Linear view vs. Masonry View

Tag Archive for ‘Life’

Connect

Connect

A friend lured me to a dance, offered me an chance. To met his cousin sweet, could that be with my two left feet. After moving me around, in the loud, loud sound. Looking in your eyes so blue, I was thinking can this be true. Your smile so bright, blinded me like a light. Just then and there we connect, felt this is correct. We sat down to drink, what is going on we think. Walking home that night, everything felt so right.

You became my wife, in a house just our size. Through life’s ups and downs, the pro’s and the frowns. Never a hard word, from you I’ve heard. Our connection is strong, I’m right were I belong. You have my heart, and the occasionally fart. Forever I’ll be true, to your eyes so blue.

To my lovely wife who has put up with me for 23 years. Happy Valentines Day. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and comment. Ha de Gött!

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Master chef

Master chef

My wife love to watch Master Chef on TV. I don’t know why because she rarely enters the kitchen. When the kids were small and I had to go away on a business trip the begged me, with tears in their eyes, to make lunch boxes. At one time I had to stay away for two full weeks. My wife then tried to do some cooking. She only managed to set off the fire alarm. From that day my, then nine year old, decided to do the cooking. She is a bit like the Swedish chef in the Muppet Show, if you remember that show. I can’t really understand what she say, and the kitchen is a mess. I suspect it is all an act, she is so much smarter than me.

Photo by Ulle Haddock©

Back to the Master Chef show. It started already in 1990 on BBC in UK, but has then been sold to over 40 countries. They broadcast some of them on Swedish TV. Master Chef UK, Canada, Australia, USA and Sweden. I sometimes sit down with my wife to watch but I get really stressed. The panicking music and the shouting, should be read with an Aussie accent “fouve minutes to goahh”! Start plating!

One thing that strikes me is the difference in the interaction between the contestants in the different countries. In Sweden it is very polite and tuned down. The critique from the judges is presented wrapped in cotton. I love Australian version, and the accent. The are all friends and “good on you, mate”. Really supportive and crying when somebody has to leave. The judges are still very sharp in their feedback, without putting anyone down. I like the Australian version best.

In the UK version the judges can give their feedback in a more blunt way. The contestants are very polite but the competitiveness shines through even if they keeping up appearances. The US version is really competitive and sometimes you wish they took away the participants knifes. It is much more back talking among the contestants. Much more about winning than developing to be able to become a professional.

They make all this fancy tiny plate dishes with strange names. Presenting them to the judges while the music builds up to a crescendo before the feedback comes. Relief or frustration, then a cut in scene with someone says they don’t want to go home. But, they miss their family! After the last cook down three wannabe chefs stands in a row to get the verdict while the background music is frantic. Builds up, builds up, wait for it, wait for it! Commercial break!

Back in the kitchen I do Swedish meatballs with spaghetti, semi-finished! I will never catch-up!

What about you, are you a Master Chef? Don’t forget to like subscribe and comment. Ha de Gött!

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Scandinavian

Scandinavian

Are you finished, the waiter asked. He looked up with a surprised expression. No, I’m Swedish, he said. The waitress frowned and looked at him like he was a UFO. Turned on her heals, slapped the cloth, and walked away with a grunt. He looked at his dinner date with a face like a question mark. Why did she ask if I’m from Finland, he asked. His dinner date started to laugh. In fact she laugh so loud and intense that the whole restaurant stopped eating and stared at her.

Photo by Ulle Haddock©

Now people started to feel a bit uncomfortable and he just wanted to sink through the floor. Finally his native English speaking date calm down and could explain the misunderstanding. She signed to the waitress. Also she giggled when the language mistake was cleared and she could clean of the table. With a big smile she asked if they would like some Danish for desert.

Have you any fun story to share when you tried to overcome the language barrier? Please comment, like and subscribe. Ha de Gött!

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Birthday

Birthday

Photo by Ulle Haddock©
 How fragile You were held the first time.
 How fragile You tried to fit in at school.
 How fragile You tried to find meaning in life.
 How fragile You tried to understand the world.
 So loved You touched so many hearts, not knowing why.
 So loved You now found peace.

It is my sons birthday today. He should turn 21 years old, but he is no longer in this world. I was not sure if I should post anything today but I share this poem I wrote for his obituary notice. The poem is called Fragile and was originally posted August 27, 2020.
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The Windmill

The Windmill

The wind started to pick up. He looked at the clouds. The sun was breaking through as the clouds sailed past in the sky. Yes, this was going to be a busy day. As he walked up the hill he could see them coming. The carriages with grain filled jute sacks. Some had horses but mostly oxen. Even some carrying a sack on their back. As he approached the windmill there was already a line waiting.

He put in a big portion of snuff* under his lip making him showing his brown colored front teeth. He started to give orders to the farmers waiting in line to set the smock in place. On this windmill the entire top was turned to get the wings in the perfect position to catch the wind. Once in place he anchored it down and let the sail cloth out on the wings.

Now the wind picked up even more so he let the first farmer carry the sacks in to the mill. The mill had two parallel mill wheels so he could grind two types at the same time or just make it faster. After oiling all the shafts he released the breaks and the wings slowly started to turn. Today was good wind so they had to work hard to fill the grinders with grain and replace the filled sacks with ready made flour.

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The windmill of Ulseröd is just a few kilometres from my home. It was built in 1900 and was in operation until 1939. During this period new technology made it possible for the farmers to do their own milling. This together with the urbanization made the windmills obsolete.

The windmill of Ulseröd was saved from decay by Tanum Local Folklore Society and Havstenssund Community Association. A major renovation took place in 2013 to 2016. Basically a bunch 70 and 80 year old men were climbing the the wings to replace the wood, windows and paint. Find out more here (in Swedish). In my opinion, heroes saving this piece of history for the future. Well done.

*I think I need to explain as I understand the word can mean something else in English also. I refer to the special Swedish use of fine grind and wet tobacco that some put under the lip. Like chewing tobacco but it just sits there.

Hope you like, subscribe and comment. Ha de Gött!

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