Comments - anyone?

In case you've been wanting to write comments on the blog, you can now...at the end of each entry, is a pencil, click to write an entry. You may need to create a google account to do this - which takes only a few minutes. We're looking forward to those comments....

And yes, I've been gone so much, I've not written in a week, I am attempting to catch up and learn a bit more about how to put this blog together with less time and effort!

The rose in the photo is the same varitey of rose we have planted next to our front door. It was fun to find it in the back yard.

Peace and Quiet

In case you've been very envious of our holiday and peace and quiet...here's a little look at the other side.

Just outside our window, the city dug for electric connections. First the sidewalk was removed with cement saws, then digging and exploring....and then replacing , and then smelly, sticky blacktop. And to continue...between the house and sidewalk, our landlord is constructing and planning to make a garden sitting area....which may be complete by the time we depart!

And this is only the beginning..the city has plans to be digging and working on the streets all summer, lots of machines, streets closed, busses with new driving schedules....and actually the bus change is not bothering us, but the locals are really noticing the difference!

The old barn roof you see is only part of a very large building that is in process of being demolished. First they removed pieces by hand the old fashioned way, saving some items to be salvaged. And now for 1 1/2 weeks banging and knocking down and very loud machines and beeping backwards is the constant sound of the day - this is in the back yard area. We expect as soon as it is torn down, new construction will begin.

And finally just for fun, is our landlord Stephan, going on a motorbike ride to camp for the weekend with friends. We loved his riding suit and snuck a photo before he departed. Actually, the motorcycle has not been a noise problem...it was just fun to include in this little email, for drama.

Saint Jakob's Kirke - Rothenburg

Thirty years when I was in Rothenburg, I did not want to spend the money to enter and tour this lovely church. Many members of the Miami University Collegiate Choir did, and went on and on about the art work.

So, this time, we did visit and it was worth every euro! We were so taken by the wood carvings. Most original to the church, and one from a sister church in Africa. The German woodcarvers have been compared to Michelangelo. You can read more on the link above. Very inspiring.

Derendinger

We are living in an area of town called Derindinger. Years ago, it was it's own separate village. Today it is part of Tuebingen. Here are the photos of the house. We are settling in well and the house really feels like home. It was built in 1840 - the same year the stone house we lived in near Yellow Springs, Ohio was built. And it was renovated in the past year and everything is new - mostly IKEA, with a few antiques. We love the deep window sills and the windows that can open from the middle or top - I'll need to take a photo to demo this for you.

Enter the door, the stairs are in front of you with a little entry area. To the left is the eat in kitchen, to the right is the living room - where the girls sleep on the fold out sofa. Up the stairs is the bedroom for Dan and I and the very modern and fun bath. The curved stairs in the bedroom lead up to the loft - which is Dan's work place and a quiet space to sit and enjoy the view.

Paradise in Bodensee

From the left to right: Margarite, Beth Ann, Tammy, and Claudia.


On Tuesday, I took the train to visit my friend Claudia. Claudia and her family lived near Ann Arbor for 3 years. She has been inspirational in encouraging us to travel to Germany.

Margarite, the girls former German teacher, inspired Emily and Allegra to love the language. We all had spent time togehter in the states. It was a mini-reunion. We had a lovely time sitting along the lake shore talking old times and catching up on each other's families.

And why do I say paradise? Well, my photo does not show you, so let me tell you. The view is breath taking! Lovely ferries and sail boats float about and one feels like they are in a very magical vacation spot. It's so beautiful, I will return alone to visit and with the family. And hope to take more photos too!

Burg Hohenzollern

Burg Hohenzollern is a castle owned by the family of last ruling German King. The King lived in Berlin and used the castle as a vacation home and show piece.

Ruth kindly offered to drive us to the castle on Sunday afternoon. The castle is about a 20 minute drive south of Tuebingen. We soon post photos of the castle. Here is another aeral photos on the website and more historical facts.

Singen - Hohentwiel

Hohentwiel is an ancient volcanic mountain at the edge of the village of Singen. Though the city is relatively new, the mountain has been inhabited for at least 1000 years. At the top of Hohentwiel is the biggest castle ruin of Germany.

We took a train to Singen on Saturday. On the train ride a man came and told us about Hohentwiel and how to follow the signs through town to the walking path up the mountain. Allegra was enamored by the people only streets of the city and the sculpture park. Also included is a photo of the store H&M - not in a mall, but in a lovely old building - which the girls find just amazing!

And true to the town's name, Singen means "to sing", the church bells rang loud and long, a music festival in the park provided song that we could hear singing most of the way up the mountain as it echoed of the rocks. Even nicer were all the birds singing....Allegra actually video taped the woods with the church bells and birds singing. (i do not know how to put that on yet)

We were also delighted by the snails and slugs that came out after the heavy morning rain. We hiked about half-way up the mountain, enjoyed the views while we picnicked, took in the info center, then needed to return for our train. At the top, we are told are great views of Lake Konstanz and the Alps...perhaps another time we'll enjoy this view. We we all tired and a bit achy by the end of the evening.