Author: Peter Klopp

Chapter 41 of the Peter and Gertrud Klopp Story – Part I

/ Peter Klopp / 32 Comments

One more Painful Twist

 

IMG_3558Rose

Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.

Nelson Mandela

Biene’s Father Gets a Stroke

March 17th, 1966 Velbert

My dear Peter,

Today in anticipation of spring the sun was shining its warm rays into our office and distracted me from my work. Herr Richter, a very understanding and capable department head remarked that I was in my thoughts already in Canada. But as brightly the sun may be shining and as much I long to be happy and light-hearted, it does not look as cheerful inside me. My father is very sick. He had suffered a stroke and must get rest for a very long time. I am sure that the excitement about me contributed to his illness, but the main cause was clearly his unhealthy life style. Dear Peter, you can imagine how things are now with me. Now that I can come to you, I cannot stand it here at home anymore. Also the barely concealed accusations that I am responsible for my father’s illness are tormenting me. I had been so happy after my trip to Cologne. Now I feel the full force of despair all over again. After an encouraging and conciliatory talk with my mother I had immediately booked my flight with the travel agency for April 6 to be with you already for Easter. Everything appeared to be so promising and now …  If my father quickly recovers, I will not postpone my flight; for I believe that the tension caused by my planned departure is harming him more than the certainty that I will be going away soon. I believe that it will be a relief for all of us, as hard as it sounds.

Letter continues next Friday.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lake

/ Peter Klopp / 41 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Wild Flowers of the Arrow Lake Region

After looking at some of the garden flowers I would like to devote two posts to the wild flowers of our region. I start off with the most humble and ubiquitous flower, the dandelion, which as a weed is also invading our gardens. It is pretty both as a flower and as a seed head. In the springtime you will find the wild strawberry flower adorning the edges and trails of our woods. The sweet peas also have a wild cousin which attract a lot of insects during their blooming season. Finally, rare and protected in British Columbia is the magnificent tiger lily. Enjoy.

16704973913_8ba523f196_oDandeFlower17116260707_218c27c80e_oDandelionFull17323386852_71199842f4_oStrawberry18493268120_f5b812b859_oSweetPeas18841395655_2e576bf449_oTigerLily

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

/ Peter Klopp / 37 Comments
calgary-zoo-L-15

Calgary Zoo – Photo Credit: travelalberta.com

Peter Contemplates a Second Opinion

March 15, 1966 Calgary

My dear Biene,

How I hate this tedious letter writing! What is being revealed in our lines is but a fraction of who we really are. And the long wait makes our hearts heavy and sad.

There are two new developments which I would like to quickly share with you. My kind professor of German literature spent two hours to discuss our problems with me in his office. For the beginning of our married life Dr. Cardinal advised against my idealistic plan of getting by without any form of birth control. He acknowledges the same danger I described to you, the danger of a shallow life style, followed later by  a complete disinterest in raising a family. Yet, according to him, this problem is more characteristic of the common person of vulgar disposition totally immersed in the pursuit of pleasure.

My professor believes that you and I have sufficient moral backbone to return to our ideals, when we will have acquired a solid financial base for raising a family. We should not shy away from taking advantage of what modern medical science can offer us. On such a complex and difficult issue I think I will have to sleep on it for a while.

Dr, Cardinal expressed his envy in a good-natured way for our happiness. He said that he regrets that he married so late and had listened to his mother. Her opinion was that at the age of 23 he was still too immature to get married.

He also believes that it is sometimes necessary to foster illusions with your parents to alleviate the pain of the final farewell. In that sense he is partly in agreement with you and even justifies your actions. As you can see, Dr. Cardinal has been like a father to me. He asked me to pass on his kindest regards and he is looking forward to meeting you.

Now quickly to the second news item: I have been very busy looking for a small apartment for us. I found out that the Italian family upstairs will be moving out soon. I had a good look at the apartment and immediately fell in love with it. Mind you, it has not been painted for years, but I saw the potential of what we could do with it. The rent is only $55. It is like a large doll house, but large enough for two people. There is also a basement suite available in the neighbourhood, which I will have to check out in the next couple of days. As you can see, I have been busy in the search of a more pleasant living space for the two of us. If only the dumb thoughts and worries about our future would leave me alone!

Always in love with you! Your Peter

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.

25000217145_483f577c57_b

Pair of Canada Geese

25736397830_79e3ccd63c_oGrouse

Grouse

33711097632_6eac4dae5c_oMallards

Mallard Ducks

34310771114_a86bb9f33a_oMergenser

Pair of Meganser

IMG_3827Kingfisher

Kingfisher