Schwarzwald: Carousel Organ

I visited the small town of Triberg located in the Scwarzwald or Black Forest, in Southern Germany. I have attached a few photos from the Black Forest Museum of an organ from a carousel. It is about 8 feet tall and 15 feet wide. You can see two drums, the circular painted objects on the front. Most other instruments are behind. Three of the figures are shown as well located on a shelf above the organ. What I thought was very interesting is that the music is played along the same line as a player piano. In this case the music comes off of a continuous folder sheet of heavy paper. One of the photos shows the paper feeding into the reader mechanism on the right side of the organ. The other photos shows the boxes which hold different sheets of music. OK, son, now go get me the music to Edelweiss! There are many additional organs that have wheels on the back that the operator would turn to play the music. Most were able to be placed on a small cart and transported to different events. And the operator would grind out the music while he might also have a monkey entertaining the crowds. I will post some more about Cuckoo Clocks and the wood carving in the museum as well as the longest water fall in Germany also located in Triberg. Auf Wiedersehen!

Zirndorf, Germany

Yesterday, 8 Nov 2008, I went to a town where I was stationed with the Army from 1972 until 1975. The tonw is named Zirndorf, and is located just west of Nurnberg, Germany. First of all, let me say it. I can't believe how much it has changed. There, now that's done. The army post, Pinder Barracks or Pinder Kaserne, was turned over to the Germans and is now called Pinder Park. all of the old buildings have been torn down, and replaced by modern office space and affordable housing for the area. I have attached a couple of photos of the main entrance gate and the gaurd house outside. I lived in a barracks that was attached to the right side of the Clock Tower Main entrance. Those are the only two remaining structures from the original base which was initially a German Army Kaserne since befoe WWII.

While in the area, I completed a 10Km Volksmarch around the forests on the outskirts of Zirndorf. Volksmarching is a great way to get out into the towns and countryside for a short organized walk of 5, 10, 20 or even 42 kilometer distances. There are international clubs that organize both permanent or year round walks, as well as live events that are on just about every weekend at different little towns. A great way to get out and experience the Frisches Luft! (Fresh Air)

I have included a few photos that I took along the path. At one area, I heard what sounded like wild boar. And, by golly that was what I found when the path turned the corner. I was grateful they were all penned up as part of a display to re-introduce them in to the area. They used to be a favorite animal to hunt. The first one I saw, actually came up to the fence where I was standing, wagging its little tail. Still not cute enough to really want to reach through the fence and scratch the hair on its chinny, chin, chin! Let the Big Bad Wolf eat these guys! LOL!:)

One still very colorful tree was just on the edge of the woods next to the train track. So, you get to see that as well. I am impressed how the German people take responsibility for their actions, and don't over protect things to make them so safe where you have to really try to get hurt, then you sue someone anyway. For the most part you see parents teaching their children to be careful around the streets and train tracks, and it works, and without alot of frivolous lawsuits. Just a thought, as the walking/bicycle path paralleled the train track for about a kilometer with not much between them. Saw plenty of people but not much wildlife. I found a tree stump that had some cool stuff on it, so you get to see that as well.

I enjoy the Volksmarches as it is an inexpensive way to get out and enjoy the countryside, get some exercise and great for the mind as well. There are Volksmarches all around the US. I believe Dallas has quite a few.

Take care, and get some Frisches Luft!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Dad

Halloween Roundup

Here's the scary monster cupcakes that we made for Christian to take to work. I think they turned out a little more cute than scary... He added all the antennae. Then we went to a Halloween party with a little mix-up. We had to bring costumes, but then we drew names, and someone else had to wear our costumes. The stick figures below are the costumes we brought, and in the front of the picture you can see Christian and I. We were Japanese tourists at Disneyland. (See the Mickey ears?) Thanks John and Diane! We had lots of fun!

I participated in a Volkslaufe or "Volks March" in the town of Langenzenn on Saturday 1 Nov 2008. The distance was 11 Km or about 7 Miles. It took 2 hours and I had a great time as the weather was crisp, very crisp yet dry and clear which was "Ausgezeichnet!" or outstanding. Here are some of the photos I took along the way. Some nice artwork for the address of one house; some lucky stork yard art, a couple of statues someone had in their backyard, a gaggle of geese, in this case one twelvth of a gross, a tower of a church, and the center of the town. Here, you can benefit from the photos without having the tired feet.

Frankfurt Temple

Well, yesterday I was able to travel to Frankfurt and attend two sessions in the Temple. It is located in a smaller town just Northwest of Frankfurt. The town is called Friedrichsdorf. The Temple address is 10 Talstrasse if you want to Google it. A neat location with lodging available for those who travel long distances, as well as a distribution center. I was able to do the work for an Italian named Francesco Puccio and a Frenchman named Jean Roy. Both were born about 1800. It was a great experience and very good at recharging the spiritual batteries. Here are a couple of photos of the Temple itself.

Church today was good. It was a good addition to the spiritual refreshment gleaned from the Temple. One of the speakers has a daughter visiting her for the Summer, who currently attends BYU in Provo. Her stake president provided them some guidance on how to prepare for attending the Temple. He advised them to do the five things that Chirst advised the people in the New World to do as found in 3 Nephi 17:3, and to make sure you get past the part of going unto your homes. My family is in my thoughts always, and I ponder how I can better keep in touch and provide assistance. I also keep my friends and their families in my thoughts as well. The Gospel is true and I learn more of that every day.

Love,

Dad/Jamie

Guten Abend aus Illesheim! I am posting a few photos of where I live, as well as my car. More to follow when I can clean up the car and get it to a more picturesque spot. The plants in the photos are the tomato plants my landlord has growing. The two nearest the camera on the right side are mine. I have already harvested a total of 4 that's vier tomatoes, and they were great. However, perhaps it is the fertilizer, but they are not as sweet as the ones from the garden in Utah. The plants grow vertically, at least this variety does. When they get to tall or cumbersome, they will be trimmed. The tomatoes grow in small bunches of about 4 to 7.

The house is on Hauptstrasse 10 in Illesheim, Germany. It sits on the south west corner with a Church just to the north west. If you Google it you can see the house pretty well. My apartment is on the 1st floor on the north east. Those bottom story windows you see are my kitchen on the left and the two windows on the right are my living room. The yard is small in size, yet there are many flowers and even a flower box by the upstairs little balcony. While I was taking the photos, the landlord and his wife, Herr und Frau Eckardt, poked their heads out the window to see what was up! LoL!

Have a great day and love to all of you.

Dad

Just another picture of Germany

Hi:

I just wanted to place another photo of Germany into the BLOG as I am trying to see if I can get other people to sign into the BLOG. So Cyd and Tom, this Blogs for you! Catchy! Anyway these are some of the tiny flowers that were growing along the path and rocks at the Eagles Nest.

Love,

Dad

My first attempt at making a tasty treat. It was as good as it looks!

The Armor of God does not have pointy feet like this.

I am turning the brass ring on the fountain in front of the Frauenkirche and making a wish. It was a stretch! Still working on the wish.

An awsome door to enter in the upper part of the city to the acutal castle itself.

Two views from outside the castle proper looking back from the gardens. One below and one at the start above. How would you like to be the one to attack these from below?

Dear Family:

Hello again. Here are some photos of the old inner city (Aldstadt) of Nurnberg. I used to live near here from 1972 to 1975. The old city is walled in. An interesting note is that it was totally destroyed during the Allied bombing during WWII. The Germans rebuilt it using old plans and new and old materials. There is an older sister in our Ward who lived through those times and lost many friends. War takes a terrible toll on all those who are effected. It is sad that wars occur for whatever reason.

Love,

Dad

The Gasthaus Boehm in Schonau, Germany where we stayed in the middle room on the second floor with a great view of the mountains.

I was glad to have this photo taken quickly. That is the Konigsee in the background. the gronds drops off just behind me for about 10 feet, than there is a small area to land on. Than after that, it doesn't matter, as it was a long way down. Directly behind me, on the floor of the valley was the little town of Schonau where we spent the night.

The Eagles Nest or Kehlstein Haus. Hitler used this as a retreat. It has a brass elevator that takes you to it from a parking lot and tunnel entrance about 100 feet below. Take a minute and enter this into Google Maps or Google Earth and yo do get a great satellite view of the mountainous area.

Just a few of the small flowers that grow in the nooks and crannies of the rocks.

The flower is the Edelweiss. The cross I need to learn about.

Looking to the Southwest at the real mountains. this would be in Austria.

Hallo aus Deutschland! I have been over here in a little town called Illesheim, since April 29th. It has taken me a while to get settled. My work is going well and it is great to be back in Germany. I am working for L-3 Communications, Link Simulator Division as Site Manager for an Aviaton Simulation device. I live within walking distance of my work as it is only about 1.5 kilometers to work. So in order to save gas, I walk about half the time. I attend Church in the Ansbach Ward which is about 30 kilometers south of here. I am still awaiting a calling, and hope I can be of service to the ward membes in some way. The curent Bishop keeps telling me he is glad there is someone who speaks German as well. We have more military members than German members. I hope we cn get more German members as it is important for the stability of the Ward.

Last week the younger of two sons of my cousin Guy Holmes was travelling around Europe and came to visit for about a week. WE travelled to an area of Germany by Salzburg, Austria, called Berchtesgaden. Hitler had a second retreat/headquarters here as it set atop a tall mountain that is nearly inaccessable. I have included some photos of the area. I highly recommend it as part of your itinerary when you come to visit.

I appreciate my family very much and am so joyful over the service that Tanner is doing at this time while serving in the California Fresno Spanish Speaking Mission. His service has blessed my life so much. I pray for Janet and Kynaston every day and ask that their burdens are lightened as we are apart and Janet has the house to manage.

I appreciate everyone that keeps providing emails to Tanner and keeps me on the loop as well. I will post more soon.

Love,

Dad

Hurrah For Israel!

This is the first official post of our blog by Dad. This has been a great week beginning from January 17th until today the 27th. It has been full of blessings and Joy. It has involved travel and adventure to include advanced driver's training in winter conditions, airline travel and delays, and a couple boxes of Kleenex tissues. It started with all five of our family being together and than down to three, one in Utah and two in Colorado. Now it is back to one in the MTC at Provo, two in Logan, UT and one in Colorado Springs, CO. Oops, I don't want to forget Erin and Christian in McKinney,TX. I will add more to this later. Right now I am going to post some photos from our trip to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT where our great son Tanner entered to prepare for his Spanish Speaking Mission in the California Fresno Mission. Hurrah for Israel! It was a great day, and yes I did cry, probably more than Janet. Anyway, more to follow. Here are a couple of photos from our trip to the MTC. Dad