The Old German Script

I recently deciphered and translated several 200-year old German church records for a customer researching her family history. I jumped at the chance to translate documents that few people can read today. The documents were not originals, but copies from microfilm, making the thick ink even less legible. I soon figured out that the records were all written by the same person. If I could decipher one, I could read the rest. Making the task even harder was the fact that some expressions were in Latin.
But how was I able to read the records at all, when so few people nowadays are able to do so? Years ago, my mother told me that we learned to write it in first grade. The old German script has not been in use since 1941, but since our teachers were older, they were still teaching it by the time I entered school.
During my recent trip to Germany my friends confirmed that we did indeed learn to write "Schönschrift" in first grade. Unfortunately, my notebooks from those years have not survived. At least the knowledge did.

You Can Go Home Again - But It Won't Be The Same

I moved away from my hometown twenty-four years ago. Later, I emigrated to the United States. Naturally, during my visits to the Old Country I stayed at my parents' house. For a long time I still recognized many people. They were family friends, parents of my class mates or simply town figures. But over time, many have died or are too old to venture outdoors anymore. As I sat in an ice cafe last summer I realized that I didn't know any of its customers anymore. I have become a stranger in my hometown. Even my parents don't live at home anymore, but now reside in a nursing home. It probably won't be much longer before their house will be sold.
Of course, I still have many friends in the area but most of them live in other towns. Perhaps I have simply outgrown my town and am now embrazing a larger circle of friends and acquaintances than before. After all, a home is more than bricks and walls. A home is where we are loved and accepted for who we are, no matter what town we happen to be in.

Friendships That Pass the Test of Time

When I emigrated to the United States in 1995, I said goodbye to two girlfriends from school. I meet one of them (U.) during all of my visits to the Old Country. The other one (N.) emigrated to Australia soon after I left Germany. Over the years we kept in touch sporadically via mail, and most recently, emails around Christmas time. N. was only one of two girls who accompanied me through 13 years of school.
When I recently learned that N. was on an extended visit to Germany, I did not hesitate very long to book a flight. After all, I had intended to visit my family this summer anyway. Moving my trip up a couple of months not only saved me a lot of money, but it also gave me an opportunity to celebrate two family birthdays. Meeting N. again was the "icing" on the (strawberry) cake.
After enjoying several reunions with my friends from school days I am thrilled that the bonds I formed in childhood can and do last a lifetime. And what better way to reconnect than sharing some cake while perusing old photos and discussing our favorite - and least favorite - teachers.

Occupy Kitty

Our older cat - aka Miss Grouch - loves sleeping in a hooded bed. So, when we brought home our young cat Pocket I bought her another hooded bed. But Pocket had higher aspirations and spends many daytime hours in her new bed in the bay window. At least she did until I put up my Christmas village. Her bed had to go - somewhere. Running out of space, I put it on the floor, where it was soon occupied by Miss Grouch. I have no idea why one cat would need three beds to sleep in, but that's what happened.
Now that I have put away the Christmas decorations things are back to normal and Pocket thrones on her bed in the window. At least until next December...

Looking Back on 2011

As 2011 is drawing to a close I can report that it has been a successful year. We escaped our snowy winter weather for a long weekend trip to Florida's Everglades, where I took a bird photo workshop with Arthur Morris.
Spring also brought several lecture engagements at a library and several garden clubs for me. At the Pennwriters conference I garnered a First Place in the nonfiction In Other Words contest. After that, I spent much of the summer photographing plants and wildlife in our garden.
In July I traveled to Germany to celebrate my dad's 85th birthday. Unfortunately, the already lengthy trip took 24 hours longer than expected after my plane had to return to Charlotte. When I finally arrived in Frankfurt my suitcase did not--until three days later. I have never been so glad to see a suitcase in my life.
Fall was especially eventful. I participated in my Toastmasters Humorous Speech contest and advanced all the way to the district level, where I placed third.
To sum it it, my most memorable experiences this year involved personal growth by attending workshops, conferences and contests.

How to Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking

Supposedly, a lot of people fear public speaking more than dying. And yet, many people have great stories to tell. They never live up to their potential because of their fear.
How do you conquer a fear of public speaking? By joining Toastmasters, of course. In this great organization our members gradually learn how to become better speakers by addressing issues such as Ahs and Ums, eye contact, vocal variety, body movements, researching your topic, and organizing your speech. That doesn't mean that our speeches are boring. On the contrary: We have amateur and improv actors in our club who are giving us more than our money's worth.
You can overcome your fear of public speaking by speaking about your passion. Let's say you're an accountant and your friends roll their eyes when you start talking about your job. But your real passion is fly-fishing. By all means speak about fly-fishing, and your passion will shine through.
Giving the audience what they want is key. They have to leave your presentation with a message they can use to improve their own lives.
What are you waiting for? Go for it!

At the Toastmasters District 13 Conference

On November 19, I represented my division in the Humorous Speech contest with "Confessions of a Baseball Wife." I was the first speaker, which is always a difficult position. Later, many people told me how much they laughed throughout my speech.
Finally in the evening the winners were announced. I won Third Place in the District 13 contest and took home a beautiful trophy. Will I compete again next year? I don't know yet, since it will be a tough act to follow.