My Laptop; An Elegy

My Laptop, I barely knew Thee.

I was very happy the day I got my laptop. It was a Christmas present from my German family, who had all chipped in to get it for me. I badly needed one for work, and heaven heard my prayers. I have a desktop, inherited from a friend, and the sound wasn't going right. I needed Skype for my business, you see.

You had a built-in camera function, great sound, and free Windows. What more could I ask for?

Oh, you were so shiny and new that I was scared witless every time you got a scratch. I think the biggest scare was when some rainwater splashed on the laptop and it wouldn't switch on for a few hours. I called people I barely knew to ask for advice!

I called you mine and put a big, fat sticker on the front. My name. You were mine.

Oh, how cruel was it that you were taken so early from me. Last June 2, while we were away during Himmelfahrt weekend, you were taken stealthily from our apartment, Charger included. I tried to look for you on E-bay and second-hand shops, but in vain.

Oh Laptop, I cherish the short months we spent together, and I thank you for your service. Adieu.

Adventures in Elderberry

Elderberry season is long gone in Thuringia, but while it was still in full-bloom, I had a chance to try out an Amiexpat recipe and a German staple, Elderberry syrup, a recipe I got off the internet.

Once I knew what they looked like, I was shoked at how prevalent they really are: It's everywhere, like a freaking weed! All I needed to look for were blooms that were big and not bug-infested; it seems that black flies like sucking on the nectar.

First up is Hollerküchle .



I followed the recipe, but I didn't really dig it so much. I got a headache after eating a couple of them, because the aroma was so intense and sweet, and I can't stand really strong perfume. So this was probaby my first and last attempt at it.

Elderberry syrup isn't so hard to make: See recipe here

My husband likes it so much that we'll probably run out of syrup by the end of summer. This one is definitely a keeper.