European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 15, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Drawing up list of memories during draw Down Brenda j. Ford just when i thought it was Safe to relax and get on with my life a new malady came along a draw Down lag. No its not in the dictionary yet simply because it Means something different to everyone but basically it is similar to Jet lag which we Are All familiar with. For me it Means reflecting on the past 2yi hectic years of my a military  mostly its interesting that i actually have time to reflect Given that i am either packing or unpacking most of the time. First of All i would like to explain that i have been a a dependent Quot a spouse Quot Quot family member Quot or whatever they Are calling us this week for the 2vi years. Having come into the air Force rather late in life has been exhilarating confusing terrifying and sometimes downright embarrassing. My husband and i met when he was stationed in Texas and having lived within 100 Miles of where t was born for some 30 years i really looked Forward to a seeing the world Quot i miss All the usual things like my family my friends my Job Taco Villa country and Western clubs sometimes also known As a dives quo my car and knowing where in a going and How to get there from Here. I Don f miss West Texas Spring winds of 80 Mph with dirt so thick you can t Sec across the Street tornadoes or the mad Rush my life was when i was a single Parent i also done to miss the confusion and chaos of my first pcs move to Italy. Nor do i miss the amused looks on the faces of the people in Capo my first second third and 37th times there to get enrolled in deers get an id card get a passport get amendments to the orders Etc Etc., Etc. You see they expected someone of my rather advanced age to already be totally familiar with such terms As a concurrent travel a to Pov Mac a hold baggage Quot and Sato. I Don of miss not knowing what in the Sam Hill they Are talking about. My husband still gives me pop quizzes just to make sure i Haven to forgotten what language in a supposed to be speaking then it was off to Italy. Surprisingly enough especially to my husband do miss a lot of things about Sardinia Decimo Mannu to be exact. I know i know. You be never heard of it. Neither had we until we got the orders. Then my husband said a is that in North or South Korea a for the Benefit of those who done to know about Sardinia it is not exactly a third world country but its As close As i Ever want to get. I absolutely do not miss not having hot water in my Kitchen using bottled Gas for the stove and space Heaters that a ways ran out right after 1 . Saturday when every self respecting italian shopkeeper is closed until monday morning or the four aisle commissary that had meat Only during months ending in y and milk that had either expired yesterday or would tomorrow. I also done to miss the Early Days on that Island when the words a culture Shock Quot took on a whole new meaning. Gradually though i began to get Over my initial terror and venture out into this new world. Since no one there Speaks English i decided i would be forced to use the few italian phrases i had picked up from a tape and a Book. After All i told myself sternly no one Ever died from embarrassment and for once i was right. Of How i miss the Days when a simple a Obuon Giorno Signora a could transform the look of suspicion on a tiny Black garbed italian widows face into a smiling welcoming Ray of Sunshine. Lots of Long lonely Days were instantly changed by this simple greeting and the enthusiastic response i always got. Then As people got used to seeing me around although the curious looks never stopped and i did not get pinched not even once they became friends. There was also the food. While some of it takes some getting used to and an open mind is essential i Learned to love so much of the food its probably a Good thing for my hips that Decimo Mannu was closed. While i Don a miss the pizza it was a major disappointment do miss Calamari fritter Tortellini Spaghetti Carbonara gelato and most of All being Able to go out practically anytime for a real cappuccino. So much so i have ordered a cappuccino machine from cafes and most anxiously await its arrival. The beaches were spectacular especially for someone who had seen an Ocean Only once before and never beaches and dazzling Blue water like that around Sardinia. The mountains were a special treat As they reminded me so much of my Home state of new Mexico. Roman ruins ancient castles and churches everywhere. True they Are not Well marked but they Are Well Worth looking for and almost always free. A Ca Ivales a a fest ask and parades Are always happening somewhere. I miss All of them. We take so much with us when we move on a things that make us smile when we think of them and wish we had appreciated them More at the time. Although we have been in England Only a few Short months and will be leaving much sooner than we anticipated i fully expect and yes look Forward to missing a lot of things. So while being at three bases in 2vi Short years has left me with draw Down lag and i really wish i had More time to file away memories and develop tastes for things i can miss later i feel Lucky to have had the Chance at All. Like the time i wanted to buy a set of dishes at the Market and did no to have enough Money and the italian Vendor told me to take the dishes now and pay him next week or the time the landlord invited us to the Beach House and 24 people showed up for dinner or the first time i tried mussels or the time. Brenda j. Ford is a family member at Raf Woodbridge England. Send in your column plus a photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37, d-6100 Darmstadt 11, Germany. Opening laugh London Moser Zurich Switzerland on i ends copy Nghi s 1992, cartoonists 4 writers Syndicate from the cover .4-6 the military housing area american Colony. Sidelights. 7 parading through St pats Day. Odds amp ends. 8 miss manners does t is. The Point. In tune.9 thin parts for Darry l Hannah. This weeks films.10-11 Vinch 2 stars for Quot memoirs of an invisible Man. A Complete cafes circuit listings. Television listings .12-14 local Cable and satellite schedules. Home  a Barton Fink Quot write on. On Parade .16 Rachel Mclish could be a Chai weight Star. Voices .17 Joe Bob Briggs turns to culture. Words and wtt.18 Tony Konheiser is All smoke. Books.19 the sex in a Vox. A classified ads .20-23 last laugh .24 Dave Barry sees stack Fdl of trouble. Won Bro. Its Tough to see Chevy Chase in the comedy memoirs of an invisible Man Page 10. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor Bucky Fox Art direction Wes Booher production Susie Stonum editorial assistance Marian Hamilton Louis Pierce Page 2 a sunday March 15, 1992