Round and Square: lederhosen

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Showing posts with label lederhosen. Show all posts

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—Auf Wiedersehen!

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*** ***

One year ago on Round and Square (31 May 2012)—The Accidental Ethnographer: Ocean and Isle (a)
Two years ago on Round and Square (31 May 2011)—Endings: The Death of Captain Cook

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And the way today, leads to goodbye.

My contract is up here at Round and Square, and it is time to start back down the Bavarian pug road again. It has been a pleasure telling stories from Grandpa and Grandma Pug about this special little place in the south of Germany.

[b] Travelin' pug RF

Like my friend French Bulldog Puppy (not to mention other friends such as Liam and Roll Tide Guy), I'll be back occasionally for a guest commentary.

Round and Square's editorial rules are strict, though. One month—that's it.

And I look forward to welcoming next month's writer. It will be a change from Bavaria, that's for sure.

And, as I head off down the trail, let me say auf wiedersehen. Grandma Pug always told me that "We Bavarians don't say "tschüß." It is too informal. When we say goodbye, we pack in centuries of tradition.

And in grandma's kitchen hangs a little sign—Tschüß Freie Zone.

Formal Pug.

[c] Goodbye (for now) RF

[Originally posted on July 31, 2014]

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—Max Planck

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One year ago on Round and Square (30 May 2012)—The Accidental Ethnographer: The Isle of Patmos (2)
Two years ago on Round and Square (30 May 2011)—Le Tour de la France: Mère Etienne

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And today that way weaves its way through theoretical physics. You see, a little wunderkind was born in Holstein, and moved to Munich as a lad.

[b] Everywhere RF

And now it is hard to turn a corner anywhere in Germany without finding a Max Planck Straße (oder Platz). If you know anything about the history of physics, you know his name, and know well that he and a certain professor named Albert Einstein were colleagues and friends.

Max Planck

Max Planck lived through two world wars, and all of the problems (in all sorts of ways) they brought. He changed twentieth century physics, and he now has changed the signage from Berlin to Munich.

[c] Lightspeed RF

[Originally posted on July 30, 2014]

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—Levi Strauss

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One year ago on Round and Square (29 May 2012)—The Accidental Ethnographer: The Isle of Patmos (1)
Two years ago on Round and Square (29 May 2011)—Hurtin' Country: I Wonder How Far It is Over You

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And the way today weaves through the business of blue jeans.

[b] Fashioned History RF

A certain Levi Strauss (no, not the French anthropologist with a hyphenated surname) was born right smack dab in Bavaria—up north of Nürnberg, in the Franconian region. And he and a business partner came up with a splendid idea for denim work pants.

Levi Strauss

The rest is both labor and fashion history, but it is fitting that a hard-working Franconian would find success by selling workers tough, hard-working pants.

I wish he would have stayed back here and made lederhosen, but that's just me.

[c] Multi-use RF

[Originally posted on July 29, 2014]

Monday, July 28, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—The Bavarian Poacher

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One year ago on Round and Square (28 May 2012)—Primary Sources: Education and Acculturation (h)
Two years ago on Round and Square (28 May 2011)—Le Tour de la France (3)

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And the way today...as one more outlaw—an eighteenth century genius who was never fully "caught."

This guy is a little bit different than Robber Knießl.

[b] End of the trail RF

He was a robber, to be sure, but many people have called him a Bavarian Robin Hood. He began by poaching, and then moved on to lead a gang of bandits. He holds fascinating for all sorts of Bavarians, but not the least because (get this)...his accumulated treasures were never found.

The Bavarian Poacher

Oh, his end was just about as awful as that of Robber Knießl (in fact, a heck of a lot worse). Still, the fact that only he was broken, but the "stuff" never found...that is fascinating.

Even to this day, I listen to Grandpa Pug's stories about the Bayerische Hiasl (look at the header), and wonder if I could be the one to find the hidden loot. I have an idea about where it just might be...and I have a plan. I'll be set for life.

Crafty Pug.

[c] No, not that kind RF

[Originally posted on July 28, 2014]

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—Mathias Knießl

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One year ago on Round and Square (27 May 2012)—Primary Sources: Education and Acculturation (g)
Two years ago on Round and Square (27 May 2011)—Le Tour de la France (2)

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And the path to knowledge today runs through outlaw territory.

[b] Highway robbery RF

Grandpa Pug used to tell me stories of Rauber Knießl ("Robber Knießl), and his outlaw ways.

In fact, Mathias Knießl might be the most famous robber in all of Bavarian history. He never could hold down a job for long, and he joined his father and brothers in stock rustling and various robberies along the Bavarian "highways" of his day.

Robber Knießl

[c] Not to be outdone...RF

He robbed, eluded authorities and, in one very sorry turn of events, killed two policemen in a fierce gun battle. It still took time for sixty policemen to capture him three months later, and put him in jail for the final time. He was executed in 1902 for those shootings, which he said were the only part of his spree that he regretted.

The bigger story in my pug-world is the fascination with rebels. I once had an overseas pug from Northfield, Minnesota, (he was named Ole). He told me of the fascination with a robber called "Jesse James" in the decades before Mathias went on his rampage. Northfield still has a "Defeat of Jesse James Days" celebration every September. I then told Olaf about Robber Mathias, and we both wondered why they have almost cult status.

It's a good question, and one worth pondering.

Farmers in Bavaria saw him as a rebel who stood up to authorities. Grandpug was always more careful, saying that nothing ever justifies killing—ever.

And then he told me more Robber Knießl stories.

Puzzled Pug.

[d] Highway robbery RF

[Originally posted on July 27, 2014]

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—The Smith of Kochel

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One year ago on Round and Square (26 May 2012)—Primary Sources: Education and Acculturation (f)
Two years ago on Round and Square (26 May 2011)—Le Tour de la France (1)

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And the way today runs straight through Bavarian legend. Grandpa Pug used to tell the story of the Smith of Kochel.

[b] Strongsmith RF

Hearing the stories of his heroics in the late-seventeenth century (he broke down the gates of Belgrade with only an iron pipe, as I remember it as a pug-pup), I was filled with Bavarian pug-pride. On top of it all, the great Smith of Kochel refused all awards. Now that is a hero, and he has a monument devoted to him, and I have visited it several times.

The Smith of Kochel

When I learned that he was seventy years old, but strong as several Bavarian oxen, I was astonished. Nothing astonished me more, though (including learning that Santa Claus was a mere figment) than learning that the smith probably never lived, but was a kind of heroic composite. I "get" that all now, but oh, how he figured in my puphood ambitions.

Even today, I yearn for a Smith of Kochel when times get tough.

Inspired Pug.

[c] Gate breaking RF

[Originally posted on July 26, 2014]

Friday, July 25, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—Kaspar Hauser

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One year ago on Round and Square (25 May 2012)—Primary Sources: Education and Acculturation (e)
Two years ago on Round and Square (25 May 2011)—Seinfeld Ethnography: George Does the Opposite

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

[b] Out of nowhere RF

And today the way, the path, stretches amidst forests of mystery.

Grandma Pug always told the story of a strange young man who showed up on the streets of Nürnberg in 1828, claiming never to have left a cell in which he had been confined since infancy. A patron had apparently taught him to read and write, but never allowed him to leave the house. Then, at sixteen, he was turned loose in hopes of becoming a cavalry officer.

[c] Hidin' out RF

This was not even remotely possible, and not the least because he was mostly able to say only "I want to be a cavalry officer," "Horse, horse!," and "I don't know."

There's more, though. As time went on, he kept having serious accidents with knives and guns (often claiming to have been attacked, sometimes by hooded men). The claims grew preposterous, but the plot thickens all of the way to his death (from stab wounds) five years later. Take a look, and note how many further stories his "legend" inspired.

Kaspar Hauser

I get good and pug-scared every time I think of ol' Kaspar.

And the last thing I want to see is a Kaspar Hauser nutcracker.

Pug Mystery.

[d] Locked away RF

[Originally posted on July 25, 2014]

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—Nutcrcacker

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One year ago on Round and Square (24 May 2012)—Primary Sources: Education and Acculturation (d)
Two years ago on Round and Square (24 May 2011)—Remonstrance: East Asian Definitions

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And the way to Bavarian understanding today requires the nutcracker.

Yes, after yesterday's post, this may seem to be a bit crass, but I speak of a distinctive German decorative tradition, not the functional kind that uses a lever of sorts to crack open, um, nuts. Use a bottle opener for the Bocksbeutel, for pug's sake.

Although not exclusive to Bavaria (our friends up in Thuringia make pretty darned splendid nutcrackers) we are very proud of our traditions down here. My pug village is home to a very special collection of Altbayern Pug nutcrackers, and Grandma Pug used to take me there when I was just a pug-pup.

[c] Under cover RF

My goal someday is to take Grandma Pug to the most elaborate nutcracker museum of all, in the self-styled "Bavarian village" of Leavenworth, Washington.

No, not the one in Kansas. That's a different kind of village.

In any case, Bavarian nutcrackers are elaborate, with detailed handiwork that takes generations of hands and paws to master. I never tire of looking at Grandma pug's collection. When she's not looking, I sometimes crack open a nut with one. Boy, would I get a pug-scolding if she caught me. They're expensive, but the best of 'em actually work.

Functional-decorative Pug.

[d] Crackin' RF

[Originally posted on July 24, 2014]

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—Bocks Bottle

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One year ago on Round and Square (23 May 2012)—Primary Sources: Education and Acculturation (c)
Two years ago on Round and Square (23 May 2011)—Remonstrance: English Definitions

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And the way today lies on the road to etymology.

[b] Farmland RF

I have long puzzled over the term used for the distinctive Frankenwein bottle. It is the Bocksbeutel, and at least part of the word is very odd for native Bavarian pugs.

Beutel is no problem. "Container" or "bottle" comes close enough.

But Bocks...that is a little strange. Grandma Pug told me the most plausible theory, and that has it that it refers to a travel sack that was used for everything from books to, well, wine containers in olden-pug times.

But Grandpa Pug tells it differently. "You live on a farm," he said. Take a good look at that bottle. What does it look like to you?"

[c] Contained RF

I still couldn't figure it out, so I went for a little trot around the farm.

Whoa! I never saw that coming. If you look closely at a ram's anatomy, you'll see exactly what grandpa meant (and grandma was distinctly unhappy with this theory).

That's about as scatological as we get on Round and Square, but I'll never look at that bottle the same way again.

Embarrassed Pug.

[d] One part... RF

[Originally posted on July 23, 2014]

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Lederhosen Pug—Bocksbeutel

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One year ago on Round and Square (22 May 2012)—Primary Sources: Education and Acculturation (b)
Two years ago on Round and Square (22 May 2011)—Hurtin' Country: Clueless Male

[a] Lederpug RF

What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?

—Bavarian Proverb

No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).

And as I make my way through Franconia, enjoying its distinctive wines along the trails, I never fail to admire the beautiful Bocksbeutel in which they are stored.

[b] Frankenwein RF

Take a look. You won't find this sort of beauty in many other places.

Bocksbeutel

Back in the day, as Grandpa Pug likes to tell it, this bottle was reserved for only the very best Franconian wines. He remembers when his wine cabinet had ordinary bottles, and there was a special shelf reserved for the very best of Frankenwein.

That has changed for all sorts of reasons, but the bottle shape is now protected under EU commerce laws. Wineries allowed to use it include some from Portugal, northern Italy, and Greece.

And you'll have to wait until tomorrow to hear what the word means.

[c] Bocksbeutel RF

[Originally posted on July 22, 2014]