Well, Heinz and Gertrud are Canadians of German heritage. They have lived in Canada for almost 40 years and have come here from Germany via Australia. Gertrud still has a very thick German accent, so that most people don't understand more than about 70 percent of what she says, which is sometimes simply put a god send and at other times just a curse. A TIA stroke also left her speach with a bit of a thick tongue which also attributes to people not understanding her too well. As well, whenever she decides, she simply throws German words or sentences into her conversations just to assure that she leaves the person spoken to confused for at least the next 15 minutes and wondering what the conversation really was about. This works especially well at the bank I might add.
Heinz also has a pretty thick accent, but his English is pretty good and well understood, especially since he decided to learn it the hard way: One page a day of the German-English dictionary from A to Z. This only being one of his many odd accomplishments, which you will find out about if you stick with me. They are both in their late 70's now and recently moved near me. They don't actually know where I live other than the city I am in. This is not without its good reasons I assure you my dear reader and you will likely later agree that this is a very good thing for me. I am their youngest of three daughters and have been assigned by them to be their care taker till death do us part, so to speak....Heaven help me, since I had no say in the matter. To outsiders they first assume their role of cute, little, old lady and eccentric, hook-nosed, hyperactive, funny old man. BUT that is where the fun and antics only begin.
So be prepared for the ride of your life if you think getting old is boring and nothing out of the ordinary ever happens. I guarantee to amuse and bewilder you by proving otherwise and by describing my daily dealings with Heinz and Gertrud and the unreal problems that arise for them.
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