An Afternoon Of Hans Moser.

A perfect slice of movie history.

As a child I loved watching old black & white movies and especially those Austrian ones. How prophetic seeing that I would end up living in Austria. Brilliant how the universe works, isn't it? Austrian movies, even now, have a special flair and je ne sais quoi that makes one feel at home, cosseted from the ' bad ' outside world and of course encourages one to dream of that special someone. Hans Moser, does it best.

You know, back when I was a child watching these ancient movies, I had no idea that I would watch them four decades later and still love them. By now they should be thought of as film history considering that Hans Moser's career spanned both sides of the second world war.

Of course I only stumbled upon this Moser festival by accident. I went to visit one of my neighbours down the road who mentioned in passing that she was glued to the telly yesterday due to Herr Moser. Three movies in a row and each full of old fashioned movie intrigue, romance and Viennese ' schmäh '. Did I mention that she is over eighty and not once fell asleep? Unheard of even for me...

What makes those old-fashioned films so special that even eight decades on they are still adored by young and old? Considering that a lot of them were made during the worst of times, it attests to their artistic relevance and of course the awesome acting and directing. If you get a chance, try and watch an old Austrian black & white movie. If it should be a Moser film all the better...

Biggi

It's Almost Like Shopping At Home.

Seasonal wardrobes, out of sight and out of mind.

It used to be so easy in South Africa. Clothes or rather winter clothes consisted of throwing a jersey or jacket over one's summer clothes. Okay, perhaps socks, spencers and stockings but that would be ample.

Don't get me wrong, there were cold spells had for the three months of true winter and some people went crazy with buying winter clothes. Clothes that one couldn't really wear without looking silly because the days usually flashed temperatures in the upper twenties. Of course the shops advertised winter clothes already before the end of summer, but honestly, a few added extras are enough to survive an African winter.

As you can guess, Bob and I were used to minimal wardrobe changes until we came here and faced our first true winter. In fact, I think that first one was one of the coldest and most prolifically snowed in one ever, almost making Bob turn tails....! Oh my, that was the winter we had to put a big wooden log under the front tyre to stop our chariot from sliding down the hill because, who knew that handbrakes gave up their ghost in freezing temperatures. Nothing like holding a handbrake in your hand!

We became adapt at dressing for the cold and kind of collected winter togs. Oh yes, the two of us are hoarders and often the garment needs to be falling to pieces before we get rid of it. Every end of autumn we go through our wardrobe and take out the summer stuff and fetch our winter stuff from our barn, where it gets housed in our suitcases. So far no problems. We each have about a suitcase full of seasonal clothes we store out of season.

Today I took a look at mine ( in fact this year we've used a big plastic container and left it in the bedroom ) and discovered a whole slew of newish clothes. Well, newish as I haven't seen or worn them since May. I tell you, it felt as if I had gone shopping and now I can't wait for it to get colder so that I can put them on.

Biggi

.A Lazy Saturday Spent At Home.

Learning to relax.

In our quest to have more, do more and be more most of us forget to just be. Yes, contrary to popular opinion it is perfectly fine to do nothing. Preferably dressed in comfortable leisure wear.

Learning to sit still is one of life's great accomplishments. Sitting still without feeling guilty that is. The back of our mind keeps on sending odd darts of negativity our way;

' Have you done the washing yet? The windows need cleaning. / The lawn could do with a trim . '

Bob and I started the day expecting to go out for a drive or go shopping somewhere and thus were dressed accordingly. Well, jeans and a nicer shirt which were changed rather quickly into comfortable sweats once we decided to simply spend the day at home.

Both of us have a book to finish, which we tried to read but were sidetracked by Netflix's offering of Friends. Is there anything nicer than to sit and revisit a favourite show, laugh out loud and reminisce about where we were when we watched it the first time around?

What is the point of having a home when one never takes the time to really enjoy it? Constantly cleaning it, repairing it or the garden makes one the slave of it and that defeats the object of having a home. A home should be the one place on earth where we can switch off and find the time to spend with our loved ones and more importantly, with our true self. Somehow, lazy days are the way to achieve that...

Biggi

Ordering The Vegan Way.

Or rather the apologetic way?

For the moment we are most certainly in the minority, gosh, here in our village more in the single numbers. Being vegan in a pork fortress was never going to be easy. It isn't as though we changed our lifestyle for the sake of irritating the villagers. But, vegan we are and proud of it.

We had another day of grape harvesting, the Uhubler this time, and at the end of a very long workday ( a bit over two hours! ) we all went to lunch at a local Buschenschank. Yes, yes, I know the last bastion of the meat eating society and yes, it wasn't that long ago that I was a card carrying member. But, one evolves, learns and changes for the better.

For a change there were four of us dedicated vegans sitting around the table and before the waiter approached we had a pow-wow and decided on bread & raw sliced onions doused in pumpkin seed oil. A case of culinary one for all and all for one! Jeez, one would think it was a new creation of a cordon bleu masterpiece. Honestly, far from difficult to slice bread, onions and put a bottle of pumpkin seed oil with it. But, at first I could almost see the waiter's eyebrows disappear under his hairline and his hiss of irritation was loud enough.

As per usual I was the one apologizing to him for putting him out! As if. Nothing more easy than serving a vegan. Being used to ridicule we are more than happy with even a lone carrot put on a plate in front of us. Once we can trust a restaurant not to mistakenly mix animal stuff onto our plates we are as mild as week kittens. Toothless tigers more than appreciative of our food.

The waiter ( who actually is the owner ) started to feel a bit embarrassed by his earlier irritation when he saw how happily the four of us cut up our own onions and tomatoes because he popped over numerous times to ask if everything was okay and if we were enjoying our food. Indeed we were and even though the meat contingency of our party was munching gaily ahead, I could feel a few envious stares heading our way.

Once Buschenschanks realize how easy it is to feed a vegan, not too mention cheap, they will start to welcome us with open arms and big smiles. Oh, and don't forget, we enjoy our wine too. Personally I think that today's visit has taken the fear out of serving vegans for this Buschenschank.

Biggi

A Beautiful Morning In The Deutsch Schuetzen Vineyards.

A lovely outing for body and soul.

We had had rain the night before and some of the water laden clouds were still hovering in indecision about whether to stay the day...thankfully they moved along.

A cottage wrapped in cotton wool and mystique...

Almost coastal. The valley often disguises itself as an ocean and one could quite easily imagine sailing forth to other climes...

Another cozy cottage with that special something so coveted nowadays...quiet, solitude and endless possibilities to entice one's mind out of the monotonous slumber induced by smartphone & co. Imagine getting up in the morning, brewing a cup of coffee and sipping it outside only distracted by the hard task of turning the next page of your book...

Sort of reminds me of a maze of yore. Aren't the vineyards spectacular when the sun brings forth their emerald sparkle? Südburgenland, our small bit of paradise.

Biggi

A Bit Of Age.

Laughter makes the world go round.

" Old age is when you resent the swimsuit issue of ' Sports Illustrated ' because there are fewer articles to read. "
George Burns

" People ask me what I'd most appreciate getting for my eighty-seventh birthday.
I tell them, a paternity suit! "
George Burns

" An archaeologist is the best husband to have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her. "
Agatha Christie

" You know you're getting older when you buy a sexy sheer nightgown and don't know anybody who can see through it. "
Joan Rivers

" I told my doctor I wanna stop ageing; He gave me a gun. "
Rodney Dangerfield

" You know you're getting old when getting lucky means you've found your car in the parking lot. "
Anon

" I intend to live forever, or die trying. "
Groucho Marx

" Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself. "
Tom Wilson

" At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At age 40, we don't care what they think of us. At age 60, we discover that they haven't been thinking of us at all. "
Ann Landers

" The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once. "
Herbert V. Prochnow

Biggi

A Spot Like Eden.

Our generous garden.

Often I forget or rather I take it for granted that our garden provides some fruit and vegetables yet, it is far from normal. Well normal when taking on board the full experience of living in rural bliss. But one still has to acclimatize to it. After years of buying everything at supermarkets it takes a change of mind to cultivate a vegetable garden and to use it.

Bob's chayote are taking over most of the garden ( literally even growing so far as invading the bushes adjacent to it ) and that makes me forget some of the treasures silently waiting in its shade. Eggplants, tomatoes, chilies, spinach, zucchini and my new favourite, basil.

Basil, how sweet it is. The type we planted is different in taste and texture to the ones sold everywhere, but it is the better for it. Prolific too, thankfully.

When I came home for lunch I had already mentally planned my meal in the smallest details and got stuck in our garden, picking a bunch of basil and one lone orange chili. A quick rinse and into the blender along with garlic and salt. Oh, if I could only describe the aromas wafting in our kitchen. Too delicious. Does anyone else dream of cooking food and eating all day long?

A pot for some wholewheat pasta and before long I mixed my pesto mix into the freshly cooked pasta. Heaven on a plate. Tangy, salty, spicy and minty all in one bite. So incredibly tasty that it might border on a new food addiction. Even now I am contemplating whipping up another batch of basil. Who knew that growing one's own herbs could be so much fun...

The sweet basil being overrun by Bob's chayote plant...

... and to think that this whole chayote bush started off in May with only one little fruit planted in the soil! Its runners have even reached our summer kitchen building and are starting to creep up it...

Biggi

Mondays And Fresh Opportunities.

Again, others said it best.

" The greatest wealth is to live content with little. "
Plato

" I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. "
Anne Frank

" You have power over your mind - not outside events.
Realize this and you will find strength. "
Marcus Aurelius

" The root of suffering is attachment. "
Buddha

" I don't care what you think of me. I don't think of you at all. "
Coco Chanel

" Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. "
Voltaire

" My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. "
Nelson Mandela

" How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. "
Anne Frank

" Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him. "
John Locke

" Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray. "
Lord Byron

Biggi

A Sign Of The Times.

A treasure trove moves into Grosspetersdorf.

Die Schatzgrube has opened in Grosspeterdsdorf and with plenty of fanfare. Great, finally a second-hand shop closer to us. A shop that hopefully lives up to its inherent principles.

Second-hand shops have so many important values.

• Clothes, furniture, books and toys can be given away instead of thrown away, once we are tired of them.
• For those who have to watch their pennies, a welcome shop to shop in.
• A place for environmentally conscious and aware people to shop.
• A place that helps save our earth one purchase at a time.

Saturday I finally got to shop there. A well laid out shop far removed from the dusty piles and racks normally associated with second-hand shops. The staff are plenty, friendly and helpful be it with the wares on offer or the principle behind recycling. Most refreshing to meet others who've adopted a few of the principles to halt climate change.

Some of the furniture was actually quite nice and affordable. A TV sofa chair for 15 euros or a black leather imitation lounge suit ( sleeper couch included ) set for 150 euros. Wouldn't that be brilliant and perfect for those starting out in their first home? Alas, most of the youngsters are steeped in the mindset of having only the best, the newest and right now too.

Let's hope that our area embraces this new venture, be it by donating good stuff or by purchasing older things that are too young to be thrown onto the dump...

Biggi

A Sheepish Affair.

A real country feeling.

" Hey, how you doing? "

A flock of happy sheep took the time to pose for me...always fun to stumble onto these troupes full of character and mischief.

Thick as thieves this lot! Curiosity got the better of them and thus they stopped grazing for a moment to check out this gal with her camera.

The brown sheep looks so different that it must be the big daddy of the group. Rather interesting how the sheep keep court around him yet never coming too close.

I think this vintage could easily have one of the following on its label... Sheepish affair / Flock of wine / No need to count sheep...

An adoring fan...

Biggi

A Delightful Day Harvesting White Wine.

A family tradition has set in.

As a scale of reference, Bob's work will harvest white grapes for over a week whereas we harvested the white grapes in just under two hours. All seven of us. But, to us it was still a good day's work and tonight many a back will make itself known.

For me it must have been my eighth white grape harvest ( can't really call it white wine yet ) and by now the routine involved has become familiar and rather fun. It is a time when friends and family come together to help out. A jovial catching up on annual news and a time to have a nice lunch halfway through the day's work. Not often we all sit around a big table!

The weather made an effort to be obliging even going so far as to make us feel cold this morning. Much better than to frizzle and the news must have spread as most of the vineyards were teeming with activity. Picking was on the go, tractors were collecting grapes and odd snippets of conversations were the order of the day. Amazing what one picks up when walking past a busy vineyard.

The miracle of grapes turning into wine never ceases to amaze me. To think that bunches of grapes get picked, de-stemmed, pressed and then stored in a barrel for a year or so before being dolled out like the proverbial happy pills one glass at a time is stunning bordering almost on magical. What the Romans started all those millenniums ago has been repeated harvest after harvest and been perfected vintage after vintage. Long may the wine making continue and more importantly, long may we enjoy the precious wine created.

Biggi

Changing The World One Person At A Time.

Being true to one's convictions.

Having a steady inner rudder and an outer partner in crime makes all the difference. Lately I have been wondering if it is so rare to have inner convictions and more importantly, staying true to them.

It is hard in today's world to stand up and do the right thing, yet, do it we must. Each of us can make a difference and if you aren't so sure about it just google Greta Thunberg. Now she puts all of us to shame!

Once we went vegan, the blinkers came off and the reality of our choices set in. Thank goodness, although it isn't always easy facing the odd headwinds from friends, family and others. Being vegan and aware of our planet has become second nature to Bob and I. Granted, a few years ago consequences to my food choices didn't often register on my mental horizon, but better late than never.

Yesterday I went to see a friend who has been a vegetarian most of her life but doesn't really see the point of veganism. Fair enough, but that hadn't stopped me in the past from chatting about those issues that are important to me because they just are and if we can't talk about stuff that rocks our world, what can we talk about? Honestly though, I didn't think that my take on life was heard apart from taking it as conversation fillers.

Well, yesterday, out of the blue she proudly told me that she has stopped using coffee capsules, returned to tap water and has even bought a dry vegan pasta, which she thought tasted rather well. She wanted to tell me, the vegan idealist, that she had done these changes which made me realize that each of us can make a difference. Because of our conversations this friend, who is only a few years off eighty, has decided to change a few things in order to help climate change. Great, isn't it?

Imagine how powerful it would be if all of us adopted a few easy changes in our lifestyle? We could rock the world...

Biggi

For The Love Of Music.

Who doesn't get a happy feeling when a favourite song comes on the radio?

" Without music, life would be a mistake. "
Friedrich Nietzsche

" One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words. "
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Wilhelm's Meister's Apprenticeship

" There are two means of refuge from the misery of life - music and cats. "
Albert Schweitzer

" Where words leave off, music begins. "
Heinrich Heine

" Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies. "
Edward Bulwer Lytton

" Music...can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable. "
Leonard Berstein

" Who hears music, feels his solitude Peopled at once. "
Robert Browning

" The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between. "
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

" Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. "
Lao Tzu

" Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. "
Confucius, The book of rites.

Biggi

A Cat's Tale.

Cats do make fabulous pets.

Well, I shouldn't say pets as our little mischief is really more our child and most certainly an integral part of our family. Goodness me, she has the run of our house and more beds to sleep in than either of us. Whatever she credits as a comfortable sleeping affair. Books, couches, legs, stomachs, wardrobes, computer desk and of course the actual bed.

Bob has started wine harvesting and with that come long hours. It is an exciting time as now the tiny little shoots and vines that Bob and the team have been mollycoddling, pruning and sweet-talking all year round are now grown up and ready to morph into the good stuff. Vino, of course. Suffice to say that Bob works long hours and both Maus & I miss him.

Most evenings the two of us will sit and idle our time away in front of the telly, her sitting on my shins and me knitting. Window open to get the house to cool down and that is where it gets funny. Cars, tractors and trucks idle, careen or drive past our house on the way to somewhere. Most of those don't even register on her sleeping majesty but as soon as the pitch of engine changes to one she is familiar with, sleep is the last thing on her mind.

Her head comes up turned towards the open window, her breath is held and only when she hears Bob's car actually turn up our driveway does hop with great speed and an air of elation off my shins and onto the window sill. I have never seen a cat so happy as when she knows that Bob is home. Honestly, I think I can see her grin with happiness.

Of course just to be true to type, as soon as Bob steps through the front door she at times turns coy and pretends that it isn't such a big deal and often doesn't even rush to greet him. What an actress...because other times she almost knocks Bob over with her enthusiastic feline greeting. As you can imagine I take second place and Miss Maus gets a nice long cuddle from Bob and if only you could see how cute it is when she burrows her head into the crook of his arm. What a great little cat...

Biggi

Deutsch Schuetzen Clad In Fog And Allure.

That surreal time of the day.

Now you see it now you don't! The whole of Deutsch Schützen appears to be hiding under a blanket of fog. Rather romantic.

The local church cannot be hidden it seems. Walking in this picture perfect landscape is priceless.

That iconic tree, vines and a passing car's shadow make a brilliant and visceral trio.

The bank of trees amid the fog kind of resembles an island where one would love to be stranded on for most of the day with a good book on hand.

The magic of the sun. Bright, illuminating, warming and soothing. Somehow each morning it manages to throw another layer of beauty upon an already stunning area making me count my blessings again and again to be able to experience it first hand.

Biggi

Morning Conversations.

Thank god for humour.

Not often one sees a jogger with a bunch of long green leafy grass, wildflowers and plants running along yet, lately I have seen her often.

" Hi Gabi. Picking breakfast for your rabbits again? Gosh you do spoil them. What on earth are you going to do over winter? "

To which her grinning husband replied;

" Biggi, they won't be here come winter. "

Oh no, one so easily forgets the fate of animals, doesn't one?

" No, you can't tell me that. You know that I am vegan! "

My face must have shown a combination of revulsion and horror because not a second later Gabi dropped a dose of kindness wrapped in humour;

" No Biggi, you misunderstood. The rabbits just keel over and by pure chance land on our plates. "

Well, at least that thought pushed away the less than nice images lining up in my head...

Biggi

A Lovely Physalis First Thing This Morning.

Meeting other newish Eisenbergers.

I felt a bit of a klutz standing there with a physalis in my palm and not quite knowing how to eat it. Gosh, I even mumbled about eating the paper thin cover. Yikes, how could I not have know how one eats a Cape gooseberry? Thank goodness they showed me.

It was just at the beginning of my walk that I saw a couple walking, carrying trays of produce. Ah, the couple who've planted a field at the edge of Eisenberg and who I have been told are fellow vegans. What are the odds? The only other time that I met him was on a guided bird-walk early summer. Apart from nods when he or they drive past me while I am out walking.

Today I wanted to find out if they are indeed selling the produce that they so lovingly are growing ( often see them toiling their field ) and was rewarded with a physalis and lots of information.

The thing about living in paradise is that just about everyone is rather laid back and one can have great casual conversations with the odd life changing fact thrown in.

As we were tapping our way into a vegan conversation I began to realize that they are the salt of the earth vegans. Those that make most things from scratch and eschew ready made processed stuff. Oh, how absolutely marvelous and wonderful to talk to an Eisenberger about our vegan way of life without being ridiculed or thought of as the new nutters.

When I mentioned that I had to head out for my walk, his wife hesitatingly asked if she could come along now and again.

" Sure, that would be great,
but I must warn you that I do walk about 7 km at a time. "

To which her husband added;

" Oh, and she walks fast! "

That's small village life for you...everyone knows of each other without even having met properly.

My little Cape gooseberry came along for the walk and was eaten at the end. Lovely mixture of sweet and tart tastes. Climates must be changing because this exotic tropical physalis fruit is now growing in Eisenberg.

Biggi

Some Superstitions On Friday The Thirteenth.

Could it be true?

• Celebrating or even congratulating someone on a birthday before the day arrives brings bad luck, at least in some parts of the world.
• If you receive a sharp knife or a pair of scissors as a present, give the person a coin in return. Otherwise it could mean severing a relationship.
• Avoid sleeping with your head facing north. According to a Japanese superstition it is bad luck to sleep with your head facing this way as that is the direction one is laid to rest.
• In France it is considered bad luck if you step into doggy poop with your right foot although it is considered lucky if it is with your left foot.
• In Portugal it is considered bad luck to walk backwards, as they believe that you are then showing the devil which way you are going.
• In Spain it is thought of as bad luck to enter a room with your left foot. It is always better to enter or leave with your right foot.
• Don't open your umbrella before you head outside or else bad luck will rain on you.
• Women in ancient Britain kept acorns in their pockets to ensure a youthful complexion!
• It is considered bad luck to leave a house through a different door than the one used to come into it.
• Rosemary planted by the doorstep will keep witches away.
• Knock three times on wood after mentioning good fortune so evil spirits won't ruin it.

Biggi

A Snapshot Of Local Nature.

Plants and more.

At first I was going to discard this photo but then I realized that it resembles life. Whatever we focus on becomes clear, vibrant and beautiful...

These mauve bunches have almost sprouted up overnight but bizarrely mostly in the ditches next to the rural paths.

Okay, this house is actually in Rechnitz but how strange and great at the same time? I couldn't believe my eyes when I turned the corner and stumbled upon this cowboy and his stunning stallion...

The maize is enjoying the last few leisurely days of their life. Soon the harvesters will move in and convert them to animal feed.

Nature is awesome. Imagine how powerful nature is seeing that one little seed has grown into a tall plant, complete with cob and its protective leafy guard. Absolutely fantastic and rather magical...

Biggi

Funny Moments Are Really The Spice Of Life.

A soldier smiles.

Most nights when I can't sleep I defer counting sheep for a healthy dose of Medical Detectives. A real contradiction for sure what with it being a reality program about past crimes. Murderous and horrendous ones, but despite that I do prefer it to mindless shopping channels. Often I drift in and out of sleep and take in the odd gory detail but also hints about how to stay safe. I know, I know...

This morning felt right for walking along the Hungarian border and I was blissfully alone apart from birds, mice and the odd deer. Towards the end of my walk, just as I came up to the little chapel of Eisenberg I could see a car approaching me. First thought went to last nights program but then reality returned. Nothing so nefarious here and besides, the car was an army one complete with dark muddy colour and two soldiers in the cab. Safe indeed.

The closer they got to me, the more I hugged the side of the lane in order to give them ample space to pass me by. Often the soldiers are fresh out of school and aren't very experienced drivers. So there I was making a wide berth to the left when suddenly the car did the same. What on earth? Where they trying to run me over? Would anyone find me?

It took a split second for me to comprehend this driving manoever. The driver wanted to reverse into the parking space next to the chapel and as I happen to have stopped he thought nothing about driving within a few inches of me before reversing into his space.

Only a split second was I worried and somehow it must have shown on my face. Not sure if I jumped too but the passenger picked up on my emotions because he gave me a big guilty grin and waved his hand backwards trying to show me that they had had no intention of gunning it for me. Naturally I tried to pretend that at no time I was imagining myself stuck to the car's fender and nonchalantly waved back, nodded sagely and carried on walking.

I must say that it made my day. For once a soldiers showed emotion as usually when I pass them they only manage to nod a stern greeting. This whole episode made me realize how often we misconstrue each other's actions and of course I had to laugh at my imagination...but suffice to say, I wasn't the only one thinking along those lines...

Biggi

Some More Time Spent Visiting A Senior Residence.

An afternoon in Rechnitz.

Looking in on one of the residents definitely gave credence to my vegan conviction and lifestyle. Most of the time I have to walk through different wards and sections to get to the person I want to visit and that is when I get confronted with the flip side to the image of being hale, happy and hearty in old age.

After lunch I headed out to Rechnitz in order to see one of its new residents. Yes, a Deutsch Schützner who moved there two weeks ago. The plan was to go through to her room and sit a while for a cozy chat about this and that.

So intent on going to her room was I that I almost didn't see her sitting in the commons area. Wow, what an improvement indeed. Out of bed and nicely dressed sitting among new friends. It took her a moment to place me but when I proffered a bar of chocolate to her, she was all smiles and had stopped putting me into the stranger category.

We talked the normal stuff and sadly looped it five or six times ( happens to the best of us ) and now and again her new friend sitting in the chair next to her also chimed in. Gosh, so many lonely people in old age homes waiting for it to be over in order to join a departed loved one. Honestly, that is what I get to hear most of the time. Makes conversations rather upsetting at times although they are often interspersed with funny moments. Treasures really.

Put a bunch of women together and it doesn't matter how old we are, one point of interest always creeps in. Well two actually. Question of age never gets old! The two of them were comparing age and what made me smile was the younger one's sentiments:

" I can't believe that you are five years older than me
and hardly have any wrinkles. "

followed by a sage;

" Ah well, doesn't really matter. Don't want the bother of another man anyway. "

The other topic of importance never missing is of course a list of ailments ranging from broken hips, thighs or legs to diabetes and heart problems. Which is why I am so chuffed to have stumbled onto our plant based, vegan way of life as it should help us to grow old healthy and hopefully sound of mind.

Biggi

Chasing Paco.

Never a dull moment in paradise.

Mum and I were on our way to clean one of the holiday cottages when a pavement special walzed in front of us albeit clad in a red collar. Somehow that white and grey shaggy fur looked mighty familiar and suddenly it dawned on me. It was Paco the newly adopted dog. Paco whose owner had passed away a few weeks ago and who now had a new dog mom. And obviously, Paco who had run away from home as I couldn't see anyone with him.

Before mum had even stopped the car I got out to try and entice this dog to come to me. As if. The closer I got the faster he bolted. I tried clapping thinking he might be a bit hard of hearing because of his age, but not so as he did turn his head to give me a stare but then carried on.

Throughout our clean I popped out every few minutes in case he was close enough to grab his collar. Once he got close but even mum's calm calls couldn't entice him. Nothing we could do but hope and pray that he would find his way home on his own. Unfortunately I didn't have his new owners number. Eventually mum dropped me off at home again after we'd finished cleaning and drove off.

Not even ten minutes had passed when the phone rang. Mum, telling me that she had spotted Paco in lower Deutsch Schützen cruising the alleys. Nothing for it. I had to drive there to try and get him to come with me. Mum wisely told me to fetch his new owner first to help catch him. Which I did.

As I drove up to her house she was already walking up and down outside her gate. Hoping he would return on his own after his cunning escape through an inch of left open gate. So, off we drove towards the village when half way along she mentioned that he made a habit of taking off on his own to meander around the country side. He usually showed up again but even so I could see that she was a little bit worried. Naturally we didn't catch sight of him during our slow drive about and he wasn't home either.

Thankfully she calmed my fears of his having to wander about all night, frightened and alone, by telling me that his old owner used to leave his gate open especially for those walk-a-bouts of Paco and more importantly, that he always came back home. Yeah, thank goodness because I had visions of Bob and I doing a long and thorough dog search...

Biggi

Every Moment Is The Right One For Change.

A few more quotes.

" Be the change you wish the world to see. "
Mahatma Ghandi

" Everyone thinks the world is changing, but no one thinks of changing himself. "
Leo Tolstoy

" The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking.
It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. "
Albert Einstein

" Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.
Today I am wise so I am changing myself. "
Rumi

" I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. "
Mother Teresa

" Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes. "
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

" The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them. "
George Bernard Shaw ( Man and Superman )

" Change your thoughts and change your world. "
Norman Vincent Peale

" We first make our habits, and then our habits makes us. "
John Dryden

Biggi

Eisenberg Had A Traffic Jam.

A wedding is had.

Rather funny to be stuck in traffic in our little village ( there are only about four hundred of us ) culminating in a traffic warden swinging his arms as if he was in Piccadilly Circus. Only thing missing was a whistle and cap.

We were on the way to Oberwart to start off with a nice bit of lunch. Yes, at the Chinese of course and as we only left home at half eleven you can imagine that the first twinges of hunger were felt. More so with Bob apparently.

It started already as we wanted to turn into Hauptstrasse. A whole caravan of sedans driving sedately through our village nose to nose, with drivers mostly in suit and tie. I couldn't see the women as they were on the other side to us. But surely, that was wedding attire? I cautioned Bob to not split up the caravan although, he couldn't see my point. Suffice to say that the only counter argument I could come up with was that it just was bad form.

So, we formed the tail end of the long caravan of wedding guests and had to also drive sedately through one Eisenberg to get to the other one. The Eisenberg Weinberg and that is when it started. The caravan slowed down immensely which of course drove Bob mad. Yes, he was hungry and as most women know, men are not at their best when running on empty. Nerves do tend to get frayed, quickly!

As we finally drove around the last corner out of the village, the plot thickened with a bunch of our local firemen acting as traffic officers helping guest of the wedding find parking. Yes, one of the young local lasses is getting married today and clearly accompanied into wedded bliss by oodles of friends and family. Eventually we made our way to Oberwart.

About three hours later on our return home, we couldn't believe it when we turned into Dorfstrasse yet again. There was a sea of cars parked on every lawn, driveway and verge. Gosh, can't wait to see the photos...

Biggi

A Good Start To A Rainy Day.

A change is afoot.

Honestly, this is one of the reasons I love to walk. What a sight at the end of this particular path. Worthwhile any effort taken.

Today rain was expected and this morning it appeared that the weather was having an internal struggle...give us sunshine or give us rain...

It has been said that one should never look back but in this case I am glad I did. What a harmonious mingling of nature. Fields, paths, trees and sky.

Nice to see how my soy milk got started. Fields of soy although I have no illusions about this lot. Most if not all are grown for animal feed.

A patchwork of fields give credence to the pleasure of living in the country.

The other contenders for country flair are never far away. I just wish they would stop bolting for safety when the sense me. As if I could catch them....!

Biggi

A Bit Of Brightness.

The awesomeness of nature.

The other day I heard someone mention that we should embrace the ordinary because that's where we find our inner peace and soul's delight. How true. Mum gave me this lovely pot plant and it has brightened my day every time I walk past it. It is a mere flower but it holds abundant beauty.

The illuminati in our garden...little bits of happiness that most people won't get to see as they have chosen to mow them down before they even start to shine. Sad how much our need for conformity clouds over our inner soul.

Halfway into one of my morning routes I get cheered along by these beauties. Only a bunch of flower pots yet, they form part of those dots that when connected create fabulous and wonderful days.

Bob is thrilled that his one planted prickly chayote squash has grown into a virtual squash emporium right outside our front door, in our vegetable garden.

These lucky twins are pride of place atop the front part of the climbing wall. I can't wait to taste these vegetables for the first time. Bob and mum are great fans of them and hopefully I will be one too.

Biggi

Jackets And Blankets Are Back.

And just like that summer's done.

Is it possible that only a span of two days are separating the end of summer and the start of autumn? Suddenly the mornings are cool enough to warrant wearing a jacket something unheard of only last week. Evenings are delightfully cold and help to cool down our house but after a few days of this it will be anything but delightful.

Bob took his company car in for a service this morning while still dressed for the height of summer. Shorts and T-shirt for him, which he regretted not much later. While his car was in for repairs, he got given another company car. This one dashingly open air. Yes, a jeep with flapping windows. Bob was tres cold after having driven back in it.

Just in case the weather didn't give us a bit of a nudge toward winter, the shops have stepped up to the task. It beggars belief to be inundated with a whole host of Christmas extras so soon. Gingerbread creations of all sorts even a host of vegan ones in such abundance that I wouldn't be surprised to be sick and tired of Christmas before it is even here. The only bit missing was Boney m. looping their Christmas cheer although I have to confess that I rather enjoy that part of it...

Biggi

Decoding The Language Of A Stork.

A new neighbour.

One of our neighbours is expecting and as we aren't that close, I wasn't in on the due date. Now and again Bob has a quick chat with her when he is having a puff outside and she is walking past, but you know what men are like... no head for details and no asking for when it's due.

Sunday I noticed an avian representative on their balcony. A plastic stork had mysteriously parked itself within view of everyone driving past, but for the life of me I couldn't make out the colour of the bundle of joy dangling from its beak. Could it be stationed there in anticipation? Are there any customs for the waiting game?

The next day saw me arriving home from a different direction in case that would help me decipher the colour of the bundle. No, still white. What on earth? In my day it was either pink or blue. Nice and easy to read. Nice and easy to help buy presents and nice and easy to save one from asking whether the baby is a girl or a boy. Mums can get quite offended when one doesn't notice straightaway. Most babies do look alike and of course cute!

I will give this neutral flag one more day but then I will go out and ask around if indeed Eisenberg has garnered another resident. An exciting and scary time ahead for the new parents but thankfully her mum lives just down the road and can lend a hand or give sage advice whenever it is needed.

Biggi

Some Plant-Based Quotes.

...Because I love it.

" The foods you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. "
Ann Wigmore

" Genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger. "
Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn

" In The World Of Medicine, if I can put you on a pill, I can see you every three months for the rest of your life. That's how we make money in medicine. If I put you on a Plant-Based diet and you get better, I properly won't see you again. "
James Bennie M.D.

" The truth is that science has told us over and over again that a plant-based diet is what's optimal for people's health. That is not sexy news but it happens to be the truth. "
Michele Simon

" When in our history of medicine have the heavens opened and given us this tool so we can eradicate illness, and all you have to do is to eat delicious food with no side effects? "
Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn

" I don't understand why asking people to eat a well-balanced vegetarian diet is considered drastic while it is medically conservative to cut people open or put them on powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs the rest of their lives? "
Dean Ornish M.D.

" At first the changes you are about to make may seem overwhelming. After all, you are about to abandon the eating habits of a lifetime...before you know it healthy foods will not be what you ought to eat but what you want to eat. "
Ann Esselstyn

Biggi

And Just Like That Summer Is Done.

Longed for cool weather is on the way.

Rather funny this morning when I ran into one of Eisenberg's residents taking her donkey for a walk and all we talked about was the fact that today was the last hot day of the year. Even the donkey seemed to agree or at least give a nod at the appropriate place in our little conversation.

In anticipation for a cold and rainy week ahead I have turbo washed these last few days as the prospect of having to hang laundry all over our bathroom again doesn't strike me with enthusiasm. Far from it but I will manage when winter has turfed out the warm weather.

How incredibly hot it was these last few months although when I mention the weather or rather the hot version of it to some older locals, they can't help themselves but bring out myopic memories of it having been hotter when they were young and that climate change is not that real. What can one do but to nod and smile.

September seems to have sneaked up on us with dizzying speed. Where did August go to? But now at least we get to recover from this odious hot summer while at the same time looking forward to donning winter gear again. Jackets, boots and beanies along with a healthy dose of irritation along the lines of;

" I can't take any more snow and ice. Can't wait to have summer here again. "

Yes, like every year we and most people the world over will complain about that which we have longed for so eagerly...So, if there are a few more hot days in the mix, I don't mind as I am sure I will grumble a lot over an overlong wintry spell...

Biggi