Grandma, I thought of you yesterday.

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

So I suppose you may be wondering what a glass of soda has to do with thinking about my grandma, right?  Well when I was a little girl and I spent time at my grandma’s, I was treated to a small glass of soda. As I grew into an adult and would visit my grandma, she still served me a small glass of soda just like this. I always found that endearing.

I don’t drink much soda (me and caffeine don’t do well together), but now and then I love a cold glass of Coke. So now and then when I have a craving for Coke,  I get out a small juice glass and as I pour,  I think of my grandma. Grandma’s knew what they were doing back then, giving us just the right amount. It’s so sad to see kids these days guzzling down huge bottles of soda. I’m thankful for this little practice that my grandma did for me that seemed to stick. Thanks, grandma.

This picture below is my grandma Edith and grandpa Otto Pipping. I have fond, wonderful memories of them. For Christmas my Dad’s wife put together a little booklet of the the Pipping Tree and it was fun to read.

I miss you grandma and grandpa….and thanks for the soda!

 

Date Night. Stepping Back In Time

Posted by Barbara Techel


Koehring’s Grand Central House

(if you look really, really close you can see John standing by the stop sign. He was so patient as I ran across the street to snap this picture last night.)

Wednesday nights are set aside for date night for John and I. We are fortunate to have many really good restaurants to choose from in our hometown of Elkhart Lake. But last night we decided to once again try Koehring’s Grand Central House. It is in a neighboring city, only six miles from us. We had tried it years ago, but I didn’t really care for the menu. But I’ve always loved the Victorian atmosphere. So we decided to try it once again. Am I ever glad we did!  The menu is expanded with many great items to choose from.

Formerly a hotel built in 1892 for “traveling gentlemen” it is now a restored Victorian restaurant.  I love what their website says: “Take a step back in time… to a time that was a bit slower, gentler, and kinder.” Yup, that is the kind of place we like to get away and relax to.

John and I tried figuring out when we started date night, but can’t quite remember. It was many moons ago, I guess… or our memories aren’t what they used to be. We used to always go out on the weekends and it’s funny, because then it was all about “being seen and seeing who we would see.” Now it’s all about quiet and time for ourselves. So wish I would have been this way years ago- but I suppose this thing called life is all a process now isn’t it?

We still venture out on a Saturday now and then. When we do, it is usually for a movie and pizza night- I love those nights too! I always request that as my birthday outing.

The restaurant was still decked out in holiday lights and they were even still playing Christmas music as we sat at the bar to chat awhile and then went into dine. I didn’t mind the holiday music and it was actually so relaxing and cozy that I almost started crying (If you know me, I cry easily).  A friend of mine says instead of saying she is sentimental she now says, “I sense deeply.” It fits me perfectly too, so I’ve adopted that saying.

I think it’s important for couple’s to set aside time like this. It does not mean having to go out somewhere, but if that’s what you like, then go for it. I have friends who have popcorn and ice cream every Sunday night and watch a movie together.

It was perhaps one of the most perfect date nights- I love all of our date nights- but this one felt just a little extra special. It made my heart fill with much joy.

So take a step back in time with me… (some of the photos I took and the others are from Koehring’s website)


Christmas lights from the 1950’s hang on Koehring’s Central House. The owner told me he got them for free. I’m soooo jealous! I’d love just one to hang in my writing studio each year.

A peek inside the dining room


Bar area- so much to see and discover everywhere you look!


“Spirit Chief” who greets you as you walk in. Is that spirits as in alcohol or as in the spirit of this chief alive and well in Koehring’s Grand Central House?  I suspect a little of both.

pssst… hey Spirit Chief….. we will be back again real soon!!

Trust and Learning How to Fly

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

This past holiday season I experienced a family conflict that was quite uncomfortable to deal with. At the beginning of the ordeal I wanted to run and hide because it was so painful– but knew I had to stand strong in my thoughts I had finally decided to share.

For much of my life if I feel someone will disagree with me or not understand my thoughts, I choose not to share them. Mostly in fear of someone being mad at me and then not talking to me for months or perhaps years. I had seen this pattern in my family before, so this was how I chose to not have this happen to me- by always going along with the majority. But one thing led to another and I finally shared my feelings. It was hard to do, and I know it was hard for some of my family to hear.

I’m happy to say I was able to talk with most of my family members and we were able to come to somewhat of an understanding. We may not all agree with each other, but I feel there is a new respect that formed.

There was one family member I had not yet heard back from after a few attempts of reaching out. I finally heard back today and that family member does not wish to talk with me at this time. It sent me back into a dark place in my soul, and again, I found myself feeling so uncomfortable. I didn’t expect this. And as I thought about the word, I decided I no longer like that word, expect. How often do we put expectations on others and then we are disappointed? This was a big part of our conflict.

So here I was again feeling down in the dumps because I expected we would all come to a place of respect. I’m very grateful that for most of my family we have. But the lone one who is not not ready yet, I felt like running and hiding again and found myself questioning having had shared my thoughts. But as I looked up from my desk, I saw my dragonfly hanging from my bookshelf. It reminded me that we are all works in progress and we are always learning how to fly… and to trust that in time, the one lone family member and I will come to a place of understanding.

And after all the conflict, I do know one thing too, my wings have become stronger in living the life that I chose and this conflict though tough in the beginning has helped me even more into being me. I can’t live for anyone else, but myself– to do so only means I’m not living to my full potential and what is right for me.

So I shall be the dragonfly and continue to fly and expand in ways that bring me joy, wishing the same for those that I love too.  Imagine if everyone one in the world chose to be a dragonfly and felt free to fly and be who they are… I imagine it would be a world of peace, don’t you?