The Grand Duchy of Stollen

A photograph of racing dogs seemed more appropriate, given my current state of mind, than racing horses. W ell, Sir, we are almost there.  The final day of classes is next Tuesday after which I have final drafts of papers to read and final course grades to submit online.  And then it's time to start painting all of these wagons, carts, and teams.  Our friend in Berlin, "Tante Anita," took delivery of the Berliner Zinnfiguren 30mm forge last Saturday, which the Grand Duchess will transport home in her carry-on baggage when she returns after her approaching three-week research tip to Berlin in May.   Naturally, I'd love to be in Berlin during May myself, but there you are.  The Young Master and I will hold down the fort in Mom's absence.  Meanwhile, the Grand Duchess will enjoy, by all accounts, and judging from the photographs I've seen online, a a rather posh apartment somewhere on the western edge of the city.  Let's just say it looks rather more

Berliner Zinnfiguren Prussian FIeld Forge, item #207/PR95.  A hearty thank-you to Jim "Der Alte Fritz Purky" for steering me in the right direction in more than one sense.  Photograph swiped from the Berliner Zinnfiguren website. A hhh. . .  I've just place an order with Berliner Zinnfiguren in Germany for the above item, which will complete my transport/logistics and pontoon trains.  Ok, who am I kidding?  There are a couple of Perry wagons/carts that I want to add down the road, but for now, we'll call it done. The current wagons and carts have been waiting patiently for some time over on the apinting table as I dig out from beneath various student assignments, planning for classes four days a week, and work I've been involved with in planning for this year's intitiation ceremony for the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.  Rewarding once the day arrives, the ceremony happens, and it's done for another year, but a royal pain in the neck (some days) wh