The dragons egg. Hard boiled in the depths of mother Earth. Frozen and shaped by ice and water. Lifted up to be ornament over the food cellar.
What if it hatches. What would come out? A cute little dragon or dinosaur. Piping for its mum. What would it eat? Flies, birds and a moose.
Grow, and grow, and grow, and grow! Would it then, take you for a snack?
Ha de Gött!
He shivered in the cold fog. He sat at the boat stem looking out for shallow water and rocks. More important, looking out for the police and the coast guard. His brother sat by the oars, gently lowering them in the water at each stroke. Making sure there was no sound made. They could hear the dogs barking at the Norwegian side as the customs officers patrolled the shores. Nothing was heard from the Swedish side but they knew that the police were at the lookout for them.
The cold mist was their friend, he thought. They stayed in the middle of the fjord trying to stay out of reach. The yawl was loaded up to the rail with home-burned liquor. It was to be delivered to Norway where those distilled drinks were banned since a few years. He knocked gently on the wooden rail and his brother turned around. He pointed to the shore at the faint blinking light. It was the signal. With a few oar strokes his brother steered the boat in that direction.
They could hear the thumping of a steam boat approaching fast. Now his brother picked up the speed significantly. No need to be quiet anymore. Soon they could see the strong searchlights over the water. His heart was beating hard but he stayed focused on his task. With a low voice he directed his brother to the light. At each stroke the oars where now splashing in the water. They manged to steer the boat under a large alder with branches out over the water just as the searchlight blinded his eyes.
The Scandinavian countries are part of the “liquor belt” and in the beginning of 1900’s the alcohol abuse was a major problem. In Norway liquor was forbidden between 1917 to 1926. In Sweden only a limited amount was allowed per month. This was regulated with a small book where all purchases was logged, Motbok, from 1917 all the way to 1955.
Maybe this was the place, I found yesterday, used by the moonshiners? Don’t forget to like, subscribe and please let me know with a comment if you like me to continue the story. Ha de Gött!
He shivered, from cold or the fact he was scared. Sun disappeared and the light faded fast. In the pale light from the moon the shadows seemed to come alive. The forest sounds that was familiar during the day now started to feel threatening. He felt a shiver down his spine as an owl started to sound its, ho-ho. He hesitated before he snuck his hand in his older brothers hand. Expected him to pull it back and start to ridicule him for being scared. To his surprise and relief his brother took a firm grip with his warm hand.
One hundred word story, I had to sneak in my new friend the owl from yesterday. Hope you like, subscribe and comment. Ha de Gött!
Yesterday I turned 55. Can’t turn the numbers around to sound younger anymore. Next time I can do that in five years when I turn six!? That would be fun to start acting like a six year old.
Some say, old people most, that age is just a number. In a way I can relate to that as I still wonder when I will grow up. But the hard reality is that, even if thew mind is young, the body starts to degrade. Even if you exercise much. Spend time climbing and walking in nature. You can feel how it gets harder to climb that hill or make that jump over a gorge.
Also your mind slows down and it is harder to learn new things. Like what emojis to use without offending anyone, or even find them. In most cases one can compensate with experience but in a faster and faster changing world it is getting harder. The brain needs practice to stay healthy, same as muscles so I always challenge myself to learn new things. In fact my motto is; “If you didn’t learn anything today, it was a wasted day” (sounds better in Swedish). I have not yet lived a day without learning something new.
Another annoying thing of getting older is hair. It leaves your head only to start growing in other awkward places. Your nose, ears, eyebrows and, I think I stop there. It is like the Elvis recording from Las Vegas when he’s laughing through “Are you lonesome tonight” where he sings. “When you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair”. At least you save some money on shampoo that you can spend on nose clippers.
Another positive thing with age is that it’s okay to be grumpy and complain over modern music. You can sit there feeding the doves and complain over the young people walking by staring down their mobiles. Letting your flatulence go on the bus is more okay the older you get and since your nose is covered with thick hair you won’t smell it yourself.
Live long and prosper. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and comment, I put my glasses on to read them. Ha de Gött!
He was climbing the corporate ladder. Working hard but only felt sadder. Didn’t care who he hurt. Every step was more worth. Office politics became his trade. He put up a perfect facade. Fast cars and a country house. Got it all, worked like a mouse. Everyone came for Friday beer. Not for love but for fear. Family and friends he neglect. To make the boss him select. Finally got his crown. Took to his chest and fell down.
Was his life a prank? All went to the bank. He made a blunder. Now he is six feet under.
Inspired by the TV-series Suits that we have been watching lately. The series is about a guy, Mike Ross, who by accident starts to work as a lawyer. Problem is that he never attended law school. One theme throughout the series is how the lawyers are more occupied by winning than justice. Also that all new employees are expected to spend long hours at the office.
Make sure you sign out and spend time with your loved ones. Before you go don’t forget to like, subscribe and comment. Ha de Gött!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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Warning! This post some may find offensive. Parental or wife(al) guidance is advised.
You driving your car calmly down the road. You feel how you get more and more irritated. At first you turn to your wife and ask if she said something. As she only gives you the evil eye and the GPS is turned off, you realize it is something else.
Idiots! That’s it. You are surrounded by idiots who are incapable of driving a car. Did they pass out drivers licences with the breakfast cereals? Hand to your heart. Have you ever felt like this? Liar! I’m always the best driver around, right? So let me take you through some examples of driving styles.
“Same speed” style. Always 70 km/h regardless what the sign says. By Murphy, you always end up behind them on the highway where the speed limit is 90 km/h. Every time there is a straight road section you have oncoming traffic. Curves and hilltop when the road is free. Then it is there! The 50 km/h speed limit. But mr Same Speed (always a man) maintains 70 all the way through the village. You pass the village to catch up with him just in time for the next village. This guy can be found in any car make but Skoda and Renault are over represented.
The motorway or freeway can be boring but you can rapidly put kilometre after kilometre behind you. Well until you catch up with truck. Behind it is the next driver style. The “Slow down when in the overtaking lane“. They change lane just in front of you. Okay, after a long drive it can be good to stand up for a while but maybe not on the break pedal. While your red glowing breaks cools down and sulfur smelling words pour out of your mouth they slowly overtakes the truck. We talking several kilometres. When they finally turns back to the right lane, or the slow traffic lane. They now find out how to use the right foot pedal. Yes, I’m Swedish and we drive on the right side of the road and I know some of you drive on the wro.. left side of the road. Just change right lane to left lane. Skoda, VW or Kia is the preferred brand for these guys.
By now another type of driver style has appeared from behind you. “I have an expensive car so let me pass“. He is close behind you. We’re talking touching the towbar distance even if we drive in 120 km/h. In the rear, when they overtake, you see BMW, Volvo XC90 or Mercedes.
Wow! Let us calm down a bit and get off the motorway and the highway. We go into the city or a town where we soon meet up with “blinker, what’s that?” style. For a long time I thought that Mercedes and Audi did not have an turn indicator. Or it perhaps only was activated as the car actually turned, like most German car brands. So many people don’t know how to use the blinker but when you approach a roundabout the confusion is total. Some blink left until reaching the third exit. Most drivers refrain to use the indicator. After all you can’t see it behind the steering wheel. Some blink when leaving the roundabout.
I started off with the “same speed” style and like in physics, if there is a force there is a counter force. Surely we find the “speed up and break” style. This is worse on the highway or the motorway when driving with cruise control, listening to some good music like Social Distortion. It is almost always an old Volvo V70 or VW Passat. You catch up and passes, only to be overtaken a few kilometres ahead, when he changes to the right lane and slows down. Behind him he has been building up a long line “I have an expensive car so let me pass” style drivers. You are forced to slow down only to find out that “Speed up and break” again remembered what the right foot was supposed to do. This is repeated like a damaged record (for the younger reader please ask your parents).
Honk! Honk! Damn you I’m the best driver around!
Hope you like, subscribe and please comment. For those of you driving on the wro.. left side of the road. Please just change right to left in the text. Any car manufacturer want changes in the text, just send me an E-mail and I will let you know delivery address. Ha de Gött!
UlleHaddock 