I hardly dare show the above picture (which I've kept deliberately fuzzy); it's a plate of chocolate which we bought in a shop in Ludlow today. You may consider this a very poor and certainly greedy kind of joy, but as we had hardly any chocolates for Easter it was about time to restock the larder. We buy chocolates in bulk - yea, yea, I know, stop sneering, and there's no need to feel disgusted either. It's not as bad as it seems, there may be a dozen bars or so, but I shall collect them all and put them away as soon as I have finished this post. They'll go into the treats cupboard and come out over the next month, bit by bit, until there's nothing left. Oh joy!
The reason for the chocolate orgy is that I've been to Ludlow for the first time in many weeks, to attend a session of the U3A German Conversation group. I don't go in winter and since March I've always been busy on meeting days. We had a lovely get-together, even the chap who usually monopolises the session with long-winded, often incoherent ramblings, was less voluble than normal; he had a cold and possibly a sore throat; a pain for him but a boon for me. The members' fluency in German is varied and there are few rules to govern the conversation, but we do tend to stick to literary subjects when we are not having a free-for-all about events that have caught our attention since the previous meeting. I think they were pleased to have me back, I'm the unofficial dictionary, being the only native German speaker. Obviously, that felt good, and as we also read and discussed several modern German poems I had not read before, the whole occasion proved to be a great pleasure. I shall definitely try to get to the next meeting, which is on May 1st and I shall take with me the great socialist battle anthem "The Internationale" in the German translation. That should prove interesting. More joy! I do love stirring the pot.
I could get used to this exercise in awareness, it works. And no, I do not see it as counting my blessings. Counting blessings is something good, even Christian; I find joy in rather more mischievous occupations too.
The socialist battle anthem! You rabble-rouser! I love it. I could use a few more mischievous occupations. Thanks for the nudge in that direction. My life has become far too sedate.
ReplyDeleteHola, when I see a chocolate plate, I become wild. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Chocolate is meant to be of good quality and purchased in large amounts. Only "sickies" don't keep chocolate in the house.
ReplyDeleteChocolate is medicinal.
ReplyDeletePearl
mmm chocolate...and mischieveous adventures...i am in...smiles.
ReplyDelete"I find joy in rather more mischievous occupations too"--such as bringing a German translation of "The Internationale," perchance? That should be fun! May we hope that you'll post one of those modern German poems on Poetry & Pictures? Meanwhile, enjoy those chocolates!
ReplyDeleteGreat work man, I am really glad to be 1 of several visitants on this awful site : D
ReplyDeleteJa, ein Gespenst geht um, vielleicht wird sich hier (irgendwann einmal) alles zum Guten wenden, Wahlen in drei Wochen.
ReplyDeleteDie Schokolade eine Freude ! Einen guten Mittwoch dir.
Great work man, I am really glad to be 1 of several visitants on this awful site : D
ReplyDeleteWe keep chocolate -- when there is an excess -- in the freezer in the basement. It has to be more than a passing fancy to send us down after it.
ReplyDeleteChocolate, speaking the Mother Tongue, and of course a bit of socializing seem to be exactly what one would need to feel joy.
ReplyDeleteI can hardly wait to hear about you stirring the pot next time.
well, I absolutely and most definitely consider chocolate a blessing. ;)
ReplyDeleteUh, chocolate is good for you. Really, look it up. And we have tons of it in the house.
ReplyDeleteI'm constantly amazed at how completely bilingual you are - but then again I've never seen your German, I'm just assuming you're as good at that as English. Gee, maybe you're not....no, it can't be!
I think mischievousness is a blessing as well as a joy. It is rife in my family.
ReplyDeleteAnd chocolate...oh, chocolate. I am trying to avoid it, but today when my husband and I shared a bagel, it had chocolate chips in it. So lovely, and it doesn't fit into the once-I-start-I-can't-stop kind of chocolate category, because there was just enough to make me happy and not enough to set off my addiction.
K
Your plate of chocolate is enticing. I feel a bit panicky when there's no chocolate in the house. I've even caught my husband grabbing a handful of chocolate baking chips on occasion.
ReplyDeleteNo need to apologise for the chocolate or the quantity. And a stirred pot is much more interesting.
ReplyDeleteToday, I went to a lunch spot that had a very important quote on its wall: "Rather than falling in love, I'd rather fall in chocolate." So true! :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you are keeping them honest, Friko! And it sounds like you're enjoying yourself as well... :-)
An adequate stock of good chocolate, the opportunity for a word lover to be a dictionary and the prospect of a bit of mischief . . . Life is good!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing better than dark chocolate is enjoying it with a good, dry, red wine. And to put icing on the cake, both have been determined to be "health foods!" That is JOY!
ReplyDeleteOne can see the twinkle in your eye when thinking about stirring that pot.
ReplyDeleteYou show great discipline with the chocolate - like my husband who enjoys one little square of dark chocolate each evening. Personally I could benefit from more self control.
I look forward to hearing about your next meeting! People's fluency must be not too bad if you can discuss poetry and politics. In the meantime, enjoy that chocolate.
ReplyDeleteI would not dare buy chocolate in bulk, the lack of self control would give me nightmares. I like the way you find joy with your German Conversation Group!
ReplyDeleteI love to know about the side of you that finds joy in counting opportunities for mischief - keep it up!
ReplyDeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteWe should certainly take great delight in singing The Internationale alongside you at the next meeting although beyond that we should not be able to contribute over much.
Where we are concerned, the 'treats' cupboard would be permanently bare!
I love both your rabble rousing and your blessings. I think the ideal life contains both.
ReplyDeleteA lover of yummy chocolate and a rabble rouser what a combination :-).
ReplyDeleteAny good housekeeper would approve of keeping a well stocked larder . And you're obviously an excellent housekeeper !
ReplyDeleteHa! Of course I instantly recognized the Schogetten and the Aldi (MoserRoth) choccies on your plate there :-)
ReplyDeleteThe German Conversation group sounds interesting. We have something similar once a month at the pub, ours is called "English Round Table", but the only rule we have is to speak English. We bring (English) books and swap them, sometimes we play a board game, but mostly we just sit and chat over our drinks.
Have you been discussing Günter Grass's poem about Israel? Now, that could make for a heated debate...
Ah, chocolate and German! What's not to love? Lol.
ReplyDeleteHa! Me too, I love stirring the pot! *sing* die Überlandzentraaaale, versorgt
ReplyDeleteBerlin
mit Licht!
That much chocolate? Oh, if ONLY the world knew of your suffering ... then again, maybe the 'Internationale' translation will see to that!!!
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate looks divine!!! Good idea to stock up. Emergency chocolate can sneak up on you. Ha
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
You had me at chocolate.. yum!
ReplyDeleteI don't want to disillusion you, but Christians get up to mischief too. That's why we need all those rules about envy, and other stuff. Speaking of which, your chocolate brings out a bit of the former in me. Dianne
ReplyDeleteBlessings bring joy and joy is a blessing. That's the way I see it. My proof: chocolate is a joy and a blessing. And I accept no argument on that one. Enjoy, Friko, whatever you call it.
ReplyDeleteHi Friko .. the chocolate trip sounds a great idea - and they look interesting tasty types ..
ReplyDeleteThe U3A - I met a guy down here who suggested I might like to join - I think I will later on .. he was in the Nursing Centre for a brief respite - fully recovered now.
But sounds like a few more meetings without your guy would be a blessing .. anyway enjoy stirring the pot ..
Cheers - the joy thing is great isn't it .. fun - Hilary
Fortunately, I am not a chocaholic. It's a good thing too because I'm helpless in the face of most any pie.
ReplyDeleteOne taste of really good chocolate and I'm done for. You must have great restraint.
ReplyDeleteHate to tell you this, but that chocolate picture was not fuzzy at all. NOT AT ALL. We just consumed a two pounds box of See's fine chocolate candy that we got at Easter. Not even a week passed before that box was empty. Your constraint is admirable.
ReplyDeleteAh, chocolate! The one sin that everyone should indulge in. And that picture is too much to resist! I like your idea of 'mischievous occupations' and I'm a firm believer in it as well.
ReplyDeleteI wish I lived nearer, Friko. I'd love to brush uo my German at your conversation class. As for the chocolate, no store cupboard is complete without a dozen bars of chocolate. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that you can meet people and speak in your first language – it must be very relaxing in a way. I hope you heard some good jokes – there is nothing like hearing a good joke in your language.
ReplyDeleteOh, chocolate:-) You are very disciplined, Friko - congratulations.
ReplyDeleteAs for being mischievous - well, that's necessary to stimulate conversation.
Am I stirring up trouble mischievously if I suggest you also try them out on "Auferstanden aus Ruinen..."?
ReplyDeleteI'm getting out of here as fast as I can. I'm trying to take off a few pounds, and this treat which dare not speak its name is my downfall!
ReplyDeleteIt's May 1st so I hope you'll bring the joy to your group. loll
ReplyDelete