Missed MY MidSommar!! NAAA, NOT THIS TIME...

The post was first published in June 22, 2019. I post here to share the delight that not only did I attend but I actually planned my mid summer. 

None of the friends were around, most of them out of town. I had an invitation to join a friend in another town, but I did not feel like travelling. So I went to the closest place of celebration. 

It was a 12 minute bike ride, half of it through the woods. I packed a sandwich, a banana and an orange, a mat and a padded cushion.  A bottle of Mango Lime. 

But most importantly my cameras and a tripod. Even though I have a gazillion pics of midsummer already.

I chose to go to Alters Herrgård (Alters Manor. Alster is a lake in our town).

Alsters Herrgård, the house that belonged to Gustav Fröding a very famous poet from our town. 

For anyone who wants to visit, CLICK ON THIS LINK, book a free guided tour, come for summer dances and concerts. 

It was a stunningly beautiful day. People of all ages danced around the maypole singing 'små grodarna' the frog song and danced. The best was to see children with their grandparents. 

Here are some pics. At the end of this post, you have links to some old midsummer posts. Enjoy....it is truly a magical time of the year. 

PS: NO MATTER HOW SLOW IT GOES, I WILL NOT ABANDON THIS BLOG. EVEN THOUGH AS YOU ALL KNOW I AM WORKING ON ANOTHER ONE CURRENTLY. THIS ONE REMAINS DEAR. THIS WAS MY TESTING GROUND FOR A DECADE, AND I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL. 

BTW, THIS MONTH ALONE, I GOT 1.52 K HITS. 1.39 FROM SOMEONE IN SINGAPORE....XIE-XIE, DHANYAVAADAM, THANKS....

This is from June 6, 2023. Swedish National Day Celebration

Its a family day

The house that Gustav Fröding used to live in has been turned into an art gallery and a gift shop that sells only hand made materials from local artists.

Summer and flowers are synonymous. I got this one on my walk last week with my neighbour. 

Flowers in the hair, and love in the air....

Floral dresses and wreaths always go together in mid summer

His first midsummer, mommy made sure they matched!

June 22, 2019

So yesterday was midsummer's eve and today is midsummer. I am so tuned into the concept of weekend that I forgot that for sometime now midsummer has been celebrated on fridays. I was lost in finishing a paper that needs to be sent in. And I waste much time on laptop.  My mind jumps somedays from one point to another of all the things that I have to do.

Infact, I have bought a program called rescue time which blocks all internet on my computer.

I realised post 5 pm that it was actually the day of midsummer party. Aaaarrgggh....there is nothing new and usually after it ends one just wonders (its really family holiday).  So, if you have seen it once and have no plans to be with friends, then you have seen it all.

But I had planned to take some fresh video as I am making one of my short films for the YouTube channel.

So instead, I just sat in my own yard, meditated for about ...well two sets of 25 minutes, stared at the flowers and felt somewhat sad.

As I had lost something important.

It is midsummer after all.  I must do something soon to recover from this sadness, because it reminded me that if I had a family --I would have planned something.  I could have called friends, but I didn't only because my plans were to make a video.  In which case one needs to be alone.

Arrggh...not a nice thing to miss midsummer.  Today is the longest day and Sweden is happy in all its glory.

So, I added this above picture.  Stole it from twitter.  @Sweden.se  The day after the crazy party of midsummer, people relax and spend time with family.  

Here are some old entries on midsummer--enjoy!!  And I am going to imagine that I was there all over again.  And console myself that there was nothing new that I missed...and so this is what I drew for you all ......

Magic of Midsummer

Midsummer Midsommar sights in Sweden

Midsummer Signs

Mid Sommar MayPole

Sunsets and Sunrises

I know, I know I am slipping, but I am not giving up on this blog. Never will, not matter how rare this becomes. Just to let you know that I do have another active blog, which is 'public' and I will be dedicating more time to that, but this one remains dear and some very dear posts will be shared here only, because I share them with a few special friends who continue to visit this space. 

First published on May 9, 2012, these pictures were taken in Spring of 2009. The first picture is etched in my memory, as one of the most magical moments in my travel. I was on my own that evening, there is a bagpipe show in the town square and as the sunset, it reflected the stunningness of the town in one image. I knew I had to make a memory of it. Hope you all enjoy it too. 

have a beautiful day, wherever you are...and notice the sunsets and sunrises..

__________________________

How many sunsets and sunrises will we see before we tire of them?  I have not come to a conclusion yet.  Because even today, after have numerous pictures of sunsets and sunrises whenever I look at one, I stop, sigh and smile.  And I click. I sigh and smile again before moving on my way.  In a life of uncertainties, there are a few things I can count on.  That these simple-everyday miracles, will leave me breathless is one of them!

The above picture was taken in Queensland, New Zealand.  I was backpacking through the south island, since I knew I was going to be leaving the Pacific soon.  I never regretted it.  Only I travelled so much that year I have only faint memories of NZ.  But what I do remember clearly is--this one sunset in Queensland and one sunrise, above Lake Matheson, from behind the mountains.  I will put up those pictures later. For now, I just wanted to share this sunset reflected in a window.  Almost looked like a painting mounted on a brick wall!! Queensland, New Zealand, 2009. 

The above picture was taken from a plane.  This was important in more than one ways. I was heading towards New Zealand to visit my friends Pat and Peggy.  I had a lecture at Victoria University and  a week later I was to head towards my unplanned backpacking trip of South East Asia.  Those two months remain the highlight of my life so far.  I will write notes some other time. For now, I hope that this bright star makes you do what it makes me do everytime....stop, sigh and smile.  New Zealand, 2009.

So, how many sunsets and sunrises do we see  before we get tired?  Before we say, 'Oh no?" Before we look at it and roll our eyes in 'So what?"... I don't think there is a number yet....so far....like the uncertainty and infinity of Pi, these natural wonders take me to something deep inside me, where I am too insignificant, yet an important piece in the puzzle.....

So, for me, until now, it is Stop, Sigh and Smile....Click!! Share..with you all...

Sheer Elegance

I took these images in 2017 or 2018 summer in New Rajindar Nagar, New Delhi, India. The women must either be returning from a temple ceremony or all of them work for a shop or something.

The uniformity of their outfits, the elegance with which they carried themselves, and the dainty way they pulled their sarees up to avoid dirtying them with rain water (it must have been July or early August, because it looks like the rainy season), was like a little haiku in action.

Had to click. Hope you like them. 

 

When Universe Responds

 Pardon the slight delay and the break in writing. I am in transition and will share more later.

For now, I had moved to another country for a short while and am enroute--back home. 

Fuchsia: I saw the flowers for the first time in my first year in Sweden. Then, I saw them everywhere.  Next in Thailand, then in the United Kingdom and so on...

In my first year in Sweden, I had gone to Stockholm to get a visa for travel. I had to wait a few hours and I took a stroll in the beautiful gardens around the embassy.  It was May-June. I still remember what I was wearing. Long black skirt that came down to my ankles with a black blouse and white collar and cuffs. 

I walked past these giant planters and saw these flowers. I don't think I had seen them before. Or at least not noticed them before. That must be over a decade ago.

I kept asking people what the name was. You see, when we name things, we honour them. We also place a right and a relationship on it. 

No one could give me the answer.  Which is strange because they seemed to be everywhere during summer. 

Then I spent about six months in Wales, UK and found them everywhere.

About two weeks ago I was walking back home and stopped to say hello to a couple who lived a few houses down. I am strange that way.  I often talk to people with children.  They had a new born. They asked me why I was taking pics. 

'I write a blog and I just document life. And I like that garden' I pointed to the house next to them. 

'Oh, nothing to take pics of here' they lamented, 'we had a baby this year and have not had the time to fix our garden'

But a baby is more important, and prettier' I said looking at their beautiful daughter.

I asked her name. (I don't remember now).  I looked at the young 10 month old baby and said what I say to all the new borns, 'Welcome to the world.'

'This really needs some work'.  They said pointing at a large shrub.

There they were. The same flowers.

'Ah, let me ask again, even though I have never received a proper response' I thought.

'Fuchsia'

'Ah, so those are Fuchsia', I thought. 

'The name of the color comes from them, but I have seen them in so many colors, pink, white, light green'

Yeah, they nodded. 

Only a few days ago I had taken a video of the flowers and asked in my mind again, why does no one know your name...you are both popular and pretty."

It seems that this time when I spoke to the flowers, they conspired with the universe to get me the answer.

Hmm...sometimes we just need the right channels to the universe. 

We also need conviction to keep asking questions.

But mostly, we need to never give up and believe that we will have the answers, the solutions the pathways, when we least expect it.

Timing is paramount.

May you all have the patience and conviction and may your questions be answered!!

Make sure you are listening. 

Sjutton De Maj: 17th of May

Last published two years ago, on May 17, 2020, this needs to be published again, because we just passed May 17, the brightest of days in Norway. I assume they celebrated it this year after a gap of two years because COVID had put damper on it.

Folks, if you are ever in Scandinavia....this is the day....you want to be in Oslo....

Enjoy pics from my trip.....

Published last year on August 30, 2019--Here it is on the day it was supposed to be published. I forgot it was May 17, actually.  You know COVID-19 and all.  There is no parade.  But my neighbour is a professor who grew up in Norway.  She was showing me her house, and her kitchen garden yesterday evening (10 pm, when it was still quite bright )--and she mentioned it. Well, this has to be shared. Especially since there was no parade this time..

Enjoy!!

________



So, these pictures, that I have taken in two different years, 2018 & 2019 have such meaning for me. I have been meaning to visit Norway on 17th of May, that is Norwegian national/freedom day for so many years. 

I first heard it in a class by a colleague who was co-teaching with me.  He was explaining the syllabus to the class and said, 'We do have classes on 17th of May, do not be planning any trips to Oslo for that day.' He paused and then added, 'Or anywhere in Norway'.

                

I found out that it was Norway's national day.  And since then I had been wanting to visit and see what the hype was all about.  So finally last year I planned a trip, about two nights and three days in Norway.  Arrived the night before, on the 16th, left on the 18th morning because I wanted to make sure to get enough footage until the evening. This year I did a day trip. Arrived by 1 pm (missed earlier bus) and left by 7 pm, but still collected enough footage and experience. 

I have not yet turned the footage into a video, but am getting there, as I have worked on organizing my computer and videos for the past two months.  

So, Norway's Independence day, 17th of May is really special for Norwegians!!  They all dress up in their traditional attires. That is the most beautiful thing to see! You are surrounded by beautiful women, children men, all age groups dressed Norwegian outfits. 

             

Now, mind you, to our eyes, they all look like ‘just Norwegian outfits’.  But each outfit represents a different region. It is not easy for an outsider to understand it all but there are subtle and stark differences that can be seen in colors, embroideries, jewelry, bells and other accessories that get added onto these outfits.

Most people get these outfits when they get confirmed at the Church, as the age of fifteen. Norway is a bit more religious than Sweden.  However, they all have to get new outfits, since they grow out of the ones given to them at fifteen...obviously.  Each outfit, I was told can cost up to 15,000 Norwegian Kronor. Which can be around 2,000 USD depending on the currency exchange. 

I am told that there are certain imitation outfits and cheap versions, but then it shows that it was not given to you by your family…..

I might have to devote another post for history on the event, but to be in Oslo on 17^thof May is to be in another time.  

Lucky for me, both times it was a sunny day.  As a result, people were happy, laughing, parades that begin early in the day and go until the afternoon went very well.  The treat for all those participating in the parade is to end up at the Palace where the Royal family sits for about eight hours that day just waving at the people!!

The pics above are my favourite.  

Sometimes the shot itself is so interesting that camera, angles, art of taking picture just comes as a gift with a click!!

                       

T'is the Season of Feathers: A Photo Essay

First published on April 23, 2020...here it is again...after all...bunnies are out, the skies are clearer and things with feathers are back...

Starting February, you start seeing these colourful feathers, in offices, outside homes and offices, in shops in doctor's offices. And also around you.  You know, the birds are back!!

Technically, there are some birds that never leave.  Sparrows for example, then there are the magpies and the ravens.  Then there is the yellow breasted sparrow looking--Great Tit (official name), always brightens our days.  Btw, has anyone heard of or seen this movie? The Big Year? (click on the name of the movie to see the trailer).  I watch a tonne of trailers.  So I know about movies, but hardly get the time to watch them.  The Big Year came on TV a few weeks ago and I just loved it.  An underrated film about bird-lovers/watchers, the movie is actually about relationships.  About friendships and about what we give up for careers. I would never do that.  Even though that is what people think when they see that I have worked on my own towards a small career.  

Careers are not important, at least not more than relationships.  Even in my limited career trajectory I have made some real friends.  

So every year I see these feathers, it means a cycle has completed, it means spring is here, it means temperatures are going to warm up, it means we may not need thick jackets and may do with light ones.  Feathers mean, hope, they mean life. 

You can buy them at regular stores and grocery stores like COOP (cooperative) and  ICA (like Wal-Mart).  You can make them on your own, since there is only a small metallic strip attached to the feathers so that they can be tied to the birch branches.  And the best part about this is that birch branches are put in water.  With weeks, they fill up with new leaves and you can remove the feathers and enjoy the new leaves.  

The above two pictures are from outside of the gym. 

The orange and white ones were in the lobby of one large hall.  Women, wherever they are, ensure seasonal beauty abounds us. 

The above picture is from my table at home.  The little doll that you see is actually a Häxa, a witch.  A colleague sold these homemade dolls.  The feathers that you see is supposed to be her broom.  Lena, made these dolls for every season.  This one was for Påsk---easter!!  I got this my first easter in the country. 

The above picture is from my dinning table.  I used some old branches 

In the US I used to change message to my answering machine according to the season.  Music and tone would change. I remember using a bird song for spring.  My sister would call and say, 'Man, it seems like I have entered a forest'.  For late spring,  around April, I would use Aaron Copland's Appalachian spring (Listen to 18:55 onwards, especially after 19:25, and the again at 20:00)that was the section I used, listen to it or Vivaldi's Spring (this one starts strong from the very beginning, it hits you with a tonne of bricks and you will like you are in love) from four seasons. 

Here --now that answering machines are all passe ---I change the decoration on the door about 3-4 times a year.  Here you see my spring decoration.  A specially abled boy came to sell this to my door---so, had to get it--to brighten my day and his. 

The sky is bluer and the water is flowing.  Taken in early March 2020. 

See those chairs, yes, that is Sweden's idea of recreating 'stranded'-- the beach. 

There is something so beautiful about light in Sweden.  This was taken in the evening, in March.  As the days get longer, the light gets brighter.  But in March-April and Sept-October, during the transition time, there is a transparent quality to the sky. And lights look so very beautiful in the evening, even when we can do without them. 

The row of houses across two streets from where I live.  Often go here for walks. You must have seen it in other blog posts here. Or you can click here to see some old pics along with a video--link to which is provided in the post. 

Look carefully, it is not a "wrong shot"

Very intentional.  The folks are putting out outdoor eating areas and creating a garden in the glass-house-like restaurants.  I had to get this one. 

Hope wherever you are, that your spring is beautiful.  Share your pics, if you wish!!

Nature's Canvas

 

The white that you see is the snow on the roof of the storage area outside a house. 

The twigs are from a fence without any leaves.

Except the red bricks, the picture almost looks like its black and white. 

Picnic in Snow: Only in Sweden

 

And why not!! Only in Sweden

New Media, Old Sustainable Ideas

 

Took this nearly a decade ago.  Was fascinated by the ochre robes and a camera in hand. I asked him If i could take his pic. He nodded.  After all, we live in bodies....and our bodies in certain times.  There are always degrees of what we can carry, what can leave and ....no  matter how 'monk or nun-like' memories are important.....and if we can share them as we saw them through a picture...why not....

With all the issues cameras come with, with all the confusion they cause, they allow us to capture memories like no generation before.  Let us just honor that today!!

August 15: Independence day

So first published on August 17, 2016---picture take in 2014.Why again?

August 15, 2021,India turns 75. Yeah!! Well, the new modern India. India, as a country, with much larger land mass than today has existed for 5,000 years...

I took this picture, probably two years ago.  And forgot to put it here.  Nothing special about this pic, except street children sell these around India's independence day.  This is something that we used to make as children.  But this tricolour here is representative of the Indian flag.  Usually useless, people buy them anyway to put them in their cars. How are they made?  Just take two sticks (we used to pull two thin strings from Indian brooms)--cross them midway, make a knot. And then start wrapping yarn of whichever color you like around the individual sticks, secure it by going all around one stick, push it back tighten in and move to the next step.  Keep going till you arrive at the edges.  Seal off with a neat knot..  These would make simple  handmade-wallhangings.  I have seen them as coasters,although when I made them by hand the coasters would not sit straight and so were not very useful. Regardless, they brought back many memories of when we were learning those 'extra curricular activities' and with every useless thing we created, we felt, Oh so useful!!

Midsummer foods etc.

First published on June 26, 2020. Here it is again a year later.  Happy MidSummer Guys. Me? I am doing my summer cleaning!!

Its been a week since solstice and mid summer celebrations (which we did not have this year).  The longest day is behind us, but we will not  notice as much until late august when it gets dark at around 10 p.m. and light around 5 a.m.  Even then days are longer for us.  This goes on till about September but from end of October it changes rapidly.  

Above screenshot is from Google's search page.  I might not keep this post up for  long, since am using different ages from other sites.  Even though I make no money from the blog, I want to bring order and do it all right.

Following are images from the handle @Sweden they have the best information about Sweden and swedish traditions. Midsummer foods, like all summer foods are light, and bubbly.  Also a family and friends time.  

This is my pic, from town. It says Harrys for delicious company.  The reason I took this picture is because how summer is reflected in the windows....enjoy.....I have several stories around summer and how Sweden in summer is just 'profusion' (an expression I read in this book titled 'Fishing in Utopia' read it--if you are interested in knowing about Sweden of the 1970s and 1980s.  Have a great weekend folks...