Old Town Square in Prague

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Dear Friends,

We have spent the past two days in Prague. We drove into the city, parked, and spent two days walking and traveling on the Metro system.

Most of our time was spent on the Old Town Square with thousands of other folks enjoying the Krist Kindle Market in preparation for Christmas. I have attended these markets in Chicago, but I was not prepared for flocks of folks from all over the world, the scents of mulled wine and roasted almonds, and the architectural beauty.

Above is a short video of the Astronomical clock. You might need to see it a couple of times to catch all the movements!

We also listened to Old World Music at St. Martins in the Wall Church. Of course, the old (1300s) church was all stone and very cold. We sat in the middle of the front row and listened for over an hour to the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, and other composers. When the music of Albinoni began I burst into tears and did not stop until the piece was finished. I was the first up on my feet for the standing ovation at the end of the concert.

The evening ended in a small cafe for a late supper, a walk on the St. Charles Bridge where St. John of Nepomuk was thrown overboard (and drowned) as he would not tell the Queen's confessions. We walked over to the square for one more hot mulled wine and another look at the clock!

As always, thanks for reading and watching!

The Charles Bridge late into the evening.



Here I am rubbing the belly of St.John of Nepomuk on the Charles Bridge. This is where he was thrown into the Vltava River. Although I am not sure that rubbing his belly is  a good thing as he drowned!

Our Prague Reunion and First Travel Days!

Dear Friends,

My flights took me to Atlanta, Amsterdam and then into Prague. By the time I was  on the flight to Prague the language immediately changed to German and Czech. There was one other woman who spoke English and was from America. We found each among the crowd and got our luggage together. I think she might be a TV star, but I didn't ask her. We just quickly became friends. I had a room reservation near the airport, she was heading to the Hilton downtown. We said our farewells and I, with my suitcase following behind me, walked through the airport door.

The hotel was close and not even of Prague origin. It being The Courtyard by Marriott (sorry for your disillusionment!) However, after a shower and a short nap, I bundled back up and headed out into the dark misty evening in Prague back over to the airport to wait for another flight from Amsterdam.

At 17:50 Philip came around the corner, and I can't tell you how glad I was to see him! It was very romantic to meet him in Prague, and aren't you surprised?

We were rested by morning and, with a rented car, headed out into the countryside. We had lunch in Plzen, the home of the Pilsner beer, of which we sampled as well. Back on the road we headed toward the small village of Nepomuk to a little cottage.

This cottage and village are delightful. Even with the gray drizzle of the day, we made friends in shops, cemeteries, churches and the grocery store. It is the perfect village, no one speaks English. In fact I am sure we are the only Americans here. I am in love with this village and this little cottage already.

The cottage has a wonderful hob in the kitchen, efficient lights and appliances and heat and water which come on when they feel like it! My job is to build the fire, Philip brings in the wood and turns the water on!

We just were hooked up to the Internet today so I hope to get the updates and photos coming your way.

Tomorrow morning we head to Prague for a couple of days to enjoy the city and the symphony tomorrow evening.

So, for tonight, farewell, as always thanks for reading and watching!

Lou Ann

This photo was taken on one of our walks through the village today.
This is typical of Nepomuk.

I tried to visit this store earlier, but everyone closes an hour for lunch.
In the afternoon we went back to buy fresh mistletoe. There were baskets of mistletoe outside the shop. The women did not speak English, but were so friendly and helpful. Philip knows some German and so did the woman to his right. She kissed me on the checks and gave us candy for
our pockets. The woman on the left wrapped our mistletoe in paper. They agreed
to have their photo taken! Everyone was happy. I think I would like to work there!

This church is St.John's of Nepomuk built four or five hundred years ago. We were peering through the fence when the caretaker care upon us. He told us (in German) that no one uses this church now or goes in. He opened the large gates for us and let us wander about. It was so quiet and reverent.

Here is the same church taken outside of the gates.
It is majestic, and the clock still works!

Here is a video I took this evening on the village square at Nepomuk
The town closes up at 7. It is very still and quiet.

See you in Prague!

This week's column.

Dear Folks,

With the news of the past 24 hours, my column seems frivolous and too joyous. I actually called my editor to pull this column. Mike replied that the world needed a distraction from this horrible event.

So, here it is, and yes I am leaving for Prague, Budapest and Londonn for a three week holiday. I will try to post photos and notes each day if possible.

As always, thanks for reading, and God bless us all.

Lou Ann

What can we say?

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

How do we go about the rest of our day? How do we finish up our Christmas trees, pack for trips, bake cookies for children?

 

Today Jonah had his second grade Christmas program at his school. Karen, Aaron and I say in the front row. He could barely contain his joy at seeing us sitting there smiling, winking, nodding...

 

The other children were the same practically dancing on stage waving at their families. The songs were wonderful with lots of hand motions and audience participation. We took photos and videos of these beautiful shiny children.

 

I biked home on this sunny day, opened up the laptop, and read the news. I am stunned and ill at the same time. Children dead. Teachers dead. What has become of us as a nation, as people, as friends and neighbors?

 

This cannot continue, and we cannot or will not, live our lives in fear.

 

This nation has gone into deep mourning. I sit here in front of the TV with a cup of tea gone cold.

 

What more is there to say?

 

 

Lou Ann

The Geminid Meteor Showers

 

 

Dear Folks,

 

 

Here is just a glance into the Geminid Meteor Shower taking place right now. My own naturalist, Fred Wooley, says this is a spectacular sight, one of the best of the year. Even though this video is short, please use the full screen. This video is from SkyWatch!

 

These showers are visible from late evening until early dawn. I have had lots of sightings from friends on these showers.

 

One of the reasons they are so beautiful this December is due to the New Moon and the spectacular brilliance of these winter skies.

 

There is still time to watch, go on outside late tonight or early in the morning. Take out a cup of coffee, lean back on the old truck and enjoy this world we live in.

 

Lou Ann

Candles on my Christmas Tree

A long time Christmas tradition at my house is to put candles on our Christmas
tree. This tradition originated in Germany, of course, where so many of our customs began.

Years ago when I was first married, I ordered the candle holders from Germany. These are the same ones I still use with red candles tucked inside. Once or twice a season the candles are lit and those fortunate enough to be present sing several Christmas carols, including "Oh Christmas Tree" in German. Last night was the Indiana family Christmas, and we lit the tree. (Notice the large yellow bowl on the floor...it is filled with water!)

It is an absolutely breaktaking sight and very humbling as well.

Please enjoy this week's column with Christmas traditions! As always, I thank you for reading and enjoying.

Lou Ann

Click here for this week's column on Christmas traditions















tree.

Sunset in Northern Indiana

 

Last night the boys, and their friends, were playing in the garden at sunset. Jonah came running in to the house and said, "Hurry, hurry you have to see the sunset, we can make a memory."

 

He was right.

 

The sky was incredibly lovely and, even though I live in town, there is still plenty of beauty with the houses and trees silhouetting the sky.

 

Later on in the evening I took a late walk, and the sky was brilliant with the beginning of the winter skies. My neighborhood is decked out for Christmas this year making everything so festive. In a way it was like a fairy land.

 

I came home, made tea, opened the curtains in my bedroom and fell asleep letting Jupiter reign over this old house.