Month: August 2018

Chapter 40 of the Peter and Gertrud Klopp Story – Part III

/ Peter Klopp / 31 Comments
calgarypeacebridge

Calgary Peace Bridge – Photo Credit: http://www.ucalgary.ca

Tackling a Delicate Problem

The Idealist is Voicing his Opinion

Conclusion of Peter’s Letter

Dear Biene, regarding children you found a seemingly good solution by suggesting that we should go and see a doctor together. I would like to broach this hot topic right away. The doctor will help you in no other way than to recommend to you to swallow that notorious pill. Allow me to tell you, dear Biene, why I harbour such a profound resentment against any such plan. Please do not consider me old-fashioned, when I launch an attack against this form of birth control, even though it is being hailed as a great medical success story.

I do not wish to talk about the obvious health related consequences at this time, but more importantly rather discuss the hidden psychological effects on our life together. In my view the interplay between tension and relaxation determines our creativity. Ideas are sparked by the inner tension and within the subsequent state of relaxation rests true happiness. If now by using the pill our relationship deteriorates into something rather common or even vulgar, where inner tension never surfaces and, if it does, is immediately dissolved, then – so it appears to me – our life will taste no better than lukewarm water. Therefore, Biene, let us be ‘old-fashioned’. Watch your internal calendar and if your biological clock is halfway accurate, we will find a useful solution. I strongly believe it would be far better for us to become parents than to lead such a distastefully ordinary life.

As to my studies you should know that I have practically regained the lost  years of my German army time by having started my studies here in Canada. Since I am taking senior courses in German literature, I am ahead of my Canadian fellow students in my academic placement by at least two years. So should I have to interrupt my studies next year, I could already expect to earn a fair teacher’s income.

My dear Biene, should I have used another hurtful word in my letter, please do not be offended, but let your anger burn and your wrath be directed at me.

Always in love with you,

Your Peter

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lake

/ Peter Klopp / 26 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Wildlife Part II

Birds of the Arrow Lake

For this second part I selected a few birds that live at the water or near the water. Among the water fowl the Canada goose is most common bird around here. Spending more time in the dry bush is the grouse. The mallard duck prefers secluded ditches as long as they are filled with water and offer hiding places. The merganser loves the lake and would not be anywhere else, while the kingfisher likes to look at the lake from above. Enjoy.

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Pair of Canada Geese

25736397830_79e3ccd63c_oGrouse

Grouse

33711097632_6eac4dae5c_oMallards

Mallard Ducks

34310771114_a86bb9f33a_oMergenser

Pair of Meganser

IMG_3827Kingfisher

Kingfisher

 

Chapter 40 of the Peter and Gertrud Klopp Story – Part II

/ Peter Klopp / 47 Comments
princess-island-park (1)ED

City of Calgary – Photo Credit: http://www.bio.ucalgary.ca

Peter makes a Confession

His letter continued:

Believe me, dear Biene, I am a paragon of faithfulness in my outer conduct towards my female fellow students. However, do external actions describe the entire human being? Was I permitted to absorb with burning desire the images of womanly shapes, which enticingly passed by before me in the great lecture hall of the university?  Was it OK to sleep in my dreams with other girls than you alone? Biene, when I thoroughly examine myself and notice in the depth of my inner being the flickering of thousands of secret desires, I must confess that I have betrayed you innumerable times. To admit this dark side to oneself takes a long time. Some, alas too many deny its existence. I don’t know what kind of impression I am making on you now. I don’t know whether you are relieved to hear it or whether you will pass a moral judgment over a completely amoral matter. I said yes to myself and henceforth I am getting along with myself much better. I believe that this attitude is also the precondition to get along with others.

Recently I dreamed about you in my sleep for the first time. I wonder why I did not do this before. After all you and our future have constantly been on my mind with anxious thoughts so much so that I lay awake often for hours after my evening studies. The dream was not something of the past. No, one Saturday morning you entered my room. I threw all my books into a corner. In a long walk we passed wonderful hours ambling through the Calgary Zoo. Finally I woke up caused by the disappointment that you had suddenly disappeared.

Peter’s letter continued on next Friday’s post …

 

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lake

/ Peter Klopp / 51 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

A Glimpse at Wildlife – Part I

Of all the large mammals the deer population appears to be the most abundant in our area. Hardly a day goes by without encountering one or two deer standing by the roadside. They have become so accustomed to humans that they don’t even bother to retreat into the woods when you point your camera at them. Black bears are next in line. Lately they have become quite a nuisance and have visited our village, especially in the fall, when they create havoc among our fruit trees. They like to come at night and raid our apple, pear and plum trees. The result is often a mess of broken off branches. The photos have been taken over the past three or four years. Enjoy.

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Black Bear among the Bushes

fawn

Fawn not more than 10 m away from me

two dder

Twosome Caught Grazing on a Hillside

buck

Buck in the Early Morning Light

Twin Moose

Rare Sight of Moose Twins close to the Lake