Last of October, First of November

With my catching up I have now arrived at the week starting on the last day of October and spanning the first week of November.

Monday, 31st of October:  The 1st of November being a public holiday in Germany, many people took that day off as well and made a mini break of it. O.K. was one of them and stayed with me until Monday morning.

Because I had neglected work quite a bit since my Dad went to hospital on Sept. 1st, I could not really afford to take additonal time off and worked as usual. For my lunch break, I walked across town to the funeral director's and picked up the enlarged photograph they had made for display at the funeral service and the USB stick with the music my Mum had chosen. Of course, they don't store these things once the funeral is over, and gave them to us to keep.

It would have been my late husband's 54th birthday.

No trick and treating at my door; Halloween is not huge in my neighbourhood, and my house is set back from the road with the entrance hardly visible.

Tuesday, the 1st of November, was a day off for me, too. O.K. was scheduled to play with the village band on the graveyard, as they always do for that occasion, and so we spent the day seperately. In the afternoon, my sister and I were helping our Mum getting things ready for pick-up by the rubbish collectors the next morning. I timed a short walk on the fields so that I was getting some exercise and daylight in and be at my Mum's as arranged.

I went for a beautiful long walk on Wednesday (Nov. 2), to Benningen (again). It did me good, especially as I learned of a very close family friend being gravely ill.

 

Last year, my Mum, my sister and I visited the "Leuchtende Traumpfade" at the palace grounds and enjoyed that very much. Therefore, we agreed on going to this year's edition on Thursday, the 3rd of November. This time, only my Mum and I went; my sister did not feel like it since she is the person closest to our friend who is so ill.

My Mum came by bus and I on foot; her bus was 20 minutes late because of the many roadworks taking place all across town. The palace grounds were busy, but we still enjoyed the sights and sounds.

Friday (Nov. 4) after work, my usual train was not running. The alternative did not quite work out, either; it was nearly 9:00 pm by the time I finally arrived in Offenburg. Never mind - I made it, and we had an assortment of fine cheeses and a bottle of rosé wine for our late evening meal.

My late husband was once again on my mind more than usual on Saturday, the 5th of November, as it was the 13th anniversary of his death. The rain that had begun to fall the evening before ceased around lunch time, and we took advantage of the mostly dry afternoon for a walk to Oberschopfheim through the vineyards, fields and orchards. Apple pie and coffee were perfect when we returned, and the evening was cosy with some TV.

Oberschopfheim

This one is for Kay!

 

Our hike on Sunday deserves a separate post.