If you are retired or over 65, you can relate to this month’s post. Have you ever noticed that the main topic of discussion among friends and acquaintances at this age tends to center on your health and what part of you is falling apart? I’m trying to change that focus daily, but heck, when you find something in common with a friend, you discuss it in hopes that it heals whatever ails you! It doesn’t work… but I’ve got to unload on this post! We’re on our way to the dentist…Thanks, friends, for listening. I feel better already.
Last month was exceptionally challenging. My 96-year-old mom said, “Growing old is not for the weak.” She is absolutely right, you have to be diligent in caring for your body and facing daily challenges with gusto, and of course, a glass of wine.
However, last month I felt like I was running out of steam. As I shared in my May post, we got Lutz’s diagnosis about his bad knee and decided to schedule his surgery for this June. Then my knee went out after babying it for ten years. I’m on the waiting list and hoping it heals so I can care for Lutz. In the meantime, I exercise (carefully) and lay my hands on my knee with pain cream and ice cubes!
I laugh thinking about our ailments last month. People ask Lutz, “Oh, you’re retired, what hobbies are you doing?” His response is always the same: “What hobbies? I don’t have time for hobbies, I’ve got too much to do as it is.” I tend to agree. We do try to squeeze in time to cook, read, ride our bikes, take a short trip, exercise, or create new friendships or maintain old friendships. Mostly, we try to take off in Fritz, my historic 1994 Mazda Miata, and enjoy the sun when the weather is nice. Even Fritz runs out of steam going up hills!
I had to undergo oral surgery due to bone loss in my jaw. Don’t judge the picture. I’m a mess! It’s been an ongoing challenge that I am still facing, but since eating is a challenge, I’m doing great with my weight! I did get in some great dates before my surgery.
Not all is falling apart. We happened to make our way to the Hotel Schloss Hornberg for a delicious dinner. This Hotel is where my Mom and I stayed years ago, and she swears she saw a ghostly knight while she was sleeping.
Ok, let’s change the subject, friends, it’s time to focus on our good health! Welcome to summer! We’ve had some crazy temperatures here in Germany, and I’m loving it. It has been 80-95 F (25-35 °C)—my kind of weather. Love sitting on the balcony soaking in the sun, reading, or taking a dip in the jacuzzi. This makes all the other challenging activities easier to bear.
We were fortunate to celebrate Lutz’s cousin, Axel’s, birthday. He and his wife, Judy, live in Canada and brought their whole neighborhood with them to attend his 70th birthday in the best hotel and restaurant in Wolfach, The Hecht.
These Germans don’t mess around when it comes to celebrating birthdays that end in zeros. All the cousins gathered around to sing a tribute to Axel.
These “Zero” birthdays usually last three to four days with hikes, tours, and a huge fest. The dinner was amazing! We had to use the utensils to make a family tree to figure out who was who!
I hosted an afternoon BBQ dinner for Alex and all his guests who came with him from Canada, as well as family members living in Germany.
Lutz did the grilling! German hot dogs for sure.
I made several delicious salads for the crew: fruit, potato, pear, and gargonzolla, and Caesar!
We made another short trip to Trier to visit Volker. He is part of our extended family on Dieter’s side, the late husband of Lutz’s sister. We stayed at the Mercure Hotel right across from the Porta Nigra.
It was so great to spend time with Lutz’s nephew, Thomas, and his two amazing children, Izy and Yannick. Pia, his wife, was with her parents this trip.
Dinners in Volkers’ hidden cafes are always the best: reasonable prices and the most delicious food. I had to try the French Onion soup, and it did not disappoint.
I hate to reveal the names of these unique spots, but I will share them with you all. The deal is you have to make reservations. These are two well-known spots for locals: Wirtshaus Zur Glocke and Weinstube Kessekstatt. Both are must-try places.
Every time I go to Trier, I learn something new. Walking downtown, Volker happened to point to a beautiful building on the main old town street and said, “That’s where I grew up.” Crazy, right? To live in Trier, right on the main street, 70 or more years ago. Yes, all three levels. Lots of change. It’s now an Intersports Store!
We took a boat tour on the Mosel, and it brought back so many wonderful memories of our tours with our boat Virus!
It’s always a joy to visit Volker, Thomas, and his family. Makes me feel like I’m part of their family!
We love taking tours to nearby places we haven’t been, and it’s especially fun when the weather permits, especially when they include iced coffee to relieve my jaw!
One day, we headed to one of the highest points in the black forest for a little drink. The view was incredible. Love how many of these working farms have a small restaurant for hikers and often provide guestrooms for short stays. This visit was to Martinsteinhiesli. We “people watched” and enjoyed the view.
I’m still perplexed as to why so many Germans eat their hamburgers with a fork and knife. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose? Now you have to wash the utensils. Although at this stage of my oral surgery, I’d put it in a blender and eat it, it looks so good!
My friend Toby knows how to eat a hamburger, and he is German!
One sunny day, we took off and drove to the Danau Quelle in the Black Forest. It is said to be the origin of the Danau River. Even the Romans were there!
Hard to believe this little spring provides so much water to make a river!
We drove through Triberg on the way home and had to take a few pictures of the clock industry! Triberg is also home to Germany’s highest waterfall.
This town is supposedly the world’s largest cuckoo clock. So “they” say.
To prepare for next month’s challenges, we’ve decided to take a week-long trip to Rhodes, Greece. I’ll bring you all up to date next month. I promise not to discuss all that ails us! Until then, enjoy this life, it’s the only one you have! And wouldn’t you know it, a couple of days before we were to take off for Rhodes, it started to rain and will continue for a full week. Tandoori is always a must when it rains. Click on any of the pictures on the ” Home Page” banner and check out the delicious Indian recipes.
Fave New Recipe: Tiramisu
love this dessert, but I never get it in restaurants because it contains milk products and a lot of sugar. But I couldn’t resist buying the gluten-free Lady Fingers (they have sugar, I know) and thought about how I could make this halfway healthy.
Fave New Resource: Why Older People Talk About Ailments
What a hilarious antidote for this month’s post. It’s a self-assessment for why we talk about what ails us. I realized I fit the bill for number four! Read and tell me which one you are!
See you all next month, and thanks for listening while I unloaded!
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.