Ilona Cole, Story 124

Huckleberry Hunt in the Odenwald (Ode to the Forest)

It was a beautiful sunny day. The year was 1953 and I had met a very sweet and special American soldier at Headquarters of the US armed forces, General Eisenhower’s Command in Frankfurt/Germany where I worked as secretary to the communication officer since 1948. Being such a fine day, we made plans for a drive through the beautiful Odenwald (Ode to the forest) a serene forest to admire, take in the sunshine, have a picnic and relax.

My dear friend Hal had purchased a car from a buddy who was going home to the US after his three years of occupation duty in Germany. This forest is the area where Richard Wagner staged most of his famous operas and one could easily imagine high up in these old oak trees his powerful music while lingering a while or walking along these paths. We had parked the car (no cars allowed on the beautifully groomed walking paths.) We were looking for one of the many gazebos to get settled and have our wonderful lunch my sister Friedl so lovingly prepared for us.

We started our conversation with: “When we get our permission from the state department and armed forces for getting married.” All the preparation we still need to do. What is our next step? As we were enjoying our delicious lunch, we noticed that all around us were Huckleberries growing, low on the ground under the aging oaks. After we had enjoyed the last bite and the last of our coffee, we took some of the bowls Friedl had put different salads in, wiped them clean and got up to gather berries to take home to Friedl, so she could bake a berry galette and how surprised she would be over our effort. We filled our bowls full of these plentiful, big, ripe and juicy berries. We came back in our gazebo, sat down and admired our work, thinking how delicious this galette will taste especially for my Hal, he loved American pie, he had told me. Sitting down, I noticed a couple of big stains from the Huckleberries on my white eyelet cotton lace dress. I shall take care of this, when we arrive home at Friedl’s.

When we arrived at Friedl’s and her husband Georg’s home my Friedl was so delighted, and Hal and I got big hugs from her. But when she saw my stained dress, she remarked that these berries were very expensive. I changed my dress, and I will soak it, while we have dinner. Hal was invited to stay for dinner and of course for dessert. Friedl prepared the galette and while it was baking, she made dinner. A beautiful, fragrant galette came out of the oven, while we had a lively conversation during the fabulous dinner of Duck l’orange and all the trimmings. We also enjoyed one of Georg’s fine Burgundy wines.

Other than my dress disaster, it was a wonderful, lovely day in the Odenwald and joining my family for dinner and an awesome huckleberry galette.                                                               

                                                                 … exactly ten years later…