Pirates

I remember my dad telling me about some famous pirate that we're apparently related to (on his side of the family) ... something he's pretty proud of. Interesting. My mom's family history was pretty much a long line of poor farming folks. Both my parents are from Germany. I remember when I was younger and my dad would tell us about our pirating ancestor and I always thought "ya, right ... you're full of crap and just want a cool story to tell." Well, after a short search on the internet, whaddaya know! He WASN'T lying to us all that time! The story goes something like this: Klaus Stortebeker and his partner in crime, Michael Godecke were pirates that operated in the North and Baltic Seas in 1390's - 1401. They were the German versions of Robin Hood in their time.
Here's a bit of copied info: They supplied besieged cities with food and ammunition, after plundering those goods from Danish merchant ships. However, the pirates soon did not only plunder Danish ships, but also the ships of England, Holland, Prussia and the German Hanse itself. The damage done by the pirates soon was so great, that in 1395 Margarete from Denmark and the German Hanse decided to make peace and take appropriate measures against the pirates. During those actions against piracy, a momentous accident happened in 1396: The fleets of Denmark and the German Hanse mistook each other for the wanted pirates and decided to shoot first and then scrutinize the identity of the enemy. The great battle was won clearly by the German Hanse. The astonishment was great as they figured out the real identity of the foe. The shocked fleet captains retreated silently with their ships and what was left of them to their home ports. In 1401, Klaus Störtebeker and 71 of his companions were caught near Helgoland Island by a treacherous trick: A fisherman, whom Störtebeker warranted protection and allowed him to sail beneath his high stern, turned out to be the enemy in disguise. The supposed fisherman pretended to cook a meal in the lee, but he melted lead instead. He then poured the liquid lead into the rudder eyelet and thus rendered the ship disabled. While Störtebeker's ship was immovable, the Hamburgians equipped a fleet and captured the pirates. For a few weeks Klaus Störtebeker was held in a dungeon called "Störtebeker's Hole". In October 1401, as Klaus Störtebeker was kneeling in front of the executioner on the Grasbrook (a tiny isle in the river Elbe in Hamburg, Germany), he was trying to buy freedom for himself and his men by offering a golden chain that should reach all around Hamburg. But the executioner showed no mercy. Legend says that Störtebeker made another deal: All those companions should be reprieved, who he could manage to walk by after being beheaded. This way he saved the lives of eleven pirates before the malicious executioner tripped him. After the pirates were decapitated their heads were spiked on poles and lined up at the river Elbe as a determent. Only six months later, Michael Godecke was captured together with his 80 companions and also beheaded in Hamburg. The valor and pride of Störtebeker was so legendary that soon many northern German cities claimed to be the home of Klaus Störtebeker, greatest of the Vitalienbrüder and leader of the Likendeelers. The immeasurable treasure of Klaus Störtebeker - a pirate who was feared from London to Novgorod - was never found.

How cool is that?! I'm pretty sure, however, that their ship was a bit more intimidating than the above pic. German pirates ... who would've thought?? Perhaps my next tattoo should have a flavour of piracy about it ...

Honor

I'm a bit concerned about my Bullmastiff, Honor. Lately, she seems to have random periods of time throughout random days ... very sporadic ... that she doesn't act like herself. She lacks energy and enthusiasm ~ a baby carrot is usually enough to get her hopping ~ but sometimes, no matter what I do or say, she just seems 'not like herself'. She's an old girl and I do realize that she will probably not be around for a whole lot longer, but no matter how much I try to reason with myself about it, I know that when the time comes, I'm gonna be a basket-case extraordinaire. I love my dogs like they're my kids. Some people don't understand that. For those who don't, I'm so sad for you. To never have a bond with a fabulous animal like a dog, is a real shame. She survived serious trauma last summer. And she'll be 9 this summer. We are her 3rd (and final) family she's graced with her presence in her lifetime. I feel so lucky to have her in our lives. Hopefully her days of 'not being herself' are merely that of contemplation ... or just rest ... Yes, I think I like that much better. Anyways, sorry for the random babblings about my dog and her old age. Next blog'll be much more chipper. It's just what's on my mind right now. For anyone who's ever lived with an old dog, you know what I mean.

Dogs rule

This is my baby girl Honor. She's a purebred Bullmastiff that came to live with us through a Bullmastiff rescue organization, 3 1/2 years ago. Last summer, Honor was in an accident involving a truck, and broke her pelvis. It took about 2 months after her surgery until she could walk by herself again (without having us use a body harness and belly sling on her to help). If you look closely, you can tell that the fur on her back leg is a slightly lighter colour. That's because it still hasn't completely grown back in. Honor is plagued with food allergies. You name it, she's allergic to it. I should've changed her name to 'Ian'. So now, she's a bit of spoiled girl, as I have to cook her meals for her. Yes. That's right. I cook for my dog. Try not to laugh too hard. The way I look at it is ... she'll be 9 this August. She's not going to be around for a whole lot longer, so I'm trying to make her life as comfy as possible until that time comes. I don't mind one bit.

This is my big meat-head of a people-pleaser, Boris. Boris will be 8 in August. We picked him out of a litter of 10 pups when he was 3 weeks old and at 6 weeks, he came to live with us. He is the most devoted dog we've ever had. At times, his ultra high energy and enthusiasm can be a bit much, but for the most part, he's a real sweetie to have around. No matter what he's doing, if I leave a room, he follows me (my shadow). Even if he's dead asleep, and I try to sneak out of a room, he somehow hears and gets up to follow me, only to fall asleep on the floor in the latest room I'm in. And so on and so on ... Boris' mom is a purebred black Lab (who got loose when she was in heat and had various randomly marked pups). When people see him, they ask if he's a Shepherd X, so that's what we're goin' with. He's a Lab/Shepherd X. Sounds good to me. He is also a phenomenal guard dog. Honor absolutely adores him and I think he likes her company, although I'm sure he'd never admit it.

So these are the beasties I live with, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

The Dump

I have this huge old furnace sitting in my back yard right now. For the past 3 months, it's been slowly making its mark on my little concrete slab. That of rust. I don't think it helps that my dog has taken to peeing on the corner of it lately. It's been there so long that he probably thinks it's the latest yard ornament. Well, not anymore. It's making its way to the dump today. As messed up as this may sound, I actually like going to the dump. The folks that work there will grab certain items they think are very re-usable and put them aside for others to take. One man's trash is another man's treasure, I guess. Somehow, I don't think my furnace will be in that pile.