Avenues…trees. In spring, summer, autumn or winter… They inspire and give comfort. The closeness, the narrow path or road in between…
They make me – they force me – to stop and feel the athmosphere, take a photo, enjoy.
I love all constellations. firs, pine trees, birches, aspen, oak trees… I do not have to walk in there, I am completely satisfied with standing still, breathing the air and the feeling…
…letting my imagination run free. How do you feel?
On my way to Varekai – Cirque Soleil. Hopefully an evening of wonders, colours, beauty, laughs and good food.
Have a great Thursday all – My thoughts also go to all those people waiting for Irma. Take care.
What’s in the picture? Well, today I had the honour of two granddaughters visiting – and I was totally overjoyed!
Even if they were much faster than me…and a bit more… agile? Youngsters – they do keep you alive and kicking, don’t they! They were both in for a haircut, though…but looked cool and modern with heavy curls hiding their eyes…Esther looks very much like her mother, Ella: White body and dark head. Mira has a wash of golden locks on top of her head…apparently inherited her father’s good looks. Welcome back you two!
I had not been to Kew for some years…about 35-40 I would guess – and when I finally returned some weeks ago, there were some surprises awaiting. The Hive was one of them, and another one was the Treetop Walkway. 18 metres up in the canopy, you could get a closer look at lime, sweet chestnut and oak trees – as well as a bird’s-eye view of Kew Gardens.
Take the lift up with me to the canopy! Not quite like the Amazon in December, but still great.
My number one goal with the London trip was Kew Gardens. I think the year was 1977 last time, or maybe 1979. As you who read this blog will know, I love gardens and flowers. Maybe especially English gardens, because of their soft and soothing architecture and lines. But this time, I also found the most mindful spot – The Hive.
A well thought through installation, and a high quality space for mindfulness.
The Hive stands 17 metres high, set in a meadow of wild flowers. The installation is connected to a real beehive, from where you, through several canals, are able to follow the sounds and vibrations of the bees.
We all know the importance of bees, and as scientists have proved – without bees we will not survive on this planet.
In this structure, you cannot shut out the light – you cannot stop it from seeping in. Looking straight up from the ground beneath, there are also… feet to be seen…
…and inside the construction, the blue sky is visible from every corner. Slow down and listen to the bees working, humming soothingly. Add some distant music… and this will be your reaction…
Meditative moments…Mindfulness…
This tiny exhibition at Kulturen in Lund was a real hit for me. I only took a few photos, but hopefully they convey something of what and who they were. Some of their movies are still on TV every year…and Hasse is still here, even if he does not write or perform anymore. The Apple War and The Simple-Minded Murderer are my absolute favourites.
Nostalgia…yes, but they will never die! Hans Alfredsson and Tage Danielsson – the number one comic artists of Sweden, the best critics of politics and politicians, the front figures working for a better world and environmental awareness. They brought out the best in people…by using their extreme talent for words.
Unfortunately this kind of sophisticated humour does no longer exist. (People are not good at words anymore…) Word jugglers, enthusiasts – ask any Swede my age, and they can recite something from ”Om sannolikhet” (”On Likelyhood”)
Children. Sometimes I wish I was a child again – maybe not all of you do, but maybe some of you …?
Freedom. I was fortunate – I had the best childhood I could dream of. Loving parents and grandparents…and not more human friends than I wanted. Animals were my best friends. Strolling in the forest, feeling totally secure. Quietness. Simplicity.
When walking the paths at Wanås, there were some children skipping in front of us – with their parents of course. I could not help but studying them. A girl and a boy – siblings – who quietly climbed the installations allowed. The girl exploring first…and then the boy took the lead. A bit more daring now…
Later in the day, I saw them merrily running and jumping over a little bridge in the fading sunshine. The boy in the lead. So…first the girl, leading the boy into this new, unknown world…and when he felt safe and secure enough, he took over.
And, the very little girl in the header, trudging away…how did she manage?
I so recognized myself in her. She was a loner, a little philosopher…
…until her mother called her name, waking her up from her reveries and reminding her she had to hurry up and join the rest of the little family.
Last week I, Viveka and Sue, visited Kyrkö Mosse and the cars buried there. The athmosphere here is very special, and you cannot but feel it – in your heart and bones. There is also something with the grasses, the soft, green moss and the brown rust…
…something that touches you deeply.
And it is not only the contrast of the soft againts the rough or the living against the dead or the fragrance against the decay…
This Something touches your very soul.
At least if you are Swedish or Scandinavian…
…you will feel the Magic…
It is all around you…
…and you half expect Princess Tuvstarr sitting there, gazing down into the water…
…and maybe she still is…because she, and John Bauer who once created the watercolour of her – they are both part of our national heritage. Many of us grew up with Bauer’s fantastic paintings, especially Tuvstarr and the moose Skutt.
Tiny, pretty princesses, handsome princes and noblemen, bold young lads, old witches and giant trolls of the deep forests of the North – they are all an eternal and vibrant part of Sweden´s national heritage through the genius of artist JOHN BAUER, the Art Nouveau master of Nordic mysticism.
For more of John Bauer’s art, click here.
What if we all were this sharp at 92? Hugs to you, Stig – thank you for the visit today!
My Thursday Thoughts connected with WPC: Bridge.
A hope and a wish for all countries to continue their work – to stand united, bridgeing all disputes – to save our planet Earth. A Swedish meadow in its summer glory – is it not worth preserving? May the Love of Mother Nature be the Bridge for us all.
Leya 
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