Weathervane Forged by Our Relative
Pines at Lake Siljan
We lucked out and arrived in Sweden before the big winter storm that has shut down many of Europe's airports. Although we stayed in Stockholm a few days, we were not in the inner city so I can't report what "people on the street" felt about the recent bombing. Publically, there was a rational air about the whole thing: very different than the mentality in the States.
One of the things I love doing in Sweden, despite my not speaking Swedish, is watching the news. Since I notice visual things, watching the n ews is a pleasure. I am amazed at how hip and fashionable most of the newscasters appear and in such a simple way: less make-up, more subtle jewelry and clean, often elegant lines. In minimal studio settings and even sometimes while reporting looking like normal people instead of celebrities. Even the politicians look this way. Very Scandanavian.
The other way Swedes dress well is for the outdoors. It begins in childhood where, perhaps since things like health and education are taken care of by the state, people can afford to buy decent winter clothes. All the kids wear serious (but fun) snowsuits and that extends to the adults' idea of outdoor play for grown-ups. Because people have clothes for the winter weather, they appear less daunted by it. (Of course, all that butter helps keep you warm too:)
Well-clothed Kids Play at Hagaparken
In Chicago, after two weeks of cold and a bit of snow, people were already complaining that they couldn't wait for spring! But having gotten my early Christmas present today, I can't wait to hit the forested cross-country ski trail between here and the next village tomorrow. It snowed all day here and the Spruces look seriously comical with their branches drooping as if they were opera divas in white mink-drapped shoulders. Here in Dalarna, the tree palette is minimal: mostly Spruce, Pine & Birch. All three were made for winter weather and contribute different talents to the mix. Beyond the Spruces' comic air, you have the tall thin trunks of the Pine filtering light and creating cartoonishly long shadows. Plus the Birch (here a different species I think and must look them up) manifest the wind in their dangling secondary branches. And white (bark) on white (snow) is always interesting. Perhaps that's why Ande rs Zorn (famous Swedish painter and famous for this town of Mora) painted it so magically.
Birch & Spruce
Pictures when we return...
No comments:
Post a Comment