It's a beautiful day, once again, in my neighorhood. During the week we had huge rainstorms, very cool weather, and generally difficult days for walking around, especially with my ankle still wrapped. I've become pretty good at wrapping and then cling wrapping! It's improving steadily, for which I'm very grateful. I'm also getting very good at slowing down my already slower-than-it-used-to-be pace! I must say that the past few months have given ample opportunity to notice changes in myself, something I've paid very little attention to over the years.
There's way too much else to pay attention to, however, and this has been a week of totally disconnected reading which has given perspective and even more interest to the places I go and things I see. One book, Foreigners in Prague, written by a Czech couple with wonderful Czech phrases and word choices, tells of visits by some who are very familiar to me -- Beethoven, Mozart, Edison, Einstein -- and others -- 17th/18th century artists, writers, alchemists (!) -- who are new and interesting. In addition, these are not the usual stories. What a great new view, found by accident at a "discount" bookshop by the tram stop.
My great excitement and joy was a weekend with Dasa and Thomas at her home in Zahorany. The weekend before was a reunion at the airport (wrapped ankle and all). What a great time. I had no idea how much I was longing for their arrival until they walked out the customs door. I was focusing way too low for Thomas's face -- how much he's grown since Christmas. His smile for each of us and his zipping in and out of English and Czech for multiple conversations were amazing.
Then the whole weekend together. What a great time, including a joint birthday party for her mom's 70th and Thomas's 4th, beautiful cake, candles, and his insistence on singing "Happy Birthday" and all. Got to make those beautiful Czech open faced sandwiches with Dasa for the guests who joined us, in and out Saturday afternoon. It also meant I was able to see some folks I've known over the years there. Mornings with Thomas, talking and playing with trucks/trains in his bedroom and one bedtime ritual together were long to be remembered times also. Then there was a morning at Uncle's small farm. Oh my -- what four year old wouldn't love that adventure! And what Granne wouldn't love to watch!!
I've made a couple adjustments to my teaching schedule for Thursday and Friday -- they'll be down for those days with me. Last summer he visited the zoo -- listed as 5th best in the world (I'm impressed, and will visit it on my own later). This week it will be Petrin, Charles Bridge, and perhaps Vysehrad, since it has a great playground as well an ancient church still holding mass and the graves of famous Czechs. I'm certainly hoping for sun. We already cancelled one day's visit because of storms. Whatever we do, being with them will be wonderful, fill up some of those gaps I was hardly conscious of till I saw their faces.
How blessed I am, what great gifts I've been given. Each new surprise and every reminder prompts another "thank you".
Time to be moving on, together, I trust. The computer problems continue, and I once again am enjoying the hospitality of Andy's laundromat. By the way, you can find Andy's, Petrin, Karlov Most (Charles Bridge), and Vysehrad on line with simple Google searches! Since laundry is a regular part of life, we'll catch up next week!
Till then, wishing you joyous and peaceful traveling. . . .
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