As the daughter of an engineer,
I learned early on that there was
always a better way to do things.
Take for example the handles on
pots and pans. Always turned in
on the stove top and never out.
bumping into the handle of a
hot pan might lead to an accident.
Safety first. Good thing or curse?
Words out of my mouth
sound like my father and
mother. My husband, bless
his heart, reminds me of
what my father said when
he visited us from Colorado.
Before he loaded the
dishwasher with dirty dishes,
he would ask my husband:
I suppose there is only one
way to do this? My husband’s
affirmative answer brought
chuckles and smiles. Added
to that my husband would remark:
she always rearranges how I do it.
“She” was standing there listening
to the banter adding, of course, there
is only one way to do this, Dad.
Your way! You drove our mother
crazy too. I watched my father
using an old credit card as
a pan scraper before washing it
for our mother. As he pronounced the
“best way” to wash pans, I smiled
and demonstrated Mary Ann’s way.
I had sprayed the pan with Pam spray
prior to cooking. He watched me
in disbelief at the ease with which
I washed the pan using simply a
paper towel and swish of the hand.
The engineer in him advised
that he had taught us how
to think ahead. We were a
chip off the old block.
Of course he was right. He instructed
us with love. I wonder if I do
the same with my family? Their
lessons learned and passed on, I
await a better way from our children.
Actions have consequences. What
goes around, comes around. A chip
off the block and with a smile.
Wonderful! 🙂 xo
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I’ll bet you are as well. Enjoy the weekend.
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A beautiful post that demonstrates what a loving family is all about. I like the way you gave credit to your dad and in turn to the rest of the family, Mary Ann.
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My first teachers and role models were my parents. I am definitely an engineer’s daughter. My poor family! There is only one way to do things and this is the right way! My children remind me of this at every opportunity. I imagine you also had great role models and a loving family, Peter. Have a great weekend.
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I really love your wonderful postings, with the heartwarming stories. You are a blessed family, and your engagment in choir management and singing is adorable too. Best wishes, Michael.
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Thank you once again, Michael, for a lovely comment and my stories and singing. My husband and I will be singing in Prague Aug. 10, 2019 at the castle with the Berkshire Choral International. We are practicing Dvorak. First though I will be singing some Bernstein with the orchestra and Pops chorus. Then two classical pieces in Dec. I truly have been blessed by a wonderful family and blogging friends. All the best, Mary Ann
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Hey this are very good news. Maybe there is a chance for to come – in my meaning “escape” ***lol*** to Prague. Lets see. Sometimes i am feeling here like Wall.E from the known movie. 😉 Michael
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Look up online for the Berkshire Choral International for information. Next year, they perform in CA, VA, Mass. and Prague. If you sing, sign up and join us. Wall.E? Does that have to do with the former Berlin Wall. All the best, Mary Ann
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Will see. Thank you! OMG, my singing skills are away, since centuries. Wall.E? Was one of the first 3D productioins of Pixar Studios (USA). 😉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WALL-E
Best wishes, Michael.
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Thanks for the film reminder. Just start singing a little bit every day and get ready for Prague. They send you a practice CD. With Haydn, I played it 5-6 yrs. daily until it was in my head. It was long. 286 pages. Mary Ann
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A very good advice Dr. Mary Ann, but i ended active singing 20 years in the past, and only could act as an “terrible voice” in Prague. ***lol*** Better I will only listen. 256 pages are unbelievable to memorize. You are a professional musican.
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I am amused that you think we had to memorize 286 pages. No, we have our music marked and in black folders. I might as well be a professional musician. On stage with other professional musicians is a close as I come these days. Enjoy the weekend.
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You too, Dr. Mary Ann! :-))
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I am no longer able to access your blog site. Has something changed? I do receive your lovely comments though.
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Oh sorry Dr. Mary Ann! I had to privatizise the blog end of May, because some cookies of wp.com are not compatible with the new EU-law, the GeneralDataProtectionRule. I will send you an invite. All re-blogs and blog-postings are also in time available on twitter @EslarnerZeitung. As our German government has time to concretizise the GDPR with a national law, there is the possibility to re-open the blog. I had to do this, because here in the region – in Germany as all? – so many lawyers without great income. Michael
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Thank you for this information. I shall try to find you on Twitter. I have other followers in other countries whom I can only find on Twitter. I would love an invitation when you get time. All the best, Michael.
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Oh yes, my pleasure! I will send an invitation. Be sure! Michael
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Marvelous! I enjoyed that.
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Thank you, Anne for your kind comment. Much appreciated. Enjoy the weekend.
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Liebe Mary Ann,
dieser Beitrag von Dir ist wieder eine liebevolle Homage an deinen lieben Vater und deine Familie.Ich bewundere wie Du deine liebevolle Verbundenheit zu deiner Familie in ausgesuchte Worte und Formulierungen zum Ausdruck bringst.
Wir kommen gerade aus Hamburg zurück wo wir an einem Cousinentreffen von Lilly´s Verwandschaftsseite teilgenommen haben.Diese Familienmitglieder leben über die ” ganze Welt” verstreut. Es war eine sehr harmonisches Treffen.Obwohl wir einige Teilnehmer lange nicht gesehen hatten ,war es ein Gefühl als wären wir erst gestern noch zusammen gewesen.
Harmonie im Familienleben ist unersetzbar. Dir und deiner Familie wünsche ich eine lange glückliche Zeit voller Frieden. Dir,liebe Mary Ann wünsche ich starke Schaffenskraft um noch viele liebevoll geschriebene Familiengeschichten von deiner Familie zu erfahren.
Alles Liebe und Gute,
Dein Arno
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Lieber Arno, es gibt nichts Schöneres als Familienzeiten, die wir damit verbracht haben, Zusammengehörigkeit und Reisen zu lieben, um den Geist zu erneuern und zu erfrischen. Ich freue mich für Dich und Deine Familie, dass Du so viel Zeit zusammen verbracht hast. Wir genießen auch diese Woche Familie. Es gibt nichts wie Liebe und Gelächter und gemeinsame Worte. Vielen Dank für solch einen schönen Kommentar, der sehr geschätzt wird. Alles Gute, Deine Mary Ann
Dear Arno, there is nothing quite like family times spent in loving togetherness and travel to renew and refresh the spirit. I am happy for you and yours that you just spent such time together. We are also enjoying family this week. There’s nothing like the love and laughter and shared words. Thank you for such a lovely comment which is much appreciated. All the best, Mary Ann
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