The final days of the Eye Clinic of Bellevue. This old, once great building, has been here for over fifty-some years. Was built and occupied by Dr. Milam and partners, all Ophthalmologists, who have retired or have passed away. The building has been sold now and the few, younger doctors left, will have their future in a new place. I will see Dr. Davis today, one of the last doctors to vacate.
Today is a thought-provoking day full of memories, nostalgia and some sadness.
Karin, my dearest friend, brought me here today for an eye exam. Karin was the employee I had chosen to take my place after my retirement. Stacie, the young lady I hired when she was just out of school, replaced Karin after her retirement, and she is staying to see all goes well with emptying the building. Empty files, still some pictures on the walls, some chairs scattered.
The three of us were sitting here together, talking about the last fifty years. The fish tank that I had gifted the clinic when I retired is gone. The company who I had purchased it from and did the monthly maintenance all these years has taken it back.
These walls around the former waiting room hold so many memories, good, bad and amazing ones. I learned a lot about doctors.
I was rewarded with a wonderful friendship with Karin
that has lasted so far for 46 years.
I still have a great friendship with Stacie and Barbara I had hired when they were just out of school. They were great employees, which made my job easy and satisfying.
Kudos to Karin, Stacie and Ilona, may this story give this clinic the proper send off it deserves.
Invitation to a Christmas Ball arrived from Dance Studio Boylke
Walzer! Waltzes!
My sister Friedl and I, Ilona were very excited to attend. Looking forward to a dance our dear mama already anticipated and purchased two beautiful gowns. White eyelet lace for my sister Friedl with a white underlay, full and long, fitted bodice, she looked like a princess. Her black long hair was braided with white pearls braided through. Stunning!
My white eyelet lace gown also full, long with fitted bodice but a ruby-red underlay, beautiful. My auburn hair was long and our Mrs. Kramer insisted to curl it, I did not usually like curls. The curls were held back on the right side with a comb, decorated with five large rubies, it belonged to my beloved mama and I was proud to wear it tonight. Our mama waved, as we were driving away from our home with the limo. As we entered the dance studio, a big banner announced the concert orchestra. A big surprise, it was a well known orchestra from Munich, known throughout Germany and Austria. The decorations were very beautiful and festive. Big sections of wood suspended from the ceiling like clouds, painted in white and light blue. Inside the dance floor a big cluster of white, flocked Christmas trees and in the center a tall beautiful white flocked noble fir with little Angels in white or silver gowns on every branch.
This will be a nice beginning to the Christmas season. Of course, we are not aware of this being our last Christmas in this studio. So glad we do not know that next Christmas this studio, this beautiful, old city will be completely destroyed by an allied bombing raid.
The evening was a dream – only waltzes, my dearest Friedl loves.
Tonight, I will be very grateful and very happy having been invited to
enjoy this so special evening with my beloved sister. The table by the stage was already set and they again outdid themselves with different, delicious food, both, savory and sweet, even champagne. Let the music begin; the first waltz Wiener Blut (Vienna Blood).
Beautiful music, beautiful gowns, beautiful young men from the nearby Garrisons, maybe their last night at home, the right age to enter the military. A beautiful place and a beautiful night to remember long. The young man, stepping up to my chair introduced himself as Michael, blond, blue eyes with a captivating smile. During the intermission, he joined our table and started a conversation, but asked me first if I would mind if he would call me or come to see me when and if he would return, when this terrible war would be over. Of course, how could I deny this to this young man, a soldier now defending our homeland. Michael told us that he is from Munich and knows this concert orchestra. He is 19 years old and was in The University of Munich completing his first year when he got drafted. His plans now have to be postponed until his return. This is the end of 1943, I am 16 and I will be 18 years old, when this terrible war will end.
No letter, No visit from Michael. I had my answer, another casualty of war.
So many, too many, in fact two generations gave their lives for Hitler, not to talk about the toll it took from the nightly bombings. September 11th, 1944 twenty thousand souls were lost in one night in my, this city of Darmstadt. Not to dwell on this ugly time this evening, let this be an evening for the young, let us enjoy this evening, this night of the waltz. It is now June of 1945 and this cruel war is finally over.
Today, the 2nd of June is my birthday and I had a letter in the mail. It was from a Freiher von Goettingen. A letter for me, from a Count?
This must be a mistake, but I may open it, since it is addressed to me. Getting seated on my window bench in my room, I opened the letter, it was signed by a lady named Mimi Von Goettingen, home address: Munich? Oh, the light came on and suddenly I did not feel good. This letter is from Michael’s mother. Oh NO!
She told me that when she escorted Michael to his troop train, he had one request, that if he did not return, for her to write Ilona a letter and gave her my address. Her husband and she are devastated losing their only son, their only child. She would be so very happy, if I could come some time to Munich and visit them. They would cherish, meeting the young lady her beloved Michael was in love with.
Friedl’s and my life at this time was so tumultuous and we did not have the stamina or strength to take on another complication. We were concentrating on our survival. In time, hopefully the wounds for these loving parents would heal and they also could survive this terrible ordeal.
By Christmas 1945 I wrote Mimi von Goettingen and her husband a beautiful Christmas message and remembered then that wonderful evening at the Dance Studio Boylke and Michael.
Not a Short Story – Life on the Bright Side, a Plea To the Media
Unsung Heroes
How beautiful and refreshing it would be, if our News Reporters (Television, Radio and the internet) would report some positive news, the behavior, dedication, decency, compassion and all the good that is still here in our beautiful America.
I picked five categories of Heroes for this conversation.
Nurses, first Responders, Volunteers of all kinds, fire men and women and Police. This of course does not exclude our brave men and women in the Armed Forces. Would it not give us pride to call out their dedication, bravery and commitment to this great nation? It should be a pleasure for any journalist to report that kind of deed in the evening news, instead of the crimes, murders, dirty politics and frightening tales, we, the American people are forced to watch on the evening news. I think, this kind of reporting, being so negative and looked through only a negative lens, would make life frightening and the reporter would choose a happier profession.
I know, “They” say, it needs to be reported to the American people, but I disagree, look around and open your eyes, people need the positive news, the news that makes them confident and relaxed for the next day, not fearful and too scared to venture outdoors, or to leave the house.
Besides, why do we have the need to “air our dirty linens to the world through television? No other countries do it?
When I first came to this great country, I enjoyed a walk after work, even in winter, when it would be dark. We lived in Bellevue and I would walk to the beautiful park/gardens to relax to see all the beautiful flowers and all the lights, never frightened, never thinking it was not safe. I had seen the good, the bad and the ugly during and after WWIIin Germany and this beautiful country was for me, Paradise.
It is still here, open your eyes and find the good, it is still here!
And let us hear and see some praise and give kudos to so many of our
unsung heroes it will make us feel better and bring our America, its cities, villages and towns back to the image, they deserve. If you are open to that suggestion, you can find this America, this great country and let the world see it on television, radio and internet.
At least, please try! It may seem like a small thing, but think of the positive contribution to your life and others’ lives.
She was a gentle lady, beautiful, black dog, with shiny fur, and big, beautiful and kind dark eyes.
She was an English Labrador Retriever.
I had never heard of that service. It was my second stay in the hospital within three months and I was not a happy camper.
I felt sad and the nurse came into my room and asked me if I liked dogs. I was sitting on the side of my bed, legs down on the floor. Of course I liked dogs, but do not want to get one.
So I told the nurse oh, yes I like dogs and cats, but never had either.
She told me then, there is a lady named Carolyn outside with a dog, who wants to visit.
That sounded good to me, maybe it might improve my mood.
A beautiful, sweet dog entered my room, looked at me for a moment, came over to my bed and laid down on my feet, looking up at me with her most beautiful, dark eyes.
She let me stroke her head and just laid there watching me with her kind eyes.
It was the most amazing feeling for me, I had tears in my eyes. It really touched me.
What a wonderful gesture of this lovely lady, Carolyn, to do this for the sick and elderly while in a hospital.
It shows again how much compassion and kindness there still is here in America.
My day was so much better, and I shall not forget this wonderful experience.
It was a most beautiful day in late September. A sunny day, a crisp evening. Our father had an invitation from the Gross Herzog (Grand Duke) of Hessen to join his hunting party as a guest. In most of Europe, like in Germany one does not have the privilege and freedom of going into any forest to forage or shoot an animal and take it without any oversight.
It is the privileged and ruling class with guests who have the permission to organize the hunting party, use horses and organize the hunt. It is a sport and no reward is given. The meat from the hunt goes to a facility to be inspected and is then given to restaurants or specialty shops, which sell the venison, wild boar, elk etc.
Since it was the last few days of my brother Wolfgang’s time at home, before he had to report to the air force, my father invited him to join the hunt.
A large preserve in the forest near Darmstadt containing deer, elk, wild boar, not far from the Grand Duke’s Hunting Lodge “Kranichstein” was the location the hunting party gathered and mounted their horses.
The hunt began.
An enjoyable day with good weather, wonderful scenery and good food.
The hunt was successful! A big elk and a deer. The beautiful antlers would be presented to the Grand Duke, a trophy and the meat would be picked up by Forest Rangers. A big celebration dinner with wine and exhilarating conversation at the lodge awaited the hunters in “Kranichstein.”
My brother Wolfgang enjoyed this hunt and being with his father all day. A wonderful memory for him when he has to leave his home, and I am certain he will miss his family, but most of all, his father.
It was for Wolfgang a once in a life time experience to cherish and definitely an unforgettable day for him and his beloved father.
A little synopsis about Ilona, the youngest daughter of Lizzi and August. Born early, three months early, weighing only 2½ pounds. She is the story teller. Survived, grew from this tiny infant into a young woman, graduated from University with a degree in International Law and Commerce. Worked for US Headquarters for Gen. Eisenhower in Frankfurt/Germany after WWII, met, fell in love and married an American and came to the United States, after she received her entry permit and joined her husband, Halvor LeGrand Cole and resided in Seattle/Washington.
It was a beautiful early summer day, mid June 1928. Our mama decided to show off her youngest to her sister, who lives in Calau near Cotbus, south of Berlin. Mama, along with our Mrs. Kramer, her younger sister, Marga, my older sister, Friedl, who was at that time three years old. The three ladies with their little ones were taking the train from Darmstadt to Berlin and changing train to continue to Calau where Frieda, her husband Christopher and their son, Lukas lived. Our papa and brother, Wolfgang would join all of us the last few days of our stay and we all would take a train home together.
After a long train ride we arrived in Berlin and looked for our train to Cotbus. Getting comfortable in first class we were on our way, this time it will take only two hours.
Arriving in Calau, a beautiful carriage awaited us, pulled by two magnificent horses. Franz, Christopher’s driver greeted us and took care of the luggage, me and Friedl and helped the three ladies get comfortable.
A beautiful scenery appeared as we entered this cool and idyllic forest, passing by a wonderful lake with a waterfall at the far end. Wild geese frolicking in the clean, cool water and as we came to a clearing, large fields of beautiful red poppies moving with the breeze, as far as one could see. The eastern part of Germany has the most beautiful landscape and is so different from the industrial part, the west of Germany.
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Christopher, Frieda and little Lukas awaited us with open arms by the gate of their estate. As the suitcases were brought in, we were shown to our rooms. Sunny and light, beautifully furnished with double beds and big dressers. A round table with flowers, two chairs right by the window for morning coffee. Mama with Friedl will have the bed. I, being still very little had the bottom drawer in that beautiful dresser lined with several pink blankets a nice pink pillow and a stuffed, white little lamb. Our Mrs. Kramer with her sister had their own room. We will stay about ten days. For our mama, Frieda, Marga and Mrs. Kramer ten wonderful days full of love and conversation, excellent food, a lot of fun cooking
together. Christopher is a breeder of a great breed of horses which my papa, when he arrives will love to see and maybe go riding with Christopher.
The Estate is a marvelous place for the adults to explore, especially this beautiful house. It has a large entry, a foyer, with two-story high ceiling, adjacent is the great room with a Venetian chandelier coming down, built-in rosewood bookshelves all around the room with leaded glass doors, inside many old leather books. Across, by a large stained-glass window a rosewood, round dining room table and beautiful, high back chairs. An idyllic view out the window, up a lush, grassy hill with a lot of wild flowers were the white buildings, stables, holding Christopher’s horses.
The days, full of adventures, laughter and love fleeted fast and our papa with Wolfgang arrived. They were busy visiting the horses, enjoying this wonderful place and the experience of riding into the countryside with a basket of food and drink prepared by Frieda. The four ladies wanted to have a day visit to Cotbus to have a nice lunch and shopping. Papa and Christopher would stay behind to care for the little ones.
It was a wonderful outing, just the four ladies and they made the most of their time.
All in all it was a wonderful experience for every one and especially for me. I tried on a drawer to sleep in and felt very secure and cuddly in it. Always something new to learn, looking forward to what’s to come when I get older and a little bigger.
Private Halvor LeGrand Cole, a young American soldier.
Sonthofen 1939
This Fall is my brother’s graduation from the Academy in Sonthofen, Germany with the rank of Lieutenant, a first rate education and skills in flying Gliders. The celebration will include an Air Show. It will show young pilots’ skills in flying and demonstrating their readiness for the final step, to fly a Fighter Me-109 or Stuka. Training ground would be the war in Spain.
It was decided that our Mrs. Kramer, my sister Friedl and I, Ilona take the train to the Alpine Mountains, to Sonthofen and my father and mother will join us by the weekend. The hotel we are staying in is a most beautiful place, like a fairy tale castle. It sits right in the mountains. To get to it from the town is by cable car to the top, a magnificent view directly from heaven over the snow covered peaks. During the day, blue and white clouds encircle us, where as in the village below the sun was shining bright and it was a wonderful, warm September day.
The large air field was decorated with flowers, with banners, the colors of this Academy. Chairs circled the viewing area.
Our Mrs. Kramer, Friedl and I came down by cable car around nine in the morning after we had a wonderful breakfast in the hotel dining room. Beautiful flower arrangements with little banners, the colors of the academy on every table, white starched linens on the tables and smiling servers ready for us. We had ordered waffles with warm honey
and blue berries and on the side thinly sliced Canadian bacon. It was alright with our Mrs. Kramer that I would give Friedl the bacon, she loved.
We picked up our parents at the train station at noon and had plenty time to explore the town together, some shopping and going to a nice Bistro for lunch, before the air show started.
We got seated and received a menu, showing the names of the young pilots, as they were performing. It was exciting, thrilling and I was almost envious of these young men with their acrobatic skills, demonstrating what they had learned over the last four years. The air flow was perfect, the weather was a beautiful fall day. Some of their performance was daring and at times the spectators held their breaths.
During our dinner, all of us around the table, our brother, Wolfgang proudly told us, that he passed all the tests and his future is going to be with the air force after his training in a Me109 Messerschmitt fighter. It was NOT what his dream was, he wanted to become a Commercial Pilot for Luft Hansa Air Line and “See the World”
Well, he said, he will start with the Me109 or the Stuka and hopefully live to become this Commercial Pilot some day. The conversation was lively and the dinner was superb. Mama had ordered before we came, Goose with ALL the trimmings, the wine and the desserts: “individual ramekins with souffle” fresh from the oven and on the side, Melba sauce, fresh raspberry sauce. For the adults French press coffee and a cognac in heated glasses.
The next day we all joined a pre-arranged tour through the buildings and beautiful grounds of the Academy. It became an ever lasting memory.
But this was not the last time this beautiful Academy popped up in my life only to be something entirely different: “It was the year 1950, a troopship entered Bremer Hafen, the most northern tip of Germany. The troopship was an American ship with occupation troops on board. The young soldiers debarked and transferred to a train, bound for billeting in the Alpine Mountains, a beautiful facility for “Orientation” called Sonthofen. They stayed there to learn about occupation, German language, German people, their customs etc. After this, they shipped to their designated Companies, Units and Stations throughout Western occupied Germany and one of these young soldiers was a Private Halvor LeGrand Cole, my future husband and beloved partner for sixty four years. He talked often about Sonthofen, the breathtaking setting, the beautiful brick buildings, the inside, especially the dining room with a large window overlooking the snow covered peaks. Sonthofen again became my ever lasting memory.
A beautiful, sunny weekend! We were able, on this Easter holiday, to put our snow boots away. Spring is finally here. We were dressed beautifully and ready to join the rest of the family to go to the Chapel at the Castle in the City. Today is “Good Friday” and I am looking forward to hear the beautiful Messiah.
On our way home we stopped at Espenschied Patisserie to pick up our dessert a “Herren Torte” (a Gentleman’s Cake) my papa’s favorite cake from the assortment Espenschied Patisserie creates.
For today’s dessert, my mama did not want the 12inch cake, but 14 individual little cakes, four layers of genoise cake separated with the coffee créme and one swan on top out of Pâté à choux dough, again filled with coffee créme. On a beautiful silver tray, decorated with a circle of big orchid blossoms, Mrs. Nietsche, presented these gorgeous desserts. YUM.
Tonight, we will have our great Easter dinner with all the family: Papa, Mama, Katja with husband, Frieda with husband, Lillie with husband, Mrs. Kramer and Mrs. Nietsche and us little people, Wolfgang my brother, Friedl my sister and I, Ilona. The kitchen is the place where you need to check if you follow the delicious, fragrant smells moving through the house. Both ovens were in use: A large rack of lamb, French boned, and a sauce made with Plum Brandy. The plums were caramelized, and so were the apple slices and sweet onions, thinly sliced, all caramelized, a wonderful side dish. Little potatoe balls with spiced croutons in the dough.
The adults started with warm and hearty greetings and Mrs. Nietsche passed the champagne glasses around. “We, the little people, only needed to be seen, not heard.”
After every one was seated, Mrs. Nietsche brought the food in and started to serve. My papa opened up and served the wine. There were plenty of comments, about the great food, lively conversation and laughter and after several hours, came the time for dessert. Beautiful plates with the round individual cakes and an orchid blossom on the rim, a lovely sight. Aromatic coffee and a heated snifter with brandy and for us hot chocolate. The happy conversations continued and after another hour, it was bed time for us little people. Mama came with us to spend some treasured time with us, before she tucked us in our beds. She brought a beautiful, white, fluffy bunny for my sister and one for me.
She held my bunny in her hand, had her hand cupped – holding some chocolate eggs in it, not noticable to me. Guided with her cupped hand the bunny hopped across the floor and dropping the eggs. I was delighted about this. After our mama kissed us and had left, I of course would not go to sleep until I tried this maneuver with my bunny, like mama did.
NO eggs of course appeared – “bad bunny” even “please” did not work.
Very disappointed, I was not going back to bed until I explored this a little further. I got a pair of scissors from a drawer, sat down and held the bunny on my lap and cut it open. Oh my, all there was, was straw, a royal mess!
I got scared and started to cry and my beloved sister Friedl was consoling me. Out of desperation all I could think of was calling: “Mrs. Nietsche, help please!”
James Last, 1929 to 2015, a well known Jazz Band Leader in his early years. A composer of popular music, owns his concert orchestra and mostly traveled throughout Germany and Europe. He performed during early summer of 1979 in Holland during the tulip festival in the town of Utrecht, at the Tivoli Vredenburg. His music was very popular and loved, his style of conducting his immense orchestra, was something to enjoy. The music was catching and one would love to sing along. The orchestra was fascinating and the individual selections up-beat. This concert was set-up also to produce an album. My Hal already decided to look for this album, when we get home.
The concert lasted more than four hours and the selections too many to remember all, but I recall some: Mon Amour from Romance, Comment ça va, Paloma Blanca, all beautiful music, beautiful rhythm. The orchestra and James Last changed their attire quite often during their performance, from black tuxes to white, to yellow suits, colorful shirts. Different colors up on stage, different mood in music.
Georg and my Hal talked about going to hear the concert as soon as we arrived at their home. Georg mentioned that it would be great, if we could make a detour first to the Mosel Valley, exploring wineries, the delicious young Rieslings, of course with great food. Then drive through to Holland, take in this special concert and then come through some of the Rhine River valley, and home. This sounded wonderful, we all four loved this idea.
We had a toast to this happy plan with a glass of Georg’s fine champagne and a slice of Friedl’s apple kuchen. A great beginning to our two week vacation.
Our first stop, a little Hamlet by the Mosel River for two nights, a lot of sightseeing, wineries, restaurants and wine tasting. Georg made a slight change to the sequence of our original plan.
The drive from the Mosel to the Rhine was beautiful, a sunny and warm day, spectacular scenery and the occupants in the car were very happy.
After two days in the little town, Ruedesheim, again exploring wineries, wine tasting and terrific food, we packed the car and headed for Holland. Beautiful country side, gorgeous weather, quaint houses along the canals. The outdoor concert started early afternoon and lasted about four hours. It was stimulating, beautiful and the music lasted in our hearts and minds still the next day as we started our journey home. But not before we had tasted the great food, and of course great wine. Not the whites from this region, it had to be a red to compliment our food. Germany, Holland and the area around here produce the finest whites, a Riesling especially, but no reds. It was a French wine from the Burgundy region, not far from here.
When the plates arrived, they looked like a piece of art. In the center of large plates, little golden, crisp potato pancakes, overlapping. Next sliced thin, tenderloin roast, nice and brown on the outside with a perfect reduction sauce, pan de-glazed with a fine Burgundy, and golden, fragrant chanterelle mushrooms with a little clarified herb butter over them. The dinner and the wine were wonderful, like the atmosphere around the table. We enjoyed about two hours in this cozy place, when we realized we have a drive ahead of us and we should be on our way. We were sad to leave.
On the drive home, it was pretty quiet in the car. Every one had their own thoughts and no one wanted to disturb it. There was so much to remember, so much to relive and so much emotion from this beautiful concert.
JAMES LAST & ORCHESTRA
BIG BAND LEADER & COMPOSER
01 April 1973
CTC4141
Allstar/Cinetext/
It was March the 2nd 1945 and it was my beloved sister Friedl’s 20th Birthday and also her and Horst’s wedding day. It was to be at the Paulus Cathedral, the only church restored, partially, to be used for sermons and weddings after the total destruction of our beautiful city September 11th 1944. This church could only be used in good weather, since it was just outer walls, no ceiling, no windows and only cleaned of rubble partially, chairs lined up, where pews once were.
Today is this very special day. My father is home to see his daughter Friedl and his very good friend Horst joining in marriage. After the beautiful ceremony the couple walked out of the Cathedral under an arc of swords to their limo to begin a lifetime together, hopefully with this cruel war ending soon.
We all gathered at our parents’ beautiful home, decorated with white lilac, great catered dinner and mama made a traditional “Bowle” for drinks, consisting of sliced peaches soaked in Cognac over night. A large crystal bowl, filled with champagne, the peaches added. Served in open, flat glasses before dinner.
Our mama engaged a group of musicians who would provide the music after dinner for dancing. The musicians were set-up in the foyer, where the grand piano was and the dance floor spilling over, into the dining and living rooms. Every one seemed to have a great time and had, for a fleeting moment forgotten about the war, thinking of their future, hoping that peace would come very soon.
I, Ilona, Friedl’s younger sister, 17 years old, not getting married, not having a gentleman friend, just wishing to dance. I had tasted, sampled quite a few peaches, therefore I was very happy and had the courage to get up on the large, round onycs-topped table in the center of the foyer, and started to dance – I could tell that the group were playing a Tango – my favorite. Dressed in a Burgundy velvet dress, long sleeves with pearl buttons up to the elbow, fitted and long, low-cut back, very striking. I had changed into my dance shoes. My hair, in a French braid, down one side. Ready to dance. The dancing couples stopped, watched and applauded. As I was getting applaus from the guests, my mama entered and saw me. She came close to the table, looked up at me and with a smile said: “come down sweetheart it is time for you to go to bed.”
I realized I had over-done it just a bit, stepped down, gave my mama a kiss, went upstairs and to bed. The music and laughter lasted until I fell a sleep.
The music was interrupted by a courier, a young officer with urgent orders for Horst and his four companions to return to the Western front for one more offensive against the approaching allied forces at the border of Holland. A departure of four guests and the groom stopped the festivities. My beloved sister Friedl came into our room, crying. I tried to console her, but did not know what to say, so I held her close and let her cry.
My sister woke up as daylight was approaching and we both went downstairs. Our mama, Mrs. Kramer with her younger sister Marga and Mrs. Nietsche were sitting in the dining room with a cup of coffee, with tired faces and tears still staining their cheeks. The guests all had left and our father was waiting for his driver to take him to the train to get back to Berlin.
For how long we were wondering? We knew, that Germany could not hold off the advance of the allied forces much longer – but how long?
Would my dearest sister hear from Horst, her bridegroom soon?
Such a sad and tragic ending to a most beautiful wedding.
As it turned out, the ugly and cruel war was over in May, but NO news from Horst. A visit of two officers at our home gave Friedl the grim and devastating news. None of the officers made it to their unit, that meant, they were caught by artillery approaching the front and none of them made it. My beloved sister, a beautiful bride and on the same day became a widow.
