Rebecca Hughes

 Paradise Back

One summer morning, Rebecca walked into her garden. It was a beautiful day. Sunshine, blue skies, colours and song. But, something was wrong. Paradise was hurting. No buzzing to be heard. 12 bees were all Rebecca could find. A tragedy. Something had to be done.

So shocked was Rebecca that she set about becoming a bee keeper. She would bring back the bees.

Rebecca started reading books, going on courses, watching videos, and, most importantly, getting to know other liked minded people. Rebecca found no shortage of help. Bee keepers are passionate people.

And, then, one day, came Rebecca's first hive and her very first swarm. This was a very special day. Friends in their thousands moved into her garden. And, these thousands of friends very quickly took over.

And, now, all these years later, there's a very big buzz in the air. And, the bees are happy as well. Rebecca has turned a very large part of her garden into a bed of wild flower beauty. Wild flowers make wonderful honey.

And, Rebecca has not only honey, she has wax and propolis, too. All wonderful natural gifts. Gifts that give light, heal, and keep hunger away. And, what could be better than a nice honey sandwich and a nice glass of mead?

And, at the end of each day, Rebecca goes into her garden and says thank you. Her very many very little friends do a wonderful job. Paradise is no longer hurting. Rebecca has brought back the bees. The days of only 12 bees are long, long ago.

Rebecca Hughes – Paradise Back.

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Opera - Kyrenia Opera

Zsuzi

The City of Veszprem in Hungary

The City of Veszprem and  Zsuzsi

If you go down to Veszprem in Hungary, you will find a city of pasts. An historic past with a castle – and a socialist past with its social housing developments. Veszprem is ancient and modern and cultural and fun. Veszprem is well worth a visit.

And, whilst visiting Veszprem last summer, I discovered a statue just off the main square. A statue of a woman. And, this woman could have been anyone. But, this is a statue of Zsuzsi  in stone. And, Zsuzsi was, and still is, someone quite special. She's loved by the people of Veszprem. And, funnily enough, Zsuzsi  comes from a time that was not loved at all. The socialist era.

The clearing up was fast at the end of the socialist time. The hammers and sickles and the Lenins and Stalin's soon disappeared. Hungary was Hungary again. But, Zsuzsi was not cleared away. This small part of the past had to stay. Zsuzsi was very important.

 Zsuzsi was not only a woman, she was more. All through the communist days, the people of Veszprem saw Suszi as a symbol of hope. And, sure enough, the dark days of oppression did come to  an end. And there Suszi stood. True to the hearts of the people who loved her.

But, some people had believed that Zsuzsi  should leave Veszprem as well. She, after-all, was a socialist figure. And so, the council decided that Suszi should be broken up, too, Just like the Lenins and Stalins. But, the people said no in a very loud way. Suszi should stay. They would not let her go. And, so, the council gave way. And, that's why Suzi's still there. In the hearts of the people in the heart of the city of Veszprem.

The city of Veszprem has many different pasts.  But, Zsuzsi'  eternal.  Zsuzsi is hope.

Veszprem. A small town in Hungary that's well worth a visit.

Zsuzi

Riki SCHARF

 

A Patchwork Present

A Patchwork Present

Christmas is coming and Lucy Abel is at home in Vienna and knitting a patch. And, this little patch has a long way to go. It fact, it's going to Canada. But, when it gets there it won't be alone. There will be other patches, too, and they will be coming from China, Africa, the USA, Great Britain and France. And, all to become part of a patchwork present for little Sarah Abel.

When little Sarah Abel was born 5 years ago, Lucy Abel had an idea. Why not make a patchwork blanket for her new little granddaughter? It would be perfect for Christmas. And, Lucy Abel's daughter in law agreed without question. What a brilliant idea! But, then together they had a brilliant idea! Why not ask other friends and relatives to join in with the present as well! Everyone who wanted could knit a patch and send it to Canada, too. And, not only once, but also year after year, and all to be part of an on-going ever growing blanket of colourful patches. And now, 5 years later, 27 more little patches will be making their way from far away places to Canada.

And, there's another interesting side to this story as well. These patches don't only look nice when all sewn together, they keep family and friends together and in contact as well. And, because each little patch arrives with a card, the Abels in Canada have lots of nice Christmas cards to admire and hang up - and all from all over the world.

Lucy Abel had an idea. And now, people all over the world are doing the same. Everyone's knitting a patch. And, little Sarah Abel in Canada is keeping warm in the winter in a blanket that grows every Christmas.

Lucy Abel, a lady who not only thinks of today, but the future as well, and next year, she'll be knitting again. Happy Christmas, Lucy Abel.

Peter Rosegger and Old Kramer Teresa - A Mountain Childhood Story

Peter Rosegger and Old Kramer Teresa - A Mountain Childhood Story 

People enjoy looking forward to things that are special. Birthdays, Christmas, and other meaningful days. And, these moments of joy always involve other people. People who are special. And, in his book, *As I was still a Forest Farmer's Son, Peter Rosegger, the Austrian author, thinks kindly back to old Kramer Teresa. She was a very kind old lady and her visits to the Rosseger's farm in the mountains of Austria were moments that were never forgotten.

Old Kramer Teresa came twice a year. Once in the winter and again in the spring. Old Kramer Teresa came selling her goods. And, she carried on her back a kind of chest of drawers in the form of a ruck-sack. And, this chest of drawers on her back was a pack of surprises. And, arriving at the Rosseger's farm house, Old Kramer-Thresel would unpack her wares on the old kitchen table. The children's eyes then opened wide with delight. It was the same every time. This was a moment that didn't come often.

There were sweets to suck and enjoy, mouth-organs to play, brightly painted wooden spoons, tobacco to smoke, pocket knives for carving, small wooden horses on wheels, toy soldiers in colourful uniforms, and, many other things as well. Something for everyone. And, because each boy and girl had kept their promises to behave and be good, the rewards were not long in coming. Each child was given a gift of their very own choice. And, the children were happy and joyful.

And, everyone else was happy as well. Then, after a fine simple meal of sausage and bread, Teresa Kramer went on her way. Into the freshness of green in the spring, and, into the snow and the ice in the winter. And, as Old Kramer Teresa waved happily goodbye the waiting began once again.

Peter Rosegger was born in 1843 and died in 1918. In his book, “As I was still a Forest Farmer's Son”, Peter Rosegger describes his childhood in the mountains of Austria, His book is packed full of interesting stories and is a must for everyone interested in Austrian history.

Moments of magic always involve other people. People who are special. And, in those days, Teresa Kramer was a very special person in the mountains of Austria. A lady who called twice a year with her bag of surprises.

Peter Rosegger - As I was still a Forest Farmer's Son. A book that's well worth the read.

Peter Rosegger and Teresa Kramer – Growing up in the mountains of Austria

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

Vocabulary

mouth-organs – Mundharmonika -

tobacco pipes – Tabakpfeife -

pocket knives , Taschenmesser -

buttons – Kopfe -

brightly painted wooden spoons - bunt bemalte Holzlöffel -

small wooden horses on wheels - kleine Holzpferde auf Rädern -

toy soldiers in colourful uniforms - Spielzeugsoldaten in bunten Uniformen

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Black and White Shooting

 

Frohnleichnam Vienna 2014

Essay – Why I Like Black and White!

Some shadeless reflections!

Black and White photos, it is argued by those who love colour, show none of the colourful realities of life, and, are therefore unreal! But, (and this is a different topic altogether!) are any photos real? I believe not. They are simply frozen moments in time as captured by camera. And, as far as I'm concerned, colour, and black and white both provide for magnificent pictures. As to which is the best is a matter of personal taste. I prefer black and white, and my reasons are simple.

To begin with, black and white photography totally emphasises the main subject of the picture by freeing it from the chains of clashing surroundings. Colour can only do this by eliminating all except the foreground, which, of course destroys the background as well. A sharp picture in all aspects is very important for me.

Secondly, black and white is more-or-less timeless! There are non of the colours of temporary fashion, and, there are non of the exaggerated shades of badly matched tones, and everyone and everything looks regal and great. Black and white photography, no matter how old, is always fresh, and that's how photography should be.

My third and biggest reason for liking black and white is its total lack of aggression. There are no fighting reds, vicious oranges or poisonous greens, etc, which can make for unpleasant feelings. Black and white, no matter which subject, (including war, etc) is balanced and peaceful. Clashing, due to its span of pure white to deep black is impossible, and, maybe, this pureness of expression and peace is life as I really want it!

Of course, colour does play a very important role in certain types of photography. However, when it comes to street photography, portraits and life as it comes; black and white is the best - and it is for me!

naj – May

Andrew J. Roberts - Time

 

All the Time in the World

Collecting Time

Time is something that never stops still. Sometimes it crawls and sometimes it races. But, for Andrew J. Roberts, time is a wonderful hobby. His collection of clocks is the finest I've seen.

In his collection, which numbers almost 1000, Andrew J. Roberts has many interesting chronometers. He has grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks, mantelpiece clocks, kitchen clocks, and many other fascinating clocks from all over the world. And, all together, they're worth a small fortune. But, Andrew J. Roberts's favourite time keeping device has neither hands nor a digital display. Andrew J. Roberts's favourite time keeping device is something he couldn't do with out. It's an egg-timer. An hourglass from Egypt with Saharian sand.

When Andrew J. Roberts moved into his very first house, his granny was the first to come calling. And, being a sensible woman, the egg-timer was the present she gave him. And, Andrew J. Roberts found it easy to use. He soon got the hang of it. No winding up and no batteries to change. All very simple. Just a flick of the wrist, that's all. And, after 35 years, this wonderful very old device still keeps perfect time. And, thanks to advanced Egyptian technology, Andrew J. Roberts's soft boiled eggs are always delicious. Never too hard and never too soft. Just perfect.

Andrew J. Roberts is a collector of clocks. He has much time on his hands. But, most people say he has a bit of a tick! He gets wound up very quickly. Just like his clocks. But, just like his egg timer,

Andrew J. Roberts keeps perfect time. He never comes late. And, just like his eggs, he's neither too soft nor too hard. Just right for cracking. And, a pinch of salt is all that is needed.

And, do you have a tick, too? Do you collect stamps?

Collecting's a wonderful way of passing one's time. Just ask Andrew J. Roberts, he has time on his hands and, of course, on his walls. And, time never stands still.