TV: Cable or Rabbit Ears?

Our experience in Germany fostered a practical side within our souls,
a satisfaction in simply hearing English.
CNN only last year ...let's just say that we are more easily appeased entertainment wise.
Residing only 30 miles out from Madison it has been decided to try "rabbit ears"
which I must say are much better now than our college experience.
Previous owners suggested this.
Looks better than two dishes on our roof!
Katie likes that!
Couple that with HD and we have great reception.
No confusing multiple remotes.
No spending five minutes channel surfing with way too many station choices.
So, we're content with our solution to Dish/Direct enticements.
With the money saved on cable our new TV and rabbit ears will be paid for in six months!

Tom Takes out the Tractor

So today's big news, other than the expected report that Katie cleaned and Tom painted the front door (BARN RED) , was that Tom took out the tractor. He even offered to drive down the road to check the mail. FUN! FUN! FUN! Backing and maneuvering in the barn went well. Next, (Maybe tomorrow) will be attaching implements and doing something productive. Probably be best to wait for Terry Maas' instruction. Phil stopped out and received Motherly counseling. Walks in nature are good. At 5:10 someone cued the deer and they responded - nine walking out front of our deck.
As the stars came out coyotes could be heard in the distance.

Tomorrow: commentary on cable and rabbit ears...

Montana? Oliver?

Time for an update:

We've lived these past 52 days out of two suitcases and two plastic tubs as nomads moving from home to home seeking a home of our own and suitable employment. Representing a face of homelessness (possibly America's wealthiest homeless) provided levity in stores when asked for our address and the stock response:

"we're homeless."
"No Really!"

Our thanks go out to all of you who provided a bed, breakfast,
dinner, conversation, encouragement and storage for our stuff.

Maureen, Larry
Karen, Terry
Phil, Sara
Julie, Warren
Darbie, Dirk
Don, Veda
Mark, Allie
Gretchen, Simon
Victoria Inn

So where are we going to live?
Katie named it "Montana".

Located in Moscow Township, Iowa County, Hollandale, Wisconsin is our little country place - 40 acres of land within walking distance of a trout stream. Divided into thirds - pasture, CRP grassland and DNR forest
a peaceful setting is promised.
We close tomorrow.
(More photos and further descriptions of our home will appear in the future.)







Katie has a background helping her father on the Tabberson family farm between Glencoe and Hutchinson, Minnesota.
We're not worried about her.








It's Tom ("Oliver")
[Think "Green Acres"]
who could provide snickers.
He'll be safe four days a week in a dental office.
(Also a future blog.)

So... there you have it - a quick update.
We need to start a new blog, however.
Mark Seeber's title suggestion for our Germany experience is no longer appropriate.
Help name our new blog and we'll reward you!
Free lodging at "Montana"!
Send suggestions to tomrohs@gmail.com.

We'll fill in further pieces of our recent and future life as time allows
(and as we get Internet to arrive to this remote location.)
Meanwhile phone numbers
Katie : 952-412-7058
Tom : 952-412-6033

and our mailing address is:
1650 Sandy Rock Road
Hollandale, WI 53544

Hopelessly Homeless

For those of you wondering if the blog will continue,

or those of you addicted to knowing what's up with Tom and Katie:
We are alive and well , having slept around the last ten days - five different beds.

Living out of a suitcase leaves something to be desired, "where is...?" is a constant topic of conversation. (Sorry about the blurred picture - life is a blur for us)

Interviews are going well and continue this week.
We will update you when firm decisions have been made.





It has been especially good to renew friendships and see family.





It's great to be back in the U.S.A!
We wish the best for all and thank you for thinking of us.
Drop an email or call: Katie 952-412-7058, Tom 952-412-6133.

Off to Shangri-La

We are on a new mission, this time to find that earthly paradise, full of peace and harmony, somewhere in a valley in Tibetan mountains. Actually, we can't go to Shangri-La because it's fictional, created for a 1930's novel.

Even if we could, we wouldn't. It's much too far from all of you: Paris, Venice, Berlin, Rome, Oslo, Prague, Munich, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Innsbruck, Budapest, Zurich, Wroclaw, Barcelona, Lyon, Vienna, Copenhagen etc. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to travel 19 European countries. Now it's time to come home and renew our relationships with family and friends.
(What have you been up to?)

This story is finished and another beginning. "Once upon a time there was . . ."

Curtain Call

Thursday, September 17, we fly back to the States from Frankfurt. Our bags are packed, boxes sent and we're ready to go!!! Since returning from travel, we've been guests at the Bamberg Inn on Base. It is very nice and we will take the military shuttle to the airport.


Our last weekend in Germany was spent revisiting favorite spots. Downtown Bamberg is a European standout, both in its architecture and style of living. (meaning cafe sitting is popular) Rolling country hills and villages are perfectly set with church steeples peeking out.





Reflecting on this year a word that comes to mind and sticks is "WOW"! We did what?

Steve Winwood in his song, "While You See A Chance Take It!" encourages such adventures as ours. "Are you still free? Can you be? When tomorrow finds you. . . " Good questions! Where will tomorrow find us?

Which Way To Slovenia?

Some things never change in life: regardless of age, time of day, in the city, countryside or foreign nation. Husbands do not listen to constructive input from their wives on which way to go. 353 days into our year of travel, I have not made progress getting him to consider I might know where we are or need to turn.

Radovljica Slovenia was Sunday's destination. The village of 2,ooo was marked with a yellow directional arrow pointing left. (that arrow was now 20 yards behind us) A U turn might have been a good idea, or one could turn up a steep gravel path, used by goats and stray cats. A man's best friend while driving (his navigational system) directed up this way, so he's going to do it!

Bumpy and steep, the drive was treacherous! Once to the hilltop, I asked locales on their afternoon stroll if this was the road we should be on, they shrugged and laughed, "if you want to!" Now having entered town via the side door, we are on the pedestrian only mall. The kind innkeeper gave us the key to electronically lower posts to exit, usually they block cars from entering this zone. It was not a shining moment, as one has to ask twenty people in front of the inn, sipping a glass of wine, to move over.




When leaving quaint Radovljica we had an opportunity to appreciate this beautiful cow pasture before locating the freeway entry. I had pointed it out! (the entry ramp, as we passed by it)