Britta's Letters from her life divided between city-life in German's capital Berlin and life in a Bavarian village

Thursday 18 May 2017

Hello, It's Me... (Britta, not Adele)

©Brigitta Huegel
Dear You,

what you see above is - in my eyes - a little wonder.
This geranium - which a professional would call pelargonium, I know that, but using the "common word" is my way of trying to convince you that I really try to give up being perfect :-)  - well, this little "twig" of the geranium on my balcony broke off when I decided to give it more space, meaning: I took the plant out of its little pot and into a window box.
More earth to spread its little roots, more space to unfold its little leaves, more freedom.
In Germany we have a saying: "Where wood is chopped, splinters must fall"
So here I had that "splinter" with two little tight white buds in my hand.
And thought: "We'll see". (As you all know I am quite good in finding meaning and detecting symbols everywhere).
And put it into the turquoise-blue bird bath.
And then it happened - and, oh yes, in my eyes it took quite a long time, felt like two years - but suddenly it opened its little petals, unrolled them, seemed to say: "Well, circumstances are not as I  expected them to be - but hark! (I love to strew in a hark in my blog from time to time!) - they are not bad. So: I decide to flower in my circumstances as they are now." 
(At this moment I might have lost The Last Reader, hearing him mumble: What is that woman talking about?) 
Well, here I sit, "in the world of the ten-thousand things", and adjust to the truism that "life is not all neat and tidy".
I have thought very hard about my blogs - about the way I will write them. For me it is easy to talk about the newest exhibition in the marvelous Barberini Museum in Potsdam, but that is not enough for me. Yet also I do not want to write my Dear Diary into the air (or Cloud, or whatsoever, Howling at the Moon, just to sprinkle in a touch of modernity by a new pop-song) - no, I want a mixture of all Dear Life that surrounds me, filling me up to the brim sometimes, and show you what everyone sees, but filtered through my eyes.

Today promises to become the second really summerly day in Berlin - we had 27 degree yesterday, in May!
And yesterday evening I was sitting on my balcony, had lit a pale blue candle, a tiny glass of red wine in my hand, looking into the sky which was just preparing for the night: still pale blue at the horizon, and darker above - when a voice came from the flat above me: "Britta?"
As I am a very, very northern girl, coming from Bremen, I love my privacy - meaning: for me the balcony, which has a roof (!), is like a chamber to me - absolutely private.
And you could only see a hand of mine, from above, not more.
So I stayed silent.
"Britta? Are you alright?" 
No way to hide. Yes, my dear neighbour, I appreciate that you are caring - I really do, and thank you for that! - I can assure you - and  everyone:

"Yes - I am alright."  

Toodle pip! 




16 comments:

  1. I am pleased to hear you are alright Britta. So you are from Bremen? My favourite airport in the world.

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    1. Thank you, Tom! Yes, I am a Hanseatin. And will come by ship (haha: a narrowboat) to England again, in September. Hope that our travel road will bring us to Bath too (though I heard something about Manchester).

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    2. If we come even near to Bath nothing will hold me back, Tom!

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    1. Dear Rachel, I am glad to hear that. I really am!

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  3. That beautiful splinter decided to make the best of its situation. It took a long drink of water and brought forth two lovely blooms. Whatever time it has it will show its finery. Brave little splinter.

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    1. Thank you dear Emma, for understanding me so well.

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  4. In my many years as a gardener of public places, I would routinely repair damaged flower beds with geraniums. They thrived despite our nitrogen-poor California soil and, when they needed trimming, I would just jam the clippings back into the soil. They would grow. Geraniums WANT to live. They are eager and respond to simple methods. I learned a lot about life from them.

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    1. Dear Geo., such a joy to learn from an experienced gardener, thank you! Yes, simple methods will do in the end, as the example of the Gordian knot demonstrates - but these methods are sometimes difficult to find, and that takes time :-)

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  5. I saw the pale blue candle light and I knew you were there, surrounded by your beautiful flowers, I missed you, but I thought you needed time, your own time, for yourself, to yourself...
    I'm happy to see you back Britta!
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. I knew that you were watching, thank you Maria - it is always nurturing to see that one is not alone. Greetings, Britta x

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  6. You are acquiring new gardening skills Britta ...... have you been watching Gardener's World ?!!! It's nearly time for the Chelsea Flower Show here .... do you get to see it in Berlin ?
    Next time you're on the balcony, keep your hands in !!!! XXXX

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    1. Haha, Jackie - my hands are everywhere, and (really) I'm writing a book on garden experiences :-). I've been at the 100th Chelsea Flower Show in 2013 - loved that! This year I will be in London too, but at another time of year. Paris first, a woman has to set priorities! XXXX

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  7. Very glad to "see" you here, and with a truly Dickinson-style post, no less!

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    1. Thank you, dear Susan: for the friendly welcome - and for a very kind quote of beloved Emily!

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