Monika

I had to look at this poster at the station, twice. Graphically, it immediately impressed me. Man and machine, man as machine incredible as the image attracts me. The implementation of the message of these NGOs to work for fair working conditions for textile workers around the world has been successful. Let us hope that the practical implementation of the request will be as good as this poster. 

Eva

Today I read in the newspaper the farmer's rule for the day: "Andreas cold and clear, brings for sure a good year." Perhaps it is a thing of the past, because of the old rules and observations, which helped to better understand the weather and life and to interpret the future this way.  Here it is like the daily horoscope, if it predicts something good, then we believe in it. What does it say so beautifully? Faith does move mountains! So, I believe that 2021 is going to be a good year! It was so cold and clear, it couldn't be better.

Margit

The soft lockdown has been extended. Life goes on but with deceleration. How did Karl Valentin say? 'Hopefully it won't be as bad as it is.'

According to mindfulness teaching, we should live in the here and now, every day. Since there are no other options during these times, I surrender in the process of not being able to make plans. "I live now" and "I am happy" is written on two cards that I can read right in the morning after waking up. They now have an even greater significance for me. I changed my previous motto "I travel, so I am" to "I write, so I am" and I look forward to every new day.

Monika

Sunday brunch with “Grittibänz” – an Advent tradition with us is the baking of grittibänzen or Grittifrauen. Historians disagree on the history of the pastry. According to the "Culinary Heritage of Switzerland", the origin is believed to be a children's procession with a children's bishop, which took place in the 14th century on 6 December. At the end, the participants were presented with a wake-up call made of white flour.

What is certain is, that this pastry has been baked for centuries in Germany, Alsace and Switzerland during the Christmas season – but it was only mentioned in the 19th century in the form of a man. "Chriddibänz" was called it – the term "Grittibänz" is not far away. In the Bernese dialect, a "Gritti" is an old, frail man who walks with his legs spread, because "grätte"/"gritte" means "spreading the legs, grimacing". "Bänz" is a coseform of Benedict and similar, formerly popular male names. It is unclear why the pastry is now almost only seen in male form. A Zurich Niklaus saying from 1546 suggests that female forms were also common.

Eva

We say to you, dear Advent. Look, the first candle is burning...

Yes, it really is the time again: first Advent´s Sunday.  Thanks to God, my friend is healthy again God and she has laid this beautiful, self-bound Advent wreath in front of my doorstep. It will accompany me throughout Advent and will remind me again and again how important and beautiful friendships are. 

Margit

First Advent. A year ago, I succumbed to the magic of the Christmas and Lights in New York City. My dream had become true. Glittering Christmas markets, pirouette-turning ice skaters, a Musical, the Rockettes' X-Mas show, the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. No question, it was a bit cheesy and when a snowstorm started, it was absolutely perfect. Will it ever be like this again?

Monika

A friend, with a theatre subscription from the St. Gallen Theatre, has been given tickets for tonight. Fifty people were chosen to watch the Saturday night performance. She´ll go there and takes me with her. The Rock Musical “The Black Rider” is performed by Tom Waits, Robert Wilson and William S Burroughs. How long I haven't been in the theatre! Certainly since September - an eternity for me.

Eva

It had been a mystical sight as the plumes of fog moved just above the surface of the open lake.  One can well imagine how legends came about: sea spirits or even the souls of the deceased, who were only allowed to climb out of the lake on certain days of the year, whenever after a cold night the sun came out behind the mountain for a short time and touched the lake. Then she had to release the lake, but only briefly, only to let it sink back into its depths for a long time. Then, on the almost endlessly cold and long, long winters nights, people heard them singing and shuddered with fear of being taken from them, closing the doors and shutters even tighter than usual and praying.

Margit

November 28th  is the day when my thoughts, as on any other of the past 33 years, are with my friend Maureen. With the "Helderberg" she was on her way from Taipeh to Johannesburg, her home, while I was in the air at the same time, also on my way home from Nepal to Germany. She didn't arrive. I had been lucky.

Monika

Every year I make two big Advent wreaths. One of them is for my mother, the other is for our living room. Throughout the year, I collect what is suitable for decorating: from flower arrangements, from gift wraps, from decorations of occasions. Everything comes into a box in the cellar and for the Advent decorations it is crawled out again. With flower wire, my treasures of Advent wreaths are made suitable and put in. This creates arrangements that always include memories of festivals or events from recent years – a kind of yearly review in the anticipation of Christmas.

Eva

Today I write “Elfchen” (elevens), a form of poem with eleven words, divided into 5 lines, in the first line a word, the second two words - up to the last line with another word.

Stopp,

stay standing!

See what splendour

birches and larch -

Autumn present.

Autumn present

red gold larch

accompanied by birch trees

Together a coherent picture.

Brueghel

Margit

With face-masks through the pedestrian areas, no appointments for coffee, shopping without fun, do I need anything at all? No, not even a lipstick. While on today's Black Friday, before the aggravated lockdown, many people venture into the city centre, I prefer to enjoy nature.

Monika

The big Christmas tree at Ticino Square in Zurich Enge is here! Getting it completely into the picture seems impossible. In the blog of the hobby photographers of Zurich there is a lot of complaints about it and yet the best tipps are exchanged. I chose the simple option. What is possible, a cutout just at eye level. We have learned well over the last few months to be pragmatic and to explore what is possible at the moment.

Eva

Trying out new things, finding new ways to find customers, I wouldn't have thought of all this at the beginning of the year and couldn´t even dream about it. First I designed my website, then I could no longer spend my writing workshops, writing and reading together within a loving round. Covid 19 and the associated lockdown forced me to become inventive. I am now sending my writing suggestions in personal letters, deliberately not online for download, but with the normal post, so that one can look forward to something and have something beautiful in one´s hand. Because writing is something sensual, a craft, where thoughts are flowing from the pen with ink onto  paper. 

Today had been a premiere for me: my first online video was taken from Vienna via zoom, as I am exhibiting and offering my samples for writing online at the “Lights-on Adventmarket”. So, I had to convert my living room into a small film- and photo- studio. It´s been fun and I'm very curious about the result....

Margit

New decisions have been made: the partial lockdown will be extended until at least 20 December. Gastronomy and cultural facilities will remain closed. Tourists are not allowed to stay in hotels. Private meetings are limited from 10 to 5 people of a maximum of two households, children under 14 excluded. From 23rd December till  1st January, meetings with the closest circle of family and friends up to a maximum of 10 people will be possible. Depending on the size of the store, fewer people will be allowed to stay in shops and the mask requirement will be extended in front of the shops and in parking areas in future. Nursery schools and schools remain open. General mask obligation as from 8th grade. However, the provinces can loosen or tighten by themselves. Future remains on hold.

Monika

Christmas market in the district. All major Christmas markets in the city of Zurich have been cancelled. Now the districts are taking their own initiative and are organising small Christmas market oases in the district in central squares, such as here at Ticino Square in Zurich-Enge. A bit healed world in the smallest space.

Eva

Big outcry in the media: “St Nicholas” and the “Krampus” cannot come to the children this year! A Nikolaus from a Salzburg mountain valley is inventive, the newspaper said: he comes to the children now, online. Parents can choose what to tell their child personally, in which environment he should be... and that's what they are going to play to their little ones. He even shot a scene in the snow.

Today I discovered both of them, at our bakery in the village: Nikolaus and Krampus to touch, to eat, quite analogous. Magnificent, I'm looking forward to it! Is one of them getting lost for me??

Margit

Apart from live streeming concerts, little has been offered on the newspaper's event page for weeks; Theatre, cinema - nothing. In summer, there had been at least once a Corona-compliant organized open-air movie experience with "Bohemian Rapsody" and a picnic blanket jazz concert on the premises of a public pool, to enjoy. Maybe a movie at home today?  "Love in times of cholera" or "Out of  Africa" or rather "My big fat Greek Wedding"?  Think the latter will make the race! Finally laughing, again!

Monika

Having an amaryllis in the house is always a gift. Many Amryllis in a vase are already harbingers of Christmas, anticipation and amazement at so much beauty and splendour. 

Eva

In one month time we´ll already be celebrating Christmas. At the weekend it´s already the first Advent Sunday. Will I get the ordered Advent wreath from my ladyfriend? She is at home with Corona until Thursday, I only found out a few days ago. She's doing quite well except for the loss of taste, she said. Thanks God!

It really doesn't matter if we're sitting in the fog again. I am enjoying the still flower-bearing hydrangea and the wonderful colorful leaves! Today we celebrated birthday in my girl´s group, by Zoom with sparkling wine and “Germgugelhupf”. Celebrations are always possible, we will find a way! Happy Birthday! 

Margit

After a presumably collective and interactive television evening in our three countries, #Gott, I am in my thoughts with a good acquaintance who, at the age of 84, was in a clear mind, but could only breathe with the help of an oxygen device among many other ailments. Before, she had always led a self-determined life. It was fulfilled and she was at ease with God. So one day in August 2019, she decided to leave this world. I was able to accept and understand her well and am glad that it was in Canada possible for her.

The fact that a bright day begins again today I take as a sign.

It´s telling me: Enjoy life!

Monika

One of my favourite places on the lake is the “Seebadi Mythenquai” in our quarter. In summer it is well visited by bathers and children from all over the city, because this is the only “badi” on the lake with sandy beach. In spring, sand is carved by trucks and the sandy beach is replenished. In winter, the Badi is open to pedestrians. Sitting by the lake and looking at the water is a moment of holiday happiness. Far away from everyday life, you can become quiet and direct your thoughts in a calm direction. That is a good thing.

Eva

When will the Corona traffic lights turn to free travel? 

Probably even at a time when there is not yet a clear sight. So, in stages, forward- from December 7th to December 24th, until the next lock. For Christmas and for the Christmas businesses. This has nothing to do with the celebration of Christ's birth. To celebrate this arrival, we would have to follow another star, we don't need traffic lights, but a weaking heart that trusts us to find the right way. 

Margit

Ice cold the wind is blowing around my nose on the way to the bicycle workshop. The season unfortunately is over for larger tours. I am taking my bike for inspection so that I´ll be ready to start with it again next springtime.

Monika

For more than 20 years, the full-bodied guardian angel has been floating in the 24-metre-high hall of Zurich's main train station. Carried by four steel ropes, the 1.2 tonne and 11-metre-long sculpture hovers about 15 metres above the ground. Slightly angled on her left leg, it seems as if she wants to fly off and put on a dance in the air. L'ange protecteur designed by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle, protects the travelers. She wears a colorful swimsuit. A heart and a clover leaf adorn the fabric on her bulging breasts. She confidently shows off her curves. You can't overlook them. Her strong arms and legs are blue – in the colour that is soothing and stands for safety. The relatively fine head is faceless. Wide-stretched golden wings shimmer on her back. The two silver vases, which the angelic woman clutches with her hands and glow red between them three connecting wires symbolize lifelines in which good energy flows. 

In order to get to Switzerland from her place of origin California´s, l'ange protecteur had to take on great hardships: Since the angel woman has a little too many kilos on her hips, she did not want to fit in a cargo plane. Disassembled into three parts, it was transported by ship from California via Rotterdam to Basel. From there, the angelic woman came to Zurich in a truck.

Niki de Saint Phalle said at the inauguration of the Angel's Wife: "Everyone wants to feel protected when travelling. And in the world in which we live today, we need special protection."

Eva

You´re so beautiful! The frost needles enhance your delicate beauty even more. You have survived the first frost of your life. How many more are going to follow? 

Margit

This morning, a robin and a tit is visiting me on my balcony to say that from now on I should be feeding them.

Monika

In my favorite shop there are lots of beautiful new Christmas decorations and everything that takes to decorate a home festive (but also trendy, as the sales advice assures me). I particularly liked these orange fabric roses with glitter. How beautiful would they be draped on an Advent wreath in a set or around the old soup bowl. One piece does cost 10 Swiss-Francs, three I would need at least, so that the whole thing also "makes a lot" (= looks like something), five would be even better. After a long thought, reason prevails: this year there will be no fabric roses with glitter. 

Eva

The first really cold night with minus degrees is behind us. The clear evening sky is likely to be followed by another one. Good if you have taken precautions, both in the garden and in the house. 

Margit

And suddenly it's winter. The red roofs of the neighbouring houses show themselves as pollinated with icing sugar. Weekend, again. The days, weeks, months just flow ahead. I am lacking a goal, feel like I'm in a kind of intermediate life. Everything is open and uncertain. A year ago, I was planning my next trip. Now there are no plans.

Monika

Again, they are shining, the many little lights by the long fireplace in the Sihlcity. A secure indication that the Advent season is here. Lucy, our lighting along “Bahnhofstrasse” had been switched on yesterday. This is always a special moment. The city is becoming silent and Lucy is shining. It's always very solemn for me. And when the "Märlitram" curves around the corner, then Christmas is not far away 

Eva

If dog´s eyes could speak, this look would probably mean: And when do you finally heat up? 

Margit

We should not and cannot travel. Nevertheless, today I am going on a world tour, well, now just around the supermarket. Blueberries from Peru, mangoes and bananas from Costa Rica, oranges from Spain, tomatoes from Holland, kiwis from New Zealand, red wine from South Africa, California, France and Spain, salmon from Norway or Alaska, olive oil from Italy, black tea from Ceylon, salt from the Himalayas and chocolate, as well as in countless other foods, palm oil from gigantic plantations in the tropical countries was processed. Would we starve if they were all no longer allowed to travel?

Monika

A golden morning sky - what an introduction to the day! The day should remain golden, that is what I hope for. And it starts well: a text message from my sister, who begins her working day at the University Hospital Zurich, arrives. With loving words for the day that will be challenging for them. A friend reports news from her working world in the nursing home. We hold together those from the "systemically important" professions and support each other. It's nice to feel that.

Eva

Yes, it is, I freely admit. One of my absolute favorite rooms is the kitchen. There is not only cooking, but also experimenting with plants. Here's my pride of this summer: Ginger! I have already brought in the first harvest and it gave some hot spice to the pumpkin soup. Good that I am having three windows in the kitchen, and therefore lots of space for plants...

Margit

Finally it´s raining! It is still far too dry for our nature. In the afternoon it is bright again and I run off. Is it the cold wind or is it the sun's rays that bring tears to my eyes or is it something else? My favorite café and restaurant is orphaned. Hope it doesn't get into trouble like others. I will order a takeaway meal, soon. 

Monika

Zurich Central Station - Where usually 500,000 commuters are traveling per day, today at 6.15 p.m. there is a yawning void. No Wednesday market, no small groups that meet at the exit – just peace and generous expanse. I am astonished at how forward-looking people planned it 160 years ago. This courage to think, plan and implement BIG without knowing the future development makes me amazed. Where can this unrestricted intellectual expanse be recognized in our time?  

Eva

 Contemplation pure: me and my vegetables. Snipping, admiring structures, arranging colours, putting them into the right light, I am happy about what nature is producing, so powerful, aesthetic. And cooking all this for lunch. 

Will it be ready while I'm still immersed in the vegetable joy and instead of getting the cooking pot, I am rushing to get my camera? 

It's ready, because I'd been practicing it before, cooking and taking pictures and complement one another in my kitchen. What´s the outcome, you´d like to know? Mangold vegetables with goat´s cheese rolls in a bacon coat, very tasty! The red-yellow once have been chard stalks.J 

Margit

"Perseverance is the foundation of all virtues." It's the saying on the sign of my tea bag this morning. This is to be internalized for the approaching winter time, which will last 89 days. If only it only was that simple.

Monika

Employee talk is different – we walk along the lake in conversation about the current challenges. The sun warms our bodies. The wonderful landscape makes us look at the situation with optimism and confidence. We consciously walk together step by step. What do we need, what do the others need? Which messages do you need for employees now, which signals?

Eva

Austria is now back to a strict lockdown. You can only leave the house for important errands and activities. Thanks God also for going for “Gassi”, which can also be a long alley, i.e. a small hike. Dog Jimmy and I live in the same household, so we follow the rules in an exemplary way! ;-) 

What strikes me compared to the first lockdown in March is that there are more people on the road, both on foot and in the car. The environment does not look as extinct as it is in spring. Hopefully the infection numbers will go down. From Monday 16 November to Tuesday 17 November, there were 1,230 new Covid-positive cases in Upper Austria - up from 917 the previous day.

Margit

Having a bad conscience. In Austria you can hardly leave the house as from today and I´ll be meeting a friend in a forest parking lot to go hiking together for a few kilometers through the still colorful autumn forest, on wide paths. When we walk, we are keeping our distance, go one after the other when people are to meet us and especially when we are resting on a bench. Our goal is a forest restaurant, which remains closed of course and unfortunately now. 

Monika

"A person cannot live on earth unless he has a piece of his head and heart in heaven," says Phil Bosmans. And when the sky is as blue as I have experienced today, then the head and heart open to the essential – life at the moment with all good feelings and thoughts. 

Eva

From tomorrow everything will be closed; Shops (except for food, etc.), service managers, gastronomy and culture anyway. Also, our library, which was still allowed to stay open until this day in order to supply our readers with "substance". But since books are not essential goods, they remain locked up, locked away for the people who now have so much more time to read. In my opinion, books are feeding very well: one´s mind and imagination, they stimulate and are also low in calories. But who is asking me? That's how we staying at home. It is good that we always have many unread books in stock, so this vice, the book-buying frenzy, finally has its justification!

I am still having to write about the comment of a dear friend to the photo of the holy water dispenser, I quote:"I  have accidentally disinfected my hands with holy water in a Viennese church  😂  only when I went out did I notice the error".

Margit

A tall man, shaggy, blond, in a long black coat enters the porch of a station, pulls down his mask and sneezes vigorously into the middle. Last night Covid19 also has found its way into my dreams. I was told on the phone about a similar incident in a bakery. As long as there are such fellow citizens, we will certainly not get rid of the dangerous little thing. Today, Germany's politicians are also planning tougher measures. It is not until late in the evening that this again difficult decision is postponed until next week. Self-responsibility is the word of the day. Any contact that does not take place is good for combating of the pandemic. A maximum of one more person and only that person of another household should remain the only contact for the next following weeks. No light in sight, except the one in the sky.

Monika

Vermicelles - a pure autumn treat. Biscuit bottom, vermicelles (sweet chestnut puree) and whipped cream, so the autumn temptation is put together in our pastry shops. I had my first vermicelles this year in Valais, after a hiking tour lasting for several hours along the Suonen (water pipes) in foggy drizzling weather. Our destination had been a sleepy Valais village and there a quaint restaurant was waiting for us – with the most wonderful Vermicelles one can only dream of. Vermicelles are called the French soup noodles, but it also means worms. Whether worms or noodles – it just tastes delicious.

Eva

Everyone is posting sunny hiking photos as "Status" on Whatsapp. When I look out the window, I only can see fog. In the Kremstal there is consistency in this respect. On my trip to Kremsmünster Abbey, I experience that this weather can also be very atmospheric and has a lot to offer for a female photographer. It's hard to decide which photo should I choose for today, representing everyone?

Margit

The Chancellor says: "The winter ahead will still demand a lot from us."  The new hard lockdown in Austria is staggering. Who knows what will be announced to us on Monday? Today, however, I will still enjoy this springlike day in November on a tour through the vineyards together with a friend. The admiral again is joining us.

Monika

The splendour of the old bath hotels is taking me up completely today. Now I wish to be here at a ball and dance in a wonderful dress to lively music. Drink champagne, chat, laugh and just be cheerful. I set out and begin my inner journey through time, to the Viennese waltz, with fried goose and hot onion soup at midnight. And I´ll turn to the music until I am getting dizzy. 

Eva

We had guessed and feared it, the Federal Government has just confirmed it in a special broadcast: from Tuesday on, Austria will be back in lockdown, as in spring, but it´s limited to not quite three weeks, until the 6th Dec. I am very surprised by this, because the first one lockdown took two months, even though the figures were only a fraction of the current ones. Was there an overreaction at the time? Or all sleepy this time? I can't explain it any other way. Does the government really think that three weeks will be enough this time? Or is the next lockdown already planned for the beginning of 2021? This reminds me a bit of the game “Mühle (mill) open – mill closed –or of the ocean, again and again there are waves coming.

There are so many questions coming up: how long will this really take, do they just play along with us, does the economy put so much pressure, is this lobby stronger than that of parents and students?? Who is really supposed to pay for all this, where does all this money suddenly come from, how will this hole of debts affect ours and our children´s future? 

My friend said -let's stay positive anyway... and tested negative!!! That is what I wish for all of us. Despite everything, it is oppressive.

Margit

Martini summer, steel blue sky, the poplars are glowing golden in the sunlight. Autumn is still at its best. On my hike with a friend, airplanes have painted a pattern on the horizon. Where do you think they're going to? Desire!

Monika

Today I received an advent calendar from my daughter. It's that piece of healed world that I need so badly right now. And she felt that. I am grateful to be so intimately connected to her. My part of me which has become independent and yet is as much as I am: my big, beautiful, wise daughter.

Eva

"Those who trust in God do not need a herb". Why this is so, I have not yet opened up. Not even Doctor Google could explain this to me. I'm not superstitious, but when a “Krautengerl” (cabbage angel) laughed at me today while cooking, I thought to myself: it can't hurt! And after we have internalized it as a herb salad, surely nothing will happen to us today. (Hopefully).

Thanks to Kraut-Schutzengerl on Friday, the 13th

Margit

Friday the 13th 

Actually, I'm not superstitious, but... For safety, I´ll take my talisman with me, again today, which my Japanese friend had bought and consecrated for me during our joint visit to a temple in Koyasan.

Monika

The railway station of Wädenswil is located directly on the lake. The promenade seems to be running into nowhere this morning. But behind the trees there is the lake. Much that is lying ahead is not to be seen - seems grey and impenetrable. First of all, winter will come. But then – certainly spring and summer again.

Eva

Thursday is Vegetable Day. More specifically: Vegetable box day. Because there are always the fresh vegetables of Magdalena, who with her family supplies many families with her organic vegetables. And what varieties there are! Today, for example, a cabbage plant that does not exist in our normal trade, at least I have never seen it before: Tatsoi! Comes from the Asian cuisine and is also a real feast for the eyes. Almost a pity to eat, because Tatsoi could pass smoothly as a bouquet of flowers! That would be an idea, a birthday greeting of the fun kind for a vegetarian happy meal!

Margit

Oh, how wonderful! The sun is shining. Minutes later, the sky overcasts again from the west. First there are thick white clouds, then dark grey ones are following in waves – a reference to the pandemic, which has now already lasted for 8 months? With the exception of a few, German schools are still open for classroom instruction with about 300,000 students and about 30,000 teachers in quarantine. Families have to get on with it somehow.

Monika

Morning sky over Zurich – The angels are now baking gingerbread, my grandmother has always said to us children. It's nice to imagine this: this cheerful hustle and bustle in the heavenly bakery. The sweet scents, the organized zeal of the little angels and the warmth that baking always brings.  I am longing for my unwavering certainty that Nicholas is surely going to bring them to us. 

Eva

Today 11.11. at 11 o'clock 11 the carnival season begins!!

Have you already taken care of everything, masks, confetti, carnival doughnuts? 

Or – haven't we had carnival already for a long time? Maybe I should look forward to the end – when DEMASKIERUNG is called for. Somehow a lot of things are completely wrong, day by day. In kindergarden there was the turnaround- day, but only for one day, once a week. But with us adults it´s now every day, shouldn't we learn from the children??

We have a new era, always traffic day, always carnival, always many fools on the way... one in the US even insists on perpetual fool's government.

Margit

11.11. – 11.11 o´clock- The start of carnival 2020 is cancelled in Germany this time! As well, the Martins Day, when the children usually wander along the streets with their lanterns. On this grey day - my highlight of the day - a video call from New York! My German friend takes me on her walk along the East River overlooking the  skyline of Manhattan. My trip to another world - so far and yet so close. She recounts the jubilation from the windows of the skyscrapers around her when the positive election result became known.  It had briefly made her and many others forget the pandemic on Saturday. It's unusually warm on this November day. Children do sports in the park, the coach with his mask, small groups are sitting on the lawn together, drinking red wine in the setting sun. I am missing her.

Monika

A yellow arrow in the middle of the residential quarter in Pfäffikon. Wow - what power. What an energy, such bright yellow and so much positive vitality. 

Eva

Yoga with Anna. How I miss it. But she puts videos online, then there's yoga in my office. In how many living rooms do you think Anna is performing, without her knowing about it?

Margit

A vaccine that promises 90% protection seems to have been found. Euphoria.  The lockdown measures are starting to take effect. Will that time be sufficient? Now it's time to persevere with perspective. Let's continue to perform in our four walls.

Monika

November evenings – I like the dark evenings, when slowly the lights are shining everywhere in the windows and here and there the harbingers of the Advent season can be glimpsed. Light in the dark - even now an image that fits into many life situations. Light a candle for someone who does need it. Light where there is a lot of darkness. We do have work to do!

Eva

Walk in the evening, at some point I should go into the fresh air. Ghostly calm, only a young man who comes along with a small bucket in his hands, he greets us and opines that we will soon have to go home. From 8 p.m. you should be there, but you can also go out at night for a walk. I'm curious to see what happens next, this curfew will last for 10 days, what is going to come then? The Minister is already putting tougher measures in place if the figures will not go down.  Currently they are still rising!!

Margit

Blue skies, pure sunshine! On a day like this, all the world´s problems are suddenly fading for me. Did anyone talk about a virus, even about a lockdown? It´s pulling me outside, alone.

Monika

Shadows - everywhere at the moment. The virus is an invisible shadow, intangible and yet so powerful. The next few days with their tasks are only recognizable in a sketchy way. What challenges will they bring? What´s going to help to contain, conquer, the shadow or shadows? What will gives my employees the confidence? What will help me during the next few hours? 

Eva

Meeting with two friends for hiking. Two cars, a lot of distance when walking, we are glad that we still have this possibility. Andrea fears that the schools will close again, the numbers of new infections are so high. Upper Austria has the largest growth in the whole of Austria. 

Karli's doctor said this year the Christkindl comes with a mask. Hopefully we can see it and let it come inside the house at all. The distance to the Christ Child was already great for many even before Corona. The main thing is that it places the parcels in front on the doorstep, or immediately uses a parcel service. With or without a mask – the absence of the Christ Child will unfortunately not be noticed by many. Let us be infected again by the Christ Child, by faith, by confidence and by joy!

Margit

The sky´s grey, high fog, silence, no sound at all, no leaf that moves. Actually, silence is beautiful, but also scary. Are the people around me still alive? There, a barking dog and smoke rises from a fireplace opposite. I press "On" on my radio. Finally, someone is talking to me!  Is calling still allowed? Today I will take a tour of the forest, read, cook something nice and write a letter by hand.

Monika

This morning while shopping – quality toilet paper on offer, at half price and in batches. And what are the messages behind it? Is it a sign for consumers: look, we still have so much toilet paper, we can give it to you even at half price! Or a hint for hamster buyers: You see, you've hamstered, now there's the toilet paper at half price. Or a warning: buy toilet paper now at half price, the world will be worse and soon there will be none. And what is the dog supposed to do on the package? 

Eva

Escape from the fog. Where is the sun, where should I go to, I have to get out of here! The Kremstal, a foggy valley and we are in the middle. Sometimes we need the sun, clear views, soul warmers, then I have to get out, drive until... 

I didn't have to drive for long, just five minutes, but up, on the high road and from there to the Green Earth! Noun est omen. Nourished by soul, joy and confidence, I return to the sea of fog. Now it's better to endure!

Margit

After the fog has disappeared, I will surround “my mountain” by bike. It´s standing all by itself in the landscape. It had distanced from its big relatives, millions of years ago. On my return, this 7th of November will be a historic day. Joe Biden wins the election as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris becomes the first and colored lady in the vice presidency! Facilitation!

Monika

My mother (94) is knitting for her first great-grandchild. With each stitch, a good thought is floating to the expectant parents and their baby. A lot of curiosity and lively excitement is spread out in the living room. When will it arrive? What will it look like? How will it be like? How will it be called? Boy or girl? Joy of life and hope for what´s awaiting us.

Eva

Afternoon coffee in the conservatory, our favorite room. We sit in the sun, warm, but are feeling in the middle of nature. Time to enjoy and be grateful for every warm ray of sunshine and all the friendships that carry through these times. Tonight our first women's table on Zoom, we know how to help ourselves!

Margit

The smear comedy in America continues. Democracy is being trampled underfoot. In Germany there are more than 21,000 newly registered corona cases today, in the US there are currently 120,000! A friend is back in hospital for chemotherapy after undergoing three tough weeks of stem cell therapy in isolation. Today the sun is coming out, again. How happy I can be! I'm healthy!

Monika

Lunch break – quickly to the sun, down to the lake. There at the jetty I am alone. I allow myself mouth-nose-protection relief. The sun is warming my face, shining on my closed eyes. For a few moments I become a daylight eater, a sun worshipper, and I am feeling the light and the warmth all over me.  I am full of strength and energy to be ready to give what the next task will demand.

Eva

“When the world stopped”- thank God it hasn´t. Maja Lunde's book about the first lockdown in March this year is highly recommended. Because too quickly you forget what it was like.

I only discovered it yesterday, bought it right away and read it through today. Just like in Majas Norway, we have experienced this time here. This connects, whether this time is a divisive one. In March as well as now. It is to be hoped that the earth will continue to turn and that we will not only turn around, but that we will work together to preserve humanity and the environment.

Margit

My car needs to have an inspection. On my way back, I stop late at the weekly farmers-market. Most of the people have left the place already. As few contacts as possible, is the commandment, but it does make lonely.

Monika

Commuting is part of my day-to-day work. One hour there and one hour back.  It has become deserted during the last few days. Only traces of usage on the seats remind me of all the many people who were usually travelling with me. Where do you think they all are?

Eva

Trump wants the Supreme Court to stop the count. I don't find words…...

Margit

Election night in America is not over yet. Today my dear friend in South Africa, who says that I am her little sister, is celebrating her 80th birthday. We celebrated her 40th together in her garden. We have known each other since 1963. She to me is my precious family. Will we see each other again? I am going to call her and instead of a huge bouquet of flowers, I´ll send her the photo of my favorite flower shop by e-mail. Once again, I hate this virus.

Monika

Yoga during lunch break – the heart room has opened up, connected to the earth, surrounded by the universe. Recharge your batteries for new challenges.

Eva

As from today: AUSGANGSSPERRE! (curfew) Here in Austria. From 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The police are monitoring compliance, they write in the newspaper. With us in the countryside too? The curfew used to be a threat of punishment for young people, and even during war-time it had been. Are we at war? No, it is a fight against the invisible, we want to defeat the virus. I think nature is hitting back, we have pushed it back, we have taken away its habitat, the animals as well as the plants. What else is to come? 

I like the slogan of the Federal Government: "Look at you, look at me". I would like to see this mutual consideration. Not war, but cohesion among responsible citizens

Margit

Fog, as nebulous as my head. The construction site is noisy. I've seen the new travel agency. It was the worst day for a reopening. I am appalled and saddened by the terrorist attack in Vienna, feeling with the victims. Fear is now spreading. As if everything wasn't bad enough. 

Monika

Livestream – Speech by the Director for 170 employees at 5 school locations on current school development projects. The message has to be perfect, so has also to be the technology. New Technical territory reaches us now in everyday school life. 

Eva

I don't notice anything yet, no change in my everyday life. Only in the head, it is palpable, triggers restlessness. But I know how to help myself, I just walk them away. And learn from a gossip with the “Unterkirweger”, which I always meet on this round, that on its basis a thousand-year-old conglomerate boulder from the Ice Age was excavated during the construction of the oil drilling rig. This is what communication and further education in the Corona Age looks like before the second lockdown. That´s good!

Margit

Southern Germany at 8:00 a.m., the sky promises, it will be a beautiful day, probably the last really warm one this year. Sun beams struggle through the dark clouds left from yesterday´s night.

In a few hours, my former boss will open a new travel agency, while others just stay closed forever. I call it the “travel agency of the brave”. This is how positive thinking goes at times of pandemic. Today, the partial lockdown decided by the Federal Government will begin. With a friend (only another household is allowed) I am going to walk today across the hills in my surroundings - at a distance, of course.

Monika

From the speech of the Federal Council as a whole: Together against the second wave: "Minimize your social contacts."

Eva

Speechless. Such a morning, and such perspective for November!? I don't see it, I don't know anyone who is affected and yet, it's there, among us, worrying... Weird times. Can't plan, trust the day and life, I could see it as a gift now! Perfect, yes: This is how I start this special month, November 2020. I am looking forward to the challenges that challenge me from my comfort zone.

Margit

It´s the first day of November. The rays of the low sun are still warming. My gaze is wandering over rolling hills, adorned with accurate patterns of vines, whose rows now look like they are showered with gold.

An admiral swirls around me as if to say, look at me, I'm still alive, am I not beautiful? The butterfly, as if stunned by a painter orange-white on black, sits on my hand for a while, opens and closes its delicate wings and lifts off again, but it remains in sight. Sometimes here, sometimes there, he settles down on the damp ground, flutters off again, perhaps to continue to draw my full attention to himself. 

Does he know that with the fall of the colorful leaves, his hours are also numbered?