The summer is almost gone, and the temps here are cooler- but here are some ways I've experienced it with friends.... such as a grill party in the park (notice the longer sleeves! Katie, Pri and Miriam are smiling on the front row but believe me, they're cold!)...

with Birthe, hanging out in the Park...

welcoming a new baby, Abby, to the world in Jena and letting her get to know "Aunt Martha"... (you can see she's ready for the Georgia Tech football season all decked out in her bib!)...

some final touches on the apartment, painting a wall in my kitchen and bedroom...

learning to cook curry with special friends...

watching a Bollywood remake of the movie/book "Pride and Prejudice" with a pajama theme!

keeping out the way, when friends Christoph and Johnny light fire to their drinks at the Cafe...

... and having games nights with Ulf and Marlen

misery loves company?

The weirdest thing-- in Germany you sometimes have names of cities that are quite "random" and even negative. This town is called "Elend" (meaning "Misery"-- my friend Doro says that near there is the town "Sorge" (meaning worry!). I saw this during my last little "jaunt" about the region with Anja, an afternoon trip into the nearby Harz Mountains.Having her here this summer was a treat!