When a sauerkraut-transport truck rammed the rear of a car on the A5 Autobahn this morning, lots of  good old Kraut was spilled. Read The Local‘s article Frozen Kraut Jam leaves Autobahn Drivers Sauer for more information.

Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured in this Kraut jam. But to read of Kraut frozen-stuck to the roads, made me think of the German dish Eisbein und Kraut (pork knuckles with kraut).

Somebody else saw a bit of humor in this (the first comment on The Local’s article) by stating that ” … if the second truck had been loaded with Bratwurst, they would have been in good shape.”

I have read of accidents with spilled goods before, but this is the first one involving Sauerkraut.

We knew it would happen sooner or later. The decision to close the military posts in Schweinfurt and Bamberg was made this very afternoon. You can learn more from the Mainpost article Army verlässt Schweinfurt.

It will take another two to three years before the last U.S. soldier is sent back, but both towns have to prepare for the coming changes, especially in the local economy.

As much as opponents have decried the U.S. presence, there are many others who are very likely to suffer from the G.I.s’ absence.

Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt, Germany

Well, it is time to move on. The U.S. has spent taxpayers’ money for an extra 20 years of military presence, beyond the end of the Cold War. It is time to reinvest.

Bye bye Schweinfurt, a rap song by the group Royal Riches from Schweinfurt.

With temperatures supposedly dropping to an all-time low in the coming days, the homeless are the ones who suffer most. Temps can get as low as – 25°C ( -13 F).

If you are in Frankfurt or the surrounding area… if you see any homeless without a warm place to sleep, please call the Kältebus (an organization to pick up homeless during very cold periods) at 069 – 43 14 14.

While I’m at it, here is the number for the Kältebus in Hamburg: 040 – 40 17 82 15; In Berlin, call 0178 – 52 35 838

Winter can be deadly

Thanks for caring and sharing.

Edited on 3 Feb 2012:

Kältebusse 2012

After a very mild winter, some snow in mid-December, and a green Christmas, we finally had our first snow of the year 2012 just yesterday.

Snow in Oberursel/Germany

This path leads up to our home. Some of these trees are protected by German law, because they provide nesting sites for wild birds.

Any kind of traffic in this area is foot traffic and therefore the snow usually stays white (except for the occasional yellow discoloration). Germans love their dogs, too.

Now the weather news tell us there is a Siberian cold front moving into Eastern Europe and it might move on to Germany. I just love the photo web. de provided. We can expect temperatures as low as – 25°C (- 13 F) in the next few days.

If you are a regular reader, you might already know I love winter and snow.

But if you are new and wondering about my sanity, in regards to my affinity for winter, then rest reassured. As a German, I just love the frische Luft in winter time.

The sidewalk is lined with Christmas trees, ready for tomorrow’s collection in Oberursel.

Christmas tree pick up in Germany

Now, where do they go from here…?

There is more information on Recycled German Christmas Trees.