The Time Of Rose Hips.

In September, the many Scandinavian Rose hips bear fruit. Interestingly, they also do flower simultaneously, a certain curiosity I have observed during the past few years.

These sturdy plans grow everywhere, even on the sandy beaches. They are dominating the landscape where ever planted and will take over within years, displacing almost any other plants, thus are perfect to use as a natural hedge instead of a fence, due to their density and impenetrable shield of thorns.

Just in front of my terrace, there is a large area that is free and almost park like. A few years ago, the county decided to cut through it with a small pedestrian and bike trail, to all our dismay. However, we were happy to learn that the trails were going to be placed on the outskirts of our backyard and to be an underpass, leading below the ground level, becoming shielded from our houses by a large dirt bank. As soon as the work was done, we planted Rose Hips all over the bare surface of the bank. Interestingly, they seemed to have completely disappeared over the years, as the ground slowly became covered by natural growing wild plants.

It has been interesting to observe this development, as clearly different kind of plants gain footing each year. To begin with, only grass would grow there. This would be followed by an array of Dandelions and Red Poppies. Last year, a multitude of wild flowers took hold there and this summer, Thistles have been dominating the plant life. However, slowly, the Rose Hips are protruding through the vegetation, in higher numbers and more each year. In a few seasons, they will have outnumbered and out dominated all the other plants, creating an ocean and a protective wall of vivid pink flowers and red fruit.

Connecting Two Continents.

Have you ever traveled back in time, in your thoughts to revisit the reality of the world, as it was, just a few decades ago?

The technology of today was once the subject of science fiction. When I was a child, there were no fax-machines, no VCRs, no DVD players (no DVDs of course!), not CDs either. Not to talk about the existence of the Internet (at least not in the form and shape it is today), no personal computers and no portable phones.

Even the use of communication satellites, which have been in space for about 50 years, for the transmissions of personal communication, such as satellite phones, later mobile phones and of course the GPS systems, has been only available since the 80's and 90's.

Have you ever considered how exactly did the telegraph (and later telephone) signal travel across the Atlantic Ocean, before the invention of fiber-optics and the existence of satellites?

Well, a transatlantic communication was possible, about hundred years ago, due to an actual physical cable, called the Transatlantic Telegraph Cable, which was laid all across the bottom of the Atlantic.

I find this very impressive and extremely fascinating.

The first cable crossed from the Telegraph Field, Foilhommerum Bay, Valentia Island, in western Ireland to Heart's Content in eastern Newfoundland. The transatlantic cable bridged North America and Europe, and expedited communication between the two. Whereas it would normally take at least ten days to deliver a message by ship, after it was laid, it took a matter of minutes.

As described by wikipedia:
"Five attempts to lay it were made over a nine-year period—in 1857, two in 1858, in 1865, and in 1866—before lasting connections were finally achieved by the SS Great Eastern captained by Sir James Anderson with the 1866 cable and the repaired 1865 cable. Additional cables were laid between Foilhommerum and Heart's Content in 1873, 1874, 1880 and 1894. By the end of the 19th century, British-, French-, German- and American-owned cables linked Europe and North America in a sophisticated web of telegraphic communications."

Of course, in order for the transmissions to function properly, each end had to construct cable relay stations, which housed the most technologically advanced equipment for its time. There were several so called Cable Houses, and some still do stand today. The old cable station at Waterville in Ireland is well maintained and serves today as a Bed & Breakfast, while I really do not know if the original Cable House in Newfoundland is still in existence today. There were several buildings that served as relays, and there seems to be remains of one such Cable House in Hazel Hill, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. However, it is falling apart. There are plans on restoration and I found many appeals throughout the Internet to save this important heritage from decay, however all these reports are several years old.

As I could not find any new reports on the faith of this important historic building, I wonder if any of my Canadian friends have more details on this subject.

My First Apartment.

Yesterday, while cleaning out my kitchen cabinets, I stumbled upon some old wine glasses. These were a part of so called "start pack", purchased in IKEA some twenty years ago, when I moved away from home for the first time - and for good. I was twenty something, I had finished school and I have started to work. I thought it was time to start my own life, in fact I longed to do that. If felt right in every way.

In the beginning of 1989, I found a short add in the news paper about a little apartment for rent. I recall it as if it was yesterday, when my father took me to see what would become my first own home.

Located in the opposite part of town, I moved, quiet unintentionally, as far away from my family as I could. A first, significant sign of what was to come.

I was in a very proximity of the ocean, on a quiet street in one of the best neighborhoods in the city. The small - or rather tiny - apartment was located on the second floor of a set of red brick houses, built in the 50's.
The place could easily fit into my current living room and there would probably still be some square meters left free. Consisting of one single room, one toilet, a shower inside a walk-in closet an a kitchen quite literally inside a closet, it was the smallest place I have ever lived in by then or since. Still, it seemed to have everything I needed and I loved it and my new found freedom that came with it. It even had a small balcony, facing the backyard, which I often used in the summers and where I planted my first plants, way before I became an avid gardener decades later.

It was one of the first significant milestones in my life, when I received the keys and moved in. I recall packing my small room in my parents place into boxes and relocating my few belongings into the 22 square meters (236 square feet), that would be my home for the next three years.

I guess, one can say I did grow into an adult during that short time. I experienced a time of enlightenment, when I started to discovered who I was and what I wanted out of life.
Every day, when it took me over an hour to get to work I was dreaming about a car. When the thin plastic of heavy grocery bags cut into my fingers, while I was walking back home during winter evenings, I used to look up at the dark sky, and the flickering navigation lights of planes, taking off at the nearby international airport. I dreamed about far away places, that were yet to be discovered by me and wondered if I ever was to board the planes flying south or west, towards future adventures of my life.
At the end of each month, when my salary check arrived and it again reinforced the fact, that I could never afford a bigger apartment, a car or take part in any exciting travels, I knew then, that I wanted more out of life. I only needed the right opportunity to present itself to me, the one which would offer a change. I knew I was only waiting. And I knew it was coming.

I made many sweet and precious memories while dreaming my days away in this first apartment of mine. I guess mostly, that despite my dreaming, I never stopped living. It was a time of care free years, when I had the privilege of a young, unblemished mind and held a curiosity to discover the world, with all the optimism and fearless joy that used to encompass me. Today it amazes me, how much actually did happened in my life in the span of those three years, a time that feels so short in my eyes today.

It was also here, when the opportunity I was waiting for, did occur during an early spring three years later. I took the decision to leave Sweden and move away from my family and everything I knew, across the Atlantic Ocean to the US. A move, that changed my life in such a drastic way - and in every way - it almost felt as it happened by a stroke of magic.

But that is an entirely different story all together.

The Autumn Heather.

Every time that the Autumn Heather starts to bloom, I know without a doubt that fall has arrived. I love this sturdy, beautiful shrub that grows wild all over Scandinavia in extreme abundance.

It exists as the Spring Heather, the Summer Heather and eventually the Autumn Heather and can be found in dry, sandy areas, close to the coast line. It is very common in the rocky, barren areas of the Scandinavian archipelagos, where it grows directly on the stone, where nothing else will gain hold.
I recall the beauty of its wild flowers, whenever I visited my aunts family in their summer house in western Sweden. Located in the Gothenburg Archipelago, that consists of hundreds of rocky island, which are almost completely devoid of trees, the surrounding nature displays incredible profusion of this lovely plant.

We used to pick the wild flowers, which would bloom in late summer all through into the end of October. The purple bouquet would be used as decoration, lasting for weeks and eventually months, as it would keep its colour upon drying.

Below yet again an update on my birch tree. Unfortunately, the pictures do not do the visible change any justice. I usually take these from my kitchen window, but in close proximity of this magnificent tree, many golden leaves can now be observed. Still, if you look closely, the change seems to be clearly visible on the surrounding plants, trees and bushes.

The Days Of Indian Summer.

This past week has been warm and sunny, thus signifying the beginning of the Indian Summer days in Scandinavia. This period will stretch about a month forward, into mid October, bringing a few summer like days; the final taste of this beautiful and fleeting season.

Although the air will grow cold with possible first frost in the early mornings and nights, the days spend in sunny, shielded spots can still offer precious few hours of vital sunshine. Those delightful final rays, before we pass the fall equinox and the sun will slowly start to disappear.

I only have a small front and back terrace, that is my own. However, I share an incredibly beautiful backyard with my neighbors. A park-like area, just in front of my windows, which is pleasing to the eye in every season.
Lined by beautiful birch trees, it is covered by bushes and shrubs, the name of which escapes me. During the course of the year, it either displays flowers or berries, adding colour to the green back drop.

I love this spot, as it is very serene and tranquil. In fact, when I stepped there for the first time ever, I decided to buy my house.

Flashback Friday: "Without Someone".

Discovering music, and my deep love for it, started through the harmonies so eloquently performed by the talented ELO. When the hit Twilight was streaming from the radio, conveyed by the very characteristic voice of Jeff Lynne, I clearly felt the enticement beautiful melodies and lyrics held over me.

Over the years, I owned a few tapes of their earlier albums, but to date I only have one single CD. Entitled "Balance of Power", purchased many years after it's release date in 1986, it is still a very important album in my collection. It contains one song that captivated me when I was a teenager. "Without Someone", has a haunting, escapist sound. I used to listen to it, while sitting at the window of my room on late spring nights, watching the city lights below, while my mind and thoughts would wander...

The somber lyrics felt very familiar already those twenty years ago and still do effect me today. Particularly, as the loneliness and longing in the sentiments of the song can feel very significant and reflective, at any age, in many aspects of ones life.

Connected To Fall And Awards.

I have been given two wonderful awards in the recent week and I would like very much to acknowledge the kind award givers, both beautiful and talented ladies. It never ceases to amaze me that people think I am worthy such an attention and I cherish each occasion, when I receive these.

The first was given to me by the hip and cool MelRoXx and is called "Your Blog Is So Swank". The other was bestowed upon me by the very lovely and talented gaelikaa, and has the very splashing title "Splash Award".

Thank you ladies, these deserved to be given back to you with the same token they were given to me.

On another note I made a visit to the lovely blogthings again and took a test, to see which season my soul is connected too. I was amazed by the outcome, as I definitely am a summer child.
But I guess, my soul thinks otherwise.

Your Soul Is Connected to the Fall

You are a somewhat sensitive soul with a tough exterior. You are street smart and wise about the world. You have the heart of a poet, but you're not too eager to let anyone else see it. You are very creative and deeply talented. You are still looking for the perfect outlet for your expression. You embrace change and think the cycles of life are beautiful. You don't shrink away from the darker elements of life.

What Season is Your Soul Connected To?

Almost A Palindrome.

Do you ever pay attention to the numbers in the date? I do. Today is one of those days, when the date is the same, no matter how you read it; a palindrome. Of course this requires you to spell it the short way and it requires that you read the 09 as one:




09-09-09

or

09/09/09

I like this as it reminds me of symmetry and I like symmetry. But then again, I also like randomness. In some ways I am full of contradictions; I like when everything around me, or in the universe, follows order an functions according to laws; that is the scientist in me. But then again, I also love the mysterious, the curious and the unpredictable; that is the artist in me.

The wikipedia tells me that September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 113 days remaining until the end of the year.
So what has happened on this day in history? It seems that actually quiet a lot; here are a few events:

1543 – Mary Stuart, at nine months old, is crowned "Queen of Scots" in the central Scottish town of Stirling.
1791 – Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, is named after President George Washington.
1850 – California is admitted as the thirty-first U.S. state.
1947 – First actual case of a computer bug being found: a moth lodges in a relay of a Harvard Mark II computer at Harvard University.
1956 – Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time.

If anyone is interested in the full list, including birthdays of famous people, it can be found on the wikipedia page.

Additionally, today is a big day for Beatles fans, as up to fourteen, digitally remastered and sound improved old albums are re-released.

My Passion.

Horses are my passion. Even though I do not ride anymore, I still recall the beauty of a ride through an autumn forest and the sense of freedom it offered me.

Today, what fascinates me about these animals is their elegance and the speed with which they move, with such an ease and grace. When I was young, I loved to draw horses and did this constantly. I even made clay artwork depicting fairy tale horses in art classes. I watched horses and studied their anatomy and the way they took their strides and how their body moved in a wild run. I developed a skill of drawing a horse very fast, just a few lines using a pen.

Today - and ever since I began to draw - I have been fascinated by two subjects; ethereal beauty and action in a movement. I tried at all times to depict these in my drawings or paintings; and both can be found in a run of a horse.

Below is a mix of images I drew when I was really young. I have posted a picture of one of my oil paintings previously, however I always preferred to draw horses with a pencil. Some are inspired by the old Czech fables and most are unfinished sketches, but all are over 2o years old.

The clip below documents an attempt to draw a horse the way I used to. I am of course a bit out of practice and although it is difficult to draw with one hand, while looking at the image through a lens of camera in my other hand, I think you get the idea. The drawing is a bit off proportionally (way too long front legs!), but the learned skill is still there, somewhere, even tough it is in need of some serious "dusting off".