marcielsims.com Blog

Little Anecdotes and Memories

In the years from 1968 to 1992 I worked at two different Doctor’s offices, not as medical assistant but on the accounting side, manager, accountant, bureaucrat and billing clerk. Jobs, doctors do not appreciate, but have to have and must support.

AT&T transferred my husband, Hal, from Seattle to Longview, Washington and later to Vancouver, Washington.

As times before, after every transfer I had to give up my job and in the new location I had to find another. 1968 came and my Hal had to report to his new job as the manager of the communication department of Pacific Northwest Bell Co.

We found a beautiful apartment at “The Huntington” right by a park and within walking distance to downtown. Next to our apartment lived a lovely lady, named Janet. When she found out that I had knowledge in accounting and experience to set up an office with a great accounting system, she asked if I would be willing to use my knowledge and come to work for her dear friends, two brothers, doctors who had a clinic in town, but could not find competent people to establish and run an office.

Janet told me they were great doctors and wonderful people and her dear friends. After she kept asking me and stressed the part that they cannot find people to establish an office, that would yield more money, competent bookkeeping and a correct and timely insurance billing system, I gave in and went with her to meet both doctors, the older brother Neal and his younger brother Wendell.

After an interview, the older brother walked out with Janet and me and asked: “Ilona when can you start?”

That evening I talked it over with my Hal and decided that I would begin my new position in an unknown field, medicine. I was rewarded for my decision. It was a very busy clinic and as I already could tell, I had a lot of clean-up, progress and big changes to make, which I enjoyed.

The doctors and nurses’ staff were very appreciative of the work I tackled right away. To modernize and streamline this office and to automate the insurance billing was the first step. There was no interference from either doctor on any suggestions I made and presented to them. These two brothers, Janet’s friends, were nice people, as Janet had told me.

After 12 years, The Kirkpatrick Clinic was a proud clinic for the two wonderful doctors, especially Dr. Neal, the older brother. When a new doctor opened his practice in town, Neal would volunteer me for my service to set up an accounting system, modeled by his.

After 12 years, my Hal was again transferred, this time back to Seattle. It was the end of October and Hal had an appointment for an eye exam with his ophthalmologist in Bellevue. When he returned, he asked: “Would you like a job?”

I had a double garage full of boxes to unpack, but since there was an offer, I should at least check it out. By the 1^st of November I started my new job as bookkeeper. Again, I had a big job, clean-up! Progress and change!

After I became manager, I was free to make more changes, but I had to show restraint and patience, I did not deal with the same caliber of men as I had in Longview. They were still with three doctors on a Peg-board system, after disappointment in a very expensive computer due to the incompetence of office employees. Getting a sophisticated computer is not an answer to a messy office, it will not clear the mess, it will only make it faster. They also had tried an on-line computer firm and that too showed how inapt this bookkeeping office was. The printouts of corrections on the month-end reports gotten longer, more pages, month after month, no one knew how to correct the original mistakes.

After months of explanations, discussions and pleading about the benefits of a computer, combined with computer savvy people, with the help of one of the younger doctors I was allowed to purchase an IBM personal computer, they just came on the market. I got busy with studying the software manuals and started to program an accounting system onto the computer. All was working well, but I ran into a big problem with the printer. The computer would not recognize the printer. I worked for days on it but could not fix it.

My husband Hal, knowledgeable in programming and computer software, was my answer. I shall ask him to help me with this dilemma, so I would be able to give the three doctors a legible and easy to understand printout at the end of this month and every month.

I went home that night with high hopes that my Hal will get me on the right track with this problem. At the dinner table I explained it all to him and hoped he would volunteer and come by the office to show me. After I explained it all to him, his answer to me was: “Read your manual.”

Well, after this disappointing answer that evening I studied until late and by the end of the next day, one could hear the printer in Ilona’s office, printing out the day’s accounting work!

Kudos to the manual, kudos to Ilona!

Hal’s Birthday Celebration

My husband Hal’s birthday present was a great success. His birthday celebration with friends tonight will equally be great. We invited his dear old friends who also have keen interests collecting antique guns, beautiful old rifles or pistols. Kurt and Ruth, Ronnie and Esther, Richard and Marilyn were our guests. I had the narrow pull-out table brought up to my husband’s library, it will easily seat eight people.

On Hal’s desk I displayed the beautiful mahogany box with the two John Manton dualling pistols and all the tools in pristine condition in it, next to it, the leather case for the boxed set. For my Hal and for our guests this will be an unbelievable treasure.

The friends of Hal’s could not believe how easy it was to secure this set and how lucky Hal was with the amount of his bid.

Everything worked like clockwork, once Hal decided to take this chance. It was easy and not stressful to work with the Auction House Christie’s in London by phone or fax. But more precise, prompt and accurate than now with e-mails and internet. No glitches like now with temperamental computers, one could miss the time for the bidding and be disqualified. The description in Christie’s catalogue about these fine dualling pistols was not overstated they are exactly as they were pictured and called: “Property of a Gentleman”, precious old guns, even still the key for the box, all in pristine condition.”

Hal was like a little boy, who peeked at his Christmas present to find out that it was what he wished for.

By the side of the desk on the floor I had a most beautiful Haviland floor vase. In it I purchased white lilac branches and with it five beautiful pink “Bird of Paradise” flowers from Hawaii. On the white tablecloth I made a bed of white lilac branches spread out on the table and into the lilac I pulled a celadon green silk ribbon and inserted pink roses.

By every serviette I put a pink rose bud, the guests could take home. I used my white Rosenthal China “Magic Flute” all white with a sculpted rim of the images of characters from the operetta and underneath these large dinner plates on the rim the Libretto text of the operetta “Zauber Floete” (Magic Flute) with gold handwriting by the designer of this awesome China, Bjorn Wiinblad.

Beautiful glasses and silver flatware added sparkle. My table was inviting and ready. My dinner, prime rib with all the trimmings, a wonderful sauce, made with half a cup of fine “Opus One” wine and white asparagus and little potatoes, braised in clarified butter on the side. For this tasty dinner my Hal opened a bottle of an elegant, full bodied “OPUS ONE”. Everyone enjoyed the dinner, one could tell, it got very quiet.

For dessert I had made from white Toblerone chocolate a creamy mousse and served a Melba sauce (fresh raspberry sauce) on the side and my wonderful Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.

Owning these precious old pistols, this excellent dinner and the wine and sharing it with wonderful friends, what more could a Gentleman wish for?

Wiesbaden, a Beautiful City of Spas

After graduating from the University in 1948 I had an offer to model for a Furrier, located in Frankfurt/Germany. Later, as the city of Darmstadt was being rebuilt, they opened a store there. My city of Darmstadt was destroyed by a bombing raid 9-11-1944. I accepted this job offer, it was mainly weekends when we had to travel and give a show of all the new styles, different pieces and different furs.

I joined the group, and we showed the newest models of fur to an excited audience. The city of Wiesbaden was the place we mostly had to travel to. It was a bus ride of only one hour. The “Kur Hotel”, Spa Hotel was the venue for most of our style shows. They had, in a large auditorium, a stage where we would show the most beautiful creations in fur.

Sometimes we would model at the “Kur Kasino” (Casino) in Wiesbaden. It was a striking, stately building of gilded marble with large columns by the entry. We had a stage inside in a large room with several beautiful chandeliers, red velvet upholstery on the chairs for our audience, and music in the background. After the show we would be allowed, as guests, to enter the casino to watch, or if we were brave enough to play a game.

Formal attire was required when entering the Casino. Several times when we entered, I would see this gentil old lady, I would sit beside her. She was well groomed, well dressed, and she held a little beaded purse on her lap, open. Inside was a big roll of money. She was always at the same table, roulette. She was by herself, she would not engage in any conversation, her eyes were fixed on the game.

I wondered if she was a widow gambling her husband’s fortune away, or she was a self-sufficient, self-assured woman all her life and this money is her savings and now her recreation or hobby. In order to gamble there, one’s finances would be checked, and one would be thoroughly vetted, before joining this club. We were only allowed to join for the evening of a show, just as a courtesy.

This all came to a stop when I met a wonderful young American at the place of my job, American Armed Forces Headquarters, General Eisenhower’s Supreme Allied Command Headquarters in Frankfurt. I was secretary to the Communication officer. I did not want to spend my weekends modeling any longer, if I could spend them with Hal.

We developed a wonderful friendship, fell in love and Hal put in the paperwork to the State Department for permission to get married. We married in November 1953. My Hal’s time in the Army was ending in December and he had to leave to come back to Seattle, Washington, his home. I kept on working, waiting for my visa and entry permit to join my husband Hal in my new country at the end of February 1954. I became a United States citizen in 1957.

My Hal and I visited my sister Friedl and her family during the Christmas season of 1963 for seven weeks. During that time, I visited the new fur salon they had opened in Darmstadt. I had designed a garment for myself of fur and wanted, first, to greet my former friend and employer and order this garment to be custom made. It was to be of black Russian Broadtail in the style of a bloused sweater with V-neck and long sleeves. Both trimmed in black leather. I took my design to the store and ordered it.

While we were visiting for seven weeks, this garment could be custom made. The sweater was full and bloused, to wear over a sweater or a nice silk blouse. I had, in dark green, a beautiful wool gabardine skirt, with a slit in the back with French pleats showing. It will make a striking and elegant ensemble. Our seven weeks stretched over Advent time, Christmas and New Year. We had a wonderful time and my Hal got to know well my dear sister Friedl, her husband Georg and their two little boys, Joachim and the younger one, Rainald, called Kiki.

We travelled to the Burgundy region and the Champagne area of France. We visited other Cities in Germany, Wiesbaden, a beautiful place and Frankfurt. We saw for a day mama’s younger sister Katja in the idyllic Odenwald (Ode to a forest) and Aunt Lilli with her sister Anita and her brother Georg. They lived together in a beautifully furnished flat in Darmstadt. Their brother Georg had an antique shop and dealt in beautiful antiques, furniture, old grandfather clocks, beautiful inlaid wood desks, chests in rare wood, exquisite chairs, tables with onyx tops or wood inlays, sterling silver items, antique monogrammed sterling silver pieces and crystal vases. Some beautiful Asian art, silk screens, small furnishings and ornate pottery. Anything to furnish a gorgeous home.

It was a warm and wonderful vacation for my Hal, my dear Friedl and her lovely family and for me. A time in our lives we will always cherish and remember. It was a tremendous help for me, to get over my homesickness for my beloved Mouse, my dearest sister, my Friedl.

A Weekend in Beautiful Munich

Hal and I had planned a summer vacation to Germany. We received a letter from my father’s very good friend Peppi inviting us to meet with him in Munich. Date and time and the name of the hotel we would stay in. We flew to the airport close to Munich, took a taxi to our hotel, freshened up and changed clothes and went to the hotel bar to meet with Peppi. We enjoyed a drink together and talked of the reason we had this meeting. Peppi was so excited, had tears in his eyes and gave me a big hug. He brought out the papers from his attaché case, let me read them and we discussed maybe in the morning, during breakfast here in the hotel we could get the Notary with two witnesses to join us for completing this legal paperwork. This visit with Peppi was twofold. He wanted to see me and Hal. It had been a long while since our last meeting, my father, Peppi, my Hal and I at Lake Starnberg, sailing together my father’s 12-metre sloop, the beautiful “Anmut.” Peppi was my father’s very best friend, his deckhand on the “Anmut.” Peppi invited Hal and me to a weekend of sightseeing and exploring this city of Munich, a beautiful and great city with many interesting sites to explore. Downtown Munich, if we would be interested to do some shopping. A most beautiful and serene park, Nymphenburger Park with a large lake, a big fountain and a little castle with the same name and very fine porcelain with the same name on display inside. On the lake we could watch three beautiful swans, one black and two white swans. We could visit some of the awesome churches and cathedrals with all their splendor inside and decades of history. It was Peppi’s treat for Hal and me.

Peppi was reminiscing with my Hal about our last sailing weekend with my dear beloved papa and how well Hal took to the lady, bringing her out and into her slip. Peppi said: “like a true sailor.” A wonderful memory of a time in our lives never to return. Peppi revealed his plan for the weekend and told us that tomorrow early evening he had arranged to get our food and drink from the Hotel kitchen to take to the October Wiese, “October meadow” a vast area of grassy landscape with the large statue of Bavaria standing guard. A big stage was set up and we would hear a summer concert, which sounded great!

Today was filled with a little shopping downtown in the Theatiner Gasse (Theatine Street) a very well-known street with the finest stores, I loved to browse in and pick some little gifts for my sister Friedl, her husband Georg, the boys and my Hal. A lingerie shop caught my attention and a wonderful purchase for Friedl followed me out of the store. A stunning silk pajama by Donna Karan and on the perfume counter I noticed a little black velvet pouch and inside, a gold sculpted little container, shaped like a flower/blossom with pressed parfum powder by Donna Karan, Cashmere fragrance, I knew Friedl would love.

For my Hal and for Georg each a great Dunhill pipe. For the boys we found in a book/music store a beautiful, appointed album with vinyls of “all nine Symphonies of Beethoven’s” they surely will love. A great chocolate shop got my attention, as we came around the corner and I fulfilled MY wishes in there. Brandy or liqueur filled chocolates from different manufacturers, and I had a taste for quite a few of them.

We were in awe, seeing the inside of several Catholic churches and a cathedral with all its splendor across from a wonderful Café. We took the elevator up. We were seated by the window, the café was on the 7^th floor of the building, the view was amazing and spectacular, one could see much of Munich, while enjoying good coffee and one of their delectable desserts. We discussed this evening with Peppi and had to admit that my Hal and I both were tired and would love to finish this day a little early. It was for Hal and me a very long day after our 12-hour flight. Peppi understood and suggested we all go back by taxi to our hotel and Hal and I order something from room service, so we could be comfortable and go to bed early.

We got together by the dining room entry for breakfast the next morning. We were seated and the concierge from the hotel arrived,   accompanied by a notary and from the hotel staff two witnesses. Hal invited them to our table and had them join us for breakfast. The paperwork that needed to be completed was right there in front of me. My father had decided, after discussing it with his personal lawyer and me to will his 12-metre sloop “Anmut” moored at Lake Starnberg along with her slip, all sailing equipment, main sail, jib and spinnaker to Peter (Peppi) Solo, my father’s sailing partner and dear friend. This statement was now notarized and needs my signature as my father’s legal representative for his estate. My dear beloved father gifted his lady “Anmut” to his dear friend of many years, his sailing partner, deckhand and caretaker of “Anmut” all year round for more than 30 years. This was a legal transfer of title and a great gift. Our dear friend Peppi was so happy, tears were shining in his eyes.

This sunny day, just starting for the three of us, we decided to spend the afternoon by the pool. People watch with a nice drink and good conversation or a little cat nap before we get dressed for this evening’s concert. Peppi picked up the basket with food and drink from the hotel kitchen. There was foie gras, French baguette and sweet butter, a small, round, delicious Brillat-Savarin triple cream cheese, excellent. Three half-bottles of fine French champagne, a big bunch of sweet, ripe grapes, sweet tiny pickles and green olives filled with blanched almonds.

The concert was awesome, and we still talked about it as the limo let us out by our hotel. We were still humming tunes on the way to our rooms. We said a warm good night and were looking forward to a good night’s sleep and to our breakfast in the morning. For Hal and me, a flight to Frankfurt to meet my beloved sister Friedl and Georg and for Peppi a train trip to his home, and lady Anmut’s home in Starnberg.

The good news we will have for Friedl is Mission accomplished!

A Trip to Baden Baden: World Famous City of Spas

Baden Baden: A beautiful, picturesque city in the Black Forest. Twelve natural springs well up from a depth of 2000 metres, supplying thermal spas with 68C hot spring water to pamper visitors from around the world clear back to Roman times.

My Hal and I had waited with anticipation for this year’s vacation. We are flying to Germany and planning to take a trip with my sister Friedl and her husband Georg to the Black Forest, the beautiful city of Baden Baden. We will meet our dear friends, while there, Kurt and Ruth Pieper, who lived in the United States for over forty years, working for Boeing airplane manufacturing company in Seattle, Washington. After Kurt retired, they came back to Germany to live. They now live outside the city of Karlsruhe not far from Baden Baden.

We had purchased tickets for all six of us for a concert at the Festival Hall, with a capacity of 2500 seats, one of the largest classical music venues in Europe. Guest conductor will be Claudio Abbado, the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, who has died in 2013 at the age of 80. Sounds exhilarating and food for the soul.

Speaking of food: After we arrived and met with Kurt and Ruth, we had reservations in a wonderful restaurant. There was an attractive and picturesque courtyard outside all glass front of the dining room. In the center was a large fountain, white crushed rock around it with numerous flowerpots, that showed off all different color, beautiful Rhododendrons and blooming Azaelia’s and garden art. Tables were set very festive, music playing softly in the background and the guests could choose to be served inside or in this paradise outside. We were seated by the fountain and the lovely music made this very idyllic and relaxing. We started our lunch with lively conversation and a bottle of bubbly. The Pieper’s, of course, wanted to know anything new about Seattle and the State of Washington and I thought for a moment I recognized some longing and nostalgia, at least from Kurt, regretting a little that they left.

The waiter came to our table to discuss the chef’s delicious choices for today. Very intrigued we were about one of the appetizers: The chef, from fresh foie gras had prepared a smooth, like velvet, warm mousse and served with little wedges of brioche bread. The mousse was very rich but was served in small ramekins. The main course was just as delicious and special. Veal tenderloins, filled with walnuts, cranberries and apple finely chopped in a béchamel sauce, served with white asparagus, heated in clarified butter with fresh dill. My Hal and George ordered the wine, a beautiful crisp German Riesling and it was heaven! No one could even think of dessert, so we ended this feast with an espresso, one sugar cube and a curl of orange rind. We had several hours until the concert, so we started to walk along the tree-lined main street, through the park and to the Festival Hall. The most beautiful ground about this stately building. Flood lights were already shining on this old building, and it looked impressive! Hal took a lot of pictures we will enjoy looking at once we are home again and want to bring our memories back to this wonderful journey.

The evening was unforgettable in a stately old place with a lot of history. A first-rate orchestra and a great guest conductor, Claudia Abbado. When he entered the stage, the whole Festive Hall erupted in applause and standing ovation. The music was touching, mesmerizing and one did not want this evening to end. Beethoven’s fifth symphony had the audience on their feet. It was a once in a lifetime experience and will stay in my heart and memory for ever. I have, in thought only, a little idiosyncrasy on keeping and storing all wonderful journeys, depending on beauty, importance, lasting power and endearment. The way to store them, and to save them to peek at them now and then.

This journey is worthy of the finest and most beautiful box, awesome ribbon and much tenderness and gratitude for ownership of this lovely experience. It shall always be in my heart and mind.    

SCHUETZEN FEST (Long Rifle skeet and target Competition)

It was the beginning of summer 1941. I was fourteen years old. My aunt Frieda and uncle Christopher called to get permission for me to come during my summer vacation in the last two weeks of August. There will be a festivity called Schuetzen Fest, a competition of skeet and target shooting with the most beautiful custom-made long rifles and in the Calau area it is happening every four years. They thought I would surely enjoy it. All the participants, men with titles, are very proud of their rifles and very serious about this sport. Uncle Christopher was thinking that I would enjoy watching. It is a lot of fun.

My mama thought it over and considered that this war could last a long time and I would not be able to see my favorite aunt any longer, so she gave her permission, if she could be assured that Franz, their driver, would pick me up at the Calau train station. Of course he would, for the safety of Ilona, Franz would be right at the train. So, the date and time was set up. The month of August arrived and after the second week Ilona got ready for her long journey. I arrived at the Calau train station and as I got off the train, I saw Franz waiting by the entry of the station. After our greeting, a big hug, we got into the car and before we started out Franz had a big thermos with ice cold lemonade. We drank some and then started out into the beautiful forest and to the estate. The greeting was with big hugs and thanking me for making this long journey all by myself.

The Schuetzenfest (the rifle competition) will start this coming weekend and in the open meadow, not far from Uncle Christopher’s estate, they will have the targets, the stands for the shooters and the booths with fun entertainment and all the lights set up. When my aunt Frieda and I arrived on Saturday the festival was already in full swing. We joined uncle Christopher by his set-up for skeet shooting today and tomorrow the shooters will switch places and Uncle Christopher will be at a stand with his beautiful Schuetzen rifle for the target shooting competition.

During the lunchtime break food and drink were being delivered and all shooters could visit with their families. After, I was invited to try my skill in target shooting. I was scared and very nervous. These shooters are the elite of long rifle enthusiasts and I, only fourteen years old, have not had the practice in order to be “showing off” here. Other than when I would go with my father to his gun club, which was not often. I took three chances and did not hit the target. So, my dear uncle convinced me, I needed another chance, that the first three were practice runs. Number four! Bull’s eye! I received a big hug from my uncle and aunt, they were proud of me.

My uncle’s Schuetzen rifle was specifically made for him, and it was a beauty! It was not custom-made for me. It did not fit my underarm perfectly. The wood on this long rifle could hold its own to any special piece of fine furniture. The gun was in every way first rate, and so were the shooters.

A lovely summer vacation, not to forget, ever.

Morristown, Pennsylvania is a Charming Town

My dear husband, Hal worked for AT&T and was a manager of the Seattle/Washington based Radio Communications Department. AT&T had a new facility in North Bend, on the east side of Seattle to house all new electronic equipment. In order to oversee the installation my Hal had to attend several different courses, taught in a school in Morristown, Pennsylvania for weeks at a time. We both were happy when it all was completed and my Hal could stay here in Bellevue, Washington going to work in North Bend.

We had planned a long weekend get together with my dear sister Friedl to meet her at the New York airport and spend a long weekend with her. We would take the “red eye” to New York and rent a car and after meeting Friedl we would drive to Morristown. Hal was all excited to show Friedl and me this charming town with many bookstores, gift shops, wonderful bakeries and fine restaurants with authentic Pennsylvania Deutsch food. Pronounced Dutch, but meaning Deutsch (German) not Dutch, Holland. Hal wanted to show Friedl and me the hotel where they stayed and where the classes were held. We decided to have our lunch in their dining room.

After lunch we started to explore a bookstore to purchase an interesting cookbook “Four Seasons” as a hostess gift for Flitzi, when we get to their home in Orley Valley. We had the book gift wrapped. We three then drove to Orley Valley and arrived at Flitzi’s and Stephen’s Gristmill early in the afternoon. Flitzi had baked a delicious plum tart and had set a beautiful table outside the kitchen under the Italian plum trees. The tart and the coffee were excellent, and the conversation was interesting.

 It had been a while since we had seen each other, and they were delighted to meet my sister Friedl. Flitzi enjoyed the cookbook from Hal and me and the beautiful bouquet of flowers from Friedl. Flitzi, Friedl and I started talking about some of the recipes in that four-season cookbook while Stephen and Hal talked about this old Gristmill. It was a working Gristmill and they had produced their first flour and shipped it to buyers. There was a pond providing the water for the grinding wheel. Stephen told us that they could ice skate on this pond last winter. This complex also had an icehouse and separate building where they would fill one-, two-, and five-pound sacks with flour.

But the show piece was the house! It was awesome. It had all hardwood flooring, polished. Large open fireplaces in several rooms for heat and if need be, for cooking. The large living room had a floor to ceiling window overlooking a creek and the pond. It too had a big fireplace big enough for a man to stand in. The kitchen of course, designed by Flitzi, had all the modern appliances the lady of the house could wish for.

We enjoyed sitting in the living room after Stephen had showed us the inside of their home. Then it was time to take all of us to dinner, Stephen had chosen. We were not disappointed. They set up a table for five, laden with Pennsylvania Dutch food, very good and authentic. Hal ordered the appropriate wines for each course, and we had a lively conversation around the table. The chef appeared to check how we liked his food and welcomed us to his restaurant. It had to be obvious to him, most of the serving dishes were empty. The chef was very pleased with this table and the guests. He left and came back with dessert “on the house” he said and put in front of every guest a plate with a ramekin with cream caramel and fresh strawberries.

We thanked the generous chef and the two waiters who kept us happy all through the dinner. After we enjoyed the dessert, comparing it to crème brulé, it was time to drive Stephen and Flitzi home. Hal paid the bill and left a generous tip, and we were on our way. After we said good night and gave each other big hugs Flitzi and Stephen went inside, and we drove to Morristown to our hotel. After a “night cap” Friedl, Hal and I said good night and parted. Tomorrow morning Friedl will take a plane to Frankfurt and a couple of hours later we will be flying back to Seattle.

I must admit, it was a very short visit with my dear sister Friedl, but a beautiful, full of love visit and Friedl met some great friends of ours, never met them before, but heard a lot about them and now had an inside into their lives. American pioneers, Americans who first built this beautiful country before they moved west. Beautiful American people who want to keep the beginning, the past the way it was, authentic and alive.

Bravo!

Comment:

I loved this story from Ilona–sounds like such a charming town and visit –and now I am craving cream caramel and strawberries!

Hope you all enjoy it too.
Marcie

A “Winter Rose” (Christ Rose)

Our first Christmas in Chelan was fast approaching, and my husband Hal and I, Ilona were very busy to complete the final decorations, fresh white tulips in a beautiful tall, white vase by Rosenthal to place on the buffet in the dining room along with an awesome set of bisque angels by Edward Marshall Boehm. A beautiful Christmas décor!

All other rooms and the entry were done. We now need to find a florist willing to order fresh, white French tulips. If I cannot have tulips, white roses will also look great with a few evergreen branches in that vase. We were so pleased with our decorated white flocked tall tree right in front of the three big windows, overlooking an apple orchard with snow laden old, sculpted apple trees. Standing back and looking at this winter wonder land, satisfied that all looked festive.

We were told that a young gentleman opened a great flower shop in Leavenworth, which is not too far from Chelan. With high hopes we drove to Leavenworth and to visit this florist.

After a nice lunch in one of the German restaurants we asked the waitress where that flower shop was, and she explained it to us and gave us the directions. We ordered our lunch, roulade with a piquant sauce and little, very thin and crunchy potato pancakes on the side. While we were waiting, we had a glass of excellent aged Rhone Valley red.

Set back from the street in a dark stone building was the flower shop and as we entered, we were in awe of all the flowers and stunning arrangements waiting on the tables to go home with someone. It was dark and cool in the shop and there were pleasant fragrances of a large assortment of flowers. I could see why this florist had this reputation. It was paradise! With a big smile we were welcomed by the florist and after I stated what we would wish for, he took us to a big cooler with tulips, roses, gerberas, orchids and single cut poinsettias in white with a little pink and the standard red. He volunteered right away that he gets his French tulips from Canada and that he will call and get some white ones. What was in the cooler was red, red with green large heads, beautiful, yellow and pink ones. But I had set my vision on white ones.

As my Hal and I were looking around the shop, the owner made his phone call and approached us, smiling. Yes, he will have white, French tulips by Friday afternoon. That news made us very happy. I also picked some beautiful branches of fresh noble fir. The fragrance was heavenly. As Hal and I were waiting to pay, I had another look into the cooler for something special. I saw on the bottom shelf a vase with (I could not believe my eyes) little star-shaped, white flowers that reminded me of growing up, my childhood in Germany and Christmas. A nostalgic, warm feeling came over me. They were called “Christ Rose,”  like Christ in Christmas not Christ (Jesus) They bloom in December through March in gardens and one can purchase them at the florist. I had never seen them before here in the USA, a delicate white little star, like a miniature rose. The owner came over and told me they were called “Winter Rose” and I told him what memories I had of them. On our way out, the nice gentleman presented me with a little bundle of the Winter roses. Such treasure, such memories. I had tears in my eyes. How sweet of the young man to gift them to us. I will do something very special with them, along with some of the red with green tulips I will purchase on Saturday when we get the white tulips. I am looking so forward to make a very special arrangement with little greens, the large red/green tulips, the precious Christ roses and a beautiful red ribbon with a string of white pearls for the center of my dining room table. Bring on this, so special, so holy and wonderful Christmas miracle.

                                                     My Hal and I are ready!

A Cute Little Sugar Dish, Consequence, and Tears

We had an Aunt Anita, she was the sister of Aunt Lilli, the loving wife of our Uncle Arthur, my father’s twin brother.

Aunt Lilli came to visit us often and my mama and her had a wonderful rapport and they had relaxing visits at teatime together. My mama would set a beautiful table with flowers or candles and always bake something with enticing fragrance. I remember well in later years that there was always a lot of laughter during Lilli’s visits. Our governess Mrs. Kramer would bring a lovely tray with goodies for us to the sitting area in our room so we could duplicate that visit. But there was studying involved, not laughter. My sister Friedl was five years old, and I was three. Anita was not a frequent visitor to our home, there had to be a specific reason for her to visit and they were usually short and to the point. Like this one. She had requested to be allowed to take Friedl and me on an outing for a ballet performance, hot chocolate and fancy cookies to a “Wald Café” by streetcar and a lovely stroll in the woods to the café. Since Mrs. Kramer had this afternoon free to take care of a personal matter, our mama finally gave in and got us ready. Anita made a point to pick what we should wear, how to style our hair and how we should behave, speak, answer promptly etc. Anita would love to tell my mama with a smile, how to raise children, which is absurd, since mama had found and hired Mrs. Kramer, a professional governess with a spotless reputation and knowledge of all the ins and outs of nurturing and educating children to become decent and well-rounded adults. After all this tension, my mama most likely regretted already giving in today to Anita.

After a nice walk through the majestic and beautiful woods, we arrived at the café and were seated by a large window overlooking the garden. Our table was decorated with pretty flowers and white, starched linens. It was very idyllic and relaxing, but I remember years later, I was always tense, reluctant and a little frightened around Aunt Anita, not so around Aunt Lilli or any other guest in our home. Aunt Anita had ordered hot chocolate for Friedl and me and tea for herself with sugar and milk.

There was a stage at the end of this large room where we would be watching a ballet class performing a children’s play. One would think that would be nice, Aunt Anita would be watching the Ballet and not Friedl or me, criticizing us: “Sit straight, don’t slouch, keep your knee’s together and don’t talk to your sister, WATCH!”

After the performance and the applause ended Anita took care of our bill. Friedl gave a big sigh of relieve, but I noticed a beautiful, cute sugar dish with a morsel of sugar from individually wrapped sugar cubes. While Anita settled the gratuity, I put my little forefinger in the cute dish to savor the morsel of sugar. WWIII started! Aunt Anita with the voice of a 1^st Sergeant or General reprimanded me, my manners, my upbringing, my heritage…and my teachings. Friedl was so scared for me that she started crying and Anita’s rage went on. She pulled me off the chair and with her other hand she pulled Friedl behind her.

Arriving at our home, “cooler heads did NOT prevail” and Anita was in her “Charge mode.” Our mama knew right away, looking at us, that something went very wrong. She attended in her loving and soft way to Friedl and dried her tears and then to me, by that time I was shaking uncontrollably. Well, my mama had the audacity to ask Anita what went wrong and was informed, still in WWIII mode, about the terrible manners, in public, the cute little sugar dish and then she added still in the same tone, that she will take Friedl out for treats, but not this one, pointing at me.

Being a born diplomat, my mama, moving toward the front door, door handle in hand and with a determined look on her lovely face thanked Anita for this afternoon’s outing, but there shall NOT be any outings in the future for Anita any longer regardless of her wishes. The smile on our mama’s face fading, she closed the door behind Anita.

After all the tears and the fear disappeared, we were sitting all together, mama, Mrs. Kramer, Mrs. Nietsche, Friedl and I, having a little dish of ice cream. No mention of this ugly scene or the cute sugar dish, not now or ever again.

“Klepper” Boats at the World’s Fair in Seattle

The World’s Fair opened in Seattle, and it was to be the day today that my Hal and I will take a walk through it. Seattle gained a wonderful complex, an area with marvelous buildings that were erected and a monorail that would bring visitors and Seattleites from downtown to the fairgrounds. We finally had a most modern and beautiful opera house and an interesting science center building, a large awesome fountain and many more structures that would serve Seattle toward its future. The biggest wonder of all was the space needle. A beautiful rotating restaurant way up high and perched on top, an observation deck. I am sure Seattle will make good use in the future of these marvelous structures. My Hal and I went downtown, parked our car in a secure lot and walked to the monorail station. Quickly we arrived at the fairgrounds. So much to see, where to begin. As my Hal and I tried to decide what we wanted to look at next, we noticed a large sign by a booth with quite a large group in line, listening to two gentlemen. The sign said “Klepper Boats.” It brought back so many memories it was overwhelming.

I wanted to know if “Klepper” stood for the manufacturer of the fold boats. One I had, growing up in Germany, but they were destroyed by the Allied forces as they landed on the German side of the Rhine River. I told the two gentlemen my story that a group of us young students were biking from Darmstadt to the Rhine River for the weekends to go paddle in that awesome river into the waves made by larger vessels and ended up at what was called “Kuehkopf” a cove that looked like an outline of a cow’s head. Cut out by the river and made a peninsula which we used to stop and took a rest period, maybe eat our lunch and have a lively conversation.

The two gentlemen were very interested in my little story and had quite a few questions. They also thought that Seattle was a terrific boating city and told my Hal that they most likely will come back next year for a boating vacation. Which they did, but due to Hal’s schedule at work we never connected that summer. The next year we received a call from Peter, one of the two gentlemen, this time they brought another friend and we went out on Lake Washington on a rented sailboat. I had invited them to dinner which they enjoyed very much. They told us about their wonderful experiences last summer they were here, but we could not get together. While the young men were having their conversation with my Hal, I started dinner. We had wonderful tenderloin steaks with a beautiful, dark brown shiny “Jack Daniels” sauce. Nice, part crispy asparagus and potatoes Anna on the side. Hal opened a full-bodied La Taché Burgundy which everyone enjoyed. We remembered they loved American ice cream. I made Vanilla bean ice cream as dessert with a brandy, sour cherry sauce on it.

In future years they came a few more times and we always had some visits and also joint them boating, but love came into their lives. We had heard that two of the three fell in love and got married. No more bachelor vacations, maybe no more boating, different lifestyle. We also lost touch, when Hal got transferred south to Longview and then Vancouver, where we made an immense step up in our life: A sailboat named “Ilonka.”