Friday, May 11, 2007

Between Bird Cherry and Lilac Blossoms ...


In Sweden, some people think that the time between the Bird Cherry blossoms and the blooming Lilacs is the most beautiful. Everything in nature is fresh and green and lovely and promising ... and this time is right now, the 11th of May.
We have lots of nature in Sweden. And in Stockholm. And we are big fans of Mother Nature. And some people say that she, Mother Nature, is our God. Not God himself.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Guerilla Art - The Roundabout Dog at Ropsten


This Roundabout Dog has been scaring the drivers at the Ropsten roundabout for some time now. His pal, they were two for some time, has disapperad. I wonder where. Probably he went to look for some nicer company ...

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Just a lazy Saturday in Stockholm ...

Just a lazy Saturday afternoon in Stockholm. Sitting on the grass. In the park. The Berzelii park ...
And the weather is becoming warmer ... Yes!


Tuesday, May 1, 2007

May Day = May 1st = Labour Day in Stockholm


Today, when I passed HumlegĂ„rden, the big park in Östermalm, the Stockholm labourers where busy organizing themselves for their annual May Day Manifestation. Still going strong!
... or are they? Anyway,
the Social Democratic Party is mobilizing for the next election under their new party leader Mona Sahlin. The first woman in history to lead the Swedish Labour Party.

By the way, the weather is still cold.


Walpurgis Night Bonfire


God! it was cold yesterday!
Freezing cold we stood there by the bonfire trying to welcome the spring, listen to the singing and be happy. It wasn't easy, when all we wanted was to get back home ...

Yesterday it was not only the birthday of our King Carl XVI Gustaf, he's now 61, it was also St. Walpurgis Eve. One of the most tradition-rich and dangerous - yes, dangerous! - times of the Swedish calendar year.

Going back to pre-Christian times, Walpurgis Eve was celebrated with bonfires to welcome spring and drive off witches. Today we don't believe in witches. But still we celebrate the Walpurgis night with bonfires, fireworks and ... booze. At least too many youngsters makes it an "honour" to drink their head off and roam the city to look for trouble. Why, I don't know. Probably they think it's fun. And the bonfires can spread, at least a dry spring like this with not many rainy days.
Yes, Walpurgis night can be dangerous. As for me. This morning I woke up with a sore throat and a running nose ...
God! it was cold yesterday!


More on Walpurgis Eve? Read More at sweden.se

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Outside Berns Salonger in Stockholm, Sweden ...


Outside Berns Salonger in Berzelii Park the cherry trees are blooming. If you didn't know, Stockholm is a green city, or becoming green very soon.
But many of our trees are not OK. At least 4000 trees are damaged in one way or another. So 21 million Sek will be set aside to replant and "renovate" our trees. But this budget will cover only 400 of them.
And the elm trees will gradually disappear and be replaced by linden trees and maples.

I have cherry and birch trees outside my windows. And an apple tree. And a huge elm. And I hope and pray that they are fine. They look fine to me, but you'll never know. Trees are tricky beings, often you cannot see if something is wrong with them. Not until it's too late.


Saturday, April 28, 2007

I live in the cherry tree blossoms ...


Outside my windows the cherry trees are in full blossom. Spring is finally here to stay! In Stockholm. But the temperature is unreliable - one day you have to put on your winter coat, the next you are desperate, looking for you summer shorts. And every morning the weather report is hot stuff in the morning news ...

I live in the city center. Outside my windows the cherry trees are in full bloom. I love it. It feels like I'm living in the cherry blossoms. But today the wind is blowing and I'm cold.