Happy Obama day everyone

Relief. And more relief.

I've been complaining non-stop about the Bush regime for 8 years now, and now that he's gone all I'm left to gripe about is weather and maybe snow levels and the need to shovel the driveway. Beats having to worry anymore about Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld any old day. Welcome President Obama to all of our lives. Phew.

Icking

I'm not crazy about cold weather, but it sure can be beautiful around here on a frosty winter morning.

Uben and our guest dog Rosie

Icking is up on the hill in the background

Have we waited forever or what??????

The Hills and The City

I'm not sure what is going on around here, but I can watch episodes of The Hills and The City on my computer as if I was in the United States. Normally these videos just won't play here based I suppose on the foreign country ip address, but good old MTV is at least working for me at the moment. Now I should probably be deeply embarrassed that I even watch these shows, but not only do I watch them I frigging love them. I hate Spencer, think Heidi's lost her mind and has no self esteem, wish Audrina had better taste in men, think all the girls are cute and have great clothes. I'm worried about Whitney and the new boy Jay. If you are reading this and you also watch these shows, please leave a comment so I don't feel like such a freakshow.
Thank you.

Scenes from the daily walking of the dogs in the fall.

Various fall pictures from Bavaria

Moritz, Valentin and Felix in our shed

Valentin, the sunniest guy around

Felix has a nice profile

Daisy, my brother's dog

The mighty Uben Hertwig

Grazin' in the grass is a gas

Late October

Bernd's mom turned 90! She's still feisty and fit and a real handful. We had a party on her birthday at al local restaurant and a good time was had by all. She has 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. The newest is below.

Omi


Magdalena

End of September, first of October

Liz Z. and her new husband Scott Z. came to town while on their European honeymoon. We did a tour of Oktoberfest which is always some fun. Liz got a cool new hat. We were happy they came to Munich and it was great to see Liz and to meet Scott.

September and my dad's new digs

In September I flew to Tennessee to help my dear dad get moved to Indiana. Above is a picture of him, sad after my mom's death but an otherwise good picture of him. The other photo is his new apartment in Greenwood, Indiana. He likes it there, my brother is nearby, my sister-in-law is a saint, the food at his facility is good, he's swimming 3x a week and riding his bike weather permitting. The weather does not agree with him to put it mildly. He's been in Tennessee for 43 years with mild winters and last week it was 0 degrees Farenheit in Indiana. I'd be freaking too.

Corso

I went today to the euthanasia of my friend's dog. He was 17 years old, tired, and it seemed like it was time. Just like me with my last dog who had to be put to sleep, my friend did not want to watch and I felt honored to be with dear old Corso in his last few minutes of life. He had a nice weiner like a good German dog, laid down in his bed and let the vet (who was kindness personified) do her thing. I was alone with him for a minute while no one else was around, and though he probably did not speak English I think at 17 he was a wise old fellow...I told him not to be scared, to just go to sleep and go toward the light. He went very peacefully and was wrapped in a beautiful white linen tablecloth for burial. It is always hard to say goodbye to an old, loyal friend. Auf wiedersehen Corso.