Category: Thoughts

Personal Highlights of 2025

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Daily writing prompt
What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?
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Good morning and happy Sunday to begin with…
In review of this year, two positives come to my mind immediately, being

our cruise with the Vasco da Gama from May 13th to May 20th
as well as
Lilly’s move from the streets of Italy into my heart and home on June 12th

🛳 I am thankful beyond measure to my mom. She made a second cruise experience possible, not only allowing me to see new places and gather lasting impressions, but more importantly to create lovely memories from the time we spend together in various beautiful locations.

🐕 What greater feeling is there, than to fall in love? Lilly captured my heart the minute I first laid eyes on her. This sweet, little whirlwind adds so much joy to every day, it’s amazing. I love Lilly to bits and am unbeliebably grateful, that she chose me (with Aubree’s help) to give her love, health, safety and an abundance of happy moments for the rest of her life.

We all know, that each year has good days and better ones. True is also, that ‘the dark days’ are a part of my life as well. Luckily they’ve been merciful this year, spread far and few between. That by itself is a blessing. Have a lovely Sunday!!

Unsought Encounter

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Daily writing prompt
Do you ever see wild animals?
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For the longest time, I’ve been a big fan of leisurely walks through the woods. Oh my days did I change my mind since late spring of this year! Why?
It was late morning on a Sunday, when mom and I went for a walk after visiting our family tree at the forest cemetery. We weren’t talking for a short while, when I heard stomping noises. They were getting louder. What the fluff? Right in that moment, when I asked my mom what she thought this sound could be, a sounder of wild boars came running up the hill. They crossed the trail we were on about 250 meters away from us. We stood still immediately and watched in awe. I don’t know whether they did not take notice of our presence due to the wind’s direction, or if they just followed their leader come hell or high water. Dang! This is the kind of experience I don’t need to have again, to be sure. And guess what? Since that unsought encounter this past spring, I haven’t been in the woods for a leisurely walk. 🐗😞 Have a lovely Saturday!!

Beloved Weekend Getaway

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Daily writing prompt
Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?
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Back in the States, I had quite a few favorite places. One of them always was the ‘Algoma Beach Motel’ in Wisconsin. One weekend out of the year, usually the beginning of September, I drove up there to escape from everyday life. This two day ‘mental check-out’ was never long enough for me to miss my apartment and routines, but still sufficient to recharge the batteries. It became a regular getaway I ended up looking forward to all year. The lovely motel right on the beach is also special, because each one of my puppy girls spend the weekend there with me at least once, and I got the same room, too. Lots of fond memories, always 💗🐾🥰
A few snaps from 2011 [sorry, the picture quality isn’t that great]…

All pictures by Claudia Braun

…[Crickets Chirping]…

Published on by ClaudiaLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
Share five things you’re good at.
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First off: Nope! I’m not being a drama queen because of this…
1) …?
2) …?
3) …?
4) …?
5) …?

…I come up with nothing, that I am [exceptionally] good at. This is the plain and disappointing truth. It’s funny though, because before my inner eye I see a rolodex-type-thing with images of people, who flip a lid whenever I say that. They would tell me not to always cut myself down like this, and then ‘desperately’ try to name things I’m [sort of] good at. The problem is, that what they try to give me credit for [or make me feel good about] isn’t worth mentioning. So, I have nothing to share with you today. Sorry.

    Why So Negative?

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    Daily writing prompt
    What is one thing you would change about yourself?
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    Out of several ‘issues-in-need-of-address’, more positivity in everyday life, including my outlook into the future, will take priority. Yes, I have project ‘brighter spirits’ in the works already, but there’s still quite a bit of room for improvement. So, with the saying “cheer up, it can only get better”, I will keep on truckin’… And on that note, have a perky and speedy hump day!! 😊

    Grandma Used To Say…

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    Daily writing prompt
    What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?
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    …”Who knows, what it’s good for”?!

    We’ve been over this a million and a half times, or so it feels. Why not again?? 🙃😂
    Out of all the difficult decisions I made to date, I most regret leaving America, to move back to Germany. From 2017 onward this regret started to fade slowly with Donald Trump’s first presidency, because America began its negative transformation [in my humble opinion from far away, based upon the news coverage available to us].
    After my divorce in 2001, it took me 12 years, five job changes, five relocations, a lot of determination and elbow grease to create a good life for myself. When it was finally time to “enjoy the fruits of my labor”, my dad became terminally ill. Family comes first, that’s the way it is and this is the reason why I’m back in Germany. I’m not happy here to be perfectly honest. Still, I am grateful beyond measure for the remaining time with my dad. We always had a rather difficult relationship and “making peace” was important for both of us.

    I left the better-for-me life behind, to do what’s right. And in the end, this decision – perhaps not in its entirety – ended up being the right choice. With the current developments in America, who knows? Maybe I would have been deported by now and back in Germany anyway? At the very least I always know that I left America on my terms, with good intentions.

    Halfway Heart – Bluma Petersen

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    I stumbled upon this song “Halfway Heart” by Bluma Petersen a few days ago. At the minute, I’m listening to it on repeat and thought I’d share it with you as a musical snack at midnight. The singer Nadja Alsén’s voice reminds me a little bit of Jewel…

    “Halfway Heart” by Bluma Petersen | Source: YouTube

    I’m sure glad to have found this lovely, calm song. Have a good night and a relaxing Sunday!!

    Wide Open Spaces

    Published on by Claudia2 Comments
    Daily writing prompt
    Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?
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    I’ve never been a fan of the mountains and struggle to see the beauty in them. To me personally, mountain ranges are enclosures and make me feel confined, even though I’m not claustrophobic, per se. So if you want to go hiking in the mountains, by all means have at it, just please be so good and leave me at home. Thanks a million.
    Instead, I love being by the ocean, to feel the sand beneath my feet and hear the seagulls cry. The repetitive sounds that the waves produce, are comforting and relaxing. Not many things beat looking towards the horizon and taking in the vastness of the ocean. Wide open spaces….so beautiful….so freeing…. so soothing 🌊. Have a lovely Saturday!!

    Our Favorites

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    Daily writing prompt
    What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?
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    🍽 Kohlrabi and carrots in white sauce with boiled potatoes and bratwurst
    🍽 our version of ratatouille [prepared in tomato sauce with veggies we like] and pasta or rice
    🍽 German pancakes [not quite as thin as crêpes] with apple sauce and cinnamon