Suppose you threw a party, invited everyone you knew, and no-one showed up? What would you do? I didn’t think to ask that on a recent visit to Freiburg. Maybe I should have. This is a big year for the biggest city in my area. Founded in 1100, Freiburg had lots of events planned for […]
Monday was the first day of school, always a big day. My neighbor will remember this one all her life. It’s a familiar ritual, packing the book bag and getting on the bus or walking to the school. You did it when you were young. Perhaps you are at the age where your children or […]
There’s an election coming. There’s always an election coming – and that means political parties need money. Feel like making a donation? In Canada we have strict limits. I can contribute $1,625 ($1,227 US) to the political party of my choice this year. That’s the maximum, though admittedly I can give that amount to each […]
It was almost three years before someone asked my to show a ticket on my local commuter train. I was so surprised, I fumbled to produce it – I just wasn’t expecting the request. The train runs from Basel, Switzerland, to Freiburg, Germany, and is used by thousands daily. There are no turnstiles. At many […]
One year ago today my mother had her favorite pizza as her birthday meal. We had a family gathering in the palliative care unit of Ottawa’s Bruyère Hospital. We didn’t know it would be her last meal. We knew she wouldn’t be with us much longer, but her spirits were good and she loved the food. […]
What does it say about the internet (and our society) that every reference I can find for this piece mentions it is the most valuable sculpture in Offenburg? Does it have no other significance? I would have thought that content or artistic merit would be more important. But obviously I am wrong. (And admittedly I […]
A thousand kilos of grapes picked seems to me like a good morning’s work. Mind you, I didn’t do it alone. When you have friends who own a vineyard you can expect to be pressed into service at certain times. Until this year I had never been in Germany for the harvest. Yesterday’s total was […]
Took the train the other day. Not an uncommon experience in a country with commuter rail, but I work from home so I don’t do it that often. I noticed once more how much times have changed. The use of masks is still mandatory on the trains themselves. But I hadn’t realized you are now […]
When I look online I can see a plate on the base that I presume tells the name of this sculpture, but I must confess I missed it. So I have no idea what this work is called, nor do I know its significance. This colorful piece is found on the grounds of the Tinguely […]
I feel somehow I should rant about something this morning, express some anger. Problem is, I’m not angry at anyone or anything today. Or at least not enough to write about it. So I thought instead to share this post from five years ago. Hopefully it will allow me (and you) to get those inner […]
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