Friday 9 November 2018

A Mixed Bag...

...was pretty much what October was - see my previous post. November has begun a little less worrisome, still very busy, still rather mild for the season, still way too dry.

Let me just give you a rough outline of what have been (and still are) the worries mentioned last time I wrote on here. Some of you already knew that my Dad was very ill and had to be taken to hospital.
Without wanting to bore you with much detail (and at the same time respecting my family's privacy), in short, his condition was life-threatening and he was at the ICU at first. Once he was more stable, he was transferred to other wards (he spent the first two weeks in four different rooms). After 3 weeks in total, last Wednesday my Dad was transferred to a geriatric rehabilitation clinic about 40 minutes by car from where we live.
He is making progress and we are cautiously optimistic where regaining his physical strength is concerned. We are realistic enough to understand that quite probably, life for my parents (and therefore, for us) will not be the same again after he returns home, but as long as a certain level of almost normal day-to-day life will be possible, we'll be glad.

Last week was a short working week for me, as Thursday (Nov. 1st) was a holiday and I took the Friday off. O.K. did the same, and so we spent a nice, long weekend together at my place. 

Since the weather has turned a little cooler, making something in the oven was a good idea. I made Quiche on Saturday and a mix of grilled vegetables on Sunday.



The recipe I use when I make quiche is here; I posted it six years ago.







We went for a walk on Sunday and came across this field of grown-out asparagus:



The last set of pictures I took on my way to hospital one day, walking through the palace grounds (Ludwigsburg's main hospital is right next to the park) and stopping very briefly to have a look at the old gardeners' shed and greenhouse, which is partly still in use and partly deliberately left to look the way it once was, with old gardening tools about.





I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere; there were no other people about, and the autumn afternoon light was just beautiful.

Tonight, together with a friend and colleague I am going to an 80s party! We've been at this venue and this type of party two or three years ago and had great fun. Now we hope for a repeat - after all, they will be playing the music of my teenage years, and I'll be on the dance floor as much as I can, enjoying the party without the awkwardness I felt as a teenger. Back then, I so wanted to be cool - now I just KNOW I am :-)

Tomorrow morning I'll be on the train to O.K.'s. I am very much looking forward to that, too (not so much the train ride, though; time tables have changed again and there is no connection at the moment with just one change; I need to hop from one train to the other twice now). 

25 comments:

  1. I still have goofy jewelry from the 80s, but, alas, no clothing. I imagine the music at your party will be all the greatest hits from the Neue Deutsche Welle. :)

    May your father's recuperation go well.

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    1. Thank you, Bea!
      There were indeed some NDW songs played, but during the hour we were there (my friend was sick twice - some part of her dinner didn't agree with her, and so I walked her home and then took the train back to my town), they played more English and American pop and rock songs than German ones.

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  2. I didn't know about your dad, Meike. I'm sorry to hear that he's been so ill, but glad that he's going to be mostly okay from the sounds of it.

    An 80's party sounds like so much FUN! Lucky you....enjoy!

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer!
      The party was fun - for the hour we spent there... Unfortunately, my friend was sick and although she insisted I stay on, I walked her home and then went home, as well; I did not feel like going back to the party on my own.

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  3. Glad to hear your dad is making some progress with the rehab. Hope all goes well when it's time for him to come home too.
    Nice greenhouse pictures... and quiche is one of my "standard" dishes as well (I usually have ham and leek in mine). For one thing, it has become tradition for my New Year parties with a small group of friends (I make the quiche and they bring the salad) :)

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    1. Thank you, Monica!
      A ham and leek quiche sounds good, too! I know you have told us about your traditions for New Year's Eve several times on your blog, but I didn't remember you usually make quiche :-)

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    2. Meike, since our NY menu is pretty much the same every year, I might not always have bothered to go into the details! :)

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  4. I am so very glad to hear that your Dad is doing well. So glad. My bil from Ravensburg is going to rehab, too. He fell and injured himself and then had a brain bleed and then a stroke during surgery for the bleeding, but amazingly he is doing much better now. Your family is lucky with its togetherness to support one another. Mine is, too. Give my best wishes to your Mom and Dad, please! Enjoy your party tonight and then your weekend. Be well!

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    1. Thank you, Kristi!
      Your poor bil - he didn't leave out much, did he! I hope his progress continues, just like my Dad's.
      Family is crucial to us, that has been proven time and time again.

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  5. I wish your Dad well. My thoughts are with you and your family.
    For some reason I've never made a quiche. I really should.
    Enjoy your weekend with O.K.

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    1. Thank you, Graham!
      That you never made a quiche surprises me - you are, from all I know, an accomplished cook and baker and often make meals for your guests. Let me know when/if you make one; my recipe is really very quick and easy (maybe too easy for you!).

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  6. Getting old is no joke as I know only too well. Apart from coping with the illness itself one also has to contend with the worry of not being able to get back one's ability to completely rehabilitate - so I really do wish your parents all the best for the future. I shall be thinking of you too as it must be a worry.

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    1. Thank you, Pat!
      Yes, you can very well relate to this situation and know how we all worry, not only about our Dad of course, but also our Mum must not neglect her own needs.

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  7. Sorry to hear your Dad is poorly Meike, I wish him and indeed all your family well and hope he can recover well.
    Your quiche looks nice, I tend to make crustless quiche but I bet yours is more tasty!
    I'm glad you got to enjoy your long weekend with O.K, the commute is a pain but you're clearly making it work.

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    1. Thank you, Karen!
      Whether it is pizza or quiche or any other type of savoury cake/pie etc., I usually try to get the pieces with a lot of crust :-) This one is a bit on the crumbly side, but the inside is soft and fluffy and so the whole thing is not too dry.
      No long weekend this time, just Saturday/Sunday.

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  8. I loved this remark - "Back then, I so wanted to be cool - now I just KNOW I am :-)". It made me chuckle. But - do cool people bake quiches? I doubt that Lady Gaga ever makes one and I understand that she is very cool.

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    1. Lady Gaga and I are on very different levels of coolness! And I am sure she makes a mean pizza, being of Italian descent.

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  9. I have read this post, and the previous one several times, but haven't had the chance to respond. I am so, so sorry about your dad. I hope very much he can recover his strength. I have always enjoyed your stories of your parents and their life. It has always been so appealing to me. I love the pictures of the old gardening shed. I'm glad it is still used somewhat.

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    1. Thank you, Nan! I was at OK's for the weekend so could not see my Dad, but my Mum kept me informed. She says they even went out in the clinic's park with him on the Saturday, and to the cafeteria on Sunday, and that he was in very good spirits. Her message made my day!
      Reg. the palace grounds/park, all such structures there are in use, no matter how old, and the whole place is well kept.

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  10. I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I know how worrying others'health problems can be, and iiwish your whole family the very best. I am glad your dad was in good spirits and that you are supporting your mum so well, it must be a comfort to them both.

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    1. Thank you, Jenny! I saw my Mum today, and she told me in more detail how well my Dad was on the weekend. We are all very happy about his progress and hope this upwards trend will continue a while yet.
      Yes, family is all important, and I am glad we live within easy walking distance of each other.

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  11. I’m so glad to hear your dad is out of danger, Meike. All the very best for his and your mum’s future. It’s obviously been a very worrying time for you all.

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    1. Thank you, Frances! He is doing much, much better now, 2 weeks after he arrived at the rehab clinic.
      By the way, did you receive my email? I replied to yours some time ago.

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    2. Meike, I’m so so sorry. I was absolutely sure I had, but I think you’re right. I never replied. Many apologies. You must think me very discourteous. We’ve had rather a lot on - health problems etc .- and i must have let things slide. But I’m looking forward to your review!

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    3. No need to apologise, Frances. After the year we've had as a family, I know only too well what it means to have a lot on, as you put it.

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