Sunshiny Days

Sunshiny days make me happy. They just do. When I was in my early twenties, I moved to Los Angeles, California to dance professionally. One of the things about that time in my life that I remember most were the beautiful clear blue skies that seemed to haunt the days year round. I say "haunt" but a better term might be "grace," as these sunny days were a thing of beauty, a wonderful gift, that I appreciated every moment. 

My soul has a direct connection with the sun. I seriously never once missed the rain or wished for rain during my Cali days. Perhaps it was a result of my upbringing in southeast Texas, where a thunder storm could appear out of nowhere in a matter of minutes and humidity often hovered around 100%. The air in that part of Texas can be likened to soup. I kid you not. Just like the desert of the 1930's was called the dust bowl, southeast Texas could easily be called a soup bowl. So imagine the daily delight I experienced living in what felt like paradise by comparison. Sunshine, blue skies, and warmth. 

That last bit about warmth is an important detail to note just now because yesterday in Stockholm, the sky reminded me of those lovely, year-round warm LA days. Only I was wearing an insulated coat, a wool hat, and my touchscreen gloves, so I could take this lovely photo on my iPhone without taking them off, of course. Yes, there was sunshine and a gorgeous blue sky but the warmth part was missing, sadly.

My memory of those sunny, southern California days coupled with the sunny blue sky in Stockholm yesterday, gave me just the boost of warm glow and vitamin D that I needed. Especially after several days of overcast, cold gray days. Just the other day at work one of my (Swedish) colleagues said, "Spring is just around the corner."  At the time I thought she was crazy. I mean, here we are, finally getting snow and moving full force into the two coldest months of Swedish winter and she's already talking about spring. I get it however. Because having that glimmer of warm, sunny times on the [far] horizon helps get us through these bitterly cold days. 

Ps. Dear spring,

If you want to come early this year, that would be okay with me. As long as it's after February 22nd. That's the day I have to ski 30 kilometers on my spaghetti skis. Gulp. 

Yours truly,

Grace Ann

(Lover of warmth & sunshine)  

Day 342: Åka Pulka!

This winter makes the fourth winter I will have survived the Swedish winter. How have those winters been? Cold. Dark. Cold. And more cold. Last year, however, after two years of watching all the kids "åka pulka," or go sledding, I was determined to get a "pulka" and go sledding myself. Unfortunately we didn't get as much snow last year as in the two previous years and when the snow did finally come, I waited too long to get one and the snow was gone before sledding ever happened. Well, I have decided that this year is my year. I am definitely getting a pulka and going sledding before the winter is up. In the last week we have had a ton of snow and it looks like we'll be getting even more next week. If temperatures continue to stay below freezing, we are destined to have a white Christmas AND "åka pulka!"

Having a white winter makes living in Sweden and suffering through six months of the dark and cold much more bearable. And if you are a kid, well, life is fabulously grand. Many parents here make it extra fun for their kids by take them around the neighborhood and to and from dagis (daycare) on a pulka (see image below). Doesn't it make you wish you were a kid? It does for me that's for sure. Just yesterday, as I was heading home and making my way down the mördarbacke by my office, I saw a mother sledding with her child. It looked so fun I nearly asked if I could join them. Okay, not really but I definitely will be getting a pulka for myself this year. I can't help it, I'm just a big kid at heart!

Who wants to join me?

While on my morning commute I came across this cutie heading to dagis via pulka.

Sledding Swedish style!

And just for a bit of good luck this weekend...

And a small reminder of how things looked a couple of weeks ago...