They work in pastoral care for Mennonite families who are on the mission field all around the world. He had previously been a pastors' pastor for the denomination and she was a mental health worker, so they were snapped right up when they applied. Of course, they have to provide their own funding. So far, if I understood correctly, they have been for one to six or more weeks in over 30 countries, some more than once. I don't imagine they have to pay for the plane tickets, do you? What interesting, but challenging work. She said that sometimes it seems that what the people need most is a chance to talk to someone in their first language What a responsibility.
We went to a pizza place and had pretty good pizza, as pizza goes here. I did turn down the opportunity to have banana on my pizza. I love bananas but that's just not right. We ordered the large pizza, so no cooking tomorrow. I'll just whip up a salad to go with it.
The minister for the night had spoken of eating something called kepas duona or fried bread two nights in a row with guests from Germany and having paid for it yesterday. I asked the dinner group what it was, and after the description, Del ordered some for the table. We were told that it is always listed in the menu in the snacks with beer section. There is also a snacks with wine section. Kepas duona is little french fry like sticks of dark rye bread fried until crispy and then rolled in cheese and enough garlic that we will not be bothered by vampires for some weeks. When it gets to the table, the cheese is all gooey around the crispy bread and the garlic is stuck to the cheese. Yum! I assumed that we had the extra large order for the table, but apparently that is a standard portion, so we will only be able to order it when we have 6 people. I believe Del would disagree, however.
We started Summer Time today. That's Daylight Savings Time for us. I googled DST the other day, and it was quite interesting how it all started. If I didn't already bore you with the story, I won't now. You might want to look it up, though.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Day 62 A Sad Day
It was chilly but quite clear today and we wanted to be out and about, so this afternoon we explored the large sculpture garden about a mile from our flat. We took lots of pictures which we'll show later.
We got home to find emails that our friend, Art Pollock, had died from complications of his surgery. We met Art because he was one of the "boys". I think one of the original boys. This group of men started meeting weekly for dinner when they were just young guys and continue today. The size of the group is pretty much dependent upon the size of Jim Switzer's dining room table, because he cooks most every Wednesday, and Del was asked to join them after the early death of another of the boys. Some of the boys come from the University of Akron and some from other professions, but all are opinionated, funny and ready to talk about politics and the world as they saw it.
I always told Art, and Joan, that they were two of the busiest retired people I ever met. He served on UA Library Friends Board, the city RTA Board, his Condo Association board and worked in other ways to make Akron a good place to live.
Jim and Gretchen, Art and Joan and Del and I started having dinner from time to time and we thoroughly enjoyed them. Art always had a twinkle in his eye, and what I would call a clever, dry sense of humor. I hope that describes it properly. He and Joan knew how much we enjoy the company of children and were kind enough to include us in several family events - dinner, trips to Blossom and my favorite, a trip to the zoo with the little boys. It would have been hard to find a prouder granddaddy than Art Pollock, or grandmother than Joan.
The Pollocks also did another other really nice thing for us. I really don't remember the circumstances exactly, but they introduced us to their friends, Bill and Marianne, whom we have truly enjoyed.
Some of you who are reading this have known Art and Joan so much better than we do, and for decades longer, but I certainly count getting to know them as a blessing.
We got home to find emails that our friend, Art Pollock, had died from complications of his surgery. We met Art because he was one of the "boys". I think one of the original boys. This group of men started meeting weekly for dinner when they were just young guys and continue today. The size of the group is pretty much dependent upon the size of Jim Switzer's dining room table, because he cooks most every Wednesday, and Del was asked to join them after the early death of another of the boys. Some of the boys come from the University of Akron and some from other professions, but all are opinionated, funny and ready to talk about politics and the world as they saw it.
I always told Art, and Joan, that they were two of the busiest retired people I ever met. He served on UA Library Friends Board, the city RTA Board, his Condo Association board and worked in other ways to make Akron a good place to live.
Jim and Gretchen, Art and Joan and Del and I started having dinner from time to time and we thoroughly enjoyed them. Art always had a twinkle in his eye, and what I would call a clever, dry sense of humor. I hope that describes it properly. He and Joan knew how much we enjoy the company of children and were kind enough to include us in several family events - dinner, trips to Blossom and my favorite, a trip to the zoo with the little boys. It would have been hard to find a prouder granddaddy than Art Pollock, or grandmother than Joan.
The Pollocks also did another other really nice thing for us. I really don't remember the circumstances exactly, but they introduced us to their friends, Bill and Marianne, whom we have truly enjoyed.
Some of you who are reading this have known Art and Joan so much better than we do, and for decades longer, but I certainly count getting to know them as a blessing.
Day 61 Puppet Show Night
Written on Friday, but due to posting mishap, not put up until Sat. Sorry!
We were less than pleased to look out the window this morning and see snow coming down, but it had stopped by about 9:30 and warmed up to mid 30's.
Del started the day by giving 2 lectures to Public librarians. They asked me to come in at the end to introduce my "baby" EHJ. They had not had a chance to see a Kindle, or any other ebook, so I explained a little and passed it around the audience of 47. I was careful to say that while I like the way books look, smell and feel, I would not have liked paying for or carrying the poundage 5 months worth of mysteries would have amounted to. You have to be careful when dealing with librarians, you know. they can be sensitive if books appear threatened..
It's not quite a mile from our flat to the library, so I walked over and stopped at a small book store to look at the children's books. We had discovered, I think I already told you, that none of the libraries in Klaipeda own THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, in English or Lithuanian, so I bought the three copies they had, in Lithuanian, to give to the branches.
I found out this afternoon that the custom here is for children to start going to the library only after they learn to read. I wish we had known that before Del's lectures. He could have mentioned the emphasis on getting the kids early in the US.
We walked home about 3, and I went to the little Iki while Del walked on home to get out of his big boy clothes. Our upstairs neighbor mentioned that she had made tacos last night, and I developed a craving, so I picked up the makings. Lithuanian salsa is too sweet for our taste, so I tried making my own with a can of diced tomatoes. I was able to get a jar of Jalapenos and some cilantro, so the salsa turned out great. I was able to get only flour tortillas, but the taco with the salsa really hit the spot. I may eat the rest with a spoon like soup, perhaps for breakfast.
After dinner we walked down to the puppet theater to attend a puppet show based on Alfred Jarry's UBO ROI. Everybody who has heard of him or his play, raise his/her hand. My hand is definitely down. He was one of the precursors of the Theater of the Absurd. It was apparently quite shocking in its day because of the scatalogical humor. After we got home and I Googled it, I think I understand why our young friend Audrone kept asking if I had read about the play. She probably knew it was supposed to be provocative. I'm figuring early SOUTH PARK with a political message, but then I'm not very deep. There were 5 scenes, each introduced by the announcer, but those were the only words, and we didn't understand them. The music was by Shostakovich, and the action was perfectly coordinated with it. The objects used as puppets were so inventive - knives, apples, huge curly wigs, candles, papers, silky cloths, a furry fabric rectangle, feather things, etc. The fire codes must be rather lax here, because they doused a paper with oil and lit it and had lit candles stuck to 2 boards that moved up, down and around. There was also a stuffed tube that might have been a brown snake, but wasn't. Enough said about that.
We didn't consider it shocking, because we didn't have a clue, except for suspicions about the brown tube. We just loved it. Perhaps the fact that we saw AVENUE Q in Atlanta this fall, may have made us puppet shock proof. Those little puppets were nasty.
I forgot that between the scenes, a very tall man came in and served certain women in the audience champagne. He started with a pretty young woman, of course, but later served me one as well. It was rather sweet, but tasty. Before the last scene, he came in dressed in a slinky strapless gown and bowtie and offered champagne to several men before dramatically drinking the last glass himself.
My description does not do the performance justice, but what it lacks in quality, it certainly makes up for in length. Sorry about that, but at least I left out a lot. Strange as it may seem, the manager remembered us from last week and said our coming back must mean we like their theater. Perhaps it was my hat.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/LibrarybombShelter?authkey=Gv1sRgCImr1aHQiIHQzwE
Only a couple of pictures today. A Soviet era bomb shelter right outside the library with Audrone, Daiva and me, and our after lecture coffee stop. Southern women have nothing on Lithuanian women when it comes to feeding people. I did manage to excape with ordering only a fork instead of a whole dessert. It's not like we were talking a candy bar or a potato chip, after all.
Happy week end, all!
We were less than pleased to look out the window this morning and see snow coming down, but it had stopped by about 9:30 and warmed up to mid 30's.
Del started the day by giving 2 lectures to Public librarians. They asked me to come in at the end to introduce my "baby" EHJ. They had not had a chance to see a Kindle, or any other ebook, so I explained a little and passed it around the audience of 47. I was careful to say that while I like the way books look, smell and feel, I would not have liked paying for or carrying the poundage 5 months worth of mysteries would have amounted to. You have to be careful when dealing with librarians, you know. they can be sensitive if books appear threatened..
It's not quite a mile from our flat to the library, so I walked over and stopped at a small book store to look at the children's books. We had discovered, I think I already told you, that none of the libraries in Klaipeda own THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, in English or Lithuanian, so I bought the three copies they had, in Lithuanian, to give to the branches.
I found out this afternoon that the custom here is for children to start going to the library only after they learn to read. I wish we had known that before Del's lectures. He could have mentioned the emphasis on getting the kids early in the US.
We walked home about 3, and I went to the little Iki while Del walked on home to get out of his big boy clothes. Our upstairs neighbor mentioned that she had made tacos last night, and I developed a craving, so I picked up the makings. Lithuanian salsa is too sweet for our taste, so I tried making my own with a can of diced tomatoes. I was able to get a jar of Jalapenos and some cilantro, so the salsa turned out great. I was able to get only flour tortillas, but the taco with the salsa really hit the spot. I may eat the rest with a spoon like soup, perhaps for breakfast.
After dinner we walked down to the puppet theater to attend a puppet show based on Alfred Jarry's UBO ROI. Everybody who has heard of him or his play, raise his/her hand. My hand is definitely down. He was one of the precursors of the Theater of the Absurd. It was apparently quite shocking in its day because of the scatalogical humor. After we got home and I Googled it, I think I understand why our young friend Audrone kept asking if I had read about the play. She probably knew it was supposed to be provocative. I'm figuring early SOUTH PARK with a political message, but then I'm not very deep. There were 5 scenes, each introduced by the announcer, but those were the only words, and we didn't understand them. The music was by Shostakovich, and the action was perfectly coordinated with it. The objects used as puppets were so inventive - knives, apples, huge curly wigs, candles, papers, silky cloths, a furry fabric rectangle, feather things, etc. The fire codes must be rather lax here, because they doused a paper with oil and lit it and had lit candles stuck to 2 boards that moved up, down and around. There was also a stuffed tube that might have been a brown snake, but wasn't. Enough said about that.
We didn't consider it shocking, because we didn't have a clue, except for suspicions about the brown tube. We just loved it. Perhaps the fact that we saw AVENUE Q in Atlanta this fall, may have made us puppet shock proof. Those little puppets were nasty.
I forgot that between the scenes, a very tall man came in and served certain women in the audience champagne. He started with a pretty young woman, of course, but later served me one as well. It was rather sweet, but tasty. Before the last scene, he came in dressed in a slinky strapless gown and bowtie and offered champagne to several men before dramatically drinking the last glass himself.
My description does not do the performance justice, but what it lacks in quality, it certainly makes up for in length. Sorry about that, but at least I left out a lot. Strange as it may seem, the manager remembered us from last week and said our coming back must mean we like their theater. Perhaps it was my hat.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/LibrarybombShelter?authkey=Gv1sRgCImr1aHQiIHQzwE
Only a couple of pictures today. A Soviet era bomb shelter right outside the library with Audrone, Daiva and me, and our after lecture coffee stop. Southern women have nothing on Lithuanian women when it comes to feeding people. I did manage to excape with ordering only a fork instead of a whole dessert. It's not like we were talking a candy bar or a potato chip, after all.
Happy week end, all!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Day 60 Babysitting Day
Today was teaching day for Del and major laundry day for me. Sheets are hanging everywhere! I also cleaned out the fridge and did a few other things.
Del and I ate separately tonight because my date with my buddy Levi started bfore he got home from class. I ate dinner with EHJ and had just enough time to finish a touching little book by Simon Worrell called TRAVELS IN THE HUNDRED AKER WOOD before going upstairs. Lovers of Winnie the Pooh, AKA Mike Pukuotukas, will recognize the spelling of aker. Worrall is a British journalist/author who tells how te map and stories served as his introduction to England when he was growing up in Singapore and later as a guide for his son when they visited the area. They were a divorced family with Dad in the US and Mom and son in Germany. It's a quick read, but one Pooh lovers might find moving. I did, but I cry during Hallmark commercials. It's quite a different story with those little bears and the toilet paper commercials. They just give me the creeps.
We got upsetting news tonight. One of the "boys", the group Del hung out with weekly in Akron is not doing well after surgery. He and his family are certainly in our thoughts and prayers tonight.
Levi and I had a good visit. He is nine months old and crawling all over the place. He also cruises the furniture as though he is going to take off walking any minute. He is a very vocal child, and we enjoyed doing the imitation games and the I drop it off the sofa and you pick it up 80 times while I laugh game. I love to watch him point and then look at me to be sure I'm seeing what he sees. Being force fed soggy rice cakes, not so much. Little rascal had the nerve to doze off shortly after 7.
Del and I ate separately tonight because my date with my buddy Levi started bfore he got home from class. I ate dinner with EHJ and had just enough time to finish a touching little book by Simon Worrell called TRAVELS IN THE HUNDRED AKER WOOD before going upstairs. Lovers of Winnie the Pooh, AKA Mike Pukuotukas, will recognize the spelling of aker. Worrall is a British journalist/author who tells how te map and stories served as his introduction to England when he was growing up in Singapore and later as a guide for his son when they visited the area. They were a divorced family with Dad in the US and Mom and son in Germany. It's a quick read, but one Pooh lovers might find moving. I did, but I cry during Hallmark commercials. It's quite a different story with those little bears and the toilet paper commercials. They just give me the creeps.
We got upsetting news tonight. One of the "boys", the group Del hung out with weekly in Akron is not doing well after surgery. He and his family are certainly in our thoughts and prayers tonight.
Levi and I had a good visit. He is nine months old and crawling all over the place. He also cruises the furniture as though he is going to take off walking any minute. He is a very vocal child, and we enjoyed doing the imitation games and the I drop it off the sofa and you pick it up 80 times while I laugh game. I love to watch him point and then look at me to be sure I'm seeing what he sees. Being force fed soggy rice cakes, not so much. Little rascal had the nerve to doze off shortly after 7.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Day 59 Today's English Classes Were Actually Fun For Me!
I didn't think it was going to happen, but today I actually enjoyed both English classes. I had sort of begun to enjoy the advanced class, but never felt I had a handle on the beginning class. It was purely an accident. It had nothing to do with the plan I had prepared. Just before the class began I asked about the vegetables that would begin appearing in the market as the weather got warmer. The students got out their dictionaries and started looking things up and calling out or walking up to show me the English names. I wrote them on the white board and then named a few they had not mentioned to see if they were familiar with them. Then I asked about flowers, then fruits, then trees, then animals from the forest. They really worked hard and fast, looking for the English words. We practiced them and made sentences, etc. We did do part of the lesson I had planned. We practiced a list of questions they might use when they come to the U.S. to visit us and the names of places.
After class, one young woman came up and read a message she and her husband had prepared to tell me that "Winter" time ends between Saturday night and Sunday morning and "Summer" time begins, so I would need to move my clock forward one hour. It must have taken quite a bit of time for them to prepare that message. How thoughtful.
The students also brought a copy of the newspaper article for me and were pleased that I had said what good students they were. The article was on page 7 but our little fat faces were front and center on the front page, right below the mast head. Slow news day, I'm figuring. By today, we are probably lining bird cages all over the city. Of course, I couldn't read it, but I did notice that occasionally a word that looked like joke appeared in the middle of something I said - I answered a question about food something to the effect that zeppelins were delicious but so big, but Daiva told me they were quite small, for example. At least the reporter understood that I meant no disrespect - I hope.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/StoraAntis?authkey=Gv1sRgCLSB5omS7K6hHw
The pictures are of the restaurant where we ate dinner tonight. In case you wonder how it was that we felt so free to take pictures of the bathroom, we ate early and were the first to arrive for dinner.
The restaurant is on the next street from us, in the basement of a building that burned in 1856 and is a protected monument.. We go past it daily, but had thought it was just apartments, until someone at church mentioned it being a really good restaurant. Ten years ago, the owners of Stora Antis opened the reataurant, leaving the brick walls and ceilings uncovered and decorating with old radios, old musical instruments and other neat stuff. It has two small rooms. The outer room is pub style and has the bar. The other is a white tablecloth sort of place with a table for 2 and 2 tables for 6. It would be worth the trip just to see the place, but as you can see, the food is beautiful. Presentation, presentation! And it is absolutely delicious. It specializes in dishes from Russia, Poland, the Ukraine and the Balkans. The little cucumber vases with carrot flowers surrounded by red and green lettuce with bits of leek for leaves were elegant. I had salmon, and Del had calamari. It was a large, large tube that had been sliced and rolled back so that it looked like a blossom.
The most amazing thing, however was what came in that beautiful bill box. The total for 1 wine, 1 beer, 2 entrees, 1 coffee and 1 hot chocolate plus U.S. style tip was $45. Can you believe it?
Tomorrow is Del's teaching day. I will do my chores, and then I get to baby sit Levi for a couple of hours. Woo Hoo!
After class, one young woman came up and read a message she and her husband had prepared to tell me that "Winter" time ends between Saturday night and Sunday morning and "Summer" time begins, so I would need to move my clock forward one hour. It must have taken quite a bit of time for them to prepare that message. How thoughtful.
The students also brought a copy of the newspaper article for me and were pleased that I had said what good students they were. The article was on page 7 but our little fat faces were front and center on the front page, right below the mast head. Slow news day, I'm figuring. By today, we are probably lining bird cages all over the city. Of course, I couldn't read it, but I did notice that occasionally a word that looked like joke appeared in the middle of something I said - I answered a question about food something to the effect that zeppelins were delicious but so big, but Daiva told me they were quite small, for example. At least the reporter understood that I meant no disrespect - I hope.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/StoraAntis?authkey=Gv1sRgCLSB5omS7K6hHw
The pictures are of the restaurant where we ate dinner tonight. In case you wonder how it was that we felt so free to take pictures of the bathroom, we ate early and were the first to arrive for dinner.
The restaurant is on the next street from us, in the basement of a building that burned in 1856 and is a protected monument.. We go past it daily, but had thought it was just apartments, until someone at church mentioned it being a really good restaurant. Ten years ago, the owners of Stora Antis opened the reataurant, leaving the brick walls and ceilings uncovered and decorating with old radios, old musical instruments and other neat stuff. It has two small rooms. The outer room is pub style and has the bar. The other is a white tablecloth sort of place with a table for 2 and 2 tables for 6. It would be worth the trip just to see the place, but as you can see, the food is beautiful. Presentation, presentation! And it is absolutely delicious. It specializes in dishes from Russia, Poland, the Ukraine and the Balkans. The little cucumber vases with carrot flowers surrounded by red and green lettuce with bits of leek for leaves were elegant. I had salmon, and Del had calamari. It was a large, large tube that had been sliced and rolled back so that it looked like a blossom.
The most amazing thing, however was what came in that beautiful bill box. The total for 1 wine, 1 beer, 2 entrees, 1 coffee and 1 hot chocolate plus U.S. style tip was $45. Can you believe it?
Tomorrow is Del's teaching day. I will do my chores, and then I get to baby sit Levi for a couple of hours. Woo Hoo!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Day 58 Back to Lithuanian Class
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/StreetCleaners?authkey=Gv1sRgCL2ojuOQoYvSlgE
The ladies in these pictures are in charge of keeping our street and the little square spotless. They all appear to be older than I am, but perhaps that is because they have worked so hard in cold and heat, while I whined like (worse than) a baby when our levy failed and teachers started having to do playground duty in weather that was abusive. Interestingly enough, we only had one woman shoveling snow each day, but we had three today doing the sweeping. I wonder why?
Speaking of abusive conditions, my first job in Akron was as a "trailer lady" in three parochial schools. Those not from Akron won't know that the city bought trailer sized pieces of land right outside church school doors so they could provide services to the students without violating the separation of church and state laws. A little boy at one of the schools always called out "Hey, Trailer Lady" when he saw me. Any how, I was horrified at the weather those children were sent out in that winter. I figured the rumors I had heard about nuns being stern were correct. Then I moved to public school and discovered that all teachers in Ohio sent kids out in weather that was fit for neither man, woman nor beast.
Today in Lithuanian class, we worked more on declining nouns. What a task. I know people say English is difficult, but "oy" or "oi" as they say here. I think that probably means "aye, aye, aye, aye." Not only do you have the cases, all the nouns have gender reflected in their endings. For example, (This is) Amerika. ( I am from) Amerikos. (I live in) Amerikoje.
I still feel sorry for "the boys", as Lilya calls them. They can carry on a conversation with her, and we are just fumbling along. I would feel pretty good about our progress with vocabulary if we were 2 1/2, but we're pretty much at the one word utterance or learned phrase stage.
We have heard that the article for which we were interviewed was in the paper today. They are bringing a copy to English class tomorrow. I just hope we ended up sounding as happy in LIthuania as we truly are.
The ladies in these pictures are in charge of keeping our street and the little square spotless. They all appear to be older than I am, but perhaps that is because they have worked so hard in cold and heat, while I whined like (worse than) a baby when our levy failed and teachers started having to do playground duty in weather that was abusive. Interestingly enough, we only had one woman shoveling snow each day, but we had three today doing the sweeping. I wonder why?
Speaking of abusive conditions, my first job in Akron was as a "trailer lady" in three parochial schools. Those not from Akron won't know that the city bought trailer sized pieces of land right outside church school doors so they could provide services to the students without violating the separation of church and state laws. A little boy at one of the schools always called out "Hey, Trailer Lady" when he saw me. Any how, I was horrified at the weather those children were sent out in that winter. I figured the rumors I had heard about nuns being stern were correct. Then I moved to public school and discovered that all teachers in Ohio sent kids out in weather that was fit for neither man, woman nor beast.
Today in Lithuanian class, we worked more on declining nouns. What a task. I know people say English is difficult, but "oy" or "oi" as they say here. I think that probably means "aye, aye, aye, aye." Not only do you have the cases, all the nouns have gender reflected in their endings. For example, (This is) Amerika. ( I am from) Amerikos. (I live in) Amerikoje.
I still feel sorry for "the boys", as Lilya calls them. They can carry on a conversation with her, and we are just fumbling along. I would feel pretty good about our progress with vocabulary if we were 2 1/2, but we're pretty much at the one word utterance or learned phrase stage.
We have heard that the article for which we were interviewed was in the paper today. They are bringing a copy to English class tomorrow. I just hope we ended up sounding as happy in LIthuania as we truly are.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Day 57 Nice Visit in the Iki
I started out the morning doing something I thought was really fun - scouring the internet to see which of my favorite children's books have been translated into Lithuanian. It took most of the morning, and really did not get me any further along with my studies, my classes or housework, but I made a list which I will impose upon everyone I can think of. I found only one Eric Carle, several Richard Scarey, Curious George, Roald Dahl, EB White, AA Milne, Pippi Longstocking and Ramona books.There were singles of Judy Blume, Dr. Seuss, Jeff Kinney, Wendy Orr and various others. There are probably more, but I had to get to the Iki, so I gave up at noon.
I had a wonderful conversation with an older woman at Iki. She didn't speak a word of English, and we know I only have a handful of Lithuanian words, but that didn't seem to matter. I was trying to figure out a box of hot cereal. and she started talking to me. I used my handy dandy I don't understand phrase, and she started pointing and talking until I understood that the box I had picked up was not a good bargain. She showed me the weight and the price and the price per kilogram or whatever the weight word is, shook her finger, shook her head and pointed to the best choice. She talked and I talked, and waved our arms and had a grand time. Later she was ahead of me in line and turned and looked at me. I smiled and waved and she smiled and waved. Who said Lithuanians are reserved?
On the other hand, I had a handbasket full of stuff and a young woman came up behind me with only two things. As I always do, even at home, I suggested with words and gestures that she go ahead of me. She got a funny expression on her face and said "Why?" I said that she only had two things and I had so many, but then the express line opened so she thanked me and moved to it. Those crazy Americans.
Note to all who intend to visit here: The bikers do not indicate in any way that they are getting ready to whiz by you, which seems dangerous for them as well as for the pedestrians.
We needed to return the hot chocolate cups to the neighbors, and you all know you can't return an empty dish, so I made some banana pudding today. I bought a packet of pudding, but of course I couldn't read the directions. The fact that they were in Lithuanian was not as serious an issue as the fact that I did not bring a magnifying glass with me. Maybe if Del had held it up from across the room... If I could have seen the words and numbers, I could have figured out that I needed to add sugar and vanilla sugar and how much milk. I guessed at the milk and cooked it until thick, but when I tasted it, I discovered that I had really made paste. After I added sugar and vanilla sugar it was pretty good, though a bit lumpy. They don't sell vanilla wafers here, so I substituted a few mildly ginger flavored cookies and called it done. It wasn't bad.
The never returning a dish empty reminds me of the war of kindness one of our former neighbors and I had. She was retired and loved to send us things she had made. I always sent her dish back full and occasionally would initiate another exchange, but she was wearing me out. She sent my dish back full almost before I got my coat off. I thought I was really smart when I started using metal and plastic throw aways, but she washed them and returned them full. Finally I learned to only make things that could be sent in one of those heavy paper plates or bowls. Even Helen couldn't figure out how to wash those.
My special find at the Iki was frozen string beans. Since we eat either fresh or canned ones at least twice a week at home, this was exciting. I'll be so glad when we get to fresh vegetable season. We are having nice cucumbers, tomatoes and red bell peppers, but nothing like the old market in Riga. Of course, it's a larger city.
The public librarian we visited the other week sent an email thanking me for the photos I sent her. It was in Lithuanian, except for the word thank you. I will sit down and compose a reply in Lithuanian. It should give her a laugh.
Some of my FB buddies are telling about the dogs they have loved. I'm staying out of that discussion. They might think me strange if I told them that Mort, The Dog From ____ who owned us for 14 years has been reincarnated as a blonde who lives with Daryl Lyn and Tommy in Virginia. It's true, and he knows that I know who he was in his past doggie life. I'm willing to swear to it. When I say "Mort" he looks at me quite guiltily, if that is a word. Those poor people always had really good dogs until this one. It's a sad (funny) thing to watch the way this dog has taken them over and bent them to his will. They will deny it, but don't believe them.
I had a wonderful conversation with an older woman at Iki. She didn't speak a word of English, and we know I only have a handful of Lithuanian words, but that didn't seem to matter. I was trying to figure out a box of hot cereal. and she started talking to me. I used my handy dandy I don't understand phrase, and she started pointing and talking until I understood that the box I had picked up was not a good bargain. She showed me the weight and the price and the price per kilogram or whatever the weight word is, shook her finger, shook her head and pointed to the best choice. She talked and I talked, and waved our arms and had a grand time. Later she was ahead of me in line and turned and looked at me. I smiled and waved and she smiled and waved. Who said Lithuanians are reserved?
On the other hand, I had a handbasket full of stuff and a young woman came up behind me with only two things. As I always do, even at home, I suggested with words and gestures that she go ahead of me. She got a funny expression on her face and said "Why?" I said that she only had two things and I had so many, but then the express line opened so she thanked me and moved to it. Those crazy Americans.
Note to all who intend to visit here: The bikers do not indicate in any way that they are getting ready to whiz by you, which seems dangerous for them as well as for the pedestrians.
We needed to return the hot chocolate cups to the neighbors, and you all know you can't return an empty dish, so I made some banana pudding today. I bought a packet of pudding, but of course I couldn't read the directions. The fact that they were in Lithuanian was not as serious an issue as the fact that I did not bring a magnifying glass with me. Maybe if Del had held it up from across the room... If I could have seen the words and numbers, I could have figured out that I needed to add sugar and vanilla sugar and how much milk. I guessed at the milk and cooked it until thick, but when I tasted it, I discovered that I had really made paste. After I added sugar and vanilla sugar it was pretty good, though a bit lumpy. They don't sell vanilla wafers here, so I substituted a few mildly ginger flavored cookies and called it done. It wasn't bad.
The never returning a dish empty reminds me of the war of kindness one of our former neighbors and I had. She was retired and loved to send us things she had made. I always sent her dish back full and occasionally would initiate another exchange, but she was wearing me out. She sent my dish back full almost before I got my coat off. I thought I was really smart when I started using metal and plastic throw aways, but she washed them and returned them full. Finally I learned to only make things that could be sent in one of those heavy paper plates or bowls. Even Helen couldn't figure out how to wash those.
My special find at the Iki was frozen string beans. Since we eat either fresh or canned ones at least twice a week at home, this was exciting. I'll be so glad when we get to fresh vegetable season. We are having nice cucumbers, tomatoes and red bell peppers, but nothing like the old market in Riga. Of course, it's a larger city.
The public librarian we visited the other week sent an email thanking me for the photos I sent her. It was in Lithuanian, except for the word thank you. I will sit down and compose a reply in Lithuanian. It should give her a laugh.
Some of my FB buddies are telling about the dogs they have loved. I'm staying out of that discussion. They might think me strange if I told them that Mort, The Dog From ____ who owned us for 14 years has been reincarnated as a blonde who lives with Daryl Lyn and Tommy in Virginia. It's true, and he knows that I know who he was in his past doggie life. I'm willing to swear to it. When I say "Mort" he looks at me quite guiltily, if that is a word. Those poor people always had really good dogs until this one. It's a sad (funny) thing to watch the way this dog has taken them over and bent them to his will. They will deny it, but don't believe them.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Day 56 Quiet Day for The Social Butterflies
I slept in all the way to 7:30 this morning, and Del got up a little after 8. All this galavanting around is tiring. I worked on my classes for Wednesday and then curled up on my spot on the sofa to read and nap. Del worked on our taxes. Dave and Tracy have been scanning and emailing all the things that had not come when we left home.
I made us each a hamburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion and mustard for lunch. Boy was it good. Funny how the idea of a hamburger can be so appealing to someone who rarely eats one. If I could only have found some regular potato chips at the little Iki. They sell them here. I just have to find them, or maybe I should just forget about it.
It was really nice here today. We really enjoyed the walk to church this afternoon. I actually broke down and wore something more springy. I had resisted temptation because I figured the sooner I started wearing warmer weather stuff, the sooner I would be sick of it, too.
The minister of the day at church was conservative to the extreme, but since they rotate, we can manage. We find it interesting that these people are drawn to the same religioius college but run the gamut from way too conservative for us to more liberal types. We particularly enjoy a retired couple from Muskingham College. We had dinner with them after church tonight at the Thai place.
We had a nice chat during the social time after church with two young women from Moldavo. I mentioned Nicoletta in a previous blog, but I had not talked with Alexandra. The both speak beautiful English and worked at the IHOP in Williamsburg last summer. They will be doing the same again this summer, so if you see two beautiful dark haired young women in IHOP who have slight accents, ask them if they go to college in Lithuania. I told them that all our friends were good tippers, by the way. I want to ask more about how they ended up in Williamsburg when I see them next Sunday. I think it has something to do with Nicoletta translating for a church group that came to Moldavo. I know that's how she happened to go to Georgia.
I forgot to mention that Skype has really good picture quality. We got to see Rosa's missing tooth spot last night.
A FB friend from Emporia mentioned something about FB beginning to use profile pictures in ads. Frankly, I don't know what that means. If you don't want that to happen, and Lord knows I don't want my pictures going out any more than I can help, go to Account, hit account setting, hit facebook ad setting and activate no one.
The door bell rang this afternoon and when I opened it there stood neighbor Darious with two steaming cups of Polish hot chocolate. He had just gotten home from a few days there and wanted us to try it. Yum!! It was like the chocolate we have gotten here with milk added.
Tomorrow I need to study Lithuanian, finish my work for my classes, go over to the Iki for a few things and do some laundry.
Have a good week!
I made us each a hamburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion and mustard for lunch. Boy was it good. Funny how the idea of a hamburger can be so appealing to someone who rarely eats one. If I could only have found some regular potato chips at the little Iki. They sell them here. I just have to find them, or maybe I should just forget about it.
It was really nice here today. We really enjoyed the walk to church this afternoon. I actually broke down and wore something more springy. I had resisted temptation because I figured the sooner I started wearing warmer weather stuff, the sooner I would be sick of it, too.
The minister of the day at church was conservative to the extreme, but since they rotate, we can manage. We find it interesting that these people are drawn to the same religioius college but run the gamut from way too conservative for us to more liberal types. We particularly enjoy a retired couple from Muskingham College. We had dinner with them after church tonight at the Thai place.
We had a nice chat during the social time after church with two young women from Moldavo. I mentioned Nicoletta in a previous blog, but I had not talked with Alexandra. The both speak beautiful English and worked at the IHOP in Williamsburg last summer. They will be doing the same again this summer, so if you see two beautiful dark haired young women in IHOP who have slight accents, ask them if they go to college in Lithuania. I told them that all our friends were good tippers, by the way. I want to ask more about how they ended up in Williamsburg when I see them next Sunday. I think it has something to do with Nicoletta translating for a church group that came to Moldavo. I know that's how she happened to go to Georgia.
I forgot to mention that Skype has really good picture quality. We got to see Rosa's missing tooth spot last night.
A FB friend from Emporia mentioned something about FB beginning to use profile pictures in ads. Frankly, I don't know what that means. If you don't want that to happen, and Lord knows I don't want my pictures going out any more than I can help, go to Account, hit account setting, hit facebook ad setting and activate no one.
The door bell rang this afternoon and when I opened it there stood neighbor Darious with two steaming cups of Polish hot chocolate. He had just gotten home from a few days there and wanted us to try it. Yum!! It was like the chocolate we have gotten here with milk added.
Tomorrow I need to study Lithuanian, finish my work for my classes, go over to the Iki for a few things and do some laundry.
Have a good week!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Day 55 Theater Day
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/TheaterDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCIrU5Z7Mq_TLcQ
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/MushroomCakes?authkey=Gv1sRgCPPc2t2ZhIfxdw
We had an important date at noon today. Our new friend Joris, 3 year old son of Audrone, was our ticket into the children's puppet show. He is so cute. His mom says he does not speak well and has an appointment with the logopedist, but he certainly talked a mile a minute to us. She said he uses word fragments rather than whole words, but we wouldn't be able to tell that, of course. We were both surprised that he spontaneously tried to imitate what I said to him in English and did it quite well. Of course I was saying things like nice boots, ha, ha very funny, etc. and gesturing wildly, so he probably understood what I meant. His mom said he does not do that in Lithuanian. She laughed and said maybe he was meant to speak English. The puppet show was cute, and the children loved it. Joris was entranced. We enjoyed watching him watch the show.
After the show we gave him the Richard Scarey book, which he seemed to like, and he gave us a special LIthuanian treat. I took pictures, because I've never seen cupcakes shaped like mushrooms before. I would love to see the pan they were baked in. They had a slight lemon flavor.
Tonight we went to see A Fiddler On the Roof, performed in LIthuanian. Del and I remember going to a touring company a hundred years ago, and we saw the movie, so I remembered the music, but had forgotten some of the story. We both thought it was a darker version than the one we had seen, which makes sense in view of the relationship these people have had with the Russian government in quite recent times. Del probably got it right when he said that Tevia seemed more resigned in the production we saw. In this one his anger seemed more raw and active.
Of course, this show was also more technically complicated than the one we saw. The dream scene Tevia made up to persuade his wife to stop the wedding with the butcher involved the butcher's dead wife descending from the ceiling, and someone we think was the daughter on the shoulders of a very tall man. Her dress covered them both, so it almost appeared she was on stilts. There was a little rectangular opening in the skirt so he could see to move around the stage. We were on the 3rd row so we did not miss a trick. Hard to imagine seeing a Broadway type touring company from the 3rd row for under $13 per ticket.
One scene I had completely forgotten was the arrival of Motel's sewing machine. The village was so excited to see the treadle machine, and the rabbi blessed it. I still remember the day the Singer man delivered Mother's electric machine. I think I was about 4, and it was a big day for us. Mother made just about everything I wore through college.
A food note - Ohio people, the brownie in the picture would give West Point's Killers a run for their money for taste and richness. We brought home more than half of it and shared it when we got home from the theater. I don't know that I would need to have another one, but it was good. Del's blueberry tart was better. The berries were the like the little huckleberries we used to pick in the woods when I was a child. We used to wrap ourselves up within an inch of our lives and it still felt like we got at least one redbug (chigger) per berry. We would come home, wash with strong soap and eventually paint the spots with clear nail polish. We believed it would smother the redbug which had burrowed into the skin. Who knows if that was the case.
I already told my Facebook friends that I now know how to crop a picture. I made an unfortunate fashion mistake when I went to the children's library yesterday. I was taking some pictures, and the librarian wanted one of Del and me. I promised I would send it to her, but when I saw it, I knew that it just would not do. The sweater does not show all my underpinnings when I'm just wearing it, but it certainly did in that picture. It was either learn to crop, look like a floozy or not keep my promise. I was able to achieve decency, but could not find the button that erases wrinkles or double chins.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/MushroomCakes?authkey=Gv1sRgCPPc2t2ZhIfxdw
We had an important date at noon today. Our new friend Joris, 3 year old son of Audrone, was our ticket into the children's puppet show. He is so cute. His mom says he does not speak well and has an appointment with the logopedist, but he certainly talked a mile a minute to us. She said he uses word fragments rather than whole words, but we wouldn't be able to tell that, of course. We were both surprised that he spontaneously tried to imitate what I said to him in English and did it quite well. Of course I was saying things like nice boots, ha, ha very funny, etc. and gesturing wildly, so he probably understood what I meant. His mom said he does not do that in Lithuanian. She laughed and said maybe he was meant to speak English. The puppet show was cute, and the children loved it. Joris was entranced. We enjoyed watching him watch the show.
After the show we gave him the Richard Scarey book, which he seemed to like, and he gave us a special LIthuanian treat. I took pictures, because I've never seen cupcakes shaped like mushrooms before. I would love to see the pan they were baked in. They had a slight lemon flavor.
Tonight we went to see A Fiddler On the Roof, performed in LIthuanian. Del and I remember going to a touring company a hundred years ago, and we saw the movie, so I remembered the music, but had forgotten some of the story. We both thought it was a darker version than the one we had seen, which makes sense in view of the relationship these people have had with the Russian government in quite recent times. Del probably got it right when he said that Tevia seemed more resigned in the production we saw. In this one his anger seemed more raw and active.
Of course, this show was also more technically complicated than the one we saw. The dream scene Tevia made up to persuade his wife to stop the wedding with the butcher involved the butcher's dead wife descending from the ceiling, and someone we think was the daughter on the shoulders of a very tall man. Her dress covered them both, so it almost appeared she was on stilts. There was a little rectangular opening in the skirt so he could see to move around the stage. We were on the 3rd row so we did not miss a trick. Hard to imagine seeing a Broadway type touring company from the 3rd row for under $13 per ticket.
One scene I had completely forgotten was the arrival of Motel's sewing machine. The village was so excited to see the treadle machine, and the rabbi blessed it. I still remember the day the Singer man delivered Mother's electric machine. I think I was about 4, and it was a big day for us. Mother made just about everything I wore through college.
A food note - Ohio people, the brownie in the picture would give West Point's Killers a run for their money for taste and richness. We brought home more than half of it and shared it when we got home from the theater. I don't know that I would need to have another one, but it was good. Del's blueberry tart was better. The berries were the like the little huckleberries we used to pick in the woods when I was a child. We used to wrap ourselves up within an inch of our lives and it still felt like we got at least one redbug (chigger) per berry. We would come home, wash with strong soap and eventually paint the spots with clear nail polish. We believed it would smother the redbug which had burrowed into the skin. Who knows if that was the case.
I already told my Facebook friends that I now know how to crop a picture. I made an unfortunate fashion mistake when I went to the children's library yesterday. I was taking some pictures, and the librarian wanted one of Del and me. I promised I would send it to her, but when I saw it, I knew that it just would not do. The sweater does not show all my underpinnings when I'm just wearing it, but it certainly did in that picture. It was either learn to crop, look like a floozy or not keep my promise. I was able to achieve decency, but could not find the button that erases wrinkles or double chins.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Day 54 Winter Is creeping Back
The day started clear but chilly. By the time we got home tonight, however, there was a combination of light rain/snow It has lightly covered the square in front of the house, but the streets just look wet. We are supposed to have some rain/snow tomorrow, but it isn't supposed to get cold enough to cause much trouble.
I took my librarian to visit the neighborhood children's library today. They seemed glad to see us. The younger of the two women was able to translate a little for us and we relied on gestures and so forth for the rest. We had a nice visit, and promised to come back for coffee next time. I think I told you that the owl is the mascot of the library, even though the real owl is no longer with them. She showed me the photo album of the owl's life, including flying free at her home during times the library was closed for holiday. Apparently it loved being sprayed with water and would lift its wings and turn from side to side for its shower bath. I thought Daiva had told me they gave the owl away, but Prane said "kaput" which to me means dead.
After the visit, I continued on to the bus stop to go to the Acropolus. I ended up finding a store that sells chothes for little fat women, but didn't buy anything. I did load up on children's books to take to the library and a Richard Scarey book for Audrone's son. The title translates to WORKERS, and it appears to be a shorter version of WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ALL DAY?, a book David slept with for months. I hope he enjoys it. We will see him at the puppet show tomorrow.
Audrone received an invitation from the public library for us to attend a folk concert there tonight, so she offered to meet us there. I'm afraid she is being called upon to baby sit us an awful lot. If I understood correctly, the young people were a touring group from a really good high school here in Klaipeda. They have been to many countries to perform, so it was an honor to see them. All of the members played at least 2 instruments, sang and danced. I was able to get pictures of some, but not all of the instruments. I was particularly interested in one that was a sort of wooden flute with simple holes and a piece of an animal horn attached to the bottom. The concert lasted an hour and then there was about 30 minutes of gift giving and speeches. We did not stay for the reception after, but I'm sure it was nice. Maybe we could have had some more of that potent whiskey.
The original part of the library is housed in a mansion once owned by the Gerlach family. The concert was held in what is called Gerlach's Attic. Which is just that, with all the huge exposed beams and everything. There is a larger hall in the modern part of the library, but this is charming. They have put in a stage and set up chairs and benches as needed. Tonight it was full to the brim with families and officials from the city. We are impressed at the number of community activities that have taken place in the library since we have been here.
The Wild Man statue is one we walk past at least once a week, but never noticed before. When I say right past, I mean within tripping distance. It has the misfortune to be right in front of the felted wool shop, and I am always pointing out things in the window to Del even if we don't actually stop to look. So the Wild Man has only seen our backs and we hadn't seen him at all.
The knight, Herkaus Manto, was captured by Teutonic knights as a child during the local crusades, but grew up to fight against his captors. He was killed by the crusaders, but is now a main street in Klaipeda. Del says to tell you that the same picture I took is in Wikipedia.
I am going to have to go and get someone to teach me how to drape scarves and shawls the way the Lithuanian women do. They look so elegant, and their shawls stay where they were put.
Happy Weekend, Friends!
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/LibraryDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCPrusLqp-dXvyAE
I took my librarian to visit the neighborhood children's library today. They seemed glad to see us. The younger of the two women was able to translate a little for us and we relied on gestures and so forth for the rest. We had a nice visit, and promised to come back for coffee next time. I think I told you that the owl is the mascot of the library, even though the real owl is no longer with them. She showed me the photo album of the owl's life, including flying free at her home during times the library was closed for holiday. Apparently it loved being sprayed with water and would lift its wings and turn from side to side for its shower bath. I thought Daiva had told me they gave the owl away, but Prane said "kaput" which to me means dead.
After the visit, I continued on to the bus stop to go to the Acropolus. I ended up finding a store that sells chothes for little fat women, but didn't buy anything. I did load up on children's books to take to the library and a Richard Scarey book for Audrone's son. The title translates to WORKERS, and it appears to be a shorter version of WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ALL DAY?, a book David slept with for months. I hope he enjoys it. We will see him at the puppet show tomorrow.
Audrone received an invitation from the public library for us to attend a folk concert there tonight, so she offered to meet us there. I'm afraid she is being called upon to baby sit us an awful lot. If I understood correctly, the young people were a touring group from a really good high school here in Klaipeda. They have been to many countries to perform, so it was an honor to see them. All of the members played at least 2 instruments, sang and danced. I was able to get pictures of some, but not all of the instruments. I was particularly interested in one that was a sort of wooden flute with simple holes and a piece of an animal horn attached to the bottom. The concert lasted an hour and then there was about 30 minutes of gift giving and speeches. We did not stay for the reception after, but I'm sure it was nice. Maybe we could have had some more of that potent whiskey.
The original part of the library is housed in a mansion once owned by the Gerlach family. The concert was held in what is called Gerlach's Attic. Which is just that, with all the huge exposed beams and everything. There is a larger hall in the modern part of the library, but this is charming. They have put in a stage and set up chairs and benches as needed. Tonight it was full to the brim with families and officials from the city. We are impressed at the number of community activities that have taken place in the library since we have been here.
The Wild Man statue is one we walk past at least once a week, but never noticed before. When I say right past, I mean within tripping distance. It has the misfortune to be right in front of the felted wool shop, and I am always pointing out things in the window to Del even if we don't actually stop to look. So the Wild Man has only seen our backs and we hadn't seen him at all.
The knight, Herkaus Manto, was captured by Teutonic knights as a child during the local crusades, but grew up to fight against his captors. He was killed by the crusaders, but is now a main street in Klaipeda. Del says to tell you that the same picture I took is in Wikipedia.
I am going to have to go and get someone to teach me how to drape scarves and shawls the way the Lithuanian women do. They look so elegant, and their shawls stay where they were put.
Happy Weekend, Friends!
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/LibraryDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCPrusLqp-dXvyAE
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Day 53 Pity the College Students of Lithuania!
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/TVDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeYybjZ-u_XOw
Del's class was held in the Music and Art Gallery of the Public Library today, and since it was tv day, I went with him. If I understood correctly, the pieces in the gallery were a result of a series of contests. I was particularly taken with the black ceramic grouping that was designed specifically for the table, or else the table was designed for it.
I think the tv interviews went okay. Again, if I understood correctly, the taping was for something at the University that sounds like PBS. The program is a weekly half hour show that is aimed at college students all over Lithuania. It must be a slow news week, if they had to roll out two old Americans. Our Daiva translated the questions, but did not translate our answers. I assume someone will do that later. Del was asked primarily about about his classes and his students. The reporter asked me about my English classes and also about being in Lithuania - likes, comparisons, etc. Fortunately, we are genuinely having a good time, so it was easy to be enthusuastic. I admitted to having been scared about teaching English, never having done it before, but that everyone, including the Dean of the Faculty had been so supportive. She also asked about our Lithuanian lessons.
During Del's lecture, I sat on a sofa behind a coat tree in an ante room and read. Thank you EHJ. Somewhere toward the middle, I thought I was going through a door to the hall to visit the WC, toward the back of the building, but turns out it was a different WC right beside the lecture space. That was bad enough, but I then proceeded to get myself stuck in there. I tried to be quiet about fiddling with the lock, but after a few minutes, two women from the back row of the lecture came to save me just as I managed to get it open. I had just about decided to give up and just sit on the throne until the lecture was over, cursing myself that EHJ was on the sofa instead of with me, when I finally got the door open. I found out later that Del and our friend from LCC had also gotten stuck before the lecture.
We left the lecture and walked to another library to see a presentation that included poetry, music, dance and food from one of the regions of Lithuania. There were various smoked meats and sausages, traditional Lithuanian cheeses, baked filled buns, sweet pastries and cookies and wine. There was also whisky made in the region that burned all the way down. I don't know what it was made of, and it tasted pretty good, but Del and I shared a smaller than a shot glass full. A whole shot would have taken the top of my head off. Our friend Audrone translated the label of the wine bottle. It said it was made from genuine tears from librarians. Tears because people do not care enough about books, music, poetry, etc. and because of strife in the world and so on. I thought that was pretty funny. It reminded me of the label a friend in Huntsville had made for his honey jars that said something like made from only the finest weeds.
I don't really know how to desacribe LIthuanian cheese. It is white cheese and seems sort of like farmer's cheese with every single bit of moisture out of it. It does not taste aged at all. It seems to always be shaped in a flat oval. I looked in my cook book, and it may be curd cheese. They boil sour milk, squeeze out as much moisture as possible in a cheese cloth and then press it between 2 boards with weights. It can be eaten fresh or dried. One type served tonight was plain but dusted with curry powder and the other had caraway seeds all through it.
The woman with me in the picture is Nijella. She is a library director from that region who has been studying English on her own for 2 years. I found myself standing beside her and smiled. She startd to talk to me in pretty good English, actually, After a few minutes she stopped and fanned herself and sort of exhaled. I said that it was getting a little warm, but she said that it was from trying to speak English. Even though she had been studying for 2 years, I was the first person she had ever spoken English with. I was so excited that I probably did an inappropriate thing. I probably should not have given her a big hug, but she did not seem offended. I told her that I was honored to be part of her first English conversation. We talked about her work, her region and our grandchildren, and she let us take her picture.
Tomorrow we will go to the children's library, and then I will get the bus out to the mall. I need a few things at the Hyper Maxima. We also need to get tickets for Fiddler on the Roof and the children's puppet show for Audrone and her son and us. Her husband has to work, so he can't go.
Happy St. Paddy's to all!
Del's class was held in the Music and Art Gallery of the Public Library today, and since it was tv day, I went with him. If I understood correctly, the pieces in the gallery were a result of a series of contests. I was particularly taken with the black ceramic grouping that was designed specifically for the table, or else the table was designed for it.
I think the tv interviews went okay. Again, if I understood correctly, the taping was for something at the University that sounds like PBS. The program is a weekly half hour show that is aimed at college students all over Lithuania. It must be a slow news week, if they had to roll out two old Americans. Our Daiva translated the questions, but did not translate our answers. I assume someone will do that later. Del was asked primarily about about his classes and his students. The reporter asked me about my English classes and also about being in Lithuania - likes, comparisons, etc. Fortunately, we are genuinely having a good time, so it was easy to be enthusuastic. I admitted to having been scared about teaching English, never having done it before, but that everyone, including the Dean of the Faculty had been so supportive. She also asked about our Lithuanian lessons.
During Del's lecture, I sat on a sofa behind a coat tree in an ante room and read. Thank you EHJ. Somewhere toward the middle, I thought I was going through a door to the hall to visit the WC, toward the back of the building, but turns out it was a different WC right beside the lecture space. That was bad enough, but I then proceeded to get myself stuck in there. I tried to be quiet about fiddling with the lock, but after a few minutes, two women from the back row of the lecture came to save me just as I managed to get it open. I had just about decided to give up and just sit on the throne until the lecture was over, cursing myself that EHJ was on the sofa instead of with me, when I finally got the door open. I found out later that Del and our friend from LCC had also gotten stuck before the lecture.
We left the lecture and walked to another library to see a presentation that included poetry, music, dance and food from one of the regions of Lithuania. There were various smoked meats and sausages, traditional Lithuanian cheeses, baked filled buns, sweet pastries and cookies and wine. There was also whisky made in the region that burned all the way down. I don't know what it was made of, and it tasted pretty good, but Del and I shared a smaller than a shot glass full. A whole shot would have taken the top of my head off. Our friend Audrone translated the label of the wine bottle. It said it was made from genuine tears from librarians. Tears because people do not care enough about books, music, poetry, etc. and because of strife in the world and so on. I thought that was pretty funny. It reminded me of the label a friend in Huntsville had made for his honey jars that said something like made from only the finest weeds.
I don't really know how to desacribe LIthuanian cheese. It is white cheese and seems sort of like farmer's cheese with every single bit of moisture out of it. It does not taste aged at all. It seems to always be shaped in a flat oval. I looked in my cook book, and it may be curd cheese. They boil sour milk, squeeze out as much moisture as possible in a cheese cloth and then press it between 2 boards with weights. It can be eaten fresh or dried. One type served tonight was plain but dusted with curry powder and the other had caraway seeds all through it.
The woman with me in the picture is Nijella. She is a library director from that region who has been studying English on her own for 2 years. I found myself standing beside her and smiled. She startd to talk to me in pretty good English, actually, After a few minutes she stopped and fanned herself and sort of exhaled. I said that it was getting a little warm, but she said that it was from trying to speak English. Even though she had been studying for 2 years, I was the first person she had ever spoken English with. I was so excited that I probably did an inappropriate thing. I probably should not have given her a big hug, but she did not seem offended. I told her that I was honored to be part of her first English conversation. We talked about her work, her region and our grandchildren, and she let us take her picture.
Tomorrow we will go to the children's library, and then I will get the bus out to the mall. I need a few things at the Hyper Maxima. We also need to get tickets for Fiddler on the Roof and the children's puppet show for Audrone and her son and us. Her husband has to work, so he can't go.
Happy St. Paddy's to all!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Day 52 Pray There Were No Embarassing Gaffs
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/Newspaper?authkey=Gv1sRgCPLo6ayt5seKcg
The lovely young woman in today's pictures was the reporter who interviewed us today. Two of our hosts went with us to meet her at a coffee shop near our flat. She had lots of questions about our impressions of Lithuania, the people, the food, our students, the libraries, language issues, etc. She asked if we had had had any interesting experiences because of language problems. I told her that I had not known that hot chocolate and hot cocoa were different and had ordered hot chocolate by mistake. I told her I intend to keep making that mistake often. She also asked Del what effect he thought the e book would have on the printed book. Everyone looked at me and laughed because they know how much I love my Kindle. Daiva explained that I always bring my Kindle to class, and that it was the first they had seen. We told her about the events we have attended, and I had made a point to wear a pin I had bought in Palanga and my felted shawl. I was glad, because she asked if I had bought anything here. I commented that I would love to learn to make felt, and she showed us her earrings. She had made them herself, and they were beautiful. Hopefully we didn't do too badly I even broke out the bib girl shoes for the occasion. For me that means sensible heeled pumps. Picking my way over the cobblestone streets made me wonder even more how the young women here manage to walk in tall , tall, tall spike heels. Maybe the heels dig into the ice like my walking stick did, but now that the ice is gone, how do they manage not to break an ankle on the cobblestones?
I had a nice visit with the son of the coffee shop lady in the Humanities Faculty today. I always go in between classes for coffee, and today I knew that we would have linner insead of lunch and dinner because of the interview, so I asked what kind of pastry she had - using signs and English and a Lithuanian word or two. He came over and translated and we got to talking. He is about David's age and had dropped in to have coffee with his mom. He is a navigator on a container ship and spends one month at sea and one month at home. I was interested that the container ship has 12 cabins and that people book them a year in advance to travel around the Baltic. He gave me all sorts of advice for booking a cabin on the ferries to Stockholm. He said it is cheaper to do it by phone than with a travel agent and that we should ask for a discount. Sometimes they will give an actual discount or an upgrade.
His mother had him tell me that I should come back for lunch because she was serving a traditional Lithuanian specialty. I told him I couldn't today, but she does it every Wednesday, so I promised to come next week.
The cat in the today's pictures was sort of funny. It was almost as though it could understand English. I was opening the window this morning and told Del I saw a kitty just sitting there in the street. When it heard my voice, it came up closer and sat back down. I picked up the camera and and said that I was going to take a picture. It looked up as though posing, and as soon as I finished snapping the picture, it sashayed off. We have been interested that we have only seen 3 cats since we have been here and are not sure if the one possible stray dog was really a stray or if it was with someone butoff its leash. We see lots of small dogs being walked - lots of Moonpie's cousins, a bishon, some other type terriors, one Chihuahua (Remember how Les Nessman used to say that on WKRP ?) and neat little mutts. The last was a quote from Del.
The lovely young woman in today's pictures was the reporter who interviewed us today. Two of our hosts went with us to meet her at a coffee shop near our flat. She had lots of questions about our impressions of Lithuania, the people, the food, our students, the libraries, language issues, etc. She asked if we had had had any interesting experiences because of language problems. I told her that I had not known that hot chocolate and hot cocoa were different and had ordered hot chocolate by mistake. I told her I intend to keep making that mistake often. She also asked Del what effect he thought the e book would have on the printed book. Everyone looked at me and laughed because they know how much I love my Kindle. Daiva explained that I always bring my Kindle to class, and that it was the first they had seen. We told her about the events we have attended, and I had made a point to wear a pin I had bought in Palanga and my felted shawl. I was glad, because she asked if I had bought anything here. I commented that I would love to learn to make felt, and she showed us her earrings. She had made them herself, and they were beautiful. Hopefully we didn't do too badly I even broke out the bib girl shoes for the occasion. For me that means sensible heeled pumps. Picking my way over the cobblestone streets made me wonder even more how the young women here manage to walk in tall , tall, tall spike heels. Maybe the heels dig into the ice like my walking stick did, but now that the ice is gone, how do they manage not to break an ankle on the cobblestones?
I had a nice visit with the son of the coffee shop lady in the Humanities Faculty today. I always go in between classes for coffee, and today I knew that we would have linner insead of lunch and dinner because of the interview, so I asked what kind of pastry she had - using signs and English and a Lithuanian word or two. He came over and translated and we got to talking. He is about David's age and had dropped in to have coffee with his mom. He is a navigator on a container ship and spends one month at sea and one month at home. I was interested that the container ship has 12 cabins and that people book them a year in advance to travel around the Baltic. He gave me all sorts of advice for booking a cabin on the ferries to Stockholm. He said it is cheaper to do it by phone than with a travel agent and that we should ask for a discount. Sometimes they will give an actual discount or an upgrade.
His mother had him tell me that I should come back for lunch because she was serving a traditional Lithuanian specialty. I told him I couldn't today, but she does it every Wednesday, so I promised to come next week.
The cat in the today's pictures was sort of funny. It was almost as though it could understand English. I was opening the window this morning and told Del I saw a kitty just sitting there in the street. When it heard my voice, it came up closer and sat back down. I picked up the camera and and said that I was going to take a picture. It looked up as though posing, and as soon as I finished snapping the picture, it sashayed off. We have been interested that we have only seen 3 cats since we have been here and are not sure if the one possible stray dog was really a stray or if it was with someone butoff its leash. We see lots of small dogs being walked - lots of Moonpie's cousins, a bishon, some other type terriors, one Chihuahua (Remember how Les Nessman used to say that on WKRP ?) and neat little mutts. The last was a quote from Del.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 51 Skipped School
I stayed home all day today and drank hot tea to sooth my scratchy throat and hopefully regain most of my voice before teaching tomorrow.
It doesn't take a voice to do laundry, so I caught up on what I should have done this week end. There are clothes drying everywhere. Now that it is warmer outside and we have turned off more radiators, things don't dry as fast. I wish we had one of those laundry lines that I used to see in the old black and white movies that hung outside windows. That would be cool, but probably would not be in keeping with the famous sculpture outside our front door. I do hang out the window to talk to the neighbors from time to time, and if Del or I forget something, the other will lean out the window to hand it out. Saves unlocking the Green Door, coming up the stairs and unlocking our door.
Del went to Lithuanian class alone and returned with the news that there is no class on Friday. Sad to say, I did a little mental happy dance. Where is my intellectual couriosity, and more characteristically, my desire to get my money's worth?
I have to get all gussied up to teach tomorrow because we go directly from class to the newspaper office to be interviewed. I guess it's just like at home, the university likes a chance to show off visiting firemen/women, and their spouses tag along. I have to attend Del's class on Thursday because the local tv station will be there for part of the class and to interview him, and his spouse will tag along.
That reminds me. Did any of you read Connie Schultz' book AND HIS LOVELY WIFE? She is an award winning columnist from Ohio who has been married to Sen. Sharrod Brown for a number of years. She had to change the course of her reporting career when she married him. The book is in part the story of the campaign trail, etc., but her stories about her parents are so touching . In one story she writes of her father's lunch box. It struck a cord because I have my daddy's lunch box, and it means a lot to me. You don't have to be from Ohio or a Democrat to enjoy the book. Did I blog you this before? It's beginning to run together for me.
The pictures today are just of pins. I bought the first one at the Stenta Festival in Palanga, the second and third in Riga and brought the fourth from home.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/Pins?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjCy-fl3PLeTQ
Felted garments and wearable art are so popular here and in Riga. The blue/green pin is made of several shades of blue and green wool roving or fibers melded together with soapy water and pressure from rolling on bubble wrap or some other surface. While still wet, they shape the object and then let it dry. I want to try the technique when I get home.
The other pin from Riga is made of snippits of elegant light weight, or sheer fabrics, and special yarns.
The lady is just fun. I brought her with me from home because she always makes me smile, and you never know when that might come in handy. I think I would like to be more like her.
The iron awaits!
It doesn't take a voice to do laundry, so I caught up on what I should have done this week end. There are clothes drying everywhere. Now that it is warmer outside and we have turned off more radiators, things don't dry as fast. I wish we had one of those laundry lines that I used to see in the old black and white movies that hung outside windows. That would be cool, but probably would not be in keeping with the famous sculpture outside our front door. I do hang out the window to talk to the neighbors from time to time, and if Del or I forget something, the other will lean out the window to hand it out. Saves unlocking the Green Door, coming up the stairs and unlocking our door.
Del went to Lithuanian class alone and returned with the news that there is no class on Friday. Sad to say, I did a little mental happy dance. Where is my intellectual couriosity, and more characteristically, my desire to get my money's worth?
I have to get all gussied up to teach tomorrow because we go directly from class to the newspaper office to be interviewed. I guess it's just like at home, the university likes a chance to show off visiting firemen/women, and their spouses tag along. I have to attend Del's class on Thursday because the local tv station will be there for part of the class and to interview him, and his spouse will tag along.
That reminds me. Did any of you read Connie Schultz' book AND HIS LOVELY WIFE? She is an award winning columnist from Ohio who has been married to Sen. Sharrod Brown for a number of years. She had to change the course of her reporting career when she married him. The book is in part the story of the campaign trail, etc., but her stories about her parents are so touching . In one story she writes of her father's lunch box. It struck a cord because I have my daddy's lunch box, and it means a lot to me. You don't have to be from Ohio or a Democrat to enjoy the book. Did I blog you this before? It's beginning to run together for me.
The pictures today are just of pins. I bought the first one at the Stenta Festival in Palanga, the second and third in Riga and brought the fourth from home.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/Pins?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjCy-fl3PLeTQ
Felted garments and wearable art are so popular here and in Riga. The blue/green pin is made of several shades of blue and green wool roving or fibers melded together with soapy water and pressure from rolling on bubble wrap or some other surface. While still wet, they shape the object and then let it dry. I want to try the technique when I get home.
The other pin from Riga is made of snippits of elegant light weight, or sheer fabrics, and special yarns.
The lady is just fun. I brought her with me from home because she always makes me smile, and you never know when that might come in handy. I think I would like to be more like her.
The iron awaits!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 50 Spring Walk About
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/SpringDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCI2InICgxfq2cQ
We slept late this morning and then headed out to visit a travel agent to see about spring break travel. We are thinking about Prague, Barcelona or revisiting Rhodes. We have a bit of a kink because Del has to make a speech in Vilnius, but something will work.
It was sweater weather for Del and sweater and shawl for me, so we really enjoyed our walk. The residents still had on heavy coats for the most part. I'm worried that the cold I seem to be getting will make my mother hens say I told you so. They are convinced we are going to catch our deaths. It seems to be pretty much confined to a husky voice so far.
The pictures of the dragon peering down and the next several pictures are of the Tower in front of our flat. I've sent a full length shot of it, but now that the snow is nearly melted, I could get close enough up to get close-ups of the various angles. We saw several school groups there over the last few days. Ship tour groups will be right outside our window this summer.
We believe the little boy is a bronze sculpture depicting Klaipeda on the Go. It celebrates the 750th anniversary of the city. Those of you who have sharp eyes will note that his nose is not the only part of his anatomy that has been rubbed shiny for luck. I have nothing else to say on the subject.
I loved the store canopy and the beautiful iron work door handles. Someday soon I want to dress up and go in to visit the clothes. They are probably too small for me, and are probably expensive to go with the elegant door.
Clothing reminded me of one of the conversations we had with Darius and Brooke, parents of Levi, yesterday. He was born and reared in Poland during the Soviet times, so he remembers times of scarcity- standing in long lines to get very little. He went to the US at age 20 to study and for the first time experienced PLENTY. Brooke is a Craig's list, etc. person who hates the mall, but Darius, the theology professor loves shopping. He says he never will forget the first time he saw the Gap and all those new jeans. He also loves Target, and to a lesser extent, Walmart. His sister is one of the promising young clothing designers in Warsaw, so I guess love of clothing is in the blood. Brooke frequently wears a coat she designed, and it is beautiful.
We slept late this morning and then headed out to visit a travel agent to see about spring break travel. We are thinking about Prague, Barcelona or revisiting Rhodes. We have a bit of a kink because Del has to make a speech in Vilnius, but something will work.
It was sweater weather for Del and sweater and shawl for me, so we really enjoyed our walk. The residents still had on heavy coats for the most part. I'm worried that the cold I seem to be getting will make my mother hens say I told you so. They are convinced we are going to catch our deaths. It seems to be pretty much confined to a husky voice so far.
The pictures of the dragon peering down and the next several pictures are of the Tower in front of our flat. I've sent a full length shot of it, but now that the snow is nearly melted, I could get close enough up to get close-ups of the various angles. We saw several school groups there over the last few days. Ship tour groups will be right outside our window this summer.
We believe the little boy is a bronze sculpture depicting Klaipeda on the Go. It celebrates the 750th anniversary of the city. Those of you who have sharp eyes will note that his nose is not the only part of his anatomy that has been rubbed shiny for luck. I have nothing else to say on the subject.
I loved the store canopy and the beautiful iron work door handles. Someday soon I want to dress up and go in to visit the clothes. They are probably too small for me, and are probably expensive to go with the elegant door.
Clothing reminded me of one of the conversations we had with Darius and Brooke, parents of Levi, yesterday. He was born and reared in Poland during the Soviet times, so he remembers times of scarcity- standing in long lines to get very little. He went to the US at age 20 to study and for the first time experienced PLENTY. Brooke is a Craig's list, etc. person who hates the mall, but Darius, the theology professor loves shopping. He says he never will forget the first time he saw the Gap and all those new jeans. He also loves Target, and to a lesser extent, Walmart. His sister is one of the promising young clothing designers in Warsaw, so I guess love of clothing is in the blood. Brooke frequently wears a coat she designed, and it is beautiful.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Day 49 BYOB Green Door Neighbors Lunch
It has been spring today! 45 degrees F! Del went to church tonight with just a sweater, and I went with a sweater and carried a shawl which I wore home after dinner.
I spent the morning making my tortilla soup, potato chowder, homemade pickled beets, salad and apple crisp. Del finished up the cleaning. The neighbors arrived at noon with their bowls, etc. It was funny seeing them come to the door holding out their bowls. I had kept out some chicken, barley and potatoes for Levi. He loved barley and cucumbers He was the perfect guest, and the others weren't bad either. Del and I thoroughly enjoyed the company, and they took their own dirty dishes home when they left. The pictures are of our make shift lunch arrangements. It's funny what our flat does and does not have. We have a wine chiller bucket if we should choose to use it, but no serving bowl. The stew pot worked fine for salad though.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/GreenDoorNeighborsLunch?authkey=Gv1sRgCNmPy6uPlO-_bA
After we got everything put away, I went to my spot on the sofa to "read", but I don't know what Del did for the next hour - being asleep as I was. He called me at 4 to Skype with Daryl Lyn and Tommy before church.
After church we walked out with a new guy at LCC and ended up going to dinner with him. He is going to be here for 7 weeks. His wife is still working, so she could not come. He is a Chicage native, so of course Del asked the burning question, and yes, he is a White Socks fan. Oh, well, no one is perfect, and we managed to have a nice evening despite our 'theological'' differences. When we got home,I asked Del which he thought was worse, a WS fan or a Cardinals fan . He said Cardinals, because WS don't play real baseball. He did add that he wouldn't want his sister to marry either one.
Del has been more caught up in the earthquake news than usual because his family lived in Sendai when he was almost 4 through kindergarten. Mr. Williams had been on the way to Korea for the war when they found a health problem and sent him to Japan instead. He was there for a year and a half before his family could join him. Del says the day they arrived he saw snow for the first time. He said that his memories of Sendai are more of specific events or places he remembers like the swimming pool and school. His sister Dianne has stronger memories of the area in general because she is 8 years older. It's so sad to think of what those families are going through.
I pretty much played all week end, so tomorrow will be/should be spent studying Lithuanian and preparing for my classes. I think I have forgotten everything I almost learned in Lithuanian in the week and a half since our last class.
Del has also put me in charge of figuring out a place to go for our self declared spring break. People from LCC just got back from Spain, Russia, Prague, etc. I'll meet with the travel agent they recommended one day this week to see what might work for us.
I spent the morning making my tortilla soup, potato chowder, homemade pickled beets, salad and apple crisp. Del finished up the cleaning. The neighbors arrived at noon with their bowls, etc. It was funny seeing them come to the door holding out their bowls. I had kept out some chicken, barley and potatoes for Levi. He loved barley and cucumbers He was the perfect guest, and the others weren't bad either. Del and I thoroughly enjoyed the company, and they took their own dirty dishes home when they left. The pictures are of our make shift lunch arrangements. It's funny what our flat does and does not have. We have a wine chiller bucket if we should choose to use it, but no serving bowl. The stew pot worked fine for salad though.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/GreenDoorNeighborsLunch?authkey=Gv1sRgCNmPy6uPlO-_bA
After we got everything put away, I went to my spot on the sofa to "read", but I don't know what Del did for the next hour - being asleep as I was. He called me at 4 to Skype with Daryl Lyn and Tommy before church.
After church we walked out with a new guy at LCC and ended up going to dinner with him. He is going to be here for 7 weeks. His wife is still working, so she could not come. He is a Chicage native, so of course Del asked the burning question, and yes, he is a White Socks fan. Oh, well, no one is perfect, and we managed to have a nice evening despite our 'theological'' differences. When we got home,I asked Del which he thought was worse, a WS fan or a Cardinals fan . He said Cardinals, because WS don't play real baseball. He did add that he wouldn't want his sister to marry either one.
Del has been more caught up in the earthquake news than usual because his family lived in Sendai when he was almost 4 through kindergarten. Mr. Williams had been on the way to Korea for the war when they found a health problem and sent him to Japan instead. He was there for a year and a half before his family could join him. Del says the day they arrived he saw snow for the first time. He said that his memories of Sendai are more of specific events or places he remembers like the swimming pool and school. His sister Dianne has stronger memories of the area in general because she is 8 years older. It's so sad to think of what those families are going through.
I pretty much played all week end, so tomorrow will be/should be spent studying Lithuanian and preparing for my classes. I think I have forgotten everything I almost learned in Lithuanian in the week and a half since our last class.
Del has also put me in charge of figuring out a place to go for our self declared spring break. People from LCC just got back from Spain, Russia, Prague, etc. I'll meet with the travel agent they recommended one day this week to see what might work for us.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Day 48 Dinner With One of the Upstairs Neighbors. Yum!
After yesterday's action packed day, today was quiet. Del has been working most of the day, but I've been kind of lazy. We did have cleaning to do and a trip to the Iki and the Old Market, but the highlight of the day was dinner with Susie, the young woman who lives in the flat above us. She is about David or Tracy's age and until coming here in Aug. had lived all her life except college in Goshen, Indiana. She was brought up and schooled in Mennonite churches, high school and college and after working in accounting for several years, began to work in Student Life at Goshen College. One of her mentors who is on the Board at LCC, the religious affiliated school you've heard me talk about, asked her to apply for a job here at LCC. She felt that God wanted her to come here, so she quit her job and signed on to come here. She had to do fund raising and get sponsors to support her this year. She paid her own plane fare, pays her rent and had to find people to contribute her salary. After she finishes this semester, she will go home to find a summer job and do fund raising to get enough money to come back over here and live for another year. Having said this, I hasten to say that, while homesick, she believes she is in the place God meant her to be. She is also glad that God did not want her to be in a place with fewer creature comforts and lots of bugs. I continue to be amazed at the leap of faith my young neighbors and others, some with families have made to do what they believe they were meant to do.
We had good old American comfort food - sloppy joes, a veggie tray and dip, real Lays potato chips with no funky seasonings and some bacon flavored chips. As much as I love all things pork, except chittlins, I have to admit that might not have been a good idea.
Great minds do seem to think alike. I had left a note on her door inviting her to a Green Door neighbors' lunch tomorrow just about the time she was emailing her invitation. We're having a BYOB party - bring your own bowl, your plate, your silverware, your glass, and we even borrowed 2 chairs. We're having potato/barley/corn chowder, tortilla soup without tortillas because Iki was out, salad served from a big cooking pot and apple crisp. I thought I should give a choice of soups because it seems people either love cilantro or they don't. And if they don't, they really don't. I personally could just graze on it, but someone I know thinks it tastes like soap. She also thinks cumin smells like body odor.
I assume the proper thing to do after a lunch where everyone brought his/her own dishes is to load the dishwasher with all the dirty items and then go from apartment to apartment letting people claim what's theirs. You think that sounds right?
I wandered a bit on my way home from the Old Market. (No, that does not mean I was lost - this time anyway.) Found a neat little flower shop and a wonderful store that sold every herb in the world, coffee beans and teas and bring your own bottle or buy ours vinegars and olive oils. I want to go back again when it is not so crowded, but this time I only got cumin.
The pictures are of my new plant resting on our buffet table (ironing board), or perhaps our table for 2 for tomorrow's lunch. I love the bell shaped flowers. I dragged out enough Lithuanian and pantomime to ask its name and make the lady understand I wanted to know if it needed lots of sun or little sun and lots of water or little, She wrote down Kalankoe. I've never seen one like this, and I think we spell it differently but I believe that Anonymous (Tom and Sharon?) sent me another variety in Macomb a hundred years ago.
Oh, for those who did not read my poor attempt to tell this on Facebook - I recently read of an older woman who noticed that people often used "lol" in their emails to her. She started to use it in her emails to friends and family, even when they had told her sad news. It seems she thought it stood for lots of love. Who knows if it's a true story, but doesn't it sound like something I would think?
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/Plant?authkey=Gv1sRgCLns-brEotvtDw
We had good old American comfort food - sloppy joes, a veggie tray and dip, real Lays potato chips with no funky seasonings and some bacon flavored chips. As much as I love all things pork, except chittlins, I have to admit that might not have been a good idea.
Great minds do seem to think alike. I had left a note on her door inviting her to a Green Door neighbors' lunch tomorrow just about the time she was emailing her invitation. We're having a BYOB party - bring your own bowl, your plate, your silverware, your glass, and we even borrowed 2 chairs. We're having potato/barley/corn chowder, tortilla soup without tortillas because Iki was out, salad served from a big cooking pot and apple crisp. I thought I should give a choice of soups because it seems people either love cilantro or they don't. And if they don't, they really don't. I personally could just graze on it, but someone I know thinks it tastes like soap. She also thinks cumin smells like body odor.
I assume the proper thing to do after a lunch where everyone brought his/her own dishes is to load the dishwasher with all the dirty items and then go from apartment to apartment letting people claim what's theirs. You think that sounds right?
I wandered a bit on my way home from the Old Market. (No, that does not mean I was lost - this time anyway.) Found a neat little flower shop and a wonderful store that sold every herb in the world, coffee beans and teas and bring your own bottle or buy ours vinegars and olive oils. I want to go back again when it is not so crowded, but this time I only got cumin.
The pictures are of my new plant resting on our buffet table (ironing board), or perhaps our table for 2 for tomorrow's lunch. I love the bell shaped flowers. I dragged out enough Lithuanian and pantomime to ask its name and make the lady understand I wanted to know if it needed lots of sun or little sun and lots of water or little, She wrote down Kalankoe. I've never seen one like this, and I think we spell it differently but I believe that Anonymous (Tom and Sharon?) sent me another variety in Macomb a hundred years ago.
Oh, for those who did not read my poor attempt to tell this on Facebook - I recently read of an older woman who noticed that people often used "lol" in their emails to her. She started to use it in her emails to friends and family, even when they had told her sad news. It seems she thought it stood for lots of love. Who knows if it's a true story, but doesn't it sound like something I would think?
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/Plant?authkey=Gv1sRgCLns-brEotvtDw
Friday, March 11, 2011
Day 47 Independence From the Soviets Day
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/IndependenceFromSovietsDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCPzGqfTL0sWBdQ
Thanks to a young woman in my advanced English class, Del and I have had the most wonderful day. She sent us a schedule of events for today, and also for the rest of the month. Now we can go to the websites, hit the translate button and know what's going on in all of the cultural venues for the whole time we're here. If we were of a mind to, we could go to something just about every night. What will we do when we get back to the country?
We started at the main square to await the arrival of the yourth parade. The theme of the parade was "My Stone." If you look at the many pictures we took, you will see that some of the kids brought pallets of stones, others single stones and one group a chicken wire carrier of stones along the parade route to the square. People of all ages who were in the crowd also brought stones, but you could take one from a pile already placed on the square and decorate it if you wished.
After the children arrived, there were speeches and some singing and dancing and then the Light of Freedom Sculpture was unveiled. The mayor placed the ceremonial first stone inside the scu;pture and then members of the crowd began to come up and place their stones inside. Del and I thought the sculpture looked like something you might find at Don Drum. I don't know if all the parts were newly created or if some were "found" objects, but it was quite interesting. The stones are supposed to represent breaking free of anger and getting rid of tension and oppressive ideas. The sculpture will stand in the square until it is full of stones, but they don't yet know where they will put it after that.
That ceremony ended at 3:30. and we rushed to the bus stop to head to the Cultural Arts Center to see "Amber Drop My Lithuania." I figure something was lost in the translation, don't you? It was due to start at 4:00 so we were quite lucky that the bus we needed rolled up just as we got to the stop and that there was a stop right in front of the Center. It was originally a center for the fisherman and boating industry, so the music notes on the front of the building are shaped like fish, eyes and all. We were about 10 minutes late, but so were they, so it all worked out fine. At first we didn't take pictures, assuming it would not be the correct thing to do, but we soon noticed that all the parents and grandparents were snapping away with abandon, so we did too. Del got three bits of movie which were kind of fun. We were sitting in the back because the lights dimmed just as we walked into the theater and we would never have figured out where we were supposed to go in the dark, but the theater is not huge and we were able to see and hear everything.
I don't think any performers have more fun than those doing folk dances and songs. We loved it all - the costumes, the instruments, and the talented performers rangng in age from a little boy of about 3 on up to middle aged folks. I would have loved to see the instruments close up. Some were unlike anything I had seen before. One unintended piece of entertainment came from a little girl of about 3 whose parents let her go up and down the stairs to the stage. She stayed to the side at the very edge, but could have bolted any minute. She noticed that there was a slanted area from the stage to the main floor right beside the stairs, so she thoroughly enjoyed climbing up and sliding down. At least she was quiet.
After the concert, we took the bus to our stop and then had pizza and ice cream at the Yellow Submarine. As soon as I smelled the pizza, the bottom dropped out and I felt as though I could chew my own arm. Del pointed out that we hadn't eaten since breakfast, so that probably accounted for it. Thankfully, I had made weekend breakfast, or we would have fallen by the wayside. Del stayed behind to get the check and pick up the leftover pizza, and I rushed home to sign into an e-seminar for speech types.
I have not had good ice cream here, but I did discover tonight that a regular serving is 3 scoops. They weren't as big scoops as Miss Annetta would have liked, but there were 3 of them. We have had gelato twice in the mall, and it's good, but it isn't ice cream. I also bought some ice cream at the market one time, but it is not Bryers. The plastic container is really good for leftovers, though.
You may remember my saying that the Yellow Submarine is next to our church. Yesterday, when Daiva was taking me to her hair master, we went past the building, and I commented about going to church there. She told me that before the Soviet times it was a church, but during those times the Soviets had turned it into something with a not very nice reputation. I didn't ask what she meant. Let's just imagine.
The jazz club is starting to crank up.Being a holiday night, the crowd is rowdier than usual on a Friday.
Happy weekend! Maybe one day I will cull the pix so that you won;t need to spend your whole weekend looking at them.
Thanks to a young woman in my advanced English class, Del and I have had the most wonderful day. She sent us a schedule of events for today, and also for the rest of the month. Now we can go to the websites, hit the translate button and know what's going on in all of the cultural venues for the whole time we're here. If we were of a mind to, we could go to something just about every night. What will we do when we get back to the country?
We started at the main square to await the arrival of the yourth parade. The theme of the parade was "My Stone." If you look at the many pictures we took, you will see that some of the kids brought pallets of stones, others single stones and one group a chicken wire carrier of stones along the parade route to the square. People of all ages who were in the crowd also brought stones, but you could take one from a pile already placed on the square and decorate it if you wished.
After the children arrived, there were speeches and some singing and dancing and then the Light of Freedom Sculpture was unveiled. The mayor placed the ceremonial first stone inside the scu;pture and then members of the crowd began to come up and place their stones inside. Del and I thought the sculpture looked like something you might find at Don Drum. I don't know if all the parts were newly created or if some were "found" objects, but it was quite interesting. The stones are supposed to represent breaking free of anger and getting rid of tension and oppressive ideas. The sculpture will stand in the square until it is full of stones, but they don't yet know where they will put it after that.
That ceremony ended at 3:30. and we rushed to the bus stop to head to the Cultural Arts Center to see "Amber Drop My Lithuania." I figure something was lost in the translation, don't you? It was due to start at 4:00 so we were quite lucky that the bus we needed rolled up just as we got to the stop and that there was a stop right in front of the Center. It was originally a center for the fisherman and boating industry, so the music notes on the front of the building are shaped like fish, eyes and all. We were about 10 minutes late, but so were they, so it all worked out fine. At first we didn't take pictures, assuming it would not be the correct thing to do, but we soon noticed that all the parents and grandparents were snapping away with abandon, so we did too. Del got three bits of movie which were kind of fun. We were sitting in the back because the lights dimmed just as we walked into the theater and we would never have figured out where we were supposed to go in the dark, but the theater is not huge and we were able to see and hear everything.
I don't think any performers have more fun than those doing folk dances and songs. We loved it all - the costumes, the instruments, and the talented performers rangng in age from a little boy of about 3 on up to middle aged folks. I would have loved to see the instruments close up. Some were unlike anything I had seen before. One unintended piece of entertainment came from a little girl of about 3 whose parents let her go up and down the stairs to the stage. She stayed to the side at the very edge, but could have bolted any minute. She noticed that there was a slanted area from the stage to the main floor right beside the stairs, so she thoroughly enjoyed climbing up and sliding down. At least she was quiet.
After the concert, we took the bus to our stop and then had pizza and ice cream at the Yellow Submarine. As soon as I smelled the pizza, the bottom dropped out and I felt as though I could chew my own arm. Del pointed out that we hadn't eaten since breakfast, so that probably accounted for it. Thankfully, I had made weekend breakfast, or we would have fallen by the wayside. Del stayed behind to get the check and pick up the leftover pizza, and I rushed home to sign into an e-seminar for speech types.
I have not had good ice cream here, but I did discover tonight that a regular serving is 3 scoops. They weren't as big scoops as Miss Annetta would have liked, but there were 3 of them. We have had gelato twice in the mall, and it's good, but it isn't ice cream. I also bought some ice cream at the market one time, but it is not Bryers. The plastic container is really good for leftovers, though.
You may remember my saying that the Yellow Submarine is next to our church. Yesterday, when Daiva was taking me to her hair master, we went past the building, and I commented about going to church there. She told me that before the Soviet times it was a church, but during those times the Soviets had turned it into something with a not very nice reputation. I didn't ask what she meant. Let's just imagine.
The jazz club is starting to crank up.Being a holiday night, the crowd is rowdier than usual on a Friday.
Happy weekend! Maybe one day I will cull the pix so that you won;t need to spend your whole weekend looking at them.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Day 46 Haircut and Concert
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/KUConcert?authkey=Gv1sRgCPDulP7N4s3w0QE
Today was the big day! You men may or may not understand the apprehension I felt as I walked into the salon for my cut and dye job. You wouldn't think it would matter to me so much, since I really don't have the best hair, and I'm not that much of a primper, but it does. Daiva had starter trouble with her car, so bless her heart, she took a bus from school to the flat to walk me to the salon and relay my requests. The 2 other people in the salon, one getting a cut and dye and the other having her nails done spoke beautiful English and were quite helpful after Daiva left to go back to work. The result - I was pleased with both the cut and dye. Thank you Lord! I'm a little blonder than I usually am, but it's okay. So long as no one looks at me and says "What was she thinking?"
On the way to the salon we walked right by the children's branch of the public library, and when I said that I would come back there to visit, Daiva suggested we go in in case the librarian did not speak English. The library mascot is the owl and there were children's drawings of owls all over the walls. I never thought about it, but it makes sense that children's drawings look pretty much the same here as at home. At one time the library had a real owl in residence, but the librarian said it got to be too much work looking after it, expecially since she had to carry it home with her on breaks. Mice were also getting expensive, so they gave it away. The cage, which was a small room with a window and bars, now holds a large plant and a toy owl. It was so neat that she was wearing an owl pin. I guess that little kid people are little kid people the world around. I asked Daiva to ask her if I could come back on another day to visit and she said that I should come back every day three times a day. Perhaps she will let me take some pictures of the children's art.
After I finished with the hair master, I walked to the Art Faculty to attend the University Independence from the Soviet's Concert. The Faculty is part of a building built by a Prussian Queen or Princess as a school for girls. The ceiling of the concert hall is quite nice. It was fun to see the old chandaliers with the low energy curly light bulbs in them. It also was some sort of faculty recognition day, and one of the students in my advanced class, the young woman who makes puff pastry from scratch, was honored. I don't know what was going on, but I will ask on Wed. There were also the obligatory speeches, and then the concert began. The students are so talented. I was impressed.
Tomorrow, we will attend the city festivities. I do hope there will be fireworks.
Today was the big day! You men may or may not understand the apprehension I felt as I walked into the salon for my cut and dye job. You wouldn't think it would matter to me so much, since I really don't have the best hair, and I'm not that much of a primper, but it does. Daiva had starter trouble with her car, so bless her heart, she took a bus from school to the flat to walk me to the salon and relay my requests. The 2 other people in the salon, one getting a cut and dye and the other having her nails done spoke beautiful English and were quite helpful after Daiva left to go back to work. The result - I was pleased with both the cut and dye. Thank you Lord! I'm a little blonder than I usually am, but it's okay. So long as no one looks at me and says "What was she thinking?"
On the way to the salon we walked right by the children's branch of the public library, and when I said that I would come back there to visit, Daiva suggested we go in in case the librarian did not speak English. The library mascot is the owl and there were children's drawings of owls all over the walls. I never thought about it, but it makes sense that children's drawings look pretty much the same here as at home. At one time the library had a real owl in residence, but the librarian said it got to be too much work looking after it, expecially since she had to carry it home with her on breaks. Mice were also getting expensive, so they gave it away. The cage, which was a small room with a window and bars, now holds a large plant and a toy owl. It was so neat that she was wearing an owl pin. I guess that little kid people are little kid people the world around. I asked Daiva to ask her if I could come back on another day to visit and she said that I should come back every day three times a day. Perhaps she will let me take some pictures of the children's art.
After I finished with the hair master, I walked to the Art Faculty to attend the University Independence from the Soviet's Concert. The Faculty is part of a building built by a Prussian Queen or Princess as a school for girls. The ceiling of the concert hall is quite nice. It was fun to see the old chandaliers with the low energy curly light bulbs in them. It also was some sort of faculty recognition day, and one of the students in my advanced class, the young woman who makes puff pastry from scratch, was honored. I don't know what was going on, but I will ask on Wed. There were also the obligatory speeches, and then the concert began. The students are so talented. I was impressed.
Tomorrow, we will attend the city festivities. I do hope there will be fireworks.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Day 45 English Classes Celebrate International Women's Day
Today has been beautiful. It was 41, but felt like 31. Del and I have shed our heavy coats and are worrying our new friends half to death. They assure us that the coats we are wearing are summer coats and that we will catch colds. Last night I wore my new felted wool shawl to the ballet instead of a coat, and Daiva was horrified. We were going in their car, so I wore what looked good with the outfit, and was plenty warm. This morning, when she saw the coat I had on, she asked why I thought the temperature affected me so differently than it dd her. I suggested that the difference in poundage may have something to do with it. She just shook her head and muttered. Oh well, someone has to perpetuate the crazy American stereotype, and who more qualified than Del and me?
Both my classes brought coffee and cake to class today to celebrate International Women's Day which was yesterday. By the time I got home I had a major sugar and caffeine buzz. They proudly told me that the cakes were "from scratch." Southern women have nothing on these gals. A guest does not eat just one piece of cake. Fortunately, the pieces were small, because between the classes, I had more than I would like to admit, and enjoyed every bite. One was banana nut and the other was a whole wheat crust with a cream cheese layer and crumb topping. We also had a lovely puff pastry and cream bakery dessert the Dean brought when he came to appologize for having to miss class today. I find it interesting that he takes the time to come to the class at all, and touching that he took the time to come to tell me he had to attend a meeting today. At first, having him in the class made me even more nervous, but he really has a comforting way about him.
We did our prepared talks while eating, and one young woman, a secretary/student in the department, talked about how much she likes Miami Beach and Las Vegas because she loves hot weather and the happy people you see in Las Vegas. She says they seem so happy to be spending their hard earned money. (and I quote) She is one of the most fluent speakers in the class. Another woman told us about her childhood dream of going to Australia, probably because of the kangaroos. I told them that when I was about 4 I learned in children's church (Sunbeam Band, actually) that if you dug a hole straight down, you would hit China. I came home, got a big spoon and started to dig. Mother said I was so happy that she didn't have the heart to tell me it wouldn't work. I think I dug some every day until something else came along, and I jumped another rabbit.
Tomorrow Daiva is taking me to her hair master to get a trim. Fingers crossed everyone! I think I am going to let the roots hang out until after I see how the cut goes, unless Daiva mentioned coloring when she made the appointment. She has beautiful prematurely gray hair, by the way.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/CassParty1?authkey=Gv1sRgCNuiteWCjoiFqgE
The first two pix are my rendering of prepositions for the beginning class. Maybe I should only render lard. I know how to do that.
Both my classes brought coffee and cake to class today to celebrate International Women's Day which was yesterday. By the time I got home I had a major sugar and caffeine buzz. They proudly told me that the cakes were "from scratch." Southern women have nothing on these gals. A guest does not eat just one piece of cake. Fortunately, the pieces were small, because between the classes, I had more than I would like to admit, and enjoyed every bite. One was banana nut and the other was a whole wheat crust with a cream cheese layer and crumb topping. We also had a lovely puff pastry and cream bakery dessert the Dean brought when he came to appologize for having to miss class today. I find it interesting that he takes the time to come to the class at all, and touching that he took the time to come to tell me he had to attend a meeting today. At first, having him in the class made me even more nervous, but he really has a comforting way about him.
We did our prepared talks while eating, and one young woman, a secretary/student in the department, talked about how much she likes Miami Beach and Las Vegas because she loves hot weather and the happy people you see in Las Vegas. She says they seem so happy to be spending their hard earned money. (and I quote) She is one of the most fluent speakers in the class. Another woman told us about her childhood dream of going to Australia, probably because of the kangaroos. I told them that when I was about 4 I learned in children's church (Sunbeam Band, actually) that if you dug a hole straight down, you would hit China. I came home, got a big spoon and started to dig. Mother said I was so happy that she didn't have the heart to tell me it wouldn't work. I think I dug some every day until something else came along, and I jumped another rabbit.
Tomorrow Daiva is taking me to her hair master to get a trim. Fingers crossed everyone! I think I am going to let the roots hang out until after I see how the cut goes, unless Daiva mentioned coloring when she made the appointment. She has beautiful prematurely gray hair, by the way.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/CassParty1?authkey=Gv1sRgCNuiteWCjoiFqgE
The first two pix are my rendering of prepositions for the beginning class. Maybe I should only render lard. I know how to do that.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Day 44 Anzelika Cholina Dance Theatre
Tonight, our guardian angel, Daiva and her husband, Arvydas, took us to see Anzeelika Cholina's (silent /c/) Dance Theatre from Vilnius perform Anna Karenina. It was described as modern ballet, as opposed to classical, and was her own choreography. The costumes were of the period of the story - long, beautifully draped gowns. The performance was amazing. Anna was spectacular. Her dancing in itself and her ability to express emotion with her body were breathtaking. I haven't been to the ballet all that often, and never to a modern one, but it seemed to include some elements from modern dance. I don't pretend to really know that, though.
I was fascinated by the use of straight chairs throughout the performance. The set was sparce, and they were brought on and off in clever ways. The dancers danced sitting in them, standing on them, balancing on them, stepping up and down on them, scootching across the stage in unison with them, etc. The scootching reminded me of the walker scene in THE PRODUCERS. At one point Anna used one to represent a cradle. The most touching use of the chairs is difficult to explain. Try to visualize the chairs, placed side by side in pairs, touching with one back facing one way and one the other. The chairs were placed at a very slight curve from downstage to upstage, and you saw a side view. Each pair was placed far enough apart for Anna to step up onto a chair, take a step, step down and then step up onto the next pair, etc. This gave the impression she was struggling up and down hills or uneven terrain in order to reach her son who was standing on a ledge upstage. It really did bring tears to my eyes.
Another wonderful day!
Oh, in case I hadn't realized it, I really am getting old. 'Cousin' Kasie, Sarah's friend who went to the beach with us for years, Facebooked that when she was at the firing range, a shell flew back and down her shirt front and burned her. I responded "Be careful, Annie Oakley!" Seems she had to Google Miss Annie, Oh, well.
I was fascinated by the use of straight chairs throughout the performance. The set was sparce, and they were brought on and off in clever ways. The dancers danced sitting in them, standing on them, balancing on them, stepping up and down on them, scootching across the stage in unison with them, etc. The scootching reminded me of the walker scene in THE PRODUCERS. At one point Anna used one to represent a cradle. The most touching use of the chairs is difficult to explain. Try to visualize the chairs, placed side by side in pairs, touching with one back facing one way and one the other. The chairs were placed at a very slight curve from downstage to upstage, and you saw a side view. Each pair was placed far enough apart for Anna to step up onto a chair, take a step, step down and then step up onto the next pair, etc. This gave the impression she was struggling up and down hills or uneven terrain in order to reach her son who was standing on a ledge upstage. It really did bring tears to my eyes.
Another wonderful day!
Oh, in case I hadn't realized it, I really am getting old. 'Cousin' Kasie, Sarah's friend who went to the beach with us for years, Facebooked that when she was at the firing range, a shell flew back and down her shirt front and burned her. I responded "Be careful, Annie Oakley!" Seems she had to Google Miss Annie, Oh, well.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Day 43 To Market and Iki
Old Mother Hubbard had nothing on us, let me tell you. I started the day at Iki where I bought two large reusable sacks and a backpack full of assorted groceries. I saw ground beef there for the first time, so bought it and the stuff I would need to make taco salad. Someone menmtioned it at church the other Sunday, and I couldn't resist. We don't have a Mexican place here, but you can get the things needed to make your own, sorta kinda. As I left the store, I called Del so he could meet me at the front door to get the groceries and put them away while I went to the old market for chicken and pork. We might get used to this cell phone thing before it's over. On the way home, I stopped at the bakery to get a meat bun and a mushroom bun to share for lunch. They were not as good as the pierogs (sort of a filled croissant) we had in Riga, but they were tasty and quick.
Going to the store on Monday here is much like going in the US - not the smartest idea. If you go too early, the shelves are not fully stocked, and you have to get around the boxes of stuff they are unloading to get to what you need.
I forgot to tell you that one of the things I saw on our trip was a smart car (I think) decorated with Playboy logos, logi. There were two young women inside wearing Playboy garb and laughing and giggling. I guess they were going to work. They drove off before I could get a picture.
Del was also able to get Latvian Happy Meal toys, R2D2 and CP3O, at a McDonalds in the neighborhood. It was sort of near the tour bus stop, so it worked for a quick meal on the way back to the hotel. I think the burgers and fries tasted about the same as in the US, but the fries were rather limp. We'll try the Lithuanian one before we leave here, I guess, so we can get more toys. When Rosa came out to see us in fall of the year of many surgeries, Del asked her if she wanted to see the Mother Lode of Happy Meal Toys. She later told her dad that Granddaddy had shown her the Mommy Lode of Happy Meal Toys.
Our Lithuanian teacher called to cancel class for this week. Woo Hoo!! I wish I could say I was disappointed. Poor thing, trying to teach us has got to be hard work.
If you get a chance to go through some of the Riga pictures, try to find the funky street lights. I fell in love with them.
Going to the store on Monday here is much like going in the US - not the smartest idea. If you go too early, the shelves are not fully stocked, and you have to get around the boxes of stuff they are unloading to get to what you need.
I forgot to tell you that one of the things I saw on our trip was a smart car (I think) decorated with Playboy logos, logi. There were two young women inside wearing Playboy garb and laughing and giggling. I guess they were going to work. They drove off before I could get a picture.
Del was also able to get Latvian Happy Meal toys, R2D2 and CP3O, at a McDonalds in the neighborhood. It was sort of near the tour bus stop, so it worked for a quick meal on the way back to the hotel. I think the burgers and fries tasted about the same as in the US, but the fries were rather limp. We'll try the Lithuanian one before we leave here, I guess, so we can get more toys. When Rosa came out to see us in fall of the year of many surgeries, Del asked her if she wanted to see the Mother Lode of Happy Meal Toys. She later told her dad that Granddaddy had shown her the Mommy Lode of Happy Meal Toys.
Our Lithuanian teacher called to cancel class for this week. Woo Hoo!! I wish I could say I was disappointed. Poor thing, trying to teach us has got to be hard work.
If you get a chance to go through some of the Riga pictures, try to find the funky street lights. I fell in love with them.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Day 42 Home From Riga
https://picasaweb.google.com/118279613107347865536/RigaLatvia?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvJ_dCc54340QE
We are home safe from Riga, the Paris of the North. We took lots of pictures, so if you get a chance, check out the link above. It would have been better if I could have downloaded each day's pictures separately, but I forgot the adaptor for the memory stick, and I don't know how to download them in groups.
We had a wonderful time, and being with the Lubans made it special. I had met John, retired librarian from Duke, a couple of times and enjoyed his company, but had not had a chance to meet Sheryl, also a librarian. Getting to know her just a bit, was such fun. She was interesting and funny and was generous in showing me around her new city. One of the things I learned about her is that she and 3 friends hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, up to Machu Picchu, sleeping in tents, hiking in the rain, the altitude etc. It is great to know people who do adventurous things I would never consider, crossing the street against the light, for example. I enjoy hearing about it.
Our visit to the Opera House to see The Barber of Seville is a memory to treasure. I had never been to an opera in a real opera hall, so it was quite an experience. I was confused at the use of the French Revolution in the story, but I will have to look it up.
Our family did have the chance to hear Beverly Sills sing at Duke in '77 or '78. I read in the paper that she was doing her final tour before retiring and wanted to hear her. It was cheaper to dress David up in his little suit and take him with us than to hire a sitter, so we promised him a trip to Swenson's ice cream parlor if he was very good. We had seats in the nose bleed section of the hall, and David was sitting next to a nice older woman, younger than I am now, I suppose, looking back on it. During the intermission, she asked him if he was enjoying the performance. He thought for a second and then said "It's good. I didn't understand it, but I guess you aren't supposed to understand yodeling." The nice lady was struck by a sudden coughing fit, as were several people around us. I guess they didn't want to laugh at the small child. We demonstrated, not for the last time, that while our family has class, most of it is lower.
We caught the early bus/big van to Klaipeda so that we could catch some of the festival. This bus was quite clean, but must have had no shocks at all, because there were times when my spine jangled all the way up to my teeth. There were only 4 passengers this time instead of full to capacity going. Do you think the extra weight from people and luggage held it to the road going?
We did not get back in time to see the burning of winter or most of the masks, etc. We only saw one person in mask and one dressed up child, but were in time to cruise the craft fair/flea market. Some of the things could have been at any similar event in the US - baskets, wooden toys, wooden spoons, etc. They also had more hand knit woolen socks, mittens, hats and booties than you could shake a stick at and breads, and smoked pork products. Several stalls had felted wool items that were beautiful. The foods offered were dried fish cooked in various ways, doughnuts, and waffles on a stick. They stuck the stick in as the waffle was baking, dipped them in chocolate and nuts, coconut or sprinkles and off you went to dribble chocolate all over yourself. I only ate one of the ones I was holding, by the way.
We may have foiled our first pick pocketing scheme, but I can't swear to it. A large man and a large woman, both middle aged, came up on either side of me at the coffee car and literally squeezed me between them. I said, excuse me rather loudly and wiggled out. The man said he was sorry and moved off. My money was in my inside zipped coat pocket and my tote was empty, so I was safe. Del was standing a few feet away and the woman and another woman walked over and stood bumped up to his side. I saw her hand go out from under a cloth over her arm toward his side pocket and I said, "Watch your wallet." in a loud, sharp tone. She and her companion moved off immediately without getting anything. I don't know if they were crooks or if I have an overly active imagination. They certainly weren't subtle. I do know that it was the first time I have felt in any way uncomfortable in any crowd.
In any case, we had fun. I'll stick in other stories of the trip on other days when I have only laundry to talk about..
We are home safe from Riga, the Paris of the North. We took lots of pictures, so if you get a chance, check out the link above. It would have been better if I could have downloaded each day's pictures separately, but I forgot the adaptor for the memory stick, and I don't know how to download them in groups.
We had a wonderful time, and being with the Lubans made it special. I had met John, retired librarian from Duke, a couple of times and enjoyed his company, but had not had a chance to meet Sheryl, also a librarian. Getting to know her just a bit, was such fun. She was interesting and funny and was generous in showing me around her new city. One of the things I learned about her is that she and 3 friends hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, up to Machu Picchu, sleeping in tents, hiking in the rain, the altitude etc. It is great to know people who do adventurous things I would never consider, crossing the street against the light, for example. I enjoy hearing about it.
Our visit to the Opera House to see The Barber of Seville is a memory to treasure. I had never been to an opera in a real opera hall, so it was quite an experience. I was confused at the use of the French Revolution in the story, but I will have to look it up.
Our family did have the chance to hear Beverly Sills sing at Duke in '77 or '78. I read in the paper that she was doing her final tour before retiring and wanted to hear her. It was cheaper to dress David up in his little suit and take him with us than to hire a sitter, so we promised him a trip to Swenson's ice cream parlor if he was very good. We had seats in the nose bleed section of the hall, and David was sitting next to a nice older woman, younger than I am now, I suppose, looking back on it. During the intermission, she asked him if he was enjoying the performance. He thought for a second and then said "It's good. I didn't understand it, but I guess you aren't supposed to understand yodeling." The nice lady was struck by a sudden coughing fit, as were several people around us. I guess they didn't want to laugh at the small child. We demonstrated, not for the last time, that while our family has class, most of it is lower.
We caught the early bus/big van to Klaipeda so that we could catch some of the festival. This bus was quite clean, but must have had no shocks at all, because there were times when my spine jangled all the way up to my teeth. There were only 4 passengers this time instead of full to capacity going. Do you think the extra weight from people and luggage held it to the road going?
We did not get back in time to see the burning of winter or most of the masks, etc. We only saw one person in mask and one dressed up child, but were in time to cruise the craft fair/flea market. Some of the things could have been at any similar event in the US - baskets, wooden toys, wooden spoons, etc. They also had more hand knit woolen socks, mittens, hats and booties than you could shake a stick at and breads, and smoked pork products. Several stalls had felted wool items that were beautiful. The foods offered were dried fish cooked in various ways, doughnuts, and waffles on a stick. They stuck the stick in as the waffle was baking, dipped them in chocolate and nuts, coconut or sprinkles and off you went to dribble chocolate all over yourself. I only ate one of the ones I was holding, by the way.
We may have foiled our first pick pocketing scheme, but I can't swear to it. A large man and a large woman, both middle aged, came up on either side of me at the coffee car and literally squeezed me between them. I said, excuse me rather loudly and wiggled out. The man said he was sorry and moved off. My money was in my inside zipped coat pocket and my tote was empty, so I was safe. Del was standing a few feet away and the woman and another woman walked over and stood bumped up to his side. I saw her hand go out from under a cloth over her arm toward his side pocket and I said, "Watch your wallet." in a loud, sharp tone. She and her companion moved off immediately without getting anything. I don't know if they were crooks or if I have an overly active imagination. They certainly weren't subtle. I do know that it was the first time I have felt in any way uncomfortable in any crowd.
In any case, we had fun. I'll stick in other stories of the trip on other days when I have only laundry to talk about..
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Day 41 - Saturday in Riga
I will give just a short account of today, because it is so late, and I am past tired. Del and I had a late breakfast and then took a bus tour around the city this morning. It was one of those where you could get off and take a picture at various important places. I had seen most of the Old Town places yesterday during our walk, but it was still fun. This is a beautiful city. We got home in time to get cleaned up and dressed to have dinner with the Lubans and head to the Opera house to attend The Barber of Seville. It was such a pageant! Now we are getting packed up so we can catch an early bus back to Klaipeda for the combination International Women's Day and Welcome Spring/Mardi Gras/Trick or Treat Celebration.
Once we get back to Klaipeda, I'll try to get the pictures up and tell you more about Riga.
Once we get back to Klaipeda, I'll try to get the pictures up and tell you more about Riga.
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