December 24th in the United States of America Referred to as Christmas Eve. When I was growing up, until 1954 when I came here, we in Germany referred to it as “Heilige Nacht”. The reason and the most important part of Christmas, “Holy Night”, the Birthday of our Jesus Christ. For eight years now I …
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Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 193
My Lovely Friend for 45 years and More The year was 1980, my Hal finally had gotten his long awaited transfer back to his beloved Seattle. We had found a beautiful Condo on the east side of Seattle in the outskirts of Bellevue, Cougar Mountain, all in trees Townhomes. It had everything we had wanted. My Hal, while visiting his Ophthalmologist …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 192
Germany 1938 Christmas I, Ilona, was eleven years old, my sister, Friedl was thirteen years old and my brother, Wolfgang was seventeen years old. As it turned out, it was our last Christmas all together since my brother came home from School in Sonthofen, located south in the Alpine Mountains. A big University where he …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 191
Advent Season and Heilige Nacht (Holy Night) Right after Thanks Giving here in the United States, Europe starts the season of Advent and preparations for Christmas festivities go on full swing. Goodies for the Advent Sundays are making their appearance and with that the good smells coming from the kitchen and for afternoon tea time …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 190
Die Rosen Hoehe (The Rose Hill Park) I, Ilona, am painting a picture with words of a most beautiful park in the city of Darmstadt in the state of Hessen, a Dukedom in Germany up until 1933, when Germany became a dictator ship under Adolf Hitler, becoming the chancellor, appointed by the Emperor Friedrich the …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 189
Halloween It was 1980 and my Hal was notified by AT&T that we were being transferred back to Seattle October 30th. We had been waiting in anticipation for this day for 10 years, since this transfer from Seattle to Longview and Vancouver was only supposed to be for two years and it ended up to …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 188
Memories of Germany One of our many summer destinations in Darmstadt, Germany: (Der Woog) the lake Woog (in English pronounced with a long O). A most beautiful, landscaped and prepared lake for swimming, cold clear water for swimming, jumping from a high tower and swimming lanes marked for events and competition. An island in the …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 187
Another Evening with Harry Belafonte It was September 1988 and my beloved husband, Hal and I were looking forward to our trip to Germany to visit my dearest sister, Friedl and her family. It was a beautiful, sunny day as we landed at Frankfurt International Airport. My sister and her husband, Georg waited for us …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 186
Love Affair with Paris But our choice for a retired life settled on Provence, the south of France, close to the Luberon mountains. Heavenly, mother nature in its prime, lush lavender fields, relaxed, friendly and congenial people. Sun ripened melons, beautiful, lush vines, nice fruity table wine, Truffles, delicious food and outdoor living, relaxed, a …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 185
June, 2nd 2025 My 98th Birthday Party It is Monday, June the 2nd my birthday and Marcie, Karin and Jessika, my loving friends have organized a birthday celebration for me. I reserved our dining room here in our building from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. We had twenty guests. By 3:00 PM they were all …