Volley Ball

Christin's grand daughter, Emilia, is the captain
of the Austrian Ladies National Team in Volleyball.
Yesterday we drove to Maribor (Marburg) in Slovenia
to see her play.

...spit in your hand and slap the soles of your choes.
...that's how you maintain good footing.

Unfortunately, we lost 3:1 inspite of the fact
that they played quite well. I suppose the other team (Slovenia)
was just a little better.

A little Strategy Session.
Maybe the coach told them that it was "unforced errors"
which dug them a hole from which it was too
difficult to come out.

I'm glad I'm not a tree

Frost encrusted trees and
a frosty country side
tell you: "It's coooooold"

Today I am really glad I don't live up there.
Just imagine: You wake up in the morning,
you have to make a fire in the fire place,
and you discover you ran out of milk and bread and eggs.
The nearest grocery store is 2 miles away.
Isn't this fun???

Early Winter in Carinthia

There was but little snow covering the mountains
but a great deal of hoarfrost on the trees.
It was cold, -18 degrees Celsius, and there was
enough of a wind to freeze the tears which
the cold and the wind drove onto your cheeks.
The camera felt heavy and cold in my hands,
since I can't use the controls with gloved fingers.

On the way to St.Paul, atop the "Krutschen"
and looking down into the valley below.

Once there is more snow, and believe me, it will come,
I will venture out into the cold once more
to shoot some more of these pixtures.
In the meantime, I'm at home, near a warm oven
and a glass of "Gluehwein".

Santa Claus vs.Sankt Nickolaus

There seems to be some misunderstandings in certain quarters about the two above named gentlemen. Let me explain to you the facts of this matter:
Sankt Nickolaus is believed to have been a real life bishop somewhere in Turkey. The fact is, that he never existed and is only an invention so that children in Austria and other places, have another fun day.
At least, I can tell you that the one who visited me was my brother, all dressed up. I recognized him on his voice. The tried to cheat me with this phony character from Turkey. But I was too smart. I knew my brother when I heard him.

Now for the fact: Santa Claus is a real little fat guy who lives on the North Pole in a wonderful igloo. He lives there with Mrs. Claus and a whole bunch of elves. Together they work all year long to make toys for all the good children. Then on Christmas Eve 12 reindeer come and pull Santa atop a big sled all over the world to distribute the presents. Now that's the truth

Krampus day, 6th day of December

On the 6th day of December, in predominantely rural Austria,
the visit by the "Krampus" (the devil)
and St. Nikolaus (Santa Claus) is still practiced.

Young men dressed in devilish costumes, with frightening masks,
armed with noise making chains and switches,
roam the streets and, wherever they find a young woman,
they playfully use the switches on the girls legs. The girls crouch down
to protect their legs with their skirts and scream and laugh all at the same time.

Sankt Nikolaus, always dressed in bishop's regalia
and carrying an appropriate staff, hands out little presents
like nuts, figs, apples and the like.
The whole village takes part in this old custom, which I remember well
from my childhood days.....just the othe day?

Evening falls

How do you like this one??