September 11, 2008

Written August 31

Dear Friends and Families,

This is truly a good news bad news story.

The bad news started when I got the call at work from Marianne: "I'm in Mühlhausen, waiting for ADAC but I'm OK." ADAC is the AAA-equivalent here in Germany, the folks you call when your car breaks down, and "waiting for ADAC" can never be a good sign.

A half hour later, I arrived in Mülhausin, and saw the crowd of on-lookers. "Crowd" in Mühlhausen is almost an oxymoron, but obviously the folks were looking at something interesting.

Indeed. There was Marianne's car, high and dry on the curb. I did my best "patient husband" act* and watched as the ADAC driver grappled the little car and lifted it away.

In a testament to Porsche quality, and Marianne's luck and slow speed, the car seemed none the worse for the little off-road excursion. That's definitely good news. And Mühlhausenhad something to talk about.

John and Marianne.

*"act" only in the sense that I recognized "there but for the grace of God ..."