Linear view vs. Masonry View

Tag Archive for ‘Life’

Grebbestad

Grebbestad

The village Grebbestad with 2000 year-around residents, was first mentioned in the beginning of 1600. Like many of the small villages in Bohuslän the development is linked to the herring- and granite mining periods. Today it is a seaside resort with an exploding population during the summer holiday season. Exploding in number of residents, otherwise it would be quite noisy during summers if the population actually blew-up.

Already in 1844 it became an official seaside resort with both cold and hot bathhouse. The mud bath was considered very healthy. The sheltered harbor was also good for trade and shipping. In 1858 there were 7 cargo ships registered in Grebbestad.

A cannery was established in 1870 and even if the cannery is closed since many years the brand name is still used. In the building a micro brewery today makes a very good beer. The first motorized buss line in Sweden was established in 1911, between Grebbestad and the railway station 5 kilometers away.

Don’t get stuck in the mud, come clean, ha de Gött!

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Greby Grave Field

Greby Grave Field

Outside the small town Grebbestad lays the Greby grave field. Even if it’s unique for this area there is not much known. There are around 200 graves that dates back to Iron age, year 200 – 600. Many of the burial mounds have large stones at the top. Very few excavations has been done but in 1873 historian Oscar Montelius examined ten of the burial mounds.

He found in almost all graves an urn with burned bones often with some small objects like a bone comb or glas beads. Ceramic vessels with an ear and a glass bead molded in the bottom. This type of pottery has been found in England and Germany. This suggest that this burial site was connected to a trading place.

There is an interesting legend that was told to one of the disciples of Carl von Linné, Pehr Kalm who visited in 1742. According to this fishermen from Scotland visited the area during the herring periods. Legend has that a Scottish army invaded and raided all the way to Bullaren 25 kilometres inland. A local army defeated them in two battles where the final one stod at Greby. None of the Scotts made it home and their remains was buried here. There is however no evidence found for this.

Come in peace, get home in one piece, ha de Gött!

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Fading Beauty

Fading Beauty

Christmas is about community. With the Covid-19 lock-downs and restrictions it’s hard to meet family and friends.

Don’t forget the lonely ones. Those without family and friends, whatever the reason.

Sometimes it’s enough with a smile and meeting the eyes of that stranger in the street. A nod or even a hello, it half the face is covered by a mask.

You can be that twinkling star, ha de Gött!

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Merry Julblot

Merry Julblot

Christmas is upon us with all its traditions. Even if we think it’s the same every year there is change. Maybe not so fast but it’s there. In English it’s called Christmas referring to the celebration of the birth of Gods son. Makes sense but I wonder if Christmas has been taken hostage by the commercial forces and if that is not the new religion. It is not the first time a new religion builds on, and take over old traditions.

Thousand years ago the pagan Viking’s celebrated Yule blot to honor Odin, the All Father. There is som debate among the historians if this twelve day festival was celebrated at the same time as Christmas or in mid January. It is also referred to as ‘midwinter blot’. Some say that it was first celebrated in mid January and moved in the mid 900 by King Håkon I of Norway to fit the Christian celebration. This was done as an effort to convert the Vikings to Christianity by the already converted Håkon.

In Swedish we say ‘Jul’ for Christmas and in old Norse language it was the name for Odin. Odin being the most important God in Nordic mythology. The word ‘blot’ means sacrificing to the Gods. The ceremonies and ritual killings of animals was a blood dripping event. Drinking of fresh raw blood and splashing over the crowd must have been quite a scene. Luckily it was all washed down with lots and lots of mead.

Be traditional, create new traditions, ha de Gött!

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Want and Need

Want and Need

Want it, got to have it!

That young hot wife to drive off with, in that shiny red sports car. Hair flying in the speed wind.

That brand new phone, backside covered in camera lenses. Join the click party of the happy fit people.

That endless holiday, far stretched tropical white sand beach. Beer served by minimalistic dressed waitresses.

That top management job, private jet to close those big deals. Bank account flooding over by the minute.

That stare from the nightclub queue, sweeping passed. Arms wrapped around curves.

Need, not much.

To live, love and be loved, a family to hug.

Friends, beer, a laugh. Music and a bite to eat.

Don’t cross the stream to get water, ha de Gött!

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Concert hall

Concert hall

City reflections. Gates of shiny steel and glass.

Doors to fine arts. Symphonies by strictly dressed musicians.

Stroke of strings under soft chin. The Artist of the orchestra.

Art reflections. Gates of shiny steel and glass.

Doors to rough reality. Cacophony by the vibrant city.

Everyday walking by, a motley crew. The Artists of life.

This is really the doors to the Göteborg Stadsteater, Gothenburg Theater, but the doors to the Concert Hall opposite the plaza are not so photogenic. Artistic freedom, ha de Gött!

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Snow Art

Snow Art

Winter decided to head back north but we managed to create some art in the melting snow on Sunday. Today they are all melted away. It was a fun time together with my son and his cousin.

Stay cool, create. Ha de Gött!

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The Question

The Question

Love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage

So they sing the tune

They lived happily ever after

So ended the tale

Rings, a car, children, a house, a mortgage, piles of bills

Love concur all, so the Bible says

But the sinister question, that can end it all

Honey, do I look fat in this?

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