Nach Ansbach

I have been anxious to do a bit of clothes shopping and it's been a couple of weeks since I took the train to Ansbach, so that's where I headed today after my ritual morning milchkaffee. I caught the 12:06 train and arrived in Ansbach before 1:00. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and breezy. I walked from the train station and in through the tower which signals the beginning of the pedestrian area of the old city. I found some new streets and stores to explore with a multitude of too small clothing. I did find some things in my size, but was hesitent to spend $80 per shirt. I found my way back to a store where I'd purchased my purple t-shirt last time I was in town and this time I bought a white linen tunic decorated around the neck and cuffs with embroidery and beads. It is a bit tight, but by the time I am back in Italy and the weather has cooled, it will fit just fine. I will need a couple of long sleeved blouses for the cooler weather and this one fit the bill and was "only" $45. I also stopped by the bookstore for a couple of paperbacks to fill the days.

I am now wearing my smallest jeans, purchased here in Rothenburg. With the spandex, they stretch out so I am just able to squeeze into them. These are the low-rise pair I told you about and when I wear them I find myself tugging the back up as I have the horrible sensation that if I bend over to pick up a penny, my plumber's crack would make an unfortunate appearance. I tired picking one up at home as a test, and while I have a great deal of muffin top in evidence, there is no sign of the crack. Now that I have these hip new jeans, which I roll up at the bottom like a teenager because they're too long, I need something to decorate my lower back. Perhaps a thong or, better yet, I could get a tattoo. Hey, I know! I will get a tattoo that looks like a butt crack just to fool everyone! My kids would love that! At any rate, I had to purchase a new, smaller pair of jeans so I have something to grow into.

I have not heard from my friend, Terri, about posting her article on the blog, so I assume that this is not allowed. In summary, she wrote a lovely article about our day in Florence and the experience she had when we visited a little church, Santa Felicita´, the church of Saint Felicity. Felicita´ is Italian for happiness. There is a large oil on wood painting from the 1500's painted by Jacopo Pontormo which never fails to bring Terri to tears. I left her alone to contemplate the painting and release her emotions, before meeting up with her to exchange hugs and let her know that I understand how she feels. It took an encounter with La Santa to bring me to tears, and for Terri it is this masterpiece by Pontormo. For each of us it is something different which touches that deep place within our soul enough to bring us to tears. It matters not what moves you in this life, just that you are moved, at least once. It is a rare and precious gift.