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

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. 

 

Jab Deep Jale Aaana--Come, When the lamps light up

First published on December 22, 2017, here it is again, as the evenings are just as beautiful...

and here is the link to the song, so you can hear its melody and simplicity....from the 1970s...songs in those days used to be based on light classical....Jab Deep Jale aana...

Jab Deep Jale Aaana--Come, When the lamps light up, is an old bollywood song, light-classical, I would say.  The song is a call to the beloved, for a rendezvous. In the dark the evening, no one would be able to tell them apart. 

But evenings in Sweden are utterly and sweetly romantic.  Not as in romance, but as in softness. The brightness of summer is harsh, the coziness of winter is simply warm, despite the crispness.  Its easy on the eyes and makes us aware of a longing that we become oblivious to in summer!!

A Mountain with 900 temples

 The picture is self explanatory.  Pardon the short posts. But I would rather have at least an image for you all, rather than nothing.

Things have been hectic. I have had COVID. I had beaten it...but this recent travel.....Well, I have never had to wear masks in Sweden.

So, pardon me. I am tired and exhausted and disoriented. Still working half days.

Hope you all are well and taking care of yourself. 

This is Paris!

 

Evening Moon in Sweden

 No words can describe this simplicity and how much I feel at home when I see this.

Taken in April 2022

Svensk Soluppgång--Swedish Sunrise!

Last published on March 25m 2021, here are a few images of the beautiful sunrises. For this is the time.  Bright sunrises, long days, and chirping birds!! Tis the season

For all those who know, please watch the movie I made on mid-summer again....it will show you beautiful Sweden can be starting May....like paradise....

First published on April 12 of 2014--this one is here just because the picture here and the header is almost identical, although taken nearly 7 years apart.   Maybe now you can see how much sunrises mean to me....I am just amazed at this miracle. Hope you  see the beauty here, just as I do,---pink and blue brush strokes.  Hope wherever you are, you have light and it is bright. 

I was half asleep when I saw this from my window. I screamed loud!!  Still in my sleep --looked for my iPhone took the picture and when back to sleep. It was slightly before 5 am. 

For the next hour, I would open my eyes at least ten time to witness this again.  This sunrise finally inspired me to go for a walk again.  Something I have done for years…except the last two years.  I hardly go for walks as often as I used to.  Today, it was off to the lake, in the middle of the day, with food and tea. I sat by the lake for an hour, sitting still, and occasionally listening to my lectures as always do.  About 30 minute meditation….and I felt as if it was the first day of my life…

Sunrises….are amazing.  Swedish Sunrises, which we get to see only a few months because either they happen too early (mid-summer) or too late (November) or hardly happen (December, January) ---are just out of this world. 

Seasonal, but spectacular!!

Putting Smiles on Public: One Stich at a Time

 

So here you, another picture of goodness,

This one made me smile. So I went back to look at the hanging note. 

Some people though...sooooo beautiful.  I will write more about this later. For now, I wanted to bring you all a smile too!!

Polka Nails

 Just a few images this week

An update of a post from March 26, 2022

Adding some more. So here is the thing. This is my second time getting it done in my life.  All in a matter of 6 weeks. I think this is a waste of money. What happened_

Well, my feet have been hurting.  Plantar fasciitis .....really, really painful. I needed some foot massage. I give myself one everyday but was really tired. Shoulders are hurting due to cold and carrying computers on my back. 

So, this place said that they will include nail paint.  The first time I did not bring flip flops with me, which I coudl use to walk in, after foot massage, pedicure and nail paint. They said to come back and they will throw in a free nail paint.  So I had to get another appointment for at least a manicure, which is cheaper.

So here it is...Enjoy....and color choice is mine, style is mine...I asked them to....and for a few weeks, I felt special. 

That is it...

this week...

Some things to think about....

 

Nightingale of India: Lata Mangeshkar

She sang more than 11,000 --30,000 songs (depending on which story is true) in 36 languages in her 70 year long singing career.

They say that  she was blessed by the Ma Saraswati, Goddess of knowledge and arts herself.  Lata Mangeshkar was her name. 

Here for your perusal are some songs, from a very early career to some songs from more recent times.  

Ayega Aane Wala, Ayega, Ayega: The one who is supposed to come will arrive, he will arrive: From the Movie Mahal (Palace), 1949. A thriller.  

Considered a classic, the movie was different from other movies of the time that focussed on mythology, history rural themes.  This is one of the most beloved songs from Indian film history. 

Here is my favourite. The song was already an oldie when I was heard it but I thought it was so ahead of its time. Notice the range of emotions she evokes.  This song is from a movie called Jewel Thief from 1967  ---The songs in Bollywood are used to forward the story.  Here much is being said. The title of the song, Hothon Pe Aise Baat ---means, 'My sealed lips hold a secret and God forbid if I ever let it out'.

Here is a song from Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, from 1995.  A movie that is still running on a theatre in Mumbai. The most popular movie. Listen to how here even though she is older, how youthful her voice sounds.  She must be around late fifties in this song. Ho Gaye Hai Tujhko Pyar Sajna (O Beloved, no matter how much you deny, you are in love).

And here are two most favourite patriotic songs that are synonymous with Ms. Mangeshkar's voice.  

Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon: The People of My country (with english subtitles).This song was written and sung after India lost in Indo-China war in the 1960s. It is said that the Prime Minister went to listen to her and could not stop crying. Even today when I listen to it, I get misty eyed.

Vande Mataram: I bow to thee Mother from the movie Anand Math, based on the book of the same name. The book was a documents Sanyasi Rebellion, rebellion of the mendicants, against he British. I have been meaning to read this book for such a long time. By the way, this song is the second most top song in the WORLD, according to BBC's poll. 

Here is a song from a movie that was nominated for Oscar in 2001.  Its a devotional song and one of my favourite. 

As the story goes, when she was young an astrologer told her that if she got married she will not be able to pursue music. She was an ordinary looking woman.  Some would even consider her unattractive.  But her voice was gold and she was married to music.  She chose music. Rest, as they say, is history.

I had heard that her throat was insured for millions and they said they were going to use her larynx for research. I doubt that is true.  But what is true that she is registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the most recorded artist in history, in 1974. By 1974 itself she had sung over 24,000 songs. Although there is some controversy around it.  Today they say that most recorded songs, a title that still belongs to an Indian is only 17000. 

She was laid to rest with all state honours. She holds the Bharat Raina, the highest civilian award in India. 

But then again, she has left the most beautiful thing about herself behind.

Sharing some tweets by some Indian people in the Caribbean and Fiji Islands --and how they felt about Lataji (ji is a form of request).

Dawn or Dusk? Day or Dark? Rising or Resting Time?

Last published on June 12, 2020, but first published on June 16, 2011 (wow)--here it is ...I am amazed at the play of light in this country...look at these pics...like a magic land.  I fall in love with places where I live.  Sweden has given me something that so different. A starkness in seasonal weather unlike any other place combined with open spaces that I could not imagine.  Lakes so big that they look like ocean, sky so open, uninterrupted by high buildings (we live in a small town) that it looks like the ocean too....I  miss Fiji's sea, no doubt, the warmth and the shinny water that sparkles under its own scorching sun....but Sweden is like sitting on pendulum that is moving through a changing scenery...season after season....

First Published on June 27, 2017 here is is again for you to see how Sweden is at this time of the year. 

Once you are done reading, please check this old post as well, to see the difference in light....It was published on June 16, 2011--the first real summer I spent in Sweden and was amazed at the wonder of light!!

Seems like a new day coming up, filled with life?

Actually, close to 11 pm, in Scandinavia, Mid-Summer!!

This is the gift --the magic that makes us bear the dark of the winter!! Yes, it can still be annoying sometimes, the work does not stop, but when WE stop, we look around, it is truly magical. As I always say, it is not just the quantity the time of light we get, it is also the quality. It is bright day at 3 am. And it stays that way till past 1 am the next day and gets dim for an hour and then bright again. And that lasts us close to three months.

Only 7-8 hours drive down south, and it is quite different!!

The first year it was strange, now, I look forward to this.  The only thing is that so far, every year, I have been so busy that I can hardly enjoy it. I did not write about falling from my bike last year, might do that at some point. But since that fall, in October of 2016, I have not gotten back onto my bike. Restricted to walking. 

Have not been able to sit outside or do much, been cleaning and organising.  This is the time of the year to do it.  Not only is it hard when autumn starts, the darkness makes us lazy and loose inspiration.

The following Images were taken about 3:30 am, about two -three weeks ago. And this was a gloomy day, no sun and all rain.  About thirty minutes later, it was all bright.  The birds were chirping and I needed both ear plugs and eye masks to be able to sleep.  

Whenever I leave this place, I know that I will miss this magic, as I will sometimes miss the quietness of the darkness, that brings pain and sadness but also a depth to our souls. 

When I first met Americans, they kept talking about 'summer'.  That was my first year away from India and I thought, what's the big deal about summer. I only liked it because it gave me a break from school and long lazy days.  But in the west, mostly cold countries, summer means warmth. It means a freedom from jackets and gloves and weak, but nagging rain, that seeps the sickness into your bones.  Although here in Sweden, we never, I repeat, we never pack our jackets and shawls.  May be gloves, may be....

But come summer, I am amazed at the joy these simple --sweet--fragrant long days --that allow much time to do things --we have our meals much later but also forget to sleep. Our bodies tell us we are tired.

But that is just me.

I remember the first year here, I did not yet have the internet at home and was working in the office. After hours of work, I left and was surprised to find no one on the streets.  I looked around and wondered, 'why so quiet?'

'Oh, damn, its 10:30 pm, just coz the sun is up, means nothing, you dork!!' I thought. People here have lived long enough to know that despite the long days you need sleep. While teachers and professors get their summers off due to no classes, many still prefer to work during the summer, sot that they can take time off during winter, which makes more sense. 

I still think of that. So weekends are different. And some evenings are different when the young choose to have a bonfire at about 1 am and then see the sun come up.  Really fun and possibly a romantic thing to do. I had an invitation once, but I could not join them, since a week later I had to go to Germany for a project. I knew that would affect my circadian rhythm (trying to be all fancy here, my circadian rhythms have been off since I entered graduate school, which was about two decades ago).  

But people, when they live in one place have a way of living around the weather --the climate, and fitting with it.  We are so adaptable. Only when it we have to do it for other people, we are resistant. 

Some thing to think about.  

And while you do that, still think, just how beautiful it is to be sitting outside, looking out the window and staring into the sun at midnight.

Now, I can truly understand 'A MidSummer Night's Dream!!'

Truly!!

Carefree

First published on January 28, 2018. Here it is again.  I think the picture was taken in 2009 at a train station in India.  Since then train stations have undergone massive upgrade. Not sure if they still welcome stray dogs.  In which case, I am not always sure ....what an upgrade means. Is someone else making sure these lives are taken care of? 

A Dog at a train station in India.  Resting, without a care.  Knowing fully well, that people around him will accommodate him, feed him, and for the most part, not withstanding noise at the place, will let him be.  

Looking at him, I am reminded of a proverb, 'Ghode bech kar bona'.  Sleeping, after selling all your horses.  Meaning sleeping with abandon, no care, no worry.  

Don't we all wish for this?