• Heinz Imhof
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My Life Memories

An ongoing story and recollections of happenings in my life - kind of a long trip 😂. Read more
  • Trip start
    September 15, 1945

    1945 - 1970 Switzerland - Growing Up

    September 15, 1945 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    I was born on September 15, 1945, on a farm in Spiegel, just outside Bern, Switzerland. My parents, Kathy Nydegger and Werner Imhof, had just become parents for the first time—lucky me!

    Two years later, my sister Hedwig joined the family, and not long after that came Elisabeth. I remember the day Elisabeth arrived as if it were yesterday. We had just moved to Biel/Bienne because my father had taken a job as a specialty carpenter with the Swiss Railroad Company. Our apartment was still a bit in chaos when my mother came through the door holding a new baby. To me, it seemed like babies just… appeared. When Herbert was born three years later, I was seven and still hadn’t solved the mystery. Either my parents skipped that lesson, or more likely, my memory did.

    I liked being a big brother. I fed Herbert mashed carrots and potatoes, watched him teeter into his first steps, and saw the world open up for him. On his third birthday, Dad built him a rocking horse named Bambi. Painted brown with white spots and a white mane, Bambi was the star attraction on Rennweg 70. Kids from all over the neighborhood came to admire it—but Herbert guarded it fiercely. No one else was allowed to ride.

    At that time, Biel/Bienne was a bustling town of 70,000, known for its watchmaking industry. We lived in Mett, a small suburb, in a three-bedroom apartment on the ground floor. It came with a workshop, a cellar in the basement, an attic dormitory and storage room, and a vegetable garden out back that was practically a second food pantry. My brother and I shared a room on the ground floor, while my sisters ruled the attic.

    Life revolved around small shops—the baker, the butcher, the grocer. Later, when supermarkets appeared in the city of Biel, my mom sometimes sent me on my bike to stock up on bulk items like flour, sugar, and cooking oil. Money was tight, so the garden was essential. We grew almost everything ourselves, and when fall came, my mother filled a clay barrel with sauerkraut and lined shelves with jars of preserved fruits and vegetables. Those preserves were part of what carried us through the long winter months.

    We were rarely indoors. If it rained, we played cards or board games; otherwise, the soccer field, forests, and mountains were our playground. During high school, our family delivered magazines by bicycle every Wednesday and Thursday evening, no matter the weather. That little income was put in a piggy bank for our annual hiking trip in the Alps—a reward we never missed. Travel was always by train or postal bus. My dad’s SBB perks and free passes were a huge help, and believe me, we made the absolute most of them.

    I started school at six. Over nine years, I had five teachers. The first, Elisabeth Blaser, was a strict disciplinarian whose wooden ruler left vivid impressions on my knuckles. Ouch! My favorite teacher, though, was Heinz Fuhrer in fifth and sixth grade—I loved his style—he taught using examples that actually spoke to me. By seventh grade, ink wells were eliminated in the Canton of Bern, and traded for fountain pens or ballpoint pens—I remember this being a big excitement. Around the same time, my half-uncle Urs bought me my first pair of skis with steel edges and Kandahar bindings. He and his fiancée Rita often took me along to Les Prés-d’Orvin for a long skiing weekend. Coca-Cola, Bazooka chewing gum, and blue jeans were making their way into Switzerland, too. I finally got my first pair of jeans in eighth grade and felt like I belonged to the modern world.

    I was never a straight-A student. I loved history, geography, singing, and PE, but French, math, and writing were uphill battles. Homework had little chance against a good soccer game. My grades hovered around C’s, with the occasional B—, and I somehow managed to scrape through all nine years.

    Looking back, my parents did an incredible job raising four kids. Despite modest means, they gave us love, structure, and strong values. Dad was usually the disciplinarian, while Mom was much kinder and nurturing—and together, they were a great team.

    For my high school graduation in 1960, they bought me a bicycle—a gift that felt like freedom. I went on many solo biking tours, joined the Radball team, and loved Orienteering runs. Soon after, I began a watchmaking apprenticeship. During the week, I worked in a small factory; on Wednesdays, I attended the Gewerbeschule (professional school). At first, the craft felt like a secret code, but soon it became interesting. I had excellent teachers and was able to apply the knowledge to something tangible. I started to blossom - the Heinz in me finally woke up!

    I earned 20 francs a week, and Dad suggested putting half in a savings account. A valuable lesson—though I spent much of the other half on Beatles LPs. I played them constantly while studying, which prompted Dad to ask me to turn down the “jukebox" regularly. My parents never did warm to the long-haired rockers with electric guitars of the 1960s.

    In 1964, I graduated first in my class and received my Swiss Watchmaker Diploma. In addition, the mayor presented me with a special award for never having a grade lower than 1.5 throughout the three and a half years. I’ll never forget seeing tears in my father’s eyes.

    The following year, a ballroom dance class changed my life. That’s where I met Ursula. We clicked immediately, first on the dance floor and then in everything else. Falling in love was so profound for me, overwhelming, and sometimes paralyzing. She was a beautiful person inside and out—and became the love of my life.

    Let me interject a brief history of Ursula’s family:
    Ursula Noth-Schumacher was born, together with her twin brother Waldemar (Walo or Wally), on May 1st, 1949, in Biel, Switzerland. Yet the prelude to the family’s history began intriguingly in Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany.
    Ursula’s paternal grandfather was a Swiss dairy farmer who had moved to Flensburg in 1928 to introduce cheese-making to the region. Her father, Conrad Noth, retained his Swiss citizenship and began an apprenticeship as a butcher with the Schumacher family in town. It was there that he met and fell in love with their daughter, Gerda. Conrad and Gerda eventually married and had two children just as World War II broke out. They lost everything in the process, and to make a long story short, after the Nazis separated men, women, and children, Conrad was forced into labor camps but later managed to escape with a friend and make his way to Switzerland. Meanwhile, Gerda endured her own nightmare and tragically lost both of her children in the struggle to survive. Despite everything, she recovered her strength and also managed to escape to Switzerland, where she and Conrad were miraculously reunited to begin a new life together.

    When I turned 20, it was time for the infamous 16 weeks of Swiss military training. The fitness tests were strict—lots of sweat, a few groans—but the toughest part wasn’t push-ups or long marches. It was being away from Ursula. We kept the postal service busy with our steady stream of letters, and those weekends of leave? Let’s just say they made the wait worthwhile and unforgettable.

    I trained as a medic and enjoyed it so much that I actually signed on for a longer stretch. Somewhere along the way, I was promoted to sergeant, picked up the “Sharpshooter” emblem with the trusty Sigg-210 pistol, and discovered I had a knack for discipline and leadership. Those army lessons stuck around long after I hung up the uniform.

    Ursula and I shared a love for travel. We camped through Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and Croatia, and drove through Germany and France. Each trip only made us hungrier for the next.

    After graduation, I landed a job as a production manager, more than doubling my salary. I’ll never forget my father’s reaction when he realized his son was earning more than he was. Soon after, he suggested I contribute more to the household. At first, I was taken aback, but in hindsight, it pushed me to grow up and eventually move into my own place.

    In 1968, I joined Rolex in Geneva—a big step up. Working for such a prestigious brand was an honor and an opportunity to learn more. Besides polishing my French, it also gave me a perspective on various possibilities for growth within the industry - maybe even a career abroad.

    When Ursula graduated as an architect, we got engaged. She found work in Lausanne, and our weekends together were magical. Sometimes we’d cross into France, staying out all night at discothèques with friends. We were, as people say, the “young and restless.”

    Then, in December 1969, a newspaper ad caught my eye: "Watchmaker For New York". After talking it over with Ursula, I applied and landed a job with Piaget’s U.S. distributor. We soon learned that marriage would make the paperwork for the immigration process easier, so we didn’t waste any time.

    On January 16, 1970, we married in Biel/Bienne, with Ursula’s twin brother Wally and my sister Elisabeth as witnesses. It was a simple ceremony followed by a family celebration at my parents’ apartment. Just like that!

    Leaving Switzerland was easy for us—but not so for Ursula’s parents, who had to watch their only daughter prepare to move to a country so far away. While waiting for our papers, Piaget trained me at their facility in La Côte-aux-Fées, enduring a long and cold winter. Thirteen months later, everything was ready. Ursula and I set off to begin our new life in the United States, boarding a plane for the first time in our lives.
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  • 1971 – 1974 United States of America

    January 19, 1971 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Life as New Immigrants

    January 17, 1971—what a day. Our families stood on the tarmac in Switzerland, waving us off with tears in their eyes, while we boarded a flight to New York. First time on a plane. Ever. Excited? Yes. Terrified? Even more so. We clutched each other’s hands like our lives depended on it as the jet barreled down the runway. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might trigger the seatbelt alarm! But then the plane lifted, the flight attendant smiled, and soon drinks and snacks appeared. That helped calm us—though it still felt like the longest flight of our lives: Zürich-London-New York.

    We landed with one travel bag, one suitcase each, and a grand total of $700 cash. JFK Airport seemed huge compared to Zurich. With almost no English, we followed the crowd like lost ducklings until we spotted a big, friendly sign: Welcome to the United States of America. That alone gave us courage. After the immigration officer stamped our papers, we stumbled into the arrivals hall, luggage in tow, wondering what on earth we had just done.

    Then came New York City’s winter wind—sharp enough to slice through our coats. We lined up for a cab, bound for the Wellington Hotel, where my employer had booked us a room. The ride was terrifying: the driver cut lanes, swerved, and overtook like he was in a Formula One race. Swiss drivers would’ve fainted. But when we crossed the Triborough Bridge and saw Manhattan’s skyline—those towering skyscrapers stabbing the sky—it took our breath away.

    Saturday afternoon arrival meant no dinner for us. We were too stunned to eat. Sunday morning, though, hunger won, so we shuffled across 7th Avenue to a coffee shop. The waitress asked if we wanted coffee. That much we understood. But the four-page menu? Forget it. I only recognized eggs, so I pointed at “Eggs Any Style”. She fired off a string of questions that sounded like machine-gun fire. I kept pointing helplessly at “Eggs Any Style”. Finally, she threw up her hands, disappeared into the kitchen, and came back with scrambled eggs, hash browns, and toast. Perfect! When she noticed a smile on our faces, she knew she had guessed correctly. Funny, those foreigners - and she wasn’t wrong.

    By day two, our necks were sore from staring at skyscrapers. My new job was at Piaget Watch Co. on the 31st floor of 1345 Avenue of the Americas. The elevator rocketed up in 36 seconds—my ears popped every time. But the view from the workshop window was unforgettable: Central Park stretching north to Harlem and the Bronx.

    At work, I was welcomed warmly by Mr. Grinberg, the director, and my colleagues. Peppi Petzenbaum, a kind elderly Jewish lady in accounting who spoke some German, practically adopted us. She set up our first checking account (I had no clue what that was) and kindly enrolled us in English classes at Hunter College.

    But New York wasted no time showing us its tough side. On day three, we returned to the hotel and found our room broken into. My camera and $120 cash were gone. Luckily, I had deposited $500 in the bank the day before. Welcome to New York, lesson number one.

    Soon after, we moved to a furnished apartment in Astoria, Queens—a lively mix of Greeks and Italians. Within walking distance: a German butcher, an Italian bakery, a KeyFoods supermarket, and a laundromat. Perfect for newcomers. Best of all, the RR subway took me to work in 20 minutes.

    Still, money was tight. My take-home pay was $145 a week—barely enough. Ursula hunted tirelessly for an architect’s job but came home many nights discouraged. We relied on our English classes, TV commercials, and everyday trial-and-error to improve our language skills. Meanwhile, to make ends meet, I started moonlighting—picking up watch repairs from jewelers on 5th Avenue during lunch, then fixing them in a corner of our bedroom at night. Exhausting, yes, but it paid for groceries, the occasional movie, and ice cream. We promised ourselves: if Ursula couldn’t land a job by November, we’d head back to Switzerland.

    Then things turned around. In October, Ursula got a part-time job, and by November, she was full-time with Araldo Cossutta, a partner of the legendary I.M. Pei. Huge relief. Suddenly, America seemed full of possibilities.

    By January 1973, I was promoted to Service Manager at Piaget. Not long after, we bought our first car: a red 1969 VW Camper. Freedom on wheels! That summer, Ursula’s mother and my sister Hedwig visited, and off we went on a road trip to Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec.

    The camper quickly became our weekend getaway machine—lakeside camping, simple meals, Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel on the radio. Until one awful night, it was stolen—gut punch. New York struck again!
    Thankfully, insurance paid out, and soon we had a new set of wheels: a Targa yellow 1972 Westfalia camper. Back on the road!

    New Plans
    By late 1973, wanderlust was stirring again. One day, I stumbled across a National Geographic article on New Zealand. Two islands—one alpine and Swiss-like, the other tropical and lush? I was hooked. Ursula didn’t take long to get on board.

    Our dream plan: quit our jobs, drive our camper from Alaska to South America, then up to Ecuador, sell the camper, and continue to New Zealand to start fresh. Sound crazy? Mr. Grinberg certainly thought so when I resigned. He shook his head and said I was out of my mind. Maybe he was right—but it felt like the adventure of a lifetime.

    By spring, fate seemed to agree. I landed a job offer in Christchurch, and we got our New Zealand immigration visas. In addition, Ursula's twin brother, Wally, decided to join us on this adventurous trip. We packed up the camper, left our belongings in storage with Mrs. Semko, and entrusted our mail and banking duties to our kind friends, Bernhard and Elisabeth.

    On May 1, 1974, we rolled out - heading for Canada.

    >>> To follow us on that journey, click on 1974-1975 Camper Travel in the link https://findpenguins.com/98womiebuaqpz
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  • 1975–1981 United States of America

    May 13, 1975 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Returning Home—With a Twist

    After 13 months of camper life, traveling up and down South America, we finally rolled back into New York. And here’s the kicker—both Ursula and I were rehired by our former employers. Talk about luck!

    Family Visits and New Beginnings
    1975 was a whirlwind. In August, my father and Ursula’s dad came for a ten-day visit—the first time we’d seen them in four years. Showing them New York was a blast: Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Chinatown… you name it. And because we still had our camper, we even managed a few trips out of the city to Jones Beach and Bear Mountain.

    At this point, I would like to recognize Norbert Fluhler, a Swiss jeweler who worked for Gübelin. We were truly fortunate to have known him. He was a godsend in more ways than one for us. It was Norbert who helped Ursula secure a part-time job with an engineer in Phillips Manor, which eventually led to her full-time position with the architect I. M. Pei. Norbert lived with his family in a lovely home in Croton-Harmon, on the Hudson River, and often invited us to weekend barbecues. Once, while he and his family vacationed on Cape Cod, he asked us to house-sit. We immediately fell in love with the area’s rural charm, and it became one of the reasons we later bought our own home just a few miles away. In later years, Norbert worked part-time at Wondering Things Gallery in Tarrytown, and I serviced his watches in my home workshop. Over time, we became close friends with the Fluhler family—a friendship we’ve always cherished.

    Not long after, Ursula’s brother Wally arrived from Brazil for a three-month stay. By Christmas, he was off to Vancouver. Brazil hadn’t gone quite as planned for him, but he left with a newfound love for the country, some handy mechanical skills, and, of course, somewhat fluent Portuguese.

    Meanwhile, the Swiss watch industry was in upheaval. Japanese electronic watches were storming the market, and Swiss companies were scrambling. Factories closed, firms merged, and thousands lost their jobs. I lucked out in the U.S., where my employer was eager to embrace the new technology. I was put in charge of setting up an electronic watch production line and trained at Hughes Aircraft in Newport Beach, California—a thrilling new chapter in my career.

    Buying Our First Home
    By 1976, we’d saved enough for a down payment on a house. We found a three-bedroom gem in Westchester County, about 90 minutes north of Manhattan, perched on two acres with a tiny lake and forest all around. What a dream!

    Our company president, Mr. Grinberg, generously had the company lawyer handle the closing for us. He was delighted we were planning to stay in the U.S., and that same year, a new profit-sharing plan sweetened my solid salary, year-end bonus, and family health benefits.

    Moving in was simple. We had only the basics—stereo, dishes, cooking utensils—and somehow everything fit in our camper and the trunk of our ’69 Cutlass Supreme. With help from friends Bernhard & Elisabeth and Heinz & Sigi, we got quickly settled.

    The house had gorgeous hardwood floors. I can still hear our shoes echoing through the empty living room. On day one, Ursula tried baking a pizza… only to find the GE oven didn’t work. Luckily, Bernhard—recently hired as my shop foreman—jumped in, lit a fire in the fireplace, and baked it over the wood fire. Paired with a glass of Lancers Rosé, it was magical.

    We ate on a makeshift table—a kitchen door balanced on moving boxes—laughing, savoring the pizza, and turning our empty house into a home. It was unforgettable.

    Furniture was expensive, so I got busy building what we needed. First, a Swedish-style king bed, then cabinets, a solid maple dining table, and even a bar from the old kitchen door. Later, I designed a four-tier bookshelf stretching across the living room wall, complete with cabinets and speaker spaces. Step by step, the house slowly transformed from a shell into a cozy, welcoming home. Many of our Swiss friends who lived in the city came to visit us on weekends. It was never boring around our house!

    In 1977, we bought a used Subaru 4WD—perfect for our winding 0.8-mile dirt road, especially in winter. We still had our VW camper and the ’69 Oldsmobile Cutlass, a generous gift from Heinz and Sigi. Around that time, Ursula learned to drive. Her road test had a memorable twist: it rained, she forgot the wipers, and left the windows open. The examiner just laughed and passed her anyway.

    In 1978, my parents visited. We took them on a road trip to Niagara Falls, Eastern Canada, and New England. The forests stretching from Quebec into northern Maine left my father speechless—a rare sight!

    By 1979, during the Carter oil crisis, we installed a multi-fuel furnace and mostly heated our home with wood. Surrounded by forests, I could gather enough deadfall each autumn to carry us through the long winters. Cutting, splitting, hauling, and stacking wood was hard work—but immensely satisfying, and a perfect balance to hours at work.

    Career Milestones
    By 1980, my company had become the North American Watch Corporation (public company) and moved to a larger HQ on 5th Avenue. I had steadily built the After-Sales Service Division, creating company-owned service centers in Beverly Hills, Miami, and Toronto, plus a network of authorized watchmakers across North America.

    Supporting that network involved extensive travel, long days, and training seminars as the watch industry transitioned to electronics. I loved it, even with the chaos.

    One seminar in Dallas still makes me chuckle: a watchmaker asked a question in such a thick Southern drawl I could barely understand him. I joked about his accent. Without missing a beat, he shot back, “You’re the one with the accent!” Touché.

    North American Watch Corporation also offered management training—team building, leadership, time management—all of which proved invaluable over the years and into the future.

    Decisions and Turning Points
    Ursula and I occasionally visited Switzerland. We loved seeing family and friends, but after a couple of weeks, we always missed our life in the U.S. By 1981, in our early thirties, with steady jobs and our own home, we felt ready to settle permanently. That spring, we applied for U.S. citizenship and decided to start a family.

    That summer, my brother Herbert visited with his wife Eva and daughter Nicole. One afternoon, Herbert and I were balancing a heavy beam standing on a ladder, when Eva called out from the kitchen window: “Ursula is pregnant!” We heard her, but first had to steady the beam and climb down to hug Ursula and congratulate her. Later, Eva teased me mercilessly for not reacting immediately—but the joy of that moment is unforgettable.

    On December 17, 1981, Ursula—three months pregnant—and I stood in White Plains City Hall, raised our right hands, and became U.S. citizens. Emotional, proud, and a little dizzy from all the paperwork—but our American journey had truly begun.
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  • 1982 – 2000 United States of America

    April 7, 1982 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °F

    Andreas Arrives

    April 7, 1982—Ursula’s due date—came with a dramatic late-winter storm. She woke me early, saying something was happening and that I’d better stay home. That “something” quickly turned into full-on contractions. I scrambled to get the car ready while she called the doctor.

    The morning was beautiful but treacherous—twenty inches of fresh snow on the ground. Thank God for our 4WD Subaru. The hospital in Mt. Kisco was twenty minutes away, and with contractions intensifying, I drove like a madman: sliding on ice, ignoring stop signs, racing against time. We pulled up just before her water broke. An hour later, our healthy baby boy, Andreas Olivier, arrived. Pure joy!

    That Saturday, we brought him home. The crib wasn’t ready, so Ursula had prepared a large weaver’s basket as a temporary bed. By Monday, reality hit me on the commuter train: we were now a family of three. Ursula would stay home, and I was the sole breadwinner. Not scary, exactly—but suddenly, responsibility weighed heavier on my shoulders than ever.

    Ursula was a rock—patient, calm, logical, never panicking. She compared notes with Patty Malone, another first-time mom from Lamaze class, and their fellow young parents. Mine and Ursula’s mothers visited at different times to lend a hand. Meanwhile, I built Andreas’s crib—pine wood, casters, adjustable platform, fold-down railing—the works.

    From the start, Andreas was alert, curious, and a little fearless. Crawling, dismantling cabinet doors, exploring every corner—he took his first steps at ten months. Nothing was safe, but he was happy, rarely crying except for hunger or frustration when he couldn’t figure out how to take a toy apart.

    Expanding Our Home
    Within a year, it was time for baby number two. Our ranch-style home suddenly felt cozy in the extreme. Since buying a new house wasn’t financially an option, we decided to expand our home. Ursula, the architect, drew up plans for a second story and got approval.

    I started by building a staircase into the attic—Andreas’s favorite climbing adventure. That August, while on vacation in Key West, a carpenter handled the rough framing. Ursula was already three months pregnant. By the time we returned from Florida, the structure and roof were in place.

    That fall, Wally came to help install windows, and a contractor finished the siding and insulation. The new second floor was ready just in time for winter. Inside, we carved out children’s rooms, a play/study area, a bathroom, and a master bedroom with an en-suite bath—a warm, welcoming transformation for our growing family.

    Anina Joins the Family
    January 5, 1984, brought a surprise: a new baby. Anina Christine arrived remarkably fast. Ursula went into labor while I was at work, and a neighbor rushed Ursula to the hospital—leaving his car door open and engine running the whole way! Forty-five minutes later, Anina was born.

    A week later, Ursula’s mother flew in, and together we brought Ursula and Anina home. At first, Oma wasn’t sold on the name “Anina”—she might have preferred Ruth, Beatrice, or Manuela—but as soon as she held the baby, her doubts vanished. Years later, she’d laugh at her initial reaction.

    Like her brother, Anina started life in a weaver’s basket before moving to a crib. Cheerful and curious, she soon crawled and walked, always trying to keep up with Andreas. Frustration came when she couldn’t—but she fiercely defended her toys, sharing only on her terms. Andreas quickly learned that negotiating with Anina was an extreme sport.

    Career Challenges
    By 1985, the North American Watch Corp.’s service division had become overwhelming to manage by myself. The solution was to hire an administrator to handle customer service, which allowed me to focus primarily on technical operations and training.

    NAWC got its first RCA computer system around that time—a blessing and a curse. Its spare parts module was a mess, constantly mismanaging stock, which led to massive backlogs. Complaints began to pile up, and my excellent reputation suffered a setback. For the first time in 16 years, I found myself frustrated and unhappy at work. Being 100% vested in the company's profit-sharing, I began looking for a new opportunity.

    New Beginnings
    Change came in 1986 when my friend François Girardet announced he was leaving Ebel USA and suggested I step in as the new Service Director. A meeting with Ronnie Wolfgang, Ebel USA’s president, turned into a tour of the 5th Avenue offices. Ebel’s collection of watches was impressive—solid, elegant, truly Swiss—and Ronnie was charismatic, sincere, full of vision. A few days later, I accepted the position. Ursula was all in on the move, and I resigned from North American Watch.

    Joining Ebel proved to be one of the best career moves I ever made. The company was small, close-knit, and Ronnie trusted me to build the service side of the business. I will never forget the first month our sales hit the million-dollar mark.

    My service operation was expanded nationwide. Bernhard Scharfoth, a good friend who had managed the service operation for me in Beverly Hills, California, also resigned from North American Watch Corporation. I was delighted to welcome him as Operations Manager for our Ebel-Swisswave office in Long Beach. Two years later, my top watchmaker, Ernesto Rolo, was chosen to lead the newly established Ebel Service Center in Miami, Florida, together with his wife, Melida. Both Bernhard and Ernesto proved to be invaluable assets, contributing significantly to the success of Ebel USA and to the exceptional standard of after-sales service. We proudly maintained a 6-day turnaround on 92% of all repairs, thanks to a genius Moment exchange program. At the same time, we enjoyed excellent support from our Service team at headquarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, with Francois, Yvan, and Lina doing top-notch work.

    Meanwhile, we continued to develop our in-house custom software for the service operation. I dove headfirst into PCs and programming, often working nights to add new features and to improve the performance. Through the late ’80s and early ’90s, Ebel, dubbed The Architects of Time, achieved significant growth by tripling sales figures, opening boutiques, launching brilliant advertising campaigns, and sponsoring major Golf and Tennis tournaments.

    Family Life
    Back in Switzerland, my parents retired to the Swiss Alps, building a chalet overlooking the Simmental Valley. Dad earned his driver’s license at age 65 and became a small-scale sheep farmer.

    Here in the US, we continued improving our Yorktown house—remodeling the kitchen, converting rooms, and finishing the second story. Ursula and I did most of the work ourselves—carpentry, plumbing, electrical, insulation, sheet rock—while hiring contractors who did the plastering and painting.

    Andreas and Anina grew active and independent. Living by a lake, they learned to swim early. Andreas loved climbing trees, and I taught him safety tricks I’d learned as a boy. Later, when they discovered my .22 rifle, I decided teaching proper handling and respect was better than letting curiosity run wild. Shooting beer cans in the forest became a favorite pastime for a while.

    Vacations were always low-budget, family-oriented, featuring hiking trips to nearby States, and occasionally to Switzerland. But in 1992, we splurged on a trip to Club Med-Punta Cana, where we enjoyed the gorgeous beach, windsurfing, evening shows, and even a flying trapeze for the kids—that was unforgettable.

    By the early ’90s, Ursula launched her own businesses: first distributing Longaberger baskets, then Shaklee Homeproducts. The additional income helped us afford life insurance and college savings plans, and also allowed for extra retirement contributions.

    The kids thrived—enjoying music, soccer, skiing in Vermont, summers on Lake Winnipesaukee with Swiss friends, and German lessons on Wednesdays. Ursula made Sundays at the Lutheran Church part of their education, though we knew it would eventually be their choice.

    Turning Points
    In 1996, I trained for the New York Marathon but tore a meniscus. Cycling, encouraged by my friend Geoffrey Chin, became my new passion. Geoffrey and I participated in numerous organized bicycle events in Westchester County and trained diligently during our free time.

    Ebel, unfortunately, faced challenges. Overextended in real estate, the company faltered during the early ’90s crash. LVMH acquired the brand and forced Ronnie Wolfgang out. By the year 2000, I saw what was coming and decided to seek a new job.

    Offers came from Cartier in Japan and Rolex. The Rolex offer as VP and Service Director in Dallas was too good to pass up, even if it meant uprooting the family. Ursula, the ever-supportive, agreed it was worth it. The kids struggled, understandably—it felt like their world had flipped upside down.

    So, to make a long story short, I signed the contract, and in November 2000, we moved to Texas, ready to start a fresh chapter in our American journey.
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  • 2000 – 2016 United States of America

    November 3, 2000 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    Dallas, Texas
    In November 2000, we moved into our new home in Southlake, an upscale suburb of Dallas. A new chapter of our American life had begun. And Texas didn’t waste any time making a splash—literally. On move-in day, the main water line in the front yard burst, shooting a water jet 16 feet into the air. Welcome to Texas!

    Family Moves
    In January 2001, Andreas returned to New York, reconnected with his girlfriend, and later enrolled at Ulster County Community College in Kingston. Meanwhile, Anina faced the “new kid” challenge at Southlake High School. She was the only student who didn’t drive and had to walk to school, but she quickly found friends and graduated two years later.

    Rolex USA
    My new role at Rolex was exciting… and intense. An 8-story office tower was under construction, and the Service Operation, counting 112 employees, had a serious problem: watch repairs took 16 weeks. My mandate? Bring it down to 15 days.

    When the Managing Director asked how many extra employees I’d need, I replied, “Maybe none.” The reason? Based on my initial evaluation, staffing wasn’t the issue; instead, it was processes and teamwork.

    In week one, I introduced an open-door policy and invited small groups for a chat and coffee. What I found was low morale, a lack of teamwork, and a limited understanding of the benefits of meetings. Department managers micromanaged, and employees rarely took initiative.

    Step by step, I reshaped the culture: I broke large teams into smaller groups, set up regular meetings, and created focus groups to tackle specific problems. We introduced clear production and performance standards and began semi-annual evaluations. Every Wednesday, we held a manager’s lunch meeting—a great chance to share updates, exchange ideas, and for me to provide direction so that everyone stayed aligned and moving together.

    Gradually, the team began “wearing their thinking hats.” Pride returned. Team spirit grew. Flex-time solved punctuality issues overnight. I also organized annual family picnics, and we had a Rolex indoor soccer team. Slowly, the Dallas team bonded, and headquarters in New York noticed. The support from my boss and the cooperation from colleagues at headquarters also contributed to the progress.

    Two years later, IT rolled out a long-overdue scanning system that tracked every watch throughout the repair process. For the first time, bottlenecks became visible and could be addressed right away. Weekly progress reports soon turned into a friendly competition among our centers. In 2003, we reached our goal: a 15-day turnaround. Walter Fischer was delighted, and the team celebrated the success—a career highlight I’ll never forget. My deepest thanks to Chuck, Bernhard, and everyone who helped make this remarkable achievement possible. It was teamwork at its very best!

    Back to Family
    In 2002, Anina graduated from high school. Andreas returned to Texas, determined to become a chef. While waiting for admission to the Culinary Institute in Austin, he apprenticed at Sushi-Sam under our friend and owner, Sean. Six months later, both kids moved to Austin—Andreas for culinary school, Anina for the University of Texas.

    In 2004, we embarked on a family adventure in Russia, taking a river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Along the way, we explored villages, visited historic sites, enjoyed folklore shows and circus performances, and even sampled vodka. Later that year, longtime friends Kurt and Renata invited us to Sanibel Island, Florida. A week of beach walks, swimming, and cycling planted the idea of owning a timeshare ourselves. (https://youtu.be/azzhS-N2ivI)

    Family Gatherings
    In 2005, my sister organized a family reunion in Germany’s Black Forest. Mom and Dad, in their early 80s, were overjoyed to see all the children and grandchildren together. Afterward, Ursula and Anina continued traveling to visit Kurt & Renata and Paris in France with Wally.

    That same year brought a few milestones. Andreas graduated from the Texas Culinary Institute. Ursula launched a new home business and became a shareholder in LoveThePearls. Anina moved to Denton to study at the University of North Texas, where she soon met her future husband, Jeremy.

    Loss and Change
    In 2006, while visiting my parents in Switzerland, I learned Dad needed prostate surgery. Though the operation went well, he tragically passed days later from blood clots and complications—a profound shock.

    Meanwhile, Anina graduated with a degree in Geography and GIS, and celebrated her achievement with Jeremy on a trip to Belize & Tikal. She later started working for Manpower and worked for BNSF in Fort Worth.

    Challenging Times
    The 2008 financial crisis hit hard. Anina lost her job, and Rolex USA imposed cuts, including salary reductions, the closure of retail accounts, and, in 2009, the Beverly Hills service center was shut down. When the Managing Director was relocated to Dallas, I was forced into early retirement at the age of 64. Geneva never sanctioned these drastic measures, and in time, the culprit executives lost their roles. Still, it left me unprepared and unsettled.

    Travel & Consulting
    Despite the setbacks, I stayed active. I hiked Mexico’s Copper Canyons, trekked the Swiss Alps with Anina, and together, we reflected on her career doubts. Soon after, I launched HI-Consulting. And what do you know: Rolex Mexico became my first client, and I started learning Spanish—an invaluable skill. (https://youtu.be/85ow-jwvXc0)

    By 2009, Ursula and I downsized to a new home in Colleyville. I joined Anina on a backpacking trip in Costa Rica, including an extreme rainforest hike. Later, Ursula fell gravely ill with a fungal lung infection. She was in intensive care for weeks, and thanks to modern medicine, she made a full recovery.

    Adventure Years
    From 2010 onward, life was full: family, hiking, and friendships. Trips spanned Colorado, Idaho, Switzerland, Big Bend, Zion, and more. I biked the RAGBRAI three times, learned woodturning from my dear neighbor Dean, and became obsessed with making pepper mills. (https://youtu.be/RGaaK7lbmvc)

    Anina and Jeremy bought their first home and married in a beautiful, low-key vineyard wedding in 2013. Ursula baked the cake, Jeremy’s mom acted as the photographer, and I had the honor of leading the vows—a truly joyful and memorable day. (https://youtu.be/y-NHbazLq4I)

    By 2014, Anina pursued her doctorate in Physical Therapy at TWU. Ursula and I celebrated our 44th anniversary in Punta Cana. After recovering from a nasty prostate infection, I built a chicken coop for Anina and Jeremy and enjoyed many hikes with my friend Bernhard Schafroth in Colorado. (https://youtu.be/cTWYMBZFbwc)

    Final Chapter at Work
    In late 2014, I concluded my consulting role with Rolex Mexico. The team was adequately trained to function without my assistance. At the same time, Mexico’s security situation was worsening, and I finally decided to retire at age 69 with peace of mind.

    Retirement Adventures
    Ursula and I embraced travel and new experiences, including beach holidays in Antigua, timeshare stays at Sanibel Island, and countless hikes. In 2015, we moved to a new home with a backyard pool in Keller, Texas. (https://youtu.be/2d9XbLD8lJA)

    2016 fulfilled two lifelong dreams: a nine-day trek across the Sahara Desert—far from monotonous, with ever-changing colors and textures—and, just ten days later, snowboarding in Zermatt with my brother Herbert. What a contrast! (https://youtu.be/yMe53HDrk20)

    I also signed up for a trek in the Himalayas. Starting in Kathmandu, our Swiss team spent 13 days with Sherpas and porters, reaching 16,756 feet at Larkya-La Pass. The views, the thin air, the endurance—it was extraordinary. (https://youtu.be/yHFPGq_vtt0)

    Meanwhile, Anina prepared to join Jeremy in California with their daughters, Avery and Nina. While their house in Shady Shores underwent final repairs, Anina stayed with us in Keller—a wonderful reminder of how family threads weave through every chapter of our lives.

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  • 2017 – 2019 United States of America

    March 15, 2017 in the United States

    Anina’s husband, Jeremy, had been working in California for nearly a year, commuting regularly back to Denton to be with Anina and their daughters, Avery and Nina. It was a temporary arrangement—the plan was for the whole family to move west once Anina finished her studies. In March, they listed their Shady Shores home, and Anina moved in with us. Before closing, the house became a revolving door of contractors: roofers, plumbers, and foundation repair crews. I checked on the work and even lent a hand restoring the living room’s wood flooring. Today, that house belongs to their friends Jimmy and Bonny Vaughn—a job well done for the next owners!

    2017
    In May, after three intense years at TWU, Anina graduated as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We were bursting with pride. We threw a celebration party at our house, surrounded by her classmates and closest friends. Just a week later, Jeremy rented a truck, and they drove west, loaded with their household items, to start a new life in Healdsburg, California.

    June brought a different kind of personal milestone: I underwent cataract surgery in both eyes. The results were remarkable—20/20 vision, and thanks to multifocal lenses, glasses may soon be a thing of the past. I felt like a superhero seeing clearly again!

    By July, we were eager to visit Anina and Jeremy. Their rental home was tucked away in Mill Creek Valley, about 15 minutes east of Healdsburg. A long, forested driveway led to a small clearing with three homes, including the owners, Margaret and Grant’s, who maintained the most beautiful flower and vegetable garden I’ve ever seen. We rented a VRBO in Monte Rio, went hiking and canoeing, and toured local wineries. Northern California’s climate suited us perfectly—we were in love. (https://youtu.be/GW2LkuxI5vQ)

    August took us back to the Swiss Alps with a group of friends: John Barlow, his daughter Jaimie, our neighbors Steve and Melody, and my good friend Bernhard. Despite a few initial clouds and rain, the weather turned gorgeous, with sunny days in the high 60s. We tackled hikes to the Blümlisalp and Gspaltenhorn huts—tough climbs, but well worth it. Sharing the Alps with our American friends made the experience even richer. (https://youtu.be/fdlecQ9GxWE)

    Right after, Ursula and I jetted off to Iceland for a week. Despite its Arctic location, the Gulf Stream gives the island a surprisingly mild climate. The scenery was otherworldly—ice-capped mountains, steaming geothermal vents, and volcanic landscapes. Reykjavik even uses the natural steam to heat the entire city. We stayed downtown, joined bus tours, and explored the Golden Circle, which features greenhouses, massive waterfalls, and the famous spot where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. With only 336,000 residents but over two million tourists expected that year, Iceland was bustling. Safety wasn’t a concern—the crime rate is practically zero—but wow, a pizza at $34? That one left a mark. The highlight, however, was seeing the Northern Lights on our last night—a truly magical experience.
    (https://youtu.be/POJU9WGYclA)

    After Iceland, we spent time in Switzerland. Ursula stayed with Wally while I joined my senior hiking friends in Graubünden, basing ourselves in Flims, where Hans keeps a trailer. Rain couldn’t dampen our spirits—we hiked daily, and on the last day, when the skies cleared, we even climbed the Pinut rock wall in just an hour.

    October brought Wally to visit. In November, we headed to Sanibel Island for a couple of weeks, joined by his girlfriend, Marli, from Brazil. Later, Wally joined us in Dallas for Christmas, and our surprise gift for him was a NASCAR race package at the Texas Motor Speedway. Watching him race at 160 mph and finish second? Thrilling! (https://youtu.be/Hl3pgTOUj58)

    2018
    In March, we rented a VRBO at Lake Tahoe for a ski week with Anina, Jeremy, and a few friends. Spring skiing at Heavenly, NorthStar, and Kirkwood was fantastic, though the rental had a rodent problem that kept us up at night. Fortunately, the owner refunded us.

    The 4 Musketeers
    Around this time, a close friendship developed among three former Rolex colleagues and me — we affectionately dubbed ourselves the Four Musketeers.

    Bernhard Stoeber worked in the same capacity as I did at Rolex USA, managing the Beverly Hills Service Operation. He later ran Technical Operations in New York before moving on to become Zone Manager at Rolex headquarters in Geneva. Eventually, Bernhard accepted a position with Rolex in China as Manager of Technical Training. Originally from Germany, he has a deep passion for the watchmaking profession and is an exceptional teacher. I first met Bernhard in 1984, when he was working for Omega. In 2000, he was the one who believed I could be the right fit for Rolex Dallas. Highly knowledgeable in horology, witty, and great company, Bernhard is both a professional and a friend one truly enjoys spending time with.

    Hans-Ruedi Stoll worked with me at Rolex headquarters in 1969 when we were both being trained for positions abroad. I eventually ended up in New York, and he in Hong Kong. In 2000, we met again in Geneva, where he managed the Department of Technical Documentation and Tools. Hans-Ruedi has always had a good sense of humor and was a delight to be around. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed skiing, swimming and bicycling, but his real passion was precision rifle shooting. He served as President of the Small-Caliber Shooting Club of Nyon.

    Gianfranco Brunner served as World Service Coordination Manager at Rolex headquarters in Geneva. Fluent in several languages — German, French, English, and Italian — he earned a degree in Business Administration and later refined his skills at the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies. We often worked closely together to resolve customer service issues. Gianfranco is a consummate professional, a joy to be around, blessed with an excellent sense of humor, and an enthusiastic motorcycle rider.

    Over the years, our friendship deepened. We would typically meet once a year for dinner and conversation in the Geneva region, catching up and reminiscing about our experiences and the many years we spent working for the Crown. Each time we meet, it feels to me as though the four of us are perfectly in sync — an effortless camaraderie that’s rare and special. Even in retirement, we continue to stay in touch, exchanging ideas, information, and occasionally sharing family photos.

    April brought another Geezer hiking trip—this time to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Lake Tacoma. Despite a few hiccups (Jim nearly wore himself out), the outing was a success. Most of us are now in our 70s, except Chad, our 50-year-old Hawaiian fitness coach, but the stories we share keep everyone young at heart.

    In May, Ursula and I traveled to Morocco with Hans and Farida Vogler. While Ursula and Farida explored Marrakesh’s museums and markets, Hans and I attempted to climb Mt. Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains. Led by our guide Mustafa, with cook Abdul and his mule, we nearly reached the summit before heavy snow forced a retreat—a climb we’ll never forget.

    That July, we visited Anina and Jeremy again in Healdsburg. Days were filled with hiking, blackberry picking, and wine tasting. Anina treated us to dinner at the Culinary Institute of America, prepared by students—a truly memorable experience. Back in Texas, Ursula underwent shoulder surgery and began a challenging but determined recovery.

    October was another Geezer hike—this time exploring the Texas Hill Country and Lost Maples State Park. We reconnected with friends Wolf and Shalmir, who prepared an outstanding BBQ. To mark the group’s 10th hike, I created a special video we all enjoyed after dinner, projected onto a big outdoor screen on the side of their luxury camper van. (https://youtu.be/-FktSgqU7kQ)

    That November, we returned to Sanibel Island with Anina & Jeremy, Kurt & Renata, and our Canadian friends Pam & David. A cruise to Useppa Island and Ursula’s early Thanksgiving dinner made the trip especially memorable. (https://youtu.be/LdUUBbyjdyc)

    2019
    February took us to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, thanks to Kurt and Heidi lending us their condo. Nestled at 1,900 meters in the mountains, the town’s climate was perfect, with a thriving community of American retirees. Afterwards, we drove to Guanajuato for a short visit before heading home.

    March meant a visit to Andreas in San Antonio. Fresh from Peru, he introduced us to his new girlfriend and partner, Nichole, and her daughter, Keira, at the Whitney Museum. On Sunday, Andreas hosted a fondue at Restaurant Gwendolyn, where he was happily working while exploring new career directions.

    Later that month, our Swiss friend Hans Bernhard visited Texas on his way to California. Curious about life here, he joined us for a weekend on a ranch near Palo Pinto, toured the Fort Worth Stockyards, and even explored downtown Dallas by Segway. Hans, a retired Swissair architect, shares our passion for hiking and biking. (https://youtu.be/apefFkozJuQ)

    April 3rd was a sad day: my brother called from Switzerland to tell me that our Mom had passed away at the age of 93. We held her memorial during our planned European trip—a bittersweet yet comforting way to honor her.

    That spring, we traveled through Europe: tulip fields in Amsterdam, a Rhine River cruise to Basel, a visit to my sister Elisabeth in Bad-Säckingen, and then on to Wally in Wängi. On May 1st, we celebrated Ursula and Wally’s 70th birthdays with friends at a horse training center in the Black Forest. Shortly after, we held our mother’s memorial in Uetendorf, followed by a warm family evening at Herbert and Annamarie’s home. The trip ended with a week-long drive back to Amsterdam, passing through Alsace, Luxembourg, Brussels, and Antwerp—a road trip to remember. (https://youtu.be/IluC_XkeVh0)

    HOA projects consumed in July: new motors for the entry gate, emergency strobe system approvals with the Fire Department, and aging sprinkler controllers. At home, I added new steps to our pool deck, making it both practical and safe.

    August brought a nine-day adventure to Glacier National Park with Steve and Melody. Based in Columbia Falls, we hiked stunning trails, feasted on wild mushrooms and huckleberries, and spotted black bears, elk, moose, rams, mountain goats, and marmots. Returning home, we discovered a hit-and-run driver had taken out our mailbox. Shit happens when you’re not around! (https://youtu.be/PseGZiPa5nE)

    September had us house-sitting for Anina and Jeremy while they visited Vancouver Island. We enjoyed wine tastings, hikes, and sampled fresh Riesling juice at Gustafson Winery. Jeremy had just started a new job converting Sprinter vans into campers—an exciting new chapter for them.

    In October, I reunited with business colleague, Ernesto Rolo, in New York. We reminisced about our 14 years at Ebel while catching up with his wife, Melida, and daughter Amanda. We also met with former CFO Zev Friedman. The next day, we drove to Lake George to visit Claude Stehle, Ebel’s former workshop manager, and then continued to Vermont to see Hans and Therese Schrag, former Tag-Heuer service managers. The couple now enjoys a peaceful countryside retirement on a beautiful piece of property.

    That same month, another Geezer hike took us to Mineral Wells and Possum Lake State Park. Instead of the usual Sunday dinner, we held a BBQ after the all-important “planning meeting”—priorities, after all! (https://youtu.be/-jkkRRALQc8)

    November meant another Sanibel Island trip, driving 20+ hours from Texas in our trusty Prius. Crossing the Causeway Bridge never loses its magic. Our Shell Island Beach Club timeshare, overlooking the Gulf, felt like paradise. Days were filled with long walks, cycling, swimming, and visits with Canadian friends Pam & David.

    Christmas was warm and joyful at home in Keller. Both Andreas and Anina joined us. On December 23rd, we went to see Cats, and Ursula prepared her traditional Swiss meat and cheese fondue. The beef tenderloin from Costco was particularly tender that year. We also passed along a sizable inheritance from my Mom to Andreas and Anina, helping them take meaningful steps toward their financial security.

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  • Life in the USA - 2020-2021

    February 15, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    2020
    February kicked off with the joy of renewing our long-expired Swiss passports. Typically, this would have meant a trip to Atlanta (and a full day lost to airports and traffic), but the Swiss consulate’s Mobile Processing Unit showed up in Dallas and spared us the hassle. We handled everything online, and voilà—new passports, complete with a microchip holding all our biometric data. High-tech enough to make James Bond jealous.

    In March, we flew to California and joined Anina and Jeremy for a Lake Tahoe getaway. Anina’s longtime friend Lily joined too, and we all squeezed into a two-bedroom VRBO in Truckee. We skied Sugar Bowl, Alpine Meadows, and Squaw Valley. Squaw, with its Olympic history and beautifully groomed long runs, stole my heart. Back at the rental, our in-house chefs, Ursi and Anina, spoiled us with Hungarian beef stew and Swiss fondue. Skiing all day and feasting all night—what could top that?

    By April, COVID-19 was everywhere in the news and was officially labeled a pandemic. Our evenings revolved around media updates and Dr. Anthony Fauci’s calm-but-serious briefings.

    May turned me into a part-time landscaper. I dug up our side yard, installed drainage pipes to handle pool overflow and water from the gutters. I used leftover stones to spruce up the pool equipment area. My back wasn’t thrilled, but the yard looked good.

    June found me knee-deep in HOA projects. I tackled the creek walkway drainage, then sat at my desk writing a 40-page HOA Handbook that covered everything from board duties and contracts to innovative irrigation systems and gate repairs. Just when I thought I’d earned a break, our long-planned three-week hiking trip to Scotland was canceled by COVID restrictions. That one stung.

    In July, I turned my attention to insurance—reviewed every policy and walked away with better homeowners and car coverage. That same month, I sold my 2016 Prius and treated myself to a shiny new 2020 model. It came with Apple CarPlay, modern safety features, and a 54 MPG rating (though I remain skeptical). By fall, we had to cancel our annual Sanibel Island trip due to hurricane safety concerns. Another disappointment, but better safe than sorry.

    Meanwhile, California wildfires were raging. Anina and Jeremy had to evacuate, and for days it seemed their house was gone. By a miracle, it survived, though the forest and many neighbors’ homes did not. They lived and worked from their camper van in Jeremy’s warehouse until utilities were restored—tough times, but handled with resilience.

    August brought smaller joys. The dwarf fountain grass by our pool matured beautifully, adding charm to the backyard. I also helped a Swiss friend in Keller document her sprinkler system. Our progress hit a wall (literally) when we discovered a buried sprinkler valve under the backyard deck—thanks, careless builders.

    In September, we treated ourselves to an LG 65” 4K OLED Smart TV. The picture clarity was breathtaking—hopefully it lasts a decade, or at least until TVs start cooking dinner too.

    October 26th sticks in my memory: our good friends Beni and Elisabeth sold their Idaho home, and on the very same day that Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the US Supreme Court—quite a day of transitions, big and small.

    November brought a new roof, courtesy of our insurance. Ursula took this opportune moment to replace the gutters and selected a dark brown trim that made our Tudor-style house pop. The roofers did a stellar job.

    December finally brought family cheer. Despite COVID, both kids came home for Christmas. Anina cut and colored Ursula’s hair like a pro. Andreas whipped up rabbit and chicken stock. Ursula added her famous beef stew and Chinese fondue, and one evening we indulged in Swiss raclette. To top it off, Avery gifted me a pair of hand-knit socks. Cozy, warm, and heartfelt—it was the perfect holiday.

    2021
    I started the year by doing some digital housecleaning: closed my Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram accounts, and stepped down from the HOA board after four years of volunteer service. January was mild, and on the 14th, we got our first COVID vaccinations. A week later, my neck revolted with severe pain that required an orthopedic injection and massage therapy. Slowly, I worked my way back to normal.

    February, however, was anything but normal. Texas got hit by an unprecedented freeze, dropping to –2.2°F. Pipes froze, rolling blackouts struck, and thousands of homes were damaged. Ours somehow made it through intact—pure luck, I think.

    By April, life steadied again. I joined the Geezer Group for a trip to Huntsville, TX. We visited the Sam Houston Memorial and cemetery, then knocked out a 6.2-mile hike in the state park. As usual, I carried the first-aid kit—always prepared. (https://youtu.be/O725UkvkFxk)

    May brought a sweet surprise: Andreas showed up for Mother’s Day, and we celebrated at Sushi Sam. He shared plans to buy his first home in early 2022, which was fascinating news indeed.

    In June, our friend Conny Büchele from Rolex Mexico stayed with us for three days and got her J&J vaccine at CVS. It was a treat to reminisce about Rolex days. Later that month, my eye surgeon worked magic again, performing a procedure that sharpened my vision and made colors pop again.

    July was for adventure. Ursula and I headed to Angel Fire, New Mexico, with our neighbors Steve and Melody. We hiked cool mountain trails, picked bolete mushrooms, and visited Taos. On the way home, we couldn’t resist stopping at Amarillo’s Big Texan Steak Ranch—because who can drive past that? The trip was a refreshing escape from pandemic monotony. (https://youtu.be/lqJt8PPZCXs)

    August turned Texas into an oven—hot and humid. HOA sprinkler problems ate up my time, and I also endured a colonoscopy followed by a seven-day cleansing diet. Meanwhile, in Nepal, remote valleys were struggling with COVID. I joined forces with Swiss friends to supply rice to 70 families in Sindhupalchok. Every donated dollar went straight to food and transport—zero overhead. That felt good.

    At the end of August, we lost my brother-in-law, Gerhard Kneppeck, after years with Parkinson’s. Gerhard was full of joy and humor—always behind the wheel of a fast BMW, always savoring good food. A baker by trade, he and my sister Elisabeth built successful businesses. Ursula and I even accompanied them on their honeymoon camping hike through the Swiss Alps—an unforgettable memory. He and Elisabeth were also Anina’s godparents.

    September took us west to Henderson, NV, to visit our longtime friends Bernhard and Elisabeth Schafroth after their move from Idaho. From there, we went on to Healdsburg to see Anina and Jeremy. Still living above Mill Creek in a secluded home, their landlords, Margaret and Grant, gifted us produce and wine for my birthday. Jeremy showed us his booming camper van outfitting business—VanLand—where he was juggling five projects at once. We later rented a vacation home in Sea Ranch, hiked the rugged Pacific coast, and enjoyed a Spanish omelet breakfast whipped up by Anina and Jeremy. (https://youtu.be/MSYm9MIaQH4)

    That same month, tragedy struck closer to home. Our HOA landscaper, Robert Maldonado, passed away from COVID while visiting family in Mexico. Only 46, leaving behind a wife, young daughter, and two college-age kids—his loss was devastating to our gated community.

    October meant another Geezer Group trip, this time to Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. We hiked the Yellow Rock Trail, stayed in cozy cabins, and capped the days with BBQ dinners of bratwurst and chicken. The laughter and camaraderie were the real highlights. (https://youtu.be/e7imoyspYa4)

    November 29th, we packed up for three weeks on Sanibel Island. COVID kept some friends away, but Hans and Therese joined us for the second week. Together, we explored the Naples Botanical Gardens. Later, Andreas and Nichole visited us for a long weekend, complete with a boat trip to Cayo Costa. That was so much fun! (https://youtu.be/0hmCsAxqdv4)

    December wrapped up the year with big news: Andreas closed on his first home in San Antonio. He and Nichole, along with Keira, joined us in Keller for Christmas. Having the whole family together, happy and healthy, felt like the greatest gift of all. Soon after, Anina, Jeremy, Avery, and Nina escaped to Tulum for a week of well-deserved relaxation.

    The year ended in a swirl of political turbulence and a soaring (and suspiciously frothy) stock market. But looking back, despite losses and challenges, I felt grateful—for family, for health, and for the resilience that carried us through.

    >>>Watch and subscribe to my YouTube Video Channel, started in 2009: https://www.youtube.com/user/heinzimhof/videos
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  • Life in the USA - 2022

    January 9, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 36 °F

    2022

    On January 9th, Anina and Jeremy finally caught a flight back to the U.S. after being quarantined in Cancún. Once home, they moved into a three-bedroom house in Healdsburg, CA. Just a week later, on the 16th, Ursula and I celebrated our 52nd anniversary with a wonderful sushi lunch.

    On the 21st, Conny from Mexico City visited with her son, Lars, who came for his COVID booster shot. Now 11 years old, Lars has grown into a talented young boy. The last time I saw him, he was only three. We enjoyed rock climbing, ice skating, and even flying my drone together.

    In April, Ursula and I took a nine-day vacation in Maui, Hawaii. We stayed in a condo in Kihei and used our rental car to explore the island daily. Highlights included the famous Road to Hana and watching the sunrise from the 10,000-foot summit of Haleakalā. (https://youtu.be/700S0hcciC4)

    After Ursula’s 73rd birthday, we drove to San Antonio to visit Andreas. We kicked off our stay with a charming sushi dinner, then I set to work upgrading all the sprinkler heads on his property. We also enjoyed cooling off in the swimming pool.

    On April 20th, I received sad news: my longtime Rolex colleague and friend, Hans-Ruedi Stoll, passed away. Our friendship began in 1969, when we were both trainees hoping for an overseas Rolex assignment. Hans-Ruedi spent many years in Hong Kong before returning to Geneva in 1990 to lead the After-Sale Service, Tools & Technical Information department. He was passionate about swimming, cycling, and rifle shooting, serving as president of the small-caliber shooting club in Nyon. Always fun and quick-witted, he will be missed.

    May brought its own challenges. On the 26th, while parking at my usual lunch spot, Maki & Poke, my foot slipped—hitting the accelerator instead of the brake. The car lurched into the restaurant, smashing glass panels and damaging my Prius. Thankfully no one was hurt, but I was in shock. Insurance covered the $12,000+ repair bill (minus a $500 deductible) and provided a rental car for a month.

    Just days later, on May 30th, Anina’s cat Moses passed away. We often looked after him when Anina and Jeremy traveled. He was a gentle, affectionate cat with a hunter’s spirit, and I miss him dearly.

    In September, our neighbors Mike and Sue Lucas invited us—and another couple from Keller—to join them at their timeshare in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. The three-bedroom villa at the Westin Resort was the perfect base for a week of exploring. We shopped for picnic supplies, toured the island, and enjoyed dinner at Greengos in town. The highlight was a six-hour sailing and snorkeling trip aboard a 41-foot catamaran with Kenny and Susanne as our crew. We also hiked to Honeymoon Beach and Solomon Beach, spotting turtles, stingrays, and brilliantly colored fish. Other days were filled with card games, breathtaking sunsets, and more beach adventures. It was truly unforgettable—thank you, Mike and Sue! (https://youtu.be/rQ8QhUMWeOE)

    Just four days after returning home, I tested positive for COVID-19. Ursula followed two days later. Thankfully, our vaccinations and boosters meant our symptoms were relatively mild. Ursula recovered in about two weeks, but mine dragged on for nearly a month.

    Normally, November is when we spend three weeks at our Sanibel Island timeshare, but Hurricane Ian destroyed much of the island. Rebuilding will take years. Instead, we visited Anina and Jeremy in Healdsburg. Their charming 1895 farmhouse was once part of an Italian prune orchard, and a gas stove in the living room provides heat for the entire home. We enjoyed hikes around Lake Sonoma, rainy-day town walks, homemade pizza, a visit to Paradise Ridge Winery, and a gourmet dinner at the CIA in Napa. Anina showed us her physical therapy office, while Jeremy gave us a tour of his thriving camper van business, VanLand. We capped it off with a six-mile coastal hike along the Pacific and dinner at a Himalayan restaurant in Sebastopol. Northern California at its best! (https://youtu.be/gcD9yxtnsqs)

    Thanksgiving was spent at home with our neighbors Cary and Nicoll. Ursula prepared her famous turkey roll with all the trimmings, while our guests brought delicious sides and desserts, including pumpkin and pecan pie. Conversation was lively—Cary is a lawyer, and Nicoll a painter and cancer counselor. I also learned that fenbendazole, a dog dewormer, is being explored as a non-FDA-approved cancer treatment, so I passed the information on to my nephew Daniel.

    Christmas arrived during an arctic cold front that froze our refrigerator’s water line, though fortunately, it thawed without damage. Anina and Andreas arrived with their families on the 23rd. On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed our traditional Fondue Chinoise, complete with Andreas’s homemade broth and Ursula’s outstanding dips—my favorite being her pepper-spiced mayo-ketchup. The evening was made extra special when 11-year-old Keira offered a heartfelt Swiss-German blessing before the meal. Secret Santa gifted me alpaca socks and Snickers bars, while the grandchildren received books and silverware for their new homes. Ursula’s Swiss Christmas cookies were everyone’s favorite treat between meals. On the 26th, we all drove to Fort Worth to enjoy the Japanese Garden’s Light Expo—a magical finish to a joyful holiday. (https://youtu.be/ja6yj8_ln5M)

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  • Life in the USA - 2023

    February 18, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    2023

    Snowboarding – February
    We flew into Salt Lake City, where our good friends Bernhard and Elisabeth scooped us up and whisked us off to our condo in Park City. Anina and Jeremy were already there waiting—snow gear ready and smiles on. Jeremy and I strapped on our snowboards while the others clicked into skis, and off we went. Three glorious days of blue skies, first-class snow, and runs groomed so perfectly you almost felt guilty making tracks on them.

    The evenings were just as good. On night two, Ursula treated us to a bubbling pot of homemade cheese fondue that left us all grinning (and a little too full). Ursula and Anina kept us fueled all around with home-cooked dinners and hearty sandwiches for lunch. Senior lift tickets ran $145 a day, which, believe it or not, was already a bargain thanks to Anina’s buddy pass that knocked it down from $180. At our age, that “senior” label finally pays off!

    March 26–27, I dusted off my hiking boots and joined the “Geezers Group” for a two-day outing to Glen Rose, Texas. We trekked through Dinosaur Valley State Park—where you can literally step in dinosaur footprints—and then toured the Fossil Rim Wildlife Preserve. My knees politely reminded me that I’m not 25 anymore, so we kept our daily walks to a sensible four miles. Still, the scenery, the wildlife, and the laughter of old friends made it more than worth it. (https://youtu.be/VCGMA77Xkwg)

    In May, Ursula and I teamed up with our longtime Swiss friends, Kurt and Renata, for a 25-day road trip across northern Spain. We kicked off in Bilbao, then hugged the coast westward to Cedeira before looping inland through León, Ponferrada, Burgos, and finally the Rioja wine region, circling back to Bilbao. Along the way, we soaked up history, culture, and, naturally, plenty of excellent food and wine. Let’s say our hiking pants felt a little snug by the end. (https://youtu.be/8y5P9B89fL0)

    July brought new faces into our circle—Jürg and Irene. We’d first heard about them through my cousin Marianne and had been following their camper-travel blog, FindPenguins, which chronicled their adventures through Mexico and the U.S. Meeting in person was even better than reading about their travels. Within minutes, we were swapping stories, laughing, and realizing this was the start of a lasting friendship.

    Come autumn, Switzerland called us home. We spent time with family, caught up with old friends, and embarked on a ten-day hiking adventure through the Alps of Saas Fee and Zermatt. The group? Old pals from our New York days in the 1970s. The weather? Perfect. The evenings? Filled with laughter, stories, and the kind of reminiscing that makes you wonder how four decades slipped by so quickly. (https://youtu.be/M8iphgW1Cro)

    Our base was Ursula’s brother Wally’s home in Wängi, Thurgau, where his Brazilian girlfriend Marli was also visiting. The house was alive with stories, meals, and good cheer. Together, we toured Liechtenstein and even made a stop at the Chällerhocker cheese factory in Tufertschwil (yes, samples were involved). Later, Wally and Marli joined us in Saas Fee for three glorious days of mountain hiking. We couldn’t help but feel grateful that, after all these years, we’re still healthy enough to tackle trails and share these adventures together.

    We wrapped up the year in style with our traditional Christmas Eve Meat Fondue—a family favorite. Ursula poured her usual love and energy into preparations, while Chef Andreas handled the meats: beef, pork tenderloin, and chicken, which I happily helped chop into bite-sized pieces. The star of the evening turned out to be the sauces: ginger-mayo, curry-mayo, and pepper-mayo, each one better than the last.

    After dinner came the gifts and Ursula’s tray of Swiss-style Christmas cookies (yes, they disappeared fast). Anina and Jeremy surprised Ursula with a beautiful new La Cocotte, and I was spoiled with a sharp blue ORVIS pullover. The biggest joy, though, was being surrounded by family.

    Avery, fresh out of the University of Austin with her chemical engineering degree, and Nina, studying nursing in Denton, reminded us of how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday they were splashing as little kids in our Southlake pool, and now they’re stepping into grown-up life. Watching them, it hit me again—time moves quickly, but it’s these moments together that matter most.

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  • Life in the USA - 2024

    January 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    2024

    A Spiritual Encounter – January 4
Early in the year, our neighbor David visited me with a heartfelt message he had received in the middle of the night: “Heinz: To see the kingdom of God, you must be born again.” At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of this, but his sincerity and openness moved me. As he spoke about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, my initial apprehension gave way to a sense of calm and receptiveness. David has often shared how faith transformed his own life, and I deeply respect his conviction and our friendship. I was wondering if this might be the beginning of a new journey for me.

    Easter in San Antonio
During Easter break, we spent a week in San Antonio with Andreas, Nichole, and their daughter, Keira. On Easter Sunday, we joined Nichole’s extended family for their annual barbecue and egg hunt—a warm and welcoming Texan tradition. One evening, Andreas hosted us at Conversa Elevated, the new upscale restaurant where he is the Executive Chef. His talent shone in every dish. (https://youtu.be/st24hlDNW_o)

    Andreas even managed a few days off, giving him time to help me with projects like repairing the sprinkler system and finishing landscaping in the front yard. For his 42nd birthday, Ursula gifted him a handsome leather jacket that suited him perfectly. I felt proud spending this time with him and his family and lending a helping hand.

    Geezer Hikes – March
. We hiked 3.7 miles at McKinney Falls State Park on the first day, followed by 3.5 miles on the scenic trail at Bastrop State Park the next day. Evenings brought BBQ by the hotel pool and lively “planning meetings”—a perfect blend of nature and camaraderie. (https://youtu.be/yCc1F4nN0wI)

    April 27 to May 4
 , Ursula and I flew to Cancún for a week at the beautiful Westin Resort & Spa. Our sixth-floor balcony overlooked the turquoise sea, and we spent our days walking sandy beaches, swimming in crystal-clear water, and hopping on the $1 red bus to explore the area. Ursula’s 75th birthday on May 1st was celebrated with a visit to a nearby Mayan archaeological site and a memorable dinner at Navìos Fusion Seafood. (https://youtu.be/l80-p4IYPgM)

    On the way home, a delayed flight turned into a blessing: after some duty-free shopping, American Airlines surprised us with a business class upgrade. The trip was nothing short of unforgettable.

    California & Lost Coast – June
In June, we visited Anina and Jeremy in Healdsburg, then headed north together along Highway 101 to the remote coastal town of Shelter Cove. Nestled among redwood groves, the beach house overlooked the ocean and lighthouse—truly breathtaking. (https://youtu.be/qhxLws0-3uQ)

    We hiked the black-sand beaches, admired cliffs and driftwood, and even watched a seagull devour a starfish. Jeremy braved the cold Pacific waves for some surfing, while we enjoyed coastal hikes through Lost Coast State Park to Bear Harbor Beach. Back in Healdsburg, we shared sushi at Otoro, cozy laptop time with a friendly cat named Franklin, and delicious home-cooked meals—a trip filled with laughter, nature, and warmth—memorable in every way.

    Summer Geezer Trip
The Geezers reconvened in Fort Worth, touring the TX Whiskey Ranch distillery before enjoying catfish in Arlington and a visit to Top O’ Hill Terrace, a former gambling den and brothel from the days of Bonnie and Clyde. The day ended at Aubra’s home for another “planning session”—good fun all around. (https://youtu.be/sj5GwLve5tE)

    Loss and Healing – July & August
On July 18, I received heartbreaking news: my nephew Daniel passed away at only 43, after a long battle with brain cancer. He was kind, caring, and deeply loved. Friends in Biel honored him with a 90-foot mural, and a Paddle-Out ceremony was planned on Lake Biel. His absence leaves a void we all feel.

    Just a month later, on August 21, our dear Swiss friend Hans Schrag passed away suddenly in Vermont after a stroke. I will miss his humor, warmth, and kindness. Two dear souls gone too soon.

    Amid this sadness, I found healing in physical therapy for my rotator cuff injury. Six weeks at Therapy Partners of North Texas brought steady improvement, thanks to the professionalism and care of Dr. Sonora Pepper Higgs. Her calm guidance and clear instructions were invaluable. I’ve resolved to maintain a balanced exercise routine in the future.

    European Travels – September
We spent nearly all of September in Europe, beginning with hikes in Brandnertal, Austria, then road-tripping through Switzerland and northern Italy. Highlights included Swarovski Kristallwelten in Innsbruck, the village of Zuoz, Ticino’s lakeside charm, bustling Cannobio market, Lago Maggiore, Lake Como, and the stunning Dolomites. We followed the sunshine and sidestepped the rain, creating a journey shaped as much by weather as by whim. (https://youtu.be/XaDE8tQ8V7k)

    We also enjoyed time with Ursula’s brother Wally, his partner Marli, and close friends in Switzerland—reconnecting through shared meals, excursions, and laughter—another amazing adventure for the memory books.

    Geezers’ 20th Hike – October. Back in Texas, our 20th Geezer outing took us to Longhorn Cavern State Park and Inks Lake. The caves were modest but interesting, though our rapid-fire guide left us spinning. The next day’s six-mile hike was slow-going, with cacti, rocky terrain, and time working against us. A shortcut led us back just in time for lunch at Reverend Jim’s Dam Pub—another trip of fun, friendship, and lighthearted misadventures. (https://youtu.be/VDiejMtEJk8)

    Visitors from the Road – December 19–20
In December, we hosted Werner and Karin, world travelers in their Mercedes camper van. With lives lived across Uruguay, Venezuela, Australia, Great Britain, and beyond—not to mention Ironman and marathon achievements—their stories were captivating. They are now bound for Alaska before driving south through the Americas. Our time together was short but inspiring.

    The year ended with the family gathered at our home for Christmas. On December 23, we enjoyed dinner at Sushi Sam. Christmas Eve brought our traditional Fondue Chinoise, elevated this year by Chef Andreas’s new wasabi sauce. Secret Santa gifts sparked joy and laughter: I surprised Anina with Bombas slippers, while Nichole gifted me socks and a foot-long toothbrush—perfect for back scratches in the sauna!

    The celebration overflowed with warmth, conversation, and togetherness. We are so grateful for health, family, and the blessings of another year.

    Looking Ahead
.
    Another year has come to a close. Though we feel the passage of time, we also recognize how fortunate we are. With gratitude in our hearts, we look forward to a healthy, joyful, and bright 2025 filled with new adventures and treasured moments.

    >>>Watch and subscribe to my YouTube Video Channel, started in 2009: https://www.youtube.com/user/heinzimhof/videos
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  • Life in the USA – 2025

    January 7 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 34 °F

    2025

    In January, I kicked off the year with a DIY project. Ursula had long hated the twin-basin kitchen sink that came with the house, so it was time for action. Out with the old, in with the shiny new! What I thought would be reasonably easy turned into more work than expected—but hey, we pulled it off without calling in the plumber. The glue still needed 24 hours to set, but the moral of the story remains timeless: Happy Wife – Happy Life.

    Big news reached us on January 17! Ursula’s brother, Wally, finally tied the knot with his sweetheart, Marli. Their story is one for the ages: a teenage fling in Brazil back in 1975, a 40-year break, then a Facebook reunion that rekindled their love for each other. Now, at 76, Wally is selling off his Swiss life to start the second chapter of his life in Araxá, Brazil, with Marli. A real “love conquers all” tale—who needs Hollywood when we’ve got family stories like this?

    January 25 – I rolled up my sleeves at White’s Chapel Church for another Rise Against Hunger event. Alongside hundreds of volunteers, we packed food for 30,000 needy families around the world—Burundi, Cambodia, Ghana, Haiti, the list goes on and on. Each bag contained a mix of vitamins, veggies, soy, and rice, allowing a nutritious meal for six. It’s humbling to think how such small bags can carry so much hope.

    February 2 was a very special Sunday at the Vietnamese Baptist Church of Fort Worth. Four reasons: Our first-ever service in Vietnamese (thank goodness for translation). The sermon came from my friend and former Rolex colleague, Senior Minister The Q. Dang. The congregation was celebrating Chinese New Year—the Year of the Snake. Afterward, we sampled traditional Vietnamese dishes with the church family. The warm Vietnamese hearts made us feel welcome. Thank you, Thé, for such a memorable day!

    On March 1st, we escaped winter for a 6-day beach getaway at Hotel Alisei in Las Terrenas, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Think palm trees, turquoise water, and just enough shade to keep us comfortable all day. It was almost the absolute paradise—none of the hustle and bustle of Punta Cana, just peace, quiet, ocean breezes, and fresh fish!

    Las Terrenas itself has quite the history: once an isolated fishing village, then home to African-descended families living off the land and sea. In 1945, a Jewish family bought land and grew it into farmland, later joined by Italians and French settlers. Things really took off after the dirt road to and from Santo Domingo was paved in 2012, cutting the trip to just over two hours. Now Las Terrenas is a lively town of about 40,000, of an international mix of expats who’ve fallen for its charm. We met many Canadians, a family from Colombia, and even a lady from Denton, Texas (small world). (https://youtu.be/TYwQshmwh30)

    April 1st – Our “Geezer Group” road-tripped to San Antonio with Mike driving, naturally stopping for BBQ in Lockhart. By early afternoon, we had checked into the historic Menger Hotel, where Teddy Roosevelt once recruited his Rough Riders. Drinks at the famous Menger Bar set the mood before a visit to The Alamo, where we met David Crockett (only in a statue).

    The evening found us strolling along the Riverwalk and feasting at Mi Tierra Café. Later, we swapped stories and laughs by the hotel pool until 10 PM—living proof that a small group of geezers combined has a ton of knowledge. The next day: breakfast at La Panadería, then the San Antonio Botanical Gardens (wow!) Before wrapping things up, we enjoyed another BBQ feast at the Smoke Shack, joined by Andreas & Nichole. This marked our 22nd Geezer Group outing since 2014—who’s counting? We are! (https://youtu.be/RzCy-wl29sw)

    April 15 brought some unwelcome news: my prostate cancer appeared to make an encore appearance. The biopsy results weren’t encouraging at first, but thankfully, the oncology report later came back, suggesting “low risk.” So, fortunately, no radiation will be needed after all—big sigh and relief!

    April 17 – Wally officially wrapped up his Swiss chapter. On April 29th, he was off to Brazil to start fresh with his love, Marli. We wish them endless happiness in their new joint adventure!

    On May 1st, Ursula turned 76, which we celebrated in a low-key style. I started the day with a homemade card and a fresh rose from our garden. Neighbor Sue surprised her with a lovely gift and a ladies’ lunch invite. Later, we strolled through the elegant Bowie House hotel, admired art, sipped cocktails, and ended the evening with light seafood appetizers in this trendy place in Fort Worth. When we returned home, we found a surprise!—our friends David and Julie had left a beautifully wrapped gift at the door. It was a lovely birthday, making Ursula feel like a queen.

    June 5 – Nokomis, Florida – I flew down to help my friend Ernesto Rolo, a fellow watchmaker, whom I have known for 39 years. Over the course of three days, we successfully listed his watch parts on eBay, selling five items. More importantly, I was able to show Ernesto and his wife, Melida, how to keep it going on their own—nothing like mixing friendship, teamwork, and a touch of horology.

    Hiking Switzerland – June – After visiting my sister Elisabeth in Säckingen, Germany, we joined our Swiss hiking group in Obwalden for five glorious days in the Alps. We stayed at a convenient hotel on Lake Sarnen, and our friend Peter once again nailed the hike planning. My favorite trek was Mägisalp to Käserstatt—pure mountain bliss with cowbells as background music. (https://youtu.be/9qLt-znBRz4)

    July – Budapest River Cruise – Boarding the Excellence Empress felt like stepping into a floating boutique hotel. From Passau to Budapest, we explored Linz, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava, and Esztergom. Highlights included medieval streets, grand cathedrals, and picking fresh, ripe apricots straight from the trees at a farm in the nearby hills above Krems.

    Evenings brought live music, laughter, and watching the river locks open from the sundeck. Between the food, culture, and comfort onboard, it wasn’t just a cruise—it was an immersion into the very heart of Central Europe. Afterward, we caught up with our friends Kurt and Renata in Winterthur before heading home to Dallas on July 25. (https://youtu.be/_6syFUpPMEw)

    On September 15th, I turned 80! Hard to believe I’ve been roaming this planet for so long. Family made it extra special—Andreas & Nichole drove in, Anina & Jeremy flew from California, and Jeremy’s daughter Nina joined too, bringing some youthful sparkle. Postcards poured in from friends worldwide, even Brazil and Australia.

    The weather was warm, perfect for multiple pool dips. Ursula masterminded the whole celebration—decor, food, comfort—nobody left hungry. We even squeezed in Swiss Jass for old times’ sake.

    Dinner was Sushi at our favorite Southlake spot, with Chef Sean delivering perfection (as always). I cherished the delicious food and the love of my family that surrounded me. If that’s the secret perk of turning 80, I’ll take it. Huge thanks to everyone who made the day unforgettable.

    At this stage, I’m rarely stressed, knowing the “slow-go” years are just around the corner. Ursula’s wholesome, made-from-scratch meals are a daily pleasure — delicious, nourishing, and made with love and devotion. My focus has shifted entirely to health and balance — taking my daily vitamins, practicing weekly yoga, engaging in moderate weight training, and going for neighborhood walks keep both body and mind steady. An afternoon nap feels wonderfully restorative, and a glass of wine while spending time at the Mac helps me unwind and savor the moment. I often write and reflect on my life's journey and the things I’ve accomplished. More than ever, I value simple happiness and staying close to family and friends.

    Here’s to the next chapter—still young enough for a few more (slower) adventures. 😉

    November 12-13 - I traveled with the Geezer Hiking Group to Hamilton Pool, a stunning nature preserve southwest of Austin in the Texas Hill Country. We welcomed two new members on this outing. Kevin, the youngest at 49, was born and raised in Oak Cliff. His wife, Esmeralda, is from El Salvador, and together they have two children. Kevin works as an Office Services Manager. Javier, 67, was born in Mexico and became a U.S. citizen in 1990. Now semi-retired, he concluded his career as a manager with HEB. He’s the proud father of six and grandfather of eleven. Both Kevin and Javier seemed to like it and fit right in. Two of our charter members, Wolf and Robert, both recently lost their wives but were able to join us. Even though it was difficult for them at times, the group’s camaraderie offered much-needed comfort and a sense of healing.

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