Summer days are definitely done for this year at Cottage Greene. CG carried in the umbrella yesterday; he opened it up and left it out to dry all day long and then brought it in just in time as later in the evening the rains came. Early this morning we heard a loud thunderstorm raging outside in the dark with bright flashes of lightning brightening up the house. The trees are still holding onto their leaves, though some are relaxing their grip here and there. It's quite beautiful here in our own little wildpark. And a time of change for Cottage residents in more ways than one. ~M

Signs

Autumn slowly settles into the surrounding forest and Cottage Greene residents spend their time reading the signs around us. The leaves begin to shake loose from their branches and flowers are faltering. Some days are cooler than previous ones and dark clouds gather to threaten rain, but then the next day the sun returns. Slowly, slowly changes take root. One day we will wake up and know that change is upon us and it will be time to take action. Just as these mushrooms seem to pop up out of the ground overnight, we will think change is sudden, but wisdom tells us that the signs of change have been there all along. ~M

September visit

I can hear the yodeling in the background (can't you?)

Perhaps that's the cowbells clanging, the Alpine horns blasting.

Land of fairy tales and castles,
(what's that boot doing up there in the cloud? is Rapunzel's hair hanging down from the upper window? did you spot the little fellow ducking into the doorway? see the wood spirits' faces on the tree trunks?)

beer and wine and bratwurst.....

sitting together round the table, elbows locked, swaying to the music (singing along).......

rolling hills of forest interspersed with farmers' fields......

that's romantische Germany to me, home at the moment.

Time has passed and the girls have come and gone. I surely miss their laughter and energy! ~M

Time Flies when you're having fun!
The GGs and I have certainly been flying
and having fun together. Such lovely
spots to visit! and very few tourists in
town adds to the pleasure.



Yesterday we visited Rudesheim on the Rhine river, where we enjoyed a ride high above the vineyards. Looking down we could spot the green and purple grapes on the vines and the view all around was spectacular. Nice how they filled one of the 'cars' up with flowers.



You can see Esther taking pictures
here, something all three GGs have
been doing from the start of the
visit. And here's a shot of the
two sisters in their pinks.





In all the many visits I have made to this little town, I never took this ride!
It was very nice ~ quiet and pleasant, almost soothing ~ and I think I shall have to do it again.

Of course, we had to walk up that famous street, the Drosselgasse, to find a spot for lunch.
We were not disappointed. Live music was provided. We watched a group of older couples as they thoroughly enjoyed the music. It was the type that the singer sings with a smile on the face. At the table the group sat around with arms interlinked, singing and swaying along with the music and intermittently rising up at the chorus, "Eins, Zwei, Zufa!"



Tuesday morning we launched into Wiesbaden
and ~ of course ~ a visit to HM's favorite lunchspot.
What's that on plates before us?
Well, schnitzel and pommes, currywurst and pommes;
I think you know what was on MY plate.

By dinnertime we were famished from all the wanderings (who else but ER could spend an hour looking through a drugstore?) and first thing that came to mind was our favorite microbrewery in Mainz Kastel. More good food, of course, and a delightful setting to put us into the Bavarian mood.




Yes, it has been a nice couple of days. Sunshine,
mild weather, breezy; too bad CG had to spend
his time cooped up at the Aukamm Clinic. ~M

The GGs have arrived at Cottage Greene! They blew in on a strong wind early this morning.

After I picked them up at the airport and brought them home to meet Petunia, we had a nice grilled steak "lupper" meal then went out to explore Limberg, a small town not too far from here.

That's where we saw this cute little
car. Complete with drop down
roof and matching suitcase in the
rear.






Turned out to be nice and warm, but not hot, in town. Not like back at the Cottage where Esther wrapped herself up in my cozy blanket for a quick snooze in my chair.... Looks like tonight will be good for sleeping soundly and tomorrow another adventure. ~M

Isn't this a gorgeous picture? Another from freemediagoo.com. I selected it because it expresses well the status of Cottage Greene residents at the moment......holding our breaths, waiting to see which way the winds blow our lives.

Waiting for ER and EJ to visit.
Waiting to hear from HM as she makes her move to LA.
Waiting to decide what to do about CG's knee.
Waiting to know what will happen in GAP.
Waiting for summer to end and leaves to start falling.
Waiting........listening for the sound of the wind.
From which direction will it come first?

~M

I started getting interested in spiffing up my blog page,
so I discovered this free image to add @ FreeMediaGoo.
I really like the colors and the picture is intriguing.
A thing of beauty and interest to gaze upon.
How do you like my flashing message on the top?
~M