A couple of months ago we took a little stroll through my home state, Montana, via the lenses of several very talented photographers.
Then the next day I invited you to Switzerland where our daughter, DeAna, lives with her husband and family. It’s our go-to place when we have saved up enough to travel… and are free to do so. Three of our grandchildren are there. Of course, it’s a wonderful place to “have to” go!!
Today in my “Antelope and Attitude” post I told you I dream of traveling in 2021 back to Switzerland. For my new followers, I dug out this old post and decided to update it and let you see why I love Switzerland so much.
We sat on a patio with this view eating raclette with our daughter last time we visited her in Sierre, Switzerland, spring of 2018.
We visited that quaint village and attended the wedding of a Swiss friend.
Here are our three Swiss grandsons, Mike, Nick & Chris. That was several years ago when we visited at Christmas time. They’ve changed considerably since then!
Here’s their mom, our daughter. DeDe. Such a sweetheart! She never changes.
Her sons, on the other hand, do! But, okay, let’s look at some of their Swiss scenery. That’s why you came, right?
The lakes are sites to behold!
Castles are plentiful!
Riding in the car with my son-in-law driving on these switchbacks is an experience to remember!!
Flowers in springtime are everywhere!
Towns often were built almost to resemble fortresses.
Grape vineyards border towns and cities where the ground is fertile.
How they built castles on such high, rocky mountain peaks is beyond me!
Every square inch of the sunny mountainsides of Switzerland is terraced and planted with grapes. (This is Lake Geneva). It is near Valais, the canton where De & Andre’ live).
The lakes in Switzerland are numerous, clear, clean and so picturesque!
Castles in Switzerland are plentiful and always points of great travel interest.
In every town and village, the church steeple is always the highest point!
The way they tuck houses into crevices is amazing!!
Trains are a wonderful way to see Switzerland.
You can set your clocks by the trains and their arrival/departures.
The train system is amazing in Switzerland. Andre’s uncle was an engineer who helped design some of these bridges!
Mmmm… Cheese Fondue! Delicious melted cheese with potatoes, pickles and onions is “the best” delicacy of Valais! (Of course that’s in my biased opinion). Raclette is my favorite Swiss cheese.
I love the Swiss cows. We have one of the queen cowbells hanging in our kitchen here in Montana!! I’ll show you that another time.
We usually visit in springtime or in winter (Bob loves to ski), but autumn is a gorgeous time in Switzerland, too.
The Matterhorn is one of Switzerland’s most famous landmarks.
This year De & Andre’ were working at a mountaintop restaurant at a ski resort where the only access was by chairlift. Can you imagine the views??
I love the springtime the most. Flowers are everywhere and the mountains are green and alive.
Oh, here are some more of those gorgeous Swiss cows!
Switzerland is beautiful in every season!
Thank you for visiting a few scenes with me. Thank you to #IloveSwitzerland for most of the images. Some are mine, though. Isn’t it an amazing country?
This is my oldest grandson, Mike with his significant other, Tania. We can hardly wait til the next time we get to go and visit with them. Kids grow up so fast, don’t they?
Doesn’t matter what season it is, we know our “DollyWolly” will be there to greet us!!
Thanks for visiting with me for a while. Hopefully someday we will go back… and I hope you can visit Switzerland for real yourself someday, too.
Our daughter, DeAna, sent us this video this morning of her duet with Sylviane, her “Swisster.” It warms my heart to see and hear them singing together. De is the one in red.
“Syli” (as we nicknamed her) lived in our home/became our daughter and De’s “Swisster” in Modesto, CA when De was a senior in high school. DeAna then lived with Syli’s family in Sierre, Switzerland the next year. When she came home, she brought Syli’s first cousin, Andre’, home with her! They were married a year later.
Seeing and hearing these two sing together is such a joy! (Sit back a couple minutes and enjoy)
De & her “Swisster”
Our grandson, Chris, was named after Syli’s brother, Christian. Christian was our AFS exchange student in 1980-81. That’s how this whole Swiss connection got started.
If you have followed my blog for awhile, you met our grandson, Chrissy, when he came to Montana last year and attended the Job Corps program.
And you saw Chris with his girlfriend, Natalia from Colombia, in this related post:
In this next video, De and Chrissy are singing a duet to Natalia.
It’s a beautiful day here in Montana – and a wonderful way to start the day with these videos from my DeDe. I hope you enjoy them, too.
Here’s my view yesterday afternoon. Today the clouds are gone and the sky is blue blue blue:
Those antelope babies I showed you a couple days ago were back yesterday afternoon, crossing that field between us and the “next door” neighbors. We call that path “The Antelope Highway.”
Look carefully. There are four little ones with a yearling. That one trailing is not old enough to be the mama. Must be a babysitter!
One of the little ones ran on ahead. They are so cute! OK, enough cuteness for this morning… I gotta get busy.
Bob just left to go fishing, and… my Writers’ Group is coming to the house this morning. It’ll be our first meeting since all this COVID-19 stuff. We can socially distance in my living room.
I’ll tell you all about it this afternoon. Come on back!
My 2020 resolution is to “Walk the Talk.” It is a daily commitment. What was your 2020 resolution?
Try to “Walk the Talk.” Try to live your commitments. Express them daily.
Today I walked with my TOPS friends. Here are two of them with me: Cherrie & Jeannie. We walked in our Lion’s Club Park. Did a lot of talking as we walked. Tried to solve all the world’s problems!
Valais, Switzerland
No, this isn’t my walking path… it’s my daughter, DeAna’s, in Sierre, Switzerland. She walks this trail up into the Alps – often joined by one or two of her three sons. Yesterday she sent this photo. Our grandson, Chris, was her walking partner.
DeAna “walked the talk” with Chrissy as they navigated the trail on the terraced mountainsides and enjoyed the outdoor time together.
Here is DeAna, our daughter, with her new haircut. No, she’s not in Paris. That’s just her “photo op!”
.
And before that haircut:
She says she’d like to be on a tropical island! I’d say being in Switzerland is not a bad option!
Today De’s walk was with Christine, a friend who was one of their waitresses for almost 20 years in the restaurant they once owned on main street in Sierre.
Christine – on the balcony overlooking the Swiss valley
Half way up the Alps from their city is a beautiful little place called Vissoie, De and Andre’ have purchased a new restaurant… new to them, but with a long history in this Alpine village.
It has that typical Swiss chalet appearance with a hotel attached above and on the right. They take possession in October, I think.
Isn’t this an inviting spot? As they plan for this new venture, they get to “Walk the Talk” of trust. Trust that this pandemic world will not always keep people sequestered and afraid to go out and dine together. Trust that the people of Vissoie and the surrounding communities will accept them and frequent their dining hall. Trust that visitors will stay in their hotel.
My prayers are with them, of course, as I encourage them in this exciting new time on their lives.
Lion’s Club Park, Ennis, Montana
As my lady friends and I walked the trail in our beautiful park, we talked about family, commitments, future events, the racial injustice that is sparking protests all over the USA, and the COVID-19 situation that is far from over.
My goal is encouragement and positivity. I share my faith here on WordPress, and I share the Source of my Joy with my walking friends.
Today at d’Verse Lillian challenged us. Since we are not able to travel now because of the Covid-19 pandemic, write a poem that takes every one along with us on a trip we have taken in the past. Here are the directions:
Write a poem that is a travelogue of sorts.
2) The TITLE must include the name of the place we’ll be visiting
3) Post the poem to your blog AND add the exact URL for your poem to Mr. Linky below.
4) REMEMBER to either TAG dVerse in your post, or include a link at the end of your poem that leads readers back to dVerse
So, travel with me to Switzerland where or daughter and her family live.
Let’s Go to Switzerland
Switzerland is a wonderland Where visitors love to go. Springtime’s filled with flowers; Winter – with magical snow.
We rode the tram to the top of the Alps And stood on the mountain’s summit. A trail for skiers led to the base, But we stood back; no desire to plummet!
A favorite meal in the state of Valais Is raclette, luscious melted cheese. It’s made with milk from sweet Swiss cows. Come and enjoy a day with us, please!
The God of hope brings peace and joy. He fills my heart with song. No matter what sorrow today may bring, I can sing His praises all day long.
My heart overflows with God’s sure hope That comes by the power of His Spirit. When troubles mount; fear fills my heart – I lean on Him and know He’ll clear it.
I trust today in God’s promises; I know His joy and peace. His love o’erflows within my heart His power is sure to all fears release.
Lisa Glines Photography
So when the fear in storms erupt Sending troubles to your life, Just turn to Him and see beyond – Where Hope resides and Joy melts strife.
He is the reason I can sing today. He is the reason I have peace in my soul. He is the reason you can live with joy. Let the power of His Spirit make you whole.
After listening to the John Anderson YouTube version of this song, I wrote this comment: “What a gorgeous rendition of this song. Previously I had enjoyed only the Josh Grobin version. Beautiful as it is, this choir adds extra beauty to it with their gorgeous harmonies… such an important message in this troubled world! Yes, let Him lift you to His shoulders… and let’s BEE more than we can ever BEE without him!”
Let the Lord lift you; Let Him raise you up to Him – Strong on His shoulders!
Your faith empowers You to be more than you’d be Without His presence.
Michael Solioz Photography Tania on the mountaintop
My grandson, Mike, in Switzerland, sent me this photo that he took of his girlfriend, Tania, high in the Alps, overlooking the Rhone River Valley where they live. Lifted up… high into the heavens … with the sun streaming down, the peace of Christ permeates the world.
May that peace be yours today, my friend. May you find joy and comfort in Him. May He be the reason you can “sing His praises all day long.” God bless and keep you.
Share with us your reason for a sense of peace and hope in today’s troubled world.
About 25 years ago Bob and I met Gérald Theurillat in Valais, Switzerland.
He and his wife, Celia, are friends of our daughter and her husband.
In the years since we first met “Theu,” he has retired and has become a phenomenal photographer of birds in his region.
Gérald Theurillat has a FaceBook page where you can see more of his wonderful photos and learn the names of these gorgeous animals. I recommend you visit him there if you love birds as I do, and if you want to learn more.
Leave a comment on Theu’s FB page – and tell him “JanBeek sent me.”
Have a Wonderful Weekend, my friends.
Today is the day Bob & I pack and get ready to leave this beautiful spot.
Canadian geese in Rancho Mirage – I wish Theu could photograph these birds. You’d see them a lot better through his camera lens!
We’ll leave early tomorrow morning. Pray for our safe travels, okay? Next destination is Turlock, in central California, where I graduated from Turlock Union High School back in 1957 (yes, I know… that makes me ancient!) – But, no, I don’t feel old!
(BTW, I get to meet on Monday with a bunch of my class of ’57 girlfriends. Ain’t that a fun thing to anticipate?)
Like Theu’s beautiful birds, I still am soaring high and loving every minute!
Visit Gérald Theurillat ‘s website and let him know you appreciate his wonderful photography as much as I do.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek. Send your friends, will you?
I’d like to have 1,000 followers for the fun of celebrating the announcement of my 1,000th post.
In the center of this photo is Marcelle Zufferey. To her left is her dear daughter, Sylvianne, who wrote the tribute below. On Marcelle’s right is her beautiful granddaughter, Lorianne.
Family Connections
Sylviane (we call her Syli) is our “Swiss Daughter.” She lived with us for a year in California when she was 17 or 18. The next year our daughter, DeDe, went to Switzerland for a year and lived in Syli’s family. Marcelle was such a loving, compassionate guide. Our daughter fell in love with Syli’s cousin, Andre’ (who became our son-in-law)… and to say De needed guidance is putting it mildly! God bless Marcelle and her husband, Antoine, for their loving understanding.
This last couple of years Marcelle has been in a care facility. That dreaded disease, Alzheimer’s, captured her memory and her health. Syli was there to spend quality time with her almost every day.
The Tribute
DeDe’s “Swisster” wrote this tribute to her mom in French (her native language). It was translated by Facebook and posted today. Some of the words may be translated strangely, but the beautiful sentiment is clear:
“Mom… you went to join dad this afternoon on his birthday.
I was able to accompany you to your last breath.
Thank you for giving us so much love.
For passing us through your eyes and your beautiful smile the meaning of family, respect and love.
You are part of the love of each of us.
From up there with dad you can be proud …
We had the extraordinary chance to have you as parents.
For having you as a mom, grand mom and great grand mom.
You are in my heart my little mom, I love you
And even if i will miss your beautiful eyes and your smile deeply, I know that now you don’t suffer anymore and that with dad you are forever present in our hearts.”
An Acrostic
I wrote this acrostic today as my tribute to this special lady… remembering her as she will always live in my heart:
M arvelous A wesome R adiant C ompassionate E mbraceable L ovable L oyal E ndearing
Marcelle and me – circa 1985
Rest in peace, Marcelle. I love you.
Will you write an acrostic using your name and describing yourself? I’d love to see it. Mine would be: J oyful A nimated Natural (or maybe “Nutcase”??)
Marcelle Zufferey is dancing in Heaven with her husband, Antoine, today!
Today is Antoine’s birthday!! He went to his eternal home a couple of decades ago. Marcelle suffered this last couple of years from that awful disease, Alzheimer’s, that robs us of our minds – our memories. But, right to the end, she was that beautiful, blue-eyed mother who gave her children everything they needed for a full life. She is the mother of our 1980-81 AFS student, Christian Zufferey, and his sister, Sylviane, who lived with us for a year in 1983-84. Our daughter DeDe, married their first cousin, Andre’. That’s why DeAna is a Swiss citizen and our 3 grandsons were born and raised in that beautiful country. We owe Marcelle a deep debt of gratitude!
Our hearts go out to the Zufferey and Solioz families today, as we mourn their loss. But we know they are faith believers … and they recognize God’s perfect timing in this earthly departure.
I can play a Swiss polka today … and celebrate the reunionof Marcelle and Antoine.
Dance, my friends.
Heaven awaits,
and God’s timing
always is perfect!
I waited 28 years For a card or letter from my #1 grandson. It was a card worth waiting for!!
God bless our post office! In spite of no PO Box number on it, it was delivered.
In addition to the surprise of a postcard from our #1 grandson, we also received a wonderful set of pictures exhibiting his phenomenal photography skills.
Aren’t they the world’s cutest couple?
I appreciated Mike’s photography so much in the few he sent me, that he created an Adobe album for me and sent some of the ones he has taken in Valais, Switzerland where he and Tania were born and raised.
That’s their town of Sierre below – where our daughter, DeAna, lives with her wonderful chef husband, Andre’ and her angelic mother-in-law, Denise, and our #3 grandson, Christian.Higher up the Alps, look down at the road they just traveled!They hiked up to Hotel WeisshornIsn’t that a gorgeous setting?
Mike, you are a treasure!!
Thank you, Mike, for sharing.
That postcard was worth waiting for – That trip to Greece was worth waiting for – That darling Tania was worth waiting for –
They make such an adorable couple, don’t they?
Everything worth having is worth waiting for. Trust in God’s perfect timing! Thank you God for letting me live long enough to see this #1 grandson so happy, and so willing to share his joy!
Thank You, God for answering prayers.
Have a beautiful day, my friends. I hope your dreams and prayers come true, too. Keep on praying and dreaming! Remember, they are worth waiting for!
