Day 80: Music to my ears

Day one of the Stockholm Folk Festival at Hesselby Slott drew to close for me a couple of hours ago with a great blues trio (two Americans and a Swede, mandolin, guitar and harmonica) who sang blue grass blues, both old time and original. The party continued for everyone else and as I stood on the subway platform 3/4 of a kilometer away, I could hear the fabulous Latin band that was playing on the main stage.

It was truly terrific to spend the day immersed in music. My favorite (although not the best musically by a long shot) was UFIS (Ung folkmusik i Stockholm), a group of 20 or so youngsters playing authentic Swedish folk tunes on fiddle, cello, guitar and horns. They were inspired and inspiring. It made me so happy to see youngsters who were interested in making this kind of music together. And it turns out that they'd been playing as a group for fewer than 48 hours! Their performance was the culmination of a course that began at Hesselby Slott on the day before the festival. Amazing what they were able to achieve in such a short time.

If you're in town tomorrow, you should stop by. Tomorrow's line-up looks very promising. Here is a link to the schedule: http://hesselbyslottstockholmfolkfestival.se/program-2

And here is UFIS:

Day 79: Art isn't easy...

...but it sure can be fun...and funny. On a stroll through Södermalm showing a dear friend some of my favorite haunts, we came across this display at 125 Kvadrat

We both stopped and laughed and seeing the photo now brings a smile to my face. So whimsical.

Day 78: A spoonful of sugar...

Mary Poppins has nothing on me today. I woke up this morning from a rather anxiety-filled dream, the kind where things are just beyond your grasp and nothing you do goes right. That's why it felt extra good to have someplace to go and someone to meet. At the Central Station in Stockholm, I almost missed my bus to Uppsala but fortunately, thanks to a very helpful and efficient information clerk, I got to the right gate just moments before the bus was to leave.

It was a pleasant enough ride part of which I spent on the phone helping someone I know with a press release for a line of jewelry that she is launching. The bus arrived a bit ahead of schedule which gave me enough time to catch the earlier bus to Alunda where I was to spend the day hanging out with and helping a friend continue her major reorganizing/cleaning project.

Today we "attacked" her girls' bedrooms. What a great sense of satisfaction it is to see a room take shape from mild chaos to sparkling clean and orderly. To top it all off, I got a delicious meal in the bargain and the opportunity to engage with two pretty adorable cats.

I will sleep well tonight, with a smile on my face imagining the delight of my friend's two daughters when they come home from their vacation on Monday.

Day 77: Show biz

A few weeks ago, an acquaintance suggested I might be interested in volunteering at a folk musical festival that will take place in August at a palace on the outskirts of Stockholm. It seemed like a good idea at the time so I sent off an e-mail to the volunteer coordinator offering my services.

An information meeting for all volunteers was organized for today and, frankly, I was no longer as enthused. Still, I take my commitments seriously so off I went on the long-ish subway trip out to the palace in Hässelby.  What a beautiful setting! And what a great line-up of artists!

More than that, it was just plain fun to be in the swing of pre-production mayhem. I've always enjoyed being in on the backstage happenings of cultural events, in particular theater, and it's been a long time since I've been part of that scene. The festival promises to be a fantastic musical happening (how could it not me in this beautiful setting?) and I am looking forward to adding my contribution to making the magic happen.

Now if only the weather will cooperate...

Day 76: Snap, crackle, pop

Naprapathy is the greatest. Next to massage.

What is naprapathy you ask? Many people ask me this, especially non-Scandinavians. The word, and the practice, originate in Czechoslovakia (when there still was a Czechoslovakia) and stem from the Czech náprava (correction) from napravit (to correct). Naprapathy combines chiropractics with manipulating/ massaging muscles. Apparently, the practice is most popular in Scandinavia which explains why basically none of my friends outside of Sweden have ever heard of it.

There is something I find hugely satisfying about having my joints cracked. This goes beyond knuckles which I crack regularly myself. The naprapath cracked my spine joints last week and I can still recreate the tremendous sense of relief and relaxation that resulted. So I was very happy indeed to read up on cracking and to discover that the notion that cracking your joints is not good for you is just an old wives tale.

Looking forward to another session next week!

Day 75: Seat with a view

Many things to be happy about today. Found a great new recipe online which I served for lunch today and which also solved the question of what to serve at a dinner party I'm having in two weeks' time. Had almost all the ingredients at home and found the remaining few easily at the local market. Honored guests arrived a bit late enabling me to finish cooking, set the table and clean the counter tops at a leisurely pace.

The weather cooperated and we had dessert out in the garden. My brightest smile was brought on by the view because a) it was amusing and b) it is testament to the wonderful neighbors in my building and how comfortable we all feel with each other. To wit: