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Berlin pics deposit pt 2. In non-chronological order… -Kynastteich -painting at Mauerpark -St. Elisabeth’s, Rote Insel -1st/last frühstuck -Oberbaumbrücke -Friedrichshain / East Berlin architecture -Park am Wasserturm, Prenzlauer Berg -Friedrichshain / East Berlin architecture -shopping on Danziger Straße -obligatory Fernsehturm selfie With a gazillion more photos… it’s unclear if pt 3 will ever materialize. (at Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClH2_xTpp574Phk95ZLwvKvuvcVzap_hUOXOAg0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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12 years ago today, we met in Cork. Tonight we visited a restaurant I loved on my 2010 Xmas trip, when we were chatting and emailing every day and had all of 3 days together under our belt… & it did not disappoint. I love you @sloopriggedskiff 😘 (at Neukölln, Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkwvPfhoRntfZynI5byj9fHypD8ZHT7CXsyPD00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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It’s really hard to not take photos constantly (nor talk about how we should move here)… First gluhwein, first beer, first pretzel, two classic mini sightings, constant people and bike watching, moonrise, & thoughts of so many folks from home, and we’ve only been here a few hours. P.S. we might not set up cell reception so message on Instagram or email to get in touch. 😘 (at Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkoMQpaNAJiUTmwtaGJpAQzH4F7iseB_uhK2-I0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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happy 9 years married / new career day dear Fred. Thanks for laughing with me along the way 💫 #bulbousdesserts4eva https://www.instagram.com/p/CjWz97GulWf855W4YKmGVAGcTzrwbIttXPuLZE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I feel annoyed at myself for not posting anything since December. Here is a random selection of images from my life taken in January-February. I miss you. #change #life #wtf https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca8ZG2duiBm/?utm_medium=tumblr

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goodbye, my beloved Baroness; I’ve stayed in a dozen of your rooms over the past five years, and felt affection for every one, but the time has come to move on. Starting in January, I’ll no longer be making that #crosscountrycommute. I’ll be working at the Baltimore City Archives, a mere half-mile commute. Last week, I finished my last work trip, and snipped a thread I’ve kept running since July 2007, when I first drove a Ryder truck from Michigan out West, found a temp job at Microsoft, and settled into my new life in Capitol Hill. It smarts. But I’ll keep looking back, and can’t wait to visit WITHOUT having to with the whole time. Miss you already, PNW. (at The Baroness Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXkWwzuN7hi/?utm_medium=tumblr

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So long, November. It’s been lovely. https://www.instagram.com/p/CW7B3TrtLMq/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Autumn in the neighborhood. Ch-ch-ch-changes. #goldenlight #newhairday #fall (at Charles Village-Abell Historic District) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWOTgOiJETF/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Mom turned 75 this week. . We surprised her with a book of notes and photos from family and friends, singing her praises, recalling favorite memories, and wishing her a happy birthday. Two recurring themes: her wonderful baking skills and her infectious, joyful laugh. . Here’s a few of the photos we included, and some videos of her reaction upon opening her gift. My brother @davespamer was making her laugh with his commentary, claiming sole credit for the gift and asking her if she needed to be left alone with it 😂 (To explain the “Get out!” and “Shut it!” - those are directed at the dog off screen.) . We love you, @jerigoodybaker! Here’s to many more years of healthy, hearty laughter 😘 https://www.instagram.com/p/CVlIvZmJ6vS/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The last photo I took of you, of us; the last photo you took of me, of us. The last thing I baked you. The last time we walked in the garden together. And a few more photos easily at hand from the past year - your last birthday, our last Christmas with you, and the Christmas before, when I delighted your sweet tooth with TWO cakes. John, I wish you hadn’t departed us so soon, but I’m so very grateful we were able to share so many laughs, dinners, desserts, and bottles of wine over the past few years. Your loving, gentle spirit will be missed for the rest of our days. Rest in peace. https://www.instagram.com/p/COCA8taJ5iE/?igshid=1bv6k98v4fz58

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Hi people. I miss you. (at Baltimore, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CM8MmTiJrqM/?igshid=1kecje3xbp5y0

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Sunday, March 7, 2021 Today was the first work day of the season for the garden co-op I joined last year. Turning the soil in the sun, planting scallions I’ll get to enjoy in a couple months, enjoying the refreshing company of people who aren’t in my friend circle, working for a common purpose. Afterward, I felt exhausted, sipped chamomile staring into space, and took a nap in a sunny room, then woke up energized and spent three hours cooking with a very sweet and enthusiastic helper to prepare @deborahmadison’s mushroom galette (x2) - inspired by the five pounds of mixed mushroom “seconds” we scored at the market yesterday. I only wish I could have shared this with friends at my table, inside the damn house... And so, I share here instead. Now it’s time to read in bed until I pass out. ✌️ #crispycrust #mushroomjus #heaven #imissmyfriends https://www.instagram.com/p/CMJAq_pJA-8/?igshid=ce0li10by338

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Welcoming the new year with a rainy hike. Last year, I focused more on reflecting. Listening better. I quit Facebook. I hardly posted here. I tried to prioritize my energy around my close relationships and my own needs, which were often being subsumed by stress and obligation. I felt overwhelmed, like so many humans, by the state of the world and the news flowing in. All of that resulted in being more conscious about what I put out there, what I contribute to the noise and when and why. I took some major personal strides this year. I marvel at the changes and I take nothing for granted. I remain as mystified and grateful as ever that I’m still here, still safe and healthy(er), and able to do this work. https://www.instagram.com/p/CJhiDYVp6Pl/?igshid=jnpfzds52amt

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Decorating a Christmas tree is nostalgic immersion on a level rarely otherwise experienced. All the senses are engaged with it; I still insist on playing Christmas music. So many phases of my past are represented: I love our barn owl from 2019, the glittery ash tray ornament from Sunday school when I was 4, the pasta angel and so many other ornaments my grandma made for us, the bows from jars of flowers at our wedding, the souvenirs from Ireland and Germany, heirlooms, gifts... I don’t think there’s any other holiday ritual I enjoy more. So grateful. https://www.instagram.com/p/CIr2pxDJKdA/?igshid=lc2rglhmv1h1

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Well, that’s a wrap. I started at my job 7 years ago and right away was made aware that the 100th anniversary was coming up. A large amount of my work hours and energy over the past two years haven’t been focused on centennial projects. 2020 turned out nothing like we had hoped, but after traveling here for the actual anniversary of the opening and having a celebratory (virtual) meeting with my history buddies, it feels like a huge chapter of my career is wrapping up. Add to that the fact that my company announced a merger, and the symbolism of wrapping up sinks in. Once I got thru the past workweek, I took off for a weekend away with bestie. The PNW does not disappoint. Wishing health and vibrance to you. #2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CH4PeW3JLH8/?igshid=evmpvg41z0em

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All these photos were taken on November 9, 2010. I woke up at Sheila’s hostel in Cork, had toast with jam for breakfast, then spent a few hours wandering and snapping pics, as is my wont. I remember the Olympia bar reminding me of the PNW, along with the baby fern growing out from a damp stone wall. I took a local train to Cobh, the port town nearby where emigrants would embark via ship, had tea and wandered some more, then back to the city. I strolled through downtown and felt an unusual twinge of envy upon seeing an affectionate couple walk ahead of me. I stopped into the nearly-empty Cork Arms for a pint of Murphy’s, making gradually-less-awkward small talk with Ray and Noel, who served me my second pint on the house. Soon enough, the place started to fill up and I saw a bearded man walk through the door. Next thing I knew, he was asking for the seat next to me at the very end of the bar, and the first coincidence - that he too was visiting from the PNW - set us rolling on a five hour conversation that has now stretched ten years. That night, I wrote: “perhaps more important than the topics one can converse on and relate over is the manner in which they do so- their enthusiasm, their humility, their courtesy (or lack), their deference. fred’s a good one!” #milestones #tenyears #meetaversary #rhodialove (at Cork, Ireland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHZVVcHJThV/?igshid=tb97o1ei9p22

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Desperate for anything else to think about, I’m revisiting where I was at 10 years ago: a pivotal moment in multiple ways. On November 3, 2010, I was having coffee in Williamsburg, looking out at the city with my friend Joshua; then boarding a plane at Newark airport, with its gobbledygook signs, flying to Dublin by way of Stockholm on a one-way ticket. I had taken sick with a stomach bug, and hadn’t made any travel plans beyond where I’d be sleeping the first couple of nights - on what I assumed would be a solo adventure for at least a year, if not longer. Six days later, I stopped into a nearly-empty little pub in Cork, and within the hour I was conversing with the person who’s now working from home in the next room (hi @sloopriggedskiff). I’ll save the rest of that story for next time. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHI7H05JBCK/?igshid=1870q4w5segzp