Those years were not easy for us, Campbell Soup did not allow me to work for ANY mushroom company within the USA. They did not want to educate their competitors.
SO, I flew solo to Germany for a 2–week training at a big and modern mushroom farm, run by one of Pieter's former students.
First I stayed at a hotel and then I stayed at the manager's home, the former student Jan Koopmans and his lovely wife Henriette.
One booboo I've made when friends were seated around our dinner table and they asked where I slept in Germany. Spontaneously I replied: Oh, I slept with the manager...! A lot of laughter of course as it ought to be I slept at the manager...
Rechterfeld is in the north of Germany in the Municipality of Visbek, close to Bremen.
Had to drive some 2.5 hours from my Parents' via Interstate.
Mariet if you are hungry, in the pan are still 'Nudeln'. Warm up nicely. Yogurt, fruit etc. refrigerator | fruit basket. In other words, search and take what you feel like. Greetings Henriette
Sadly this sweet lady is no longer with us as she succumbed to cancer...
Fond memories!
Rechterfeld, 16 May 1988
Dearest Pieter,
It's 2:45 p.m. and I'm home since 2:05 p.m. Home alone. Upstairs I changed clothes, put on the Ghurka shorts that I also traveled in yesterday (2.5 hours and no faster than 145 km/h). There was a sweet note ready for me, I'll stop it by then you'll know right away how I have it here.
Yesterday I went to bed at twelve o'clock... We didn't eat here until around ten o'clock. There were 3 guys from the compost/tunnels with a beer around 17:00h. Arrived here, unannounced. Jan was digging in old clothes and Henriette was disturbed while sunbathing.
They came to talk annoyingly about "raise", the 1st time they ever dared to come to Jan's house, he keeps his distance. So I could sit on the terrace at 6:45 pm. At 8:15 pm Böging (for me) and a little later Hermes the harvest master arrived. Böging was and is on holiday, I don't know how long.
This morning at 5:15 am I got up and made coffee (Henriette had put it in last night) and ate a jam sandwich and a "cap" with cheese and slice against it. Delicious German bread, as well as the yogurt that's in front of me right now! So I do survive!! Do you want to call Pete Tyre that his desired albums would cost $50 instead of $15 if available!! I called Wim de Boer on Sunday and so I didn't arrange anything... Mother gave me 85 guilders for our birthdays!! She was happy with the bouquet, she would take it with her to the needlework today, so they could learn from it.
Dad and Mom were very sweet. We talked a lot and visited the fields with Dad before leaving... They also thought I was tanned. Martin was at home and he had already finished the yard tiller at Thé's. Thé was so delighted with it. That was sweet too. He didn't want anything for it because you had helped him with the lens... But you only had to tell Thé what Martin would like, you know that better than I do (in the field of photography, for example). So, my Noodles are almost done... Jan was happy with his mug and Henriette with the pewter Volendam set from Daalderop. They asked if you were coming too, but I said it wasn't possible this time. Next time? They had a key made for me.
This morning I worked well deliberately. That computer is a great help. Explain this later.
The weather is beautiful!
Yesterday Gert also came, we drank coffee together + cake. Gert walked along to carry the stuff into the car! She wanted to ask me something. When I would be back home to decide together with all the brothers and sisters if and what we do for next 40th wedding anniversary on February 25, 1989. If they have a wedding anniversary. I have arranged for Sunday evening. They wanted to do without Bets etc, but I'm still bringing my baby with me even if it's to lay you down somewhere nearby to rest. Gert was still so white, even after a day's work in the garden.
So, now I have Noodles in my belly... After this letter I do the dishes and then I drive to Visbek to the post office. It was strong east wind here on Saturday, so if it is still there, this letter will arrive quickly by airmail! On the plane I sat next to a guy from Epe near Zwolle, a computer man. A lot on the road, his wife also comes along every now and then. He asked me how old I was, reminded him of his sister he said. Like two drops of water, even the way of talking and the "loud shrill voice". Yes he said, that's because my sister is married to an older man (57 yrs and she's 33 yrs) who doesn't hear very well on one side anymore... I said, my husband is also a little older and doesn't hear so well on the "other" side either. Coincidence? He was already an adult at 14 years old, he said. His father (an alcoholic who came home once every two years) was then and still is missing... He had attended an International School, was very good at English and had also lived in Africa.
We chatted a lot until after dinner and he sweetly tucked in (his sister...) with my blanket. I slept well until 7:30 am. "Brother" already had an orange juice ready for me on his tray table... Not disturbed me but therefore had asked for something. He was also very attentive to the man next to him who had a hearing aid. He asked for another "real" pair of Business Class headphones. No, said the stewardess, they don't fit... He politely insisted and said why. Received it and then also thanked nicely. This way you still meet nice people every now and then. The carrying bag of the clock broke just as I was stalling it at the top... It just didn't fall on a passenger!! I said "sorry". He said I'm still alive. Yes, because it went past his head... Then a couple of men helped me stow. The man next to my "brother" was a sexologist, also internal medicine, who went to Tanzania for 2 weeks as an American authority on AIDS.
Also interesting conversations, although I couldn't follow everything (without a hearing aid...)! At Schiphol Airport I wore that rotten clock in front of my belly, that red Bi-lo bag gave off on the sweatshirt but that has already been washed out. Clock is also gone though would be getting healthy again. It was on the card that she had already been there 2 times. Will you please bring the key? Then we leave it in Horst until September. Until she runs well!
Saturday evening I walked to church with Thé. Dora had to look after Marion again... Mom said she does that because otherwise Marion calls a lot... What confidence! I saw Marion only for a short time, she had to go to a competition. She generously gave me hugs! She hadn't picked up the framed cat yet, Dora had forgotten to tell her! She just never listens, it turns out. The new Dean was visiting Thé after the 8:30 PM mass. He asked me all kinds of questions about the USA and the church. I caught up with that "brat" from Kerkrade. He hoped to meet me again, had to look him up at the presbytery... Will have to show up sometime, wearing my Ghurka!
Tonight I'll be on time under the down duvet! Tomorrow afternoon Henriette and I have been invited by one of those boys to eat ice cream. They asked "Fräulein"(Miss) if I was going to go water biking with them... So I didn't look old and tired after all in my Ghurka and Uncle Bo's sweater...
Dad read something from his USA diary, a whole book. Now I know that I favor my Dad in that regard! Good memory and very much in detail and also feelings put on paper. Better than in that nice letter we received... So in hindsight, it was positive.
He means it from the Mississippi!! He would love to go back. And now the cauliflower on that parcel of land (you know) has also failed with the drought (it is blowing from the wind now) because he can't sprinkle there...
There were many (40) loaves of bread in the church and I asked Thé if Derix could advertise in the church... Didn't get an answer, looked at me punishingly! I don't care anyway... Christ is quite fond of humor, and besides, Thé doesn't know that a person doesn't live by bread alone... He later confessed to the Dean that he sometimes felt more Calvinistic than Roman Catholic.
In Berkele Heem at the reception I had a long talk with Tiny van Wegberg Sanders (from the Afhang) who lives in the front of the Schoolstraat. She was quite nice and asked where I slept. At my parents', I said. That was a good conversation for any clarification! People do turn around. There had also been a fire at the C.C.O. Tunnels or something + classroom... Then the "Doekoen" has made Dublin and the C.C.O. both "hot"...
So, now it's 3:45 p.m. My writing lump hurts. Do you think of my diary? Hopefully everything arrives with UPS, white rayon blouse, black and mocha t-shirt and silk dressing gown to wear in Italy...
I have a 910 kg Audi 80. You remember, the one with the stoma... A whole new ass is on it. The trunk was hard to close, so I'll stay away from that! Mother gave me a pack of coffee and tea! She hadn't written anything because I came. Poor you!! You have a mean Mother. Now I'll make it up to you. Lots of love and goodbye. Time flies. Maaike xxx
