Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 166

Jamaika Blue Mountain (and the Seattle Opera House) For Christmas this year, two of my dearest friends gave me “Jamaika Blue Mountain” coffee, for a most wonderful Christmas present, my favorite and the most fragrant and tasty coffee there is. As I am enjoying this precious cup and seeing the label every day, it awakened …

Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 165

A Telephone, The Telephone Company The year was 1980 and it was October, a most beautiful fall day with gorgeous fall colors on the trees, while driving from Seattle back to Vancouver. We had found an awesome Condo, a townhome on the east side of Seattle. Bellevue, Cougar Hills. The complex existed of 19 units, …

Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 164

A Visit to the Burg Frankenstein (a Fortress from Roman Times) During summertime many visitors come to this castle for outings, sightseeing, great dinners in a romantic setting and for unforgettable concerts. The castle grounds were lighted with floodlights and the view to the south-west, across the fertile valley of the “Bergstrasse” (mountain road) was …

Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 163

A Happy and Great New Year 2024! A little story, a big gift, great blessings. This Christmas of 2023 is the 6th Christmas without my beloved husband, Hal. It does not become easier, it becomes more depressing and sadder each added year. But having to admit, there are rewards. Big gifts to me are my …

Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 161

Christmas Time in Germany Christmas time starts with the four Sundays prior to Christmas day, called Advent. On most tables in the dining rooms or even kitchen tables, beautifully decorated Advent wreaths go center stage. There are four candles on that wreath and each Sunday one additional candle gets lighted and by Christmas eve all …

Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 160

The Classic Carolers My beloved husband Hal was searching for some unusual Christmas decorations for his library. We had seen at Molback’s Nursery’s gift shop these wonderful Victorian Carolers, dressed in garments from the 1800s, beautiful, handmade and nostalgic. We were going to put together several adults and children, to have a large group of …

Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 158

My Most Interesting and Adventurous Job My husband, Hal, and I, Ilona returned from a seven week visit to Germany and as I entered my favorite Drug Store in Bellevue, where we resided, the nurse behind the counter waved at me and asked me to talk with her if I had the time. She told …

Story 157and a half–Addendum to Story 157

An Addendum to Story 157 “One Good Thing Leads to Another” Eine Kleine Berg Kapelle (A little Mountain Chapel) This is a little addendum, a story to tell my readers this special reason for this special and beautiful mountain chapel, by Julius Boehm’s home in Issaquah, Washington. My Hal’s good friend Julius Boehm’s reason of …