Something I have been thinking about and should have written a blog sooner...

I know this comment will upset many of my family, but I am just speaking about what I have observed. Many times while I am walking I over hear conversations the German people are having with each other during this mild winter we have been having. I ALWAYS hear the words "Weather” and "George Bush" when they are speaking about what a strange climate change we seem to have. Personally I think that is giving one man far too much credit, but it what I have observed.

Global warming or not, we had the most amazing Fall I believe I have ever seen. The leaves just seem to stay forever and get more and more intense in color. It was GLORIOUS! Then we all began looking for the frost...Christmas came and I believe we had our first hard frost just before New Years. It felt so strange to go to the first Christmas markets late in the month of November and to see people in short sleeves. Just felt wrong...let alone making it virtually impossible to enjoy the traditional Christmas market drink of Glühwein.

After New Years, again the wait began for snow...it seemed like it was not on the schedule for this year. As I walked through the many orchards surrounding Ladenburg I was startled to see many of the ornamental trees we in bud...and then later in bloom. Around the 15th of January I started photographing them, finding it all so amazing. Forsythia blooming, crocus popping up in flower beds.... apple trees.

So, last night as I walked my dinner guests to the door I was startled to find that everything outside my door was blanketed in white. We had finally had our "big snow". Of course it is beautiful, but I cannot help to question what our spring will be like this year.... will the fruit trees be affected. I know when they cut down trees, the rings not only tell the year of the tree, but the many lines can tell the story of the climate of that year the ring represents...I wonder what kind of ring will this year leave.