(B+) - Paula Korhonen and a Finish Family Tradition - There's a Christmas tree in Helsinki with an interesting past.

 Paula Korhonen and a Finish Family Tradition.

Christmas trees are a big part of Christmas. They turn our flats and our houses into places of Christmassy peace and goodwill. And, bringing home a tree is the same as inviting a good friend to stay. Without them, Christmas would not be the same. Together, we adorn our trees with candles and balls and other beautiful things; and, around them we lay brightly wrapped gifts and enjoy the singing of nice Christmas songs. Our trees then become a very big part of our meaning of Christmas. A family occasion.

But, there is one Christmas tree that is different. It's in Finland and belongs to Paula Korhonen. And, Paula's Christmas tree is not only decorated with balls, candles, and chains, it's covered with family history as well. And, this is a tradition that goes back a very long way.

The decorations on Paula's tree were made not only by herself, but her grandmother, her mother, her daughter, and, now, even her granddaughter as well. And, these decorations were all made at school and all very simple.

And, this wonderful collection shows not only bright decorations, it shows changes as well.

The first decorations, made by Paula's grandmother, were made out of cardboard and ribbons, then, along the way came bottle-tops, silver paper, matchsticks, and everything else one can think of as well. And, interestingly, the last decorations to arrive started life as aluminium capsules for coffee. Now, they are beautiful stars. Industrial rubbish had become very colourful. Finland, like the rest of the world, is changing as well.

But, hopefully, Paula Korhonen's family tradition won't change at all. This Christmassy Finnish family tradition is not only unique, it's also a chain that connects generations.

And, this is something you could do, too. Trees will always be part of our Christmas. Why not make your Christmas tree a family tree, too? Your grandchildren's children, I'm sure, will not only be thankful, but happy to pass on this tradition to their children as well.

Christmas has always been family. And, Paula Korhonen is keeping a tradition alive that has been in her family for a very long time. Decorations that have come in from the past and are on their way into the future as well. Christmas trees are beautiful things – they are the past, the present and future of Christmas.

Paula Korhonen and a Finish Family Tradition.

A Finnish Christmas market in Helsinki

Helsinki

(B) Birds of a Feather and a Little Old Lady -

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Birds of a Feather!

It was a very hot day in Vienna.  I was sitting in the shade of a secluded corner in the park of Schönbrunn when a woman came into view. And, she wasn’t alone.  She was being followed by an entourage of crows which was wobblingly walking behind her.   And, as she passed by, I told her she seemed to be a very popular woman.  She smiled and said it was lunch time, and that she daren’t come to the park without a bag full of nuts. Crows, she explained, love nuts more than anything else. Then, this unusual procession carried on round the corner.  I was once again on my own; but, not for too long.

In fact, it took just a minute or two.  One by one the crows started returning the way they had come; but, now in full flight, and each with a nut in his beak. It was a wonderful sight. And, then came the woman again.  She told me she had been coming to the park for more than ten years and had rarely missed a day.  Birds, for her, were a source of great joy. And, this I fully understood.  Watching the birds had given me great pleasure, too.  

And, all this great pleasure was thanks to a very hot day, the shade of a wonderful park, and the unexpected appearance of a  little old lady.  My wait in the heat had been worth every minute.  And, I, too, went happily on!

                                                                                                  

Vocabulary

appearance – Erscheinung - megjelenés - ilmestys -

crow - Krähe -  varjú - varis

daren’t (dare not) - nicht trauen -  nem merem - En usko

entourage - Gefolge  - kíséret - säestys

expected – erwartet - várható -  odotettu

feathered – gefedert - rugózott - jousitettu

joy - rugózott -  öröm - ilo

nuts - Nüsse - dió  - saksanpähkinä

procession – Umzug - díszszemle - paraati

rarely - selten -ritkán - harvoin

secluded - abgelegen - elvonult - eristäytynyt

shade - Schatten - árnyék -  varjo

source - Quelle - forrás - lähde

unexpected –  unnerwartet  - váratlanul - yllättäen

wobblingly - wackelig -  ingatag - hutera

(B+) - Martin Glossauer - A Glass of Red Wine and a Smoke - The Tour de France - Many changes.

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A Glass of Red Wine and a Smoke! - Martin Glossauer made a discovery!

Changes are part of every day life. Things come and go, and others remain and change with the times. And, as Martin Glossauer discovered whilst watching a film, the Tour d. France was and still is the perfect example of change.

The film which Martin Glossauer saw was in black and white and shot just after the Second World War. And, the film not only showed the history and story of the Tour d. France, but three interesting changes as well. And, the thing that Martin Glossauer noticed the most was the fact that the competitors were not wearing helmets. The race was just as dangerous then as it is now. Then came the smoking. Most of the cyclists were not only smoking during the breaks, but also whilst cycling as well! This would never happen now. But, of course, a good cigarette needs a good wine, and the favourite refresher was a glass of red wine. Cycling and drinking was no problem then. But, the Tour d. France is not the only thing that has changed.

When Martin Glossauer was a boy there were no seat belts in cars, and very few motor-cyclists wore crash helmets. These were things that nobody thought of. And, smoking, too was widely accepted. It was done on buses, trains, aeroplanes, in cinemas, and homes, and every where else, too. Now, thankfully, planes, trains, offices, buses, and cinemas no longer smell of cold stale smoke. No smoking has been a very positive change.

So, as Martin Glossauer says, remember the now, it won't last for ever. Things disappear all the time and are quickly forgotten. And, Martin Glossauer believes that photos are the best way of saving the past. Our present will then be kept for the future.

Changes are part of everyday life. Things come and go, and others remain and change with the times. And, as Martin Glossauer discovered whilst watching a film, the Tour d. France was and still is the perfect example of change.

 

Vocabulary

discovered – (discover(s)/discovered/discovered) – entdeckte

during – während

example - Beispiel

helmet – Helm

present – Gegenwart

shot – (shoot/shot/shot) – Film drehte

stale - alt

whilst – während

won't – will not

(B) - Peter Rosegger - A great Austrian writer who wrote brilliant accounts of life in the mountains

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Peter Rosegger and The Kramer-Thresel – Growing up in the mountains of Austria

Highlights are things people look forward to. And, these moments of magic nearly always involve other people. People who are special to us. And, in his book, *When I was still a Forest Farmer's Son, Peter Rosegger, the Austrian author, thinks kindly back to old Kramer-Thresel. She was a very kind lady. Her visits were moments of magic.

Old Kramer-Thresel called twice a year. Winter and spring. She was a one-woman mobile market stand. And, she carried on her back a kind of chest of drawers in the form of a rucksack. And, this was a pack of surprises. And, arriving at the Rosseger's farmhouse, Old Kramer-Thresel would unpack her wares and arrange them nicely on the old kitchen table. The children's eyes then opened wide with delight. This was the moment that had been a long time in coming.

There were mouth-organs, tobacco pipes, pocket knives, buttons of every imaginable size, brightly painted wooden spoons, small wooden horses on wheels, toy soldiers in colourful uniforms, and, many more things as well. Something for everyone. And, because each boy and girl had promised to be good, the rewards were not long in coming. Each child was given a gift of their very own choice. And, they were happy and joyful.

And, everyone else was happy as well. Then, after a fine meal of sausage and bread, the old Kramer-Thresel went on her way. Into the freshness of green in the spring, and, into the snow and the winds in the winter. And, as she waved goodbye, everyone knew she'd be coming back again. And, the waiting began once again.

Of course, things have changed. Peter Rosegger was born in 1843 and died in 1918. In, “When I was still a Forest Farmer's Son”, Peter Rosegger describes his childhood in the mountains of Austria, His book is a must for everyone interested in Austrian history and life..

Highlights are things people look forward to. And, these moments of magic nearly always involve other people. People who are special to us. And, this is still very true.

Peter Rosegger and The Kramer-Thresel – A very special childhood in the mountains of Austria.

Peter Rosegger.

*German title – Als ich noch der Waldbauernbub war – Peter Rosegger.

Published by Heyne – Buch

Peter Rosegger and The Kramer-Thresel – Growing up in the mountains of Austria

Vocabulary

mouth-organs – Mundharmonika - szájharmonikára - suuelin

tobacco pipes – Tabakpfeife - pipa - tupakkapiippu

pocket knives , Taschenmesser - zsebkés - linkkuveitsi

buttons – Kopfe - gombok - nupit

brightly painted wooden spoons - bunt bemalte Holzlöffel - fényesen festett fából - kirkkaasti maalatut puiset lusikat

small wooden horses on wheels - kleine Holzpferde auf Rädern - kicsi, fából készült lovak a kerekeken - pienet puiset hevoset pyörillä

toy soldiers in colourful uniforms - Spielzeugsoldaten in bunten Uniformen - játék Soldiers in colourful uniforms - lelu sotilaat värikäs univormut -

An Austrian farmer's boy

A9949 is our podcast - lots of interesting things to listen to!

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We have an Advent Song - a true story that happened a few years ago, and we have much more as well.  Please CLICK HERE to go to A9949.  Enjoy your listening!

Karli Brieber is one of our friends!

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                           Karli Brieber is a Friend of Diarikom!

 

KARLI  BRIEBER - ACCOUNTANCY - TAX ADVISER - BOOK-KEEPING AND MORE!
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INTERVIEW - DEUTSCH - Lisl Fischer - Vielseitig, aktuell und sehr interessant!

(B) - A Lesson in Life - Never take sweets from a child - they scream!

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A lesson in Life – Katie's Chocolate

This short story is a lesson in life. Never take chocolate from children. If you do, you will surely be sorry. And, the following happened a few years ago.

I had just finished eating. Frau Sieder's lunches were simply fantastic. And, her little corner Gasthaus was one of the best in Vienna. I was a regular guest. Frau Sieder cooked and Ilse her daughter served and cleared up. A team that worked very well. And, Ilse had a daughter named Katie - and Katie was seven or eight at the time of this story.

Little Katie was in the Gasthaus doing her homework. She was alone in a corner. And, to keep her quiet and obedient, she had been given a bar of her favourite chocolate. Little Katie was happy.

And then, just for a laugh, I took Katie's bar of chocolate right out of her hands and ate it all up. I smiled and laughed, and told little Katie, in a jokingly way, she should be careful. Someone might come and eat her chocolate all up! I laughed. Everyone else, I believed, would find my prank very funny and join in with the fun. And, Katie, of course, would find it hilarious. I was wrong. Katie was furious!

And, Katie started to cry. “He's eaten my chocolate” she sobbed in a very loud way. And, she cried even more. All of a sudden, all the guests were looking at me. No one was eating. I tried to say sorry and explain. A joke – nothing more. All I got back were killing black looks and Katie cried even more. Then came the scoldings.

Ilse scolded me, Frau Sieder scolded me, and all the other guest joined in with the scolding as well. And, Katie, I believed, was enjoying my disgrace. She was turning the knife. Deeper and deeper it went.

There was only one thing to do. I went over the road and bought a new bar of chocolate. Katie's favourite. But, Katie refused it. She was stubborn. She was turning the knife even more. She was not going to give in. She was winning. So, following Ilse's advice, I left and went back to my office.

And, when I went back again the next day, things were as if nothing had happened. Ilse was just as friendly as ever, and Mrs Sieder was happy as well. It had all been a storm in a tea-cup. Nothing more. And, I was happy. I hadn't been banned. And, everyone else was happy to see me as well. And, when I saw little Katie again, she not only gave me a smile, but offered me a piece of her chocolate as well. I smiled. We were friends once again.

Katie had learned that a prank is a prank, and I had learned that children don't like their sweets being taken. I have never done it again.

This is a story that's a lesson in life and it happened a long time ago. The day I took Katie's sweets.

A lesson in Life – Katie's Chocolate

English / German / Hungarian / Finnish

advice - Rat / tanács / neuvot

banned – verboten / kitiltva / kielletty

furious – wütend / dühös / raivostunut

obedient – gehorsam / engedelmes / tottelevainen

prank – Streich / csíny / kepponen

scolding – Schelte / szidás / haukkumiset

sobbed – schluchzte / zokogott / nyyhkytti

stubborn – stur / makacs / itsepäinen

storm in a tea-cup - Sturm im Wasserglas / vihar egy teáscsészében / myrsky vesilasissa

(B+) An Advent Song - A true Advent story that happened a few years ago!

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An Advent Story

Advent is a wonderful time and the Viennese love it. The city is dotted with small Advent markets, and all, more-or-less, exactly the same. A beautifully decorated tree, hot spicy wine, Christmassy things one can buy, a wonderful Advent feeling, and, of course, Advently seasonal music. And, about ten years ago, I was at just such a market, and this is what happened.

I was having a wonderful time. Everything was great and everything Advently perfect. But, it was the choir that provided the spirit of the evening. And, singing mainly in English, they were very, very good. But, the evening went quicker than expected and soon came the very last song.

The conductor turned to the people, thanked them, and wished them a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. And then, after turning back to the choir, closed his eyes, and started conducting the very last number. And, the choir started singing, and the crowd started humming and singing along. It was all very magic.

And, then came the the very last line of this very last song. And, just like a half dying swan in great pain, the conductor, with still tightly closed eyes, raised his arms in an arch, paused for a second, then flutteringly and dramatically brought them back down again for the expected well practiced majestic conclusion. But, the choir didn't stop. They simply carried on singing! The last line had not been the last line at all. The singers had been singing from their song sheets and not even looking at the conductor. And, the conductor, because of his tightly closed eyes, had not even noticed he was being ignored.

But, all's well that ends well. With a very red face, the conductor conducted hard to catch up, and, of course, brought the concert to a triumphant conclusion. And, the applause was fantastic. The audience had had a wonderful evening.

And, that's how it was. An evening of magic with more than one or two glasses of hot spicy wine, and, of course, some Christmassy songs sung by a very fine choir.

Advent. A wonderful time that the Viennese love – and, I love it as well.

Vocabulary

attention - Aufmerksamkeit

conclusion - Schluss

embarrassing – peinlich

expectantly - erwartungsvoll

goes without saying – (go/went/has gone...) selbstverständlich

imitating - nachahmen

spirit – Geist

(B) Audry Bowls and Her Great Apple Crumble - A very weak moment that changed English cooking for ever!

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Audrey Bowls and Her Great Apple Crumble

Apple crumble is one of the few British dishes that really tastes great. Everyone likes it. It can be eaten with custard and cream or taken just as it is. And, this Great British dish is a thing that happened by chance. And, its story began just after the war.

Audrey Bowls was was just seventeen at the time. And, because there were no other jobs to be had, she was cooking school dinners for a living. And, in those days, school dinners were things that everyone hated. Nobody liked them. They simply didn't taste nice.

And then, one day, things suddenly changed. School dinners took a turn for the better. And, all because Audrey Bowls forgot something important!

The apple pie had been in the oven for more than an hour when Audrey Bowls went white in the face. She even had to sit down. The milk, the eggs, and the water were still on the table. She had forgotten to add them. Dry pastry! Oh no! What could she do? 300 hungry young children and no apple pie. A disaster was looming.

Quickly, Audrey Bowls took the apple pie out of the oven. But, there was no smell of burning and no burned apple pie. The dry apple pie had crumbled, instead. And, it was really quite nice. Just a little too dry. And, this was no problem. Hot runny custard was all that was needed. And, Audrey's apple pie which was now apple crumble was an immediate success. The kids simply loved it. And, this was the first time in the history of British school dinners that the kids wanted seconds. A great day for Britain.

And, word quickly spread. Soon, apple crumble was being served on all the big ships that crossed the Atlantic, and, of course, on all major airlines as well. Everyone everywhere loved it.

Sometimes it's the small people in life who contribute the most. They make people happy. And, Audrey's mistake in the kitchen was the best thing that ever happened in Britain. The day the pie crumbled was the day that all children smiled! Great British cooking was up at the top! And, all thanks to young Audrey Bowls. If she hadn't forgotten the eggs, milk, and water there would be no apple crumble – just apple pie!

Audrey Bowls and her great apple crumble.

Vocabulary English/ German/ Finnish/ Hungarian

contribute - tragen dazu bei / edistävät / hozzájárul

crumbled – zerbröckelt / zerbröselt / taipui / morzsolt

looming - Katastrophe drohte / uhkaavasti / fenyegetően

runny – flüssig / vuotava / nyúlós

seconds – noch ein Portion bitte/ vielä yksi palvelee/ még egy szolgálatot kérünk