20.10.2009 von admin.

…. can be disputed. Usually the garage is the place to store things that don’t belong in the house and are in the way, however I still wonder who decided why and where things should be stored… The garage has throughout my life been multifunctional. For the smokers when it is cold outside have sought shelter there, storage for home-made jam, the children’s toys, the lawn-mover and the tool shed has found its way into the temporary home of cars. The last thing to be found in there, was actually a car, which was usually parked outside on the drive-way. The problem occurs when there are minus degrees outside, then suddenly it becomes rather urgent to initiate a garage sale, throw out the husbands tools, or him altogether, perhaps even extend the house, to fit in those jam jars.

This is a challenge we are not facing here, as we don’t own a garage, and didn’t think it was necessary up until last Friday. I was already dead-cold before stepping out into the cold, and the freezing temperature forced me to scrape the car windows, enabling me to drive. Today was again one of those days, and the ski-suit will come in handy if it continues like this. Not mentioning that the car needs to be driven 8 km before giving back some heat. This means that just before Velden the temperature becomes slightly comfortable, just in time to park the car and when coming back 40 minutes later, it starts all over again.

The purpose of a garage can be disputed, but not in this household.

So long - purpose is clear

/S

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19.10.2009 von admin.

… even though there are early records from year 1328 that the church Holy John the Baptist, existed already back then. Can’t win them all can we?

In 1787 the church was re-built into the shape it has today, although the church tower came tumbling down in 1891. Parts of the building has neo Renaissance form and is unique for Carinthia.

Yesterday after a fantastic lunch at Fruhmann, I took a long walk at Forstsee. Forstsee has advanced to one of my favourite places, my dog appreciates it as well. The rest of the evening was spent rather quietly at the kitchen table, playing cards and enjoying a typical English cup of tea.

IKEA is on the agenda today. A Swedish household needs specialties from Sweden. Normal people go to IKEA to get furniture, I go there to get Swedish food. I adore the smoked cheese, the thin bread, the Daim chocolate and the rest that the Swedish shop holds on storage…  and of course you can’t leave IKEA without a bag of tea candles strategically positioned at the entrance and all over the place. Also a trip to the local Hardware store to get some wall plaster for the cellar has to be conducted and then re-decoration no. 2 will start.

So long - go Billy

/S

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18.10.2009 von admin.

…from the shores around the house and in the kitchen. I am honestly dedicating this day to myself, full stop.

There is an old story from Lesachtal, about a big black rock located in Wörthersee, surrounded by whirling waters and guarded by a creature, similar to a mermaid. The most beautiful water lilies were growing here, but no one had ever survived trying to get hold of them. A hunter from Lesachtal was madly in love with a girl, whom he wanted to marry, but his rival parted the two loved ones and challenged the hunter to a a trail of courage of bringing back a water lily from Wörthersee. As the most miraculous lilies were growing on the big black rock he made his way up the rock face. Finally in reach of the lilies, he grabbed it and in that second the mermaid showed and pulled him into the whirling waters. The waves took the rock and the hunter with it and no more water lilies ever grew back.

The morale of this story is mystery to me. I would have appreciated an ending including: - …he fought the mermaid, retrieved the water lily, went back to his loved one and lived happily ever after. Since then water lilies, greater then ever, grew all over Wörthersee and the evil mermaid was never seen again.

Sagas and stories should have a happy ending, even though in real life, it sometimes plays a different role. I think I will spend the afternoon re-writing and and beautifying some really bad endings and at least make the morale clearer… Wonder if I can give Titanic and Wizard of Oz another spin … “there is no place like home” all over again..

So long - stay tuned.

/S

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17.10.2009 von admin.

… after have put my dog through a vet visit, we took a drive up to Forstsee for a long walk. The necessity of this was not negotiable, due to the fact that I do love my dog and he knows, I hate when he ignores me.

After the walk we sat down at the lake and I could have fallen asleep there and then as the sun was so warm and cosy and you could hear nothing but the birds. On the other side of the lake I could see some guys fishing, guess it was one of these male-bonding activities us women don’t really get a hang of.

The evening was spent in Villach, seeing the movie “Männerherzen” and was most of the time entertaining and giving me some good laughs. We stayed on at the cinema for a couple of drinks and then explored the Villacher nightlife, where I most of the evening felt old, as the average age can’t have been above 25.  I must admit, my aged was noted during the early hours of this morning as well, when getting out of bed.

So let’s see what this day will bring.

So long - ….wonder where those wrinkles come from anyway…

/S

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16.10.2009 von admin.

… when experiencing moments like these.  I am so glad I have my camera phone (C905 Sony Ericsson) with me every where I go, enabling me to catch this beautiful scenery over and over again.

The early morning hours are holy to me, not only due to my morning temper, but I need the peace and quiet to make all parts of the brain work normally and time to get into gear. Unfortunately my dear dog can’t really appreciate me dragging him out of bed at that time of day.

We had frost over night and I needed to scrape it off the car this morning. I knew there was a reason of having a garage… at least throughout the winter months….

Getting back into an ice cold car now and off to the vet with the dog, removing the stitches and then some mandatory shopping is on the agenda, before inspecting the cinema in Villach.

So long - rise and shine

/S

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15.10.2009 von admin.

… and on the menu for today - Swedish meatballs, potatoes, brown sauce and lingonberries were served. Only the Swedish songs and the strong alcoholic drinks were banned and I am rather happy about this. I think it was appreciated…the food I mean and a little bit of Sweden felt as a part of the Wörthersee this beautiful October day.

The afternoon was spent in a shopping-mall in Villach, satisfying a shopaholics basic needs and returned back to Techelsberg late this evening. Just got off the phone with Düsseldorf and now joining my dear friend for another round of cards and then off to bed.

The weather has been great….  again… and this morning the Karawanken were shining bright red in the sunset. You know - every day I feel lucky to be here and to me, this is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

So long - och hej

/S

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14.10.2009 von admin.

… is always an average. This day exceeds any demands I set.

The air was crisp, the sky blue and the sun came up over Klagenfurt, shining right at the Karawanken  reflecting on the snow. Brilliant! The haze coming from the Wörthersee gave it a mystic it deserved. God, I love the peace and quiet in the morning, and I wish my dear dog would appreciate it as much as I do, instead of the need to force him up out of his comfy position.

The Hippo-act instructed by my physio, made me fitter then usual, at least more awake… and I enjoyed the walk along the lake dearly, as I do every morning.

Parts of the “getting-prepared-for-the-winter” activities have been completed around the house, and I am still praying the fireplace will arrive earlier then planned, as I love to have it over-warm and cosy around me.

My friend took the bike to Klagenfurt today, and hasn’t returned yet. I did provide him with a map, so I guess he shouldn’t get lost. But you never know, do you? Some things wouldn’t surprise me anymore… No need to worry - all roads go someplace…

So long - if there is a start, there is an end

/S

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13.10.2009 von admin.

.. via the church in Sternberg, overlooking the valley and the Karawanken, where the snow has already arrived.

After  my tour to Velden this morning I practised the new exercise my physiotherapist told me to do, strengthening the back and neck. All of a sudden while doing this, it had a likeness with a hippo, making snuffling sounds. Thank God I am a great hippo-fan and would actually consider it as a entertainment act for future parties. Main thing is - I will get a strong back and get the feeling back in all of my fingers. But it ain’t looking pretty …

Anyway, after found inner peace, standing next to the church, inhaling the autumn air and the beautiful view, we went for a walk in the woods before passing Wernberg on our way back for a light lunch.

Need to get back to the stove.

So long - stay hip(po)

/S

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12.10.2009 von admin.

… and taking on the challenge as a car-mechanic, as I have at accomplished at least an advanced status level as a handyman.

The car broke down on Friday and it spent the weekend in the parking-lot of the local grocery-shop. The starting motor didn’t need a kick and the ignition “thingies” not a smack upside the head as I thought, it started with some minor objections and I drove it directly to the  repair shop. The car mechanic didn’t even try to hide the smile on his face when I tried to explain my thoughts of what needed to be done, but I think that we came to an understanding when I told him; - the car needs to run another year and it can’t cost anything, otherwise I need to spend the nights here at the shop, cleaning up the oil to be able to afford it. I think he took this as a threat… and it will be ready on Wednesday. Bless him…

We decided upon a fireplace for the kitchen as well this morning, and it will look great… the lead-time is a slight challenge though - 5 to 6 weeks, so I will probably freeze to death.

Have a friend over from Germany visiting, and we took a tour around Wörthersee and up to St. Martin, where I needed to pick up some drawings for the house. The people in the town hall are so sweet and helpful, I could give them a huge hug for their prompt support.

Had a hot chocolate in Velden and went back home. (yummy)

Time for dinner…and I am cooking…hurray(?)

So long -soon there will be a great fireplace in the kitchen!

/S

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11.10.2009 von admin.

…. staggering out of bed, feeling muscles which probably haven’t been used ever, at least not by me. The kitchen project is still ranked as a success considering that the paint was still sticking to the walls this morning. I would have got slightly upset if this wasn’t the case, but not surprised though as mentioned before, the most strange things happen to me when re-decorating, mostly due to that the creativity can’t physically be turned into reality..could also have to do with the force of gravity..

Our Swiss guests left to visit the Zoo in Rosegg, which is located 5 minutes from Velden and has more then 400 animals, but also a castle and a labyrint to  view. From there, you could take a nice walk along the Drau river, especially a sunny day like this.

The 25°C we are holding today will drop during the week and the autumn will finally also arrive to Carinthia. This however doesn’t mean it’s bad weather, but too cold for the sandals and the t-shirt.

Time for a round with the dog and then get those pictures up.

So long - gravity is on my side today!

/S

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