New Pond Population

July 17/08 9:26 a.m.

Since "Herr Husband" is still the casted,handicapped one not allowed to drive a car,Landfrau decided to end the state of loneliness of the leftover fish in our pond (faithful readers are familiar with my several "fish" stories) . So, hated Krefeld is the only place where, according to the internet, fish for ponds could be found. First shop I decided to look for, the road had been blocked off completely, deviation etc. did not know where it would take me. So I decided to visit the second one,which had been seen at the side of the road all the time I had been driving to the hospital. Mysteriously the shop had vanished. About the third one my Tom Tom navi ,which by then I decided to activate, told me the street number was not available and inspite of driving up and down that road I could not spot a 200. So I went into a roadside market for building materials and there a friendly lady pointed out a new shopping center, where I might be lucky. And bingo...a big store for animal needs and - bless them - fish tanks galore! By then I must have gone bonkers because of all the fish swimming around I insisted on a special one, I had the feeling it had looked at me, transfering: take me,take me! - My, a fish,not a puppy! - I also got a tiny goldfish without telepathy. Now we have a populated pond. For how long??

P.S. Link to a pic of veiltails

A Ray of Sunshine in the Morning

July 16/08 9:07 a.m.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE!

Slowly but surely

July 15/08 7:46 p.m.

Yes, we are approaching normality, not quite yet, but there is hope. We had an "outside" birthday party for moml (man of my life) at the Canoo the floating restaurant I had been reporting about at previous occasions. Food had been plenty and good and the ambience terrific, when it started getting dark the patron lit candle lanterns all over the places and with the beautiful bright skyline of Düsseldorf and the even brighter lights and movements of the big "Düsseldorfer Kirmes"(watch the slide shows in article) you had that holiday feeling and since it had been a warm summer night for a change the setting had been perfect.
And today we had lunch at the "Langster Fährhaus" a place quite near to our home at the ferry landing,which we also favour.
Of course I am still the diligent driver, but July 25th the cast will come off, then we shall see further.

Beautiful,but no Pets

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July 12/08 4:35 p.m.

Found this touching movie about the Northamerican bisons.
When we had been in South Dakota a few years ago, we watched the buffalo-roundup at Custer State Park. Quite a sight for which you had to get up very early in the morning, but it had been worth it. What amazed me at that time was, where all those other spectators came from in the middle of nowhere. Beeing eye to eye with the beasts I had been glad that there had been a fence between us. We have been told that every year accidents, even deadly ones, happen, when tourists think they are confronted with animals they can treat as pets.

But now I am going to take out my own personal pet, Herr Hund, no danger there, oh yes, he might lick you to death!

Amazing

July 10/08 6:07 p.m.

...that those geraniums ever came across with blossoms. Every time they were about to bloom,they got beaten up by storm,rain or hale. Now they made it and it's worth a pic before something ruins them again. Our weather is not really playing up to the time of the year.

Hi, I'm back!

July 9/08 8:00 p. m .

And thanks to valerian I do not care so much about all the " shit happening" anymore . Besides the patient has a walking cast since yesterday, he even can climb stairs and can reach his own bed again, so the living room camp has been removed. Still, there are certain things not so easy yet, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I always have my doubts with certain medics, so I insisted the patient should consult another doctor, and bingo, his cast had been a real "masterwork". Now he has a new one and a walking piece attached to it on top. Of course, he would not win in the paralympics, but he can move without the wheelchair, how we started to hate that piece! Unfortunately driving the car is out, even an automatic, law is against it and in case of an accident there would be no coverage. So Landfrau still is the obidient chauffeur. And the obidient nurse, and the obidient servant, but thanks to valerian I don't give a damn.

Not in the Mood

July 6/08 5:50 p.m.

Keith Urban for the Weekend

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July 3/08 7:02 p.m.
Weekend song -
Yep, friends, I know, it's only Thursday, but my US friends are celebrating the 4th of July tomorrow, so have a jollie one, you guys. -
As for Landfrau, the grab into the toiletbowl does not seem to end. Herr Hund puked onto the entrance hall floor ( fortunately without carpets on account of the wheelchair) , the patient dropped a bottle with orange juice in front of the fridge, glass and juice all over the floor yesterday, today a tiny bottle of leftover oil came catapulting out of the fridge when I opened it and now my new bought pair of pants is rotating in the wahsing machine, hopefully the grease comes out. And on top of that I discovered a dent at the right side of my car,which must have happened yesterday when I tried to get the car close enough to the enctrance door for the patient to get out of the wheelchair into the car. Had to drive him to the meds. By the way, we are still with cast - no walking.
Hey, but don't worry, otherwise I'm fine!

Reining in wild horses

July 1/08 11:48 p.m.

As a former horse owner it breaks my heart to read reports like that, but what's a wild horse compared to the remaining misery of our world.

Tough Luck

June 30/08 3:27 p.m.

And I knew it, no walking cast, bone has moved apparently, so we continue: business as usual. How long?? Quien sabe.

Sequence of the" Shit happens"

June 28/08 11:15 p.m.

Now,take us, first the heart surgery, then the broken foot and now...the television in the downstairs area, the only one the patient can move around in, is on the verge of breaking down. But, do you notice, the events become minor in the run. So, there's still hope, but for tomorrow nite we are in a jam, m.o.m.l. wants to watch the soccer finals, we have a big screen televison in the "tower" room, but no ways to get him up there. So, it's a hard decision, rely on the tv to hold on or take him to watch the game at daugther's place, which involves getting him into the car, loading the wheelchair and whathaveyou. As I always say: we shall see.
We had a beautiful summer night and I had a time out on the garden deck with a glass (or two) of red wine, lightening my little kiva stove (which always reminds me of Santa Fe) with my outside torches burning and looking,like on a stage, into the camping type living room, where the patient is sleeping on his double inflated bed. The first cast is supposed to come off on monday, then it will be one he can walk on (so they say) and we will take it from there. He has high hopes, I am doubtful.

The Mess we are in

June 26/08 9:25 p.m.

...reminds me of Heinrich Heine's bed he could not leave anymore for the last eight years of his life and called his "Matrazengruft" (matress catacomb)

(Christian Johann Heinrich Heine (December 13, 1797 – February 17, 1856) was a journalist, essayist, and one of the most significant German romantic poets. He is remembered chiefly for selections of his lyric poetry, many of which were set to music in the form of lieder (art songs) by German composers.) - from WIKIPEDIA -

We certainly hope that the confinement of our patient won't last for the next eight years.

And some more about the European soccer championships, I still think the Turkish team had deserved to win last nite. Now Germany is the semi finalist and has to play against Russia or Spain, whoever wins tonite.

SOCCER

June 25/08 7:18 p.m.
Tonite is the night, GERMANY against TURKEY! I am a solitaire German who thinks Turkey will win. We shall see and now I am off!!

Make do,or being inventive

June 24/08 9:42 p.m.

Not so easy, getting everything managed. Moving up the stairs asswise of course did not work. So Landfrau had the really,mega brilliant idea to put up two inflatable guest beds, one ontop of the other,in the living room and after moving the patient around on our wheel equipped computer chair, I picked up a wheelchair today. We have a big problem since the patient is not allowed to stand on the castfoot for a week (so they say) and his healthy leg is without muscles,ergo no strengh. His arms he can not move on account of his bypass scars, so moving around ,like to the bathroom, is a task. Makes me a nurse and a housewife on the side and as if I had nothing else to do I had to empty our fishpond and clean it this morning. It started to smell terribly and the water had turned, so when I emptied it I found one of our leftover goldfish dead on the ground. Have to get the lonly rider now a new companion, whish he had done me the favour to die too. But - you can't have everything.
And now it's early bedtime for me.

MALCONTENT

June 23/08 4:41 p.m.

So our patient has "fallen" himself back into the mega-patient state, he broke the middlebone of his foot. Had an X-ray made this morning, because he could not walk any more. He is far too heavy for me to handle and he can't use crutches on account of his bypass scars. I ordered a wheelchair , which we will get tomorrow,but that won't save the staircase problem to the upper floor, where the bedroom is located. The guestroom is in the basement, same amount of stairs. He thinks he can manage on his bum, well, I think he might be in for a surprise. Then we will have to think of something else. -
Today is Herr Hund's birthday, 10 years old, and we really are neglecting him, poor bugger. Netherlands vaccation with grandson is out, so are any other activities for the next 6 weeks to come. Brilliant? Don't think so.

HERZKAPSPER

June 21/08 2:56 p.m.

....Is a somewhat flippant verbalism of a heart attack, and that's what Landfrau will get pretty soon if m.o.m.l. keeps up his mischiefs. Home for a week now he took his bike and - fell off! As if it was not enough that he has scars from the heart surgery, a damaged shoulder, damaged knees,( all previous ailments), now he is sitting in his chair beeing supplied with cold packs and ointment for his foot. And Herr Hund has infected anusglands, so he has to be treated too. Hope I do not mix up the medications.
Aside from keeping a hospital I baked an apricot cake which right now smells up the house very nicely,hope it's as tasty as well.
The accident happened yesterday and since yesterday I get a laughing fit,every time I see my patient limping around with a cane,which he refused to use up to now, like "I am not an old man" - well... Somewhat mean, I know,but the only alternative to sit down and bawl. Kind of an hysteric reaction, I suppose.

Hey, Friends...

June 20/08 14.00 p.m.

...for all of you taking flight this weekend, and - brother i.l. - have fun in India!

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The great Willie Nelson with "On the Road again"

....and they are still flying!

June 20/08 8:18 a.m.

Those little flags! And a whole nation has new superheros, Schweini and Ballack, Ballack and Schweini, oh yes and maybe Mr. Lehmann (I think he did the best job, but nobody asks me).

Clinton, Obama to make joint appearance next week -LINK

June 19/08 9:37 a.m.

And I would say it is about time that they join forces, otherwise Mr.McCain will win the homerun. And I hope Germany will win the homerun tonite against Portugal (soccer) otherwise a whole nation will sink into deep depression and all those nice little flags flying on cars will have to vanish, that would be a shame.

Lunchtime

June 18 /08 11:30 a.m.



MySpaceTV-Videos: Shark Lunch von d.d.sHpilz

W O W !! - we are having lamb today.

Herr Hund - Thinking

June 15/08 3:53 p.m.

6:30 a.m. - I will go and have a look - she still has her eyes closed!

7:00 a.m.- maybe a pat with the paw might help!

7:30 a.m. - she's awake, she's awake, joy, joy!

7:40 a.m. - she gets herself a coffee, maybe the fridge will be opened? shit, no luck!

7:50 a.m. - she takes a shower - booring!

8:00 a.m. - now it's for the breakfast goodies, wow, human food is so great!

9:30 a.m. - I will pester her a little,she should get dressed.

9:40 a.m. - she puts that delicious stuff on her skin, I will just get a little taste - lick! -

Why does she scold me every day again, she won't be able to kick my habit.

10:00 a.m. - she gets dressed -about time!

10:05 a.m. does she have to pick up the paper out of the mailbox,can't that wait? At least I am allowed along, will bark at some people passing by.

10:07 a.m. she gets her jacket and....hurrah,my leash, and will she take the bike?? She does...

jumping around with joy - my day is saved.

KOKOPELLI

June 13/08 10:20 p.m.

Kokopelli really had been a Jack of many trades. I learned about him during our stays in New Mexico and I had been fascinated by him. So I had been very happy when we found this little piece of art by Elwood Martin Reynolds, a Cheyenne-Arapaho Native American artist. -Now my very own Kokopelli is beeing very lively depending on the time of the day and every time I look at him he somehow gives me a happy feeling. He had been really pretty tonite at sunset and tomorrow man of my life (m.o.m.l.) is coming home. -

Found above info about the passing away of the artist. It kind of shocked me,although I did not know him. But I remember the nice salesgirl in the shop in Santa Fe,when we had been there last in 2000, she talked so fondly of him.

Teach an old dog new tricks or my Tom-Tom and me

June 11/08 9:04 p.m.

Had to go to a place near Cologne today, a girl friend of mine,who lives in Southern Germany now, celebrated her birthday at her daugther's place. In pre- Tom-Tom (navi, for the ones not up to date) times I would have reclined, I am a catastrophy about finding my way around unfamiliar surroundings. With my Tom-Tom I am a queen (so I thought). Trouble is, when you know your way a little bit in a way, you think you are smarter than the device. I did not obey and took the exit from the Freeway which I thought had been correct, that had been my burial, because from then on I got led around regions which never could have been right. In the long run I lost 15 minutes to an hour,amazing considering the ways I had been circeling around. On the way back I decided to really listen to instructions and by that time I had finally found out that if the smarty says right or left, you have to watch the little screen too,otherwise you turn too early. Like I said, old dog and new tricks. But on the way back I heard an old favoured song of mine on the radio, listen friends, it's smooth! - And has the trip been worth it?-Three guesses! Now I am relaxing with a glass of wine, shit is, you can not drink with driving, but then, I still might be circeling Cologne, if I would have had a couple of drinks. Although on the other hand the party might not have been so boring - for me.
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Journey with Little Miss Sunshine

June 10/08 7:52 p.m.

Not long ago I have seen a tv-documentary about a Mongolian Nomad family. Amazing how they manage to pack and stow all their belongings, even furniture and their yurt-tent into oxen drawn carts in no time. But this is nothing, I tell you nothing, compared to our trip ,granddaughter, great granddaughter and Landfrau took, to visit m.o.m.l. at his rehab in Lippstadt for the weekend. The car had been loaded till under the roof with things the baby needed (so her mom said). We did not even have room for Herr Hund, he had to stay with daughter No.2. Our patient of course had been very happy to see us, he looked and felt well. They for sure make him work hard at his rehab. He will be coming home coming saturday, then it had been 2 days short of 3 weeks. Time flies. The place where he had been is a nice retreat, in the middle of a big garden parc. The small village of BadWaldliesborn gives the impression of a big parc, very clean but on the other hand a bit boring. I think fox and hare bid each other good night in this region. The clinic had a nice outdoor sole bath - swimming facilities which I enjoyed. M.o.m.l. isn't allowed yet to swim on account of the scar and granddaughter had to take care of the baby. So I went by myself and was eyed by some lonely swimmers, obviously bored patients and bitten by a nasty bug. I still have a bruise on my collar bone. At night we had a nice grilled meat dinner at a local restaurant.We even could sit outside, weather had been great, which during our drive had not been so great, since the aircondition in granddaughter's car had broken down and we arrived quite sweaty with a sweaty baby. Then it was good not to have a smelly Herr Hund along. - We had rooms in an a bit oldfashioned hotel, right across from the clinic, all the other guests were old people,so little
Miss Sunshine had been the hit. We had breakfast together the next morning and then we left for home, granddaughter and baby stayed with me till this morning and I have been busy today to turn the house,which had been a big playpen, into a normal house again. All in all some nice days with beautiful weather. Now it's me and Herr Hund till Saturday.

Weather Pixie

June 5/08 11:55 p.m.

Weather Pixie is back!! - look at bottom of page.

Two new Ones

June 5/08 10:45 p.m.

Saw a report, no two reports, on TV this nite, one about Barack Obama and one about Medwedew, who for the first time is visiting Germany. Two leaders who have to prove themselves. Obama has not yet reached the top and Medwedew, Putins puppet? As I often say, time will tell.

I call it the "Hoopsie-syndrome"

June 3/08 7:53 p.m.

I must have been 13 or 14 years old, when my parents have been visiting with a family, who had a daugther my age, Hoopsie. I remember that I just had been fascinated by that girl, we had lots of fun together that day and I am not so sure anymore, if we even stayed overnite. My parents returned the invitation some time later one sunday for lunch. At that time we lived in an appartment in a block where the main street ran in front. So , after breakfast I positioned myself at the front window, waiting and looking out for Hoopsie. Her father ran a trucking business and they were supposed to arrive by truck. Anyway, time went by, lunchtime passed, no truck, no Hoopsie. My mother told me to stop looking, but I would not listen, I held on to my post. To make a long story short, they never showed up. At that time people did not have telephones like nowadays, so I think that day we never found out what happened. And I never met Hoopsie again. My dissapointment that day had been out of this world and till today, if I run accross a similar experience, I call that my "Hoopsie syndrome" by myself. -
What made me think of that today? That family lived in a city called Soest, quite near the place where m.o.m.l. is taking his rehab.

Hot Summer

June 2/08 4:17 p.m.

....and this would be the third day of our holiday at the Baltic sea. So I am taking my vaccation around the ferry landing region (see header pic) and m.o.m.l. is working hard at his retreat to get back in shape. Just had the car (finally) cleaned from desert dust, now a new thunderstorm is approaching, hope without hail and/or sand.

Tough day for Herr Hund

June 1/08 8:47 p.m.

Had to go for a mailbox in neighbourhood village, the one here around the corner looks suspicious, no sings about emptying times attached any more. So I took the bike and the dog this morning and while we were there, took the opportunity to have a look at the new house one of my friends had moved into, the 4th one since I know her for about 8 years. Quite a reccord, considering german standards. Around here you move into a house ,once you can afford it and most of the time die in it, unless you get prosperous and then you want a bigger place, a symbol of wealth! - We are still in the first one we bought, so much for accumulating wealth. - Then my daughter phoned and suggested a bike tour with grandson and dogs to a farm in their vicinity, where you could have coffee and cake, etc, beer and wine of course too. Heaven for people with a sweet tooth. When I came home, I rushed to visit with a neighbour, who had broken her shoulder and has been home from the hospital a couple of days. But then Herr Hund stayed home to rest. So he had been already alert enough to sit and stare at me, envying me my chicken I had for dinner, not the aspargus, though.-
Weatherwise it had been a great day and I hope I will get the weather pixie back on my page, would be a shame if this was taken from the net.

Come on, People!

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June 1/08 9:05 a.m.

Now you are for sure looking for the "hair in the soup". So what, if Obama made a great uncle into an uncle and he mixed up the camps. I ask myself how many Americans even would know what he was talking about. Fact is, he told a family story with a real background, don't be so fussy, people, lies ,to start a war,which still takes lifes every day, count much more heavyly.

Almost End of the World

May 30/08 4:24 p.m.

...it had been this morning for daughter No.2 and son-in-law, both their cars got damaged severely by a tremendous hailstorm with hailstones as big as tennis balls - and both cars are fairly new. O.k.,daughter's car is a company car, but nevertheless. And our son-in-law just carries a liability insurance,so...tough luck. They only live about 8 kms beeline from our place, but around here, except for some rain, nothing happened. If it would have beaten up my Mini
you could have seen and heard me cry! -

And I had been spoiled today, taken out for lunch by Montana boy who lives in Texas now. He had his joung assistant with him, who is in Germany first time in his life. His mother's family originally comes from Düsseldorf, small world. They are staying in a hotel near Essen, nothing to yearn for, but Düsseldorf and vicinity are packed on account of a big fair.

End of the World

May 29/08 12:50 p.m.

We have a popular Karnevalsong "Am 30. Mai ist der Weltuntergang..." (may 30th the world will go down...) and this morning at 11 a.m. I thought that this is going to happen a day premature. The sky turned a very bright yellow, like aflame, and then it became pitchdark, like in the middle of the night. A tremendous downpour followed, which again beat up my hanging geraniums, poor things dont stand a chance this season, every time they recover, they get beaten up again. Have been glad that I had been a slowpoke this morning, otherwise I would have been out with Herr Hund. So we sat out the storm safe and sound at home. One good thing, the rain cleaned my car of the desert sand, all I had to do, was hose it down a little bit additionally. And have been glad not having been among the clean, carloving Germans, who blocked the car wash saloons all over the places yesterday.
When I went out with Herr Hund later on I marvelled at the abundance of green exploding in our nature, a jungle world! But the air is nice and fresh now, not sticky like the last couple of days.

Taxi Drivers

May 27/08 8:58 p.m.



The taxi driver, who picked up moml yesterday and had made that sightseeing tour around the neighbourhood villages before finding our village and who would never have found our house, if I had not waited outside to wave him in and then could not handle his navi device for the return trip, reminded me of a taxi driver, we once encountered in Toronto. The night before leaving for Europe we stayed at a hotel quite a ways outside of the city. At night for dinner we wanted to have some seafood after all the meat we had been feasting on in South Dakota, so we picked a wharfside restaurant downtown, which was a moored, former passenger liner. Since moml could not wait the 5 min. it took for the taxi to come, which the hotel desk guys called for us, he insisted on taking one waiting at the parking lot. So we ended up with an, probably nearly blind, East Indian driver, who first failed to get where he should take us and finally decided to just make a run for it, all the time while driving putting his finger to his nose, pointing straight and right and left and mumbeling should I go tis-a-way or tat-a-way or maybe street, oh my, Toronto ise sooo big". I sat in the back blowing my cheeks to keep me from having a laughing fit. Finally he called his office and then started to ask other taxi drivers at red lights. He managed to get us there in the end and the ship turned out to be an old Tito times passenger liner which somehow must have gotten stuck in Toronto along with the waiters and all. And the waiter barked at us just like they did in the former east block, but the food had been good.
So, memories are made of this and the yesterday taxi driver had been a foreigner too. Nothing against foreigners, I am not prejudiced.

Made my Day

May 27 /08 8:13 a.m.

Traffic cones!! The damn gadgets which I so "love". Thanks, my friend! - Slept well back in my own bed but had the weirdest dreams about wanting to ride other peoples horses. Not that I want to in the real life, mind you.
Moml and his taxi driver made it to the rehab clinic, he is quite happy with the place on first sight. He had the hard task of unpacking a bag I had packed for him (first time in my life) and promptly claimed that lower part of one of the pyjamas (the favoured one) was missing. Like the credit cards in the hospital, haha, but then he "found"it, while Landfrau had been running around here, kicking furniture. - And now is the day today to move some furniture to get at the "dustmice".

On my own!

May 26/08 1:50 p.m.

And moml is on his way to the rehab clinic. Hope he ever arrives there, we had the luck to having sent to us a taxi driver who made a sight seeing tour across the surrounding villages before finding us. And me, I am looking forward to having my own bed again, moved out of the bedroom into one of our guestrooms, could not stand the patients breathing, sounded like he was dying, simply awful. And he had still that hospital smell about him, full of medication. But I hope all this will have changed when I get him back 3 weeks from now. Time will tell.

Still a Favorite

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May 24/08 3:50 p.m.
This has been one of my favorite songs in the late nineties and as a matter of fact still is up to today. Love that guy's voice!
Have packed m.o.m.l.'s bag today, so there will be no stress tomorrow. Have the feeling have climbed the Empire State Bldg. staircase once every day since I have my patient home so often have I been running up and down the steps.. Our house just is not so handicapped conform. Well, excercise, excercise. What does not kill us, makes us tougher.

Could be a Quiz

May 22/08 5:22 p.m.

Remember, 2 days ago, when I tried to transfer the meaning of the above gadgets, well, here they are, beeing used for fencing off at our riding stables, where a big tournament is taking place starting today till sunday. Great atmosphere and so relaxing ,having neither horse nor daughter taking part any more.

But - friends, what are the damned things called now, you telling me!

I'll be darned! - or..about Bones

May 22/08 7:28 a.m.

Look what I found, a video of our New Mexico friend Sid! Hey Sid, you have turned grey, age does not stop in front of "old cowboys"!
M.o.m.l. is back home (till monday morning) and holding out well. Sleeping on his back (he has to, till his "bones" are healed) is somewhat awesome.">

Downtown - Construction Site

May 20/08 7:08 p.m.

This city at the riverside is slowly but surely dying of traffic infarkt. Have never seen and sourrounded so many orange vested workers,who put up orange white striped ,whatever you call them, hats,bowling pins ? I would not know. Construction sites all over the place and the utmost has been beeing stuck in a parking garage, had the choice between clausterphobia or fumes poisoning, on accout of a mobile construction site, which slowed down the outgoing cars tremendously. And what crept in front of me on the way home? A slowpoke truck with construction equipment. And what kept running up and down our street,when I finally got home? A noisy device with a big sandshovel, because since two weeks they are digging up our street on account of new water pipes. Glory hallelujah, by then I could have thrown myself onto the floor and bitten into the carpet. -
Tomorrow m.o.m.l. can be picked up and taken home, and he will leave, i.e. beeing picked up, by the Reha Clinic transport service on monday. He has made good progress and the professor is very satisfied with him. Still , I am a bit scared if we can manage around here till monday, our house is not excactly handicap -equipped. Well, will take it step by step.

Sunday Song

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May 18/08 9:44 a.m.

There has to be something else than reports about sickness and pain, so ...here a nice weekend song for my faithful friends!

Funny Side to Everything

May 17/08 3:40 p.m.

Nothing can be so bad, that there is'nt a funny side to it. The side effect of our patient's (who, by the way is making nice progress) narcotics is, what I call his own home movie show in his head. A day ago Frankfurt daughter asked me about the mosque right at the parking lot (which can be seen from his hospital window) where all the moslems came out of in pouring rain and milling around on the parking lot. So I told daughter that I must have missed the place but would have a look next visit. - Could not spot any mosque and by asking our patient, he pointed it out to me and told me the same story,only as an additional feature he said, that there had been a ghost in a long gown coming out of the attic window and dancing on the roof. Fact is, you can not even see a building, there are big trees covering the opposite. - There had been other incidents, when we had been talking quite normally and suddenly he told me very funny things in between. At first I had been worried, but not any more after I learned the reason and that it would wear off .
I am glad he has no nightmares, have been told some patients have. So I rather listen to his "colourful" stories.

Testing the repaired Heart

May 14/08 6:20 p.m.

That's what we did today, m.o.m.l. and Landfrau. First of all, patient is doing very well and recuperating amazingly fast. the bloodpressure thing is still a problem (one which can be solved, I hope). But now for the "test". Wen I wanted to leave the hospital today, m.o.m.l. asked me where I had put his three credit cards.
Landfrau: I do not have them.
moml: I gave them to you, when I checked into the hospital
Landfrau: ???
moml: I clearly remember handing them over to you, where are they?
Landfrau, searching her purse and wallet,no cards -
and..I never got them.
moml: my god, our accounts are robbed now, look at home, call me right away!
Landfrau: calm down, they are not lost I'll find them.
moml. No, you wont, they are gone, they are gone, call me right away, if they are at home.

Well, looked of course right awy at home, no cards, and barely had I entered the house, the phone rang. Have you found them? Me: ehm, no, but calm down, no I wont calm down, keep looking, (well, thats what I did, all the time). Finally I had the idea to look into his locked away wallet, and there, three credit cards grining at me,which I certainly had not put there.

But the repaired heart took the first test with flying colours.

Intensive Care the 2nd

May 12/08 11.11 p.m.

Waiting to get into intensive care is like trying to get into Fort Knox. You are happy when you finally made it, kind of forget why you want to get into there, till you see your patient, all cabled and beeping. Our patient today gave a quite improved impression, although he kept complaining about the nurses not looking properly after him and he had overheard the proffesor talking about some lump on his heart or his lungs, which I doubt, since the heart for sure now is a showpiece and the lungs have been checked before the OP. And the staff is really doing a great job, of course they are short on personal, for sure on a second holiday on account of long weekend. Hope they will move our patient to the normal ward tomorrow. Could not get hold of a doctor, understaffed too.
-Me, I'm batteling a summer cold, coughing my soul away. Aircondioned car and hospital does not improve matters. Keeping away from the patient , although don't think it is contagious, just an additional pain in the neck.
So, that is for all of you friends, keeping you up to date.

Intensive Care

May 11/08 10:36 p.m.

I simply admire the people, doctors and nurses, doing duty at intensive care. And that at low pay and irregular hours. Have been visiting that place now for two days and must say, it gives me the creeps. All that machinerie the patients are hooked up to, and most of them lying there like already gone. Fortunately our patient is quite talkative,even if you can hardly make out what he is talking about. One thing though, he worries - about the whereabout of his bag, the machine he is attached to and what have you . No wonder he has a bad heart . The doctors are quite positive, although his lung function has to be improved, but there he has to work along by blowing into several devices. Tomorrow is another holiday, on tuesday he should be moved to the regular ward.

My day today I passed running around in my car. This morning to a birthday party of an old friend, she is the mother of my godson. Had to use my tom-tom navigation device first try. We are not quite friends yet, halfway it put me in front of an icecream parlor, fortunately the place had been fenced off, I would have ended up at the counter. - little joke -
Then to daugther's place to pick her up for the hospital run, later on dropping daughter off again and driving home to look after "Herr Hund", who by now starts to develop hospitalism.
So I took him along tonite to son-in-law's birthday party, Barbeque, where he could fight with his buddy mad Max for dropped sausages. He did not puke in my car, good dog! -

So, tomorrow same routine, without the parties.

Done!

May 9/08 1:16 p.m.

For all of you who kept the fingers crossed: heart surgery operation went fine, 2 bypasses have been laid and the patient is now "sleeping" in artificial coma. Well, it's still a long hard way, but the first step has been made. Thanks for the support!

Waiting Game

May 6/08 5:11 p.m.

Back from my daily "routine drive" to ugly Krefeld. M.o.m.l. should have been operated on - take note of the should have been - tomorrow morning first thing. Everything had been set, even the shaving had been done, but then they sent him to the ENT section on account of his failing voice, and now the whole procedure has been postponed till further notice, i.e. till it has been made sure that there is no infection. Great? - And there is a long weekend coming up,where nothing happens anyway. I am pissed off insofar, as he is in the clinic since sunday nite with that voice and nothing has been done about it. Now we have to bathe in patience again,but one thing is for sure, I do not want him home again, you never know, with what he will come up then.

MEGA GAU

May 4/08 8:18 p.m.

There must have been not enough crossed fingers out there! m.o.m.l. 's heart is so to say a goner, only a bypass operation can help and that has to happen soon. Checked him into the hospital after the weekend leave tonite and hopefully things will start rolling next week. The heart surgeon leaves a good impression, he seems to like his job,which can not be said of all doctors. He really took his time to talk to us. So last nite we had dinner out with the daughters and families, we succeeded to cheer our patient up for a bit , I think, and today his sister and brothers came to see him, so the day did not drag till he had to check into the hospital tonite.
And once again our holiday trip had to be cancelled. But that can be done with a "topfit" man of my life later on, only it's a long hard way till then.

Play it again, Sam

April 29/08 12:22 p.m.

Or rather, please, don't play it again, m.o.m.l.! - Just arrived home from my "favoured" drive to the Klinikum Krefeld, which is now privatisized but just as crummy. Man of my life seems to get into the habit to book himself into that place once a year spring or early summer. Up to now we have had kidneys twice, bowels last year and this year it is the heart,so tomorrow a catheter-scan will have to be made and then we will see further.-
Friends out there, keep your fingers crossed, every finger counts!

Yellowland

April 26/08 8:00 p.m.
Everywhere,where green grows, and of that we have plenty, dandelions are sprouting. What a sight, especially in sunshine! Will be bad though for allergic people,when the flowers (which are called weed - unjust!) start to shed their seeds. Then hard times are coming up for sneezers. Landfrau is one of them!
Had been very busy today to get our gardens front and back shipshape to sit outside. It is real hard work, handling the water pressure device, although I kind of love the mess, a real workout! - And tonite I cooked the first aspargus this season, classic version with cooked and smoked ham, boiled potatoes and sauce hollandaise, verrry goood!
By now I am bushed and I know who will have a good nights rest tonite!

Wish I was there! - LINK

April 25/08 7:06 p.m.

It has been 8 years this year, that I have been visiting Santa Fe-New Mexico,my adopted favoured city, the last time. First time I had been there, it had been spring,around this time of the year and I fell plum in love with that place. Now I am gaping at the webcam and feel kind of homesick, if I would be living there, I probably would be gaping at the Düsseldorf webcam and feel homesick too. Such is the burden of a global citizen.

The Battle for the White House

April 2208 8:06 p.m.

Actually I have nothing to add, the article speaks for itself.

THE BATTLE FOR PENNSYLVANIA
Swing-State Campaign Bitter and Unsavory for Democrats
By Cordula Meyer, Gregor Peter Schmitz and Gabor Steingart
The United States is experiencing the longest and toughest presidential primary season in its history. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are tearing each other down and inadvertently giving Republican John McCain's campaign a boost. Are the Democrats killing their prospects for the White House?.....continue reading here..

Oops, this is simply great! Link!

April 20/08 9:30 p.m.

Bedtime story!

Spring,Summer, whatever

April 20/08 8:40 p.m.

It is really amazing, how the weather can change from one day to another. Hope is rising, we have full moon today!The crowds milling around in our" recreation area" have been unbelievable, seems that everone hibernating up to now has been venturing out today. Daughter and son-in-law arrived with their bikes, grandson had been invited to a birthday party, parents had time off, so together we went to the beach bar we had visited last nite. Well, it had been quite a difference, we were lucky to get a seating at a table,let alone to get hold of some drinks. The scenery from that place is absolutely marvellous,you look upon the old part of the little town across the river, which on accout of lots of rain carries plenty of water, friendly,fat,white clouds in the otherwise blue sky and the sun dishing out so much warmth you could shed your jacket. In other words, a feeling of summer in the air. And we have been sitting out in our garden,soaking up the sun. Nice, nice, nice.

Freezing the Ass off....

April 19/08 6:54 p.m.

...and snow has been missing for the opening at the camping grounds beach bar at the riverside. My fingers are still stiff from cold. It has been a shame, they really had put up a nice setting with a tent and a band playing - rock music - but nice. Us, moml (for the readers unfamiliar to the expression: man of my life) and Landfrau, again like on other occasions, raised the age level considerably, well, never mind. And..so did Herr Hund,frolicing around with much "younger folks". Amazing, how many of the younger people we still know (and they know us). - Now its for cooking a salmon dinner, yummy, I am looking forward to it! -

P.S. Dinner has been real good!

Not yet Friends

April 19/08 8:49 a.m.

Here we are, glaring at each other, the new computer and Landfrau. Do not really like the guy, yet. Will be very busy to get aquainted with changes and to install lost things loved and needed. So, friends be patient, blog does not have preference at the moment.

Cowboy

Picture Stern online 23/03/03

April 16/08 9:20 a.m.


Can someone tell me,why the press

PAPST IN WASHINGTON
Hirte trifft Cowboy
Aus Washington berichtet Alexander Schwabe

always calls George W. Bush "the cowboy"? He is not even born in Texas! I think it should be an offense for every cowboy to be thrown into one pot with this nerd.

I killed it, I killed it!

April 15/08 7:57 p.m.

Last friday nite I caught a trojan (horse)! My own stupidity! Since then we have been busy,expensive expert, expert neighbour and myself. Everyone " threw the towel" ,except me, have been trying and experimenting and wow, good news, got finally hold of the fellow with the help of Kaspersky. Bad news, we have ordered a new computer in the meantime, no way out anymore, it will be delivered tomorrow. We have a very happy grandson (No.1), who will inherit this one. Well, the darling (computer) is by now 6 years old and kind of slow. Mean of cse.that we had to secure important files on discs and usb-stick, still, there will be a lot of stuff missing in the beginning,which we have to be installed anew,like my tom-tom,i-pod, camera etc. Like I alway say - shit happens-!

Every Year, same Time!

April 13/08 12:06 a.m.

Not born yet,still 44 minutes to go! But....Happy Birthday, and there have been happy times most of the time!

Mr. Rock and Roll

Link: Amy Macdonald

April 10/08 7:16 p.m.

Nice voice, nice looking girl. Have not linked music for quite a while, well here you are,but might be more in line with younger folks!

Blog-Action: Free Tibet now!

Blog Aktion: Free Tibet now! L I N K !

Read my comment here.

Another amazing Experience!

Rheinische Post-online 9.4.08

April 9/08 10:34 a.m.

And this has been yesterday, as the BURAN glided almost by our bed. But we missed it,grrrr!! - Who arrives too late is punished by life. Here in the following link some great pictures!

http://www.rp-online.de/public/bildershowinline/regional/duesseldorf/duesseldorf-stadt/nachrichten/32559?skip=0&refback=/public/article/regional/552785article

An amazing Experience

microclesia � Blog Archive » Jill Taylor’s TED Talk
http://www.microclesia.com/?p=320

April 9/08 8:50 a.m.

This clip is worth listening too and speaks for itself, so take the time!

Treasure Hunt

April 6/08 6:13 p.m.

We had a date last nite to dine out with my brother and sister-in-law. For a change we decided to pick a fancy place, not just a simple restaurant to stuff ourselves. According to the occasion Landfrau wanted to "pretty" herself up (make an effort,anyway) for a bit. Now for that I needed some pieces of my jewellery and bingo - one of my favoured rings gone. Now girls, I think you know the feeling, you look with no result, your company arrives, you sneak out ever so often looking at places which come into your mind - in my case with no result. Well, we had to leave and all the time in the back of my mind like a "speech balloon" it blinked : ring,ring,ring. -
Arriving back home (brother and wife decided to head for their home from the restaurant) the hunt went on, I even looked in the drainage of the washing machine. By then I had decided to kiss my ring goodbye,mentally, and then it dawned on me to look into a basket, where I had emptied all my gadgets,like i-pod, camera and equipment out of a bag which I had taken along for our previous weekend trip ,and MIRACLE, among all that stuff my ring grinned at me!
That has been X-mas in April (and no April-fool)!

Another naked Man and Peeping Tom

April 5/08 13:25 p.m.

My previous post made me think of another story,which happened several years ago,when we still were travelling around the United States and mainly NewMexico (the state Landfrau loves most and might never visit again :~-( *sob* sob ), but I am getting off the track, now my story:
We usually arrived at and left from Phoenix+Az and for the first and last nite used to stay at the The Buttes. They have this row of rooms, all identical, with a sliding door opening up into a garden setting,with a little terasse, two chairs, one table. - At that time,Landfrau (minus 2 kos. on account of smoking) had to share non-smoking room with m.o.m.l.(man of my life) and was chased out onto the deck for her smoke. Now it so happened,the sliding door was somehow stuck and m.o.m.l. told me to use the main door to get into the garden. Out there, I completely lost my bearings on account of the look-alike units. So I counted one out and just to make sure I had picked the right terasse to install myself at to have my smoke, I approached the window,which had jalousettes you could peek through, and there was m.om.l., laying stark naked on the bed. I really was surprised, that he had undressed in such a jiffy, but when I had already raised my fist to knock I told myself,wait "no tummy" and even without my glasses figured out I had been peeking at a strange guy. In real shock I jumped backwards and ran, never mind the smoke. I just imagined if I had knocked and that guy might have called security on account of my peeping, I would not have remembered my room number and maybe not even my name out of shock. I might have ended up in the can!- Now when I stormed back into our room I threw myself onto the bed and tried to tell that I just peeked at a naked stranger. But I had been laughing so hard, that I just could not get out more than screaming: I, I.... every time I wanted to tell my story . m.om.l. thought I had gone bonkers and I almost peed into my pants. -
So much for NAKED MEN.

Naked Man with Sexappeal

April 5/08 9:34 a.m.

A grey-in-grey Saturday morning around here, just rigt for a naked man to sing us a song. This is something to giggle about, especially for you older semesters. Got this link this morning from our Canadian friends, they play in our league. - And now this old girl will get busy, all work,no play.

Not only for Catlovers

April 5/08 6:51 p.m.



Another goodie from SIMON, it's just so cute,- enjoy! (LINK)

Little Miss Sunshine

April 2/08 2:28 p.m.

For our friends a little spot.It is easier this way, mailing 2 Megabite is a drag!

Home,sweet Home

blue skies and palm trees

mimosas
that's Frankfurt,a little bit old,high risers and the rest ugly.

March 31/08 5:51 p.m.

Back from our little weekend trip in family matters. Somewhat sluggish and too lazy to unpack the bag. Family - and weather - have been great, the small hotel we stayed at in Eschborn had a marvellous tiny garden which ,like on a flying carpet, put you straight into a mediterrain region, lemons growing and palm trees against blue sky, just amazing! - And our little Miss Sunshine (as her mom calls her) has certainly changed tremendously during the 5 months we have not seen her. - The exhibition of the "Impressionistinnen“ had been worthwile seeing, I loved Berte Morisot best. - Last nite, to end off our trip we have been meeting in an old barn, turned into a restaurant in a little village near Hungen, very picturesque.

So now we are back home, dog has been picked up and life can continue in its usual routine.It's nice to get away once a while - next trip will be end of May.

Houseguest gone

March 27/08 4:18 p.m.

Funny, it is so quiet around the house. I think Herr Hund likes the old routine, mad Max left reluctantly. For the weekend we will be gone and Herr Hund can join his buddy at daughter's home.
This is the last dog post! (for now)

The Rat Pack...

March 26/08 11:51 a.m.

...is a wet pack, guarding Landfrau's rubberboots, waiting for a "wet" walk. Last day for our houseguest, mad Max,who behaved very well (and learned fast!) ,so actually he should be just "Max" from now on, but let's not overdo it. Two big dogs in the house is for certain more dirt and uproar, but also funny watching the pack's competition. They get along well, except for Herr Hund showing Max sometimes "the way". - Looked into my last years’ blog at the end of March to check on the weather, funny in a way, like:" I know what you have been doing last year around this time". And I am still harbouring the same frust, mind you!

You can never hold back spring...

.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgeZEdbv_m8

...says Tom Waits, hope he is right, does not look that way today.

That is MEAN!

March 24/08 8:45 a.m.

Do not want to trust my eyes! -

Effn snow! No, not snow, slush.

Really looking forward to the "dog" walk this morning and on top of that Herr Hund is limping,must have twisted his leg yesterday frolicing up and down the levy. So much for easter and spring.

Premature Easter- Walk

H A P P Y E A S T E R !
March 22/08 1:50 p.m.
Lovely walk this morning alongside the isolated rivershore together with the dogs.The sky even showed a little bit of blue and the sun had been peeking out. The very high river had been lapping at the shoreline, if you closed your eyes,you could picture yourselves at the seashore. But even with eyes wide open the scenery had been a treat. - And no people around, great! I think everyone is hibernating inside like groundhogs on account of bad weather predictions. And it will come, the bad weather, that's for sure. So,no outside easteregg hunt tomorrow morning. - But for the sixties generation there is a nice easteregg hidden....

h e r e!!!!

Take Me Back To The Sixties LINK!

More about Dogs

Good Friday - March 21/08 11:57 a.m.

Sorry, it seems this is going to be a" dog blog"after all, at least for the next few days. Last nite our houseguest had been shown his guestbed-basket in our little entrance hall.Usually this is the place of basket from Herr Hund, but his has been moved upstairs,and since mad Max is trained not to climb stairs, Herr Hund very showoffy with raised head, is climbing stairs to the upper level, giving the impression of a first class air-passenger,moving to his privileged section, upnosing the common crowd. -
Took a "quite early" - again pretty rainy - walk with the pack this morning and met,you might not believe it, the legionaire with a new dog, even bigger than the previous one,but still young,so he can turn this one into a mean beast by himself.

Our Houseguest...

March 20/08 8:11 p.m.

...."mad Max", has arrived, so has the continious rain. Herr Hund behaves like a showoff kid, growls when Max dares to pick up one of his toys, he only has about a dozen. Took a rainy walk, the three of us.

In Love with my Durangos

March 20/08 3:22 p.m.

Right time to talk about boots on this ,brrr,cold day of "spring start" (says calender). Faithful readers might remember,that Landfrau cried bitter tears because Durango boots,bought in Santa Fe 8 years ago ,start to fall apart. And no chance of returning to this lovely place!- Now, have been searching the internet till my eyes popped out,no way of finding the same boots in a German store. Found them in an US - store however,and glory hallelujah, they are shipping to Europe and on top of that on account of the high exchange rate € - $ even with shipping and customs they run much cheaper than any ugly boots,which I could have found here. Moml said wait till they arrive, could not quite believe the deal. But imagine, it took them only 5 days to have them delivered here and on top of that they are my easter present. And they fit perfectly ,I'm walking on cloud seven! Landfrau is happy!

Rubber Boots,Rain and rising River

March 16/08 2:21 p.m.

Took a long walk in the rain with Herr Hund this morning along the river banks. Volunteers had been already doing spring cleaning at the shore line, might be all in vain, if the river keeps rising and grabs all the collected stuff. I must say, Germans ARE pigs, looking at all the debris which had been assembled. Do wish signs would be put up like in the USA : LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS, although I doubt they would be of any use around here. Like I said, Germans are pigs.
Herr Hund, beeing "earless" again, took a beating from a big black dog. Told him, don't go there, but no, he has to approach every mean looking beast, wagging his tail like"look I'm friendly". Fortunately he has so much fur,that he is seldom hurt. I'm then stinking mad at him - and he knows it! -
So, next week we will have an additional "houseguest" ,mad Max, our younger daugther's dog. Daughter-family are off for skiing in the mountains. Another reason why I hope for better weather, two dirty dogs are easter bunnies galore.
And the dogs have no rubber boots.

Not surprised

courtesy www.shoeboxblog/com

March 13/08 11:04 a.m.

Now I know,why Herr Hund acts nutty sometimes! (ref.prev.post!)

About the Weather and why I would sometimes like to kill "Herr Hund"

March 12/08 4:20 p.m.

A heavy storm had been predicted for today, unbelievable,if you look at this morning's snapshot of our garden. Fortunately around here it had not been bad, we must have been lucky again,like "in the eye of the hurricane".

Now, for the second topic. Wouldn't you think that a dog, beeing walked for his daily"business" would go, sniff for a bit and then squat down for his poop? By no means Herr Hund. First the walk has to be long, very long, a pleasure if one is in a hurry. After a lot of sniffing and running around, finally a spot is chosen. This spot is beeing scratched as if Herr Hund had mutated suddenly into a cat,then - after turning around with ,as Landfrau calls it - let- down pants - for about ten times right and ten times left, he decides that it is not the right spot to leave his precious belongings and the whole procedure is repeated a few feet away. And if he happens to see another dog,he forgets what he has been about to do anyway and the ritual is started from the beginning.

Hey,guys, still want to get yourselves a dog?

My Killer Friends

YouTube - Orca Attack Seal with Waves

March 11/08 8:07 a:m

Yes, nature can be cruel. -Since I have lived in Vancouver B.C. (ages ago) I have been fascinated by orcas. They are great- and cruel. But we should really refrain from "humanizing" them, which on the other hand is a phrase I should not apply since the cruellest beast on this our planet is the human race.
So, just watch the video with admiration for those intelligent creatures.

Come away with me

......and a little bit of spring in the morning!

YouTube - Norah Jones, Come away with me

March 8/08 9:16 a:m

For all those staying at home! - Have a nice weekend!

I'm a Timebomb..

March 05/08 10.05 a.m.

Have aged considerably since I'm in the movies,ähm...video, the toll of beeing a celebrity,ha!

Go,simpsonize yourself,don't be vain! It is

fun if you still like to "play around"!

Kid in the House

March 5/08 7:50 a.m.

Puts me back to old times, notice the "early" hour? - Grandson (11) is our houseguest for two days,makes a difference to have him at the weekend or during "duty" time. Getting up early ,seeing to it that everything is ready and there,driving him to school (he refuses to take the schoolbus from our place),picking him up, driving him to hockey training. Moml (man of the house) asked me: did we do all that ages ago? He can't remember. Told him,no you didn't, I did, you had been absent most of the time travelling and working.
I never forget that Nicolaus day,when daughter No. 2 had to write a math test and we slept in (moml away travelling). So I rushed out of bed, broke my toe hitting the bedpost,throwing a coat over my nightgown we took forbidden fieldways with the car to pass by the traffic jams and promptly from two sides,like in a road movie,police cars approached us and caught us at the intersection in the middle of nowhere. By that time I had a bawling kid in the car and prayed to be woken up from that nightmare,sitting in the car half naked surrounded by policemen. When my daughter sobbed out the dramatic reason for our traffic violation,the police escorted us till we had been around the traffic hold ups and I did not even get a ticket.
Daugther still did not make it in time but when she told the teacher that her Mom also broke her toe on top of everything,the teacher said that no one can invent lies like that and was nice enough to let daugther write her test during the last school hour. And she blew it!!
So, having that trauma still stuck deep inside of me,I did not sleep very well inspite of having set the alarm which I knew I could not trust in emergencies. But we had been early birds and a "little bit smelly" grandson still even took time to take a shower. -
Now same procedure tomorrow morning!

Swinging the Paintbrush

March 02/08 8:47 a.m.

Should not let my other talents ly flat (blogging being one of them,haha) so Herr Hund had to be the model- victim once more on this stormy weekend. And there had been victims of some other kind,unfortunately. Had been eying big old trees during my walk with Herr Hund yesterday, telling them:"don't you dare!"