A Small Inkling Of Apprehension.

 Long forgotten but still dormant in my mind.

We live in such a safe area, which I can't stress enough. When we first moved here it took us several months not to constantly look over our shoulder, close all window and  double lock our door. Yes, we had been conditioned by the constant fear of being attacked in South Africa. 

Living in South Africa takes a certain kind of strength. Actually it takes a lot of it. Break-inns, attacks, robberies and murders are almost a constant thread running through the news. What it is like now, I can't say but when we lived there we were constantly aware of our surroundings, escape routes and naturally had our car serviced routinely. Breaking down at night was not an option.

Anyway, the years living here have been wonderful and safe in that perspective. Forgetting to lock the door at night? Not a problem. Leaving windows open, ditto. Idling the car ( on its own ) outside the local shop for ten minutes, not a problem. You can see the theme....a wonderful place to live.

Last night Bob read me a group text he received on his Whatsapp. A local woman was making everyone aware that two strangers had been spying on our village and slowly driving around it in their car. Seeing that her husband is a policeman, we took note of her warning.

Somehow too much of it. Taking Maxi for his walk this morning, I double locked our front door and shut the gate as it should be and walked with one eye out front (not to miss the dog's business ) and the other eye behind in case anyone leapt out of the bushes. What nonsense indeed! My mind had visualized the various outcomes of encountering danger and same for escape routes.

How silly of me. Living with constant fear of falling foul of these men is a waste of time. If by an outside chance it would be the case, there wouldn't be much more than perhaps a theft of garden equipment or clothes on the line... not forgetting that we now are the proud owners of a guard dog, who can bark with the best of them. Only a few moments ago I was watching a dog whisperer video and once Maxi heard a dog barking, there was no stopping him. He came and wanted to protect me, just how it should be...

Biggi 

Loosing Time In A Sea Of Dog Paraphernalia.

 Pet shops, the new fun place.

Bob is adamant that little Maxi has developed a dog odour which I cannot refute because of my olfactory glands still ticking along the corona clock. The only thing I do notice about little Maxi is that his white fur is starting to look a bit dull and dirty. Why wouldn't it when he loves nothing better than to roll on his back in dirt! Bob has plans to bath the little man and thus instructed me to buy dog shampoo.

Dog shampoo? Surely the shampoo I use for my tresses is going to suffice? No, Bob wanted one that won't hurt his eyes should a dollop of suds get into it. One fact I have picked up from the hairdressing world is that if a shampoo says it won't burn your eyes, than it won't be nice for the hair. To do with the  ph-factor. In any case, mute point as they didn't have dog shampoo that was gentle on the eyes. They had plenty of dog shampoo ( at least 20 different ones ) and most of it aimed at the owners. Honestly, light and fluffy / moisturizing / pearl white ( a bit of a blue rinse affair ) and itchy scalp makes us feel better but I don't think the dogs really care!

No, didn't get shampoo-will use mine. The various dog treats, dog harnesses, dog leashes, dog boxes ( no, none big enough for a husband to fit into ) and dog foods had me agog. Honestly, an hour dashed past and I still hadn't seen everything. People do love their pets.

I needed to get some dry food for Maxi. The one that I took over was calibrated for the younger dog and often he won't touch it. As luck would have it, I stumbled upon a nice bag of dry dog food, which  is made in Germany ( nothing from the far shores of China ) and is vegan. Yes, vegan! I had read about vegan pet foot but never seen it. As this wasn't any dearer than the normal dry food, I bought a packet.

After I got home from town, I opened this packet in the back room. Sounds mysterious but anytime we open any packet Miss Mausi thinks it is a treat for her. So, as I portioned out a cup full of this food, one pellet dropped on the floor and was hoovered up by her! Unheard of because often when her cat food pellets drop on the floor she sniffs around them but walks away disenchanted. Well, if he wouldn't eat vegan dry food at least they won't go to waste...when I dropped them into his bowl, he went up to it and started to eat. Gosh he ate them all, which is also a first in this house! Love it. Let's see how it affects his movements as there are lentils in it!!!! Don't worry, I will still feed him the normal wet dog food...

Nice, isn't it?

Biggi

The New Gardener.

 Week one done!

Those who know me are quite aware that gardening isn't my hobby of choice and if nothing else, the smorgasbord of weeds in our garden bear proof of this. Never mind, Rome wasn't built in a day either.

Last week I got started on cutting back our hedge that faces the road. A long hedge, at least a hundred meters long and wild and woolly. No more. Each day I used the last two hours of the crisp mornings ( from 7-9 ) and cut this hedge. By hand with secateurs. Great workout, great individualism for the hedge. Granted, the bits I started with are a tad bit more tidy than those I ended with, but after a good hour of using the various tools to sort out hedges as well as many trips with the wheel barrow to discard of the cuttings, it isn't a surprise.

So, today was the last section and the most difficult. There were big chunky twigs slightly resembling branches that needed to be cut out. Cut out I did, and there are now some sections in our hedge where a football could quite easily fly through. Can't be helped and within a few days leaves will have covered the odd handmade gaps.

The last bit borders onto our new neighbours ( well they moved in about two years ago but are very aloof and often ignore Bob's greeting from our side of the garden ) and I could feel beady eyes watching me through the open window daring me to go a step beyond what looks nice! Why she couldn't come out and say hi, is one of those mysteries but then again, it helped me to sculpt a bit more than needed from her view. See how she likes that! I know, slightly petty but then, after two hours of slogging it out, I couldn't really care. Anyway, it does look okay and much more authentic than all those uniform hedges around which have been seen to by electric sheers. The boring uniform hedge look...

As much as I tend to grumble, I did enjoy these last few days of gardening and felt a sense of achievement. A few other neighbours stopped and talked to me during this week, praising my effort which felt nice but I had to reign in their enthusiastic praise;

            " Thanks, but I might not do a lot more in our garden for ages,

               or I might get stuck in and carry on. Only time will tell. "

Biggi

The Comic Features Of Taking The Dog Out Very Early.

 Practically before sunup.

Not that I am crazy or something, but at the moment we start the day extremely early so that Bob can get to work early enough to avoid the heat during his shift....and we are about to start even earlier so that bods well for Max and my early morning adventures.

We have a routine. As he can't see well at all, I clap my hands to notify him that finally I am ready to take him for a long walk. The walk to do his major business, which I am learning to read the signs of its imminent arrival! Mornings, despite what time they start, are usually hectic trying to get everything prepared and ready before taking him outside.

Once outside he runs like mad with sheer joy of being outside in the coolness of an early morning. Funnily enough, when I take him out in the afternoon his joy is tempered and often the walk just lends itself to concluding any pressing business before he wants to go back inside for a nice relaxing time in his basket.

But this morning was comical to say the least. About 200 meters into our walk as he slowed down to sniff another dog's business card, I couldn't help but notice the adjacent house's window being open. The open window showed a flickering reflection of early morning  tv viewing. Seen it before but not with the sound of espresso being made.

Gosh, there was a recurring noise that sounded like the grinding of coffee beans but slightly louder and at on and off intervals. Goodness, what on earth? Well, when I worked out what that sound was I nearly burst out in loud laughter...someone was snoring like a trooper. Either husband or wife but, regardless, I am glad not to live next to them because that noise carried for a few meters.

Perhaps, as both of us also have an affliction to do with snoring ( or so Bob says!!! ) we should keep our windows closed just in case someone takes an early morning walk and might think it was me...

Biggi

Burgenland, Eisenberg, Paradise.

 Landscapes of choice, my choice.

A stunning morning paying homage to this wonderful place we call our home. 

Deutsch Schützen at its best...

Looking from above the various fields resemble a chess board of sorts. This is why I love walking very early in the morning! Hardly anyone's astir and everything is pristine.

The fields are hued in a healthy shade of green somehow belying the fact that we are experiencing a heat wave with hardly any rain.

Finally, the main road to this paradise we call home. Seeing it from so far above it makes me realize how well created it is. A slightly curvy road is much nicer than a straight boring one....

Biggi

A Bit Of Flower Power To Ring In The Weekend.

 Bright and different.

A new find in the vineyards. Granted, a cultivated flower yet, it is different and very noticeable.  Like an overgrown head of hair...

An almost boring and normal white rose at the edge of a local vineyard setting a sharp contrast to the lushious greens.

Tall and purple landing sites of bees and more...

Also in yellow, which seems to be a more popular attractions for bees.

An ensemble of peacefulness. A picture that could be a portal to thoughts, ideas and inner beauty.

Biggi

Little Maxi Is A Taxpayer.

Dog tax, a must in Austria.

There you have it. A dog tax, going up in increments depending how wide you open your heart to the canine fraternity. Why dogs I wonder. So far Miss Mausi and her feral brethren have gone under the tax radar and are living tax free. Nice for us.

Having been a dog owner for less than a month I have yet to see what advantages the canines have over cats in terms of getting a return on their taxes....maybe I have not yet discovered public dog baths, dogs only parks, dogs administrators for speedy resolution of barking fines or a yearly bag of luxury food shipped to the canine tax payer.

So far the tax is minimal compared to humans but what a nice little earner for the government. There must be close to a million dogs kept in Austria and thus a nice revenue stream for the public coffers. Gosh, makes me wonder why they haven't tapped the more lucrative feline world because it was mentioned on the trusty internet that there are 2 million cats in Austrian households. A real gold mine standing idle...

Us dog people ( doesn't that sound nice! ) or should I rather say pet people tend to go a bit overboard when it comes to outfitting, feeding, cosseting and loving our lot. Spending money on a cat or dog toy isn't even thought twice about despite the toy often only being played with once! A small yearly dog tax will not even register on most peoples radar.

 Food, can't really call it pet food because gosh darn it, the price of it must surely mean that it includes caviar and champagne. If you haven't had a chance, go check out a pet store and look at all the various meals on offer. Some of the cat food cost several euros per meal...imagine that when free fodder is running riot outside and under floorboards. No, in case you are wondering, we don't spend anywhere near that much on Missy or now Mister. But it goes to show that whoever gazetted these dog taxes is very cunning and clever indeed... keeping the tax very low thus not making it worth a person's while to oppose it, while all the time minting several millions of easy money, year in and year out...

Biggi

A New Lockdown Of Sorts.

Settling in the new going away?

As with most summers, a whole lot of Austrians will head for the sea, Croatia or Italy being top destinations. A few weeks roasting daily in the sun followed by a night on the town. And here is my question...Why bother driving a long way to have exactly the same weather as at home?

Yes, we are in the middle of a major heatwave, one that has even us seasoned South Africans in a state of disbelief. It is so hot, that being outside after 9 in the morning is unbearable. The lawns are browning, the leaves wilting and roads are scalding. Yes, a bit of a pickle when I take our little Maxi out at lunchtime and early afternoon.

The only way to somehow get through this weather predicament is to stay indoors, all windows and curtains closed. A lockdown that it seems most of our village is sticking to. Shutters are shut and roads are bare except the odd person walking their dog. 

These heat waves are getting worse each and every year and most of us aren't really prepared for it. Airconditioners are not the norm as they are in the Southern Hemisphere but sadly they might well be in the coming years. More CO-2 emissions leading to yet again warmer temperatures.

 One tried and tested trick I have honed to perfection in the last few decades is the cold shower. Yes, when it is hot like this a one minute ice cold shower does wonders. Not everyone has a swimming pool close by but everyone can manage a cold shower. Back in South Africa our flat was on the top floor, under a straight roof. The flat often felt like a sauna, trapping extra heat but taking frequent cold showers did the trick and cooled me down.

As for those thinking of going on holiday; yikes I couldn't imagine anything worse than sitting for hours on end in a hot car, at the airport or in transit. Much better to stay home and at least relax in the comfort of your own four walls...

Biggi

Soccer Mania Sweeping Europe.

 The European Championship is under way.

Honestly, I can't remember it being so front and center in the previous years. At the moment everywhere you look, a match is on. Television is full of it and perhaps the corona induced sports drought of last year has a lot to do with it. Everyone is going bananas over this tournament and it feels even more so than the World Cup.

Bob and I do try to watch the odd game ( can't help but watch it as there isn't anything else on the telly ) but have found that we nod off during the vital parts of it. Goals wake us up from our tv slumber and it often takes a while before we understand who scored the goal.

By the way, this is for the early matches. Here they start at six in the evening and so far we have failed to watch a second half. How people have enough energy to stay awake for the second matches ( usually from 9 p.m. ) is a mystery to me.

Yesterday Austria won their match. And an important match as they have now, for the first time ever, advanced to the next round. Quarter final I think. Naturally the whole of Austria is drunk on soccer glory and who can blame them. Suddenly Austria has taken on the role of David and who knows, perhaps the Italian Goliath is going to be brought to heel! A match that I will make sure to have lots of coffee beforehand so as not to snore through it.

There is of course the proverbial fly in the ointment...does anybody else get alarmed at seeing the packed stadiums at the various games? It looks as though hardly anyone wears masks, everyone is shouting ( possibly spewing forth viruses ) and depending on the success of their team, hugging each other. The Delta variant is in the meantime quietly settling itself into Europe and what better opportunity than these packed stadiums? A case of profit before people and only time will tell if they should have erred on the side of caution.

Biggi

How To Make The Best Chips.

 The many ways to skin a potato.

Chips, is there anyone who doesn't like them? Nice and crispy oven chips are one of life's culinary highlights. Simple yet oh so moreish...that is if they are done well, as opposed to well done.

The various cooking shows I have been purveying have dropped the odd hint of how to make the best oven chips. One cooking maven said to soak the pre-cut wedges in a cold pot of water for an hour in order to draw out the starch and only then to put them into the oven with a dash of oil but no salt.

Well, we have had chips like those a few times but I am not that convinced that there isn't a better way.

I have been watching the BBC Eat Well For Less program and the other day they mentioned a new method. For me at least. Parboiling the cut potato wedges for ten minutes and then putting them onto an oven tray.  As the Brits love their chips almost more than any other nation, it might be the best way to make them. Trying it that way tonight, so I will let you know.

Growing up most of us had chips as a treat and mostly in take-a-way form. Too much hassle to make it for hungry kids me thinks! And eating take-a-way chips is nice. These chips are fried in oil and let's face it, that tastes good despite not being at the cutting edge of healthiness. Aren't we all aiming to recreate these long lost childhood pleasures? Going out to a fast food joint with our parents and being let loose on the menu...nothing better for a kid.

Monday seems to be a good day for supermarket shopping. A lot of discounted food, food that after a weekend's rest has to be sold. Even potatoes were on special. A 5 kg bag for 3,99. I predict a lot of chips for this coming week but luckily Bob loves having them for supper so I can't go wrong...

Biggi

A Little Bit Of Thankfulness.

 Quotes.

" Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. "

Karl Barth

" When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. "

Willie Nelson

" ' Thank you ' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility and understanding. "

Alice Walker

" The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. "

Eric Hoffer

" I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. "

Gilbert K. Chesterton

" I am grateful for always this moment, the now, no matter what form it takes. "

Eckhart Tolle

" Well there's not a day that goes by when I don't get up and say thank you to somebody. "

Rod Stewart

" Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining - it bores everybody else, does you no good, and doesn't solve any problems. " 

Zig Ziglar

" We can be thankful to a friend for a few acres, or a little money; and yet for the freedom and command of the whole earth, and for the great benefits of our being, our life, health, and reason, we look upon ourselves as under no obligation. "

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Biggi

The Backyard Pools Are Awash With People.

 Happy Sounds.

You'd think that most of the people living around us have moved up in live, the rate at which those backyard pools are sprouting out of  lawns. Sadly not those nice ones common to the southern hemisphere, you know the ones that are actually flush with the ground and permanent. There is an elegance about those which by no stretch of the imagination could be said about these backyard sprouters.

Big basins of water squatting next to fences doing nothing for the aesthetics of yards. Oh well, I am just glad I don't have to empty and dissemble them once summer is finished.  I bet many a husband is looking forward to that bit of domestic chore!

So I was taking Mr Maxi for his afternoon rounds ( he knows where he wants to be seen and where not, putting on brakes to make me change course ) when all I could hear was the sound of kids playing in their pools. Happy sounds. I could really hear that emotion of joy, joy that the summer holidays are here, that the days are long and that they could escape the dreaded heat for a while diving and swimming in a pool.

One sensible mother was treading water at the edge of the pool and looked like she was sipping a glass of cold crisp wine. Yes, I did say that most pools are near the edge of the fence and one can't help but be a witness to all these happenings. Honestly, why put a pool so close to the road and prying eyes unless...a show of financial prowess? A bit of social media in a real life setting...

The heat wave has shown no inclination to break or move somewhere else and makes doing anything a bit bothersome...unless it is sitting in a nice cold pool.

Biggi

The Sweet Revenge Of An Early Start In The Garden.

Ah, the good life.

Our hedge was put on top of the to-do list today. Mostly to give those mad dashers a better line of sight. The road behind our house and where this hedge resides, often resembles a speedway and lately for good measure a lot of heavy vehicles ( tractors, big lorries etc ) have joined in. That this road is a narrow winding one with an almost blind curve doesn't seem to bother anyone.

At least I make sure that the line of sight is a bit less obscured by keeping that part of the hedge nice and short. A few of the big lorries ( those that feed a constant supply of building materials for the house being build down the road ) have already clipped this hedge in their haste to get to where they have to go. At times I feel like putting a traffic calming device over this road...

Anyway, the various building projects in our road have meant a steady and constant supply of loud noise. Late into the evening at times. Nothing like hearing hammering and shouting when you are trying to fall asleep! But, every dog has its day and also every neighbour.

Bob has fantasies of revving the brush-cutter  on a Sunday morning, which of course will stay just a fantasy, but I had the pleasure of serving a dish of revenge early this morning. Yes, as luck would have it I was at my battle station at six along with our squeaky wheelbarrow and secateurs that most definitively need to be oiled.

It wasn't my intention to make a noise but each loud snip, followed by the harsh sound of raking up cuttings on a road made a correction in the rather lopsided balance sheet of neighbourly transgressions.

Did I put more oomph into each snap? Yes to start with, but after a few minutes I realized that I couldn't keep up this pace and finish what I still had to do.

The sad irony of my little neighbourly rebellion was that I don't think anyone heard or was bothered by it if they did. At least it made me feel a bit better even though one shouldn't give in to one's baser instincts...

Biggi

Watering Flowers, Feeding The Soul.

 A week of nice encounters.

I know that at times I grumble about my two weeks of flower watering duty, but I rather enjoy it. Gosh, Thursday already which means my first week is almost done and so far hardly any flowers have met their maker!

My mornings are becoming quite structured and busy. First Mr Maxi gets his walk. An excited stint around the block with stops for business, sniffs and territorial business card drops. Not sure whether he would wait for me to water all the flowerbeds and containers while tied to a tree. Maybe for my second week in August he might be comfortable enough to watch his new mummy tend to the village greens!

So, after his walk I feed him his breakfast and head off in the same direction again in order to water the flowers. It isn't a lot of work, just has to be done daily. Kind of meditative for me and whilst I wait for the watering cans to be filled with water I look around me and marvel at how lucky I am to be here. 

It didn't take long this morning before the first person came along and stopped to chat. Flower duty is a good conversation opener and as the flower beds are close to the local graveyard, today's conversation revolved around it. The woman prefaced most bits with a bit of negativity so I couldn't help but say;

      " You know, I am thankful to be here because so many didn't get the chance. "

She at first was a bit confused but then realized what I meant and as it sank in, her stance and attitude changed. Yes, we are lucky to be here and even she agreed that lately the church bells have been ringing in the dead rather too often.

Off she went to do her thing and within minutes the next one came along. A man and his dog. They specially came over to speak to me, the dog couldn't be more excited to see me and by luck I had some leftover doggy treats to give her. We chatted about Maxi ( everyone knows his name  and how he ended up with us ) and the best way to circumvent two annoying fence barkers along our route.

Those conversation weren't long, and weren't about anything important but that's just what makes them important. They form bonds and give a feeling of belonging to the village and to the human race...

Biggi

Getting To Know My Kindle.

 Oh how I love my books.

Honestly, for years I have been wanting to have a kindle. It seemed like the ultimate reading device and for a prolific reader like me, like a treasure trove of reading choices. Unlimited they said, but like anything else in life, nothing is for free!

A few months ago I finally got my kindle and entered the hallowed grounds of online reading. Almost giddy with delight I couldn't wait for Bob to set it up for me ( although truth be told, most was already done by Amazon ) and flip open the first page of a book. 

A strange feeling it was. Reading without touching paper or having the feel of a hefty book on one's lap. But read I did, finishing two books in a row. Library books but before I could get started on my third, Amazon changed the rules a bit and wanted us to give our credit card details in order to get the Amazon Prime. No, that wasn't what we signed up for and so the library expedition ended. Not the end of the world, but it was the end of my kindle dream. From now any books will have to be bought.

Well, Bob bought a Tom Clancy and I started to read it ( on my kindle ) a few days ago. It took me some time to get used to the new parameters of reading pleasure. It feels to me as if I have been given a book without title, or cover. Every time I start to open my kindle it takes me straight to where I stopped the last time. Nice but then, I never know how far I have read, how much is still left over  ( I do get a notice that there are 19 hours and 23 minutes of reading time left over ) but honestly, reading a whole Tom Clancy book in 20 odd hours seems impossible.

I am also a reader who likes to page back in the book to look up a character or scene, which is neigh on impossible with my kindle, or impossible for me as I haven't figured out the finer details of this device.

Reading is reading but my heart belongs to real bound books. Books whose cover makes me see the plot more clearly, whose cover transports me to the world it describes and books, who abet in our home decoration.

Will I keep reading on my device? Of course, it does make reading on the go easier, but books will never go out of style with me and I look forward to the next time I can go to the second-hand store in Grosspetersdorf to give an old book a new home...

Biggi

For The Love Of Broccoli.

 Healthy and nice.

Broccoli, love it or hate it but eat it you should. Personally I love it and could eat it daily. The problem is that broccoli is quite expensive especially if it is organic. We do eat it at least once a week but this morning I listened to another podcast of Dr Micheal Greger about the benefits of broccoli.

They have done studies that showed that eating it daily might stops cancers from spreading and if it can do that, I can only imagine how beneficial it is to our bodies and all those little ills we carry around. Not to mention the aspect of anti-aging, something not to be sneezed at once a half century is reached. 

In the podcast he mentioned that when the studies were done the participants were given dried broccoli powder. Gosh, that seems much easier and luckily today I saw a container of dried organic broccoli powder in the shop. Oh yes, I bought it. Pricey but still much cheaper than buying them fresh, which I can only do with my weekly shop.

A moment ago I made myself a smoothie with this delightfully green powder, a handful of sesame seeds ( another podcast of that mentioned clinical trials done on people with knee osteoarthritis showed that eating sesame seeds every day lessened the pain drastically ), an overripe banana and a pear. Delicious and nutritious. 

Summer is perfect for smoothies and a great way to include more fruit into my day. For the next few weeks I will give this broccoli powder a go and see what benefits I am going to reap....imagine if broccoli is the panacea for those dreaded wrinkles and sagging skin. Can't wait to get started on this new anti-aging regime!

Biggi

Is There Anything Nicer Than An Early Start To The Day?

 Up before the chickens.

Bob is working in vineyards that are about ninety minutes away from us which meant that he had to leave home at a quarter to five this morning. Sun almost up and the air as crisp as could be. Now that was a welcome change because the last few days have been horrid; hot and humid although the temperature gauge never climbed above mid-twenties. 

We set the alarm for three and all of us apart from Miss Mausi who decided on another hour of slumber, met the day early. Even Maxi stretched himself awake and couldn't wait to greet Bob. Gosh, he is a daddy's boy. The minute he hears Bob's voice, cough or car he gets unbelievably happy and does twirleys and little barks of joy. Too cute and heart melting.

We gave Maxi another half bowl of his food yesterday evening- a handful of his dog pellets-- but, perhaps I need to tweak that and give him his second helping at lunch. He kept walking about looking pleadingly at me and so I took him out a quarter to four this morning. We made it across the road just in time. Poor baby, having to wait for someone to take him outside! As soon as he was done we headed back in which slightly confused him, but what could he do...

Once Bob had left the two of us went for a nice long walk. Long for Maxi but he really enjoyed it and didn't stop once. My step counter told me the distance was 2,2 km. Brilliant! He is getting fitter by the day.

This week I am in charge of  watering and weeding the village flower beds and today I had that under control before six. I tell you, getting up early is fantastic and makes one accomplish such a lot before nine. After the flower watering I  went for my long walk and got home just after seven. Too early to mow the lawn so I stripped the bed and put on a load of washing. The lawn was next and I had everything sorted by a quarter past nine.

Getting up this early almost feels like an adventure, or like those times when as children we got up to go on holiday. Oh, great memories of piling into the back of a packed beetle bug at three in the morning and mum driving all of us  to Italy for a week's holiday. So for me getting up early is good on all levels and apparently, also a plus for the domestic to-do list...

Biggi

I've Become The Parcel Lady...

 ...a doggy parcel that is!

What is the etiquette with a dog's business when walking in nature? Is there one? There is such a wide spectrum of nature; is your neighbour's neatly cut lawn included, perhaps the verge of a forest road with homes across from it or the overgrown field. Hard to tell and if it weren't for prying eyes I might not use the bag overly much if my dog's offering drops on anything resembling green.

In a strange way I have become a pro at wielding this tiny blue bag from inception to disposal. Even the frequency of use isn't a mystery to me anymore. Gosh, our little Maxi ( 12 year old Maltese ) really has a good digestive system and can use it up to three times a day.

The only age related issue when it come to walkies is the fact that he needs to go within a minute of going out the front gate and because of his age, he can't run quick enough to head for the nirvana ( for me ) of the overgrown field. No, I am lucky if he doesn't go in the middle of the road. What can you do...if you need to go, you need to go and my luck that means a host of prying eyes watching like eagles whether I pick it up or not!

So, that's why I need to take these plastic ( biodegradable ones but still  plastic ) bags in order to pick up his #2s. Yeah, dog owner's privilege! Thankfully my sense of smell is still partially on hiatus so, one good thing related to my corona infection. Oh, and the other one being that my anti-bodies are apparently off the charts ( good ) and therefore only need one dose of the vaccine. Well, always look for the silver lining.

Bob got his call for the vaccination yesterday afternoon and is as of now vaccinated. Good. Still waiting for my phone call but sure it won't be that much longer. So, life is good and I am very grateful for it...

Biggi

An Early Morning Start To The Weekend.

Hardly anyone astir...

 Early morning coolness ahead of a hot and humid day.

My favourite tree providing shade in abundance and reverence as an aside.

At the edge of our village a patch of wildflowers has been planted and they delight me each and every time I drive or walk past them. I wish you could have heard the buzzing of bees and other insects...

The vineyards are neat and tidy providing a flair of rural bliss.

A typical rural scene; love it and hope it stays this way for years to come.

A plain brick wall...nice and relaxing to look at it, isn't it? 

This barn must be at least fifty years old and back then even a barn was build with precision and pride.

Biggi

Some Quotes About Dogs & Perhaps A Cat.

 They are man's best friend after all...

" If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much. "

Mark Twain

" A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. "

Josh Billings

" A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones. "

Arthur Conan Doyle, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes

" The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs. "

Charles De Gaulle

" The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord has made his greatest gift the commonest. "

Martin Luther

" Once I had remarked on the affection quite often found between cat and dog, my friend replied, ' Yes. But I bet that no dog would ever confess it to the other dogs. "

C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

" Dogs own space and cats own time. "

Nicola Griffith, Hild

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. "

Ann Landers

"  Dogs know what's in the air. "

A.D. Aliwat, In Limbo

Biggi

The Local Canine Crowd Is Agog.

 Excitement galore...

Amazing what a short little walk with dogs can achieve. If I had designs to be a private detective I would hire myself a couple of cute dogs. Good golly, my two have magically started many a conversation. The only time I haven't been spoken to was the early morning walk. Can't blame them as I did take the two out at a quarter to five.

It is rather fun to be able to have these mini conversations around our neighbourhood. One forgets how deprived we were of them during lockdown and thus it is simply nice to shoot the breeze with whoever happens to be out in their garden when we meander past. 

Dogs have an innate ability to bring out the best in people. Maybe we remember our childhood hopes of owning dogs or maybe it's the knowledge that dogs won't say mean things. A yap or two maybe, but verbal attacks - never! Of course the two I have the privilege to parade about with are instant hits with everyone.

Clever they are too. After the first time around the neighbourhood block, little Maxi ( blind in his left eye and vision impaired in his right one ) remembered which house came with inbuilt excitement. Oh, he has bouts of doffing the veneer of old age and embraces youthfulness by barking madly and dashing threateningly alongside a local fence, all the while being kept company by the dog living behind it. There the two of them ( Maxi-Maltese, Lilly-Dachshund ) dash about like mad instead of civilly sniffing each other out at a more sedate pace, suited for their old age. Lilly is porky and close to being ten years old. Each subsequent walk we've done past this house has resulted in Maxi temporarily hopping about like a young whipper snapper. In fact, ten meters before we get there he changes his tired mien to one of vigor preparing for the joyful battle ahead.

While this is going on, the next two fence dashers are alerted by the grunts and barks and set up station to go to battle defending their fifedom. Yikes, what a crowd. Funny enough it is just old Maxi who tries to prove his might, as Mali couldn't be bothered and usually plonks herself down on the grass waiting for them to get it over with.

How long these two will stay with us I can't say, but what I can say is that they are a breath of fresh air for the neighbourhood and us...

Biggi

Floral Splendour.

 The power of flowers.

Are words even necessary?

A beautiful white bouquet fit for any bride.

A bunch of red roses happily greeting the day and me.

A lot of the local farmers have planted purple wildflowers at the edge of their fields this year, which makes me hope that perhaps they are embracing organic farming practices.

An abandoned house is the host of these awesome shrubs. Lovely way to mask crumbling walls and yet again proof that nature knows what it is doing.

A wonderful summer's day confirmed by colours and scents.

Biggi

A Humid Monday.

An uncomfortably warm start to the week.

I suppose yesterday's deluge of rain has much to do with it. Gosh, it came down in buckets and just for good measure I decided to leave the washing on the line. No point taking it down as it wouldn't dry inside the house either. Better to await a sunny day. And today it was so sunny and warm that by lunchtime the soaking wet clothes from yesterday were dry as a slice of old bread.

Driving into town today took me back to my time in South Africa. The hot summers spent glued to the seat of one's car. Aircondition was still a luxury in vehicles and of course used up more oomph and petrol. No, window had to suffice but as I said, many a time getting out of a car meant peeling one's clothes of the seat of the car. Well, today felt very similar here in Oberwart.

The traffic added another level of irritation as they are working on one of the busiest stretches of roads in the city ( the one leading to the national highways ), resulting in that bit of traffic being rerouted through an ordinary road in town for the next few months at least. Yikes, not used to seeing big tractor trailers hogging that road. Must remember to avoid Monday mornings as understandably those are the days when stock gets replenished.

To add insult to injury, the local town council big-wigs have not installed a traffic light, nor a temporary traffic circle or even a traffic warden to help those having to turn out of the three main shopping malls. Bad planning and honestly, bad execution. Bob tends to do the manly thing and wait for the gap in order to turn onto the opposite side of the road ( the one we need to use to get home ) but I can't be bothered and therefore go with traffic to use an unused parking lot a hundred meters further along to turn around. Thankfully that saves me from having to wait for a gap on both sides of the road. 

Today was and still is so humid because of all the moisture evaporating. As we need the rain, I am quite happy to accept these humid intervals, and at least it means that jackets and jerseys are relegated to the back of our wardrobes.

Biggi 

 

Fostering Two Orphaned Dogs.

 Maybe we can help a bit.

Their owner died two days ago and I couldn't bear to see them stay alone in their home with only being taken out for walkies by me. Other possibilities but at the moment the best one is to foster them until something is sorted out. Bob was the one who suggested it although I secretly have been thinking of fostering them if the worst happens.

Yesterday I went to fetch them. Packed all their paraphernalia which let me tell you, isn't little! Gosh, the little old Maltese has a whole lot of t-shirts, jerseys and raincoats. The younger French bulldog has to make do with what nature gave her. Anyway, as you might have guessed, our Mausi could and is a spanner in the works. Having had the run of us and the house for ever, she now has to witness two dogs taking over her fiefdom. 

Hissing and growling aplenty, dashes into safety too and on the other side, a playful pug who just wants to play with her. Each and every time it catches a glimpse of Mausi, running and dashing ensues. We let them be at it and are hoping for the best.

Last night, after they finally settled down after what must have been a whirlwind afternoon of change for them, I couldn't help but smile when the house was featuring sound surround snoring all around. Yes, two dogs, Bob and at times me. Who knew that dogs could snore so loudly?

The walks are a breeze as we are surrounded by forests and stone paths. The inaugural meeting with our next door neighbour couldn't have been more awkward; she called me over to chat about this new development as I started out the walk ( the most important time in the walk in regards to #2's ) and as luck would have it, Mali ( the pug ) left a huge christening gift on her lawn. Thankfully I had a bag for such situations but it wasn't much fun picking up a steaming heap in front of her. Nonchalance was the order of the day!!!

What the next few days will bring I don't know but both of us are glad to be there for these orphaned dogs, as they didn't ask for this to happen. Hopefully Mausi will come around and show a bit of kindness to these two...

Biggi 

A Growing Repertoire Of Vegan Offerings At The Supermarket.

A growing market, a growing awareness.

We were in Oberwart this morning and went to a Spar supermarket, mainly because we had four 25% off stickers. Yes, isn't it crazy what one does for a few savings? I think it is more the thrill of it. Twice a month the Sunday paper includes these discount stickers ( 8 times 25% off a grocery product ) and I have to say, it is quite groovy to scour for those special items which we don't normally buy or else decide on the most expensive one in the basket in order to plant those stickers on top. Brilliant marketing and it must be successful as other supermarket chains are doing the same.

Anyway, there I was stocking up on vegan butters, cheeses and tofu oh, and two frozen vegan pizzas ( Bob loves them ) and I couldn't help but notice how many new vegan items they had on the shelves. Items that I often read about in the English and American vegan magazines, which means that we, here in our small Oberwart are at the forefront of avant-garde vegan stuff. Love it.

When I went through at the till and saw that there was nobody behind me, I told the cashier how nice it is that they have such a prolific array of vegan stuff. Amazingly she told me that she too had noticed how many more people have vegan items in their shopping baskets. Yeah for us!

The more these items are bought, the more they will order and perhaps even more variety. But what I think is great that this means that Oberwart and the surrounding area has many vegans living in it. Fabulous! Can't wait what the next few years will bring in the way of vegan food trends that are taken up here in our neck of the woods...

Biggi

A Gentle Start To The Weekend.

Nature, couldn't get more gentle than that...

 An early morning glimpse of flowers turned almost angelic by the merest hint of a ray of sunshine.

A gathering of daisies providing ample food for bugs of all sorts, while gladdening many a passer-by.

Such a simple wild flower looking so stunning, yet almost certainly awaiting the chop from a brush cutting farmer.

Just a field of daisies yet so much more. A portal to those forgotten memories of childhoods spent running around in fields, picking flowers and having fun outside without realizing that those times would become relics of another lifetime.

And these poppies keep on blooming.  Amazing how nature makes these vibrant siren reds...

Plain old blades of grass, some with plumage some without swaying gentle in the slight morning breeze. Too beautiful to mow as they are so vital to our climate.

Biggi

A Bit Of Goodness...

 ...Think it, ink it...

" There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth. "

Leo Tolstoy

" Goodness is the only investment that never fails. "

Henry David Thoreau

" It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness. "

Leo Tolstoy

" Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained. "

Lao Tzu

" Human greatness does not lie in wealth and power, but in character and goodness. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness. "

Anne Frank

" Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. "

William Shakespeare

" Of all virtues and dignities of the mind, goodness is the greatest, being the character of the Deity; and without it, man is a busy, mischievous, wretched thing. "

Francis Bacon

" I think goodness is about how a person behaves to person, 

and also person to world, to nature. "

Vikram Seth

Biggi

A Tidal Wave Of Canine Adoration Came My Way.

 An amazing walk...

The other day I splashed out on some treats for the two dogs. Being new to the canine reward scheme I chose the most yummy looking one, in fact it almost looked like biltong ( beef jerky ). For the last two days I have put a handful into my jacket pocket, but had to do so under cover of secrecy. Opening this packet brought Miss Maus from wherever she had been lounging at the speed of sound. Nothing, but nothing gets past her! 

Today I happened to be walking a tad bit later and met a whole other lot of dogs taking their owners for a walk. The first one I met up with was a grand dame dachshund who had such long locks that her owner mentioned that she had a mix of terrier in her. In the past I had run into them a few times but apart from nodding hello, I was ignored by the four legged one. Not today.

Even at the cost of ignoring her reason for walkies, she hovered in front of me and couldn't get  enough cuddles while at times lifting her nose to take in the perfume of beef. Gosh, she just didn't want to move on despite not getting any treat from me ( checked with her owner before ) so that in the end her owner had to carry her to the nearest bit of grass. Just in time too! Oh my, that same piece of grass one of my charges uses for said business. 

Earlier when we ambled along our route the usual lot of canine suspects appeared and eh, stuck close to me and my pocket. I was on to a winner. A troupe of dogs on my tail and my lot sticking to my side.

Later on, after having seen to canine breakfasts I headed on home and came across a pair of beagles who have until today never given me the time of day let alone a sniff, a wag or a bark....twenty meters out the first one stopped to look at me whilst wagging its tail and five meters out both of the beagles tried to cuddle up to me. Oh my, the secret to a dog's heart is so simple after all. Bribery, bribery and some more bribery. 

Tomorrow I mustn't forget to take some more as my reputation in the canine world is at stake...

Biggi

First Tuesday Of June...

 A  nice and ordinary day.

The celestial troupe have listened to all our prayers and have sent lots of sunshine and warmer climes our way. Does make a difference which I can mostly see in the little things. Everyone is happier. No glum faces to be seen and smiles abound. Getting up to a clear sky makes getting up much easier...not going so far as to say that I jump out of bed singing and grinning, but  still, knowing that sun is the order of the day makes that first cup of coffee that much more enjoyable.

The gardening neighbours are still at it. Through the open window in our lounge I can hear them hammering, drilling and chatting away. What on earth are they making over there? Honestly, the last two months they have been at it each and every day yet, this garden is not that big to warrant such a lot of TLC.

The other day Bob went to a newly opened pub in our village. Interestingly enough, one of the gardening granddaughters from next door who is now working there, took the opportunity to chat with him fluently in English, even going so far as to tell him that the other day she couldn't help but overhear ( yeah, right!!! ) Bob's phone call with his friend from England. When Bob was stunned and most properly going through in his mind whether he mentioned anything slightly offensive about God and the world, she went one step further-perhaps to impress him-

  " You know Bob, I could hear every single word of your side of the conversation. Very interesting. "

-impressed not, more of an aghast should describe it. Good god woman, keep it to yourself that your ears have excellent hearing because from now on Bob will whisper when on the phone outside.

So you see, everything is perfectly village-ial and that is what makes it such fun to live in a small place...

Biggi