Note- I told this story without any extra input from my mother… I’m sure that she will add to the story someday. I’ve cobbled together a few bits and pieces from stories my mom told. I remember the old picture from photo albums… it was just always there. The newer photo hung on the refrigerator for a while; Mom’s memory…
Author: karenanne
Tearing the Silence; On Being German in America by Ursula Hegi
Tearing the Silence: On Being German in America Tearing the Silence –On Being German in America”, by Ursula Hegi, is not for everyone. I know from my family how difficult the subject of War is for Germans. The book is at times very personal, and often painful. Germans don’t generally do personal (at least, not with strangers). But that…
Richard Scarry Dictionary- My Best Word Book Mein Allerschoenstes Wörterbuch
I still have my old beat-up copy of Mein Allerschoenstes Woerterbuch by Richard Scarry (My Best Word Book). This Richard Scarry Dictionary has seen some loving in its time. Now, it’s hard to get excited about a dictionary. Most are thick and filled with many words I can’t spell, so it’s impossible to look them up. Frankly, although I always…
Haflinger House Shoes- German Hausschuhe to Keep Your Feet Warm
For Christmas a few years ago I was delighted to receive a new pair of real Haflinger Hausschuhe (Haflinger House Shoes) from my mother (how do you know you are German? You get excited about a new pair of “good” Hausschuhe at Christmas). I hate cold feet…. And even more than that, I hate cold WET feet, I also hate bringing outside…
Groundhog Day- An old German Tradition in America
Is Groundhog Day a GERMAN Tradition? Weather prediction using a burrowing animal on the 2nd of February Candlemas has roots in Germany. The Pennsylvania Dutch German immigrants who landed in America brought these traditions along. Of course, a few adjustments had to be made. Pennsylvania had no badgers or hedgehogs (Igel), so a groundhog was substituted. (And Bill Murray didn’t…
Where to Celebrate German Karneval in the United States
Karneval like in Germany! Fasching (in the South) and Karneval (in the North) are a time of celebration of food and fun in the time before the austerity of Lent. Costumes and Masks are meant to scare away evil spirits. Parades and dancing add to the fun. The celebration begins on November 11, the beginning of the 5th Season, when the…
Will Your Kids Enjoy a Trip To Germany? Of Course they WILL!
Before packing suitcases, booking hotels and flights… even before applying for a passport… some parents stop and wonder, “will your kids enjoy a trip to Germany?” Germany is a wonderful place for Adults to vacation, but is it worth the cost to take kids? I agree, it is expensive. BUT! I don’t regret spending the money for a moment. The…
What is Pfand? the Ransom Price for Real Glass
Leave it to the Germans to come up with a brilliant system to make using actual glasses at a Bier Stube possible, the Pfand. This “ransom” or “deposit” charged by vendors means that they get their cups, glasses and plates back for washing… and you get to use grown up table-settings. You see, I really don’t like drinking out…
German Bathroom Fixtures… What is the Deal with Those Toilets?
Germany and America are countries separated by both language and bathroom fixtures. The two main issues are handheld Shower heads and Toilets. It’s funny, I traveled back and forth between the countries for years and never had serious issues with German bathroom fixtures. In fact, I LOVE the handheld showers in Germany …. As for the toilets? Well, they are…
The Simple Pleasure of a Strickliesel , the German Spool Knitter
Years ago, German girls were introduced to the all-important (and not always loved) concept of Handarbeit with a Strickliesel. (Handarbeit literally means handwork or handicraft, but in this instance, it means needlework/sewing or embroidery). What is a Strickliesel? These sweetly painted spool looms taught the basics of knitting by turning a simple piece of yarn into a knitted cord. Luckily, these…