Teddy on a Mission

Just so you know, I am a traveling bear. This is a place where I can share text & pictures of the fun (and hopefully worthwhile) things I do with my unparents, Ken and Marijke.

Name:
Location: Greer, South Carolina, United States

I started this blog for the bear-loving friends in my church mostly since they were kind enough to send me on a mission trip to France. That was in 2006. Hopefully I'll get to go on other trips, too (like this most recent extended trip in 2009). But my main mission is to bear each blessed day with gratitude.

Friday, July 31, 2009

She's Arrived!

No pictures yet but I think it's safe to announce the name of our latest granddaughter. Sweet little Clementine Danielle has arrived safe and sound to Nancy and Reid; I'm sure her older brother and sister are going to love her. She's a little heavier and a little shorter than her next oldest cousin (remember June Evelien) so it will be fun to see them grow up. It would have to be so much fun to have a cousin only 9 days older (or younger) than oneself!

More later - Teddy (we're on the road today to see where the Pilgrims lived and worshipped before they headed for the New Land)

Friday, July 24, 2009

Serious 'Profession' Possibly?







As I already warned my 'readers', I'm going to do some bragging here. There's nothing that does this bear-heart more good than to see someone using their gifts. In this case, Ken is showing that he REALLY enjoys wiggling the paint brushes around - he's been doing it in less than what he would normally think were 'ideal' conditions, too. No classical background music, for instance. Just his tools, a bottle of wine and the occasional cigar! Cool, eh?

What a sweet way to remember a fantastic holiday - Ken's trying to have one work done for each country we've stopped in. Above is Prague - like it? I keep telling him that he can sell these pieces - I'll sit by the road for him with a little sandwich-board sign saying: "Will Paint for Food!"






By the way, if any of the steeples, etc. look a little crooked, they're actually not. You can blame it on the photographer (I might have had a swig or two myself!) - TR

Forgot to Post Something: Art in a Castle!











When K, M and I were passing through Clermont Ferrand, we stopped in at Chateaugay on the off-chance that we'd see our dear friends, Ann and Christian. They weren't home then (we'll get to see them in a couple of weeks) but we happened upon an art show in the castle which was a delightful surprise.

Next I'll post some of the latest pieces that Ken has been working on. His watercolor techniques are really getting good - maybe when we get back home he'll have to have his own showing! We might not find a castle quite THIS old, though (13th century, I think.)

To put things in the proper timeline for you, after this we stayed with Igor and Claudine and had coffee/drinks with the D'Herouville's! That seems like such a long time ago! But looking at the pictures brings the happy memories back immediately! - TR

P.S. A & C are between China and Romania so we feel fortunate to see them for a couple of days. Ken wants to help with a construction project - these two guys really work so well together! And the girls will laugh and remember square dancing lessons in Greenville! I hope they don't throw me in a bag somewhere and forget about me in all the excitement!

Haircut - on a Sunday, no less!



Could you imagine getting a haircut, at home, on a Sunday morning - and still making it to church on time?


It sounds impossible, doesn't it! And at home we'd never try it but since we were going to an afternoon English-speaking service, we figured we had plenty of time.

As it turned out, with construction on the freeway and the center of town blocked off for a festival, it took us almost FOUR hours to get to the right side of Munich. Needless to say, we didn't get to see too much of the city. Next time for sure! At least we had a nice dinner before we left - and didn't mind getting to bed super late (we sleep in a lot over here!)





We're so glad we went; and it turns out that Steve Henderson, the pastor, knows a lot of people from Greenville, SC!!

He sends his regards to Bitsy Counts, for one!

Lovin' Life, Teddy

Words from a Three-Year Old

A quote from one of K&M's kids:

"Jack Greer keeps asking where ya'll are. The answer 'Europe' is really not very satisfying for him. We talked a little today about your traveling companion, Teddy Ricardo, which he was fascinated by. He asked if Teddy could drive? Or talk? Or walk like Elloree Grace? I told him that he could write and that he was always carried around in Oma's bag."

That just about makes me want to jump into Oma's carry-on bag and book it to the airport! I'm sad to be missing so much on the home front! But the time is going by quickly now. Won't be long until the heat of summer subsides in Greenville.. - TR

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Having to Beg, Borrow and Steal Pictures!

Some shots of Danielle and Will with their new little darling, June Evelien. She was born yesterday, July 21st at 9:02 AM. She was 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 20 3/4 inches long. She has a head of dark hair (more than her 22 month brother, in fact) and doesn't seem to notice that her Oma and Pops haven't been to see her yet. We're sure you'll be well loved until we return to Greenville, little one. - Teddy et al



Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Danielle's Baby is HERE!

No pics or other information but we're all excited, as you can imagine - TR

P.S. Everyone is well which is the main thing, isn't it!!

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?




To get to our bed & breakfast, of course!

This place we're staying at is so peaceful. Right in the heart of Frankonian Switzerland, as it's called, Ken & Marijke have settled in for a couple of sweet weeks. Being so relaxed has meant efforts have been directed to painting, writing and stitching in a big way.


Olice and his cousins will appreciate these chicken shots and might even be able to tell us if any of these birds are 'Rhode Island Reds'.




Across the street are a lot of goats as well (kids can buy food and feed it to them); and this neighbor calls his cat home like a dog. The grands would love this place. I'll post more pics of the view from the room as well as the surrounding towns, etc.

But first there'll be an important blog coming: Baby J Gibbs is scheduled to arrive in a few short hours!!

She's one of the main reasons we all wanted to stay put for so long - so that the Greenville crowd could get a hold of us easily. Can't wait to meet you, little girl! It's just a shame that it can't be in person yet...

Big Bear Hug, Teddy (with all possible love from Oma and Pops, too)

Monday, July 20, 2009

Day 5 - Vienna, Austria



First stop in Vienna was a visit to this crazy part of town. I forget the artist who created such cool buildings but it was a place I could have stayed all day!! Someone please help the bear if you know who this guy was or is! I'm getting beary hair-brained.

Next on the tour was - what else - a castle! One of many in this town. Bit too many rooms for K&M to clean on their own, though - and they'd need a few good gardeners, too.

Front view

half of back



other half of back.

Obviously there were the usual exquisite buildings, doorways and statues (see below) but the fact that the Vienna Boys' Choir still practice behind this door gave me quite a thrill. The whole church is now covered up by 'rooms' that have been created over the years by new generations of the Royals.









The sculptor who created this work of art was amazing - all the weight rests on the horse's two back legs.

Let's face it, I've got to go back to Vienna! I don't even remember this queen's name - just the fact that she had 16 kids. That's one good way to get immortalized, I guess.
See you in a few - Teddy (I've got to go cut Marijke's hair!)