Merry Christmas to all my friends and readers.
It’s been now over a year since my last post, but nothing really changed. Just like in your life, I was faced with daily challenges which eventually got solved. I even found the old letters from my friend Harold, and personal notes which I had somehow misplaced. However, now that I found them I am greatly encouraged to resume my writing about his interesting life.
While I was searching through my old documentations I noted that I had absolutely no written records of any kind from my grandparents, or great grandparents. No records about their daily life or the challenges they faced, and for sure not a single note in their own handwriting. This got me thinking how nice it would be if I could read something personal about their life, maybe even about their obligations or their hopes. Considering how easy it is to jot down a few lines for our descendants, I started to design a very simple journal which I called “My Time Capsule Journal”, and my trusted VA published it last week on Amazon.
A friend of mine wrote me the following comment (and I obtained his permission to quote him):
never thought of writing stuff like this down before so it has set me to
thinking. I have a lot of stories, word of mouth, passed down from
grandmothers that will dispensary when I am gone.
elephant who would only work to push wagons out of the mud if he was
bribed with a swig of whiskey and a chaw of tobacco. He later became a
blacksmith and was shot in the back at the dinner table one night. My
other grandmother traveled across the plains in a covered wagon, lived
in a soddy, and a younger brother died from a spider bite. All this was
word of mouth stories I was told as a kid”.
I was quite pleased to see an update from you after such a long absence. I hope things have gone well, or are now going well for you and yours and you’re happy in your new location. I wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a healthy new year!
Hi Judi,
Thank you very much for your kind Christmas and New Year wishes, and the same to you and yours.
We are indeed very happy in our new place and now that things are back to normal, I endeavor to post again on a regular bases and finish my books about Karl and Harold. In my “spare” time I am working on a Konditors recipe book. These are mostly recipes from the 30ties, before the use of refrigeration.
Hmm, yes, I guess you might remember the taste of the cakes your Grandmother baked. Twenty two eggs to a pound of butter and a pound of sugar. Oh, yes, you also needed a pound of flour to bake a true pound cake. Actually the recipe book is more of an instructional handbook, because you have to know, in advance, what you intend to create. Don’t worry, once you understand the basics it’s as easy as . . . . . . . cake.
All the best,
Horst
It sounds delightful! Yes, I remember the cakes and what were called, here in the south, “tea cakes”, but were a soft sugar cookie type treat. Not really very sweet, but were loved just the same.
I’ve never made a true pound cake, but MUST try one of these days.
I had an old, old book that had quite old recipes with descriptions like “blood warm”…I wish I knew where it was hiding around this place. I think it was called Larousse Gastronomique.
I am glad you are settled, and are happy. Be blessed!
Hi Judi,
Wow, you are fast to answer. Thanks!
In the meantime nothing special happened, except that it started to snow. Not too much, about four inches during the past twenty four hours.
Somehow I find it strange that our dogs don’t mind the snow at all. They run around and play in it until we call them back in again.
However, they most certainly don’t like any rain. Try to get them out when it is pouring, and you have a job on your hand!
Thanks for your blessings, and the same to you too.
In addition try to stay sane.
It’s not exactly easy, I know.
Horst.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It is so good to read that you are doing well despite all of life’s challenges. I know all of your readers myself included look forward to hearing about you, your life and information on your books. You are encouraging for all of us and I hope to be as active as you if I am lucky enough to make it to see 90. Just the mention Harold makes me eager to read more about him. I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing from you more.
Hello David,
Thank you for your kind comments and your Christmas and New Year greetings.
It means a lot to me to hear from a reader like yourself, because it gives me the energy to keep on writing.
I hope that you will enjoy reading about Harold’s encounters as a translator.
His notes refer to many internal power struggles, in Russia, during the “Cold War” which we don’t remember anymore.
But, in spite their happening (65 plus) years ago, I think that you might like reading about them.
All the best to you, in the New year,
Horst
Hello Horst,
Thank you for your reply and I am so happy that we as readers can help you in your writing process. Even if it is just through a few words. I am certain that I will enjoy every bit of the continuing story of Harold. It will be very interesting to get an inside look at the power plays and shifts or even back stabbing that goes on inside political structures. Especially so dealing with such a volatile time. Best of luck to you with your writing and your farm and of course with life in general.
David
Absolutely correct! “. I know all of your readers myself included look forward to hearing about you, your life and information on your books. You are encouraging for all of us…” well said.
Hi Tealeaf,
Thanks for your encouragement.
It is sure nice to hear from you, and I hope that you are doing well.
Please be informed that I wrote today the final chapter of Karl’s “Journey to America” series. Tomorrow I will submit it to my VA for formatting and publication. As soon as I know the publication date, I will announce it here on my website.
I also passed the half way mark on my next book about Harold, and if all goes well it will be ready for publishing by the end of March.
Somehow, I am experiencing a “second wind” in my writing efforts and I might as well sail it, for what it’s worth.
You know what? Tealeaf? I think that it is mostly due to all the encouragement I received from friends, like you!
Thank you so much,
Be safe,
Horst.
Hello David,
Thanks for wishing me luck.
My little zoo wishes you the same.
We can never have enough of luck.
Yesterday, I went shopping and after parking my car I turned around to remember where I left the car.
Somehow, I moved too close to a parked pickup with an open rear window.
Anyhow, a Pitt Bull charged at me from the pick up deck, luckily missing my shoulders by a few inches.
After I picked myself up, I went back to my car and parked far away from the mutt.
I like dogs, but this breed is a bit too enthusiastic.
I like to think that your wishes had something to do with the uneventful outcome.
Thanks again,
Horst
Hello Horst
Sorry to hear about your run in with the overly enthusiastic dog. I am glad you made it through unscathed. Hopefully the rest of the trip was not so eventful and that you continue to be well. I hope when you are reading this that your day is going well, and that both your farm and your writings are productive. I look forward to hearing from you again.
Hi David,
Thanks for your comment.
We have been a bit snowed in, otherwise there is not too much going on right now.
I really appreciate your kind wishes and I will try my best to live up to them.
A the present time I am enjoying the snow and the peaceful winter wonder land.
All the best to you,
Horst.