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GLÜCKLICH IST…


Glücklich ist
Wer vergisst
Was doch nicht zu ändern ist.
                                Die Fledermaus
   Richard Strauss

This short but sweet tidbit of wisdom from the Strauss opera farce, Die Fledermaus, (The Bat) translates as, “Happy is the man who forgets what cannot be changed.”  I think this sentiment incorporates an entirely appropriate send-off for 2019, my personal choice—so far-- for annus horribilis. 
So, here goes:  "Bye bye and good riddance, 2019!"  There.  I feel better already.

However silly Die Fledermaus might be, and the production we saw at the Deutsche Oper last week was extremely silly, I think Strauss got it just right.  His message rings in the New Year and every minute of every day:  "You're not always in control of events, so let those go, and be happy."  And I would add, "Live in the moment and have as much fun as you possibly can, at all times!"  

That’s my wish for you and for me in 2020.  Plus, "Have a doughnut." 
Whaaaaat?  (I said this tidbit was short but sweet.)  I wish you a doughnut because that’s the way Berliners welcome the New Year.  They eat doughnuts filled with plum jam, pastry cream, chocolate cream, eggnog liqueur, or even mustard (which is supposed to bring good luck--Yuck!) on New Year’s Eve.  No one seems to know from whence this custom came, but everyone knows where it's going--straight to the hips.  But that doesn't stop them from eating Pfannkuchen, which is what doughnuts are called  in Berlin.  Yesterday, they were selling like hotcakes.   
They were everywhere:  in my bio grocery store, at sidewalk cafes, and in the U-bahn stations.  If you’d like to get in the spirit, join in the fattening fun, maybe even put on a goofy hat, and try making them at home, here’s a handy-dandy recipe:  pfannkuchen
And I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts you’ll love ‘em!  I ate one last night and it made me feel a whole lot better about 2020.
Happier New Year, everybody!

Keep it real!
Marilyn

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