What Grows in a Field

Lily and Clara trying to restrain Benjamin, unsuccessfully. He took off in a 2 yr. old run. I barely caught him.

Benjamin was unrepentant, in a cute way.

In 2014 our family joined together in Switzerland to spend time with Mary and Richard McKinley and our grandson Benjamin. It was a fabulous time, just can't tell you how great it was.

John and I stayed at an AirBnB in Kӧnig, a rural area near Berne. We booked it after Mary researched it. What she did not realize at the time that this lovely place had two fairly steep gravel roads leading to the apartment, which was on the second floor.  What she did not take into account was that we were her parents in their 60s.

This farmer owned about 4 John Deere implements, all pristine. 

These gravel roads led to a farm; not just a farm but it was paradise, at least to me. We always stopped at the barn and house where an arch of old barn connected to new barn. We rested for about five minutes because we were knackered before striking out on the next hill.


A farm was complete with cows, apple trees, a garden, and wheat fields. Each day as we walked by the farm, the wheat fields were ripening. What caught me was the red among the green.

So amazing, this lone poppy was a bravely growing flower.  

This is on my sidebar.

Within the second week, we trudged up the first hill and saw that the wheat had been harvested, taking the poppy with it.

It will return next year in another place. Poppies are resilient.

Leaving Switzerland

Source

They ran, oh, how they ran.

 

Would they catch the plane in time?  Oh God Help Us!

Through Security checks. More Security checks.  And more.

We are traveling with small children and their grandparents!  Look at them!  They may pass out…

Finally through the boarding gate.  Finally to the seats.  

Looking out the window to watch the land grow smaller behind them.

Source

Going home is hard, saying good-bye is harder.

PhotoPrompt: 38.4

Along the Aure River in Switzerland

Elise roamed down the river path, looking carefully at each marker. 

38.1…38.2…  Reaching 38.4 was all that mattered to her.  He would be at 38.4 when the sun went behind the hills to the west. 

Lengthening shadows from ancient oaks told her that time was passing, just as the river current that flowed so close to the path.  Elise began to jog, peering through the dappled shadows to the next marker.

38.3!  Almost there!  Elise began to pant with the exertion.  Keep looking ahead!  He must be there!  After all these years, Franz is coming home to me!

Long war years had passed and now they both were old.  But, Franz had finally come home.

The pain in her chest struck her down before she knew it.  Dropping like a stone, Elise rolled into the swift river to be forever swept away.

Franz watched and waited, looking back and forth down the dark path.  When the sun had set and the moon was overhead, Franz sighed.   He headed up the path, using his cane as he went. 

Oh, Elise!  Why didn’t you come?  I have waited for decades for you.

...And I'm off....

My daughter Mary, husband Richard, and baby Benjamin

Like many bloggers over the summer, I am going on vacation.  My daughter gave birth to Benjamin Thomas on June 24, 2012 in Switzerland.

Like any grandmother, my arms ache to hold this baby and cover his face with kisses.  So, I will be gone from July 24 through August 9.  My posts will actually “re-Posts”.

The Chronicles of Samuel will be up August 1, 3, 6, and 9^th.  August 7^th will be a post in honor and memory of my father.

Since computers will be unavailable, I won’t be responding to comments.  I hope you enjoy some of Samuel’s adventures.