The Truck Driver Shortage Might Just Be A Climate Blessing In Disguise.

 About time we learn to evaluate our shopping habits.

Last week we were made aware of Britain's truck driver shortage, and also a shortage of various goods delivered by them. This week we've learnt that this shortage of truck drivers is a world wide malaise. Frankly, I don't understand why the forces of supply and demand haven't kicked in yet.

Surely by now the various haulage companies have become to understand that their most vital part of business is the driver. Pure and simple until the oft mentioned robot slides behind the wheel. Why are truck drivers still paid relatively badly for the amount of work and stress they have to perform? Working longer hours, living out of the cab of their truck should surely be easy to change? Cut the hours to a normal and healthy 40 hour week ( unless one wants to do longer hours and routes ), keep the pay the same  ( much deserved ), employ more drivers ( normal work weeks will make it a much more attractive career ) and pay the extra cost out of the companies profits for a change! 

But back to my original thought. With the lack of drivers, deliveries are obviously less if at all which shrinks our choices of products to buy. Take supermarkets for example. Yes there are empty shelves for certain foods, but do we honestly need such a variety of choices in the first place? Why can't we stick to mainly buying local first and regional second? You know, the way our parents used to do.

I admit that often I am tempted by a fruit or vegetable from foreign climes but do I really need it...NO! Imagine how much less congested the roads would be if most of us shopped only for seasonal and local products? A case of out of sight and out of mind would quickly make us realize that the humble spud tastes just as nice as the imported sweet potato. 

As much as I like sweet potatoes, I do often hesitate when I notice where it comes from. Often America or Spain. There's an opportunity for local farmers because the price is double that of  potatoes. Same with Oranges. Granted they don't grow in Austria so that Spain is a good compromise but I do draw the line of buying Oranges from South Africa. Not necessary and far too carbon laden.

Most of us instinctively realize that we need to change our shopping behaviour and patterns. The proverbial Strawberries in Winter habit has to change. Everything that isn't grown locally has to be flown, shipped or driven in from somewhere and often that somewhere is far far away. 

We can't  ( although the climate might force us to at some stage ) do and change everything, but we should be willing to make a compromise and do a bit each and every day to help stop this climate disaster. This truck driver shortage might just be what we needed to change our shopping and eating habits. All roads lead to Rome, and hopefully this one does too...

Biggi

The Misconception, Or Rather Delusion, Of Our Own Age.

The cunning ways of our mind.

We all know how old we are. Women more so than men. Naturally, as society does judge a lot of us by the age we portray. Unless we are wine, age isn't seen as an asset.

With that in mind, is it any wonder that we ( or should I say I ) think and compare ages? Once you hit certain numerical milestones it tends to become second nature to look at others and compare the apparent age, more particularly the apparent signs of aging in relation to us. Yes, yes, very vain, altruistic and contraire! But how else should we set markers of how fast or slow we are approaching our numerical markers? Personally, I would rather go backwards than forwards. There, a bit of honesty.

We all have people popping up in the periphery of our life. The bit parts on our stage played by them. In the last two years an older couple has popped up in mine. They too are dog owners and long walkers. So far it has only been the casual but friendly ' hello ' when passing, until yesterday. By the way, do you also imagine how the life of others might play out? Certain outer markers- clothes, hairstyles and mimics - help the process along...

Anyway, this couple looked to be in retirement age. Perhaps a generation older than me but well made up and decked out. So there I was walking yesterday when I happened to come across this lady on her own. Well, she had her grandchild with her, pushing her in a pram.

We got talking, a slight bit longer than the usual greeting. Exchanging the arbitrary yet enjoyable superficial topics of village life. We talked about the health benefits earned by walking, seeing that we both walk a lot. I then hastened to add that for me walking is also a health choice and that contrary to many others close to my age, I don't take medication of any kind. 

She straightaway assured me that I am not that old! Well, I was truthful and honest, blurting out my age, which she lobbed back with a poser of note. Honestly, the foundation of my age perception was rocked quite alarmingly when she replied:

       " Well, I am only one year older than you then, and I also don't take any medication, "

Okay, reality bites. How are we supposed to get a sense of our real age ( or how we have aged ) when internally we still think of ourselves as young with-it gals with our whole life still before us? 

Biggi

Signs Of Autumn.

 Pulchritude in the vineyards and our village.

A nice downhill into Eisenberg. The leaves are turning and overall it does give a nice impression.

These berries look so pretty that they are surely  poisonous! A vibrant red draws the eyes and perhaps also birds.

Now if I am not mistaken these are vines of hops.  A bit of the beer track...Bavaria is a long way off.

Another beautiful collage of berries and leaves. Nature never ceases to amaze me.

The grapes are almost ready to be harvested.

One of the rows Bob and his teammates look after all year round. Must be a good feeling to see your hard work come to fruition....

Biggi

Something Positive For A Monday.

 A few quotes...

" Every day brings new choices. "

Martha Beck

" You can not have a positive life on a negative mind. "

Joyce Meyer

" People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom? "

Thich Nhat Hanh

" Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, and its power of endurance-the cheerful man will do more in the same time, will do it, better, will preserve it longer, than the sad or sullen. "

Thomas Carlyle

" Exercise, prayer, and meditation are examples of calming rituals. They have been shown to induce a happier mood and provide a positive pathway through life's daily frustrations. "

Chuck Norris

" Positive thinking will let you use the ability which you have, and that is awesome. "

Zig Ziglar

" Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life. "

Joel Osteen

" I've come to understand that there's always something positive, even in a negative situation. "

Leif Garrett

Biggi

Why Does A Sunday Always Feel Like A Sunday?

 It almost seems like a silly question...

Bob asked me earlier why a Sunday tends to always feel like a Sunday. Even when one is working and especially when one is not. Being off during the week just doesn't have that je ne sais quoi of a lazy Sunday.

The air seems clearer and of course it is because most people aren't buzzing about in their gas guzzlers except for the few relics who prefer to fetch their newspaper by car even though it is less than five hundred meters to the newspaper stand. Yip, it happens here and quite frankly, I am surprised that they are surprised at being overweight and unwell. But that's another story altogether.

When I took the boy out for his elevenses, we both heard children's voices close to his favourite port of call. Yes, one of our neighbours was hanging out with his three young grandkids, and they were enjoying hanging out with him. Yes, of course they are far from being teenagers! Visiting family, especially grandparents is a Sunday sort of thing and doing so makes a normal day feel like a Sunday.

Sundays are great until sundown when all thoughts tend to turn to Monday, a day which heralds an end to the joviality of a Sunday. Best not talk about the dreaded Monday morning as that must be the least liked day and time of the week.

The other point that Bob so correctly stated was that time speeds up on a weekend, typically more on a Sunday. Two days of leisure flitting by at the whisk of an eye. The only saving grace at the end of a Sunday is the certainty that it won't be long before it is here again enveloping us in a blanket of rest, contentment and general laissez-faire...

Biggi

A Picturesque Saturday In Burgenland.

 Sunflowers, cornfields and a cat.

The new'ish addition to our feline clan seems to be very much at home with us. A beautiful character and an easy house guest.

My favourite tree guarding the edge of two cornfields. Majestic.

The colours of this cornfield are absolutely stunning and of course, soothing.

A few sunflowers out to catch the first sunshine of the day. Took me a while to photograph one straight on. Their yellow is waning and not as warm in hue as in the summertime. Still, nice.

A bit more of the corn.....

While waiting for Maxi to amble along I had enough time to give these green leaves some credence. Soon to be no more...

Biggi

A Little Bit More About Wine.

 A few quotes.

" Every season hath its pleasures; Spring may boost her flowery prime, 

Yet the vineyard's ruby treasuries brighten Autumn's sob'rer time. "

Thomas Moore

" There's no such thing as being lost in the vineyard. You're always in the right place. "

Unknown

" Men are like wine-some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age. "

Pope John XXIII

" A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world. "

Louis Pasteur

" Life is too short to drink bad wine. "

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

" No poem was ever written by a drinker of  water. "

Horace

" It is no coincidence that, on all four sides, in all four corners, the borders of the Roman Empire stopped where wine could no longer be made. "

Neel Burton

" In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria. "

Benjamin Franklin

Biggi

Canine Exuberance Of The Highest Order!

 Life left in the old boy...

Our little Maxi has unearthed his long forgotten youthfulness. These last few days he has taken to barking at nothing or rather at the sheer joy of going for a walk in his new terrain. This morning as we went for our walk, he teetered on the front step and noticed one of the feral tomcats sitting close to him. All of a sudden he lunged, growling slightly but nevertheless showing who's the boss in the zoo. A quick fake lunge and the big cat dashed away with its tail between its legs. Maxi turned to look at me, struck out his chest and proceeded to go on our walk. Schoolyard antics!

A bit later when I got back from my walk I couldn't believe what I saw. Maxi as per usual pirouetted in front of me with the sheer happiness of seeing me again, but when I glanced over to the lounge ( a.k.a. his bedroom ) I burst out laughing. His basket had been moved to the middle of the room, the large towel in it ( his blanket ) was thrown to the other side of the room and the carpet was bunched up and clearly had been wrestled with! When I told mum earlier on she speculated that perhaps Mausi had chased a mouse and that the mouse had run to hide in his basket...could have happened!

He must have had a real freak out, which quickly made me look for Mausi in case she had been a casualty of his exuberance. But no, she was sitting pretty on the window sill sporting a look of Schadenfreude...

' that'll teach you to get a dog. '

When I was walking him while his owner was sick, he barely moved when I got there, and mostly scuttled under the table as soon as we came back. Mealtimes, well breakfast mainly, he couldn't be bothered to even look at what I dished him. No sparkle and no ennui.

Fast forward to now and at times you'd think he was a young pup. He knows that after his long walk breakfast will be served. He sprints the last few meters to get there quicker and once inside he pirouettes at least three times while yapping in giddy excitement. Even Bob can't believe it! Same in the afternoon when he gets three little  treats after his walk. Giddy jumping about and general happiness.

Despite being sad now and again I think he has found a new lease of life with us and so far is a bundle of joy. Said bundle of joy is now standing at my feet reminding me that he wants to go outside, either to  do the business or to get his three treats at the end of it!

Biggi

It's Time To Prepare Bob's Vegan Lunch & Dinner Boxes Again.

 The harvest, thankfully again.

Not that it constitutes a lot of work compared to Bob doing harvesting, but somehow getting the balance and details of his daily meals right isn't as easy as one thinks. Still have to make sure that Bob's diabetes stays dormant and that he has all the essential energy foods he needs.

Lunches are easy and I have been preparing them the vegan way for over three years now. The next few weeks of dinners are posing a slight hurdle. The rest of the team are meat lovers and the boss's wife has it easy making their dinners. Yes, during harvest the crew gets dinner at work due to the fact that they work 14-16 hour days. 

From the beginning of our vegan journey I have cooked a double supper in order to box it up for Bob the following day. Usually he puts the Tupperware into the staff room fridge in the morning and when it gets close to dinner time, the boss's wife heats up whatever I sent along. 

Of course I like to make a vegan impression because I know that everyone is taking a keen interest at what Bob eats. It always amuses me when Bob tells me little tidbits. First off, most of Bob's work mates are vehemently anti-vegan. God forbid that they don't have an animal on their plate three times a day...

But here is the funny bit. For example the other day I made Bob sandwiches with a vegan type of goat cheese. Delicious and if one didn't know, one wouldn't guess it was vegan. One of his mates tasted a bit of the cheese ( ah, they must have looked closely at his sandwich because the cheese was mingling with a hefty dose of blueberry jam ) and loved it, only to worry if it was made of soy. Yes, the falsely based fear of soy continues unfettered and unchecked. Easy to look up studies on the benefits of soy consumption.

Making broccoli for his dinner isn't that great either because we all know what aroma wafts out when the lid of the Tupperware is lifted! Usually I resort to lentil curries or vegetable pastas. Easy to heat up, and hearty to replenish lost energy. Of course everyone at Bob's work thinks that all I can cook is a pot of curry and a dish of pasta. Pretty sure they are pitying him while secretly being envious of how well he looks and feels since eating vegan. I dream of the day when all his workmates eat vegan for the duration of the harvest, and state the inevitable:

        " Jeez, I feel so good that I wish I had done this sooner. "

Biggi

And It Begins...

Preparations for the winter ahead.

Only the other day we flaunted our slops ( this gal without socks! ) trying to be one step ahead of the incredible abundant sun, yet today, jacket and closed shoes were the order of the day. Yikes, it was cold today and it doesn't look as though it will get much warmer. Obviously I tried my luck and have hung a load of washing on the line. Let's see if it dries before sundown.

The shops are full of hints and reminders that Christmas is coming. Good grief, are we so obtuse that we need to be reminded of it? The aisles are full of Lebkuchen of every variety even a couple of vegan ones. Nuts and mandarins galore and of course the obvious, winter clothing. The circle of life is continuous taking us again and again through the four seasons. Just like the seasons blend into each other, so do our years and frankly, often I have to think about how often I have looped this circle.

The heating season is upon us and today was the first purchase of pellets. At Lidl no less. Yes, I am aware that I should have bought a whole stack of pellets in the heat of summer, but who thinks of feeling cold when it is 40 degrees outside? We all beat to our own drums and I often hasten back to a few years ago when Bob and I would buy our pellets each week with our shop. Those times we were a bit short of dosh, we heated a session less. No one harmed and gratitude learned.

Now that we have a little dog, we have to also kit him out for winter. Thankfully I managed to get a nice winter jersey and raincoat for him...Oma's treat!!!!  Still trying to fit it on him to see how stylish he looks. Males aren't that fond of modelling so I have to sneak it on him when he isn't looking. Hold thumbs for mine...

A stylish fella, not quite sure of himself!

The raincoat and the jersey! Too cute for words...if Maxi doesn't like the jersey then he can hand it down to Mausi.

Biggi

Climate Crisis Should Be Handled By The Youth.

 The young aren't stupid.

Yesterday I got the Sunday paper in the hope of finding another discount booklet inside. They are quite addictive and even local tourists are making use of them. There are 8 stickers with  25% off  on it, four for each week only to be used at Spar. You know, they are jolly useful for buying expensive filter coffee, vegan sausages or cheeses. I love them and when I cleaned a holiday cottage yesterday I noticed an empty wine bottle from Spar with one of these stickers attached to it. Yip, nobody is above a bargain.

Anyway, there wasn't a discount booklet inside ( next week perhaps? ) but an interesting article about one of the off shoots of our climate crisis. There was a study done and it turned out that a lot of young people are seriously thinking about not having children because they are extremely worried about what kind of future they might have, never mind their own future. 

That really isn't rocket science and the young people get it. Our planet is on fire and unless we do something now, the burning won't stop. The kids ( well most of them ) get it and understand what kind of future they are facing, never mind their possible offspring. The world is overpopulated and barely able to feed everyone in they manner they are accustomed and aspire to. 

That is one of the reasons second-hand clothes, cycling and veganism have become mainstream. The kids are doing whatever they can to help halt the crisis now, while the older generation are still debating whether climate change is actually real ( " we had hot summers when we were young " ) and debating if they should perhaps vote for a greener Government. Well, by the time any Government, regardless of orientation, gets going, it will be too late.

That article in the Sunday paper brought home the scary truth that most adults haven't yet grasped the seriousness of climate change. At the moment many in Europe are upset at having to take in refugees, not realizing that with every further year of increasing heat, millions more will have to migrate to countries where they are able to find a safe place to live, one where they are assured of enough food to feed their families. Plain and simple...There by the grace of God go I...

I wish that the Governments around the world, and the people they govern would approach climate change the way they first approached the Corona crisis...imagine what we could have already accomplished?

Biggi 

A Gentle Sunday Morning.

 Last one before wine harvest starts.

The next six weeks or so will see Bob hectically busy and tired. Long, long days in the vineyards. Weekends will be for catching up on sleep and getting set for the new week. It will be his sixth professional harvest. Gosh, how time flies.

Sundays have acquired a new set of structures. First and foremost a good and strong cup of coffee, then a quick turn outside with Maxi, another cup of coffee and then off for the long morning dog walk. The walk that includes joyful sniffing at shrubs, lifting of legs and barking with the sheer joy of being there.

Back home, feeding all the animals and then off again for a longer inspection of our surroundings. Sundays have a magical stillness about them which is simply wonderful. Almost divine, literally. Stillness so vast that one can hear nature and her thoughts.

A day where no time table is to be adhered to, a day where a special breakfast is on the menu and a day where we while time away many pages at a time.

A moment ago I was listening to the birds tweet outside ( gosh, did I feed them their breakfast and is that why they are so vocal? ) while drowning out the sound of two gently snorers. Bob on the couch and Maxi in his basket were almost snoring a duet. Rather cute and comforting.

We mostly wish days away by thinking of what to do tomorrow, next week or next year but to be truly happy is to savour each and every day, starting with one's own gentle Sunday.

Biggi

Glimpses Of An Early Morning In Paradise.

 Including vineyards, of course!

A scene set for a movie...the crispness of the early morning air is almost visible. 

A little house on the prairie! An old cottage standing amid the vines for decades and decades. If only walls could talk!

Wine harvest is almost upon us...

A slightly more modern cottage in the vineyards. Imagine waking up to this view every day and coming home to it? Someone's paradise for sure.

Corn today, gone tomorrow. The mega harvesters are out and about. End of summer is surely here?

A beautiful view of the church in Grossdorf,  Hungary. I love knowing that I am walking everyday within a stone's throw of another country. Only in Europe...

Biggi

A Friday That Started Off With A Batch Of Rain.

A fabulous start to the weekend.

What better way to start the weekend than on a bout of rain. Not that it was a lot of it but still, enough to make one stay inside. Rain, books, blanket and a nice cup of coffee...nothing better!

As per usual the boy needed to be walked before sunrise although for some reason he delayed this outing possibly knowing that it was drizzling outside. Surprisingly he actually didn't balk at walking once he was outside which was a pleasant surprise. Once he was done I still put on his cute little sweater as I didn't want him to catch a cold. Very manly!!! 

What with watching so many Medical Detectives every night my mind seems to be on the hunt for nefarious behaviour and oddness. Well, most mornings when I take Maxi out first thing, I notice open windows or lights being on at the B&B next door. Easily identified, as the guest rooms are on the first floor and look over the parking area. When there are cars, windows are often open and snoring audible.

Well, this morning there wasn't a car at all but the light was on in the guest room. Got to say, that this made me ponder for the whole walk and one of the conclusion I came up with, was that they forgot to switch off the light after cleaning the room...or a lonely cyclist was  sleeping there or a spousal tiff made one half sleep upstairs. Clearly watching so many Medical Detectives might not be the best thing for me...

Darn, the sun seems to be peeping out behind the clouds possibly changing the course of our lazy weekend. Books might be replaced by gardening stuff, but who am I kidding? Weekends regardless of weather lend themselves perfectly for delving into the pages of someone else's adventure, life or romance. What would we do without books?

Biggi

Little Bits Of Pics.

An afternoon's walk.

 Maxi and I take a walk each afternoon round about three and usually do the loop around the local pond behind our house.

When it is very hot, we only walk as far as we need to and then hotfoot it home. During the hottest part of this summer we rarely went along this path.

Yet another hunter's lookout. Often it is hard to judge whether a hunter ( or anybody for that matter ) is sitting pretty atop it. Makes me nervous at times.

Mr Maxi....today he was full of beans and walked the whole loop without a complaint or without me having to carry him for a part of it....has happened before!

The other day he allowed me to cut his fringe and beard and sat still like a pro. Am still getting used to cutting his hair or rather bits of it and so far he hasn't complained....practice makes perfect.

His hair is rather long which prompts Bob to tell me each morning about the necessity for ' his boy ' to have a haircut. Easy for him to say, as I am usually the one tempting fate. 

When he wakes up in the morning he looks like an aging rock star with his hair all tousled and standing on edge...too cute!

The fields dip into a sort of crater which makes me wonder what is hidden under it. Old war trenches or Celtic burial mounds?

Yesterday morning I spotted these mushrooms in another forest. Whether they are edible, I am not sure but at least they bring along a bit of colour.

They said on the news yesterday that some mushrooms in parts of Austria still show traces of radioactivity resulting from the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. 

When they were tested they showed levels of radioactivity more than twelve times above the accepted limit. Best to stay away from mushrooms for a while. 

Biggi

It's Only A Mask, Stupid!

 To mask or not to mask...

For over a year most of us have adhered to the strict regime of masking up when we are in public. Shopping mainly and that is good so. We've all become experts at it and know which masks work and which ones lend themselves more for a face decoration.

Somehow a lot of us are forgetting why we wear masks. Just because one can't see an infectious airborne virus doesn't mean that it isn't there. Actually, the chances of catching one of these infectious viruses is even greater now than last year. Delta doesn't care if we are vaccinated or not. It infects us and if we are healthy enough ( ie. don't suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, cholesterol, obesity or more ) it will possibly feel like a mild dose of the flu, but if we aren't that healthy, even vaccinated we could be in for a tough time.

Why risk it? At the moment a new corona rule has been put in place. Wearing of FFP2 masks in essential shops ( supermarket, pharmacy, bank ) is mandatory but in all other shops, only those who haven't been vaccinated have to wear a mask. Already it doesn't make any sense.

Today I was in Oberwart for our weekly shop and even though I am vaccinated ( once ) and have had corona, I chose to wear my FFP2 mask in all shops and while walking among crowds. Boy, did I get strange looks. Firstly, most shop assistants didn't wear masks and neither did most customers. Yes, they have been fully vaccinated but one could still pick up the virus and pass it along.

Naturally many assumed that I was one of those crazy anti-vaccer's. Why else would I wear a mask if I didn't have to? Thank goodness my shoulders are strong because peer pressure must surely deter many a person from wearing a mask. Couldn't the government just have asked all of us to wear a mask when shopping? It really wouldn't kill us and in fact would hasten the end of this pandemic.

Our hospitals are filling up yet again and it isn't even autumn yet. Please everyone, just wear your mask whenever and wherever you are shopping...

Biggi

Being A Responsible Canine Carer.

 Much to do about the business!

Yes, dogs do business. Often when and where you least want them to do it, but when they have to, they have to. Look, there have been days where anything but a movement was happening so I shouldn't complain where and when he does his lot.

That's where those biodegradable little plastic bags come into play. Life savers, reputation savers and a great help with keeping a good neighbourly footing. Nothing worse than having to sidestep little heaps on pavements or even worse, run the lawnmower accidentally over it. 

No, Maxi and I make sure that no trace of his is left behind. Early mornings I take the torch along so that I can see where everything is. Not so for some other dog owners in our street! So, there I am with a little pouch of smellies. Where to put it? Not many public bins about, in fact only two at the local bus stop but those are too far from us.

I have put an open bucket close to our garage ( still in the open for obvious reasons ) into which I put these daily marvels of canine digestion. Up until the last few days I haven't noticed any aromas emination from it but that is mostly due to my corona affair. All of a sudden though, I have been catching the odd whiff and I have to say dear Maxi, it isn't pleasant!!!

The rubbish collection was today and with that in mind I put the contents of this bucket into a half filled plastic bag of rubbish which I then put into the big black rubbish bin. Oh dear, not fun but it would only be for about an hour and then it would be tipped into the crusher. Hopefully the closed rubbish bin lid would hide any odors wafting about from the odd jogger, walker or quizzy neighbour.

Well, the sun was out and the rubbish collection was late. Very late. So late that the bin was still not emptied by lunchtime. So late that a trove of flies were buzzing atop our bin. Dead give-a-way followed by a horrid poo smell. Oh dear, I do hope nobody noticed.

In a slight panic I wondered whether the bin men would take one whiff and know what was the culprit and refuse to take it with. Looking online I found out that the best way to discard these little bundles of poo was to put them into the rubbish bin. At least I have been doing it right so that's a load of my shoulders.

 Families with little babies get separate collection bags for dirty nappies which makes me wonder why we dog owners can't get something similar...Short of digging up a hole in the garden to bury the daily lots, I will have to carry on putting them with the general rubbish and hope that someone invents a better and more environmental method of dog poo disposal.

Biggi

The Leaves Are Turning.

 Autumn is starting to leave little notes.

The corn is almost ready to be harvested. Somehow it feels as if overnight the lush greens have been replaced by dried out beige.

Different yet uniform. A field of corn is counting down the days....

The leaves are changing to a more laid back yellow. Autumn brings forth a phase of contemplation about the months gone by and winter to come. Another year gone, another on the cards. Nature's way of counting time.

This morning was perfect yet again. Cool and crisp enough to wear a jersey, yet bright enough to reflect the awesome beauty of a summer's end.

Another bench perfect to reflect upon. To sit and stare into the distance is one of life's undiscovered pleasures. Free, perfect and therapeutic.

Biggi

Little Milestones.

 A kinder vibe?

Yesterday afternoon when I was feeding the troops, an amazing thing happened. One of our feral tomcats who normally bolts when I only glance at him, despite loving our grub, came towards his food bowl while I was filling it and then let me stroke him while he ate. Wow.

Cats are cleverer than we give them credit for. This male cat, the same one that keeps fighting with his brother, has been watching my interaction with our newest rescue, a.k.a. the grey cat, with deep interest. She follows Maxi and I on our early toilet walks, she lets me cuddle her whenever she sees me and she stays as close as possible to our door so that she won't loose us.

Well, this male tomcat has taken it upon himself to follow Maxi, the grey cat and I on our early walks. He now sleeps between our two front doors. He stays close to this door all day long and now, he has let me stroke him for the very first time ever without flinching or bolting. Amazing.

Even now, as I write this, all the outside cats are assembled within viewing distance awaiting an early supper. Apparently I have morphed into the family cook as earlier when I went to take the washing off the line, I noticed a dead mouse lying next to Bob's van. A gift, a toy, who knows. But what I do know is that our cats have become so lazy and spoilt that a formerly yummy treat and one they spent hours catching, is now not even worth their while to eat.

Every week I tell Bob that I am going to stop giving these cats wet food and only feed them dry pellets. Getting jolly expensive and in any case, many people only feed their cats with dry pellets. They might revolt a day or two but then, hopefully, get hungry enough! Maybe I'll start this week....or maybe their cute little glances of pity will have me get some more wet food for them.

Biggi

A Bit Of P. G. Wodehouse...

 Always makes me think while laughing...

"  And she's got enough brains for two, which is the exact quantity

 the girl who marries you will need. "

P.G. Wodehouse, Mostly Sally

" The voice of love seemed to call me, but it was a wrong number. "

P.G. Wodehouse, Very Good, Jeeves!

" I hadn't the heart to touch my breakfast. I told Jeeves to drink it himself. "

P.G. Wodehouse

" As for Gussy Finknottle, many an experienced undertaker would have been deceived by his appearance and started embalming on sight. "

P.G. Wodehouse

" Into the face of the young man who sat on the terrace of the Hotel Magnifique  at Cannes there had crept a look of furtive shame, the shifty hangdog look which announces that an Englishman is about to speak French. "

P.G. Wodehouse, The Luck of Bodkins

" Employers are like horses - they require management. "

P.G. Wodehouse, Carry on, Jeeves

" When a girl uses six derogatory adjectives to paint the portrait of the loved one, it means something. One may indicate a merely temporary tiff. Six is the big stuff. "

P.G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Morning

" This was not Aunt Dahlia, my good and kindly aunt, but my Aunt Agatha, the one who chews broken bottles and kills rats with her teeth. "

P.G. Wodehouse

" I'm a bit short on brain myself; the old bean would appear to have been constructed more for ornament than for use, don't you know..."

P.G. Wodehouse, My Man Jeeves

Biggi

All About The Mighty Soybean.

 Fields of food...

There are plenty of soybeans being grown in our area and so far it seems as if every second field is planted with soy. Marvelous.

Of course these masses of soybeans aren't grown for me to have as tofu and co, but really, they are grown to feed the animals which ironically we then eat as food. 

That seems a big waste of resources because eating soybeans is tasty, healthy and cheap. No need to get the nutrients of soy second hand!

The colours of the soybean fields are almost changing daily and getting more golden, soothing and dare I say, pretty. Yes, harvest is nearing....

Almost translucent. 

So far I haven't really eaten plain soybeans much as it is much easier to eat them made into tofu. There are so many types and flavours of tofu on the market, but I still prefer the plain one which I love to eat as a snack with a dollop of mayonnaise or as part of a stir-fry. 

Bob loves eating tempeh, which is fermented soybeans. Super healthy!

A bowl of gold. The sun couldn't have been more helpful in providing perfect lighting.

These leaves are so delicate, shiny and pretty, brightening my day and hopefully yours too.

Biggi

Mausi Keeps Us Entertained Well Into The Wee Hours Of The Morning...

 A hunger for food or fun?

Lately Mausi has taken to sleeping next to me again. Whenever I am semi-wake, there she is glued to my side, stomach or top of my head. Not complaining, as it is rather nice. Well, last night she must have moved too forcibly because I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep.

To the lounge we headed, Mausi and I, only to join a snoring Maxi. Yes, his basket is in the lounge and that's where he mostly sleeps. Last night he tried to venture into our bedroom, but I nixed that idea because when I get up in the middle of the night I don't want to accidentally step on him!

So, the three of us took to watching tv and at 12. 55 am, the only show to watch was Medical Detectives. Eventually we all drifted off until of course her Highness forcibly jumped off the couch and quickly honed in on an object. My worst fears were confirmed the more animated and boisterous she got and the louder the little squeaks were!

A mouse in the lounge. Goodness me, she was chasing this tiny little thing all over the lounge and truth be told, I didn't want to get up to sort this business out, because then Maxi would want to go outside. Let sleeping dogs lie...of course he wasn't sleeping as I could make out his little head following the dash and lunge affair of his new sister. Somehow I wouldn't have been surprised if he too was sacred to step paw outside his basket. How was he supposed to know what made those squeaks of panic?

All this time I was worried that Mausi might take it into her mind to come and show me her new toy. Jumping atop the couch even with a morsel between her jaws is child's play for her. In the dark there would be no way of knowing if she dropped a gift for me until said gift might dash up my face to safety.

Eventually morning arrived and with it the ability to go and switch on the light to purvey the crime scene. Thankfully nothing on show which meant that she stopped short of killing her toy...toy still on the loose in our house and I think I saw it flit under Bob's rucksack. Not going to look. These mice are amazingly agile and fast. I did tell Bob about it but I don't think he listened...only time will tell if I was right!

Biggi

Ran Into A Bunch Of Happy Chicks Today.

 Chickens are more than food on a plate.

Towards the end of my walk I came across these friends basking in the sunshine atop a comfortable ' sofa ' of sorts.

Could this be the quintessential mother hen? Puffed out chest to convey how proud she is of her flock?

These chickens were so calm and collected and almost enjoyed being fodder for the local papparazzi....

Naturally there is a boss in charge of this coop. He was measuring me from a safe distance, following my every move yet not finding much fault with me.

The gals taking their cue from the boss posing for me to the side. Aren't they lovely in their white and grey plumage, punctuated by the striking red colour of their beak and comb.

Finally. the man in charge posing delightfully yet somewhat bashfully for me. What a character!!!

As I said, chickens are so much more than momentary food on a plate...

Biggi

A Minute Too Late At The Local Treasure Trove.

 Wasn't meant to be!

Okay, I have to admit that going into Oberwart on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday is rather exciting. Yes, those are the days that our local hospice shop is open for business. A pot luck of shopping, but then, you never know...

Only last week Bob found his infamous 2 euro pair of original Levi's which fit perfectly and are just what one expects a pair of Levi's to be. So, winter jackets are on our shopping list but I knew the minute I saw their butcher board outside announcing that every summer clothing item is priced to go at 1 euro, that winter togs are not yet on the shelves. 

Just for good measure I asked the chap at the till whether any winter jackets were lurking. No, he told me, as all the summer stuff would have to go first and then perhaps in two weeks time the winter stuff would come out of the storeroom. He must have seen my disappointment, because he quietly told me to come and have a look into the storeroom.

Ooh, the special treatment. The room off the shop where all the new stuff donated is sorted out. The room where a kind lady was folding or hanging up these items, and a room where I managed to find a divine vintage jersey. In my euphoria I told the chap how both Bob and I love the hospice shop, and that Bob had bought his Levi's from them. Levi's which he now wears with his new vegan Dr. Martens.  ( Birthday gift ).

The chap looked at me and asked what size the Dr.Martens are. A bit odd I thought, but mentioned Bob's size nevertheless. 

        " We got in a new pair of original Dr.Martens in a size 42. "

Good lord, my size! Trying to sound nonchalant, I told him that these shoes would be perfect for me. Well he said, let's have a look at them in the shop. We did just that and he went to the shoe shelf to proudly show me the Doc's only he couldn't find them. He asked colleague about where these Doc's were....

         " Oh I am sorry. I sold them to the gentleman who just left. Literally two minutes ago! "

Drat! Obviously it wasn't meant to be, but I couldn't believe how close to a fabulous bargain I got. Just goes to show that shopping second hand has its rewards, even if they might be delayed for a while. Next time lucky.

Biggi

The Deceptive Speed Of Tractors.

A measure of testosterone?

We live in tractor central and I like it. The gentle chuck-chuckling of the various farming chariots can make for a nice and soothing background noise. So far I have learnt to differentiate between the new and the old ones, and not just the drivers either!

Tractors have that deceptive and really rather untrue sticker reflecting off their back bumper. Usually a 10/20/30 kmh  affair, which most of us know isn't real as overtaking tractors needs a bit of street savvy. Gosh darn it, some of them are very sooped up indeed. If only their top speed was only 30 km/h then driving would be a peace of cake...

Well, yesterday afternoon was a sort of typical one. Sunday, Grand Prix, reading books. Perfect, until at about four in the afternoon a very fast sounding tractor was driving by. Despite the loud Formula One on telly I noticed this extremely noisy and fast tractor. What on earth was this tractor jockey thinking or who was he trying to impress?

Suddenly there was a loud snapping sound and an engine stop to this tractor. Gosh, Bob who was reading at the time came rushing in to tell me that a tractor had taken the corner at such a speed that it had pulled down a cable that was dangling off two telephone poles between our neighbour and the one opposite our bedroom.

Just great. Both of us saw our evening devoid of electricity until we realized that the television was still on as well as our computer. Shoo, it wasn't our cable. Isn't it shameful how one thinks of #1 first instead of worrying about others when it comes to electricity?

Walking outside I found out what had happened. Our neighbour's telephone cable ( and don't forget, nowadays this cable feeds everything connected with Internet, smart-tv and more ) had been pulled down. Again. Yes, for the second time in two years someone had done it. Not on purpose but clearly by going too fast around the corner and thus not seeing the low hanging cable.

A bit of excitement for sure, but not anything that couldn't be handled. Books or DvD's made a comeback next door and from what I have seen today, will be making a comeback for the foreseeable future...it isn't only in South Africa that one has to show patience while waiting for infrastructure to be repaired.

Biggi

A Bit About Wine...

 The nectar of the gods after all...

" I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food. "

W.C. Fields

" Either give me more wine or leave me alone. "

Rumi

" Beer is made by men, wine by God. "

Martin Luther

" Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages. "

Louis Pasteur

" Give me wine and wash me clean of the weather-stains of cares. "

Ralph Waldo Emerson

" This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts. "

Samuel Johnson

" Wine can of their wits the wise beguile, Make the sage frolic, and the serious smile. "

Homer

" A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover. "

Clifton Fadiman

" The juice of the grape is the liquid quintessence of concentrated sunbeams. "

Thomas Love Peacock

" With bread and wine you can walk your road. "

Spanish Proverb

Biggi

The Cat Lady.

 Wherever I turn...

Somehow the numbers keep growing. It used to be just the one and now it is just the four. Yes, we are  parents to four feline sweeties. How they managed to find us, nobody knows. Well, as you know the one and only princess, Princess Mausi, we brought home from the pound but the rest showed up and rang the bell.

The two feral tomcats have adopted us full time it seems. Despite the odd cat fights or should I say hissy-fits because that is what it sounds like, they seem to get along fine. A moment ago I went to fetch the washing from the line and there they were, side by side under Bob's van, waiting for supper. Cute as can be.

The new addition, our grey one, follows my every move and loves nothing better than to sit and watch me take the washing of the line. Somehow the minute I get there she pops out from her sleeping quarters. Honestly, it does melt the old heart and makes me wonder what to do about winter.

The two tomcats are used to roughing it, but she seems more delicate and refined. Bob and I will have to make some fort for her, a warm little haven complete with warm bedding and a roof. Perhaps a door with a lock too because these two tomcats have cottoned on to the fact that she gets preferential treatment and like to hover about where she is.

Although Bob did tell me that the other day when the two boys were starting their hissy-fit, the grey cat sprinted up to where they were having their duel and started to hiss at them. Perhaps she is their mother after all and has just become more friendly in her old age. Kind of like Tigger used to do.

Ah well, that is the beauty of living in the country...one can keep cats, dogs and a flock of birds.

Biggi

Crazy About Oat Milk.

 Developing vegan tastes...

Coffee, we love it and we drink it. For the last few years we only added an organic soy milk from Hofer to it and would rather drink our coffee black than with any other plant milk. Yes, we were in love with it until...

There is no end to my love of lingering about in supermarkets in order to see what's new. A sort of vegan snoop and you know, here in our little Burgenland, it seems as if almost every visit to the supermarket coincides with a new vegan product on the shelf. Yes, veganism has been embraced by most of the supermarket chains, which of course means that more and more people are demanding it.

Anyway, a new oat milk was suddenly on the shelf everywhere. It has such a striking packaging that my eyes were drawn to it and when I noticed two versions of it- one low fat and one full fat - I had to try it. Full fat means full flavour and that is what a good cup of coffee needs.

It is a bit more pricey than our soy milk, but my reasoning is that it is only for cups of coffee and thus should last longer...Now Bob likes his soy milk and so I merely mentioned that I was trying out a new brand for fun. Oh, and after the first taste I couldn't help but enthuse loudly over it. At four in the morning, which had Bob roll his eyes and shake his head.

The next morning, I put out both cartons of milk, I noticed that Bob tried the new oat version and before he even sat down, he too enthused loudly! You guessed it, the two of us are now oat milk enthusiasts and can't wait for our first cup of coffee every morning. 

Now that we have discovered oat milk, it seems to be everywhere. Different suppliers, different versions, but one thing that is universal is the fact  that oats are extremely sustainable to grow and thus every cup of coffee helps a little bit at lessening our carbon footprint.

Quite a catchy packaging...

Nice to see it explained like this. Plant-based movement, oats grown in European countries and again, that each carton purchased makes a difference to climate change.

Biggi

And The Tree Goes...

 Mixed feelings about saying goodbye to our walnut tree.

The big truck was finally ready and able to start the tree cutting procedure. Excitement  in Gartengasse.

The little basket at the end of the long arm of this crane! Imagine the marvel of technology, where it can hold the weight of two grown men while hovering ten or more meters above ground.

It really is a smallish basket, isn't it? Huge respect for those two men.

Navigating the foliage jungle!

It is snowing wood shavings! One was cutting with the chainsaw while the other one was holding the soon to be cut off branch before lowering it gentle to the floor beneath. Okay, at times he just dropped it.

These two tall fir trees are next on the list of being chopped down to size. It pains me to do this but they have really grown too tall and some of their branches are growing onto parts of our barn.

Our barn can breathe again and be blessed with plenty of sunshine. Let the clean up begin...many trips ahead for Bob and I.

It felt awful having to tell them to cut the whole tree down, but it had to be done and there will be ample more opportunity to plant new trees, but plant them well away from houses and power lines...

Biggi