Here we are, almost through January.  I just realized that I did not make any New Year Resolutions.  I generally make a few, nothing major.  I do like to draw attention to things I would like to change or create in my life each New Year.  For some reason, I just forgot this year. Maybe it’s because I do not have much about my life that I would like to change.  I am quite pleased with my daily…

THE COLOSSAL CHRISTMAS HAM OF 2022

I am a little late putting this together. But, how was everyone’s holiday season?  Ours was nice, although, it didn’t feel like Christmas this year. We didn’t even get a tree, but I did put up some garland and I made a wreath from fresh pine boughs. (our neighbor gave us some pine boughs and I made a wreath like I used to make with my mother.  It felt very nostalgic).  We do not usually exchange…

Life in Germany-Late Summer Edition

Be aware of Wild Pigs in Germany

Recently, I was out walking Jack the Husky and we came across a rather large carcass of a dead pig.  The poor creature had tried to run across the train tracks, and didn’t make it in time.  I am aware that there are many wild pigs living all around us here in Germany, but seeing the dead pig up close was quite the reminder to be cautious on our walks. They are much bigger up close and in person…

My Brief Hospital stay here in Germany: An American’s Perspective

Well, it’s been two weeks since my surgery and I am finally feeling a bit more like myself. I have had a few surgeries in my life, but this one has taken me a bit longer to feel fully recovered . I am guessing it’s because my haemoglobin was so low to start with, and it is of course, taking a hot minute to rise back up to a normal level. It may also be my age, although I feel mentally 25, my body…

We Have Some Exciting News!!

Yes Indeed!  We have some exciting news to share.  Dirk and I will be opening a second tattoo shop, this time in our home village of Weilerswist!!  I would like to introduce the new shop, The Inky Needle Tattoo Parlour, located in Weilerswist, Germany!!  We are planning to be ready to open in November, 2021.  I will let you know an official date as things come together.  We will also plan on…

A Brief Visit to the U.S.A.

For those of you who haven’t heard, I made a quick 7 day trip to Michigan in September.  It was kind of a big deal since I had not been back to the States in the over 4 years that I have been living in Germany.  I had not seen my oldest daughter, Sierra in 2 years. The trip ended up feeling like it was both too short and too long all at the same time.  Let me explain.  It was not nearly enough…

4 Years in Germany

Yep, it’s the anniversary of our big move overseas! It’s hard to believe that we have been living abroad, in Deutschland for 4 years!  The time has just sailed by. I wish we had been able to move here sooner, but thankful that we were able to move when we did. I am still so happy we made the big move.  Here are some of the things that I still love about living in Germany. Universal, affordable…

A Small Gathering, Finally.

We finally did it.  We were able to have a small gathering to celebrate moving into our new home.  It was only 10 months after the move, but who’s counting. Thankfully, the rain held off.  It was a bit cool, and very cloudy, but it was still a party and for that I was very thankful. It was really nice to see everyone! Now, it’s true, for the most part I am very happy to live as a bit of a…

Finally, Some Good News

Yes!  We have some good news from the land of Covid Lock Down, AKA, Germany.  Art of the Needle is FINALLY open again, for now.  The rate of infections in our area has dropped to a level low enough to allow shops, and restaurants to open.(Masks and social distancing still in full effect.  Although, it can all be closed down again if the numbers of infections rise). As many of you know, our tattoo…

A Little Kaffee und Kuchen

Wouldn’t be nice if we could all just meet up at the coffee shop and have a little Kaffee und Kuchen?  Coffee and cake for those not living here in Germany. Or maybe some Bier und Bratwurst?  Well, neither are possible here in Germany right now.  As a matter of fact, we just started back on another lockdown. Yes, really.  Another lockdown. No meets up for us anytime soon, I am afraid.  We moved…

Another Book Post, Already.

I know, I know.  Another book post.  Already?  Yep, another.  I found this one over at The Reading Addict and thought I would give it a go. What are 1-3 of your favourite books of all time?  The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King What are 1-3 of your favourite authors of all time? JRR Tolkien Neil Gaimon Anne Rice But this list…

I found the idea for this post over at Theycallmetater. He found the idea at Ashley’s Blog and she found it at The Boundless Books Blog.  It just seems like a bit of fun. I haven’t done anything interesting or fun in a while. Which means I have nothing much of my own to write about. So, here you go. Author You’ve Read the Most From: Probably Stephen King, Anne Rice, Andrew Vachss, or Neil…

Life With Binxy, the Tomato Killer

Oh, Binxy Cat.  What can I say, you are a force to be reckoned with. She usually sleeps under our bed.  But, between 0300 and 0500, she climbs into bed with us for a snuggle.  Or more specifically, she lays across my neck for a snuggle.  Have I mentioned that I do have a cat allergy.  It’s not severe, but I have to take daily allergy medicine to have a cat in the house.  Although, I think that…

Fear and Loathing in the Time of Covid-19

Today starts the third week that Dirk and Cheyenne have been back to work here in Germany. This gives me so much joy! I want it to continue…….. However, each day there have been news reports discussing the ever rising Covid-19 cases. There is talk of another lock down. Today, the government is meeting to discuss such things. It is stressing me the fuck out, for lack of other words to describe…

What I on my Summer Vacation…I mean Global Pandemic Lock Down.

The kids are starting back to school here as the lock down measures are being lifted in Germany.  I’ve been wondering if they will be given writing assignments like the ones we used to get in the States? The assignments we would have in the Fall, after the summer break?  The “What I Did on Summer Vacation” paper. I am sure there are plenty of those high achieving people out there that managed to…

A Little Dirt Full of Hope

These two planters might not look like much, they aren’t very fancy.  They look a bit out of place sitting in my living room window.  But, they are filled with hope, and maybe a little magic too. They are filled with soil and freshly planted tomato seeds.  A variety of tomato that I have never grown before.  They are called White Queen.  I am told that they are a whitish, or yellow tinged fruit…