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This “Picture Postcard Site” is the home of Li Sam. Here you find pictures, various thoughts and inspiration as they happen. Other Li Sam sites last updates are: Li Sam Writing - 10jul2017 Li Sam Earth - 20jun2017 Political views about and in Swedish, Company Sweden - 09may2017 Click the head flower for site navigation and the foot flower to view the site page extension, or the monthly cards closing words. And click the “Site Support” for additional information and links.

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Night and day at the same time is when the moon takes over the scene with all and everything tucked in sleeping. To experience this and that feeling makes us grow and with this site I hope to be able to share some of that. Welcome, Li Sam

Contents:

Apr 2017

Traveling day at last. The last weeks before departure have been a struggle. Excitement… well yes, but sometimes other bits and pieces matters more. Small perhaps, in terms of all and everything else. But after arrival and giving it some time, that small bit of insignificance had grown a lot in proportion, revealing its importance. To get away and be with oneself for a while, brings relief.

A perfect day to wake up to. Sometimes expectations are there like being waiting for you, and this time I felt it strong. Entering the path the peace in me entered another level. The noise vanished and instead the sound of nature appeared. To be able to hear nature you need to understand it and take part in what nature is there for. And today this path was there for me.

A view like no other, which I’ve been waiting for to see. High up on the cliff-path everything looks small down under and by sight you just can’t figure out the details. However our minds can, and getting to the bottom of it, down there, our emotions and soul most certainly can too. Nature very often allow things to happen, which in this case would have been very stupid to divert from, which I didn’t!

Sometimes there are views, patterns and symmetries, which are difficult to ignore. The most obvious standing out does it for a reason, which is the surrounding supporting it. Even in private gardens this is true, if you allow it. Away up on the path I was able to allow this view come to me, the sense of it. Appreciating a sight like this and what makes it, I too became a part of it.

For me there are various ways looking at things, right/wrong doesn’t really matter. Instead, my position matters more. Like pondering over the bright side while standing in the dark, or the other way around. Walking the path this day that thought became more apparent to me. Which side of a gate will make me feel freer than the other? I enjoyed the thought without having to know the answer.

So, my life companion is on her way and I’m preparing. This is what I like the most, a picture like this can say and be more accurate than any text can. Not that I reject the written language, but sometimes words can’t express what a sight can do within an instant. And from that instant moment with her entering the apartment, the evening stretched into the night…, visually speaking.

Then there was this day that started off well and weather- wise terminated in the best way possible. However, as we were walking the path, yet another terrorist attack was carried out in the center of Stockholm not far from where we live. I had taken a lot of grandiose pictures on the path, except perhaps this one hiding in the shades. But I felt it the best to represent the moment.

There are these places where the shoreline can vary a lot and in-between leave the beach far up on land. Variations like this, with all that water and energy involved, makes us quite small. But even so, the beach doesn’t move and every now and then the sea reaches up to us, like wanting to tickle our feet’s. I enjoy these encounters, even if not being able to today. But the knowing makes me smile.

Almost at its peak, but I guess one week more. The bluebells are gathering to be on top of the spring scene once more. The trees, especially the older ones, are slower with all their leaves covering up, allowing all the small minor fellows on the ground to flourish. I’ve always wondered about that, why? As the trees are much bigger, why don’t they take over? Giving it a thought, the answer is there.

Monday… and back to normal again. Right…, I have to be smart, clever and productive, and earn money and all that…, but not today. Holliday, YES!!! But as usual, I have to go to the bottom of things, and my experiences yesterday had to be checked out to verify the reality and existence of that I had accomplished. So back to the scene and scenario, which I wouldn’t mind repeating.

Dinner!!! And this I enjoy the most. Local and freshly cooked this morning! No internet stuff involved and I was able to pay cash! This to be able to walk down to the harbor and place your order over disk “verbally”, is something worth coming here for. Just great! Now! Where’s the instruction opening this thing? Do I need to Google or be more scientific about it and get the hammer?

Yet another day I might say, but I don’t pile up my days like that anymore. I wonder if that has to do with age, like if age has something to do with it. Strange is that I don’t bother that much anymore. Instead, all those small things matters to me the most. Insignificant perhaps, but in the big picture those small insignificants are those making the picture and making us all alive and living.

The bluebell forest, now at its height, is a sight. These small kind of creature flowers have an amazing attraction power which no one can deny, and their timing to show can’t be more right. Interesting is that they stand up for each other. No fighting to gain more space than the others here. Their unanimity and sense of being is something which deserves my deepest respect.

Calculating life! Or rather the “possibility of life”, as science say, is something I’ve engaged myself in the last two days. So how far can this math take us? “As far out in universe as can be calculate, I would say.” But here on Earth where these possibilities already exist? How to calculate life emerging on a wall for instance? And what scientific formula proves that this little fellow exist?

A traumatic lunch experience, being confronted with a tablet display to order from. Even if just drinks, that did it! Luckily the harbor “manual” store was still there. A quick decision and both lunch and evening dinner was saved, even if cooked by ourselves. So where is all this technology leading? Next will be a food printer placed on the table and we will have to snuff the things coming out of it!

Easter and the path is crowded in a way that it hasn’t before. I can feel a change as new and other flowers are taking over. It doesn’t bother me, but the lifetime of a flower is rather short and sometimes I wonder about their role in the bigger picture. We appreciate single flowers, but what about that bigger picture, what is it? Like here, where thousands of them are gathering to become one.

The views from the path high up are changing. The slopes are dressing up from the previous wintery grey and somehow it feels as being invited. In the bigger picture spring repeats every year, which all of us can both see and experience, but perceiving spring is different and personal. So I also need to sense these small ones making spring happen and somehow I feel it’s personal for them too.

A quiet and pleasant day, even though a bit windy. Physically I haven’t done much compared to mind wise, processing thoughts and added lots of new thinking. But that doesn’t count, or does it? Those flowers and plants on the path doesn’t move around much either, but I guess there are some kind of thoughts and thinking going on there, too. If not, what’s the point in every spring popping up showing?

I’ve wondered about this one for two days now, both shy and like carrying a secret. It looks very much vulnerable out there on the path, not a place where to hide I would say. But there is something with this picture, and it’s the background and its support. To me the background rocks are just like a scene and the flower performing does it justice. I think shyness is the secret, that’s why it all works.

This has been a fabulous day out on the path and I did the big round. A lot of pictures has been taken, but somehow I got stuck with this one. I think it has to do with healthy diet or something and I just felt great about it…, even before getting there. I think this is emotional and that my soul needs it now and then, and I got rewarded. After I climbed the bluebell stairs with ease in one go.

Somehow the simplest flowers are the most complicated. This one has really chosen its most supporting background. Almost alone, but proudly stretching above all and everything else. Even if not perfect in shape it announces character and will, and I just can’t deny or ignore these kind of personalities. So I accompanied it for a while in the sunshine. Somehow paying attention is worth it!

This is traveling day, heading back to Stockholm again, and I came up with this view to sort of say goodbye to Guernsey for now. It’s on top of that cliff path I’ve been walking the past three weeks. To be able to integrate with spring in this kind of speed has really been a treat. The weather has been exceptionally good, not a drop of rain, and I’ve got a bit of sunburn in my face, YES!

Okay! Back in Stockholm again. Not the same view but anyway, I love to be back home again. To appreciate something, you have to have experienced some differences and funny is that often no one is better than the other. To me the situation and the emotional feelings is what matters most. This Stockholm view may not say much, but its home. Same as Guernsey is too every now and then.

So… what to do in Stockholm? I think this picture very much represents my expectations in so many ways. The archipelago east of Stockholm is just one and a half hour away and if you add a half hour to that, that’s where I’ll be most of the time this summer. And sometimes I will make the journey with this over 100 year old steamer with a restaurant that for sure is something extraordinary.

Stockholm city hall, for me, is something to wonder about. I kind of enjoy the building as such and all our tourists most definitely like it because of all fame activities held there. As the main symbol of Stockholm, which it is, I’m not so sure. To me a symbol should stand for something alive and living, more than just a building, and I just can’t sense it. Politicians work there, but where’s the soul?

The most public and crowded place in Stockholm “Stureplan” has a lot to say about life and living, in one way. In another way, quite the opposite. It’s strange how a place like this can tell so much about what it and its city is not. It for sure represents Stockholm in all its glory and I like it. Here people meet for various reasons, for various “other” reasons, the people here don’t meet at all.

Okay…, back to basic, FOOD! A good thing about the city center, are all those grocery shops with manually serviced counters like this. It for sure costs extra, but the view and being able to taste is both fun and enriching. If we don’t pay attention to opportunities and small details like these, we will lose them and our city its soul. Here we meet for all the best reasons, keeping our city alive!

So I got me a fish “Char” and it’s one of my many favorites. It’s very easy to prepare and cook and I didn’t mess up the kitchen as much as I otherwise do. My guess is that we spend minimum time cooking today in favor for micro dinner boxes and such. The time I spend cooking and dining is precious to me and I think I honor the fish much more this way than having it industry packed.

A very good spring sign is when these cherry-trees are in full bloom, right in the city center. A grand day and lots of people all over. Lots of traffic jams, too, I’m afraid. But a day like this I rather focus on all the positives’. So what are these positives’, and where? I would like to say it’s the interaction between us and the trees, and when these moments happen, they are there to share.

Another very good spring sign is the café tram. It has been paint upgraded and so on, but it’s still the same old tram car I used to jump on to school as a child…, and I’m not going to add… “A very long time ago.” These trams are antique from various decades and the staff maintaining this service are volunteers and enthusiast. It runs on regular tram rails and is a joy to experience… again!

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May 2017

May the first took off in best way possible! First day out on the balcony and of course we had to celebrate. Finally the weather has changed to the better, even in Stockholm. This also means that we more seriously can start to plan our many balcony flower boxes. I love this and I’ve got a lot of new ideas to try out this year, and cooking too, of course. To move out like this brings peace.

This is my personal garden to do with as I please (sort of). I found this pelargonium outside one of the stores where I use to shop, looking like wanting to tag along. So it rather choose me than the other way around. In that other pot in the back, is a rose which has managed to survive out on the balcony for three years now and I believe it appreciates new company as we all do from time to time.

Exercise day, about an hour or two. There’s not much nature on display in the center of our city, but there are miles and miles of footpaths along the water, as here at the quay- edge where there are lots of old ships to look at. My guess is that people use these boats more for permanent living than sailing, and why not. At least here, where the boats brings life to the quay and the city.

Another footpath view, among others, is the Royal Palace and with the old town big church in the background. Now royal and all that, what political party? Whatever and not, I think that both the King and his court are doing a good job. Especially out walking like this, there are so many thoughts you pass by. I’m not quite sure what to make of them, but I for sure wouldn’t like to be without them.

A Stockholm city center park at three PM late spring. When weather turns summer, people move out. The lawn has just become green and the trees are ready to follow. I like this, but it’s a time to pay attention because everything is changing so fast. Winter high up in the north is rest, spring is when everything happens. We people slow down in pace and should do so to enjoy that moment.

Stockholm is growing in height, new and/or renovated buildings one floor after another. A new bar, top floor, looking out over the roof tops? Well, I’m not so sure, as it does change things. Old versus new? I don’t think so. The charm about our city is old and the excitement new. So how do we combine the two? I don’t think by high thoughts overlooking things, but instead, ground level thinking.

Today I have engaged myself in updating my writing site. It was a while ago, but now I feel that I’m back on track again. This short story is about a boy and his grandmother and how small seemingly insignificant things can last and be passed on through generations like forever. If you are interested, click here!

Regarding writing. This is our city library, a strange looking building, even inside, but it’s there and it does its job. To borrow books here is free and there are a lot of old children books here too, which you can’t find anywhere else. Somehow I love old children fairytales and the way they are told, which I think is the magic, they have to be told. Something which animated copies can’t deliver.

Almost winter again, on and off snowing. My mission for today turned out canceled when I got there, so I engaged myself in a little excursion around town on my own. This view show the old Swedish Parliament, the new is located behind. I like the dark clouds assembling over there, representing politics of today. Good and bad decision-making is one thing, what should have but wasn’t decided, is another.

So…, next to the right of the old Parliament building we have one of the outflows from our third largest lakes “Mälaren”. This is one of five sites where the lake level is controlled, but in reality nature is the master. What our Parliament claim to control and master, is not the same. Politicians of course say and want to believe so, but in reality nature master itself. I like that, it brings me hope.

Senior day in the city center Kings park and with an old king statue like hovering over us. I did go even though I don’t feel that old yet. But whatever, I’m interested in what’s coming. Mainly it’s about traveling and that’s good, for those in shape for it. However, most of these traveling arrangements are too social for me. I need private space, which for some (most) can be very hard to accept.

Senior???... Okay, I feel a bit behind sometimes. What I can confess when home and taking on this challenge to upload my thoughts every day, is that it’s quite fun. I usually don’t enjoy tourist attractions, but I did this one, even if too late when it all, the parade and the music was over. I almost got run over by a tourist crowed and almost caught up as they were leaving. A quite good day I would say!

Now this I like, first boat trip opening up the season. This is the Stockholm archipelago at its best. Even if kind of chilly, the view compensates it all. These preseason trips are arranged by the archipelago foundation and each year we visit islands where the later on regular boats don’t make land. A perfect day including lunch and all. I didn’t do much sense, instead I enjoyed the moment.

I haven’t forgot yesterday yet and I’ve got something more to show and tell about. So this is the boat and where we landed. If not too steep, these cliffs are fairly easy to walk on. It’s like walking on pavements most of the time and the trees and spread out bushes allows us to explore this island almost like everywhere. A sunny and calm day like this, you easily become like one with nature.

Another island and I brought a friend. Appreciating nature is not hard and bringing a friend enjoying nature same as me, is as it should be. We may have our differences at times, but that doesn’t count as what we have in common and enjoy is much more worth. We didn’t leave the city and we didn’t leave our experiences out there. Instead we brought all our joy with us to share.

I got my archipelago traveling card, so I’m out again. Visiting these islands there are views everywhere, no one the others alike. And come to think of it, nature is about personalities, from the tiniest tiny to nature in its entire, as one big soul. Does this imply that a group of people have a soul, too? I don’t think so. People in groups adapt to a mix which is no one, while nature is about the opposite.

This about views, water has a special place in my heart, and I guess in most people’s hearts, too. The blue is like endless shifting and its surface never repeats itself. A day like this when the sea almost turns like a mirror, it reflects life.Those rare days when it does, nature pause to listen. The deep blue turns transparent and deep down you can see far beyond. A sense and sight like no other.

Today it was foggy down at the shoreline and getting thicker further out over the sea. This island is small, but still the sun presented itself like though a hole in all the fog surrounding it. The air is getting warmer and it’s like nature is preparing for summer, which is quite late out here this year. I like this shift as everything happens so fast. Each day has something new to offer and it’s free.

Weeds are species I’ve more and more learnt to respect. To me they contribute to nature in so many ways. Like, they are beautiful, stronger than most and they don’t give up. Strange is that they are named weeds, something unwanted that we humans think nature could do better without, sort of. But contrary, these personalities are the ones making way for all other species coming after.

Dinner! Steamed cod cutlets, one of my many favorites. To have them chopped the right size and making the purchase over the counter, is a joy. The fish counter here is located in a temporary market hall, while the hundred years old original market hall building is being renovated. It’s said that this unique environment and sense of being there is going to be kept, and I really hope so.

Lunch! And this time out on one of my favorite restaurants, a joy I would say. We arrived in time just before opening, but when we left, it was crowded. Days like this; Sunday, perfect weather and all, people go out, eat out and enjoy themselves. I prefer having lunch out like this now a days, not so much dinner out late. Either it’s the city at night that has changed, or me getting old and lazy?

Passing a little bit hidden park, I got caught by this view and I guess it was because it wasn’t expected. Surprises like these are most welcome, in contrast to all the other environmental disasters we don’t want to see, confront or hear about. I’m not sure if this flower initiative is an exception or what. Anyway, I hope it’s here to stay. Even if garden like, nature presents it-self, almost as an extension.

A promising day weather-wise, so down to the harbor and out again. One thing with all those archipelago islands is that a lot of their small forests are quite untouched. The pine looks as I remembered them back then in my childhood. The planted pine today is not the same and the pine lumber is more like paper compared to fifty years ago. I really like these small forests as they breathe with me.

First full day out on the islands grilling. I have been doing this lots of times before, but the season’s first is always special. I forgot my knives and a fork, but was still able to cut myself in the thumb with a potato peeler… and I forgot my mug for the coffee…. So I used what I got, ending of eating with my hands, no coffee, but I had remembered the beer. No problems and a great day!

I haven’t forgot yesterday and some comments I got about my outdoor cooking. A burnt onion a potato, carrot and something meat… and beer I would like to add. Well what do you expect? This is the cooking site and it can’t be any better. Out here I don’t want any convenient easy going kitchen things, I want to enjoy nature as is and what it brings. And if that is a burnt good tasting carrot, I’m happy!

This view is a little bit to the left from my cooking site and with the sunbeams reflecting and sparkling quite spectacular at times on the water surface. This time a year when people are working, there’s not many people out here. So I got this whole cliff and these views to myself. There’s always a bit of noise from boat engines in the background, but days like this it don’t bother me much.

My balcony garden is improving and expanding, and brings hope for the summer. It may not be much, but compared to nothing it’s everything. Plants have an extraordinary talent to reach our souls with every progress they make even if small, and I enjoy it. New is that I’ve got me grapevine and a hops plant to join the others and they all seems to like the company, and hopefully my company, too.

Seasons up here in the north are changing so fast and now its summer. The trees in our parks have turned from grey to bright green in about two weeks’ time. What makes our springs special, is that even in late May, as this year, the sun can reach down to the ground. This makes our parks more open which I like. But days like this, it’s easy to shift opinion, even for me.

One small oasis is this kind of park in the middle of our city. Somehow you don’t take much notice and I wonder why? With the fountain and all, this is one of the most beautiful parks we have. Not far behind me where I stand there’s a lot of traffic most the time, but that here in this park doesn’t notice much. Maybe these two, the park and traffic, are each other’s souls inverse, creating the barrier?

Today it’s raining, so I picked a picture from last week instead. Sometimes, as happened here, I didn’t notice these flowers right away. I actually passed them on the path, but as I did, I stop for no reason and when turning around they caught my eye. It took me some wheeling and dealing, if I was going to take a picture or not. So after a while I did and today I feel very good about it as they fit.

This picture is from last week, too. It’s taken from the jetty where I get on the boat back to town at 7:30 in the evening. The sun hasn’t set yet and it didn’t till arrived in Stockholm 10:20. At this time a year the sun never set properly this far up North, so even in the middle of the night there’s light. This does something to nature, it’s another kind of rest and peace at night and it keep you safe.

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Jun 2017

I’ve chosen this view to start up summer with, as it contains so many more views beyond the horizon. Even if the sun is set, it’s not gone. It’s behind there in front of everything, lighting up both mine and many others future. In reality that is true as Earth turn with time and we behind as usual. But being able to watch the horizon like this can sometimes take you there, even if for just a moment.

This is another view which I’m preparing for. Summer has two very personal sides for me, the entry and the exit side. This is what I hope to experience this summer, too, once again. The full moon rising at the rear, at the same time as the sun set at the front of the boat. This is a magical moment and worth waiting for. It’s like you share attention with both sides at the same time and its magic.

Stockholm marathon and some runners in the lead before the thousands much slower runners will take over the scene. I’m not that interested in sports and I’m not one in the crowed behind the fence cheering. However, I like these events. It’s these kind of events that makes our city alive and living, and for a day prevents traffic. So I’m cheering for keeping the city center traffic free.

Another very popular yearly event is tasting Stockholm. Surrounding this eating area, Stockholm restaurants have set-up their booths serving food to a “fairly” good price. Not so much, but that’s the whole idea, so you can have a taste somewhere else after a while. I like this event as it engage people to get together in a natural and enjoyable way. More of this would be good!

For some reason I enjoy these kinds of patterns in nature as they appear. This here is from three weeks ago and it’s still with me. It appeals to me in an emotional way. The very green, color, the buckled surface and a little spark which I happen to catch. It’s not often I get to see this green coming out from a blue sea and to me it extends the color scale quite a bit and the best, it’s there for me.

Out on the islands again and this one happened to be in the way. Straight on the cliff this tree is planning its future and I wonder for how long. These trees don’t grow tall, but can turn very old instead. To me it must be a tough life, even without competition. It’s like a challenge which I would like to see more of. Whatever will happen to this tiny tree, it to some will make a difference.

Another small view is a tiny bit of a shoreline, but there’s still a lot to discover. Sad is that we never really take the time to enjoy these small wonders. I believe that our children are different in that respect and I’m pretty sure that they with ease can spend a whole day on a spot like this without getting bored. Here there are so many more secrets to find out about than in any videogame.

Another bigger view along the same shoreline as yesterday is this. Days like this the cliff is pleasantly warmed up by the sun and to barefoot just stand there for a moment, not doing anything, is an exploration and experience, too. Our feet’s are much more sensitive than we think and giving it time, they invite us. It’s everything from head to toe and the cliff is our direct connection.

Sometimes, as today, you can get quite surprised over some quite ordinary views like this. This is the Kings street in the middle of Stockholm and I’ve been passing here like a million times, but never really looked to this side before. I’ve always known about these old towers but never really have taken any notice. It’s like the closer you get to your neighborhood you don’t see it. But I did today!

These kind of boats also visits our archipelago and Stockholm, and today I was invited to visit one of them. Interesting and hard to believe how big they are. This one carries a total of six thousand people, which is similar to a small city here in Sweden. I have been cruising before, but not on such a big ship like this and I’m not sure about the limit. Enjoying the crowd or the journey?

One thing with this giant boat I visited, there’s a view. Even here in harbor the archipelago comes close and 16 floors up I got this picture. A way of life since long gone, which today has turned into summer living. Hopefully not these houses though. However, it’s very easy to understand these summer properties value, but during winter they are all deserted. Sad, but that’s life, too.

Another view at the top of this 16 floor boat is this. To me it’s like you get the view, but never really get close enough. I can zoom in, that’s for sure, but it doesn’t quite do it. Somehow I think you have to be physically close one way or the other…. One way is distant like this and the other way is to actually get off the boat and go there. But there is a third odd way, too. To enter there emotionally.

Stockholm again and a kind of dull day I would say. But as I was passing through this park my mood improved quite a lot with this yellow tree sticking out among the higher trees surrounding it. A small open space in front of it allowed a peek from the sun lighting it up for a short moment, almost as if saying hello. I think that paying attention to these kind of minor details do us good.

A good fair day and no pictures taken, so it had to be this. My fascination about the forests never ends. I enjoy irregularity and all these patterns nature provides us with and this is one of them. It doesn’t look much in the bigger picture compared to a garden or man-made park. But in the smaller picture it’s all there which gardens and all parks are missing. It’s all them tiny making a difference.

Another of nature’s contrasts are open fields, even if this is not a natural one. But somehow this tree in the middle of the field has managed to survive. I don’t think it’s trying to take over or anything like that. It’s just there because it has been invited of some kind. I think that this is the difference…, to be invited or just have been placed there. The invited soul flourish as one of the others.

A visit far from Stockholm and out on the countryside. I guess that this view is quite common in older countryside gardens. It’s a water pump, and a hand driven one. No engine needed. I mean, with this one you are independent which otherwise, today, you are not. In Sweden we argue about the importance of integrity, which very much is about independence, too. So this view is freedom to me.

Another Swedish countryside view is this and it’s summer at its best. A week from now the “midsummer” happens. But not in Stockholm, this is very much a countryside event and almost everything in the city is closed. If you don’t know about that as a tourist, you for sure will be disappointed. The city turns deserted, apart from tourists having nowhere to go. A kind of sad event in itself I would say.

My last countryside encounter for now is this plant, one of my many favorites. I’m especially fond of the many symmetries that’s on display here and how they gather. Most times these branches spread out looking like a carpet. But sometimes they gather close in bouquets like this. Sometimes I wonder if they are family or just like each other’s presence. Anyway, they all do nature justice.

Back in town again and back to my kind of balcony backyard. I like these contrasts and to see how even my small efforts can develop. I can’t compare with nature though, but I’m doing my best. I want the grape and hops plants to grow high, that’s my plan anyway. What they on the other hand plan, might not be the same as me, but I have prepared for it just in case. A kind of will contest if you like.

So finally! Today I released my new “Earth constellations” site, which for sure is a challenge. I hope it to be an enjoyable and interesting site where you can learn a lot about life and living. However, it’s not me lecturing here, that awareness is found within those who would like to participate. This is done in a playful way, like a game, where the goal is to provide you with some “otherwise” possibilities.

Preparing! Right, here is where it all starts, adventure, even if just for two weeks. Everything is about planning and this plan origin one and a half year ago, to go cruising (again). Packing is one thing. To board the ship in time another. But we haven’t got to that another one yet, so back to start. Whatever was planned then is happening now and it feels kind of strange how fast time really is.

A small midsummer greeting from the woods. Even the iron fox got a wreath on its head, a typical Swedish midsummer tradition. This and other kinds of midsummer traditions are those that matters the most to the Swedish people. It’s about celebrating nature and definitely food, I would like to say. I don’t think there’s any religion involved, not today anyway, which is a blessing.

This is celebrating something else. Not just the cake itself, but rather the holiday trip it indicates. Going cruising on this boat, or perhaps ship, is me. A quite different vessel than the one I went visiting two weeks ago. Personality is important regarding a lot of things and that goes for this boat and holidays, too. I may be late with my daily uploads, as this one, but I will catch up.

Far out at sea, internet can’t be taken for granted, at least not at the speed and low cost as back home. Strange is that being and staying connected has become a lifestyle similar to addiction. Like traveling to where there’s no internet is out of the question. But on the other hand, that sounds good to me. One benefit is that it’s up to me what to do without being guided. Almost anyway.

The coast of Norway in sight and a quite majestic view, even though the waves are no more than 2 meters (7 feet) high. I wonder what the double height and higher would look like? A little bit grey evening, but the colors are still there. And even if hostile and remote looking, these colors might tell another story. When these shades turn the same at night, sea and land embrace and become as one.

Okay! Here is where the real trip starts and this is the boat I’m traveling with. I’ve taken lots and lots of pictures when sailing here to Flåm, which is as far as you can go in one of the many arms of Sognefjord. Sad is that I can’t show them all, but I will try to show you the best. The scenery so far have been spectacular and I hope to be able to catch that for you.

Today we sailed to Geiranger, another spectacular fjord to visit. With this picture I tried to catch the waterfall Seven Sisters, the mountain and the fjord in one go. It’s difficult to view the height of this fall, but with the ship as close as it could get, it’s was like looking straight up in the sky to get a view of the breaking edge. So, with all these vertical views, my neck starts to notice.

When leaving Geiranger to sail further far up north, we once again passed the Seven Sisters fall. But opposite is another spectacular waterfall called the Suitor, which completes the scene. Instead of seven, this fall is one, but what you see here is only the last bit where it spreads out. But to understand the magnitude of this several hundred meters waterfall, look at the boat!

This day at sea I didn’t take so many pictures, instead I chose this one, what we are about to see. This is from the inside of this narrow fjord, just enough to allow our ship to pass. The scenery is magical and ancient, as its name Troll fjord. Passing you can see the cliffs continue further down in this crystal clear water. Whatever science preaches, I prefer the tales on how this fjord came to be.

Turning the ship at the bottom of the Troll fjord, one view is this, which continues all the way around. The fjord is short, which contributes to its magic. The kind of hidden entry is like protecting the inner chamber from ill minded intruders, with trolls high up above allowing or denying passage. Falling stones warns you. But if you are open- minded to this beauty like me, you are most welcome in.

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Jul 2017

This is North Cape, which is Europe’s and Norway’s most northern point, a picture that I took from a helicopter. This short helicopter trip happened after having strolled along the small town of Honningsvåg, the most northern community not far from the Cape. This is a rare picture in the sense that this fantastic weather almost never happens. So happenings are like adding up on this trip.

Great night yesterday, being up late watching the midnight sun lighting up the North Cape point as we passed and now, this morning I woke up to this view. A quite peaceful morning getting ready for the day. We have two days at sea ahead of us back South and with views like this, it for sure will be a treat. Even if some clouds are building up the sea is amazingly calm, almost like a mirror.

This view is from the very late yesterday evening and with the midnight sun backing up from behind the last of the Lofoten Islands mountains as we are heading for the big sea South. But as I understand, we’re not leaving the Norwegian scenery behind, there’s more coming up tomorrow. Somehow I enjoy all this water surrounding us and the absence of internet from time to time, it brings peace.

So this is Olden, which doesn’t show on the map we bought for this trip. Anyway, it’s situated along the innermost arm of the “Nordfjord”, which for sure is another amazing place to visit. We left the ship and went on a small excursion on our own, and ended up with this view to sort of celebrating the moment. To be able to perceive all this you need to give it time, which for sure is an excursion, too.

Yesterday evening we passed this sea cliff which is over 800 meters (2700ft) high. Earlier we passed a small cargo ship, a fourth of our size which barely show below, giving you an idea of the height. These mountains here were different in shape, more rounded and polished I would say, and their impression on me got quite strong. Some spots were even fairy like. So in this sense here, trolls exist.

This is our last day at sea on this extraordinary Norwegian fjord trip and to sort of end this holiday right, I’ve chosen this picture from two days ago as I haven’t seen anything like it before. This cliff shelf I found in the middle of a very steep and high mountain wall that ended straight down into the fjord. I’m not sure if it shows, but the sight and sense of this place felt like magic.

Back home again after a lot of fjords, mountains, waterfalls and stunning good weather, I choose this to be my final view. It’s Troll-fjord and maybe not as spectacular as many other views I’ve seen. But there’s an inviting peace here, from close and climbing till the end high up and then beyond. I wonder what’s up there, trolls I’m sure of. But what if this here is the home of our imagination, too?

And back home to my balcony garden reality again. Somehow my small garden have survived for two weeks without me and I’m happy for that. Hopefully they are happy to see me, even if the rose turned away a bit on this picture. My plan is to add them some flower friends all around, to hopefully make them all prosper. My flower friends and I likes company, a good combination I think.

Another summer reality is the weather, but I’m confident it’s going to change for the better. So a short visit to the harbor to check the site felt sort of in order. The boats are still running, which is good sign, at least for now. I don’t feel the need to hurry though, which is good, too. My guess is that our Norwegian cruise kind of made this summer and whatever else positive happens is bonus.

Monday and back to work sort of say. Everything takes time, but today, finally, I’ve updated my writing site with an old blog story “Cliff-path Walking”. It’s truly a favorite of mine and it contains many good memories from the so called past. A lot of things happened then and if you would like to know, click here!

Our balcony backyard garden has expanded. After been away for two weeks, now is the time plant sort of speaking. So said and done, and along with our purchase this fellow happened to tag along all the way back home. Usually these flowers drop off when you move these plants to a new location, but this one didn’t. Maybe because it’s strong, but I think this one did it out of curiosity.

A good day I would like to say, without any pictures taken. So I choose this from the cruise instead, which I haven’t been able to erase from my mind yet. It’s from a bridge at the mouth of a river heading for the fjord. A good guess is that this crystal clear water is 3 meters (10ft) deep. All these rivers are short and the water they carry are almost straight from heaven, no mud in sight.

Planning day and this is a sight which is hard to forget, “too.” The forecast looks good, so now: “Prepare and Packing!” Even though the east (Sweden) and west (Norway) landscapes of the Scandinavian peninsula differs, the magic is the same. Bare cliffs meeting water is ground ancient nature as it should be. It’s here everything started and the wisdom of these places are still there.

So, arriving to the archipelago island “Finnhamn” the physical locations are the same, but not always how you perceive them. Weather of course differs as well as the amount of people visiting, too. But sometimes this peace show up and you can sense it all slow down into this silence. Boring most people would say, “Nothing happens!” But really? This is it. It’s now, here, everything happens!

Nature is not just a place to visit, sometimes nature visits us, too. Yesterday’s boat trip home provided this view among many others. This moment with the sun giving us passengers a last peek before night, I like and welcome. Isn’t it so that these moments are those we live for, they come to us and invites us, too, if you want too: “See you again another time. Tomorrow perhaps? Love!”

A favorite in replay! So this morning out again, but this time to another archipelago island with the intention to travel back to Stockholm with this over hundred years old steamer. It takes time, but it doesn’t matter. In fact that’s the whole idea. This engine runs in another peaceful pace which rocks you rather than stress you and there’s this restaurant onboard.

An ordinary day back home in the city, reality-wise, that is. So I turn to the forest for a moment, mentally-wise, that is. This kind of escape picture is about the grass roots, those tiny flower creatures showing the way. The city is very much about noise, contrary to this picture, which is about silence and harmony. The city in shape is square and with sharp edges, while nature, as here, is not.

A fair, bright and relax day to stroll around the Stockholm city center. Nature is present here, too, but no trolls. A lot of people and tourists though, which makes the difference. I sometimes wonder what a place like this looked like before the humans arrived? No noise, junk or pollution, what would that be like? Most certainly magic, but would we people be able to perceive and appreciate that?

Back to the archipelago again and this time, all those things you unintendedly pay attention to. This is grass and it took me some time to pay attention. I mean, grass is ordinary and on some locations considered as weed. But during lunch for an hour or so on a nearby cliff, this view happened to be the one I was focusing on. “Why, what on earth is it doing there, what is its mission?”

Another view from yesterday is this. As we were leaving our lunch site, this fellow showed up much too late, and on the wrong place, too, I would like to add. But anyway, it caught my attention. Like yesterday, what is it doing there? What’s its mission? I like fairytales and simple, perhaps childish, explanations. Like nature is showing and this way here, is paying attention to me, too.

More grass, but not entirely. In agriculture and gardens, for various reasons, we feel the need to separate plants, like clearing the area sort of say, from those we decide don’t fit in. I do that, so no excuses there. Even if nature do this, too, it does it differently. Like here, where I’m certain that nature let these fellow plants stay as they complement and are good for each other.

Right! Out again and this time back home with the steamer “Norrskär” dining. If you never travelled with a steam boat like this before and why not dining, too, you must try to do so. It enriches your soul and reveals another dimension of sound. We usually think of sound as something we hear, but with this steam engine you also feel the sound, which is a magical experience.

So this is “Norrskär” with its steam whistle blowing, coming to pick us up. Another magical and welcoming “analog” sound from this boat that you feel. My imagination may be limited, but I can’t think of a way how to produce this sound digitally. Passing a bar and restaurant back home, their high volume digital base I for sure could feel to the bone, saying: “Stay away, you’re too old for this!”

Catch up from two days ago as the city don’t produce as much of views as the nature does. I mean, if you have seen a city, houses and all that, you have. But the nature with trees and all are constantly changing. On some of the bigger archipelago islands you can find long paths like this and even if I’ve been here out walking before, I can always find new things along the way that intrigues me.

From big islands to small. They, too, can present a variety in nature appearances, like this one. It has a beach and bathing cliffs and a kind of forest, too. Traveling with a steamer like Norrskär, in their restaurant, and with views like this, is life at its best. Not even the best restaurants in Stockholm can compete with this. Food-wise, yes of course, but this kind of company they can’t offer.

Out again and another location in shelter from the wind, but not the sun, as I wouldn’t like that a day like this. This view is because I enjoyed watching the waves bending around the head, slowing down, till finally placing themselves flat in the bottom of this tiny bay. Water have never stopped fascinating me. It contains so much, not just life, but peace too, i.e. if it doesn’t get angry with us.

Even if cliffs doesn’t change as the forest and trees does, or change at all, their variety in shape, symmetries and pattern are endless and kind of never repeats itself. A cliff like this becomes personal I would like to say and same as this cliff meets with the sea in one end, there is a shore in the other end too, where the cliff meets with the forest. Like here, there is so much to discover.

It’s also a joy to see how the cliff takes care of and provide small islands for various plants where they almost undisturbed on their own can prosper. In all senses there is a collaboration going on here. When it rains, the cliffs crackles leads water to the plant and when sunny, the cliff heat its roots. The living joy the plant shares with the cliff and together they are a perfect match.

The cliff very much cares for the tiny one flowers and weed, too, and provide them shelter, but with a view over the sea. I enjoy this company sitting at a cliff with all this at display. A funny feeling is that there are no one missing or unnecessary here, except for a few pieces of human trash of course. But otherwise everything here is in perfect harmony with the cliff bringing us all together.

On view from the cliff a Swan is paddling by in the wind to complete the picture. On the cliff where I and my flower weed friends are, that a bit chilly wind can’t reach us. The forest behind is there for our protection. Interesting is this about time, if you just engage a little bit in nature like me on this cliff, time fly and boring like doesn’t exist. Waste of time? No! This to me is living.

Another view from that same cliff as yesterday is this small far away island. Distance to me is not just one, it contains a lot of other elements, too. Like by body, I’m located at that cliff where I’m standing, but in my mind I can be present on that island, too. Emotionally I can feel myself on my way and by soul I find myself watching all this from a common direction. Which…, I’m not sure of here?

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Aug 2017

August, and the archipelago is changing. I like this period as it produces so much energy in another way than spring does. I think it as a period of peace and quiet and to settle down. Nature very much is like that and out here you really can feel it. And then there are all these patterns and reflections like here, which I can’t resist. To an extent nature leads the way, you just follow the path.

This place is both strange and pleasant at the same time. It’s strange because we aren’t used to it and pleasant because this place offers company. There’s energy here and that’s scary, so we leave the place or never enter it in the first place. But giving it time, to stay there, it kind of embrace you. Nothing is easy in life, in fact its hard work, and places like this, to me, is where you can rest.

I chose my days but not all are sunny and clear skies, so even good days produce some gentle rain. Not much, but enough to give me this view a couple of minutes after. Nature is like opening its gates to let more of its adventures out in the open, or invite you in. I didn’t enter this time, but I enjoyed the moment. What side of the rainbow the treasure is I can’t say, but it’s there for sure.

Back to town and my balcony view, which is improving. However, I’m not sure if I’m improving too, but I’m planning to. Interesting is that nature, like always, and one way or the other, improves all the time in various directions. If nature has a plan, I don’t know, but somehow walking that path it will lead somewhere, even if running in circles. I think that time somehow is the solution.

This is Stockholm Pride Parade and a half million people out on the streets watching. This is a major happening in Stockholm, I don’t think we have any other event that can match this. It’s a joyful event as it should be, but there is a political meaning involved in it, too. Which of joy and political statements brings the most value I wonder? Well, without the joy factor, no one here would be interested.

It’s raining and staying inside I don’t mind much. Days like this have their advantage, you don’t have to do all those things you otherwise would have done. But that’s challenging too, in a way, as you have to come up with something you otherwise don’t do, whatever that might be. So far I have managed anyway, but that whatever I otherwise don’t do feels intriguing. What can that be? A lot or nothing?

This park view I’ve also shown you May 28, but that was then. Now it’s late summer, which is different. The trees at this time a year allows more of the sun reaching the ground, like opening up the park. At this time a year these trees don’t have to hurry so much, instead, they maintain their presence, which brings peace. There’s no stress like in springtime, which I think we all can learn from.

Some of this park grown up trees have their own way to present themselves. I not sure if the gardeners has been kind of tampering with this one, I don’t think so, it doesn’t look that way underneath anyway. Then it’s up to us to perceive it right, which I’m sure that all our children does instinctively, as they like to play here. We adults on the other hand, may not perceive it the same way.

As adults we claim our space in more than one way, but where we settle down can of course vary as we do move around a lot. Our roots however, doesn’t move around in the same way. Our many times ancient sense and behavior, like trees, makes many of us dig down our roots deep at one place only. Same as the trees the ground feeds us, but aware of that, we can find “our” ground like everywhere.

A shift in living for a couple of days somewhere else. Arriving late I got this view, something to wake up to and enter into tomorrow. Traveling in itself from one location to another, I’m not that fond of, but kind of looking around, most times is positively different. Do we look around much now a days I wonder? Do we modern people even know what that means…? I’m doing just that tomorrow!

Another day and same place I arrived to, but now a view from the bridge instead. Inlands we many times gather around the rivers, as here, it brings peace and this old ancient village, or city, has found its right spot. The difference between this and a modern city, what makes this peaceful contrary all new built houses, I think is about square-ness. The houses here has no straight square corners.

Looking around I saw a lot of intriguing landscapes, looking around closer, I saw this! So this is wine grapes in one of the best wine districts in the world and I’m in the middle of it, a good place to be. I find wine very interesting, not just to drink, but to sense it, too, like where grapes live and are growing. To learn about them is science at the highest level and all teaching is analogue.

Yet more wine from another world famous wine district. To me it’s not just the grapes and wine that’s interesting, I like to learn about the plants and their conditions, too, what’s making the wine in the first place. These plants can be very old and its roots reaching more than 25 meters deep. Tasting a Premier Cru from an 86 year old plant, was an experience beyond the ordinary.

Water, and this well to me is extraordinary, more than one kilometer deep. Its water is crystal clear and kind of brings a message telling us how clean water once was. This water our Mother Earth still provides us, filtering all our civilized toxic away. From deep down here Mother Earth can see us and if this well close its eye and stop producing its water, we’re in deep trouble.

Right! Now, as a last sentence, we are getting somewhere. To bring something physical from this place to Stockholm is a no, no procedure. But to bring and maintain the memory of having been there and been invited to have a taste, that is what this is all about. This view is from a wine cellar in Chablis and one of the best I think, and it all turned out to be a happening, and a very pleasant one, too!!!

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You have now reached the last page of this site, but my aim is to be back to you with the following next picture postcard tomorrow, or several, within the next couple of days. Depending on internet access at the time and where I am, there might be delays. If planned and so happens, I will tell you about it here:

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