As some have noticed I have not been writing much over the
summer. I had looked out my kitchen window throughout the long winter and
thought, "wow I will have so much more to write about during summer
time". Although most Swedes would tell you they are most proud of their
country in the summer, you will also find that you can't get a hold of most of
them during these months because they are simple outside enjoying themselves. I
have to admit that at this point I have become much more understanding of why it
is that businesses in Sweden have abbreviated summer hours with no excuses. It
is just too wonderful outside to even think of spending a moment doing anything
else but bask in the sun as long as you possibly can.
The air is humid and the sun is strong. The forest is green
and wild berries of various types ripen in stages that stretch out the whole
season.
These are days of long, slow walks and good times with friends
and family
These lazy days spent on the lake where I pack a little picnic of wasa crackers with cheese and a bag of frozen grapes have been so totally peaceful and effortless. On most of these days my friends who live in town have been on vacation for weeks and weeks at a time. Usually when I go down to my spot to lie in the sun, there is someone delightful lying next to me without having to make much advanced arrangement.
So as the sun goes down earlier and earlier with each passing day and I start to notice that the heat in the air cooling, I am doing my best not to despair but to savor my memories of my lazy days of summer. Once again, I am sorry I have been out of touch but I just needed to experience the Swedish Summer for myself. Tack!