Tell of the SNOW

It was a beautiful winter morning

Until Toni almost drowned...

Sarina tried to save him.

She whistled but it didn't work.

Meanwhile Todrick was enjoying gluehwein at the Christmas Market.
Toni finally made it to the shallow.

That's what I call snow.

First snow

November 23, 2005, and it's snowing for the first time this year here in Villach, Austria. Toni loves it!

Me and My Brothers

My experience with the African brothers in Europe is very different from my experience with the African brothers in the US. In the US, Africans are portrayed as poor, ignorant, bushmen, living in a tribe, wearing ceremonial paint, and dancing around a campfire. Although we all know it’s not true, it causes the black Americans to disrespect the Africans who come to the US. So, naturally it causes tension amongst the two. Many times I’ve heard black Americans say “Go to Africa? I ain’t going to Africa! Africans don’t even like me.” And the reality is, black Americans are taught not to like Africans, which as a result causes the Africans not to like black Americans.
In Europe/Austria the need for unity – just like in the Old South – is necessary. When the Africans first arrive in Austria, they are not allowed to work. The only legal source of income is to sell a local Graz magazine called “Megaphon” (www.megaphon.at) which is the equivalent of “Real Change” in Seattle (“Real Change” is a magazine about the homeless and sold by the homeless for chump change.). The “Megaphon” costs 2 Euros, one of which goes to the seller, the other to the other “brother”. However, the money is not enough to survive, so they must rely on each other.
Here I am often approached by Nigerians or Ghanaians, who are very curious and happy to meet and talk to me and find out where I’m from. There is no hostility, just the opposite. Once they find out that I am from the US, they are even friendlier and more curious. As far as I understand, this has to do with the fact that they still see America as the land of milk and honey, which, of course, they have been taught in their home country.
It’s also strange for me not to see any black police. In the 60s and 70s in the US, black police were portrayed as being worse than white police. But at the same time, blacks know how to relate better to blacks. Austrian police are not familiar with Nigerian, Ghanaian, Senegalese, etc. customs which can lead to misunderstandings and mistakes. Just recently there was a case, where a Nigerian died in prison after just a week of hunger strike during which he was being forced-fed. And afterwards nobody seems to know how this could have happened!

T-Wayne

Hiking in November

Todrick captured this beautiful picture with the crane in the background. Toni, of course, has no clue.

A few days ago, we went on a hiking trip nearby lake Woerthersee. When you get to the top you have a beautiful view of the lake.
Leni and Toni are always competing over stick. Leni is the faster and smarter one. When she has the stick, she runs and turns like a Quarter horse, and Toni has no chance. But Toni is the stronger one. Once he has the stick, he will not let go.
Here are Mama and I with the dogs at the beginning of the hike. It was a sunny day but quite cold - therefore the cap.
The top of the mountain again with the view of the lake. During the summertime, this is a very touristy and busy area.
I'm putting Toni on the leash. He's become a very good dog and listens pretty well - but we still got some work to do :-)