Friday the 21st of February, 2025

Simply translate into English them scroll down for suggested solutions.

Gregor ist sehr unglücklich.  

Seine Schwiegermutter kommt zu Besuch. 

Sie bleibt für drei Wochen. 

Drei Wochen sind viel zu lang.  

Das letzte Mal blieb sie vier Wochen.  

Gregor hätte sie fast umgebracht.  

Die Schwiegermutter von Gregor ist eine sehr herrische Frau.  

Sie glaubt, sie sei der Boss. 

Sie ist eine Kontrollsüchtige. 

Was kann der arme Gregor tun? 

Einfach den Kopf einziehen.  

Nichts sagen.  

Drei Wochen werden vergehen. 

Langsam aber sicher.  

Vielleicht wird es gar nicht so schlimm sein.  

Mal abwarten, was passiert. 

Aber, Gregor hat einen neuen Spaten gekauft.  

Vielleicht muss er im Garten ein sehr tiefes Loch graben.  

Oder vielleicht sogar zwei sehr tiefe Löcher!

Gregor is very unhappy.  His mother-in-law is coming to stay. She's staying for three weeks. Three weeks is much too long.  Last time, she stayed for four weeks.  Gregor nearly killed her.  Gregor's mother-in-law is a very bossy woman.  She thinks she's the boss. She's a controll freak. What can poor Gregor do? Just keep his head down.  Say nothing.  Three weeks will pass. Slowly but surely.  Maybe, it won't be so bad.  Let's wait and see. But, Gregor has bought new spade.  Maybe, he will need to dig a very deep hole in the garden.  Or, maybe, even two very deep holes!

+ + + + + + + + + + +

The Farm at Lane's End. Also easy, but not so simple. Good luck!  Higher vocabulary.

The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 34

The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of  everyday country life in England. Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son  Dave.  In chapter 34, Dave needs some money.

Vocabulary

To lend - You lend something to someone.  Can you lend me your car, please?  

To borrow - You borrow something from someone.  Can I borrow your car, please?

A tall order - A tall order is an unreasonable request.  Wanting me to help him on Christmas day was a very tall order.

That's the way the cookie crumbles is something one must accept. I'm sad, my gold fish has died, but, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

To pull someone's leg means to play a trick on them.

On the strength of something means you believe them because of  what they said.

Words you might like  to check -  To gamble - By the way - upset - habbit - 

Chapter 34

Farmer Ken and Dave are enjoying a well earned whisky.

I say, Dad, could you lend me ten grand, please?

Ten thousand pounds, Dave. That's a bit of a tall order. Why do you want to borrow so much money?

It's Claire, Dad.  She wants to go on holiday.  She wants to go to Las Vegas.  She wants to go gambling.  

You mean, Claire wants to borrow ten thousand pounds so she can go gambling!  Why can't she use her own money?

Claire says it's better to lose your money than hers.

Well, Dave, you can tell Claire to think again.  There's no way I'm going to give you money to throw away. And, by the way, Gambling's a very stupid habbit.

But, Dad, Claire will be upset.  How am I going to tell her you won't lend us the money?

Just tell her there's no way I'm going to lend you the money. And, if she's upset, just tell her that that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Actually, Dad, I was only pulling your leg.  I really need the money for a new tractor.  The old one keeps breaking down.  It's become too expensive to keep.

Well, Dave, on the strength of that, I'll give you twenty thousand pounds.  Get the best that you can.

Thanks, Dad.  I knew you'd understand.  Shall I pour another whisky?

Dave, that's a very silly question!

Cheers Dave, Cheers Dad.

Questions

Dave was pulling his father's leg. How much did he want to borrow from his father?

Why did Dave want to borrow so much money?

What story did Dave tell his father about Claire? 

What is Las Vegas famous for?

How do you understand "I was only pulling your leg"?

Explain - Can I lend you some money.

Tell us when you would say - can I borrow ten Euros, please.

What is a tall order?

What do you do when you pull someone's leg?

Please explain on the strength of that, I will give you the money,

14th of March, 2025

In the Stadtpark in Vienna

Simply translate into English then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Good Luck!

Gabi und Sepp kommen am Samstag zu uns.  

Wir machen ein Abendessen.  

Andrew und Jane kommen auch.  

Meine Frau plant gerade das Menü.   

Ein Drei-Gänge-Menü.

Gar nicht so einfach.  

Tomatensuppe, Hühnersuppe, oder Kartoffelsuppe?  

Der Hauptgang? 

Huhn, Rind-, Schweine- oder Lammfleisch?   

Wie wäre es mit Fisch?  

Gemüse?  

Karotten und Kartoffeln?  

Pommes frites oder Bratkartoffeln?  

Manche Menschen bevorzugen Reis.  

Und Nachtisch?  

Kirschkuchen, Schokoladenkuchen, oder Käse? 

Und die Getränke?  

Das ist meine Aufgabe.      

Meine Frau ist eine sehr gute Köchin.  

Ich bin sicher, das Essen wird perfekt sein.

Gabi and Sepp are coming over on Saturday.  We're having a dinner.  Andrew and Jane are coming as well.  My wife is planning the menu.   A three course meal. Not so easy.  Tomatoe soup, chicken soup, or potatoe soup?  The main course?  Chicken, beef, pork, or lamb?   What about fish?  Vegetables?  Carrots and potatoes?  French fries or roast potatoes?  Some people prefer rice.  And sweet?  Cherry cake, chocolate cake, or cheese?   And, the drinks?  That is my job.      My wife is a very good cook.  I'm sure the meal will be perfect.

The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 33

The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of a typical English farming family. The Bartons.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 33, Dave is down in the dumbs. 

Vocabulary

Down in the dumps - If you are down in the dumps, you are a little unhappy or even a little depressed.

I've got too much on my plate means I have very much to do.

Crossed one's mind.  If something has already crossed one's mind - means that one has already thought about it.

She would rather do this than that - means she would prefer  this and not that.   Prefer = rather.

To cope means to manage.  I can cope without you!

On the subject of something  means something related or connected to that we are presently talking about.

And now Chapter 33

I say, Dave, you're very quiet this evening.  Is everything all right.  

Oh, I'm Ok, mum.  Just a little down in the dumps, that's all. 

Oh, what's wrong, Dave?

Claire's decided it's not such a good idea to go to Whitby on Saturday.  She says she's got too much to do.  She's got too much on her plate. She'd rather stay at home and finish getting ready for her exhibition.

When is Claire's exhition, Dave?

It's next week, mum and dad.  And, to be honest, Claire really has a lot going on at the moment. She's very, very busy.

Can't you go round and help her, Dave?

That's already crossed my mind, mum and dad.  But, Claire says she can cope much better without me. 

What has Claire got to do, Dave?

Well, it doesn`t sound much.  She's got 3 pictures to finish, and 7 pictures to frame.  And, to be honest,  there's  really nothing I can do to help.

But, Dave, there is one thing you can do to help.  You can  give her one of my cherry cakes.  I'll bake one tomorrow.

A brilliant idea, mum.  She'd really appreciate it.  You're great, mum!  And, mum, while we're on the subject,  what's for sweet?

Your favourite.  Apple crumble and custard.  And, of course, whipped cream as well.

That's fantasti!c, mum.  I'm feeling better already.

And, to finish with, a glass of whisky.

Not just one glass dad, 2 or 3 would be great.

 That's my boy.  A chip off the old block. Cheers everyone, cheers!

Questions - Why is Dave down in the dumps?  - What does - I've too much on my plate mean?  why would Claire rather stay at home?  What jobs must Claire do?  - Does Claire want Dave to help her?   -  When is Claire's exhibition?  - What does Jean want to make for Claire? -  How do you understand the following - I can't cope without you?  Why is Dave a chip off the old block?  -  How do you understand - that's already crossed my mind?  What is apple crumble?  Would you rather have cheese cake or cherry cake?

Friday the 7th of February, 2025

 

Simply translate into English then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Good Luck! 

Es ist Mitte Februar.  - 

Es ist immer noch sehr kalt.  - 

Als ich heute Morgen aufgestanden bin, waren es minus 5 Grad. -  

Aber die Tage werden länger.  -  

Jetzt ist es schon um 7 Uhr morgens hell.  - 

Und um 5 Uhr abends ist es immer noch hell.   - 

Ich freue mich auf den Sommer.  -  

Sehr lange Tage und sehr kurze Nächte.  -   

Aber auch der Februar hat seine besonderen Tage. -   

Der 14. Februar. - 

St.Valentinstag. -   

Gregors Frau freut sich immer auf den Valentinstag.  -  

Es ist der Tag, an dem Gregor ihr eine Blume schenkt.  -  

Eine rote Nelke. -   

Gregor bekommt sie geschenkt.  - 

Von der Sozialistischen Partei. -  

Sie verschenken die Blumen an der Bushaltestelle.  - 

Gregors Frau weiß das nicht.  - 

Sie kocht Gregor ein sehr schönes Essen. -   

Eine wunderbare Art, sich zu bedanken!  

It's the middle of February.  It's still very cold.  It was minus 5  when I got up this morning. But, the days are getting longer.  Now, it is already light at 7 in the morning.  And, it's still light at 5 in the evening.   I'm looking forward to summer.  Very long days and very short nights.  But, February has its special days, too. February the 14th.  St. Valentine's day. Gregor's wife always looks forward to St. Valentine's day.  It's the day Gregor gives her a flower.  A red carnation. Gregor gets it for free.  From the Socialist Party. They hand out the  flowers at the bus stop.  Gregor's wife doesn't know that.  She cooks Gregor a very nice dinner. A wonderful way to say thank you!

 + + + +

The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of a typical English farming family. The Bartons.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 32, Ken and Jean are talking about uncle Ron. 

Vocabulary 

A penny for your thoughts - A penny for your thoughts means please tell me what you are thinking.

Warm hearted means kind and loving.  He was such a warm hearted man.

For the life of me - For the life of me is a phrase that means however hard I try.  However hard I try, I can't remember his name. For the life of me, I can't remember his name.

A chip off the old block means being the same - usually in character - as one's father. This phrase  normally speaks about boys.  Girls are "just like their mothers". 

Words you might like to check - loft - keen -

+ + + + + +

And now to our story - The Farm at Lane's End, chapter 32

A penny for your thoughts, Ken!

Oh, hello Jean, I didn't hear you come in.

I'm not surprised, Ken.  You were far away. Lost in your thoughts.

I was thinking about my old uncle Ron.  He was such a warm hearted man.  Always doing good for others.  He was such a nice  person. 

Jean has a question

Didn't your uncle Ron and aunty Sheila help your mum at one of your birthday parties?

You've got a very good memory, Jean.

Was it your ninth or tenth birthday, Ken?

For the life of me, I can't remember, Jean.

I bet you can't remember the present  your uncle Ron and aunty Sheila gave you!

You're wrong, Jean.  I remember  it well.  They gave me a steam engine for my model railway.  And, further more, I still have it. The engine they gave me is in a box in the loft. And, another thing, Jean.  I can still remeber the present you gave me.

I don't believe you!  

You gave me a book about postage stamps.  Stamp collecting was one of my hobbies at the time. I used to be a very keen collector. Oh, and by the way, Jean, how did you know I collected stamps?

Your cousin Billy told me.  Billy and I used to sit next to each other at primary school.  I liked him very much.

You're right, Jean.  Billy was very nice, He was not only a very kind boy. he was a great friend as well. He was just like his dad.  A chip off the old block.   And  Jean,  You can do something that aunty Sheila could do, too. Your cherry cakes are fantastic, 

Thanks, Ken. That's nice of you.    Shall we have a   cup of tea?

That's a good idea, Jean. There's nothing nicer than a nice cup of tea.  I'll put on the kettle immediately.

Questions

Why didn't Ken hear Jean coming in?   Who was Ken thinking about?  How would you describe uncle Ron?  How do you understand "for the life of me"  What did uncle Ron and aunty Sheila give Ken for his birthday?  Why were uncle Ron and aunty Sheila at Ken's birthday party?  How did Jean know that Ken collected stamps?  How do you understand the meaning of "a chip off the old block?"  Why was Billy just like his father?  What has Jean in common with aunty Sheila?  How do you understand "a penny for your thoughts?"