The world pauses tonight, at least in theory. With bated breath we await the announcement of a miraculous birth, the Christ-child, the Prince of Peace. Every year we remember the world-shaking event. Occasionally I have detailed my struggles in learning German, but when I saw this picture I realized I had learned something. I understood […]
This post was first published December 19, 2015. I thought you might like to see it again. He looked round again and could hardly believe his eyes. There was the blue sky overhead, and grassy country spreading as far as he could see in every direction, and his new friends all round him, laughing. “It […]
The sign said they were Weihnachtsganse or Christmas geese. This flock of white birds was in a field just below the castle in Emmendingen when we visited a month ago. I thought perhaps they are named Christmas geese because they are snow white. I suspect though that they are so called because that is when […]
It is our second Christmas in Germany, and I can’t decide if I prefer the simple white lights used as Christmas decorations here, or the multi-colored ones of North America. I think the white ones are a remnant from the days of wax candles – you didn’t have the options electricity gives. The displays here […]
Yesterday’s post reminded me that I took some pictures of the skating rink at the Christmas Market in front of the Rathaus in Vienna. That rink impressed me with a far more creative approach than most of the other outdoor rinks I have seen in Europe. Instead of a rectangular slab of ice which could […]
After a year I have figured it out. The big fuss about skating rinks that is. Last year I saw them in Mullheim and Lippstadt. Outdoor rinks installed around the end of November in public spaces and gone at New Year’s. Skates were available to rent and a good time was had by all. This […]
I was at an event at a local church recently when dancing broke out. For those who are shocked at the concept of dancing in a church, I should point out it wasn’t during a worship service. It was at an afternoon café, a drop-in for members of the local refugee community. It is held […]
There are times when I wonder about the pace of life in this corner of Germany. Some things are painfully slow, especially construction projects. There is a street in neighbouring Laufen that was undergoing some repairs when we moved here more than a year ago. They are still working on it, though I must admit […]
There is a Christmas Market in in front of the Rathaus (city hall) in Vienna. It is big and colourful with lots for sale. But there is more to it than just commercialism. Part of the market is the Nativity Trail, a series of 12 nativity scenes, different interpretations of the birth of Jesus Christ. Back […]
In the big cities in Germany the Christmas markets run for a month or longer. The goods on display are slickly made. In sleepy Sulzburg it is a one-day thing, and there is a lot of home-made baking and clothing for sale. And gluhwein of course. The market is open until 8 p.m. local […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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