A Tragic Opera by Puccini, “Madame Butterfly” It was opera season in Seattle and my dearest friend and niece Marcie, and I looked so forward to seeing Madame Butterfly, Puccini’s opera, with the most beautiful aria sung by Cio Cio San, a soprano, the Butterfly. The message of the tragic opera premiered February 1904 at …
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 149
André Rieu Summer Concert in Seattle Our dearest friends, Karin and Karl, joined my husband, Hal and me, Ilona, in this never-to-forget concert in Seattle with the well-known violinist André Rieu and his amazing orchestra. We got together for a nice supper in our apartment in Bellevue first. I set a festive and inviting table …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 148
My Realization It was February 14th, 1954, Frankfurt/Germany. I, Ilona, had gotten married to a wonderful American gentleman, Halvor Le Grand Cole on November 14th, 1953. My new husband, Hal, had served his three years and according to a law of the Armed Forces, marrying a German national, the soldier then must leave Germany. Hal’s …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 147
Frederika’s Birthday Party Picture below: Friedl at 16 My dear mama, Mrs. Nietsche, and our governess Mrs. Kramer were all together planning a big party for my lovely sister Friedl, I called her my mouse when I was tender with her. It was her seventeenth birthday. The foyer featured the grand piano and a most …
Story 146, Ilona Cole, Guest Author
My Doll, Named Dale Quite some time ago, I told a short story about a beautiful, large ragdoll. How excited I was when I was told about many different dolls. How fast I climbed the stairs to the extra space in a loft for all kind of French and Italian items the owner of the …
Story 145, Ilona Cole, Guest Author
Little Anecdotes and Memories In the years from 1968 to 1992 I worked at two different Doctor’s offices, not as medical assistant but on the accounting side, manager, accountant, bureaucrat and billing clerk. Jobs, doctors do not appreciate, but have to have and must support. AT&T transferred my husband, Hal, from Seattle to Longview, Washington …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 144
Hal’s Birthday Celebration My husband Hal’s birthday present was a great success. His birthday celebration with friends tonight will equally be great. We invited his dear old friends who also have keen interests collecting antique guns, beautiful old rifles or pistols. Kurt and Ruth, Ronnie and Esther, Richard and Marilyn were our guests. I had …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 143
Wiesbaden, a Beautiful City of Spas After graduating from the University in 1948 I had an offer to model for a Furrier, located in Frankfurt/Germany. Later, as the city of Darmstadt was being rebuilt, they opened a store there. My city of Darmstadt was destroyed by a bombing raid 9-11-1944. I accepted this job offer, …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 142
A Weekend in Beautiful Munich Hal and I had planned a summer vacation to Germany. We received a letter from my father’s very good friend Peppi inviting us to meet with him in Munich. Date and time and the name of the hotel we would stay in. We flew to the airport close to Munich, …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 141
A Trip to Baden Baden: World Famous City of Spas Baden Baden: A beautiful, picturesque city in the Black Forest. Twelve natural springs well up from a depth of 2000 metres, supplying thermal spas with 68C hot spring water to pamper visitors from around the world clear back to Roman times. My Hal and I …