Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away...

It's snowing .... snowed all day ... hurray!!! I love it, even though it caused a lot of chaos on the streets. I only got home at 8 pm!  But it's worth it. When I look out of the window I can see the snow flakes falling and settling down.
I'm thinking about searching for this lovely illuminated tree tonight. Last year I spotted it from the motorway and never found the way to it to take a shot. This year I'm still looking for this beautiful tree.
If I find it Lisa, maybe we will have another awesome picture for our Christmas card gallery ;-)
At the moment it looks like it will be your first photo with this lovely old fashioned wallpaper in the background.
xxxx

Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt ...

Erst eins, dann zwei, 
dann drei, dann vier, 
dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür.


This is a german saying. I'm sure you can easily translate it, even if you don't speak german.
That reminds me of a funny poem found on the net. (Lisa, sorry.. lol... I had to think of your little crash bed story ;-)  
Ah, yes these are two pics of this years' christmas decoration. I like the surreal one! 

Advent Advent,

my english brennt 

Do you speak English? - Me not....
I am sleeping very well
in my quietsching Bettgestell.
But today in dieser Nacht,
is that Scheißteil zamgekracht.
So I hope that dir das not passiert
and that my Englisch better wird. 

When the snow falls wunderbar
And the children happy are,
When the Glatteis on the street,
And we all a Gluehwein need,
Then you know, es ist soweit:
She is here, the Weihnachtszeit.

Every Parkhaus is besetzt,
Weil die people fahren jetzt
All to Kaufhof, Mediamarkt,
Kriegen nearly Herzinfarkt.
Shopping hirnverbrannte things
And the Christmasglocke rings.

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,
Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits ...

Mother in the kitchen bakes
Schoko-, Nuss- and Mandelkeks
Daddy in the Nebenraum
Schmücks a Riesen-Weihnachtsbaum
He is hanging auf the balls,
Then he from the Leiter falls ...

Finally the Kinderlein
To the Zimmer kommen rein
And es sings the family
Schauerlich: "Oh, Chistmastree!"
And then jeder in the house
Is packing die Geschenke aus.

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,
Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits ...

Mama finds under the Tanne
Eine brandnew Teflon-Pfanne,
Papa gets a Schlips and Socken,
Everybody does frohlocken.
President speaks in TiVi,
All around is Harmonie.
Bis mother in the kitchen runs:
Im Ofen burns the Weihnachtsgans.

And so comes die Feuerwehr
With Tatü, tata daher,
And they bring a long, long Schlauch
And a long, long Leiter auch.
And they cry - "Wasser mar-sch!",
Christmas das is now im A ...

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,
Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits... 

We will think of you Lisa when we later light up the first candle. xxxx

Schneeflöckchen, Weißröckchen, ...

Da kommst du geschneit;
Du kommst aus den Wolken,
Dein Weg ist so weit... 
(traditional german Xmas song)


Yes, we had our first snow. But as you can see on the picture it already melted away and now we are waiting for the next snowfall. In Scotland however there has been heavy snow and obstruction of traffic. I cross my fingers Lisa that tomorrow schools will stay closed due to the snow chaos. Weatherforecast says that it will snow all week in Dalkeith.

The widespread snowfall is said to have been caused by high pressure over Greenland and low pressure in the Baltic region, forcing cold winds across Europe. High-altitude jet streams had also moved south allowing a mass of Arctic air to move south over the British Isles.

It's one week that I haven't run due to my cold... grrr... I promise as soon as we get more snow over here I will go out and run whatever comes. I love the winter wonderland landscape and it's makes me happy! Now, back to Xmas bakery ;-) xxxx

And I could write it down...

Or spread it all around
Get lost and then get found
Or swallowed in the sea... (Swallowed in the sea, by Coldplay)

This is another pic from the RollingStone Weekender at the Baltic Sea in November. Infinity... hmmmm I guess I tend to be a bit gloomy these days. But I like the dramatical effect of this photo! Love the sea.

Xmas season has started and as every year I'm late. Today I prepare for the bakery part of it. I shot several pictures for the Xmas card project. Lisa, you will have to help me. I can't decide which one to choose. I'll write you, okay? I'm very proud of you! Well done, the results of your NAB are awesome!!! Did you start baking with Nicky already? I wonder. Another point on my list is decoration. For tomorrow I will need some candles. I already robbed the garden.. cut a couple of fir branches and dug out some big chunks of moss. Lisa, I miss you!!! We always do this together. But hey, now you are learning how the Scots celebrate Xmas and that will enrich all of us. Has our parcel arrived? Have a lovely day, I'm thinking of you.
xxx

Black bird singing in the dead of night...

Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
you were only waiting for this moment to arise...

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
you were only waiting for this moment to be free...

As I took this picture I immediately called it blackbird and I had this Beatles' song already in my mind. I could hear it - melody and lyrics. When I decided to post it today, I looked it up and found this information on Wikipedia:

Blackbird is a Beatles song from double-disc album The Beatles (also known as The White Album). Paul McCartney was inspired to write it while in Scotland (- See how inspiring Scotland is, Lisa!!! But you already know of course. -) as a reaction to racial tensions escalating in the United States in the spring of 1968. ("... So, I was doing explanations, and I actually just remembered why I'd written blackbird, you know, that I'd been, I was in Scotland playing on my guitar, and I remembered this whole idea of 'you were only waiting for this moment to arise' was about, you know, the black people's struggle in the southern states, and I was using the symbolism of a black bird. It's not really about a black bird whose wings are broken, you know, it's a bit more symbolic." – Paul McCartney, Interview with KCRW's Chris Douridas, May 25, 2002)

Every day I try to see as well. I look for beauty even in seemingly ugly or mundane, trivial things and settings. When I can see this, when I can see through the outer appearance and see the substance, I'm happy. xxxx

Starlight, starbright first star I see tonight Starlight...

make everything all right...
Today's pictures reminded me of stars. I'm fascinated by them. Didn't you know I'm hopelessly romantic? My blogtitle should have given you a clue;-) Immediately I thought of the film Stardust and the song 'Rule the world' by Take That. Anyway I like to watch the starlit sky and wonder how vast the universe is and what it would be like to watch Earth from above. I'm rambling.

Did you know that a star is a huge, shining ball in space that produces a tremendous amount of light and other forms of energy. The sun is a star, and it supplies Earth with light and heat energy. The stars look like twinkling points of light - except for the sun. It looks like a ball because it's much closer to Earth than any other star.

Stars are grouped in huge structures called galaxies. Telescopes have revealed galaxies throughout the universe at distances of 12 billion to 16 billion light-years. Can you imagine?

The sun is in a galaxy called the Milky Way that contains more than 100 billion stars. There are more than 100 billion galaxies in the universe, and the average number of stars per galaxy may be 100 billion. Thus, more than 10 billion trillion stars may exist. But if you look at the night sky far from city lights, you can see only about 3,000 of them without using binoculars or a telescope. That gives you an idea of infinity and our limited viewpoint ;-)
I love to look out for shooting stars to wish upon them. Another rule is. If you see the first star that comes out at night, you can make a wish as well. And if you don't tell, it will come true.... xxxx

The sky's as deep as it can be

Bend down the branches
Close your eyes and you will see...

Today was grey, rainy and cold. I guess this picture gives you an impression of how it looks like in Krefeld in November. It was taken today in the Stadtwald. I always pass the forest when I go to work by bike.

Unfortunately our heating stopped working last night. This morning everything felt cool and cold. Patrick and I were in a very bad mood, because we didn't even have warm water. No shower for us!

This evening it's still cold in the house!!! Hopefully the craftsmen fixed the problem, cause the weatherforecast says it will freeze tonight and tomorrow there will be snow.  xxxx

I don't know where I'm running now, ...

I'm just running on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind ...

Hey there, finally I'm back. Had to cope with a bad cold this weekend. Since I took part in the 'Hidden Run' in spite of feeling already a sore throat developing...

I know it was daft, crazy, but I didn't want to miss this adventure run. The Hidden Run is a surprise run being organised a couple of times a year starting in Cologne. Only insiders know when the next run will take place and only through word-of-mouse communication the news are spread on the internet. There is a small window to apply for the event. This time I had heard the news from a customer in our running shop and was lucky to get two precious places... you can image that I didn't want to give this up easily.

We met in Cologne at a stadium at eight o'clock in the evening where four buses already awaited us. There we were divided into ten groups and everybody got an led head lamp and a reflector vest. Then we were taken to different places in the Bergische Land, every group abondoned at it's own starting point. Instructions and question-sheets were handed over by a coordinator. He was to guide us in case we were totally lost.

This was supposed to be an orientation run, something similar to a scavenger hunt with a riddle to solve. The group Achim and I were in was called 'The Exorcist' and consisted of 15 runners. Others were called 'Nightmare on Elm Street', 'Blair Witch Project' and 'Resident Evil'.

It was much fun to run and get lost several times in this hilly landscapy. On our way we often met other groups proceeding like a line of big fireflies, passing us as we cheered us all on through our misty trail in the forest. After about two hours we came back to a hotel where we had a late dinner and lots of beer. Later in the morning we were taken back to Cologne and its was 4 o'clock in the morning when we arrived at our home in Krefeld. A very nice event!!! Thanks to the organisers. I'm glad I took part. xxxx

Water sign…forever changing in your mind

Water sign…will you find the time to settle down
You keep on moving
You keep on moving...
Born in February you were always very shy as a child
It made your family worry because somehow you were very very wild ... (by Garry Wright, Water sign)

I was born in February too ;-) Before you ask, I took this picture on the way leading to the Christcamp in Krefeld. From the Egelsberg down to this little forrest. Before you reach the forrest on your left side there are two little ponds. And that's where I found today's motif. xxxx

Squirrel season opens up today...

If you're a squirrel run away,
I don't know what else I should say... Yes, I spotted a squirrel today. It made me happy to watch it carrying and storing away nuts. So here Lisa, as a proof I post a picture of this tiny elegant creature. You will like it, I'm sure!!! Hope you are alright my dear. I love you! xxxx

One more cup of coffee for the road...

One more cup of coffee 'fore I go. Yes it's late and .... grrr... just missed my daily post... I'm tired. Okay, then it's the Thursday picture. You see what it is: a Starbuck's paper cup. Enjoy. I go to bed. And will remember my coffee tomorrow morning for breakfast.
Lisa, I love you too. Just got all presents for the Advent calendar. Hopefully we will send the parcel in time. It's all up to Patrick now ;-)

xxxx Good nite! Sleep tite!

Well do anything but lay off of them blue suede shoes

Hey there, finally I managed to get my pictures of the RollingStone weekender organised and uploaded.

We loved to be on the festival and we will definitely come back next year.

xxxx

Surrender, relax, be swept away by music

... I don't know if you've ever read much about the history of shipbuilding? Old wooden ships had to be constantly caulked up because they leaked. When technology improved, and they could make stiffer ships because of a different way of holding boards together, they broke up. So they went back to making ships that didn't fit together properly, ships that had flexion. The best vessels surrendered: they allowed themselves to be moved by the circumstances. 

Control and surrender have to be kept in balance. That's what surfers do – take control of the situation, then be carried, then take control. In the last few thousand years, we've become incredibly adept technically. We've treasured the controlling part of ourselves and neglected the surrendering part...
( Surrender. It's Brian Eno by Stuart Jeffries, guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 28 April 2010)

This is a quotation from an interview Brian Eno gave the Guardian and it reminded me of what I saw at the RollingStone weekender on the faces of some of the musicians playing. It made me happy, inspired me, carried me away and let me feel the rhythm.

They radiated the joy they felt playing their instruments or singing with loving compassion, interacting with the other musicians. I enjoyed no end and relaxed to the music. I was swept away at the Baltic Sea hearing the mermaids singing!
xxxx

Btw I learned about people photography that it's always important to focus on the eyes. When you look at my pictures, I did a really bad job ;-) In this case the expression on the artists' faces reflected a very intimate moment, nearly everybody closed the eyes. They could share their music with us, but not everything that was going on in their minds. The soul didn't speak through the eyes, but through the mouth or the instrument.

RollingStone Weekender...

My top 5 list runs as follows:

Blitzen Trapper - best feel good music

Field Music       - my favourite festival band

The National     - best performance

Tame Impala     - asthonishing, they played bare-footed ;-) was nice to watch and listen to

Michael Rother - I was suprised that this music hynotised me into dancing.

Jumping music, swift DJ's...

Smoke machines and laser rays
Look out weekend cause, here I come...

Der Rolling Stone Weekender war super schön! Wir sind gerade erst zurück gekommen. Gute Musik, nette Leute, tolle Stimmung in einer herrlichen Umgebung. Ich liebe das Meer.. die Luft, die Brandung und es ist schon etwas Besonderes, am Strand zu laufen. Ich bin super froh, dass Achim unbedingt aufs Festival wollte. Dieses Mal hatten wir auch ein ganz nettes Appartement, so dass es insgesamt ein gelungenes Wochenende war.

Am besten gefallen haben mir die kleine Konzerte im Rondell, da man dort so nah an die Gruppen heran kam. Blitzen Trapper, Field Music, Tame Impala waren für mich die Highlights. Ich kannte sie alle nicht, aber die einzelen Bands waren so gut gelaunt und enthusiastisch, so begeistert von der Musik. Das war total ansteckend. Man konnte diese Freude spüren und genau zusehen, wie die Instrumente gespielt wurden. Ob barfuss oder mit Schuhen, mit nacktem Oberkörper oder mit Anzug .... die Bandbreite war enorm. Michael Rother mit Neu und The National waren ebenfalls sehr überzeugend.
Heute komme ich nicht mehr dazu, die anderen Fotos hochzuladen. Aber morgen poste ich sie.
xxxx
Lisa, ich habe mich sehr über deinen Blogpost gefreut! Schade, dass wir nicht chatten konnten heute. Habe auf dich gewartet! Vielleicht morgen??
Mum

By the way I tried to say I'd be there...

Standing in line
To see the show tonight
And there's a light on
Heavy glow
By the way I tried to say
I'd be there... waiting for... 

.. from tomorrow till sunday we will be on the Rolling Stone Weekender at the Baltic Sea.
The Rolling Stone Weekender is a rock festival - but you won’t have to take a couple of days off to recover afterwards. The Rolling Stone Weekender was developed for music lovers who still feel the fascination of a party-weekend with like minded people, but who have grown out of the tent, air mattress and luke warm beer age;-)

I'm afraid we are mollycoddles ... but yes, I do like it. The weather forecast said it will be stormy and we will have to expect heavy rain, but alas we will enjoy it anyway! Wait for my report next week! xxxx

Blinded by the light ...

... another runner in the night...
But mama, that's where the fun is
Mama always told me not to look into the eye's of the sun...

Kind of nonsense text?? by Manfred Man's Earth Band, but I love it. Sentimental... eh?? I outed myself :-)

Sun was out again today and it improved my mood no end!!! The good thing is when it's raining outside you love to be in your cosy, comfortable home. Winter means to me candles, roasted apples, the smell of oranges, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and cookies. I love this and I guess this season is meant to be to stay at home and enjoy it.
Looking forward to baking cookies and preparing for christmas. I'm hopelessly romantic! xxxx

Glaciers melting in the dead of night...

... and the superstars sucked into the supermassive ... supermassive black hole! 
At the moment I feel like being sucked into a black hole which is a region of space from which nothing, not even light, can escape. Maybe because it's raining and it's grey all day. I could do with some sunshine.
I go outside and run, but without improvement yet. This afternoon I even got myself massaged. And that finally had a positive effect. I should treat myself more often to such a nice massage.
Or I should visit you, Lisa in Edinburgh. I read that it is world-famous for its Hogmanay celebrations, but the Christmas season in general in the city is one of the best winter experiences in Europe!!! Princes Street Gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland complete with a snowball arena and an ice rink. The German market (26 November-24 December) is perfect for presents and mulled wine. That sounds very convincing to me. Let me dream a bit longer ;-)
xxxx
Get well soon, Lisa!

We'd go down to the river...

And into the river we'd dive
Oh down to the river we'd ride ...


Heute ein Foto vom Rhein im November. Regen, Regen und Wind ... himmlisches Kind.


Ansonsten nichts Neues an der Homefront in Krefeld. Wir genießen den Alltag.
xxxx

Round my hometown memories are fresh...

Round my hometown
Ooh the people I've met
Are the wonders of my world...
 
This is a picture of my home town - Lahde. The Aue floating under a dramatic sky. This is where my father was taken to for his weekly bath ;-) and where he learnt to swim... at least that's what he told me. I love to remember his bedtime stories!
Sorry, today I'm in a sentimental mood. It's a grim day and I have thought a lot about my father and my familial bonds.
It's already a long time ago I last visited my home town. I browsed through my pics to recall some situations in my life.
I was born in this little town and always intended to move to a big city. But I like to come back to my roots now and then. I like to remember the nice time I had over there. And still have, because part of my family still lives there.

Okay, better prepare dinner for our guests... Lisa, was very nice talking to you today!!! Maybe we will manage again next week! xxxx Mum

I'm running...

... it's very hectic at the moment. Renovation still not finished. Chaos in the shop... I guess I'll have another late eve today.

Deswegen heute schnell noch bevor ich zum Laden eile ein Foto. Aus der Serie von vorgestern. Das Bild (letzter Post) erinnert mich an feingliedrige, zarte Vögel... Kolibris ... hummingbirds. Dieses heute gefällt mir auch sehr gut. Sieht fast wie ein Gemälde aus. Ich liebe die Farben.
Draussen tobt ein Herbststurm, und wenn ich nicht arbeiten müsste, würde ich mich mit der SLR auf den Weg machen;-)

Lisa, tut mir leid, dass ich so wenig Zeit für dich hatte. Ich denke sehr viel an dich und du fehlst mir!!! Ich hoffe, es geht dir super gut .... Thinking about u!!! Love ya!!! xxxxxxxxxx

You like to think you're immune to the stuff...

.... it's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough. I'm addicted to leaves as it seems. I love the colours of autumn!!
Even though I haven't seen the sun for a while and a layer of mist hangs over us and functions as a grey veil.

Nichts Neues im Westen ausser, dass es mit dem Umbau im Laden voran geht. Morgen wissen wir dann, ob Donnerstag wieder eröffnet werden kann. Das heißt, dieses Woche wird es einmal mehr hektisch.
Hoffe, Achim und ich können uns dann anschließend übernächstes Wochenende am Weissenhäuser Strand an der Ostsee bei einem Indoor-Komfort-Festival erholen!

Experimenting with pics....

Einfach einmal abhängen. Lesen, fotografieren und sich mit der neuen Photoshop Version vertraut machen. So sieht mein Tag heute aus.

Draussen ist es nass und ungemütlich. So dass ich es mir hier drinnen schön gemütlich gemacht habe bei einigen Cappuccinos, Brownies und jeder Menge Zeit, die ich mir gönne, ohne dass ich gleich ein schlechtes Gewissen bekomme. Mein ganz eigener Wellness Tag :-) Ich denke an dich Lisa. Bin soooo froh, dass es dir gut geht!
xxxx