there are so many stories still yet to tell…

stories about the watering of the piano in the lobby lounge
and the citing of donna summer a long time ago

stories about the pfister’s many super stars and its regulars finding home

stories about family reunions and lifelong friendships,
solo travel and far away places

stories of resilience and hope
of happy and sad

stories about the ones who greet you and the ones behind the scenes,
the ones who take your bags and the ones who check you in
the ones behind a desk and the ones in the kitchen

stories about the kindness of strangers and their daily acts of service
the ones who pamper, serve you coffee and mix your drinks
the ones who clean your room and the ones who keep you safe

stories of art and inspiration,
of chai and belonging

stories that I looked forward to at the start of every day
stories that shaped and brought me so much joy along the way

stories of a virus that changed our day-to-day
and of memories that will forever stay…

for all of my friends at the pfister, from my heart to yours
for a year i will never forget
thank you

~bela

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Ginger.
Whispers of ancient history and never forgotten folklore.
Of far away lands and fisherman lost at sea.
Of healing the body and feeding the soul.

Ginger.
The root for all ages.
For ancient and modern times.
For here and now.

Ginger.
For energy and balance.
For clarity and strength.
For wellness and healing.

Ginger is said to be an entire medicine chest in and of itself.  A well known remedy for travel sickness, nausea, and indigestion, it also removes toxins, relieves joint pain, and can help fight the flu, alleviate coughing and so much more.

Every Tuesday morning, for the better part of my residency, I would arrive in the Pfister’s executive kitchen to find this super spice waiting for me— a root from the earth, fresh, and full of promise for the new day.  

Peppery and slightly sweet, I cut, crushed and added this holiest of spices to the water on the stove.  I gave it time to mix with the other ingredients. To share its wisdom and lift them up.  And when it was done I took this wisdom and poured a cup of tea. One that relaxed the mind and warmed the heart. One that brought creativity, love and light.

The post The Medicine Chest appeared first on The Pfister Blog.

As the country begins to open and we here in Milwaukee are faced with the confusion of our state’s Stay-at-Home order being lifted but Milwaukee’s remaining in place, I cannot help but look back as I look forward. 

One of my favorite things about being the Pfister’s Narrator-in-Residence this year was the drive to the Pfister from my home in Shorewood, just at the edge of the city. Every morning I would drive along the shores of Lake Michigan until just before reaching the Pfister located only a few blocks away.

The morning sun would often be nestled perfectly up high but sometimes it would just be rising to meet the sky.  I remember this day clearly. It was mid-February.  Blustery and cold. Not just cold, but minus 3 degrees. It was brutal outside.  

But the sun. I remember the sun. Just over the horizon. It was too beautiful to just drive by. Too beautiful not to stop. It was brilliant. A golden yellow glow of magic and light. Of promise and hope. Of the impossible and possible. 

It was hard to pull myself away. To leave her light. But I had lost the feeling in my fingers and was too cold to stay. And so, I got back in my car and followed her along the way. 

The post Along the way appeared first on The Pfister Blog.

We have known each other for more than 20 years.
But only in passing.
She has been a fixture on the music scene for longer than I have known her.
Her spirit has always soared high.

Not so long ago we stopped just passing by.
And found each other.
First, as artists.
Then, as friends.
Now, as both.

Her light and wisdom always warms me.

And so on the day that she came for chai it was enough just to sit and be with her.
In her warm embrace.

But soon after, she sent me this.

A song.
Spontaneous and free.
From the heart.

A song.
That brought a smile to my face.

A song.
To remind me that she too had felt my embrace.

A song.
To remind me to keep moving forward.

A song.
To remind me of friendship and love.

The post A Song appeared first on The Pfister Blog.

i am a woman
i am a goddess
i am a prince and a princess
a king and a queen
i am a woman

you are a woman
you are a goddess
you are a prince and a princess
a king and a queen
you are a woman

we are women
we are goddesses
we are princes and princesses
kings and queens
we are

~bela

The Pfister Hotel has had a long tradition of celebrating mothers everywhere. And this year, today, would have been no exception. They were set to treat mothers and their loved ones to a feast of chef-prepared favorites. A mother’s day brunch fit for a queen. And a king. A princess and a prince. A goddess. A woman.

For all the moms out there. We are with you in spirit. And celebrate you. Always.

The post Happy Mother’s Day! appeared first on The Pfister Blog.

The Pfister’s Blu, is blue.
Not a sad blue.
But a sky blue.

Nestled on the 23rd floor, its windows reach for Lake Michigan’s waters.
And the city streets in between.

I miss the wide open view.
And the promise of something good.

I miss the public spaces.
And the people that I knew.

I miss the days like this one.
When I would begin writing at the Lobby Lounge Bar.
And then find Rosy, the then Artist-in-Residence, in her studio.

I miss our talks.
And our musings.

I miss our explorations to the 23rd floor.
When I would sit with her in the warmth of all that blue.
And talk of things to come.
And laugh in the luxury of Blu.

I miss the Pfister.
And all of the people that I knew.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.
And I think that is most certainly true.

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