Aaron, Julie, Garrett and Grant

Garrett and Grant having a blast in the leaves.

Kristi and I decided that we would like to have a protection dog in our family. There have been numerous break-ins recently in our neighborhood. No doubt, our poor economy is driving the break-ins.

I was looking for a dog that would have the correct temperament for such a bold job as protection work. Triton’s description fit the bill, so we took a drive out to the breeder to view him. My first impression of him was that he is a big boy and appears to be very imposing. He has a way of making people stop and take notice, and he commands respect. He is now ten months of age. He was returned to the breeder as he was too much dog for the previous family. I thought, “hmmm, sounds like just what I’m looking for”.

The first few weeks were rough. He was very energetic and unruly. He is aloof, if not aggressive toward strangers, which is something we are working through. I feel as though he wasn’t socialized properly. We’ve exposed him to lots of people, places and situations, which has been a great help. He and I have bonded very nicely.

More later….

I am feeling high on life right now just thinking about it all.

Frank

Waldi and our cat Chloe have bonded over the years, so Chloe follows him around like a little puppy.  During this visit, Waldi met Sullivan for the first time and fell in love with him immediately.  They spent the mornings looking out the glass door at all of the squirrels that live in our new neighborhood.

Kunder Wiesbaden is a shop near Waldi’s home that makes decadent truffles, hand rolled the old fashioned way.  Each time he comes to see us, he brings a box of truffles for us to enjoy.  These treats are the richest, most high-quality chocolates we have ever tasted.  Just one will make your whole day.  They are especially good with coffee or red wine.  These truffles come packaged in a white box with beautiful ribbon and a gold seal.

Grayson’s favorite treat from Germany is their chewy, fruity gummy bears.  Waldi brought two huge bags of them, which I feel sure loaded down his suitcase.  One bag was for Grayson, while the other was for Frank.  It was a good idea to bring two, as they have already disappeared.  They are highly addictive.

The first day Frank took Waldi to lunch outdoors on the patio at Natty Greene’s downtown.  This was the first day of many, as they discovered the Great Natty’s Buffalo Burger.  Waldi loved this burger and ended up going back several times to order it.  One afternoon I had to hunt them down at Natty’s, as they had started ordering beer and “lost track of time.” 

Waldi announced upon his arrival that he would love to purchase another Mustang, possibly powder blue in color, and drive it around when he visits us.  (He had one previously for his visits to the states, but has since sold it.)  During our down time, Waldi was on the Internet in search of that perfect car.  He and Frank can “talk cars” for days. 

On the third night Bill and Jess invited us to come to Madison and visit a new restaurant they have in town called the Brickyard Tavern.  We had a rather “continental” time at dinner because their chef was out at the time, but the bar experience there was great fun.  The bar was crowded and hopping with friendly people and interesting conversation.  When the bartender told me I looked like I was only twenty-one, I was in love with the place.  Waldi and Frank ended up meeting a man there who had a powder blue 1960 Mercedes for sale.  The next thing I knew, Frank and Waldi were off to go check out the car.  (Bill, Jess, and I were perfectly entertained at the bar meanwhile.)  I was surprised when Waldi came back without a purchase, but I do believe they had a great time on their Mercedes adventure.

What an awesome week we had with Waldi.  He has invited us to come to Germany next time we see each other and I am beside myself at the thought.  I cannot wait to meet Marita and spend time getting to know her.  I also want to see their beautiful home and gardens.  Waldi said he would take us to see some castles and vineyards, which I am very excited about touring.  Hopefully we can arrange for this trip very soon.  In the meantime, Waldi has an open invitation to come and see us whenever possible.  We love you so much, Waldi.  “Mi casa es su casa.” 

Kristi

This was Waldi getting in one last Buffalo Burger

The universal sign for “We’re having a Continental time”

After dinner at The Brickyard restaurant in Madison

The article starts out by saying:

“A year ago in July, a National Intelligence Estimate warned that al Qaeda had ‘protected or regenerated key elements of its Homeland attack capability,’ meaning it could be poised to strike America again… ‘This clearly says al Qaeda is not beaten,’ said Michael Schuerer, the former CIA spook turned antiterror scold.”

Basically, this was propaganda by the administration to continue to justify it’s illegal wiretapping and aggressive interrogation tactics as well as an attempt to further it’s position in Iraq. For more on the illegal wiretapping activities by Bush and his administration, visit the ACLU’s website.

The article then goes on to say:

“What a difference 10 months – and a surge – make.”

Here we go. The BS machine is being fired up again. Michael Hayden, current CIA Director, is quoted as saying that because we have thus far occupied Iraq that “On balance, we are doing pretty well” and that “[we are at a] near strategic defeat for al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia”. The article then says that “the U.S. offensive in Afghanistan and especially Iraq deserve most of the credit.”

Yeah, right… al Qaeda was so strongly entrenched in Iraq that by our pillaging, plundering and murdering of that nation, we have single handedly nearly knocked out al Qaeda. Let me clue you in on something; al Qaeda hasn’t been defeated, they are in hiding. Anyone that believes this to the contrary needs a head examination or should crawl out from under the propaganda rock where they are hiding.

What about the thousands of lives that were lost on the American side alone and the innumerous innocent lives lost in Iraq? Was it worth it for one man and his administration to save face? Let’s face it, we went into Iraq on one premise. If I recall correctly, it was “chemical weapons” that we supposedly were saving the world from. So, we invaded and then there were no chemical weapons. Hmm. Then, against the entire world’s wishes, we illegally attacked Iraq. Now “the administration” is illegally wiretapping our phone conversations and using illegal interrogation tactics and we Americans are standing by and doing virtually nothing to stop it. What the hell has this country come to. Let’s not confuse what happened in NY on 9/11/01 with what is going on currently with the Bush administration. No, they are separate issues all together, despite what the administration would like us all to believe.

The article then goes on to smear Obama by talking about his promise of a rapid withdrawal from Iraq on grounds that we can’t defeat al Qaeda unless we focus on Afghanistan. How novel; we should focus on the country that is well known for harboring those scumbags rather than a country that has shown very little if any support for them.

When I initially read the article, I mistakenly thought that it was merely a writeup quoting Michael Hayden (and a few others). As I read it again and again, I realized that the WSJ is actually endorsing this BS. Whoever wrote this spin and drivel, shame on you and shame on the WSJ for allowing the perpetuation of more propaganda.

Oh, and I happen to think that Barack Obama is a pretty smart guy and a great candidate for presidency. It just may have something to do with my gut feeling that he is a man of character and moral fiber and not just someone that has an agenda. Let’s not forget that Bush Sr. started this whole mess in Iraq and that our current president had superfluous reasons for attacking a country where we have absolutely no business.

Frank

Frank

For excellent results in buying or selling a property, you can email Larry here.

Frank

All kidding aside, we had a great time with Bill and Jess last night at the Village Tavern. It was our mother’s day celebration.

Kristi on the left and Jess on the right

Bill, aka Doober (I think he ate too much!)

Frank

It appears that Sullivan, our kitten/crow, has lifted yet another item in our household.  Why do I blame an innocent kitten, you may ask?  This all started with the disappearance of Frank’s drill bit.  We searched far and wide, even packed and moved our entire home, and have yet to find that drill bit.  Where is that thing?  I guess the person or people who buy our townhouse will find it one day and wonder who put it in such an odd place?  That would be Sully, our precious little kleptomaniac.  Ironically enough, whenever things disappear, he is always there looking as guilty as ever.  He sprints around the room with wild eyes, his back arched in “Halloween cat” style and his tail straight up in the air.

Other things in our home have disappeared as well.  Besides the drill bit, we are missing a compact flash card for one of the cameras.  (Frank has mumbled several expletives over this one.)  I am missing a silver earring and now my killer blue pen.  The day will come when we will locate Sullivan’s stash, whether it is under the dryer or stove, stuck in the laundry shoot, or hidden in a large houseplant.  Until that day comes, we will continue searching, laughing, and tallying our missing loot.

One thing that stinker Sullivan has stolen for keeps:  our hearts.

- Kristi

Your pen is missing!? Oh my!!!

I don’t know anything about that pen, or dad’s drill bit or ….

But I will help to find them. Could they be under here?

Hey, what’s that smell? Oh well, maybe another day