A Good Slide into the New Year

That's what Germans wish each other with every new year approaching. And that's exactly what we had... in a different way than we had expected.

We spent New Year's Eve at my parents-in-law's place with my brother-in-law and his girlfriend (and their huge dog) and had a wonderful feast on raclette. Afterwards, we watched "Dinner For One", which is my favorite New Year's Eve tradition.

At midnight, we went outside to see the fireworks.

Whew. There was a lot of them shot into the sky this year! It's just difficult to take photos. Seems like everyone wanted to scare the ghosts of 2015 away in a very loud and colourful manner. We were right next to the St. George Church at Brockhagen, which was built in the 16th/17th century, and as every time we celebrate there, I was a little tiny bit afraid that its roof might catch fire. Well, it didn't...

We had invested about 30 EUR into fireworks ourselves, and we seriously enjoyed what we got for our money. I know that there are more and more people criticizing this practice, especially dog owners and the oh-so-good-people who think it's a waste of resources. And, lately, the even-better-people who point their fingers to the "fact" that the sounds of the fireworks might reinvoke some traumata of the refugees living in Germany nowadays.

Let me say just this: We're talking about maybe 20 minutes of fireworks, once a year. I sympathize with the dog owners, but that's something you need to see in advance when you think about getting a dog. To the oh-so-good people: It's clearly none of your business how I spend my money. Just make sure I don't catch you watching and enjoying the fireworks or you might be hit by some irony! And to those who are afraid that refugees might be reminded of the terror in their home countries: Instead of lecturing your neighbours, go to the refugee accomodations, explain what happens and why, and invite them to join! But don't segregate them by telling them what they should be afraid of.

We went back home around 2.15 in the morning, and all was fine - until the last bend in the road about 100 yards from our place. I was behind the wheel, and the car suddenly went a bit out of control because though the air temperature was above freezing, the road had for some reason decided it would play a trick on us and become icy. So we rather slid home and into the new year. We had almost involuntarily taken the shortcut onto our grounds... 

So I've already found the first reason to be grateful in the new year: My car is not totaled! 

Happy new year, everyone!