Lucy Nemetz - A Tiny White Spot On A White Spotted Carpet.
Lucy Nemetz had had a bad day and was not feeling happy. And, her not feeling happy had started early that morning. Lucy's alarm had failed to go off. No time for breakfast and running all day to catch up. And, then, coming home at four, Lucy was tired and exhausted. But, Lucy's bad day was set to continue. All of a sudden, Lucy's left hearing aid was no longer where it should be. It had gone. Vanished. An expensive end to a miserable day!
Desperately, Lucy and her husband looked everywhere. Behind the cushions, under the cushions, under the couch, behind the couch, by the TV, and everywhere else they could think of. But nothing. Lucy's very expensive fine hearing aid had gone from the face of the earth. Lucy was not only unhappy, but angry as well. But, then, something happened to Lucy. She stood perfectly still. She smiled. She had thought of her Guardian Angel.
Lucy closed her eyes, and, for the first time that day, she was at peace with herself. And, then, when she thought the moment was right, opened her eyes and looked down. Her hearing aid was by her left foot. A tiny white spot on a white spotted carpet. Lucy was happy. Her Guardian Angel had saved her again.
And, Walter, Lucy's husband, was also an Angel. He made Lucy a cold chicken sandwich and a nice cup of hot tea. A very nice end of a very bad day.
Lucy Nemetz - A Tiny White Spot On A White Spotted Carpet.
The
statues of Lenin and Stalin may have gone from the face of the old
Soviet block, but there is still one
reminder that
takes us straight back to the heart of the Communist era. The
plattenbaus. And, there, they still proudly stand in
the old eastern block.
Built
as of the 1950s, these enormous blocks
of flats built of huge concrete slabs
were designed
to counter
the homelessness
caused by the war. And, they were, to a certain
extent, successful. Each apartment
came with its own WC, bathroom, simple kitchen, hot and cold running
water and heating. But, despite these advantages, the plattenbaus
were not very popular.
With
their grim characterless oneness, they offered very
little privacy. The walls were so thin that everyone was able to hear
what everyone else was saying and doing. And, on fine summer days,
with windows wide open, everyone knew what everyone else was having
for lunch. The
smell of cabbage cooking carries a very long way! But,
there was something else, too.
The
plattenbaus were all part of a big social plan. Points were needed in
order to get an apartment, and the biggest scorers were children.
Meaning, the more children one had, the better one's chances. And, of
course, with children came life!
And
life needed supporting. And, plattenbau estates were the ideal places
for small businesses and services. There were, and still are, in and
amongst the plattenbaus, many small shops such as hairdressers, small
grocery stores and of course always friendly bars. And, each estate
was provided with a kindergarten, playground and school.
And,
of course, there are similar constructions in the rest of Europe,
too. Apartment blocks built out of concrete slabs are not unusual.
But, wherever you go in the “west”, you will never find
anything like the plattenbaus of the old “former east”. The
character of these buildings is their style, and style is a thing
that's unique. And, when it comes to comfort, the plattenbaus have
just as much chance as everything else. In your own four walls you
can do what you like. Nice living is only good taste!
And,
life in the plattenbaus is the same as every where else. There are
good people and bad people, and of course the ups and downs of every
day life. Its all human nature. And, the future?
With
generous help from the European Union, the plattenbaus are being
brought up to date with insulation and new coats of paint.
These once grim estates are now looking better than ever and have
become places that are nice to go home to!
And
so, what started as a solution has now become a goal in itself. Many
young people are now finding their first homes in these flats, and,
for the elderly, they are perfect. A good home is important and a
plattenbau can be just as good as anything else! And, sometimes,
even much better!
The
Red Star of then is still shining brightly, and, is set to continue
for ever!
All over the
world the wine harvest is reaching its peak. The days are becoming
much shorter and the scent of the winter is high on the wind. And,
the bringing in of the wine is a time of great joy. And, in the
Hungarian wine lands it is celebrated in a traditionally interesting
way! Mulatsag Bors.
And the
Mulatsag Bors (Wine celebration) involves beautiful home-made corn
dollies. And, tradition says that these larger than life and
impressive corn dollies not only protect the harvest, but magically
become the soul and the spirit of the future wine, too!
And, that's
why many Hungarian wine farmers still practice this ancient
tradition. And now, at this time of year, there are many corn dollies
to be seen, and this is good so. Maybe, there is some truth in the
power of this custom. I believe so. Hungarian wine, after-all, is up
at the top with the best. And, the Hungarian soul feels very much
better after one or two glasses.
Your very
good health, or, as the Hungarians would say, Ageszsegedre.
Picture - Books Waiting for Marks by Nigel A JAMES
Ida
Leo
Leaving
her Mark
Finding
something to do in retirement has never been a problem for Ida
Leo of Canada. She's always enough on her plate, and
reading's at the top of her list. And, biographies and
autobiographies are the books she loves most. People are an
interesting subject. And, many people in Canada think Ida is
interesting, too! And, all for one very good reason.
It
all began on a cold winter evening. It was 2010. Ida was sitting in
front of the fire with a very good book and every page was exciting.
And, then the telephone rang, and, using a picture of her daughter to
save her place in the book, Ida answered the phone.
And
then, after saying goodbye, Ida went back to her book. And, there,
waiting for her, was her daughter's wonderful smile. And, Ida Leo
felt happy. And, then she had an idea.
And,
soon, Ida Leo was turning old photos into
bookmarks and the results were amazing. There, once again, were all
the people she knew, and, they were all once again part of her
life. And, Ida stopped feeling alone.
And
soon the rest of Ida's family were catching up on their pasts with
bookmarks by Ida. And, it didn't stop there. Word spread, and soon
Ida was getting pictures through the post to turn into bookmarks. Ida
Leo was in business.
And
now, remembering has become something more liquid. Ida Leo now
makes personalized coasters as well. Ida has something for
everyone! And, more than anything else, old family snaps have found
their real meaning again. They have come out of old boxes and back to
where people can see them.
And,
Ida's long winter evenings? They are no longer long. Ida has always
too much to do! Her bookmarks are in everyone's books and
there is no one in Canada without one! And now, thanks to Ida,
reading has become once again a family occasion.
Ida
Leo – A lady who answered the phone and discovered a new way in
boom-marks – the smile of someone who's close -what a great way of
starting a book!
