Mrs. Kramer, our governess had a beautiful car. My sister Friedl and I, Ilona called it “vanilla pudding colored” two door and a lot of chrome. It was striking and we loved to ride in it on little outings and journeys.
The car was all polished, ready to go. It was a sunny and still warm day in late September 1933. Friedl was 8 years old and I was 6 years old. We got into the back seat, and waved “good bye” to our dear Mama. We were going to one of our favorite places, Traisa. The place that has outdoor entertainment in the summer and serves wonderful, fruit tarts, fresh from the oven. Today, we will watch a horse show with beautiful horses, Mrs. Kramer tells us. And after, we are going into the restaurant to enjoy the fresh fruit tarts and lemonade. What glorious day!
It is a beautiful drive along the serpentine road through this awesome forest, the “Odenwald.” Ode to the forest. Friedl and I were singing in the back seat. I believe, I was the only one who enjoyed the horse show, my Friedl did not care for horses, she says they are big and are scary. I love horses and after the show, I enjoyed going to see them close up. They were very sweet and liked to be petted and talked to. They are very intelligent and they are beautiful. After the show and seeing some of the horses we had reservation in the restaurant for lunch. We all three tried the shrimp salad, which was very tasty, like all the food they serve. For our dessert we chose the fresh Italian plum tarts with a spoon of whipped cream. Delicious! Mrs. Kramer ordered coffee for herself and lemonade for Friedl and I. We had an amazing afternoon and a wonderful drive back to the city and got home to tell Mama all about our outing with our Mrs. Kramer.
Long into the night, I kept thinking about the beautiful horses. I envisioned the show, the awesome movements of the horses and riders in my mind over and over. Wishing I already could ride my horse that well. At the riding academy, where I go now to learn riding, I am renting a horse and I some days end up with a different horse.
Some day… Some day I hope, I will own one of these great animals. It will be all mine!
A little synopsis on the great French artist Erté Born in St. Petersburg, Russia Nov. 1892. Studied and lived in France under the pseudonym Erté, the French pronunciation of his initials, R.T. For Romain de Tirtoff. He was a set designer for Stage in operas, operettas and designer of gowns. A great sculptor of some beautiful and unusual jewelry, like the cuff links. He came from a distinguished Russian military family, his father was an admiral in the Russian fleet.
A Wonderful Addition to the Bellevue Mall
After 12 years of living in the Longview/Washington and Portland/Oregon areas, we returned to Seattle/Washington. My Hal’s transfer by AT&T finally came through. We found a beautiful Condo in our favorite area on the East side of Lake Washington, Bellevue, Cougar Hills and settled there. I had started a new job right away and after we were settled, I spent a Saturday afternoon in this wonderful, transition of the old outdoor Mall in the center of Bellevue.
This new Mall was fascinating and really captured my interests: An elegant men’s shop on a corner by the center, next to an intriguing shop of imported dishes and rare things for the kitchen. Across, a little bakery shop and snack bar, tables and chairs for customers. From this center, there were three long hallways with stores on either side and the entries of Nordstrom and Bon Marché at both ends. Going down toward Nordstrom, I stopped, seeing a most striking entry, with marble columns on the sides and large display windows on either side, displaying beautiful art. In the right window I saw a large book by Michael Delacroix, a French painter, I liked. His paintings, etchings and stone lithographs are mostly in the “naïve style” here we call it “primitive style” and he is well known in Europe, and now in the USA. His oil paintings, mostly smaller, are very precious and more in the “Impressionists style.”
I had time, so I entered to check out this attractive gallery and inquire about this gorgeous book maybe for a table gift for Christmas for my Hal.
A very friendly, pretty young lady came to greet me and talking about the book on display, she informed me of three special lithographs were included with the book and no, they were not selling just the book. I had to think this over, especially where they could be displayed and how I would want them framed to be properly displayed in our new home. They were very pretty and one of them had a warm and wonderful Christmas scene. How appropriate, since it will be a Christmas gift for my Hal on the Christmas dinner table.
The lady’s name was Laura and we spent a lot of time discussing all kinds of art that afternoon in one of the rooms, outfitted with proper lighting to show art pieces to interested customers. It was my pleasure talking with someone very knowledgeable in the art world. I could not get this wonderful experience out of my mind, after I returned home, so I checked out a proper place where this art could be displayed and how it should be framed. I called Laura to tell her that I would come by on Monday after work to purchase the book with the three lithographs.
When I arrived, Laura told me they would also do framing and even French matting in the back of the gallery. I was delighted about that and I chose the trimmings for the three lithographs and already had the proper place selected: The long wall from the kitchen toward the dining room.
Over many years we became good and loyal customers in the Behm Gallery. Having Laura, and later, after they married, her wonderful husband, Peter there, we enjoyed almost all art shows with different art and lectures by a lady from an art gallery in California, who purchased beautiful art pieces from Museums and Estates, art objects, paintings and paper art.
One weekend afternoon, my Hal and I stopped at the Behm Gallery, Nancy Behm, the owner showed some great pieces from the Artist “Erté” –and we were in awe of a pair of cuff links that caught my eye. Large Fox Heads, in gold, the eyes, quite large too, were sapphires. Absolutely gorgeous! They of course went home with us.
Hal saw a very precious ring he wished to buy for me. The band, beautiful 24 carat gold, was flat and wide and it held a little locket and where the key would go was a diamond. Very feminine and precious. My Hal decided to purchase this beautiful piece of art for me.
We were good friends with Laura and Peter until they moved away and we lost touch. But fate did not let this be the end of a so beautiful friendship. Being friends too with Nancy Behm, the owner of this beautiful gallery, we again got to pick up the friendship with Laura and Peter. They live in the city of Ashland, Oregon not too far of a distance.
I am only very sorry my Hal is no longer with me, when Laura and Peter came back into my life. How he would have enjoyed this moment, this occasion!
It was September 1957 and my Hal had given me, as reward, a ticket to Germany to visit my dearest sister Friedl and her family. This generous gift by my dear husband was for becoming an American citizen. After being here for three years I was able now to go to school and try the tests for citizenship, which I did with pride and succeeded. I was, with many others, sworn in downtown Seattle in a wonderful ceremony. After, I filled out the papers for my American passport. I was very proud to show that new passport at Sea Tac Airport and again in Frankfurt/Germany.
It was wonderful to be with my dearest sister Friedl, her two little boys, and her husband Georg after three long years, during which I was very homesick.
Today is September 11th and my hometown of Darmstadt has a memorial, like every year on this day. The people of Darmstadt are commemorating Twenty Thousand lives lost, during the night of September 11th 1944 after an allied bombing raid on this old, beautiful city. The memorial is staged at the War Cemetary, located in a peaceful forest up on a hillside with twenty thousand white grave markers.
A trumpeter will appear on the hill and play a solo of “Il Silenzio.”
Tears were flowing and hearts were aching for all the people who lost their lives that tragic night.
After the ceremony, Georg decided we drive straight home, he had all planned out a tasty buffet for our dinner and we could take time, relax and enjoy. It was very quiet and no one spoke, even the two little ones, Joachim was 5 years old and Rainald was 3 years old, he was born during the night I was flying to my new homeland, the USA. They realized it was to be quiet, this performance we just came from, was sad and now is somber time for every one to have their own thoughts. This buffet was outstanding and Georg had thought of every thing. Shrimp, lobster, lox, different kinds of bread and sweet butter, salads, wonderful fruit with a little Grand Marnier sprinkled on it. Deviled eggs and little Brioche rolls. So much to try and it was all delicious. For all this scrumptious food, he brought from his cellar, a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne. Bon Apetit!
During this somber and quiet time, while we were enjoying our dinner, Friedl opened the conversation by announcing: “I have a surprise for you Ilona.”
Georg’s parents will pick up the boys and keep them for the night. We three have tickets to a wonderful concert performed by one of the great trumpeters, Roy Etzel. He is coming to the Musik Halle downtown, Darmstadt tomorrow evening.
The music hall was very quiet, one could hear a pin drop in anticipation of this great trumpeter and his orchester. I had, at home a vinal record of Roy Etzel with some well-known, beautiful and emotional pieces on it: ’Light Cavalry” “Il Silenzio” “Nina the white dove” “La Paloma” and many more. This emotional concert ended with a solo by Roy Etzel of “Il Silencio.” Friedl and I looked at one another and noticed tears rolling down our cheeks.
What an unforgettable evening my dearest sister gave to me!
I invited both to dinner after the show at the “Rathhaus Cellars.”
A very special and beautiful restaurant in the center of the city, by the market place, across from the castle. We had a delicious dinner of beef rouladen with a delectable sauce finished with a fine Burgundy wine, little tasty potatoe balls and a melange of vegetables on the side. Georg ordered the same fine Burgundy wine, a “Chateauneuf-du-Pape” an aged, wonderful drop, we enjoyed very much from the Rhone wine region in south-east France.
Dessert came as a surprise to the table. Complements by the chef to Georg and guests. The chef was a good customer of Georg’s Haberdashery, his men’s-wear shop, located right across the street from here on the corner, newly rebuilt since the night of the bombing raid. The dessert was a picture of a Stil Life. A big plate, beautifully decorated with eatable flowers, a piece of ice cream torte, layers of chocolate, raspberry, vanilla and coffee ice cream. Heavenly! It came with a fragrant espresso.
A Beautiful boat trip from Ruedesheim to Koblenz on the Majestic River Rhine
It was a beautiful weekend in late summer of 1953. My Hal and I had train tickets for the short train ride to Ruedesheim with a tasty breakfast on the train, while enjoying the most beautiful scenery. Relaxing and sipping excellent coffee with a piece of fragrant Kaiser Kuchen, the beautiful aroma of candied orange peel and plump raisins in the cake, leaning back into the soft cushions in a first class train car. We had a little time, a lay-over of an hour in Ruedesheim, to stretch our legs and explore this lovely town in the midst of wine country with slopes on both sides of the river Rhine right at harvest time. Grape harvest and in every restaurant or Cafe wine tasting . They produce a very fine Riesling wine, which they are very proud of.
After a nice lunch in a beautiful courtyard of a restaurant we made our way to the docks to join the people going on a vessel that will take us all the way to Koblenz. On the way we will be treated to awesome scenery and also through an historic area, with narrowing of the river and swift current memorialized in folklore or sagas of Niebelungen times of Richard Wagner’s tales. “The Lorelei” is a saga about a beautiful haunting vixen, sitting on a huge rock (slate) calling out to passing ships to her lover. The saga tells of many ships running aground or into trouble due to the sounds of her voice being haunting, fascinating and alluring.
When Clemens von Brentano wrote his ballad of the Lorelei in 1801, little did he know that it would become the basis of a popular myth. His Lorelei was a sorceress of outstanding beauty, and any man who looked into her eyes irreversibly fell in love with her.
It was for my Hal a relaxing journey on the ship, no other soldiers around and he could take off his jacket and tie and sit in shirt sleeves enjoying a glass of Riesling and this awesome scenery. Both sides of the river, as far up you could see vineyards.
We arrived in Koblenz, a beautiful city for some more sight seeing and maybe another glass of Riesling. It is an old city, but attractive city. It was the seat of the new German Government right after the end of WWII, until it moved to the permanent location in Berlin in the 1980s.
We decided to try a winery with restaurant and found a very attractive place. It looked like a Chateau with beautiful stained glass windows and inside the entry a gentleman, greeting the guests.
Looking around, it was a beautiful and very busy place. Waiters with white aprons, being very busy serving the guests. We were seated by a round table with white starched table linens, different size candles giving a nice glow to the table settings, and very quiet a very friendly gentleman would stop by ones chair and hand you a glass of champagne. Let the evening festivities begin. Suddenly, with the sound of clapping, one would come out of this tranquil moment to find that there will be music. Two gentlemen, dressed in tuxedo taking their places. One by the grand piano and the other, holding a violin. The music was enchanting and pleasing.
We enjoyed our dinner with candle light and music very much. Hal had ordered venison with a beautiful dark Burgundy sauce and little round and crispy potato pancakes on the side and white asparagus. I tried the veal tenderloin, well done and very tender with three different kinds of mushroom in a wonderful sauce. My Hal ordered a most awesome, well aged Burgundy. We talked of our trip, so far today and compared it with what we had expected. Could not have been more enjoyable, we both agreed.
We stayed a while after we finished our dinner and shared a glass of our exceptional great wine with our waiter and listened to the soothing music and then it was time to go and catch our train home to Frankfurt. For my Hal the barracks and for me another train ride to Darmstadt to join my sister.
This was a memorable day in Hal’s and my life and we were saddened it came to an end.
Note From Marcie: (but hopefully not a forever farewell–Ilona knows anytime she feels like writing for us, that I will post it. 🙂 )
Let us not say “Goodbye”
It has been a wonderful journey for me these past three years, writing my little stories. I thank my dearest Marcie every day, when I look forward to writing a short story, I just had thought of. It has been for me a wonderful, but also a touching journey and for my family and friends an insight into my Hal’s and my life, my life and my soul.
There were so many stories; funny ones, happy ones, sad ones, historic ones and ones that brought tears.
The comments by my beloved, dearest friends were always a welcome gift and gave me the assurance that my little tales brought joy, laughter and sometimes tears to their lives.
Like everything in life, the sun will shine, rain will fall, and happiness or sadness will come and go in our lives.
Maybe, now is the time for a new beginning and for nostalgia to take a bow. It has been a very exciting and special time to convey my little tales to all of you for these past years. You have seen my Hal’s and my life and looked at my sense of humor and sadness. It is time now to look forward to the new, the now. After all, one does not expect anything other than nostalgia from a 96-year-old lady.
I thank all of you from my heart for giving me this awesome journey with you!
Let us say: So long to all of you wonderful readers and friends.
The Canadian people are very fortunate to have been gifted with such a treasure. 119-year-old internationally renowned 55-acre Display Gardens, located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia created by Jennie Butchart and is still now privately owned. Serene and tranquil, walking through, breathing in the clear, clean air, daydreaming among all the beautiful Flora, but at Night!
At dusk, the Gardens are transformed by “Night Illumination.” Over 3000 subtle lights turn this Garden into a magical wonder.
My Hal and I walked hand in hand, not speaking, only deeply breathing in and enjoying this delight, being close to my Hal in this paradise. I would not want this evening to end.
On this trip we decided to forego Victoria and the “Empress Hotel” as my memories are still so clear of our visit to this very old hotel and their offer of afternoon tea. Still vivid in our minds and therefore thinking, skipping it would only be a winner and we won’t be missing anything.
After we arrived at Butchart Gardens, signs directed us to the dining room. Opening the doors to it, a sunny room, big and beautiful with large windows greeted us. Everything seemed to be white, crisp and starched. Table linens, serviettes, flower arrangements on each table were beautiful and fresh. The waiting staff were allowed to smile at the guests. This was a winner! We had a delicious lunch of poached salmon with a delicate caper sauce and rice, white asparagus with clarified butter sauce. My Hal had ordered a crisp, white, full- bodied Burgundy. We enjoyed talking with our waiter, he had a great sense of humor. We had many different choices of teas, and the dessert menu was plentiful and astonishing. We took a leisurely walk after our big lunch through this paradise. Something we will remember for a long time.
Our legs were getting tired, and we found a bench to rest and have a conversation. By tomorrow evening we want to be back in Vancouver to meet our dear friends Bob and Coleen Thompson. We will have dinner together in our hotel dining room the “Royal Court.” We will stay there for two nights and then take the short flight together to Sea Tac.
It was an unforgettable, long weekend. I was still dreaming about all the beautiful flowers and plants we saw. That beautiful garden is a great gift to the people from this so generous family and hopefully they will be able to enjoy it for generations to come.
Our dinner, by only candlelight, the doors to the outside terrace open, was a symphony! A great bottle of a smooth, aged red Rhone wine to accompany our filet mignon for us four. Tender, like butter, browned on all sides with a fragrant cognac sauce, little, browned in black truffle butter potatoes and a mélange of wonderful mushrooms on the side. They talked of “home-made” ice cream. So, we thought we would give it a try. It was a fragrant mint with tiny chocolate chips and a chocolate sauce on the side, if you wish to have it. Their coffee was a great Kona coffee, and one could not resist to have a cup with a splash of a fine cognac in it.
A beautiful ending to a wonderful weekend. We still have another day. Maybe some shopping?
Before I get to the end of my story telling, I wish to write a little ditty about my dear friend, named Bonnie here at Woodlands. She is my neighbor, my “watching over me” my dear friend and my little sister.
I had a severe reaction to an antibiotic given to me for cellulitis, which caused me to have terrible hives all over my body. At my age I was not able to cope or battle this as easily and gracefully as when I was in my 60s. I got no sleep for four consecutive nights, was irritated, itchy and angry.
Today, I felt some better, if I can control myself, keep the heat down in my apartment, things will be some better and I know that the worst is over. So far, it was a good day. It is evening now, and the question is: “What to eat?” I really should eat something today, but nothing sounds good right now. Until I got a phone call from my sweet friend Bonnie. “Would you like a grilled cheese sandwich” she asked. Oh, that sounded good! “And some fresh fruit?” That sounded like a wonderful dinner and to my surprise, I said “Yes.” Pretty soon my little sister Bonnie arrived with a freshly grilled cheese sandwich, already cut into sections for easier eating and cut-up mixed fresh fruit. What a lovely gift! What a friend!
Then Bonnie asked me if I would like to try a wonderful tomato soup from Trader Joe’s? Again, I heard myself say yes. Pretty soon, while I was enjoying this wonderful warm, grilled cheese sandwich, Bonnie arrived with a container of hot tomato soup. I tried it, it tasted yummy, and I finished it, enjoying every spoon full. I had a wonderful, unexpected, tasty dinner tonight, thanks to a wonderful lady, called Bonnie. I am feeling better, the hives are on their way, and I am feeling so blessed and loved. This friendship I have had with Bonnie is the greatest gift I could wish for at this age of 96. How blessed can one be?
My sister Friedl came to visit my husband Hal and me, and during that time Friedl and I made a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, a two-hour drive from our home in Bellevue, Washington.
My Hal had a trip to the East coast coming up for meetings, scheduled for his job with AT&T. Hal and I discussed maybe Friedl and I having a little outing too while my Hal is gone. Maybe up to Vancouver B.C. for two or three days, stay in a nice hotel, see the city, go shopping of course and sightseeing. Stanley Park, trying the tea house and going shopping in the beautiful China store, an excellent linen shop and also the tea shop for some special tea, like the fragrant green tea from India, we purchased before. I do like the linen shop. They have a big variety of serviettes I love to look at and pick some with gorgeous designs of handwork on them. The table looks much more welcoming with these, rather than just matching ones to a tablecloth.
I made reservations for Wednesday and Thursday nights, coming home on Friday and picking up my Hal at the airport on Saturday.
Today is Wednesday and a limo is picking up Hal to take him to the airport and after, Friedl and I are starting our journey to Vancouver. It is only a two-hour trip, and I am hopeful that it is not too busy at the border. We got to Vancouver around noon, and I drove directly to the Four Season’s Hotel garage and parked. Taking the elevator up to the lobby to sign in. They started serving lunch in the lobby and dining room with carts carrying several large silver Serving dishes with lids, with wonderful food. If one preferred one could order from a menu. Friedl and I went to our room first to freshen up and then joined the people in the dining room.
The interior of this hotel was awesome, Asian style furnishings and beautiful pieces of Asian art throughout. It is a gorgeous place, I am so pleased I had heard about it, and they had a vacancy for us. So far everything is memorable, only my Hal was missing. I usually do not travel without him. The drive up here, the scenery on the way was breathtaking. On the right side, looking out of the car window we enjoyed seeing the Cascade mountains and beautiful Mount Baker. On the left side is the vast Pacific Ocean, it is a beautiful area and to be fortunate enough to spend one’s life in. I always thought how lucky I was to come to the State of Washington, my Hal’s birthplace and his home.
Friedl and I enjoyed our lunch in the dining room, we tried the scampi with rice and a wonderful assortment of mushrooms, browned in clarified butter, with a tasty sauce. We ordered a glass of a very fruity and crisp white Rhone wine. Excellent!
We were ready to take on the town, walking and exploring the stores I remembered. Especially the Asian shop on Robson Street, where one can see all different color jade items. My Hal and I never missed that store, when we came to Vancouver. Tomorrow we will start out with Stanley Park. This afternoon, armed with the Visa card, we will browse in a special store, maybe some unusual, pretty item will follow us back to our hotel. We went to the “Designer shop”, with all ladies’ garments from well-known designers. We must critique the new fashions for this summer. As we entered, Friedl saw a stunning summer dress right outside the changing room. The dress was white silk, plain and the bodice was like a tuxedo shirt with fine pleats inset and covered buttons to the waist. The skirt was straight and belted by the waist with a narrow crocodile leather belt, in cream and white, and a grand, large buckle of amber color jade, a beautiful design. Friedl would look lovely in it. While my sister was trying on this dress, I asked the sales lady if I could try that awesome leather jacket, I noticed on the way in. It was short, to the waist in the softest leather and my favorite color, caramel with gold buttons. It would look perfect with my wrap around linen with silk skirt that has a closure of caramel color leather. I was encouraged by the clerk to try it and it fit perfectly, so I kept it on to show Friedl and after she admired it, it and the dress were going home with us. We were so very pleased with our finds that we no longer wanted to shop or browse. We were walking down Robson Street and passed a German café and we decided to enter and have a glass of wine with something light to eat after our substantial lunch, call it supper. This café was very nice inside. Small marble top tables and a long counter, a showcase for all the food they served. A big variety of goodies, savory ones and sweet ones. We ordered a nice, chilled Riesling, German from the Mosel Valley. It was very tasty, sweet and refreshing. We picked a platter with a variety of excellent cheeses, a little ramekin with duck pāte, dark tasty bread with sweet butter. It all went good together and was not like a big dinner. We had a lively conversation what we shall get into tomorrow.
British Columbia imports the fine chocolates from France and Germany, the kind with liqueur filling. So, we will explore that tomorrow after our nice walk-through Stanley Park and lunch at the tea house. This is really turning out to be a wonderful memory for my beloved sister and me. Tomorrow we will visit the jade shop on Robson Street, and I will be looking for something awesome for my Hal. On our last year visit they had beautiful silk kimonos for men. I am sure I will find an appropriate one that my Hal would like to wear, when he retires, for lounging in the morning for breakfast.
After a nice breakfast in the lobby of our hotel, we were on our way home. Another sunny day with breathtaking scenery all the way to Bellingham. We arrived home early and tomorrow we will drive to Sea Tac airport to greet my dear Hal. When we get home, we will have so much to tell, to show, and to tell him that we dearly missed him.
Jamaika Blue Mountain(and the Seattle Opera House)
For Christmas this year, two of my dearest friends gave me “Jamaika Blue Mountain” coffee, for a most wonderful Christmas present, my favorite and the most fragrant and tasty coffee there is.
As I am enjoying this precious cup and seeing the label every day, it awakened a beautiful, full filling story in me.
It was after Seattle had the World’s Fair and due to that, this great gift to our city, a most beautiful Opera house. Such beauty, such sophistication and pride it brought to Seattle. A lot of interesting and enjoyable menus were offered, but the one that caught my interest was “Harry Belafonte” is coming to the Seattle Opera house. Oh, how I loved his voice, his songs and yes, I would love to get tickets. My dear sister Friedl was planning to visit this year and we could combine her visit with an evening at the Seattle Opera with this charming man, Harry Belafonte. My Hal and I would be so proud to show my sister how our Seattle has grown and what a beautiful Opera house we now have. And the guests!
My sister Friedl knows all about Harry Belafonte. When I visited my sister and family the first time after I had left Germany, I purchased a record, a vinal, “My Island in the sun” sung by Harry Belafonte. A beautiful song by a beautiful man. It brought tears to my eyes every time we played it.
It’s here! This so special evening with my Hal, my dearest sister and Harry Belafonte!
We were walking across the street from the parking garage to the new Opera house, through the beautiful, appointed lobby and found our seats all the way in front and got settled. We were very happy and anticipated an evening that was special and maybe a one-time opportunity to be gifted such an evening. My dearest sister Friedl, dressed in a black velvet suit looked stunning and my Hal, dressed in black tuxedo trousers with a white silk shirt with fine pleats, tie and a grey velvet jacket looked so handsome. I wore a brown velvet suit with a fitted jacket and a cream color silk blouse, buttoned in front and ending with a big bow tied by the neck.
Harry Belafonte came on stage and an unforgettable evening began. The next two hours were mystifying, awe-inspiring, touching and one would not want it to end. He also presented us with this lovely rendition of “My Island in the Sun.”
On our way out we decided to find a great place for something light to eat and enjoy a bottle of great champagne, to celebrate and toast this beautiful artist Harry Belafonte and the Seattle Opera house! An unforgettable evening to cherish and remember for years to come.
The year was 1980 and it was October, a most beautiful fall day with gorgeous fall colors on the trees, while driving from Seattle back to Vancouver. We had found an awesome Condo, a townhome on the east side of Seattle. Bellevue, Cougar Hills.
The complex existed of 19 units, separated by an individual courtyard with wrought iron gate, leading to the front door of each building. Attached was a double garage. Each townhome had two large bedrooms and two bathrooms. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout except the bedrooms and bathrooms were carpeted. All rooms had large windows and the living room and master bedroom had big doors going out on balconies. Both stories had cathedral ceilings. The inside was awesome.
Outside though was not completed and we were promised that this would be done, after the sale was final, before we would move in. Like most times they were not done when we moved in and still not done for another four weeks after. I already was working and my Hal, like always after our transfer was in meetings and seminars in Washington D.C., San Francisco, or Bosten and I had to deal again with Realtors, Builders, Associations and the move. I was reluctant to come back to Seattle, I truly liked Portland; Hayden Bay where our sailboat was moored, downtown Portland with all the beautiful shops and restaurants, all this I missed already and yet, when the transfer to Seattle was offered, we went.
After more than a month of waiting for the builders promise to be fulfilled, I was still waiting. I had so much anger, pressure and regret built up, that I exploded when I came home after work, and it still was not done.
The closest thing to the Telephone Company was the actual phone, the instrument. In those days the Phone Company’s manufacturer, General Electric made and owned the phones.
I took the phone, had my high heel shoe and started to release my anger and frustration by trying to demolish this enemy of mine, the telephone. They were well built, not easy to destroy, but I kept at it, I had so much anger stored up that it would outlast this phone, I was sure. Finally, I won, it was baculite pieces and lots of wires. I took a deep breath and tried to relax. It was done I felt so much better, my stored-up anger was gone I was exhausted.
I called the builder and told him that I was no longer waiting, that I had someone who will do the job and I would send him the bill. The next evening it was done! Our builder came through, it only took a push. He left a bouquet of flowers with a note in the garage: “I hope you are happy with this work and sorry for the long delay.”
In the morning, feeling like myself again, I put the destroyed phone in a paper bag with me to work and in my lunch time I went to the AT&T office in Bellevue to exchange it for a new one. The employee behind the counter looked into the bag and then looked at me and asked: “what happened here? This is a wreck!” I told her it got damaged while we were still having construction in the condo.
Well, she had to believe me, at least she gave me a new phone and said:
“Keep that construction crew away from the phones.” I thanked her kindly and left.
