Tag Archives: Sweden

Coming Out of Hibernation

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There is something about hoar frost that I have always loved. It is so delicate yet so beautiful as it sparkles and shines in the beauty of the sun— even as it melts away.  I love the fact that most people don’t know what it’s called, and that it is created by a beautiful blend of moisture, temperature, and light. In my memory it comes in late winter or early spring as the earth is coming out of it’s hibernation phase. Some of my favorite winter memories revolve around a ton of snow or a beautiful landscape of hoar frost. 

I Almost Didn’t Hike

I almost didn’t go hiking. I cut my foot, I had blisters, and I felt a little tired because I didn’t sleep well.  Yet, I was restless and disappointed about the thought of staying home, and was feeling cooped up after all the hubbub over the holidays.  I REALLY wanted to be in great nature and have a challenging hike instead of one along roads in towns. The previous time I hiked the trail disappeared, including all markings, just as it left town via a housing complex under development.  I backtracked my steps because it was too late in the day to wander into the woods without a clear idea of where I was headed—especially since I was on a timeline to catch the last bus home.  

The Hoar Frost Stayed

I am so amazed that the hoar frost stayed all day. I am on the bus ride home with frost on the ground, some fog in the air, and a fantastic lengthened  sunset (at 3:18 pm.)  I also feel empowered, because the movement and peace helped my mind to clarify how to combine all of my skills into a lovely and beautiful healing process for everyone. I also worked through some beliefs I held about what is possible in my life (and what others expect from me) using EFT (tapping) as I was walking. Peaceful fields, hoar frost, and calming my mind by tapping easily moved me out of a place of feeling stuck and fearful back into a place of power and strength.

I am excited to come back to Minnesota to visit.   I have two job offers in Sweden, so will be returning to Minnesota March 23rd to do massage, homeopathy, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/tapping) in Red Wing and in Mahtomedi.  I am finalizing dates and times currently, and will be in touch with anyone who has mentioned they are interested. I will also be holding a few free classes on EFT for those who want to learn it and use it for their own growth. It can help with many things, but the focus of these classes will be around daily use for stress, cravings, and fear.

Challenge Yourself

Now that spring is coming fast, I encourage you to use the energy of growth and extended sunlight to challenge yourself in some way.  What is it you want to do this year? How can you be a bit happier, a bit more peaceful, a bit more “you?”  I have challenged you in previous newsletters and blogs to search within yourself and see clearly what beliefs you hold that drives you in life that do not suit you anymore. What do you do that has become pattern or habit or expectation, but does not really make you happy? Let’s work together in 2019 and get rid of that so you can be peaceful as you move through your days. With age comes wisdom and the power to dump all social expectations and step into our true selves.  I wish this for you!

Nothing Odd to See Here

To continue the playfulness of last blog, and my friend who asked me to take a picture of something odd every day, I have not been finding anything odd, beyond myself, and the pronunciation of the Swedish language. No new fun toilets or anything!! 

Have a Great Spring! See you all soon,

With Love,

Dawn

  • 3-D ballon Street. Even something that is flat and lifeless can be brought to life through vision, passion, and attention. Let’s create something more lively for you in 2019!

The Rain in Sverige (aka Sweden) After the Drought

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A view of the grasses and trees in the area

It rained here near Stockholm last night.  I know, Minnesotans right now are soaked, but here we are in a heat wave and a drought.  It hasn’t rained since May in most areas in Sweden, and if there has been any, it was too little to nourish plants.  They are reporting 61 independent wildfires in Sweden right now, with 4 of them being too big to be extinguished.  There has been a fire ban on for at least a month, which means when I camp I have to bring things that do not need to be cooked, as even my little gas camp stove is illegal.  My friend, Evelina, who lives here, commented that it is so dry, pieces of glass can create a magnifying effect and start fires.

Farmers are suffering, and there is talk of government help, but the people I talk to don’t seem to know exactly what that means.  The main concern is the crops for the animals, and having enough food for them to survive the long winter.  There were no true spring greens from anyone’s garden this year, and it is hard to find fresh produce in the stores.

Leaves look like this on many trees-or worse

It has been hot here, with highs this last week being a consistent 30-31° C (86-87.8° F). I know that doesn’t seem hot for many Minnesotans, but remember it is normally around 24° C (75° F.)  Sweden does not really have air conditioning because it doesn’t stay hot long, and nights

usually get cooler.  The house where I stay for example, doesn’t even own a fan.  That is common.  Busses and subways are hot and humid and bring on instant sweat.  I have been finding beaches all over to visit just to bring my body temperature down for a few precious hours.  It is interesting to me, as I didn’t have air conditioning in my house in Red Wing, and rarely turned it on in my house in Stillwater (more for humidity than heat.)  But the lack of fans and air circulation really creates a difference in the experience of the heat.  And Swedes are talking about the weather because of the drought!  I haven’t experienced that until this week.  

You can see the mosses and grasses even close to the lake are very dry

Yet there are many bodies of water here.  Stockholm is part of an archipelago, and there are many clean, beautiful lakes to be found here.  It is an interesting juxtaposition-to have so much water yet see the

plants be so dry.  But I find when I am hiking that the land is also very rocky in many spots, kind of like you would see near the north shore.  Lots of moss and shallow-rooted trees breaking through the rocks.

Yesterday, I went to one of the islands called Lånholmen.  Although it’s an island, it is part of the archipelago, and is very easily accessible as if you are just crossing a river.  There is a great harbor here that contains mostly wooden boats (pictures below.)

Even though it is very hot for Swedes, they are all still actively outside, as summer is precious, and many are still on holiday.  Most people get 6 weeks of holiday here per year, and they treasure it.  Many people take their holiday in the summer, when they can enjoy the beauty of the country and relax after the midsommar parties.

Outdoor dance hall at Skansen

Last night, I went to an outdoor social dance and my friend Evelina taught me how to bugg, which is a popular Swedish traditional dance that is similar to a swing, but the steps are in a straight line instead of at an angle, and is also a bit more contained for those who are not professional dancers.  Even though I love swing and salsa, this had a different feel to it, and was a bit challenging for me to follow the leads properly with many of the spins.  But I tried, and people were very friendly and helpful as they taught me what I was doing wrong. 🙂

Public transport ferry in Stockholm

But it was hot, even with the outdoor atmosphere, so the ferry ride back across to Stockholm to take my train home was lovely and refreshing.

I hope this finds you all well and happy.  Enjoy the summer weather, and if you are enjoying what I have to write, please comment!  It’s so fun to get feedback from all the people back home.  Now, I’m off to another beach, this time near Farstra Strand, then perhaps another round of dancing tonight.

With love,

Dawn

wooden boat harbor In Långholmen, a small island