Author: Stefan

A dandylion growing through conrete. A symbol that sits deep within me. Not so much in a metaphorical way but more due to me growing up with a very special and still so very close to me children’s programme series called “Löwenzahn” (dandylion). It’s about a man who decides to give up living in an ordinary house and who’s instead building his new home by upcycling an old, blue construction trailer in a garden. One of his motivations for doing that is that he wants to learn more about and understand nature, life, civilization and everything up and down and left and right of his new place of living.

In hindsight “Löwenzahn” was a truly progressive, maybe even “oracular” series for both children and grown-ups:  taking away modern trends like “Tiny Houses”, “Recycling and Sustainibility” or simply understanding and living with and within nature again – decades before these were (re-) discovered by society.

What remains is the question: How can it be that (not only) dandylions can drill, push, grow, split, crack through concrete anyhow? Well…I don’t know! And that’s maybe even the most exciting thing about that little obsveration! I bet it has certainly to do with endurance, persistence and generally nature’s miraculous will to just get some nice and steady sunlight. But is that right? Mhm. Getting off to Google now to finally let this “totally childish” question be answered by a proper online Encyclopedia!

XRQ5+M35 Kohlwehr, Ohlsdorf

It’s a battle. Every single working day. Man against innerspring, the obligation to get to work on time versus the obligation to do some extra self-care by enjoying the comfort of my bed for as long as anyhow possible.

As a passionate late-riser getting up as early as 5:30am too often feels like a violation against the most basic human rights for me. But then, particularily in early spring, there are these days that don’t make me me feel like being an extra in a Day of the Dead sequel but like a truly unusual witness of how fantastic and majestic the appearence of these early hours at that time of the year over here can litterally be!

XV6P+GCF Guggenberg

Dimly lit, cozily warm – a lullaby for the cortex insularis and any visitor’s restless mind. Inspirational for centuries – may it be single persons or the masterminds behind global coffeehouse chains.

For me this picture is an Ode to not only the archetypical Kaffeehauskultur/culture of coffeehouses here in Austria but also for the miraculous side effects that visiting such a place traditionally has on the human mind.

People come here to read newspapers for hours, to drink coffee or tea all while diving into a book for half a day or longer or to simply grab some pen and a few sheets of paper to continue writing a letter that hasn’t found its finishing touches for a long, long time…

WQ9X+6Q Gmunden

 

Years passing by

A strange Katamari rests

Rusty, thankful joy.

8FVMXRV2+FW – Steyrermühl

It has already happened a few times. That maintaining this blog has some very, very curious side effects on me. It’s constantly adjusting and widening my general perception of various things that were formerly more or less “invisible” to me. Take the tradition of the Liebstattsonntag (Liebstattsunday) as an example: I knew it existed. I knew that many people were trying to meet in and around my hometown to have some good times with their close ones and to gift them one of these gingerbread hearts from the above picture. But what I didn’t know was that all of this was not some kind of newly invented “Cousin of Valentine’s Day” but that it’s indeed a several hundred years old tradition over here in the Salzkammergut. Honestly, realizing this feels a bit embarrassing to me. Bbut then I think: better now than never.

Oh, and the link between this post and it’s title is this one: there is a saying around and about the Liebstattsonntag. In German it says: “Gegen jede Art von Schmerz hilft ein echtes Liebstattherz.” which roughly (unfortunately without the nice rhime) translates into English as follows: “Against all kinds of pain helps a true Liebstattsonntag-heart.”

WQGQ+9W Gmunden

Even the most mundane objects can hold a sense of fascination, and for some, even the smallest details can capture their attention. Take, for example, the humble light switch. While it may seem like an unremarkable part of our daily lives, there are those who find themselves captivated by its design, its function, and its place in our homes.

As the writer Annie Dillard once said, “Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.” And so, for those who are willing to take notice, even the most ordinary things can become a source of wonder and joy.

WQ9X+WPF Gmunden

If anybody would ask me for a rough estimation I’d say that this unique local alley’s length is around 300 feet in total with an average width of around 4 feet. Obviously a place that seems as if it has been pulled out straight off any claustrophobic’s fever-dream. But here comes the interesting and truly paradox part: after all these years I’ve been wandering through that corridor the effect it has on me has changed fundamentally from an eerie and menacing one at first to one that makes me feel warmly and also creatively “hugged” these days. As Heraklit once said: Everything flows, nothing stays still. Apparently this also includes my gut feeling. Oh and yes: this post, it’s title and picture is also a very appreciating nod to Temple Grandin.

8FVMWR83+P6 Mauergasse, Gmunden

This week’s post is a special one for both me and my oldfashioned German to English dictionary. What’s the translation for a medieval object that’s neither a fortress, nor a palace and not really a castle as well? In German it’s called “ein Schloss” which makes the search for the correct English term and translation even more tricky because “ein Schloss” also means “a doorlock” in English. One more English word I’ve freshly learned today is “a moat”. Something that’s also surrounding “the object” on the photo, even though its existence is only slightly hinted behind the bushes. I guess I’ll play it safe this week and will say the following: What you are seeing here is a typical Austrian “Chateau” of the late 1100s and that is surrounded by a traditional “moat” that’s filled with water! Et voilà, that’s exactly what it is and what I’ll say!

3WQW+MQ Fischlham

It’s likely one of these “hidden features” of the human mind: to let memories vanish. Memories of that early ages in a human’s life, where the very first steps of growingly complex activities are seen, imitated and finally internalized & learned. Where professional skiracers are admired to fly down Tyrolean slopes at literally neckbreaking speeds of over 75 miles per hour it’s often forgotten on where these people’s skills have had their humble beginnings: On little, nearly flat hills. Just fast enough to be caught by their parent’s arms at any time. And with one thing above all the rest: pure, safe and cozy fun.

2XWJ+68, Eberstalzell

The mid of the winter season has nearly arrived and there’s a growing hint in the air that things get rushier each day of the passing season. TwinTip, Freeride, All Mountain? It’s a tough choice. Yet there’s still some time left to find that ultimate majesty ontop and down the local slopes.

 

WQCR+QXG Gmunden