Hymn as a present

I have received a prizeless gift. A small, old, Finnish hymn book.
In this Nordic region, there has been and still is a strong, religious movement, called "lestadianism", named by a famous preacher, Lars Levi Læstadius.
This movement is known to be very strict and ascetic. Having many rules about forbidden things.

Nevertheless I paid a visit to a very lovely, old woman in this town.
I must by the way emphasise that I`m not very religious myself. I`m more in it because of the music. Because these people has created some of the most beatiful hymns I know.

Meeting this old woman was like when The Rolling Stones first met Muddy Waters.
We were sitting there, the woman and I in her living room, drinking coffe and singing old, Finnish hymns, when suddenly she disappeared out, and came back with this small hymn book and gave it to me as a present.

I had to be honest with her, telling her that I make something new out of these hymns, when I`m singing in a band. And she didn`t quite like the "jazzhymns", as she expressed it. But she accepted it. And the book remained as a present.
(If you want to hear some examples of my "jazzhymns", you can find them on this webpage; http://www.home.no/daap.)

Snow and spring

It`s snowing. And it`s springtime.
You might think that`s two big contradictions.
But the people who has lived here all their life say that this kind of snow has the ability to remove the old snow from the ground.

For a long time I thought they said so only to comfort a southerner like me. But it seems to be true.
So now I get a feeling of spring in my body everytime I see this kind of snow coming.

Mixed party

Quiet before the party
I have to admit I was a bit concerned. The party last weekend was going to be a huge celebration of a man`s 40 years. With guests both from the Norwegian "coast-people" and the inner, indegionous Saami-people. There is sometimes a small tension between these people, going several hundreds of years back in time. Looking a bit like the furniture at the party-house. Two long tables staring at each other from a distance. Facing problems like in most other parts of the world, where different people meet.

So how was the party?
Well, my concern was quite mistaken. This was a culture night where everything was mixed. The food was reindeermeat spiced up with chili and other strange ingrediance. People participated with all kinds of music, both rock, religious songs from Finnish immigrants and the Saami joik.
And the Norwegian-Saami brotherhood was strong and relaxed this night.
Showing that peace and love is really possible...

Skiing Grand Prix

I have participated in an organized skitrip today. Three miles into the mountains. Together with about 200 other people. Some were competing. Others, like me, just walking in a relaxed pace.

After just a few kilometers, the guys who were competing passed in a hurry.

When I got close to the end of the journey, the sun was shining.
I was among the latest in the "race". But I managed to pass to old women before I crossed the end of the line.
I used four hours.
My son also participated. He had already finished the shower. He used only two hours. Oh, well...

From father to son

It`s saturday morning. I`m sitting in all my mess, thinking.

My son is here this weekend. It`s over a month since last time. He`s getting more and more busy with sports. He plays football, does athlets, goes skiing. He`s travelling around to participate in North Norwegian Championship in skiing. Goes to Finland next weekend.
So I guess the only way to stay in touch is to go with him to all these sport arrangements.

He is 13 years now. I notice that he gets more and more independent. The childhood will drift away.
I remember one day we went to our favourite cafè, Hildonen in Vadsø.
I thought it would be a good idea to tell him about puberty, bees and flowers and stuff.
He was sitting quiet when I was talking. And I told him about everything there is to tell.
When I was finished, he replied;
-Well, now I`m tired of this bullshit. Shall we go now?

Today we are going to Hildonen again. Without the bees and the flowers.

The kitchen table

I`ve got many things on my kitchen that make me happy.
But most of all it`s this kitchen table.
I got it for free last summer from a friend.
And there`s nothing like an old wooden table.
Imagine all the stories that is connected to it. All the people that has gathered around it.
If you get close enough, you`ll hear a pale echo of all these stories...

Talisman with changing expressions

This is the talisman that keeps staring at you from the top of my blog. And observing everything in my home.
It has this special habit to change expressions. Sometimes smiling. Sometimes serious. Seems like it understand most of what`s happening.

It`s name is Thalia. It is a theatrical muse which hides it`s truth in the comedy. The paper of the talisman says.
It`s one of these items I love to keep in my house.
It`s made by Mats Jonasson from Målerås in Sweden. I don`t get anything paid to tell you that. But I thought that Mats deserved some attention since his Thalia puts such impact on my home.

Art on 1. floor

I`ve established a kind of art-gallery in my house.
The first floor has been empty for a long time.
So now a painter uses it as a working room.
It has made the first floor alive again.

When men are competing

We can`t help it. We men just hate to loose!
Sometimes I`ve joined my pupils in different ballgames. But I get far to eager.
-You`re shooting too hard, they complain.
-Ok, ok, I`ll try to behave, I replie.

This week we have been outdoor the whole time. Some pupils organized a skijump competition.
I just had to join.
When I went down the slope, I felt the adrenalin coming. Then I jumped, and I managed to stand.
-You`re in the lead, the "jury" shouted.
-YEEEESSS, I roared. And suddenly reminded myself that I should take it easy again.
A little bit later another, male teacher came. And I got beaten with several meters...

Arctic view

The view from my window this morning reminded me that I live in the Arctic.
The mountains on the other side of the fjord was covered with new snow.
But during the whole day the sun was shining bright. And I praised the warm oceanic current from the Mexico Gulf that makes the temperatures quite nice even here in Arctic Norway.

Ice fish

My ten year old pupils are going to be out in the nature for a whole week.
Today they were fishing on the ice.

All the pupils were laying on the ice, looking with excitement into the hole they made.
The ice is about one meter thick. So it`s a lot of work to drill a hole.

Most of the fish they pulled up were very small. But they had a lot of fun. And made small aquariums to look at.

Seaside, fire and stuff

There has been a thypical Sunday. A trip at the seaside. Two people wrapped inside thick scooter-clothes to protect themselves against the cold wind.
The Barents Sea lied open at our feets. Right out there was Russia. Somewhere on the left; The North Pole.
But the clothes, the reindeer-skin and a fire kept us warm.
Drank coffee and ate sausages warmed on the fire. Staired at the waves.
Nice day.

With a smell of horse...

This is no kinky article. Everything here is very straight forward.

You see, today I was invited to a comunity that I`ve never been into before.
To the people who have horses as a hobby.
There is about 40 horses in this town, Vadsø.
And mostly girls who spend several hours each day with their favourite hobby.

The plan for me was to try a moment on the horse back. But the horse was quite wild, so I remained safely on the ground.
So then I was asked to brush the animal.
-You got to talk to the horse, the instructor said.
-Hi, I tried.
-How are you...
But there was no reply.
I guess there will never be a "horsewhisper" out of me.

But anyhow, it seems to be quite fun to speed along the road.

And the smell...well,...it`s not so bad, actually...