Biita's Blog at GardenStew.com

Lofotr - King of the Nordic Sea

Biita — Fri, 09 May 2008 04:22:42 -0400

Author: Biita
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 8:22 am (GMT 0)

Yesterday was a very special day around the museum. This is the day the Lofotr comes out of a long winters sleep, to rule the sea again. I'm not going to go into alot of long winded writing about the area, the museum or the people who take care of her. I think the pictures will speak very clearly themselves.

The facts that you should know just to get an idea of just how big this ship is, is she is 11,000 kilos in weight. Or over 22,000 Lbs. Or over 11 tons. 66 men can row her comfortably with out knocking elbows. She is made of all wood, and is the second largest Viking ship in Norway. Replica's that is, made after real finds of these ships. So here we go, lets take the ship out of hiding and let her have her way with the sea!

First the top of the boathouse has to be dismantled.

Then the tug of war starts. A tractor is used now instead of hundreds of men to make her way to the sea.

By the time they made it this far, the bull rope had broke 3 times. But ofcourse their Norwegian, bull headed just like the rope, and giving up is not an option.

She's almost there!

A look down the very long boat house. Lofotr is almost in the water. The tractor will now push her the rest of the way, instead of pulling her out.

Here is the top of the ship. This is exactly the way the Vikings ships looked according to discoveries made, expecially this one. Here is just a small section of the top.

And finally after all the tugging, and pushing, the Lofotr has made it back to her sea home for the summer. Her dragon head will be attached now so she can see where she goes.

The Lofotr will give many thrills to children, and adults all summer long as they get to experience the thrill of sailing the sea in a Viking ship. One none the less as magnificent as the Lofotr, a replica of a real Viking war ship. Their imaginations will run wild and for a short time they can almost hear the wild calls and the beat of the drum that kept the Vikings working as one. The clash of the swords, the flapping of the mighty sail. The bartering from exotic lands and their rich merchandise. For a short time if their imaginations are open enough, they will become a Viking and rule the oceans seas for a few minutes out of history.

Bottoms Up!

Biita — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:55:25 -0400

Author: Biita
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:55 am (GMT 0)

Living in the Artic is something that requires alot of imagination not to mention endurance. I got the imagination, thats for sure but the endurance,, wellll,, I'm getting older, and I hope a little wiser anyways. I now relize its time to go about things just a little slower, easier and carefully. But!!! I just can't. The aches and pains are creeping their way into the old bones. I'll be 47 next month. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, I know. I'm not that old. But I do feel the weather more than I used to. I try not to let it bother me at all. But!! Sometimes you just can't help it.

So that being said and as I'm sure most you have come to relize I love the outdoors. I'm not going to let a few aches and pains stop me.. No Sir-ee!! So I look to nature for remedy. I have learned alot from the states when I lived there, but here in the artic who do I look to now. Well, its only natural to ask the "old timers". The very people who have lived here all their lives. But where did they get the rememdies from... Obviously passed down for generations. Thats why I am writing this blog.

The Vikings! Oh the super farmers from the north. Bless their huge beserker hearts. They were a people who adapted to what was around them and used it.. just as I do now. I have listened and adapted my ways to theirs. Lets take the berries of the land. As everyone now knows they are full of anti-oxidents. Blueberries, Cloudberries, Tyttebær (simular to a cranberry) Krekkling ( a very dark berry with no taste at all but packs a whollop) and there is others. All these little powerhouses are full of vitamin C, the B's and full of cleansing powers. They helped the Vikings to stave off flu's, colds, fevers and all those other goodies that the cold has to offer. Then there is the Siersløk. This is a plant that is a combination of garlic and onion. Long fat leaves, comes very early in the spring and dies back just before fall comes. This ofcourse has all the nutrition that garlic and onions has to offer a person for their health. Then there is the leaves of the different trees and berries. The birch leaves are so good for you, for your joints, aches and pains, good for the blood, it has natural asprin in it. The leaves of the black current are packed with more vitamin C.

After learning all this I have taken to waiting for spring with barely contained excitement. I use the leaves and berries and make a saft, or concentrated juice, I like to call Norwegian Kool-aid. When those old bones start to bother me, i make a drink using just a little of the concentrate and add water, or make a tea. Within minutes, I can run around like a kid again,, well okay, almost. I stay healthy now buy making my own jams, safts, chutneys, pesto's. All the good things that you just add to other foods, as toppings are the very things that are keeping me running around.

I started this blog because I will be posting different, very different recipes as each thing comes into season. Just so as not to scare you, or think I have jumped into the North Sea and my mind is still frozen. We can thank those loveable Berserkers and their very skilled wifes and also those from even before them, on how to stay healthy in the Artic.

So each day I go out and I look around, take note what is almost ready, what will be awhile. When I give the recipe I will also give the benifits of the herb, flower, leaf, berry or root. But I'm ready, and waiting,,,,,,,, very impatiently I might add.

Did I mention about angelica, or, or, nettles, then there is seaweed, ohh wow, we can not forget seaweed, then there is the purple clover, and the wild cheval,,,wait, wait I almost forgot the chickweed and the lambsear,,,,,,,, ohh yeah,,,then there is the ,,,,,,,,,,,

An Artic May

Biita — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:57:15 -0400

Author: Biita
Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 3:57 pm (GMT 0)

Today is the first day of May for 2008. All over the world its a special day for alot of people. In the olden days it was the day when life of the land is concieved. The journey I want to take you on is one of nature here in Lofoten. The beginnings of the summer to come. The conception of spring. A wonderful celebration of life in the Artic. The people, the land, the sea and the animals. All are bursting with life and ready to start the new summer with all the vitality that one persons life can give.

Today is very special because it is the day the boats come out of hiding. The sea is free flowing now, the fjord is open, and just begging for the open crafts to ride her waves. So Kolbjørn and Uncle Tobias (who will be 90 next month) launch the first of our 3 boats.

For me thats my que to take a hike. Yeah I'm smiling too! So after helping out by taking the required pictures that I need, I take Balder and head for the marsh. This is the place I come to when I need to relax, think or just be alone with nature herself. The beauty of this place just makes my eyes tear up with the untouched virgin beauty. The serenity that can only come with age is abundant here. But the maturity of motherhood that is evident in the controlled wilderness.

The youth of the juniper, with no berries yet becuase it is learning the ways of the wild artic. Learning how to survive and prosper.

The maturity of nature.

New smells for Balder to store away for his dreams.

The serenity of the land here on the marsh is a pleasant present that only comes if you really want to see and accept it.

And the constant ever flowing of the sea to bring new life to the Artic.

So today is a day that will be celebrated, in a quiet way, a thoughtful way. A reflection of all the past ancestors who celebrated maybe in the same way or with the wild bonfires and feast. The ones who launched their first boats or ships of the season, or shared their day with friends and neighbors. We have our first campers of the season, they have been here for 3 days now, and only wanted to stay 1. They are from Germany, so today I will share my special May day with some new friends, and toast in the beginnings of a beautiful summer in the wild Artic in May.

Welcome to my summer, my enchanted part of the world, where life comes slow, but it does show her beautiful face, where the sun always shines day and night, then hides to regenerate himself, only to show his face to the one woman he loves more than ever, the earth. Welcome to life!

Who's Mad?

Biita — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:11:04 -0400

Author: Biita
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:11 pm (GMT 0)

Well we can take that 2 ways now, can't we. lol. Either I am totally off my rocker, or I am rip roaring ready to rumble.

Okay I was both today.

I got up this morning and looked out the window and seen this,

about an hour later, the snow started to fall. I sat at the kitchen table and just watched it amazed how fast the tables can turn here. Then I started to wish we had the weather that America and other parts of the world were having. Then I went on the Garden Stew. Did I feel a little better. I sure did!! Then I looked out the window again. I started to remember what yesterday was like. Theres green out there folks, real green. Look for yourselves. Yes there is snow there too, but theres green on the trees.

I even tried to catch some seagulls making their way to the North Sea, just over the mountain. Altho by the time i got the pic to focus, they were gone but look sunlight. And there really was seagulls.

So I started to think of other countries weather. That made me pi#### off, and when i get like that I start to cook. So I visited America. I made American pancakes, I don't have Vermont maple syrup but I did make blackberry syrup from Pennsylvania. Then I made Parker House Rolls. Good yeast rolls. Then I made a Hawaiian pineapple upside down cake. Then I went south after some more dough rose up, and made pecan coffee rolls, or close to it. Then I was still on my cooking spree when I opened the drawer to get my corn meal out,, and what!!! No corn meal. How am I going to make good Texas Corn Bread. OMG!! I don't even have popcorn to put in my grinder!

At that point I sat down at the kitchen table filled already with goodies, and looked out the window, picked up my coffee cup, and a huge crow started to read me the riot act. Woman!! Are you crazy? (yep) Just who are you mad at? (mother nature) Now who is going to eat all this? (Kolbjørn and Balder) Did you choose to live in the Artic or not? Now this stopped me right in my train of thought. I did choose to live here. I already knew what to expect, growing up in Lapland on the Sapmi. Then I looked out the window again. And smiled. Everything is still turning green, the flowers that have bloomed are still smiling upwards. The roads aren't snow covered, just the grass. Its not so bad. The seagulls are still laughing in their silly call. Animals are being born. It really isn't so bad.

So Kolbjørn came home a little early since he had to work all weekend, walked in the door, seen the table, his eyes got big, a huge smile lit up his face, and asked me " Who made you mad this time". As he dipped one pancake in the blackberry syrup with one hand, and cut a piece of cake with the other, and Balder drooling all over the floor. I was embarressed to tell him there was orange coffee cake rolls in the fridge.

Ol' McSelnes had a Farm, E,,I,,E,,I,,Oh

Biita — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:01:44 -0400

Author: Biita
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:01 pm (GMT 0)

Okay we have a farm but the only thing animal wise is one very spoiled Rottweiler. We don't have animals on the farm now,, but at one time there was.

My husband, Kolbjørn, I think has had a mid-life crisis. I was told by a fellow Stewer that most guys buy a little red car and try for the younger chicks. Well Kolbjørn has all the horses minus the metal, no chicks but he does have a few piglets. lol. But anyways he was a carpenter at the museum, but during winter there wasn't enough to do so he got layed off, but just for a week,,lol. The Chief from the Viking museum asked him if he was intrested in training horses. He thought about it and said yes, 3 seconds later. (he thought real hard there) He has experience with horses so it was natural for him to accept the job. I on the other hand, had doubts. Besides the horses there is also the cows, boars and sheep. My first thought was "ohhh no, thats going to stink" then I thought "Awww I can take pictures of the cute little babies" Then I found out, this is a working farm just like how the Vikings did it. Survival. Food. Panic on my part. Ready to demonstate. Ready to throw Kolbjørn into the barn here on our farm.

Well he loves his new job, comes home tired but with a smile, and talks about what he did that day. To me thats all that matters, is he is happy, and also he has enough sense to take his work close off in the entry hall and not in the house! Good man!

So lets see how the Vikings raised their animals and what kind of breeds were from way back then.

The first picture is of the boars. Since here in Norway its against the law to own pure boars these ones are mixed with pigs. But you get the idea.

Daddy boar

Baby boars, there are actually 5 of them, and yes in 4 months they will be slaughtered for food.

Next is the cows, but only one pic I will show. This is the Nordland Cow. Specific to this area and the same kind as the Vikings used. The Nordland cows are black and while and have longer hair than the other domesticated cows here in Norway. She is a beauty.

Next is the sheep. These sheep are also Nordland sheep and are very small. They look like goats but they are sheep. Half the flock is pregnant. Yep you guessed it, but none has given birth yet,,, thank goodness. The first pic is some of the ladies, and the second one has the ram in it. His horns are spectactular. They just curl all around the side of his head.

Now we come to the horses. These also are the Nordland breed of horses that are indigenous to these parts of the country.
I don't know her name, but she is beautiful.

This is Big Wolf, and he is so bad,,lol. This horse knows how to open his stall hinges and get out. Or he just jumps the door and goes. But i love him.

Here we have most of the horses gathered around the hay feeder eating and enjoying the sunny day.

Next is Mjølner, he is one of my favorite horses there, and is left with the long hair in the Viking style. The Vikings used to braid and put shells or bits of metal to show their wealth or too dress up their horses. His hair was left long in that style.

Next is a horse I call Elmer. His is named also after a Norse god the same as most of the others are. But i have a hard time saying his name and remembering how to spell it. Now this horse used to be a terror. Seriously, he bit, kicked and would just chase anyone or any animal down. Then he was,,um,,clipped. Now he is so gentle. Elmer doesn't have a stall, but he doesn't need one either. He's spoiled and has the run of the farm. He has his bed out in the aisle and comes and goes as he pleases. Meet my baby, Elmer.

So Ol' McSelnes doesn't have his own animal farm, but he loves his job on the farm. Taking care of the animals the old Viking way, training them in the the Viking style. Yes my husband the farmer is smiling everyday now from the satisfaction he gets working the land and the animals, and in true form the Norwegian Viking charm is magical and has made its way home.

The Sounds of ,,,,,,,,,,,,, Ice?

Biita — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:34:09 -0400

Author: Biita
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:34 am (GMT 0)

Think about it. The sounds of ice. What does it sound like, and how does it make you feel.

Think of a hot summer day, your thirsty. You need a cold, cold drink! So you get your favorite beverage, go to the fridge, open the freezer door an take out the ice cube tray. Now you take a few or alot of those little ice cubes an drop them into your drink. Do you hear the hiss, the popping, the cracking. You just know that drink is now going to taste so good. All because of ice.

Now think of that drink filled with ice cubes and put that on the scale of a huge lake or the fjørd. The hissing, the cracking, the popping. Its magical. Its refreshing. Its spring!

Here in the Norwegan Artic we hear those sounds all thru the turning of the season. From winter to spring. When I'm out walking with Balder, down the road just taking in the fresh air, the sounds, the smells of salt an fish from the sea, escaping from below the ice. I come alive. I come alive just as the earth does and bloom right along with it. With each crack that pops from the sea, with each hiss of air escaping from below my smile grows with the knowledge that soon this frozen wilderness will come to life once again. The water sounds from under the snow makes me laugh. The little bridges made by the melting of the ice so the water can run off into the sea.

All this is because you just can't hold back the circle of lifes cycle that is always turning away from you but always, always returning. The old norse legend of the winter snow giants an the summer dwarfs that are at constant battle with each other over if the Artic will be always in winter or always in spring. Each wins half the time. The winter giants win when the sun goes away for a time and the summer dwarfs win when the sun stays out all the time for a time. Inbetween is the struggle between the 2. All I can say is the dwarfs better win soon! And they will.

On my walk I noticed the ice is bulking up in areas on the sea, and large cracks are spreading farther an farther out to the middle. So Balder an I leave the road an go down to the sea.

Ofcourse yours truly has to test out the ice an see if its getting really thin or not. It is! It cracked when i stepped out a little onto it. But what i want to show you is under the ice. It was hard, and you can barely see it but there is no water! This is a very, very good sign indeed. The tide has shifted an is heading out to the ocean.

This is great! Spring is really on its way now. When the water starts to go low tide the ice cracks, and hisses, and pops and starts to talk to us to tell us get ready, were going to break up the ice now. I can tell you I really smiled big time when i seen no water. So I walked down to the end of our main road down to the mouth of the pole. The place where the water turns an goes out to the ocean. There I was shocked because just a week ago there was no "nes" or a strip of land that juts into the sea. You can see the "vika" or little bay taking shape into its small bowl mouth. The ice has already broke up there an will works its way down to our area probably with the month.

Balder an I walked all the way out to the tip of the nes and took a picture of the way back to the road. But you can see the water is there, but so is the ice, but barely. Won't be long now until we pull the boats out of the boat house an take off into summer!

Ahhh! I love the magic of the Artic. The land of fairytales an legends. The place where the land talks to you, and the ice speaks plainly. The land of sailors, vikings and farmers. The only place I call home.

Emotions

Biita — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:42:00 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:42 pm (GMT 0)

In the past day i have run thru every emotion i think known to mankind. This blog today is probably not for everyone, but right now, its for me. Its a very emotional blog, of my day that has left me in shreds with my heart bleeding wide open, and not sure at the moment it can heal right. Its something i have to get out of my system or i am going to bottle it up an that won't be good. I don't expect anyone to respond to this, infact i hope i don't disappoint or unintentionally bring back feelings for anyone. Go back to what ever now.

I got a call today from my dearest an best friend here in Norway, the first friend i made while here. My garden buddy. My female confidant. My best friend. She called to tell, why she hasn't been in touch for a month now and hasn't answered her phone. Her daughter was found dead. Her beautiful daughter, that even now as i write this i can barely see thru the tears. She hung herself. She was my age. She was also a dear friend.

When i found out i ofcourse am in shock. I had to get out. I went for a walk, and cried. I ended up down on the field, how i don't remember, but i screamed and screamed. And cried some more. I went in to the sauna, and just sat there. My pain is for a mother. A mother who lost their child. My pain is for my friend who i couldn't be there when she may have needed me most. My pain is that i have the need to comfort her. But most of all, my pain is that i have no closure to a dear friend. How selfish i am. me me me...

I have tried to post on the board, but i end up either leaving or staring at what i hope i am writing is intellegent at the moment. I can't think, i'm sad, i'm hurt, i'm angry, and lost. I'm sick at heart, and still lost at the moment. But,,,,I know i will be okay with time. Right now,,I hurt.

Eva, jeg elsker deg. Takk for alt.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Biita — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:32:52 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:32 am (GMT 0)

This is a blog that will take a few writings to cover. With that being said, Velkommen til Lofotr Viking Museet. Welcome to the Lofoten Viking Museum. The word Lofoten or Lofotr in old norse, is a word no one knows what it means. I live in Lofoten. Our motto here on this island is Wild an Wonderful Lofoten. And let me tell you it is. Up the road from where I live is a museum that is extremely intresting. I'll give a brief history, but will add a link that goes into it further.

In Borge, there is a farmer who was plowing his field when he come across some timbers that were petrified, not just laying there but stuck in the ground at varying lengths. Seeing this he called the local university an they sent out an archeologist. What they found was the largest an most elaborate Viking long house in all of Norway. The chieftain that lived here was one wealthy man. He left tho, why, some suspect because of christianity, others because he wanted to go to Iceland. No one knows except he packed his bags an left for Iceland, with his whole household and a fleet of ships. Upon further digging they found down by the sea, a blacksmith forge, dock, and a veriaty of other buildings. The house is estimated to have been built in the years around 500 a.d. and was added to for the next 400 years.

Upon reconstruction of this long house they were in awe of the vastness of it.

But what I want to show you is down by the sea. The famous Viking boats of the years from between 500ad to 900ad.

"Oh Lord, deliver us from the fury of the Northmen!" That famous prayer was not to be answered for another 250 years after the famous Lindinfarne raid in England. But you see the problem lies with what were the Vikings. They were not always mersenaries, or out to rape, kill and pillage what ever was in their path. Vikings were farmers, first and foremost. They were traders or merchants. They mastered the sea long before most countries even tried to get off their land. What made the Vikings famous is when the Romans tried to invade this part of the world. Lets just say they never came back. The Norse people have always had a wonderlust in their bloods. Adventure. Exploring. The openess of the land and sea. The variety of boats is amazing and what they made them out of. The procedures they went to, to weather a boat. One type of boat is from a single log, hollowed out then treated and sunk to the bottom of sea floor bed. It stays there for a few months or sometimes a year. The theory is that the ocean waters mould the boat. the rocks that are loaded into it starts to rub and add further moulding so the craft becomes sea worthy and never deteriorates. Amazing.

Here is a natural hide boat, that is upside down to drain. Its a single man boat, but made also the same way as the boat i described earlier. This boat is said to be made as early as the turn of the first century. Ofcourse this is a replica, but its made the same way.

Next is the Lofotr, the boat of the seas here, where people can row with other guest, and get to feel what it was like to be a Viking on the high seas.

And here is the Ofotr or Ofoten.

The dock area built exactly as it was then.

And while your out in the ship, maybe you will catch one of these.

For your sake I hope not,,,lol. But if your intrested in further learning about Borg Viking Museum here is the link to a wonderful place an time in Norwegian history.

http://www.lofotr.no/engelsk/

http://www.lofoten-info.no/default2.htm

Confessions of OCD

Biita — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:49:37 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:49 pm (GMT 0)

Hello my name is Balder, and I'm an almost 8 yr old Rottweiller. (My birthday is this month) I have an obsession with licking. I can't help myself. Its something I have to do day or night. The urge just runs rampant thru me, and what ever is within licking distance, gets a good bath. The problem is my obsession drives my mom crazy. She is so patient with me, she never screams, or threats me with what ever might be within grabbing distance. But today I think I might have made her rethink her layed back behavior. I honestly think I seen a hair on her head start to turn grey before my very eyes. It was amazing. Spectacular. I also think she may have a bald spot on the side of her head where she keeps twisting it, to control her anger.

What brought all this on. I don't know, but when I get excited, I have to lick. If I go outside, no matter what the weather is, I come in and just have to bathe from head to toe. I mean, I'm NOT a dirty dog! Besides grass, snow, dirt under my nails just drives ME crazy. Hmmmph, and SHE gets mad. Well I guess I could just track it all thru the house then. Heres what makes me mad! When the compusion comes over me, and my drool gets going, an the tongue is about to lick between my toes, she'll say, Nei Balder, you don't want to have sores on your feet. Yes I do! I love to lick my toes. Then when I start to lick my bed, the walls, my toys, and i can't help it, I really can't, but hair gets caught in my throat an I start to choke. Well SHE gets scared. Hmmmph, like I don't. But i can't just help myself. Then she starts to bake, ahhh the smells, drives me wild, an the drool starts to build, an I have to,,,, well you understand. But will someone make her understand!! She puts this crate around my head, then rubs my ears, an calls me her little buttercup. Hola Cripes Woman!!! I'm 8yrs old an 160 lbs,, little buttercup my,,,patootie. So she will take it off because I have mastered the eyes. Its all in the look. hee hee. I got her fooled alright. So I start to lick my feet again. This time she tells me "Thats it!! Your in the dog house now!" So I get up on her bed, and she puts that,,,dang,,,crate on. When will I ever learn.......its a dog life.

Bicycle, Bicycle,,,,,,

Biita — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:31:52 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:31 pm (GMT 0)

I want to ride my bicyle, i want to ride my bike! So I did. I took a nice ride on my bike and went to 2 very special places here on Vestvagøy. Not very far, but in the winter it seems like it. I bundled up in my winter clothes, when I was done I looked like Ralphies little brother in the movie, A Christmas Story. So off I went, the day was beautiful. We now have 4 hours of light, one hour is prelight, 2 hours of actual light, an one hour of light after the sun has set. Works for me, so off I go.

My first stop is a place at the bottom of my mountain that sits in front of the our house. The beast. This is a place that is at the west side of the mountain in the foothills of it. My house sits at the middle of this mountain, I headed towards the sea. Here is my first stop. This place is very very special, its called UrVatn. That is the old norwegian, the viking language for Ancient Waters. This place was so sacred to the Vikings of this area and the people of an era before them. Tourist pass this place an have no idea what they are looking at, and the local people here like to keep it that way. So the tourists never stop. Vikings came here to pray. They left token offerings, prayers and held ceramonies here at this water. Why is it so sacred you would think,, the reason is it is salt water, in a place salt water should not be. its an underground cavern of water fed from the ocean. Its surrounded by land. It should be fresh water, but its not. Here is UrVatn:

You can see my mountain here

The second special place that I went to, is the ocean. I live less than 1 mile from the ocean, so heading out from UrVatn i head straight for the North Sea.

Are you getting tired yet,, its just a little further up the road. Not far, see theres the sand flats already all frozen over. Do you see that big white mountain, that is Eggum, the next stop after Eggum is America.

Ahhhh here we go,,, Jump right in,,(if your a polar bear that is,,lol)

The mountains off in the distance here is the next island called Vesteralen

Well the sun is getting lower in the sky, an its starting to get a little to cold for me, so i better turn around an head home now.

And finally as I pass that bend in the road, I am greeted heading home by the best sight of all. The sun.

The magic of Lofoten, the rugged raw beauty of this one island in the North Sea. My island, of fairytales that have come true. I hope you enjoyed your bike ride!

Doing The Snoopy Dance,,,,,,,,,,

Biita — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:07:30 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:07 pm (GMT 0)

Ohhh yeah thats right, I am doing the snoopy dance. You remember snoopy, dancing ontop of his dog house, nose in the air, arms flying high, legs kicking in all directions. Thats me. Not as graceful as snoopy maybe, but I sure gave it my best shot!

Kolbjørn an I decided to take a trip to Leknes today. Just to get out, have lunch in town, little window shopping, talk to people we know. Nothing much, just getting out an socializing. Getting into the car I couldn't help but notice how light it was. I even commented on it, an he agreed and was wondering the same thing. Both of us with big eyes, big hopes, and big fears that what we was both thinking was just an illusion. The moon was ever present, but it was just to bright out to be just the moon. So we headed out, and as we traveled, the moon was getting higher an higher in the sky, and just not as bright. But, and I mean but, directly across from the moon, the most beautiful sight came over the horizen,,,

We seen the first sun rise of the new year. I looked, and looked, and was starting to get a little blinded by what was shining on me with all the force a winter sun can have. I looked at Kolbjørn, he at me, an we both had tears in our eyes. Not from the brightness, altho he won't admit it, but from the site of the sun. When we got to town, I noticed people just stopping an looking, then moving on. A few times I seen a store clerk or two come out an sneak a peek. Everywhere you stopped someone would say, look who got up early, then point to the sky. It was wonderful, it gave hope, it gave promise, and it touched my soul. It was just what we all needed up here.

All my pictures were taken in the car, but I don't care, road sign, street lamps, an what have you in the pictures,,, Its still the sun.

For one magnificent hour this is what we basked in.

Just a little more of our fairytale island in the North Sea.

Frosty Winter Blues

Biita — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:08:24 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:08 pm (GMT 0)

Living in the Artic is hard. But you learn to see beauty in everything you look at. I have not seen snow for 2 months now, since November. This is hard for a land that is supposed to be covered in snow. The dark grey, black and browns cover our landscape and make it hard to remember there was once color all over the fields, mountains, marshes and sea.

This is the season of the Blue Time, when the snow covers our land, everything turns blue, cold blue, frosty blue, an every shade of blue inbetween. The snow and the moon is what makes these blues. You see we have the sunrise now, an the sunset, but the sun hasn't crossed the horizon enough to make a huge difference in our light. The moon is up 24 hours a day an that is our main light source. I have taken some pictures today because every waking moment of "daylight" is good for the soul, during this blue time. You know that spring is on its way. Its a long ways off, but it will come, an burst forth all the colors that you can think of, except for blue. So this time is a special time, the blue time, it has its own season, its own time, and its all because the moon gives us this light, during our waking hours, that we are so blessed with the color blue.

We have no snow. I have said that, but in these pictures there is frost. layers an layers of frost. Its the Artic, theres supposed to be frost. Buts its something you can not appriciate unless you walk it an live it everyday. The frozen beauty is breath taking. Like I have said, this is frost in these pictures, not snow.

Here is the sauna, i am facing east, so you can see our winter light,, the moon

The fjørd is frozen over now, from one side to the other, just the beginnings of more ice to come, and ofcourse the frost of the Artic

Our barn shining in the light of day.

The blues

Behind the blacksmith shop

Welcome to my world. The Blue Time, of the Artic. The beautiful sparkling frozen world of the Norwegian Artic.

A Little Dusting of Snow

Biita — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:48:00 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:48 pm (GMT 0)

Well a difference a day makes here in the Artic, as i'm sure it does elsewhere too. I took some pictures yesterday of what is called our "Blue Time" its when the darktime is over an now comes the hues of blue in our light. We got just a dusting of snow but that is enough to lighten it up here just a tad. So here is the difference in the same time pictures are taken and one day difference.

You can see the sky is a greyer blue now because it is just snowing a little.

The break front where we dock the boats, an you can see also the tide levels in this pic from summer to winter, where one of the boats usually sits, thats seaweed by the way.....

The sauna against the sky,,big difference from yesterday

Front of the barn which also used for toursts that stay here.

The cabins down on the field next to the sea,, you can see the clouds over the mountain,, thats how huge it is.

So lets see if we get more snow an it will be even bright an more bluer than this grey blue that we have today. What a difference a little snow makes.

Blue Hues of the Artic

Biita — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 14:04:32 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:04 pm (GMT 0)

I was out today just walking around the farm an had my camera with me. I just kept thinking how odd it is here with no snow an the blue time is on us already. We finally have the light but it isn't very bright because of the lack of snow. The only thing we have had in the way of light is 2 grass fires here on the island of Vestvagøy. Usually it is so bright out there an everything is just washed in every shade of blue you can think of. I took these pics at 2:00 pm this afternoon, an you would think it was the dark time not the blue time,,, but the sky speaks for it all.

Our sauna, against the sky

Peeking out of the pines at the view of the mountains, even the mountains are blue.

Behind the barn

The fjørd finally making its ice to cover it all over for the winter.

Again peeking out of the trees

The sea an break front for the boat area

If we ever get some snow, the scenes will be very different, much bluer in shades. I'll take pics then too. The colors are too rich to pass up.

From Garnes to Selnes, The End of Living Under the Beast

Biita — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:09:03 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:09 pm (GMT 0)

The trek back to Selnes was far quiet. We stopped an took some pics of the junipers, an what a harvest we will have come spring.

we noticed little presents that the seagulls, ravens or crows had left behind.

But mostly we talked. I had so many questions, that I needed to be answered. I needed to know there was a happy ending. I needed to know that the family lived an used the deaths as a bonding. But that was all wishful thinking on my part. Kolbjørn continued the saga, and even i could hear a hint of regret in his voice. What happened after the avalanche? What made this family drift farther apart? The mother an her small child walked the long long walk to Selnes that night with only what they went to bed in. No shoes, no coats, no hats, scarfs or gloves. Winter is cold here, it is the artic, but its mostly the wind that freezes you then cuts you into a million wind blown pieces that feel like pins an needles entering your entire body all at one time. I know, I've experienced it. Imagine walking that walk after what they just went thro, with just a torn an ragged night gown on, nothing else. They made it, they barely made it to Selnes. The grief that was shared that night is one that the Selnes family will never forget. Their friends, all but one, perished. In less than 2 minutes. Not one animal survived, all their friends but one were gone now. When daylight finally came, if what you could call daylight, maybe i should describe it as moon light during the day, when that finally arrived, the boys an their father an a few of the other neighbors from the surrounding fjørd that heard the ear splitting crack in the night, came. The women all stayed with the heartbroken an destitute Mrs. Garnes an her child. What they found when they made it to Garnes was this, nothing! There was nothing left of Garnes, just traces of snow an rubble that was left onto the path. Out in the sea was a gigantic hole. They knew they would never find anyone at all alive or near shore. But they looked for days afterwards. But the current must of carried the tradgity out to sea. Beneath the ice. Long out of reach of anyone who could of helped. It wasn't long later when Mrs Garnes left Selnes. No one knows where she left to. Just vanished and was gone. There was the last friend gone too for the boys. Now they are all gone forever. Amost 3 months later Mr Garnes came back from working out on the sea. This is normal you see because during the winter months here is the height of fishing season, the cod season, thats where the money is. And with a big family an alot of mouths to feed, he earned an stayed to earn the most he could. He come home one day. Shocked! Heartsick! Mortified! but most importantly scared to death of what he would find out. He ran to Selnes. Not stopping to breath, in the fridged iced air. Not caring if he died himself. He met Mr Selnes on his way to the farm, an was told of what happened. His wife left with their one child who survived. He was devestated, sick of heart, outraged at the mountain. This was his home, his home since his birth, the birth of his father before him an even before that. This was Garnes, his home, how dare the mountain, that hideous beast do this to him an his family. He was taken back to Selnes barely able to walk on his own, in a daze, in shock. He stayed with the Selnes' for a few more months until spring came then he bought a piece of land on the other side of the fjørd. That piece of land is on our farm we live on today, where i look out my window at that awesome mountain directly across to Garnes. This farm that i live on now was back then owned by a cousin of the Selnes family, an he bought a very small little piece of land right here. He remarried an had other children but all those have moved away. One year later back at Selnes in the middle of another cold an snowy night, eerily reminencent of another night not so long ago, another crack! split the snow. The Selnes family was woke with an explosion that shook the foundations of the farm. Down come the snow. Faster an faster an in less than a minute from the sound of the crack Selnes was wiped out. All but the house with all those precious inhabitants. My father-in-law, uncle Tobias who lives on this farm now. Aunt Hedvig who is so fiesty, an walks with a roller walker,, i call her roller derby mama, an she loves it. And Kalle, who i never got to meet because he passed on the yr i arrived in Norway, an we hadn't moved this far north yet. All would have been lost to me if that avalanche was just a half foot wider. They lost the barn an all the animals, the well cellar, the smoke houses,, an the side of the house lost a few boards. Kolbjørns grandparents took that as a sign an moved to this farm where the cousin had lost her husband a few yrs before to the sea when his boat went down with a storm, and had enough. She sold the farm to the Selnes's an moved to her daughters on the mainland. Today we live under another mountain but she is more gentle, not as big as her brother across the fjørd, and she sits way back from us. Mr Garnes eventually moved then passed on. The farm is now the my home, the only home i want to know in Norway, with a rich family history, that makes you glad to be alive.

This is the mountain i live under now,,, she is a lady an keeps to herself.

I have posted this before but if you look at the spot where the trees are next to the house, that is where the end of the avalanche came an took out the other housings that where there.

The mountain gave us our warning,, go home, stay away until i say so, don't come back until next summer. As we were leaving Selnes it started to snow, an when we got home it looked like this.

down on the field you can see it nice an clear the drive way down to the cabins an sea.

Our home where i prefer to be after being in the presence of the beast. That mighty mountain that sits so quietly just waiting for who next will invade his fairytale land.

Across the Fjørd to My Mountain, A Trip to Garnes

Biita — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:05:15 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 1:05 am (GMT 0)

I spent the morning when there was light enough to see, on a walking hike to the mountain that i see from my kitchen window. I go there often in summer, but in winter its to dangerous. So why did i go if its to dangerous? All the snow has melted with the southern wind that has been blowing lately here. So I packed up my husband and the dog and we decided to go hunt down rose hips, check on the wild juniper for berries to see how much of a harvest we will have come spring. (juniper makes an awesome candy from the days of the viking, tastes like dark black licorice) So here we go on our trip to Selnes the abandoned family farm across the farm. Wait, i know i said Garnes, but that is to come. This is Selnes, one of the 3 farms that we have up here, altho no one lives in it, frankly because its to dangerous because of the mountain, there is also no hot water or electricity. There is an outhouse, equiped with an actual flushing handle, an ofcourse i keep it stocked with toilet paper. The stove in the house is an old time cast iron job that is so awesome an huge it heats nearly the whole house. We go there in summer to get away, or to fish, or i tend the rhubarab patch an look for wild herbs an plants. So this is Selnes

While we were there doing what we intended to do, we decided to talk a walk down the path, that used to be a horse an cart road, but is now mostly used by tourist or locals who just want to walk the fjørd, or the sheep that pass thru.

That is Kolbjørn an Balder walking the path that leads to Garnes, about a mile up the road. That is the next closest farm to Selnes. While on our walk we had to use reflector vests incase of snow or worse hunters were out hunting ptarmigan, or i think its called grouse in english. Rype in Norwegian, ptarmigan in Saami. But we got to talking on our walk, an Kolbjørn asked me if i had ever heard the story of Garnes from his uncle, an i told him no, tell me.

The farmers settled on this land, Kolbjørn says because the land was excellent for potatoes, rhubarb, onions and cabbage. What they didn't take into thought was the mountain itself. It had fresh running water comming straight down the slopes, they had abundant fish from the sea, an good dark rich soil compliments of the sea itself. But because of this they over looked the mountain, the hazards, the danger of living at the foothills of a place so overwhelmingly huge an monstrous. See the thing is the mountain itself is in constant motion, it moves, this is an island of mountains, and because of that motion, even tho we don't feel it, the snow does. One night deep in the heart of winter a family known as the Garnes family had a farm not to far from the Selnes family farm. They were friends, worked together sometimes, an shared when times would be tough. Both families had children, an the children played together, an worked together. They skated on the sea an skied in the mountain. Deep in winter one night the mountain shook. Down come the snow, disaster about to happen. No time to run. Its the middle of the early morning hours. No light to see what is happening. Down come the snow. The father was a fisherman an was out to sea, he left home when went to work, a wife, and his children. And down came the snow. A cracking. A rumbling. Then a sudden boom!! like something had exploded. Then everything was pushed out to the sea. Thru the thick ice. And buried.

Mrs. Garnes an one child made it out alive.

They walked the long road to the Selnes farm an told what happened. The Garnes family that day lost 5 children, an their grandmother. I write this today because its something that happened to a family that loved, laughed, an worked like every other family on the fjørd. They were a likable family by all. But I write this because i felt it was something i had to do, for those who lost their lives to let them know that their lives haven't been forgotten but passed on so other can remember. This is something that is common in Norway, alvalanches. This is to all those families who have endured an lived an to those who haved passed on because of it.

As i stood at the top of the old barn ramp, which was the picture above this one, i looked out over the fjørd down where i knew Selnes would still be standing. And i knew. I just knew that it was okay to tell their story. Its a sad story but an all to common story that you hear in Norwegian history. As i walked back to Selnes i said a prayer an gave an offering to those who have passed on, an made a promise that i would tell their story so that they won't be forgot.

So don't be saddened by this story but look at it as a way of seeing the power of nature that no matter what it should be respected, an even when it takes those we love or those we just heard about, its still something that deserves my respect even tho this country is like a fairytale, sometimes even fairytales can be a little intimadating.

(Sing along) Ohhh the weather Outside is,,,,

Biita — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:12:06 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:12 pm (GMT 0)

,,,,,,,,,,DECEPTIVE!!!!! I'm telling you looking out the window, not a flutter of the wind to be found. The day was so nice, chilly but sunny and calm. It was 2 in the afternoon, and I was putting on a pot of coffee for Kolbjørn an I, when I looked out the window then the clock an thought, dang is it gettin dark fast. So I grabbed my camera because I wanted to capture how dark but not quite full dark an show my children. I opened the door, felt the air an thought its still kind of warm out an ran out an down to the field so I could get the best shots. I knew I only had about 15 minutes so no coat, gloves or hat. Just pulled on my boots an ran down in what I had on all day. long johns an shirt, pants and a turtleneck sweater. I was warm. Ha! About 1 minute later i could feel my nose starting to run, in about 2 my eyes were starting to tear up an freeze, an a few minutes later it was all I could do to hang on to the camera. I swear even the ravens were making fun of me. But I got the shots!! lol. I payed for it too. I tried to run back up the hill, but my feet were freezing already,(I only had on 2 pairs of socks and boots) I finally made it to the house, an tried to open the door, I did it an just about fell into the entry room. There I stood. Tears running down my face, nose running to my chin, face, ears and hands getting to be a pretty bright red,, when my husband greets me at the kitchen door holding 2 cups of coffee with a fire roaring in the fireplace behind him and says to me "Are you cold?" One eye was starting to thaw so I narrowed it. Lets just say at that point if I could of moved I probably would of kicked him an sent him sailing thru the air in search of a new land. (nah not really, but I felt like it,,lol) But the kind an gentle man that he is, he puts down the coffee cups, goes an gets me a blanket an wraps me up in it, then bends down an takes off my boots, guides me to the kitchen table an helps me to sit down. I know at this point, I heard ice breaking at my hips,,or so it seemed. He covered my ears with his hands an was talking to me in norwegian, an smiling an laughing. He's lucky I didn't make out most of what he was saying, but what I did hear, I started to laugh too. He wiped my face an made me drink some coffee, then guided me up the halve spiral stairs we have to the den or family room. There he says to me,,"Okay lets see what made you go out to take these pics an freeze over an lets send them to the kids" I thawed instantly...lol. It pays to freeze sometimes.

So here they are, the pics that I just had to get. Also if you look at the first pic to the last one you can see how fast it was getting dark, and why I ran out like I did. Would I do it again,,,lol,,, you bet I would.

one of the camping cabins

by I would say 2:20-2:30 in the afternoon today it looked like this,,,

My Son is my Hero

Biita — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:57:52 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:57 pm (GMT 0)

I would like to introduce you to my son. Meet Joshua, my only son who I am so proud of.

He is a special son, my only son, my joy, an my heart. The reason I write this blog today is to honor him, its Veterans Day. He's not a vet, but he is serving his country at this moment. Stationed thousands an thousands of miles from me, but still close enough that I know he is fine, just a phone call away. My son came home from college one day an said "Mom, I know what i want to do now, at this moment with my life for the next few years" Terror went thru me, because he said, "the next few years" Deep down I knew what that meant. I sat there, trying to be calm, when he told me he was joining the army. All I could think of was why? Why? What about school, what about your life here, what about me? Ofcourse I was being a selfish mother, but then he is my son, an I thought at that moment I had every right to be selfish. But he calmly explained that the reason behind his signing up was simple, he wanted to honor his father while he still had the chance to do just that. His father died when Joshua was just 8 yrs old. Leaving us to struggle an survive, but bond in a way I honestly don't think would of happened if he was still alive. I wanted my children to stay children an not grow up at that time, not to rob them of their childhood, an I think that I have accomplished that, because I would tell Joshua, yes your my little man, but you have plenty of time to become one, so don't worry, worry about having fun an being a child. You only get to do that once in this life an it will pass fast enough. So enjoy it, an experiment as all kids do. Find out what you need to know to be a child, an be one. As he grew up he never really did do the experimenting that teens do, I think it was because he knew he had my okay to do that do he never needed to. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about drugs or such, but the experiments of growing. He never got into trouble, an he was so protective of me and his sister. He wanted to do something that would make his dad proud,,, to him it was join the army. We talked, not argued, an I tried to tell him, Joshua, believe me your father is already proud of you. You don't have to do this. He insisted, an said it was also for personal reasons that he loves his country an wanted to serve, an show he cared for the women, children an elderly of America. How could I say no. I hug my child, cried, an at that moment I was the proudest parent on this earth.

My son an I talked and talked an when I decided to come here to Norway, he totally agreed an said he would visit me every chance he got. He said his time is done now, an it was time for his mother to live. He has made his plans to join us here as soon as his tour is over,, he has 2 more years service to go. Then I have my son again where i can keep an eye on him,,lol.

This is his photo from boot camp, or well in his dorm from boot camp,,

This after boot camp when he got his orders to be stationed at Ft Huachua in Arizona for the next four years. During this time there he met people, trained , is squad leader and has graduated with honors an first in his class of graduates. He is in a communication squad will soon be sent to Iraq.

But during the time he has been in the army his humor has been honed to a wicked sharp hilarious tone. He has matured more than I thought he would ever do so fast. But the one thing my son has retained is his love of life. His sense of humor, his love of the guitar an ofcourse his video games. He broke off an engagement an well I was sad about that, but he had his reason, an those I respect.

My son leaves on Dec 22 for Iraq, to a war I don't agree with, to politics I would rather not get involved with. But this is my son, my only son an all a mother can do is send her love an be so proud of him for his courage an descision to lead his own life in a way that only he knows to be right. Its his path, his way an I respect him an love him to the hero he is to me.

The Solstice Spirit of Winter

Biita — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:54:15 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:54 pm (GMT 0)

,,,,,,is a time of hope, rejoicing, looking an planning for the future year ahead. In some ways its more of a celebration of life more than anything else. I also have come to respect an admire the outlook an optimism of the Norwegian people at this time. Not only is there the winter solstice but also Jul or Christmas just a few days later. So the time of year is doublely celebrated with much tradition an flare. On the winter solstice Dec 21, is looked at by the people of the artic as halv way thru the darktime. The darktime is a time when all the activities during the summer, the running around, the visiting, summer solstice, vacations, an into the autumn, with harvest, rounding up the animals from all over the island the preperations of all the harvests that have taken place that by the time the darktime does happen we are sure ready for a nice long rest. Its a time to recouperate, get our energy back, an a time to reflect an plan ahead. The vikings an before, used to believe that the sun was a wheel in the sky that slowly rolled away from the earth or land, an on Dec 21, would slowly make its way back again by rolling towards them. With that came the celebrating because they knew that with the sun came life regernerated an everything would grow again. The ancient tradition was a very beautiful one that my husband an I also celebrate along with the family members an neighbors that gather around. Each household has a celebration but because community is so important up here an was way back when also, everything is shared. The ancients would send out the sons or men of the house an bring back a log that would fit in the hearth an a log for outside. Once the men came back with a fresh log a fire would aready be built, an waiting patiently for the new year to begin. The eldest male family member would then bless the logs with beer or mead, salt and oil. Then each member of the family would make their prayers an sprinkle one of the offerings used. Thanks would be given. The men of the family would then hoist the log into the hearth, then outside to the fire. When this was done, a great feast would be served an ofcourse the first plate or dish would be given to the fire. This was the start of the new year for the ancients. When the fire would burn down a piece of the log was taken out an saved to start the fire for next year. With great ceremony the ashes would then be taken an scooped up with care an walked thru the whole house an scattered in all the far reaches of the house. The fire outside was also treated with great respect an the same was done with it, but the ashes would then be scatterd around the farm or blown in the wind. Reason for this was simple, with the hope an future of the new year ahead precautions were taken to protect them, an what better way than the sacred ashes of the annointed log of the new year. My husband an I just let the wind take the ashes an scatter where they may.

These photos were taken last year before an after the darktime. The reason I have no pictures of that time is because there is no moon. No light. Only the stars to guide us where we want to go. Yes ofcourse we have modern technology an can use reflecter vests an flashlights, but its still dark an its a darkness that absorbs all light. The picture that I have here is the last moon before the darktime. It looks like the sun, but its the moon. The daytime moon trying so hard to shine enough light for us humans to make our way thru the day. But she only could give us light for 15 minutes then she was gone, an gone for over a month, only to come back an gives us her fullness again.

As she does here, we finally are rewarded with the moon, an light again as promised to us by an ancient pact made so long ago no one remembers when an how it was made.

Then slowly, ohh so slowly we are rewarded with light again, an bless with a very small amount of daylight by the sun, an the moon can now rest again soon, very soon, but not for a few more months.

But the promise of the sun is one that will come soon enough, but until then I will pay my respect to the moon an her light that she gives to us here in the artic. I will take the time to recouperate my body back to full speed ahead with the sun. But for now she tells us to slow down, enjoy the company of others, look to the future because of our faithfulness and it will be given back to us. After the darktime happens the fjørd freezes over an the slow but every happening of light lets us go out an play an visit our neighbors. Renew aquaintences that got lost for a month during our darktime. The winter solstice is one that will ground you, an make you aware of the death of the land, but with the death comes life, an the solstice gives us that reminder that its on its way, with patience, an time, we the people who live here understand that an we play by the rules of the heavens an the earth an the ancients who paved the way to a tradition of the Norwegian people that is in the blood, in the heart, an given generously to those of us who seek to understand.

The Solstice Spirit

Biita — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:07:34 -0500

Author: Biita
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:07 pm (GMT 0)

,,,,,,,is something i think that grows on a person with age. Why do I say this. Well when I was younger I knew what it was, the solstice, but I really didn't pay any attention to it. So why do I wonder about it now. Maturity, maybe, where I live, maybe, who I have grown into, possiably. All I do know there is more to the solstices than I had once thought. I have learned that the summer solstice is a time of joy. A time of getting ready. A time that has been honored in many different ways. Here in Norway, I have noticed my spiritual growth has taken a huge leap forward, at least in my eyes its forward an not backwards. I have learned about time honored traditions that goes back thousands of years. These traditions shouldn't be scoffed at, but should be preserved in humanity, an the societies from where they come from. They should be shared with others to extend the joy an beliefs of the peoples who celebrate them. I can tell you at the summer solstice this year, one of the rituals that I experienced was the bonfire. Not just an ordinary bonfire, but a friendly spirited bonfire made that way by the people. I participated in preparing for the fire, by helping pile up the logs an wood, an just about anything an everything that a norwegian family wants to get rid of. But what I noticed is this, before the fire is started by the man of the house, each memeber of the house an also visiter attending each gave a toast to the logs, an sprinkled some beer to the site. Each gave a little prayer of thanks for the summer warmth, an gave thanks in advance for the crops they know would come soon. Then the fire was lit.

This is my husbands uncle who is 89 yrs old, an has attended a St. Hans, Midsummers Eve, Summer Solstice every yr of his life. He says summer is just another summer unless you prepare an start it off with a bang. Summer should be celebrated, an celebrated it is up here in the Artic. The time is so short, just 3 months of warm weather, then its all gone. So the community celebrates with a flourish. Neighbors walk to others bonfires an chat,eat,sing an tell stories of summers past. Sausages,, there has to be sausages at every fire. Those sausages just aren't grilled an eaten, the first one goes to the fire an offering of being givin the chance to get ready for the up comming winter. A thank you for what was already givin, an what will be givin in the future. But those sausages are eaten with lomper, a flat potato based "tortilla" also known called lefse. Once the sausages are eatin, the fun begins, the stories get told or sung along with a violin or guitar. Some are ballads of times past, some are about women who they will never forget or are trying to forget. Others sing the songs of the sea all who have been taken by her. Then more stories, as the beer an drinks are passed around an the tales get wilder an wilder, along with the animation of having to act out all the scenes of the songs. Then as the night comes to a close, everyone gets back in their boats an travel to the place they call home, or they walk an visit with the other people who have walked to other bonfires an greet each other on the roads. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, an the people of the artic make use of every minute of it. They don't waste it ever, even when relaxing, or having cake an coffee, its never a waste is it. Your still doing something, an its under that glorious sun that is here for only a short time in the north.

This photo is me looking out at the midnight sun, an falling in love with each day that i look at it, knowing that thru the hard, cold and darktime ahead, i know that the sun will always shine for me when it comes back.

Summer solstice with its lush green vegetation, mountains streaming with spring fresh water, an wildflowers dotted thru out the artic realms, it is a time of magic an with age I have come to recognise this an accept it as truth. My fairytale farm is just that a magical story come true.