Day 106: Uplifting

Listen to these speeches. They made me happy today.

Day 105: Eschaton

Today's entry was going to be called apocalypse until Wikipedia explained to me that apocalypse is a revelation of something hidden, which is not at all what I want to write about. Apparently, in the Revelation of John the revelation which John receives is that of the ultimate victory of good over evil and the end of the present age. And therefore, many people misconstrue the word apocalypse to refer to the end of the world in general.

What I want to write about is the dream I had last night, in which the world as we know it did come to an end. It was rather celebratory. I was uplifted and filled with energy as I recognized the opportunity to create something better, together with a variety of people situated in many corners of the world. While many people around were in a state of despair, anxiety and panic, I felt optimism and a call to rally our creative forces. I traveled, or rather teletransported, to many locations, the last of which was an underground cave where people had taken shelter sharing their meager supplies. As I encouraged them not to give up hope, a large and loud crowd of looters was heard above us, and I realized that not everyone was going to share our enthusiasm for rebuilding. The realization hit hard.

So what is this story doing in a blog about happiness? Let me tell you, I was very happy to wake up and realize that it was just a dream!

Day 104: Urban Adventures

The rain managed to hold off until we were all done strolling through the area of Södermalm that is so charmingly referred to as SoFo. A native told me that the name was originally the invention of real estate agents who were out to create somewhat of a bohemian reputation for the area and it stuck. Over the past few years, the neighborhood has sort of grown into its name and now boasts boutiques, galleries and some great restaurants.

What better way to explore the area than in the company of two out of town guests, this time from Brazil, the parents of my wonderful friend Juliana (btw, if you have never checked out Ju's Web site, do it now...she is an amazing photographer http://www.morethanwords.se/). They were such wonderful hosts when I was in Curitiba a few years back and it made me happy to spend some time with them in my hometown.

P.S. For those of you who have been following my computer saga, I am happy to report that my X61s is up and running, all the files transferred successfully and I am enjoying the speed that comes with the first few days of a brand new setup. I know it won't last for long ;-)

Day 103: Up and running again!

People, it's been quite a day. Held my breath as first hours and then minutes ticked away leading up to the 2 PM closing of the online auction. Would I have the winning bid? Or would someone sneak in during the last few seconds and screw me over? As I stared at the screen at 1:59:53, the auction closed and all the items simply disappeared. Yikes. No clue...I thought I had the highest bid but what if someone had gotten in just under the wire?

Meanwhile, to steady my nerves and make me feel I was doing something constructive, I contacted Microsoft to ask how I go about transferring my Office package from my old computer to my (I was hoping!) newly acquired one. I had purchased Office a year ago through an offer we got at the company I was working for at the time. It was a great deal...if I remember correctly, it cost $10...yes, that is ten U.S. dollars.

A very pleasant Microsoft rep, referred me to the local Home Use company where an equally pleasant customer support rep provided great, eh, customer support. Naturally, she asked me for the license number which naturally, I did not know. She then searched for my record using my previous work e-mail address and, lo and behold, she found it. Ten minutes later, I had a link in my inbox to downloading the package! Miraculous, no?

Shortly thereafter, another e-mail arrived, this one from the auction site informing me that my items were ready for pickup. Items, in the plural, because at the last minute I placed a bid on a multifunction color printer, in addition to the laptop. So, now I am the proud owner of a Lenovo ThinkPad X61s with 3 mg RAM, 100 GB hard drive, Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Office Package, Windows 7 and a multifunction color printer/scanner/photocopier.


All that for the outrage price of 1400 kr or $209 at today's exchange rate.

I am a happy camper!

Day 102: Cleanliness

My strategy for cleaning my house is to invite people over, and I know I'm not alone. So today, in preparation for the September board games meetup, the vaccuum cleaner came out and I hoovered, though not with an actual Hoover. The guests have now departed (after seven hours of games galore...my idea of heaven), the dishes are in the dishwasher (my favorite household appliance) and I am enjoying serenity and a clean home.

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday eve. What are you up to?

Day 101: Ya gotta love the Swedes

An outdoor canopy appeared in the neighboring garden this morning and I could not for the life of me figure out what that was all about. For a while, I thought maybe it had been out there all along and that I'd simply never noticed it before. A little while ago, I looked up from my kitchen table and saw a couple out there decorating it.

Then it hit me...it's crayfish party season in Sweden! Two straight days of pouring rain were certainly no reason to cancel the traditional celebration. It's hard to make out in the photo (I did not want to intrude on their festivities by moving closer) but the table is all decked out with party hats and crayfish bibs and the requisite red crayfish streamer hanging across the canopy ceiling.

I expect it will be a long night, eating, singing and, most importantly on this occasion, drinking snaps. In the rain. And wind. And cold. But hey, it's crayfish season and the weather be damned! 

Day 101: In my element

What is this feeling of well-being, contentment and drive? And, where oh where has it been all these years? I've been longing to feel fully engaged, stimulated and motivated for such a long time now that I was beginning to give up hope. Worst yet, I had lost touch with what would or could captivate me in quite that way.

Lost no more. For the past week, I feel completely in my element and just love being surrounded by that certain energy that only theater people and theater productions elicit in me.

Yup, folks, there is no business like show business!

Day 100: It's the little things you do...

Well, Sondheim would have it "together" but today's happy was all about taking care of myself. You know the drill: paying bills, catching up on errands, researching computers. 

I found a great site, BTW (or rather was referred to it by a former colleague) called www.it-auktion.se. They acquire computers that companies are getting rid of, wipe their hard drives, test them and then auction them off online. They come with a one year guarantee and the auction closes once a week. So, I hope that by Monday, I will back up and running. I do love my iPad but being computerless is not much fun, even with my handy dandy iPad on hand.

This evening, I tutored a lovely young woman in Swedish. We meet every so often and converse. I am tickled by the fact that I of all people am helping people improve their Swedish...funny where life leads you. In any event, it is always a pleasure to work with her. She is so motivated, hard working and at the same time such a gentle soul. Today, I mostly listened as she told me in great detail about a difficult relationship at work. She picked the topic and it was pretty astounding listening to her struggle to express herself on such an emotional subject in a language that is not her native tongue. Impressive and inspiring. I lead a charmed life.

Day 99: Everybody's got the right to be happy

So two fantasic things happened to me over the past two days and I'm not at all sure which makes me happier. They both occurred during our production meeting marathon for Assassins. First, on three separate occasions, three different men referred to me as a woman. Honestly, I can't remember the last time a man openly recognized my femininity...and it sure felt good.

Later...much later into the night while I was fast asleep...the show's director publicly declared me "the bestest [sic] general manager (produktionschef) ever. Online. On the Assassins Facebook page. Wow. I mean wow.

So, one personal and one professional triumph. Just so you don't think it's all a bed of roses, my computer has gone totally schizophrenic on me. The screen is dying. A slow, agonizing death...agonizing for me at least :-( Anyone out there got an extra computer lying around? If so, I'm your customer.

Oh, and mark your calendars...the premier has been established: Jan 8, 2013, with or without Mr. Sondheim in the house.

Day 98: Perpetual anticipation...

Soon, very soon, the real work begins. Awaiting the arrival of the rest of the production crew and two days of exciting work. Discussing, planning, laughing, getting to know one another.

In the meanwhile, there are views to be seen and my blog to compose
There are so many things in the meanwhile.
And a girl has to celebrate what passes by :-)

So what do you say to this work environment? Not too shabby, eh?!

Day 97: It takes so little...

...to make me happy, really. On my way home from the Stockholm Language Exchange group tonight, for example, I suddenly remembered that I had to buy milk. Immediately, a big grin appeared on my face and my step got lighter. If you're looking quizzical while reading this then you're probably young. Younger than me. Wait a decade or two and you'll understand how spontaneously remembering an errand without having to write it down, set an alarm or tie a ribbon round your finger can generate an instantaneous feeling of joy!




So what's the Stockholm Language Exchange, you ask? It's a MeetUp group where people get together to practice a language of their choice. There is always at least one fluent speaker (usually a native) on hand as host to support and encourage. I attend the French group from time to time to try and kick-start my French after too many years of neglect. And I regularly attend the Swedish group (our most popular) where I host, helping folks who want to improve their Swedish. It is sooooo much fun and I've even developed a bit of a following :-) Check out the site (::: link) to see what languages are offered. Maybe I'll see you there?

Day 96: Singin' in the rain

Dark, dark, dark clouds above and pouring rain below. Me? I'm happy as a clam, singing along to my (current) favorite cast recording, eating toast with yogurt and jam (try it, it's yummy) and working on a friend's Web site. Life, my friends, is good!

Day 95: And so the journey begins...

After a long night's sound sleep, I spent the day immersed in production planning while listening to my favorite Broadway composer's music. You listen with a different ear when you're involved in a show and I found myself discovering and rediscovering the score.

It's so great to have resources at my fingertips. All these years of being a Sondheimphile are paying off well now as I can turn to my shelves for inspiration from the master himself. Such great fun...and most informative, I might add...to read what he has to say about the show, its origins and his collaboration with the playwright.

I expect I will sleep well tonight too...with a smile on my lips.

Day 94: Good things come in threes

Today, I 1) cuddled with a baby; 2) cooked and ate amazing Vietnamese food; and 3) was officially announced as the General Manager (produktionschef for the Swedes among you) for the upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins  in Stockholm in January. Happy does not even begin to describe it :-D

Day 93: It's back!

No more tiny keyboard. No more DrawSome frustration on the tiny iPhone screen. My iPad is finally up and running again, thanks to the expert help of the people at iPhone Reparation (http://www.iphonereparation.se/). They called this morning to say that the long awaited LCD screens were finally back in stock. Off I went to their location on Odengatan to drop my beloved moj off. They said it would take a couple of hours to repair and that I would get a call when it was ready.

YAY!

A mere 50 minutes later, the call came in. I was almost afraid to answer fearing that they were calling to tell me they'd found an irreparable problem with it. To my delight it was simply the repairman calling to say that my iPad was ready. Welcome back old friend...I've missed you.

 

Day 92: The Show Must Go On!

Despite the pouring rain, Vitabergsparken was packed for this evening's performance of Circus Cirkör. The performers, who also doubled as the band, did not disappoint and rather than canceling they made the best of it. Fortunately, half the stage was roofed so the instruments were protected against the downpour. As for the acrobatics, well, they cut most of them out as the rest of the stage was way too slippery. Instead, the director described what we would have been seeing :-)

One of the very impressive acts that they did go through with albeit in front of the stage, not on it, was sort of juggling with kettle bells! Yes, you heard me right. Amazing strength. Very impressive.

And I was happy to be there under an umbrella supporting these unstoppable performers, though I hasten to add that I'm hoping for much better weather for tomorrow's performance by Cullbergsballeten.

Day 91: Pride in one's work

Last year, the co-op building I live in decided to renovate the stairwell. It was a long process which included polling everyone in the building for input, selecting a contractor, deciding on details and withstanding months of noise, construction dust and cluttered hallways. When it was done, though, we were quite pleased with the result and every time I walk into our lobby, I felt happy to be home. Except for the mailbox.

A plain white mailbox that served its purpose for a number of years is now simply an eyesore in the otherwise fresh, new lobby. This is what it looks like:

And this is our beautiful lobby:

You get the picture. It was my task to find a replacement mailbox that would complement the oak accents in the lobby. Not so easy as it turns out. Enter our amazing neighbor Ingemar who volunteered to make a new mailbox. Which is exactly what he did in his carpentry shop over the summer. Today, he and his wife Christina installed it. What a lift to the entire lobby! Thank you Ingemar!

The new mailbox

Posing proudly after a job well done!

Day 90: Preview

The crowning glory of this wonderful time together with my two good friends from high school came just a few minutes ago with the reading of chapter 1 of a novel that Lori has been working on for a long time now. I've known about, heard about, this novel on and off for many years and have been waiting (am still waiting) for it with great anticipation.

Chapter 1 took me by surprise. It is, naturally, well written and its style and nature is quite in line with my expectations. What I did not anticipate was how incredibly moving it would be, how gently and kindly and generously it depicts a story that carries me back to a time long ago, yet still so close to my heart.

Chasing Fireflies by Lori Berhon. Wait for it. Look for it. It is coming. Then sit down, immerse yourself and enjoy. I know I will.

Day 89: Wine Women and Song

The day I've been planning for and looking forward to all summer finally arrived. And my cold finally left. Good timing :-)

Seven of my woman friends gathered at my place tonight. What made this gathering particularly special was that two of them are here visiting from afar, one from NYC and another from Israel. The three of us went to high school together and have stayed in each other's lives ever since. Having us all in the same city at the same time, no less in Stockholm, was certainly cause for celebration.

We ate, we sang, we talked. We were silly and serious. Two authors read aloud excerpts from their books. We shared memories and stories. We photographed. We toasted. It was magical.

This post on FB from one of them summed it up so well:

You know when your friend's old friends become your new friends? Love that.

Love that too. And all of you, each of whom holds a warm and special place in my heart.

Day 88: Play on!

Can anything really make me happy on a day like today? I really wonder. My good friend is in town, the weather is cooperating and I am stuck home with a horrible cold I can't shake off. Of course, I am happy for her sake that the weather is fine and showing off Stockholm at its best. But what about me? Poor, lonely, under-the-weather (get it?!) me?

Staying home while I'd rather be out and about is not much fun...I even had to skip dinner and the concert we had planned for yesterday evening. On the bright side, because my friends there really always is a bright side, my proclivity for creating family wherever I am pays off in situations like this. Which is why, despite my being indisposed, my friend does not have to spend her time alone. She's in the good hands of another good friend, to whom I (and my mother when she lived) refer as my "Swedish brother." They have met before on several occasions, both here and in NYC, enjoy each other's company and have been traipsing around Stockholm for a couple of days now while I try to get better. So that makes me happy.

Another bright spot in my sickly gloom are all the people out there, near and far, who are as enthusiastic as I am about Wordfeud. It's a nice way to have company without infecting anyone with my germs and a great way to pass the time when, like last night, I wake up in the wee hours with a coughing fit and can't get back to sleep. So thank you and tack så mycket ('cause I play both in English and Swedish). Oh, and I do admit to an extra thrill when (more often than not) I beat Swedish opponents ;-)

Day 87: The Breast of Everything

In a word: success! NYC author and my good friend Lori Berhon read from her first novel in print, The Breast of Everything, to a modest but enthusiastic audience in Stockholm this evening. Lori is a wonderful writer and an equally expressive reader. Laughter filled the room on several occasions as she read. The follow-up Q&A was lively with interesting questions posed by interested audience members. And we sold a number of books. All in all, everything we'd hoped for, and more.

I'm so happy! Accccchhhhhhoooooooo. (except for the cold ;-( )

Laughter

Waiting on line to purchase the book

Autographing the books

Day 86: "Bättre kan man inte ha det"

What's a cold...even a really bad one like the one I have right now...in light of those words from one's hematologist? Blood test results are back. Every single number is normal. "See you next year," he added. "Forget about us."

That last admonition will go by the wayside because how will I ever forget this amazing doctor? And why would I want to? I told him that and he had to agree that forgetting each other is probably not an option at this point. We have had a number of conversations, visits, etc. Each one has left me more informed and more positive than before. And I'd like to think it's left him at the very least smiling.

Today is an extra good day!

Day 85: Aaaahhh-choooo

Why do colds always seem to come on when it's most inconvenient? I woke up with a very sore throat very early this morning, just in time for the arrival of my good friends from out of town. We have many things planned for the short time they are going to be here and the last thing I need is to be sneezing through it all.

Up out of bed I dragged myself to drink some echinacea in the hopes of staving off said cold. Fortunately, I was able to fall back asleep and spent the rest of the day sleeping on and off, drinking tea and more echinacea. I'd be happy to be able to report that I beat this thing. Alas, not totally. Still, I'm glad it isn't worse than it is and look forward to spending time with my friends. Keep your fingers crossed (or hold your thumbs as we do here in Sweden ;-)).

Day 84: Reunited...and it feels so good

July 12th was Take Your Squishy to Work Day. Maizie and I did not want to feel like slackers. Just because I decided to leave the workforce last year was no reason to miss this opportunity to contribute to charity. Besides, Maizie was due for an outing. So, off she went with Grace Ann to her job.

That was more than a month ago and I've been missing her. Tonight was book club night and to my great delight, Maizie showed up with Grace Ann! It was so wonderful to hug her and feel her squishness right next to me. She made a pretty great impression on the rest of the book club members too, but I got to take her home.

Welcome back Maizie! xxx ooo

Day 83: Finders keepers

Found a partially unused travel coupon on the subway platform today. Just in time for visiting friends later this week. That's enough to make this girl happy on an otherwise uneventful, albeit gorgeous, summer day.

Sleep well all! I know I will.

Day 82: Collaboration

Eight people, four teams, (scientists, engineers, doctors) all focused on eradicating disease throughout the world. A fight against the clock as new outbreaks and epidemics erupt. Building research stations, traveling the continents. Will we succeed in the nick of time?

That is Pandemia. After four valiant attempts, the game still won over us players. But what fun to play together, cooperating toward a common goal. And how ingenious to come up with a game that is non-competitive as well as challenging.

All this and a yummy baby to squeeze and tickle and kiss on her ever so plump baby cheeks. Plus two three-year-olds. And great food.

I'm a happy camper on this Sunday after board games.

Day 81: Harmony

In a wine cellar at Hesselby Slott, a group of people gather in a circle to sing traditional Swedish folk songs. Folk songs are, as the name implies, songs of the people, passed from generation to generation by repetition. They originate in villages and towns, typically in the country or mountains, and spread via troubadours and regular folk from mouth to ear.

This was one of the sessions at the Stockholm Folk Festival that I was most looking forward to and it didn't disappoint. Anyone in the circle was free to take up a song, some of which were familiar while others were new to most of us. The session took flight whenever a tune was familiar to most and then the room filled with voices singing in spontaneous harmony. I so admire the ability some people have to weave a tune around another tune in a way that pleases the ear of the listener. Many of the participants in today's visstuga (as it's called in Swedish) were obviously experienced folk tune singers and it made me so happy to be part of the beautiful music we created together.

Click on the photo below for a bit of a taste:

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:

Day 74: Aliyah

Today I was honored to be called up for an aliyah at the synagogue where I attended a baby naming ceremony for 4-month-old Norah. For the uninitiated, an aliyah is part of the Shabbat services. On Shabbat (Saturday) mornings, a weekly section of the Torah (bible) is read, selected so that the entire Pentateuch is read consecutively each year. First, the Magbiah lifts and displays the Torah's Hebrew text for all to see. A synagogue official, called a gabbai, then calls up several people, in turn, to be honored with an aliyah wherein the honoree recites a blessing over the Torah, between each verse.

In front of the Torah scrolls reciting the traditional blessing

Being afforded this honor was a mitzvah (act of human kindness) in more ways than one and I am both happy and grateful to Norah's parents for thinking of me. I am not in the least bit religious and have not set foot in a synagogue for Shabbat services in more years than I care to remember. It was touching and surprising to me that I remembered a number of the blessings and prayers that are part of the ritual. They reside somewhere deep inside me, in an ancient ancient part of my soul. They trigger a sense of belonging and authenticity in a way that few other experiences do. It's not really about their content...although I do know the language and can tell you what they mean. For me, it's about the sounds and rhythms and melodies all of which feel organic. They resonate throughout my body and evoke a spirituality that goes beyond believing, beyond faith.

I am happy to have this inner place to return to again and again, despite the long lapses of time in between.

Day 73: Game on

Another senior moment...wrote this last night, got distracted by the Olympics and forgot to post. Yikes!

May I just say that GPS is the greatest! This is especially true for people like me who are, let's just say, directionally challenged. Or who, in plain English, get lost going around the block. Today, it helped me make my way from the commuter train station to a friend's house in a neighborhood I've never visited before. What really impressed me is the fact that it showed me the way via a network of paths that do not even have street names. Now that's exact!

But I digress...

The long-ish trip was well worthwhile as the payoff was an afternoon and evening of playing board games. If you've been following these posts or know me even a little, then you know that this is one of my favorite activities and always makes me happy. We played Trivial Pursuit today which, in addition to being informative, was also quite comical as this was the 1984 edition...i.e. almost 30(!) years old. You know, when there still was a Soviet Union. It's always interesting to see what people have or have not heard of and what I myself can and cannot remember. Wonder what it would be like to play a more recent version of this game?

On its way home to me even as I write is Scattegories which I really look forward to playing at the next Board Games afternoon, a week from tomorrow. What's your favorite board game? I need some good tips (preferably including a brief description)!

Day 72: It's all in who you know...

OMG...forgot to post this yesterday. Senior moment. :-))

What I didn't forget, however, is the wonder of Årstahavsbad where I spent the afternoon yesterday basking in the sun. Many Swedes have a sommarstuga (summerhouse or cottage really) somewhere out in the country or the archipelago, to which they can escape beginning in the spring and stretching into the fall on a good year. The sommarstuga is many a Swede's pride and joy, often passed down from generation to generation, the source of many a childhood memory.

In principle, this is a superb idea. In practice, it involves quite a bit of maintenance work for which I have neither the talent nor the inclination. Thus, I am so very grateful to my friends who have such a stuga and who open their summer homes to visitors. Among my favorites (people as well as stugor :-)) is at Årstahavsbad, a summerhouse area that was established in 1929 as a "social experiment" aimed at providing large city families with an opportunity to spend time out in the country. To top it all off, you can get there by public transportation!

As you step off the bus and walk up the hill, this is the view that greets you, complete with the Maypole left over from midsummer:

I spent a lovely afternoon basking in the sun and returned home refreshed and suntanned. :-))
 

Day 71: Three reasons for happy

Short and sweet today:

1.  Spontaneous outing courtesy of a great friend to the outlet store of one of my favorite clothing designers, Gudrun Sjödén.

2. Nothing bought at said store :-)

3. Successful trip to the library to swap The Girl Who Fell from the Sky for The Girl Who Fell from the Sky. No, it's not a typo. There are two, one by Simon Mower and another by Heidi W. Durrow. Last week I borrowed the wrong one. Today, I got the right one.

Day 70: Making friends

My newest friend

He's round and pudgy and almost one year old. We do not speak a common language and he looks at me suspiciously as he clings to his oma (grandmother) for a long, long time. I maintain some distance and begin a game of peek-a-boo. He's not buying it. 


A while later, I join him on the floor where he has just started playing with a set of interlocking cardboard boxes. My strategy is to build a tower, sure that he will delight in knocking it down. I've been here before :-) Up goes the tower. Wham and down it goes. I shake my head and build it up again. Slam, bang...down again. And up again. His little arm swings wide and, just inches from its target, it happens. He starts shaking his head and laughing. Shaking his head just like I was shaking mine. 


Just a moment later, he crawls over and climbs up into my lap, examining the polka dots on my top. He'd grab my glasses too if he could but I've been around this block before and head him off at the pass. "You surely have a special gift with kids," says his oma. Yup, and they have their way with me. Everybody's happy! 

Day 69: Recognition

On Mondays, I volunteer as a language host at the Stockholm Language Exchange Group helping newcomers with their Swedish. It is enormous fun and brings back memories of my efforts to master the language during first year in Sweden. In the group today was a fellow from Switzerland who is here on a long vacation...three months...and decided to take advantage of the opportunity and learn the language. He arrived seven weeks ago and has already mastered enough Swedish to carry on a reasonable conversation about a book he recently read. Impressive.

Another participant is a young woman from France who told that she was glad to be in my group again because she thought it was so good the last time. You bet that made me happy :-)

God natt allihop...vi hörs igen imorgon!

Day 68: The hills are alive...

Some friends are back in town. They lived here for three years while he was on job assignment and then they moved back to the U.S. When that happens, I always figure that we will only ever see each other again when I visit them. Lo and behold, they came back to visit us first! It's of course a true testament to what a wonderful place Sweden is.

There was a dinner party in their honor this evening and I was so very happy to be invited. It was a good time...great food, interesting company and lively conversation. To top it all off, the host plays the guitar and was gracious enough to lead a sing-along. There were enough songs that enough of us knew to make that possible. My greatest surprise came when the woman sitting to my right began singing a song from one of my all time favorite Broadway musicals, A Little Night Music. A rare event indeed. I hasten to add that it was not "Send in the Clowns," the most well-known song from that musical. It turns out that she, like me, knows the entire score and we had a grand old time in our little corner of the table.

Not the first, nor the last, time that singing has made me happy.