When the sun is setting, between dusk and darkness, there is a moment when the light turns blue. And the world stops for a heartbeat.
I grew up in Tampere, and any excuse to visit is a good excuse. I rarely do any sightseeing, but made an effort this trip… mostly for the photos.
Pyynikki observation tower gives you the iconic views over Tampere. Just as importantly, though, it has the best sugar-coated doughnuts (munkkis) in Finland.
I have no green thumb. Stuart even less so. Therefore, we have no potted plants in our house.
Every 5 years or so, I get one from an acquaintance (who does not know me that well) or my mother (who – as all mothers do – keeps believing in me). Every time, I firmly decide this time will be different… until the plant dies for overwatering, underwatering or some mysterious malady caused by a chronic lack of care.
I can still photograph nice plants in other people’s houses.
About six months after we moved to our house, a new metro station opened 700m away. Since then – over 4 years – nothing has happened in that area as the city plans have been challenged in different courts.
But we all knew that there was no scenario where a metro station this close to Helsinki would remain surrounded by forest and a few old houses. So they have now started felling the trees and tearing down the old single-family houses.
We all knew, except my girls. They are horrified that someone would destroy nature just to build houses. Why can’t they build houses where there are no trees, bunnies or squirrels?
How right they are.
Post 200.
Still going strong. Even if the photography feels much less exciting now that holidays are over.
With the start of school, homework is back. The girls have been complaining about how much more there is this year. There can be homework from TWO subjects! The same day!
It’ll be a long road to graduation.
All over the world, the New Year is a time to reinvent yourself, to start something new.
However, September as a fresh start is only a concept in the Nothern Hemisphere. In the South, the school year begins around the start of a calendar year, so there is nothing “new” about the fall.
That means we get double the nudges to reinvent ourselves. With the best intentions.
I have always thought there are really no “cool” bugs in Finland. After a walk with Alanna in the sunny forest, I have to admit: there are. I am just really bad at spotting them.
I am not a big admirer of minimalism. It looks great in photos, but it just feels impractical – unless you have enormous, hidden closet spaces. But is it then minimalism, or just good cleaning skills?
And while we are talking about this… I never understood the logic behind Marie Kondo. My clutter is exactly those things that bring me joy – little mementos, photos, cool kitchen gadgets, one-too-many scarves, etc. Throwing away my gardening gloves (not a big fan of gardening either) is unlikely to improve my life.
With all this said, with two 8-year-olds in the house, I could do with some less-ism.
Girls’ hobbies consume the beginning of my week – Monday circus school, Tuesday cheerleading and comic club, Wednesday Scouts…
On most days, it is better to wait nearby than drive back and forth. In decent weather, I try to take a walk. And maybe take a picture of an acorn.
I love some of the new libraries in Finland. They are a far cry from the stereotypical dusty, dark rooms with a librarian angrily shushing every sound.
The library in Lippulaiva, the nearby shopping mall, is full of color, sounds and running children. There is a playground with a slide and a real car, a pool table, a few 3D printers, and a loom. There are soft armchairs, cushions on the floor, and several soft nooks tucked away in corners. And there are books that people (kids especially) actually want to read.
I sympathize with people who feel it is too much; that libraries should be quiet and calm, with a focus on education.
But I think reading should be fun.
