Spring Again

We have moved with spring. Every time we advance North, with the exception of the Alps, the people are excited to be getting their first taste of spring. We have had 7 weeks of 40-50 degree days. When the sun shines, it’s very nice. People are out. I counted 5 women (different houses) all washing their windows. I was able to solve the mystery of the farm layout. The neighbor explained that all the farming houses are together and people keep their animals/barns outside of the town on family fields. “Makes it easier for talking.” Then she tempts me with another rite of spring “Do you need any tomato plants?”
Oh yes, I do, I do. I’m not a great gardener. I’m just enthusiastic. As I’ve had now 7 weeks of spring and haven’t touched a seedling, it’s driving me a little nuts. My girlfriend Julie, cured me for awhile when I was in Slovenia. I emailed her a seed order and it should be waiting for me when I get home. In the meantime, I am drooling over this woman’s baby tomato plants.
Thank you, but no…customs officials may not agree with the right to bear vegetables across the border. Yes, she makes a motion like handcuffs all for the sake of a tomato.
Since it is a beautiful day, we decide to visit the open air museum Fränkisches Freilandmuseum in Bad Windsheim. Like Old World Wisconsin, farm houses from around Bavaria were preserved and transported to a campus of several acres. It’s possible to walk from homestead to homestead and enjoy homes from the 1300s to 1800s. Old World Wisconsin is perpetually in 1867- a late date for this neighborhood.
I’ m swooning with prairie-girl envy. After a life-time of loving the little log cabins in the woods, I’m surprised to find that these farm houses are huge! They’re heated with beautiful ceramic stoves and have large outdoor brick ovens for baking. I don’t understand why farmers with these beautiful dwellings would consider starting from scratch on the wild American prairie. The museum includes a mill house, threshing room and a number of heritage farm animals.
Adding a little excitement to the day, we approach one homestead to find dozens of vans, electrical equipment and a camera crane. They are filming a movie! We see actors in period costume, a team of draft horses and an animated director. It’s all happening in German, so we have no way of knowing what’s really going on. It’s fun to watch the scene played and re-played. Except, I feel sorry for the horses, waiting patiently for their cue.
Wonder if they need an extra? Maybe a wayward American mother seeking escape to the romantic farms of Bavaria…