For the last week we've been settling into our new place and doing some of the necessary stuff like laundry and obviously not getting pictures posted here. We got Lt Col Bob Tillema retired in style last Tuesday and his brother Mike who is a Lt Col as well did the ceremony in excellent fashion.

The weather has been hot ... about 82 or 83 and about 80 percent humidity, so it is fortunate we are living in the lower floor of the house and right near the lake ... at least a bit cooler. We have had an afternoon thundershower almost every day.

Every day there are several people who are swimming in the lake even though it is still about 55 degrees. Maybe before we leave, Bruce will get up the courgage to plunge in with the frogs and fish. Actually the frog chorus at night is awesome ... some of those guys really have a loud ... almost bark! Local legend is that the cheese called Quark comes from the sound the frogs make.

We made it up to the Mosel river yesterday, to pick up a couple of cases of wine from a vinyard we know. Usually that drive is spectacularly beautiful but the haze from the humidity made it hard to see for more than a couple of miles .... kinda scuzzy. So we haven't been able to get any good pictures but will be out this week and maybe go up to the Rhine to play and photo a bit. Then on the way home we went through a pretty powerful t-shower on the winding road near Hahn ... a little tense.