Monthly Archives: July 2020
Blowing Their Own Horns
If I correctly understood the notice in the municipal newsletter, these alpenhorn players were attending a training course in nearby Staufen, and were prevailed upon to give a concert in the Sulzburg market square on Thursday morning. You could hear them from our apartment. The alpenhorn is not an instrument that I am that […]
Rolling The Dice
Political junkies in Canada are watching an unusual story unfolding in Parliament today. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is to appear before a parliamentary committee to answer questions about his latest ethics scandal. The general rule of thumb is that Prime Ministers don’t appear before committees, especially not ones investigating them. That Trudeau is ignoring this […]
To Mask Or Not To Mask?
Free masks are no longer available to Ottawa transit users. In theory passengers have had time to pick up a mask, which is required of those using the system. I have from time to time commented on cultural differences between Canada and Germany. This year the idea of face masks is a prominent […]
The Plane Not Taken
I never thought it would last this long. Did you? Is there anyone at this point whose life hasn’t been disrupted by COVID-19? When will it end? I’m supposed to be on a plane today, going back to Canada for vacation. Instead I’m hoping for a Christmas flight – if any airlines are flying then. […]
The Work Week Begins
The calendar has today as a Monday, and it is usually accurate. You are probably wondering where the weekend went, if yours was anything like mine. There didn’t seem to be much down time. Which makes starting the week with some topical humor appropriate, at least in my eyes.
The Weeping Christ of Münstertal
I noticed this statue as we were leaving the grounds of St. Trudpert’s Cathedral in Münstertal for the walk back to Staufen. Somehow I missed it on the way in. Every child in Sunday School who has had to memorize Scripture can tell you that the shortest verse in the English-language Bible is “Jesus wept” […]
Scary Thought
Not to mention that back then many of us didn’t even own a cell phone. Need I say anything more?
No Shame Anymore
The feeling was one of sadness as I heard the news reports on Canada’s latest government scandal. “Not again,” I thought. “What about integrity is unclear?” Maybe it is all part of a government conspiracy to lower voters’ expectations. Make ethical breach after ethical breach. Apologize when you are caught, saying your actions were unintentional. […]
Changing Times, Changing Names
The Edmonton team in the Canadian Football League (CFL) is no longer called the Eskimos. So too in the USA the Washington Redskins are changing their name also. Social attitudes constantly shift. The Eskimos nickname was adopted 70 years ago, a tribute to the people of Canada’s north (who are now referred to as Inuit). […]
Unexpected Fruit
Sometimes you miss things that are right in front of you. Like lemons. We live in the warmest part of Germany, something I have been told many times. I do miss the Canadian winter, but there is something to be said for the assortment of fruits growing locally. I’ve mentioned them before: apples, pears, cherries, […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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