Sunny southern slope, wonderful view above the timberline into the mountains, flower splendour and four deep blue mountain lakes. This is how today’s hike can be summed up in a few words. The route takes me from Sarnen to Stöckalp and from there up to Melchsee (“See” is the German word for “lake”), via Bonistock and Tannalp to the Joch Pass. From there it goes down to Engelberg. Besides Melchsee I pass Tannensee, Engstlensee and Trübsee. And I always have the mighty Titlis in my sights.
Until a few months ago I used a coffee machine with a capsule system for about a year. This was only meant to be a temporary solution, and I wanted to get away from this system quickly (I used to have a fully automatic machine). Because in my view these make no sense whatsoever from an ecological and economic point of view. At least not from the consumer’s perspective. But I will write a post on this subject at a later occasion.
Shopping is part of daily routine. A tea at the bar, lunch in the canteen or some bread on the way home. Then order a mobile phone holder for your car online at home.
So hardly a day goes by where I don’t buy anything.
What should I be worried about? Many may say: “I buy what I want and what it has to offer. The main thing is cheap.” But is that really the last word in wisdom?
With the increasing warmness and insolation, nature and the garden awaken to new life. The green becomes lush again and the birds’ voices more abundant. The number of insects is also constantly increasing. The great bumblebee queens who have hibernated fly out and look for a suitable nesting opportunity. It is wonderful to witness this event and to feel the sun’s rays on your skin.
Book review
Permakultur für alle (permaculture for everyone) from Sepp and Margit Brunner
Living harmoniously and easy gardening in harmony with nature
4th edition, 2007, publishing house Löwenzahn. ISBN 978-3-7066-2394-0
The author lives with his family as a smallholder and self-supporter on a farm near Lienz (A). More than 20 years of experience in organic farming have been incorporated into the book.
“Permaculture for everyone” is aimed at people who feel the need to become active in gardening or to expand their knowledge in this field. It addresses people who are interested in self-sufficiency and a simple, sustainable lifestyle. The approaches of permaculture are the guiding principles. The aim is to live a harmonious life in tune with nature.
Anyone who has ever been there will be more than likely attracted again and again by this wide, light-flooded valley in the south of the canton of Graubünden. Deep down in the valley, the Inn meanders down the valley towards the Danube river and the Black Sea. In this region I am especially touched by the area around Scuol.
Though the communist regimes of Eastern Europe have disintegrated, the evil specter of communism hasn’t disappeared. On the contrary, this evil specter is already ruling our world, and humanity must not harbor a mistaken sense of optimism.
Communism is neither a trend of thought, nor a doctrine, nor a failed attempt at a new way of ordering human affairs. Instead, it should be understood as a devil — an evil specter forged by hate, degeneracy, and other elemental forces in the universe. In another dimension, not visible to us, it took the form of a serpent, then that of a red dragon, and it keeps company with Satan, who hates God. It exploits low-level beings and demons to wreak havoc on humankind. The goal of the specter is to ruin humanity. While the divine offers salvation, communism tells people not to believe in the divine, attacks human morality so as to make people abandon tradition, and causes people to disregard God’s instruction and, ultimately, be destroyed.
