As we entered a restaurant this was up on a sign:
‘ It’s nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.’
It was very hot and all the tables and chairs were taken up outside. I went in to ask :’ We have our dog with us, may we sit inside?’
The answer: ‘ The dog can come in but you can stay out.’ My brain was slow and I stood still a moment to process what was said. I then turned went through the door, and out to the road and said to Roy: ‘ He says its OK to come in with Bess’.
The place was a worn comfortable place with books and art work, here and there, on the walls and leaning against the walls. All different chairs and sofas with cushions. It was a ‘home’ restaurant.
There was a book of Turner’s paintings and I immediately looked for those he may have painted of Rheingrafenstein. No, there wasn’t, but I did find one with a little dog. There it is jumping up on the right.
I asked for a milk shake, he said we have never made a milkshake for anyone here but we can do it. I laughed and said: ‘ Any flavour will do.’
I asked if he was an artist and he said he didn’t like people who thought they were artists. I said: ‘ but art was how a person saw things like a different type of language.’ We chatted and all the others, as his customers, enjoyed this restaurant owner’s company.
Who was he really? We found out and you may to if you visit. He is Prof. Dr Cor Van Leeuwen whose passion is for SOIL, Science of Intuitive Living. He has written several books.
We were in the medieval centre of Fritzlar, where the gold fish pond reflects the market square houses, dating from the 15th to 17th century, all carefully maintained and restored.
The town’s medieval lay out has been kept. It is small and in the Schwalm – Eder district in northern Hesse, 160km north of Frankfurt.
And here is a story. In 723 AD a traveller by the name of Winfred travelled to the settlement of Geismar and there was a massive tree. The local Chatti people sincerely revered this tree believing that their god Thor would protect his sanctuary by unleashing his lightening and destroying anyone who chopped it down. Well you know what happened. The story goes that the Keltic Missionary made only a few strikes and a massive gust of wind split the oak in four.
Winfred became Saint Boniface.
Here he stands. What did he do with the wood from the tree? He built a chapel and many of the people who saw it happen and saw that Thor showed no reaction at all, not even striking Boniface dead, became worshippers of God. This they saw as a sign that the Christian’s God had power.
Here is the church that stands here now.
So much easier to photograph the model. It is huge.
All from chopping down a tree.
Then I thought about how we started this post and had I read something similar?
‘ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.’
And
‘ Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.’
And
‘ So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.’
( Philippians 2:3, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 7:12)
But there is also this
‘You will have no other gods before me. You will not make images of anything that is in heaven and on earth, you will not bow to them or serve them, I am a jealous God.’ Exodus 20: 3,4
All in all an interesting time.
Here are three thoughts about shadows.
‘ Hide not your talents. They for use are made. What’s a sundial in the shade?’
Benjamin Franklin
‘ Gardens are not made by singing ‘ Oh, how beautiful’ and sitting in the shade.’
Rudyard Kipling
‘Never have a companion who casts you in the shade.’
Baltasar Gracian
It is hot but here was our park up by the walls of the town. There are numerous watch towers but Grauer ( Grey) tower is the highest defense tower in Germany 38m (125 feet).
We again enjoyed the shade of a tree.
Take care,
Sandy 🙂