.. New beginnings..

2015 is now quickly coming to an end. And what should I write about then? Good resolutions for the new year? No, better not! A year in review? We’re seeing far too many of those right now! Then perhaps rather, what the turn of the year means for us and what rituals and traditions it brings? That fits! So here we go…

We don’t celebrate the turn of the year in a spectacular way, yet it represents a farewell, but also a new beginning. Many thoughts go through one’s mind: What happened on the farm? Who did I get to know and appreciate? Were dreams and wishes fulfilled? And do I look back on the past 365 days with satisfaction? But at the same time, one also considers what the next year might bring, full of awe and hope. Will health and happiness befall oneself and the family? Which plans will succeed, and which will not?

And so the last day of the year arrives. Just like at Christmas, on New Year’s Eve, a “Kasjausn” (cheese snack) with Kletzenbrot/fruit bread is prepared for the whole family, and afterwards, the farmhouse, yard, and stable are smoked out again. After the stable work, we sit together for card games and a good dinner. Since one has to be up early again the next day, long celebrations are rather uncommon for the farmers I know, at least. :-)

At Zittrauerhof, we and our guests hardly set off any fireworks, out of consideration for the environment and the animals. As many pet owners know, horses and dogs, in particular, are afraid of the deafening noise. And it’s not just these two animal species that feel this way.

Not only the evening itself is a reason to forgo rockets and firecrackers. The next day is characterized by having to walk across our fields and meadows to collect the remnants of the fireworks material, which is really very tedious and not a pleasant task right at the beginning of the year. Some of our neighbors, however, are right there on January 1st and clear the fields themselves that they shot up the evening before :-) Thanks for that, together it’s easier.

Wouldn’t it be much nicer if we celebrated the New Year “gently” – designed together with the whole town in peace? Perhaps torches along the spa park with romantic sounds of alphorn players? Who knows what would be possible and would create an image of fascination and speechlessness. There are many possibilities to use the money meaningfully instead of fireworks spectacles.
With this in mind, I wish everyone a good start to the new year 2016 – with or without fireworks – and above all, good health, happiness, and contentment for the whole family!

Your farmer Katharina