In the High Peaks
















Friday, November 6, 2020

In the Bunker with Me and My Dog and Books and Knitting

I have definitely decided to start over at  WordPress. The timing is uncertain. First I have to get out of Bunker-Mode to do the changeover, and that may not happen for a while yet, and certainly not while CHAOS looms.

In the meantime, I'll continue to report on my reading (in the bunker). I do emerge from my nest to take long walks. And to do food shopping. But that is it. And, of course, I'm knitting like a fiend. Thinking of Madame DuFarge  in The Tale of Two Cities. She is my idol for the moment. I feel a definite kinship with her.

I'm so glad I decided to read/listen to Inge's War: A German Woman's Story of Family, Secrets, and Survival under Hitler by Svenja O'Donnell.  O'Donnell is a journalist specializing in Russian affairs, frequently stationed in Moscow and Leningrad, and she is Inge's grand-daughter. O'Donnell's father is Irish and  her mother German, yet Svenja grew up in Paris. What makes this book unique: Inge. Svenja's grandmother, was born and raised in East Prussia, a province of Germany bordering the Baltic Sea and surrounded completely by Poland.

In 1944, toward the end of WWII, East Prussia was the first part of Germany invaded by the Russians. And, due to the Yalta Treaty, this land was forfeited to the Soviets. Millions of Germans in East Prussia were forced to migrate to other regions of Germany, but not before at least 2 million of them perished due to starvation, a cruel winter of historic proportions, and Russian revenge. 

What I also have appreciated is how O'Donnell was able to recreate the beauty and culture of East Prussia in the years between the wars, through the reminiscences of her grandmother. Another lost culture to WWII, of which there are so many. This book is unique because  there is not another that reveals the lost culture of East Prussia as this book does.

Another Aspect I Appreciate: O'Donnell makes clear how Germans in East Prussia were afraid to counter Hitler and his edicts.

And I say, Hey! If I'm afraid to put a Biden sign on our driveway, for God's sake, maybe I have an inkling why people were afraid of the terror of the Brown Shirts and the Nazis. I am sorry to say I get it. Lots of Trump followers here are armed men. At least where I live.  That's all we need.  And haven't you noticed?? NO ONE dares put a Biden  political bumper sticker on their car. I remember Ken had an Obama bumper sticker on his truck years ago, and we were corralled by an enraged truck driver local pub. Just sayin 

 

 

 

 

  

9 comments:

  1. I've put Inge's War onto my new Goodreads shelf, '2021-plans'. So interested in that period of German history, Eastern Europe and all the way down to The Balkans. And it all started with Patrick Leigh Fermor and his walking. I recommend too Travellers in the Third Reich by Julia Boyd. Lots of books I'm hearing about at the moment that I don't want to forget about so I decided I needed a new shelf. Plus, I think I want to branch out next year and read more contemporary fiction. I love my crime stories but there is more to reading than those. We have a couple of book programmes on TV at the moment and I'm gathering ideas from those and from bloggers like yourself... so thank you!

    You know, I'm pretty sure that the first time Peter and I saw a pick-up truck with a gun mounted on the back was in NY state in 1996. You can't imagine (or maybe you can) our shock at seeing that. It was one of the things we relayed to our friends in Pittsburgh when we got back to them before flying home and they were surprised we'd only seen it once! As regards bumper stickers and so forth there's no point in inviting trouble. It's why I'm not political 'anywhere' online, you just never know who people are and what their agenda is. Stay safe, Judith. I love thinking of your in your beautiful home in the woods in your cosy reading nook with your knitting.

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    1. Even though Biden has been declared the President-Elect, I know it's NOT going to be smooth sailing over the next six weeks, at the least. That's why after Ken and I toasted the victory with two to three ounces of wine at noon today, I'm terribly unsettled and have feelings of foreboding. So I retreated to the nook a bit earlier than usual, although Sandy had a thorough 3+ miles walk first. I made a large cup of strong Darjeeling tea (my fave) and dove into the world of Inge in Germany while knitting. A few calls from like-minded friends wanting to celebrate Joe Biden's win, but basically quite quiet.
      AND!! I CAN only imagine what you must have thought when you saw the gun mount on that truck in 1996!!! I don't think I've ever seen that! Yikes! You did have quite the awakening, didn't you?
      And I love thinking of you, too, reading in the afternoon by your hearth. Sigh. I do indeed hope beyond measure that I can visit England one more time. And wouldn't it be lovely to share a cup of tea and scones?

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  2. That sounds like a fascinating book, Judith. And you make a good point about why people were too afraid to speak up against the Nazis. I am often reticent to speak up, even though the consequences are much lighter. It's scary when men with guns can take issue with your opinions. Anyway, at least the chaos seems to be lifting this afternoon :)

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    1. Hi Andrew,
      So nice to hear from you on this incredible day! How I wish the chaos were lifting, but many Trump supporters are enraged by the result. I think it will be very tough going for weeks to come, but at least Joe Biden is prepared and has a personality that does not ruffle feathers. He's conciliatory, values compromise, etc. Here's to hoping!

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  3. Oh, Judith.. I hear you! Here in ruby-red SW Florida, you always think twice because so many are armed. The election results give me hope. Fingers crossed nothing horrible happens in this lame duck season. I have not read a thing this week... glued to election results or trying to unpack. Last night's speeches were truly uplifting. Hopefully I will begin to read again... don't want to miss Nonfiction November. Right now we are preparing for effects of tropical storm/ hurricane? Eta. Keep us posted on your move to Wordpress.

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    1. Oh, JoAnn, how good to hear from you during your change in homestead! I do hope you made out okay with the effects of Eta, but, isn't it strange? I assume because of the political news, these dreadful storms have a hard time getting press coverage. Do keep us posted on how you are doing. And yes, indeed, I'll keep everyone posted on a move to WordPress. I have a feeling it will probably not happen until January, because in that month I often feel a surge of energy and a quest for new beginnings.
      And I do feel much more hopeful than a week ago, especially after Joe Biden's press conference on Covid-19. Wishing you the best with your settling in. Oh, do enjoy, making your new NEST!

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  4. Sorry it took me so long to see this post and comment, Judith. Inge's War does sound very interesting, although not an easy read? But I could learn a lot from it. I was not even aware of East Prussia.

    Hope you are gradually feeling more settled. Not a perfect situation in politics and the country right now, but much better than it might have been.

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  5. Judith, my friend went hiking in upstate NY and had a Biden and BLM sticker on her car. She returned to her car with 4 slashed tires and keyed:( People can be so spiteful if ones views are different than theirs. In my state 32% voted for Trump and I think this election has proven Dems still have a lot of work to do in so many areas.

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  6. My friends and I don't dare put up a Trump sign where we live, so I see the intimidation on the other side. The whole city here is loaded with Biden signs.

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