We arrived in Sweden on Thursday. For L and me, it’s our first time. Peter has been many times and Olivia, at least a few. 

Today we asked for early observations from L. “What’s different in Malmö?”.

Here’s what she said:
People bike a lot. Without helmets. Even Peter did, though she did not see this. I saw it because I did too. 

No one lives in a “house”! And none of the apartment buildings are green, blue or purple (from the outside). Many of the streets are cobblestone. 

Lots of people are willing to speak English to us. 
 
And the playgrounds are way better.

And a few from me:
The Swedes are more innovative with potatoes. They call these tornados!

Airport food is much more artfully displayed in Scandinavia (at CPH).

Peter’s Swedish friends will move mountains to support his (our) creative pursuits. Here we’re binding little books to put into the “This Box is for Good” edition that we’ll design and print this week in The Netherlands. 


Old Swedish couches are way cooler than old Canadian couches. This one belongs to Peter’s friend Luisa in her studio at Blå Huset.  

And Swedish dogs can speak using buttons. Well, at least these cute little ones can.

My workout coach Matt said the other day that “any kind of fitness is better than no fitness”.  In this spirit, perhaps any kind of writing is better than no writing at all?

I want to better remember a myriad of things that pique my attention and then are forgotten.  Like this:

Peter sent it to me pointing out that he and I are very used to narrow focus (coaching, web development, managing households etc.). As we attempt to widen our focus, he wondered if we need to embrace “intentional unintention!”? 

Perhaps. But how do we do this after a lifetime of defining ourselves by our quests? 

The Covenant of Water—it’s beautiful inside and out. Though I also feel gutted having read it. It’s epic proportions left a mark on me.

Take my sensitive nature, reading about 400 pages since Thursday, add big thunderstorms in the night, a little water on the camper bathroom floor of unclear origin, and waking up to news of floods in Nova Scotia, and you might see how this fiction is colouring my reality today.  The covenant of water indeed. 

I find myself moping around, rolling over the joys and tragedies that befall all of us in our lifetimes. And while there is utter beauty in the pages of the book, today’s rain has me focussed on hardships.   

Tomorrow we’re going to a new, one time book club in St. Peters Harbour. We’ll meet in a cottage which looks across St. Peters Bay at beautiful Greenwich. We’ll discuss the far away India of decades ago. I learned so much while reading. I’m curious what others will say about their swim in Abraham Verghese’s waters. Despite my melancholy, I recommend taking the deep plunge into his deep waters, all 715 pages of them.  

I’ve been spoiled this birthday. Peter hosted a wonderful garden party on Sunday, with warm temps and even warmer wishes. He had great help from the kids, my parents and our Rukavina family. I felt touched each time a guest walked into the back yard.  

Peter's boozy custom cocktail was a delight: Gin, Aperol, Charteuse, Prosecco. He chose well! I had to stop after two, remembering I had a workout scheduled for the next morning.

Olivia and I jumped in the homemade photo booth for a “future” focussed shot.  She’s very keen to go in new directions, and wanted my birthday to be forward looking! 

This girl, the apple of my eye, loaded me up with many gifts.  I’m awestruck by her thoughtful words and deeds.

And while I’m elated with my beautiful new bike—a surprise from Peter (I purchased my last bike in Toronto in the late 90s, and it has served me well until this week!), I am particularly taken with his Facebook post this morning. I feel seen, known and loved. 

We just stepped on a plane, headed to the US for a business trip for Peter. While boarding, I reached into my bag to get my passport. I found a card from the most thoughtful 12 year old in the world.  We have a tradition of notes in luggage when we part. She wishes me to feel “as happy as a bird with a french fry”.  I do. 

P.S. I got 28,000 in ice ball last night. I think I’ll invest $100 in loonies this year and see what I score on my next birthday. Best get practicing, Chandlers and Rukavinas!