Unpacking And A Side Order of Grandma Gypsy

oy. Well, we're moved into the new apartment. 14 th house move for me since 1980. All but 3 were with the children. Next time, see above photo.

:o)

I hope that the next move will be to the Southwest, where our hearts are joined on a different level with the Earth, and it will then be the last move I ever have to make. We're slowly settling in and into new "routines." As we unpacked a box that was last left unpacked in storage, we found old videos and some long forgotten CD music. Ben, whose primary form of communication is via song clips, musical lyrics, video dialogue clips, has discovered "Forrest Gump" and music by Cher. "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves." lol It's like Christmas for him. And a creamy chocolate-covered caramel for me. Orion and Sarah are in pure Candyland with their new space.

Oh! My "little" brother Bill, "beecough," has come aboard the blogger team! [hi again Bill] [he's the only one in my birth family who will call me tink. lol ] We used to believe that our maybe German grandmother was a gypsy. And we've come to discover we were probably correct!From data apparently gathered from some distant cousins, our sister said that Nana Eva's family was probably Yugoslavian and emigrated into Germany during WW I. This is not verified; but, our "Nana" was always elusive and secretive about her actual roots. It got to be a family joke after a while. She would alternately tell us she was Hungarian like the Gabor [Eva, Zsa Zsa, and Magda] Sisters. Nana thought Zsa Zsa was a tramp, Eva was a crook, and that Magda had the class. And Nana Eva would sometimes tell us she was Austrian. lol But, she had a magical gypsy touch in the kitchen. We'd watch her stir her pots of soups & goulash dishes with a pinch of this and a pinch of that. She would stir the pots with long wooden spoons and I'd watch her lips move as she stirred. At the time, watching as a child, I felt enchanted and transported as if I was privy to some sacred and mystical process. Very strange.

But, she was one fabulous cook! She also was strict in the "german" sense but was not without affection, practicing those squeeze your innards bosom hugs. Her smell was garlic, homemade sausage, and talcum powder. Not unpleasant if you liked those things. Her accent was as thick as her ample waist. My given name is Judith. She alternately called me what sounded like "Chootee" or "Joodles." She was a tough woman with a heart of gold.

Fatigue is blurring the screen, so goodnight and sweet dreams of gypsy campfires and a new home blessing:

Bread - so that this family will not know hunger; Salt - to remember all the flavors of life; and Grapes to celebrate the fruits of our labors and blessings of the Earth; and sticky jam kisses to remember the grace of laughter and joy.