HODGEPODGE AUGUST 14

 1. August is National Golf month...do you play? Do you enjoy following golf? Have you ever been to a professional tournament? 

The only one who is a Golf fan, or was, was our cat Arthur ! He observed the ball, jumped, tried to catch the ball and when it fell in the whole he looked under the TV to find it. What did we do, we watched Golf or rather Arthur and laughed ! My son is a a Golf fan, he plays almost every day in the morning or when he has time. 

2. Astronaut Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 fame passed away this past Thursday. Are you interested in outer space and what's happening today in terms of space exploration? If space travel became common in your lifetime would you go? How do you personally relate to the idea of exploring something vast and mysterious...does the idea excite you, intimidate you, or something else? 

I believe we should first get our planet in order before we start digging around in the space. Why should I let myself be shot to the moon or Mars ? I haven't seen everything on my own planet yet. The money of the space "tourists" should be spent on cancer research and other "incurable" diseases; that would at least be useful. 

3. Describe your communication style in three words. 

Expressive, descriptive, humorous

4. Do you have a favorite cookbook? A favorite celebrity chef? Do you watch any cooking shows on TV? 

No I never looked into a cookbook,  I wanted to invent or recreate everything myself without looking in a book. I sometimes watched TV shows just to get new ideas. Now since at least 5 years I don't cook anymore. 

5. As a child did you have any back to school traditions? If so, did you carry on those same traditions with your own children? Do you have any back to school traditions you've started on your own? 

To sweeten this important day, in Germany, First Graders get a special treat on their first day of school: a Schultüte, a colorful and elaborately decorated cone which is prepared by a students’ parents  or bought filled with goodies such as small school supplies (like pens, pencil cases, erasers, etc.) , toys and candy. 

These bundles of gifts evoke excitement in students during one of the most important days of their childhood – the day that school begins. 

My first school day 1949

As kids make their way to their new classrooms, they proudly carry their Schultüten (school cone) with them. This German tradition originated in the early 1800s in the cities of Jena, Dresden and Leipzig.

Austria, Switzerland (the German speaking part) and the Czech Republic have adopted this fun back-to-school tradition.

As in Belgium this tradition is not known, my son didn't get the cone on his first school day, but later from his Grandparents in Germany. He didn't care, he was only interested in the content of the cone !  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

As it is unusually hot here over 30°C, I have no thoughts my head is empty, I just rest and my brain wonders when I can complain again about the rainy cold weather. My poor son with wife, son and dog are in France on holidays and they have 41°C ! Fortunately the holiday apartment they rented is air conditioned ! 

 

Son and Grandson

Grandson