It's Been a Year

Mine Vater (father) vas ein double-agent in das second vorld var. He vas, oshtensibly, on der American side und very proud of helping many peoples escape from der Nazi.

Vee moved many times, several years in Japan, den back to Germany; I sink it vas so dey vould not find und keel him.

He vas a big fan uv Richard Wagner und on der veekends, inshtead uf vahching shportz, he vood take out a moozik stand mit ein libretto, und conduct an opera (mit a baton).

Unable to afford das Jensen speakers he vanted, he'd built a pair zat did a fine job uf rattling das vinders. I alvays vondered vy I had so few friends, but being das ranking officer in der building, dey could not complain.

He did such a gut job, after duh var dey gave him der Wagner's home to live in mit ein chauffeur, a cook und a gardener. Doze ver good times for he und mine Mutti (mom). Dey schpent der days skiing das Alps; she said der vimmen vent topless as vas der custom und it vas so varm.

He vas German und children ver not allowed at der table until dey could behaif. Mine brudder und I ate in der kitchen. I vas about nine ven I vas allowed to attend der opera in Frankfurt. I saw several ballets und symphonies, but it vas Der Meistersinger (note CORRECT schpelling uff Nurnberg) dat made zee deepest impression.

Der opera house is everysing you can imagine in opulence. Pure German! Und altho it ist impossible to forget der horror of vat der Nazis did, I also tink of vaht vee haf done to das Indigenous Americans...blankets mit smallpox, der Long Valk und numerous massacres of vimmen und children. Do you vunder I prefer to live in der vylds, away from most people?

But as vee move toward yet another Spring, it is, in das time uff kalt und no topless vimmen, a bit of rousing moozic to lighten zee heart. Yah!!

Und if Sie habben a few pennies to throw at zee $14,000 VISA debt (Phoebe's repairs), please feel free to take advantage of the Paypal button at the upper right of the blog. Dankeschon!!!