Monika 

All those who walk with open eyes through the villages in the Lower Engadine, notice the old ovens attached to the houses. In contrast to other baking houses free-standing from the house, the Engadine knows the house ovens associated with the kitchen. Every house has its own. Usually, they are connected to the kitchens or the pantrooms. 

During the time when the bread dough rests, the oven is heated with wood. Once the fire has burned down, the embers are spread over the entire stove floor with the poker until the vault is glowing hot and the stove has reached the right heat. Embers and ashes are taken out and the stove bottom is removed from the remains of the ashes with a furnace wiper. With the bread shovel, the breads are shot into the oven and the oven is closed. After an hour, the breads are ready baked and are placed on the bread boards to cool down. The remaining oven heat is used for baking cakes or drying fruits.

When looking at the old ovens, the journey through time begins in one´s head. I would have liked to have been there on a baking day in the past.

Eva

May 1st : Labor Day - today is free! May 1st: The outdoor swimming season begins - does it really today? I don't think so.

May: the first month without "R". In these months you are allowed to go swimming - at least in theory, that's how I´ve learned it at school.

1. May: there (if there is no lockdown) the music band goes out to the  WECKRUF at night time and claims money for it! This year - thanks God they´re not.

May 1st : I discovered: the May tree! This year, as every year, it´s  standing in front of the fire station. Secretly and quietly overnight, it was set up, but without the usual party, barbequing and dancing.  Will it be stolen this year?

May 1st  -  last year the wine bloomed, this year only the tulips do.

Margit

The WALPURGIS-NIGHT is over. Even the witches have suspended their flights before this labor day 2021, as well as many airlines which are still grounded. But exactly 40 years ago, in that very night when, according to the legend that the witches on the Kandel-Mountain (1243m) were doing their mischief in the Black Forest, a gigantic piece of the devil's pulpit broke off. 550,000 tons of rock formation thundered down to the valley. How this could have happened is still unclear, but the origin of the actually found broom next to it, is. This had caused a great deal of speculation, among other things. Were there witches in the game?

Monika

On the wall of the Schlatter bakery-confectionery in Scuol, dwarfs pull a large loaf of bread on a sleigh. The house façade designed in scraffito technology is a frequent element of buildings in the Engadine and is considered part of building culture.

The dwarves in Scuol could also point to a real event in the Engadine. In the Samnaun hamlets (about 1 hour's drive from Scuol), eight tiny children were born between 1873 and 1892, five girls and three boys. Four families were affected. The body size of the adult dwarfs was 80 cm for the smallest and 100 cm for the largest. All siblings of the dwarfs, on the other hand, had grown normally.
The dwarfs were not excluded, but were considered well integrated into the villages. They learned professions such as farmer, tailor, saleswoman and singer. They were a popular photo jet for tourists visiting Samnaun. The last "dwarf", Rudolf Prinz, died in 1959 at the age of 77.
Seraina Jenal has researched the history of the "Samnaun Dwarfs" and her book was included on the list of the most beautiful books in Switzerland in 2017. 

Eva

Fire and Flame. 

What am I burning for? 

What does ignite the joy of life in me? All these thoughts come to me when I look at this seemingly banal image that inspired me to get off my bike at the side of the road, inspecting it more closely and enjoying it. It belongs precisely to these everyday little things that I can discover at every corner of my living environment and which are delighting my heart again and again. Being whole Eyes and Ear for the beauties of everyday life and to enjoy, enricht myself and my everyday life. And - did you already recognized what I had discovered here?

Margit

After more than 1 year of this global threat to humanity, I realize that my roots here are growing stronger and deeper. Nowhere else, than in Europe, do I want to live now. In India and Brazil, millions of people are dying, while in our world we can still enjoy great freedoms and expect help. The release of vaccination patents is now solely the contribution of our governments, which will be the possibility to avoid mass extinction! 

Monika

On the site of a medieval monastery in Susch, a museum was opened in 2019. The ensemble, consisting of a rectory, as well as the reception and farm buildings, was part of a rural monastery with a brewery added in the 19th century. 

The buildings have been restored and some rooms connect with the underground, the rocks, creating a very special atmosphere in conjunction with modern works of art. The buildings are part of nature, nature part of the buildings. This effect is deepened by works of art that add another component to these special rooms. Miroslas Balka's stainless steel cylinder is located in one of the most extraordinary places of the museum: in a natural grotto, which served as the cold store of the monastery. In the middle of the room, slowly turns this cylinder, which consists of several polished stainless steel sheets. It reflects the rock formations surrounding it. The visitor is reflected in the cylinder and thus becomes part of the work of art. 

Eva

And they are blooming again, only briefly, but all the richer, the MOST trees (lat. mustum) for juice. Recently, I´ve learned from a friend, a born Upper Austrian, that the shape of the tree showes whether it is wearing Most-apples or Most- pears. This is what you will learn here at elementary school: round shape points to the apple tree and the pear tree recognizes by its narrower, pear-shaped crown. Highly interesting! 

Margit

Since my career ended in the "Dream Factory Travel Agency" I meet during my daily explorations in the nearby surroundings always beautiful horses, even Island ponies with their long manes on the lush pastures. Often young girls are passing me high up to Ross on forest and field paths or I can watch them longeing. So, the desire to try it again, the riding, that I was able to try out a couple of times at a young age during my travels, is maturing in me.  But now at my age? A voice in me says: it's never too late, you just have to dare! Maybe?

Monika

In one municipality, sweepers hang on the benches, in others small brooms. The implementation of the idea of the "snow-free resting bench" is individual, common to all is the idea of a dry butt for the winter guests. A sympathetic way of appreciation for the guests from all over the world, who want to come and have a rest here and enjoy the beauties of nature for a moment. 

Eva

Off to the south, facing the sun and the warmth!! The desire for it increases exponentially with the continuation of the cold weather here! The swallows are already here, only the summer is still missing.

Margit

 On my today´s shopping tour by bike, I meet "Donald Duck". His first name is negatively cast, but fortunately this has in the meantime turned for the better. He probably had an argument with his lady partner and needed a break. During these times in human couple relationships, it will certainly be pebbled more often. Then a short break is just a good thing to have. As a single, I don't have a problem with that, but I would be happy to also have a little change now. 

Monika

Strolling through the Engadine villages and comfortably marveling at the Scraffiti at the houses is a very fulfilling way to discover the secrets of the old houses and their decorations.

Sgraffito is an old Italian scratching technique. This Renaissance-born handicraft is still typical of the appearance of many houses in Graubünden and can be admired on the facades of old and new houses. The folk symbols have a deep meaning and tell whole stories. Thus stands the nymph, najade or water queen – a female figure with 2 fish tails as protector of the treasures of water or the souls of newborns who come from the water of life. The dragon protects springs, lakes and treasures and protects against demons, storms and avalanches. 

Ulrich Vital has collected and deciphered the individual symbols. Thus, a useful guide to reading the stories immortalized on the houses was created. Picture books for discoverer, so to speak, which can be unraveled so carefully.

Eva

I don't want to whine, but sometimes it helps to write the frustration off my soul. The frustration with the s.. cold  weather. During a city tour I had to get in the car again and again to warm up and enjoy my "Coffee to Go" here. I'm looking forward to summer and the end of the lockdown!!!!

Margit

After last month it was cold but far too dry for nature, it poured and stormed last night. The storm continues and somehow I'm mischievous - my neighbors have to get out with their dog. How many lonely souls have acquired dogs this past year; statistics on this are already available. It is to be hoped that the animals will be loved as much as before, when our world will have changed again for the better, i.e. human contacts will be fully possible again. In the near future, the BW state government will agree on a dog driving licence (certificate of material customer knowledge) in its new coalition agreement on the model of Lower Saxony! Wau, Wau!

Monik

 We stand in front of a rusty iron box on two thin legs next to the main road of Sent. Curiously, we try to open the thing, which works without effort. Inside you can read: "5 liters - the buyer receives the right measure only if the following measuring regulations are observed" - then follows a guide with the keywords shift tap, sight glass and hose. We are a little perplexed and tap on gas station for motorcycles. 

Later, the research with image comparison confirms our assumption. It could be a Satam wall tank column from the 20´s, known by the nickname "Iron Maiden". On a relevant portal, it is offered for around CHF 5,000. 

So, it has been there for 100 years, this mini gas station and was neither dismantled nor damaged despite the relatively high value and its rarity. Sometimes the world still seems to be good. 

Eva

In Krems I discovered a strange fountain, the Simandlbrunnen. It was built in 1929 and is reminiscent of the Simandl Brotherhood, which is said to have existed since 1529. The name is dating back to the Krems citizen named Simon Handl, who his wife always had beaten. It is alleged that the Krems citizens' wives had gained such dominance over their husbands that the latter had joined together in a Simandl Brotherhood.  In Bavarian-Austrian parlance, "Simandl" is a slipper hero.

Margit

 Hooray! My administrative district has achieved an important goal in the fight against the pandemic! The seven-day incidence is less than 50 per 100.000 inhabitants for 5 days. From Friday there will be further opening steps - and I have already been vaccinated once! This makes one euphoric, so I am planning a few days off within Germany for July. Will it be possible? The heron I´ve met today has no problem with that. 

Monika

Today I baked Non – an Uzbek flatbread. Outside in the garden in the sun I sit down and enjoy. Olives, Humus, Tsatsiki and a cheese egg paste are also available. I smell the scent of the freshly baked bread, close my eyes and lean back. Suddenly Uzbekistan is very close. 

Eva

On 19th May there will be facilitation of the Lockdown in Austria: the gastronomy and the cultural organisers are allowed to reopen, but under strict conditions. That's exactly 22 days after my first vaccination, and if what's being said will be true, I wouldn´t need any more testing. That would be too nice to be true! This is to be decided on Monday. Then the armchairs can be brought out again and the guest garden season may begin!

Margit

While on my excursion on the mountain today, I met one of the 4 eco-mobiles in the city. It contains everything necessary to experience and getting to know nature. It is a question of awakening understanding for the responsibility and identifying the need for nature conservation. For 3 hours each, it can be ordered for groups of all ages at particularly interesting locations, which must be agreed with the municipality, forest etc. beforehand. The focus is on playful getting to know and  experience the direct perception of nature with all senses. Experts from the fields of biology, geography or landscape management are in charge of this important project. I'm thrilled!

Monika

In my favorite bookstore at the checkout. The cashier then asks me: "Are you interested in the premium customer card mobile app?" With my thoughts I was already a purchase further. "Please what?" "Premium customer cards mobile app – are you interested in it?" What advantages this would bring me, I wanted to know. "You don't need the card in your wallet anymore:" Aha, sounds convincing, especially since there are 50 cards in my wallet and I always miss the right thing. But if I now had to install an app on my phone for each card, then I would have less storage space for my photos and games on the phone. 

"I can also help you with the installation," the friendly saleswoman offers. My purchase (a hiking map, a cookbook and a book of poems by Else Lasker-Schüler) probably suggested little ICT affinity. "I'm still considering it," I say and I'm already out. Premium customer card mobile app – such nonsense. 

Eva

Hard to believe they still exist, the sun and the warmth - gorgeous!! Nothing like going to the garden, the plants are already waiting to get into the soil.

Margit

 Sparkling wine and cake – I am invited for it today in the garden of a dear friend. We have a lot to celebrate. Life in particular, including the publication of my first booklet with 17 short stories and – that there will be relaxations as from Monday. Everyone is hoping and waiting for a little more "normality", although this will certainly take a long time until this will really happen. So we are happy and grateful for the little joys that life has to offer in spite of everything. 

Monika

I discovered this work of art today on a tree, while walking. Color, form and structure combined here to create unique beauty. Rosette, flower, a heart in the radiant wreath – what can be seen here. Touched, I go on. 

Eva

Mother's Day in dreamlike weather. Early summer temperatures invite you to enjoy the garden. Today, lounging is on the agenda, Spades and Heindl will have to stay in the hut, only the watering can is allowed to do its service in the evening. I´m literally watching the plants grow!

Margit

30 degrees Celsius! A midsummer day in the blissful month of May. But only one, because next week a cold front is expected to bring heavy rain. Nature will rejoice. But today is today and that is to be enjoyed! On a mountain hike we find a magnificent flower splendour on unfertilized meadows and two cows are standing to cool off in the middle of the rushing, ice-cold stream. Maybe it's a milk-ice-cream production? 

Monika

On my evening walk I met these ferns. With ferns, I feel transported into the fairytale forest, see myself resting in secretive places and discovering secrets. Fern seeds are said to make invisible and many other properties are attributed to the green herb. Fern is a lucky herb, one who finds ferns, can also find crystals and gold. Popular belief says that fern which is worn on the body, placed in the cradle in toddlers or hung in the stable, protect against witchcraft and evil spells. Fern stalks in the house bring harmony, but they also protect the house from lightning. We therefore need to weigh up the situation here. Fern, which grows on the edges of the fields, protect them from hailstorms. 

How much of these magical worlds have been lost! Too bad, actually. 

Eva

 Another early summer day, to which I already pay tribute to a long morning walk from Schlierbach to Wartberg. Much for the delight of my dog, who doesn't even know what is happening to him. 

Margit

Before the big shower from above I was "forest bathing" this morning. Turning off your head and perceiving the silence of the forest is praised in Japan as part of a healthy lifestyle. Now it has to be taught here in courses to the forest-inexperienced city dwellers. I don't need science to do that. Because it is a pleasure to walk through these wonderful shades of green with open eyes and ears, especially in spring, I have already internalized on childhood. Accompanied by a bird concert, I walked all over the world again today, because here, apart from 108 year old  "Waltraut" with its 67.5 meters and a circumference of 3.38 meters, the tallest tree in Germany, a Douglas fir from Vancouver-Island and others, like Sequoias from California and Styrax japonica. So why wander into the distance?

Monika

 The good old VW bus - a piece of nostalgia from the 70s. Flower power, freedom but also the possibility to go abroad. To the sea in Italy, for example, together with friends. Just like the funny troupe that is on the Rämistrasse. I would have liked to go with them, somewhere, with or without a destination. 

Eva

 Like a patchwork carpet, the landscape lies in front of the imposing Traunstein in the Salzkammergut: golden-yellow rape fields alternate with still brown fields and delicate green meadows and give the slightly hilly Alpine foothills a lively and homely ambience. Nature is exploding these days, heat, rains are alternating – absolute "wax weather", as we say here! 

Margit

Continuous rain, cold, as predicted. Time to bring out old letters and photos to revel in memories. Since I started writing short stories during the first lockdown, I've often been looking for more inspiration. Despite the extreme situation, I also see opportunities for a new start. But it will hardly ever be as careless as we once moved around the globe. We must learn to live with and in this new world. 

Monika

 Open again from tomorrow – the Frauenbadi! Of course, with the appropriate protection concept (we have known for a long time) and a water temperature of 11 degrees. The Frauenbadi is a wooden bathing facility floating on the Limmat with a courtyard of the outdoor pool protected from views and a swimming pool in the river in the outdoor area of the bath. And it does belong only to us WOMEN. Specials are the library and the summer Yoga with Anita. 

On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, from 8 p.m., the Frauenbadi becomes the Barfussbar (barefoot-bar). Dance, culture and colourful drinks attract visitors. Sure, this is the place to be. But it would have to get warmer. 

Eva

Sunshine, I would call this wonderful flambeau, which has smiled at me today in the display of a furniture store. It certainly caught my eye because it has a weather again today, on which one doesn´t even chase the dog out the door. Horrible easy, and 16° C colder than yesterday!! The sunshine rain has to be probably lit to warm me up! 

Margit

 The sun is shining this morning, but dark clouds are rising again. Black shadows lie over Gaza and Israel, the first country that had almost survived the pandemic. On the verge of the Sugar Festival, the two countries are in a war of confrontation. For many years, the region was like a volcano that kept smoking, which now is coming to an eruption. Rockets fly back and forth with their deadly cargo. Have people not learned anything? Neither from the history out of which the country originated, nor from the current global threat. I am shocked. 

Monika

For the ticket there are earplugs, which proves themself extraordinary. Through the empty rooms of the new extension of the Kunsthaus Zürich, bright and dull chimes roar. The still empty building and the empty walls absorb the sound sequences and throw them back echo-like. They make the house sound and the bodies of the visitors vibrate.

For the first encounter with the new museum building, the Kunsthaus commissioned the artist and choreographer William Forsythe to create a new work. "The Sense of Things" can be experienced exclusively for four weeks in the extension building by architect David Chipperfield. 

To walk through the still empty buildings in this Klangwolke (sound cloud) has its own charm. The large window fronts make the outside world into images. This is how a museum is created in the opposite sense: the walls remain bare, the pictures are visible in reality and unadulterated through the windows. 

Eva

The Wartberg maypole, it was not stolen and continues to stretch tightly into the lightning blue may sky. 

Margit

 Ascension Day – at the same time Father's Day, which for the second time without brass music and “Hock”, as we call the joint celebration at long tables and benches outdoors, after the fathers usually return from their hike beer like cheerfully. Now they are probably returning home cheerfully, too. On my own tour I found the reference to this day at a fountain, which is supposed to make one think. 

Monika

 First vaccination date for covid19 vaccination. The organization is perfect. Already from the train station, the way to the vaccination center is clearly signposted. At the first station, it's time to disinfect hands, put on a new mask, show a number code and QR code. On the second, the identity is checked again and the number of the health insurance card is compared with the one on the registration form. The friendly security officer points out the way to the second floor. There, pre-existing conditions and identity are queried again and it is ensured whether the date for the second vaccination is already available. Then it is time to wait until the correct number appears on the large screen. A friendly nurse leads the people willing to be lent into a locked room. Make your upper arm free, take a short pics, last information to check out and the reference to free mineral water. Then wait again until the correct number appears on the large screen. A glue in the vaccination certificate, a confirmation for the first vaccination in three languages and information on possible side effects – a friendly smile from the responsible employee and as a give-away a bag package of sticking plasters and a coke frog. It took about 45 minutes. It's great that it worked out so smoothly. 

Eva

 Above the roofs of Linz, a wondrous landscape opens up. To the left behind the dome of the Ursuline Church is the wooden tower of Höhenrausch,  a walk-in installation from 2009, which was built on the occasion of the Capital of Culture year. Not for people with a fear of heights, I can tell that from experience. And next to it, a ship can be guessed behind the shrubs, does it want to anchor in front of the tower??
 
 

Margit

Vivaldi, Bach, Piazzola, Mozart – to experience a concert of an incredibly virtuoso way once again in the pedestrian zone was for me today a moving and goosebumps pure moment! How had I missed such random art pleasures. Today I ventured into the city again after weeks of abstinence. Incidence below 100 and people are flocking. Packed with bags, they rushed past the man from the Ukraine. Unfortunately, only a few stopped, taking little or no notice of him despite the intense sounds. 

Monika

In the city center of Zurich there are about 6.000 pigeons, in the whole of Zurich there are an estimated 16.000. The city pigeons in Zurich are so well fed at any time of the year that they breed successfully even in winter and raise young. The population must therefore be continuously controlled and regulated, so that the number of pigeons does not increase steadily. In order to get the pigeon population under control, a gamekeeper's office "Department of Birds" was created. The tasks of this specialist body is to get the pigeon population under control. The three pigeons in the picture seem to enjoy their lives and bathe quite carefree in the fountain at Bucheggplatz. Sometimes it's good if you don't know everything. 

Eva

Some things grow in the garden without me planting them. It's hard to believe that this is also the case with the ornamental garlic balls I love dearly! And they are increasing every year, last year I counted thirteen flowers, this year already 21 balls delight the eye and heart of the gardener! 

Margit

Asparagus with melted butter,  “Krazete” and ham is on my menu today. Mmm  and then strawberries with cream for dessert! May is definitely a feast for the senses. In nature, as well as on the plate – a month of bliss which center has already been reached. But what is  Krazete? Do you know?

Monika

The peonies in my garden are in full bloom. Reason enough to do a bit of research. And there is already the first surprise. The entries on the relevant portals are long and so complex that I just get a bit lost in details. That the peonies belong to the peonies, I would have come up with it. But the fact that there are 32 types of them surprises me very much. Since our peony bush is woody, it must be counted among the Chinese species. These form the largest and most magnificent flowers. But now, that was new to me. That the flowers smell intensely, I have not yet noticed. This must be checked (as soon as the rain subsides). 

The peonies (Paeonia) were first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus and published in his semi-basic work Speciex Plantarum. The name goes back to the doctor of the gods Paian in Greek mythology. With this plant he healed Pluton, the god of the underworld, after Heracles had this in the 

Already in European antiquity, the peony was known as garden plants and medicinal plants. They were brought by Benedictine monks from the Mediterranean to our region. In the Middle Ages, it was considered an effective remedy for gout or for women's and children's diseases. Until the 19th century, it was used as a remedy for epilepsy and the seeds were threaded as chains and were intended to facilitate teething in young children. 

Chinese gardeners had already bred a range of different varieties with flower colors from white to yellow to black violet from the originally red-flowered species, when Europeans brought the first living plants from China to England towards the end of the 18th century. In 1834, the Royal Horticultural Society sent the plant collector Robert Fortune to China to purchase further peony sensors.  

Due to their long cultivation history, the peonies are assigned a high symbolic content. Peonies already appear in the medieval panel paintings, as they symbolized wealth, salvation, healing and beauty in the Christian symbolic language. In Chinese garden art,  the peony symbolizes wealth, a pledge of love, a woman's life filled with love and the gentleness of Buddha. It is considered a symbol of noziness and wealth. 

Actually, I just wanted to quickly look up the Latin name of the peonies and came across such a wealth of stories. 

Eva

We were already worried about it, our vine, which gives us shade and many grapes every summer. This year it´s very late, but I have discovered the first small, delicate shoots. Even if it looks like it, but it is not a red one, but a fine yellow muscatel grape that sprouts here. 

Margit

Incredible, the sun is shining – quickly out before the approaching cloud cover continues to spread! The peonies are a little too early and their magnificent flowers will lie like a torn featherbed in the garden after another rain. The Ice Saints will annoy us with their caprioles for a while still. 

Surprisingly and from now on, gastronomy and hotels are allowed to reopen. For many, this opening comes too fast. In many places, renovations are still underway, storages are empty, supplies have to be replenished and staff has to be reactivated. In addition,  everyone has to deal with  new  access rules  again.  Only fully vaccinated or with  negative-test from the past 24 hours, but also for outdoors? What about the staff, do they also need a test? Many questions remain unanswered.

Monika

Hirnibräu (Hirni = brain) is a Zurich local beer and is produced exclusively with the excellent, soft Stadtzürcher drinking water. For this, over a dozen different malts are used. The hops come from Unterstammheim in the Zurich wine country. Hirnibräu preserves itself naturally with alcohol, carbonic acid and hops without any preservatives. Hirnibräu is the most Zurich beer of all of Zurich. Hirnibräu is brewed in a former transformer tower in the Guggach superstructure in Zurich North. And – Hirnibräu is only one of eleven local beers in The City of Gircher (shoes) So, there is also a lot to discover in this area.

Eva

What's that? Amazed, I stopped at a cake display case in Linz's old town. A cake with Stanitzel (paper cone)? Or a golden horn?  A cake with unicorn? What I do in such moments – I pull out the mobile phone and capture the object found photographically. On closer inspection of the photo during the train ride home, I think I discover something like ears on the cake´s surface.  Highly idiosyncratic decoration, I think. It occupies me and so I tap on good luck "unicorn cake" in the search engine. It really exists! And they look exactly like my strange discovery. The longer I inform myself about it, the more I realize I am no longer up to date, the UNICORN has long been a "hype" among the girls. From Patschen (slipper) with unicorn to fancy cakes, there is everything with unicorn, I am amazed not bad! It is true once again: travel does educate! Even if it's just a trip to Linz.
 
 

Margit

They are found in white and rose, the flowers of the majestic chestnut trees on both sides along the narrow streets in the old villa districts of the city, which were created around the turn of the century of 1900. It is a special experience to drive through this natural roof every year. Due to the massive rain, however, their beauty will soon disappear, in the summer they provide precious shade and in autumn the locals have to be prepared for their falling fruits. 

Monika

The story of Barbara with her rhubarb cake, which the barbarians like to eat with a beer and the barber in a bar, can be found here: http://www.oezeps.at/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Rabarberbarara.pdf

For practicing there is a lot of time on Pentecost, due to bad weather

Eva

 Again, there was something to jam and learn for me. If I don't know what that is at all, I let Google "look" at my photo and with a little luck I find out what these pink balls on an oak tree are all about: they are Galläpfel. I quote: The roundish gall apple occur below the oak leaves in autumn. It is formed by deposited fertilized eggs of the common oak gall wasp (Cynips quercusfolii). And now it comes - I find this really exciting: The decoction of coarsely ground Galläpfel provides deep dark compounds with iron and copper salts (for example, ferrous sulphate), which is still used today as black ink, called iron gall ink, when signing state treaties. (as from: www.biologieseite.de)
 
 

Margit

The solar sail of the Heliotrope, the first rotary solar house and since 1994  residential building of the architect Rolf Disch, has turned flat upwards with this thick cloud cover to capture the sun's rays. The one-sided glazed,cylindrical building is 18 meters high. Vacuum tube collectors on the balcony parapets provide warm water and heating. The glass facade is turned away from the sun in slow motion on hot days and on cold against it. Originally it has been an experiment and then it won several prizes, among others the German Architecture Prize 1995. It  produces three times its own energy consumption and is thus an example of climate-neutral, ecological  living. By the way, the washing machine works with rainwater and the toilet completely without water. 

Monika

The weather forecasts for the Whitsun weekend – without words! 

Eva

Six months three weeks and six days we were no longer allowed to go to the coffee house, to the restaurant o.e. But today, on the first day of the opening, I enjoy a "Kremser breakfast" with Semmerl (bread rolls), real Wachau apricot jam, fresh orange juice and a wonderful Melange (autrian coffe speciality with coffee, milk with a milk foam on top. When I go in, I am wearing a

Mask and I look for a table with QR code, because you can only sit down at them, the "distance tables" are covered with a large red X. Then I happily present my vaccination certificate - today is the 22nd day after my first vaccination, from this day it is considered permission and  I have also to fill out a form with my data. If there is still one here who will become C ..... sick. That sounds complex, but it's not. There is a joyful mood, still a little restrained, but a big sigh of relief can be felt. Wonderful, I had such a joy :-)

Margit

Here, another architect  constructs an ornate climate-neutral house. The Dolichovespula media – a middle wasp/little hornet tries it for the second time in the lid of my chest on the terrace. The construction site was not discussed with me before.  Unfortunately, it cannot remain under any circumstances. This little nest is very delicate and the wind actually destroyed it a short time later. Bad for her, but I'm relieved. 

Monika

It's soupy weather today – cold and nasty. So, I dare to Ramen again. Ramen, are a separate kind of Japanese noodles and the soup made with them is called Ramen. Just as here Flädlisuppe.  Flädlisuppe is because of the Flädli (thin pancakes cut into pieces) which swim around in it. So, nothing really exciting. In Japan, but meanwhile also in Switzerland, there are Ramen Restaurants where this noodle soup is offered exclusively. The "simple" main course Ramen is one of the most important dishes in Japan and alone in Tokyo there are thousands of Ramen Restaurants. Whether they are good or not shows the length of the hungry waiting queue in front of it. Ramen is available also in mobile stalls. Many of these ramening restaurants are arcane when it comes to preparing the broth. This is the great art of cooking an exclusive, exquisite broth that differs from all the others in taste and fullness of aromas. And also, my ramen recipe is top secret. 

Eva

I`ve always wanted to plant this tree above all because of the beautiful flowers: a pear quince. It delights me in springtime with every look out of the kitchen, in autumn the huge, yellow fruits are hanging on it by the kilo, which I let distill to Schnapps and in winter I watch the hungry garden birds at the birdhouse, which is hanging in it. My PEAR QUINTE, my tree for all seasons!

Margit

Oh, it's hard for me not to buy anything from everything on my favorite farmer´s market! My fridge is just too small. This stand reminds me of the large market halls in various countries, which have always magically attracted me on my travels. A feast for my eyes and camera! So, my visit to the market today was like immersing myself in a bygone era, but the result of my shopping on my plate is in the here and now.

(A search picture: Two fruits actually got lost!)

Monika

Almost every day is market day in Zurich, on Saturday morning the big, cool one in Oerlikon, on Thursdays the small organic market on Tessinerplatz and on Tuesdays and Fridays THE market (dä Määrt) on Bürkliplatz. So, when I say: "ich gaah gschnäll uf dä Määrt", only this market can be meant. What makes it special is the unique location (only by one street separated from the lake) with a pavilion in the middle and many very special suppliers of very high-quality (and very high-priced) niche products and particularly beautiful flowers. The market is an oasis, the market coffee place is to see and be seen. 

The bread selection is incredibly wide and it always smells so crispy-bready around this market stall. Without problems, half or 1/4 breads and special small breads (an "olive brawl" = turned small white bread with black olives) go over the counter. 

Anyone who is on the market exercises patience, especially with the current protection concepts. At the particularly popular market stalls, it takes quite a long time until the goods are purchased. But for such a crispy bread, it's always worth while. 

Eva

Where am I, where am I going, these questions arise with this picture, as it does again and again in my life. If I stand on solid ground, should I take the next step? What contributes in these times? Confidence and basic confidence in life always let me start new things, explore exciting terrains. How nice when curiosity and interest pave the way for me! Life is beautiful, you just have to dare and perceive it!!
 
 

Margit

A horse that stretches its legs into the air like a corn beetle on its back? A strange but quite amusing sight. It seems to express pure joie de vivre. It rolls back and forth, comes up briefly to start anew. Then it gets up, shakes like a wet dog and snorts violently, because too much dust has gotten into its nostrils. Then it's his girlfriend's turn. The spectacle starts all over again. On the riding stable there are about 90 horses, not all visible, but they are obviously doing well here. And again I want to learn to ride. A young rider says it's never too late. She had been there recently when a 90-year-old tried it. Well, I've still got a little bit of time! 

Monika

The puppets of the Swiss artist Sophie Täuber-Arp were created for the puppet show "König Hirsch" in 1918. The play was performed three times. Further planned game evenings fell victim to the measures around the Spanish flu. For a long time the turned wooden figures were stored in boxes, now they have been restored and brought back to life. All 17 figures can be seen at the Kunstmuseum Basel before travelling on to MoMA in New York in mid-June. 

Eva

Wilma!! The image that adorns the heating house in our community reminds me every time I am passing by, of one of my favorite shows on TV when I was a kid. The Flintstones with dad Fred and mum Wilma and the little house dinosaur. In the end there was always this scene in which Fred desperately hammers on the massive wooden door of her Stone Age dwelling with his fists roaring WILMA!!!  She had locked him out. She had done so quite deliberately, but I have forgotten the reason why.
 
 

Margit

No, I was not in the replica cave of LASCAULT. Talented local artists have painted a small Lauscault 4 on the concrete wall in a railway underpass. Unfortunately, these drawings will not last 20,000 years. Already now, sprayers have tried to destroy large parts of this rather impressive work. I got the rest at least in the photo for posterity.

Monik

Pentecost Sunday – it rains in torrents. Finally, it's time to look through the old photos and put them into order. The voice memo on the mobile phone is running and my mother is telling of things from the past. We dive down into the time around 1880. My mother is telling me what just comes to her mind: anecdotes, sad things and many stories of the family of her grandfather with 23 children from two marriages. And it quickly becomes clear that the photo studio, which took all these wonderful pictures, bears witness to the important family events. It becomes the center of all actions, a constant.

Eva

After it has poured the whole morning, small streams have formed in the tractor tracks in the fields. This is what a rice field could look like, I thought to myself. I have recently become aware that rice is even grown in Austria. where? I have to find out first! 

Margit

Other modern cave painters were diligent here. This piece of art will soon be completely painted over again. I can be enthusiastic about graffiti, where allowed and artistically executed. Would Banksy  leave his mark here? Certainly not, he wants to create a lasting thing. When I see the ugly sign spray results on newly renovated house walls, railings, etc., I'm just sad. I do not understand for these young people, who have no other valves to express their anger and who lack respect for the art of others as well as public or private property.  The police seem powerless and now there are even citizens who are feeling forced to move because of these smears. What can we do about it? 

Monika

Living democracy on Whit Monday evening – we will vote on 13 June 2021. The "programme" includes five federal bills, three cantonal and three municipal. In addition, the school board must be elected in our constituency. This means reading into eleven topics and making a choice of two people for the school board. 

At the federal level, the spectrum ranges from measures for clean drinking water and healthy food without pesticides, to the Covid-19 Act, the CO2 Act and measures to combat terrorism. The voting campaign is very committed in the media, but also with flyer campaigns and on social media. 

All ballot papers are wrapped in a grey envelope, which is bagged together with the signed voting card in an enclosed envelope. And here comes the big challenge: the address of the voting register is printed on the voting card at the same time, in addition to the sender. So, if you bag the wrong way around, you will get the documents back to yourself. What has happened to everyone once before. Here, too, the following applies: keep calm and better control once more or, in the worst case, try again.

Eva

The barley fields in their beautiful Ireland green color are to me like slouching seas, as soon as the wind gently blows over them, the grannies appear almost soft and cuddly. 

Margit

Whit Monday – unexpectedly I come to a visit to an extraordinary art exhibition. After more than half a year, such a thing was no longer possible. And now – an open garage made of concrete, which normally accommodates 5 vehicles, had been transformed quite professionally into a sculpture park. The artist exhibited his works from different creative periods. They were mostly smaller objects made of different stone, wood and bronze, whose names existed, but which the viewers were also allowed to give to the pieces themselves. Every human being would probably see something different in it. I found this a particularly interesting approach. 

Monika

For once bright sunshine and white, fluffy clouds in the sky. Really nice weather – so at first glance. Again and again fresh cold gusts and bring the trees and branches quite in motion. The view from the window becomes a fascinating play of shadows. 

Eva

"Who gets the orange bone?" is the current favorite game of Jimmy, our faithful domestic dog. So, you can have it briefly, if I get a treat for it, I interpret this look. Today we are content with a short game in the garden, because for walking one needs scarf and hood again - on May 25th!! 

Margit

 "Oh, look Herbert - there are clouds rising!" 😊

Curiosities on the side of the road and my camera is there. If you walk through the world with care, you will encounter many small peculiarities, which can also turn some grey days into colored ones. Unfortunately, the bathing weather will still take a long time to come. 

Monika

The view from the window is like in the theater. The neighboring houses become backdrops. The lighting is dimmed to fairytale-like. The threatening, black clouds move on. I let myself be enchanted by this evening mood and stay at the window for a long time. 

Eva

Do you know that also? If it comes over you, you have to stay tuned, and do it. What? Everything that is otherwise postponed because absolutely unwelcome. In the evening on the terrace, I was highly satisfied with myself, despite aching limbs and thought about having good chances for the silver high-pressure cleaner medal on the ribbon, if it existed.  I would only be entitled to the golden one if I did the rest around the house as well. Unless it´s coming over me. The prerequisite, however, is, I remain firm, is fair weather! So, it's not just up to me whether I achieve this goal, Peter also has to play along, and he seems to be a bit unsteady at the moment. 

Margit

Typical German, right? In German gardens, if one should believe statistics, live about 25 million of these impish little men. Their pedigree dates back to 1900, when the first garden dwarf in Thuringia saw the lights of world. In the 1960s, he was seen as a sign of bad taste (kitsch) and skewering, but after 1990 he experienced a rebirth by creating new, provocative models. Once in Austria, 20,000 were used by the SPÖ for an election campaign. 400 of them disappeared during one night, which was reported as "dwarf theft". A couple in Upper Austria inherits the largest collection of 4,443 models. In 1984 in Basel, an international Association for the protection of the garden dwarf was founded. They can also be found in the Czech Republic, northern Italy, Slovenia and England. Here, too, an example of globalization?

Monika

The cinema and I, that's a long love affair. The cinemas have been open for a week, so it's by time to go there again. At the box office, the ticket seller asks me which film I would like to see. I say "Ammonite" and pronist the word English. "It's not in the program," replays the gentleman friendly. "Yes," I insist, pointing to the neon sign behind him. "Ah, Ammonitte (he pronounizes it german with two hard T´s) is the film that no one wants to see." Ah yes, but I'm curious! And indeed. I am the only spectator in a cinema hall with an estimated 300 seats. What a unique experience and what a beautiful movie!

Eva

"I've defeated him," cries Little Red Riding Hood, wildly waving her sword and staring at me. I could almost have pity on him, the poor bad wolf, if I didn't know about his shameful deed! No basket with Guglhupf (cake) and red wine carries the dear girl to the grandmother, no, only armed with sword she may venture through the dark fir in these times, because dangers lurk everywhere. Like then, but today the girls know how to defend themselves. That's a good thing!

Margit

Like teardrops, the last raindrops are running down this beautiful flower for this time beeing. They are tears of joy, because the openings continue and with each hour the sun is coming back. My life clock keeps spinning and finally I can celebrate a party on the terrace with my dear friends.  Most of them are already fully vaccinated, or at least half. No hugs, but it feels a little like that. :-) 

Monika

I admit – I'm a terrible morning muffle. Every morning shortly before seven o'clock I cross the small station hall to reach the suburban train. And there stands the tree. From the loudspeaker chirping bird songs and light African sounds should sweeten the morning for me. Unfortunately, it doesn't work – the tree is annoying and with it the chirping and fiddling. No light heart and no GoodmorningGoodmood but a muddy zombie brain that lets me reach my train as if remote controlled. Well-intentioned, is not always well done, but also well done would have no chance with me. Morgenmuffel just.

Eva

Whole meadow in pink, how fantastic. What's blooming there? The cuckoo light clok, Lychnis flos-cuculi, thrives here magnificently in the damp meadow next to the railway tracks. 

The term "cuckoo light clok" most likely refers to the cuckoo, because the flowers show up in May when the cries of the cuckoo can be heard. 

Margit

Pure sun, that needs my new achievement. So my little solar fountain bubbles happily – a gift to myself. Today we finally went back to the city by bike, but apart from being able to walk into the shops without registration, it is still not possible to sit down in a street café without a daily test or complete vaccination after a 14-day waiting period. My test was over by 1 hour – no chance or a new one has to come! My girlfriends and I are pretty disappointed.

Monika

Finally good weather! I am spending the afternoon doing the most urgent work in the garden. Bring tomato and cucumber seedlings outside and plant a few flowers around the large stone in the garden. The little angel, which has found its place here for so many years, looks cheerful. Summer can come.

Eva

View into the sphereIs 

The world also sometimes upside down 

Future takes place 

(My thoughts written as haiku, a Japanese poem form with a strictly regulated number of lines and syllables)
 

Margit

Yeah, my gym is open again as from today! But here, too, the same rules apply as for the gastronomy. So I have to think very carefully about the time at which I`ll have my next test done, so that I can train maybe two days in a row, i.e. within the 24-hour period, and in addition, maybe even visit a café or restaurant. In order to stay fit, there is also this way. 

Monika

No, piccola Sicilia is not in Italy, but in Tunisia, more precisely in Tunis. It is a small quarter where Jews from Sicily live, together with Christians and Muslims. They share everyday life under German occupation. The Young People of Italian Origin Victor and Jasmin work in the Hotel Majestique, which becomes the German command center, and there they meet Moritz, the war correspondent and photographer of the German Wehrmacht. Their paths and their fate are intertwined and the streams of life extend to the present. A sensitive book about the tribulations of life, about love and life in a confusing time. I'm looking forward to the sequel! It's called JAFFNA ROAD. 

Eva

Psst! Here it should be quiet! But wasn't it too quiet last year? Or should we become calm in order to be able to listen better to our inner voice? To become calm in order to really listen to our fellow human beings, namely with heart and ears? Yes, this positive side of the past year should not be forgotten, the calm that qualifies for listening.

Margit

"Blossom of the year," that's what I'd call them. The enchanting and magnificent Lilies, which actually do not belong to the lily family, are named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, the IRIS. And that's how they come along. There are now 250 species and incredible quantities of varieties. They can reach up to 120cm high. Almost everywhere I meet them at the moment. In the front gardens, at the edges of the road as well as quite lush in the vineyard and captivate me with their intense colors. Unfortunately, I don't have the space at this point to be able to show all the different photos I took of them.

Monika

Holder flowers doused with hot water. The bowls are now a few days with us in the living room until it becomes homemade holder syrup. Last year I´ve made 33 liters – and on Christmas everything was drunk.  Homemade holder syrup made by myself - always a small souvenir for dear people around me. They appreciate it very much and I am pleased about it. 

Eva

The reputation of the ravens is very ambivalent, from the divine raven in antiquity to the harbinger of death, disaster and plague in the Middle Ages. They have fascinated me for a long time, I would have liked to have had a tame raven as a child, like the little witch in Ottfried Preußler's children's book of the same name. This raven here has cracked a hard nut and valuable seems to be hidden in it. A sign for the coming time that openings are imminent again after the hard time of the lockdown?  Yes, it is already noticeable and I'm looking forward to it!! 

Margit

The sun is shining as if May has a guilty conscience. And I have one, too, because my balcony beds are calling for me. Finally I free them from withered tulips, daffodils and weeds. After the work is done, there are open spots. Quickly to the local gardener, a few flowering perennials bought and planted. It's so nice that this is now possible again so spontaneously. Hopefully it was the last lockdown of its kind, which fortunately could now be eased with perseverance and discipline and not least by the willingness of large parts of the population to vaccinate. Hopefully it's over now. The future remains uncertain and caution remains required.