The month of October is a glorious time in Osturňa. Tourists return to their quotidian routines in the cities; the village suddenly falls silent. The geraniums struggle to maintain their last blossoms in the dwindling sunlight while deciduous trees in the forest turn intense shades of red, yellow and orange, in stark contrast to the conifers. Stars in the sky appear even brighter in the crisp night air. Stoking the furnace becomes a necessity.
A surprise snow fall on Sunday left me to worry how I would manage to drive to Poprad the next day to have winter tires installed. But once across the Magura Mountain, there was little snow and the drive was a breeze.
In America, we celebrate Halloween; All Saints Day (a.k.a. All Souls Day) is not much of a holiday. Here in Slovakia, of course, All Saints Day is the important holiday, when cemeteries are aglow with candles placed in remembrance of loved ones. I enjoyed visiting the cemetery at night each year to see all the lights. I will again go this year. However, it will be a very different experience. My cousin and closest blood relation in the village died suddenly a few weeks ago. So my mind will not be on the beauty of the lights, but on the loss of my dear cousin Katerina. Apparently, tears are sometimes necessary in order to nourish the roots we plant.
Back at the penzión, I use this period to catch my breath after a busy season, to identify things to be fixed, and to plan for the winter season. The curtains have already been washed, ironed and rehung; walls and ceilings wiped clean. I would love to reorganize the pantry, but that will require at least one full day of participation. I want all new Christmas decorations this year. My “to do” list seems grows each day.
I also use this time to experiment in the kitchen, trying different recipes and techniques. My first angel food cake was a baker’s nightmare, but the third was perfect. The carrot cake was delicious but, with two layers and frosting, was 10 centimeters high! Better as a sheet cake, I think.
I’ve also been playing with my new toy: a vacuum sealer. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries have already been processed and frozen, awaiting the time when fresh fruit is unavailable. Can I reheat frozen cream of broccoli soup by placing the sealed bag in a pot of boiling water? We’ll see tomorrow.
With this free time, I plan next week to visit a friend in Wrocław, then another in Dresden, before finally arriving somewhere in France. I used to speak fluent French, but now my brain mixes it with Slovak. I need to spend a week there so I can regain my language skills.
Having guests forces me into a routine of shopping, cooking, and hosting. Lacking guests creates a period of uncertainty where I am free to do as I please, but always with the nagging thought of preparation. I suppose that is a part of life: always preparing.