rose's random rambly writings

For the first time since 1954, Norway has experienced a full solar eclipse. Well, actually the full eclipse could only be seen on the island Kvitøya, north east of Svalbard.
Down here in Oslo, the eclipse was about 50%. Not visible to the naked eye, but then again - who would stare at the sun with their naked eyes anyway...

Luckily, I actually had a camera with me at work today. Of course, I don't have any solar filters or fancy equipment to be able to take pro photos, but I took a couple anyway just to see how they came out.

Warning! Do not stare into photograph!

That's right... I'm inviting you to take a peak on my day through a couple of photos.

Today must have been the hottest day so far this summer .
After having done some shopping in the a.m (it stretches to lunch, right ?), there was really only one option...

Here's what I looked at for the rest of the day:

Except for when I occasionally switched position. Then I got to look at this:


I just checked the thermometer on the balcony, and it's still 29° out there so that's most likely where you'll find me, munching on Taleggio cheese and drinking litres of water .

Thanks for the company .

According to Swedish calendars, today is Midsummer Eve. In most other countries, this day has a specific date (June 24th) but in Sweden it's always the Friday before the actual day itself. Why? Because it's a day of festivity and we can't have that on any weekday, can we...
Midsummer is traditionally the celebration of summer solstice, but many places it has been Christianised to be the nativity of St. John the Baptist instead. Not in Sweden. Think pagan, and you'll get what this eve is about.

Midsummer Eve is, perhaps together with New Year's Eve, the number one party day in Sweden. If people work this day, they leave early to get ready to the night's big shinding. If you're really traditional, you will start with raising the maypole - a giant phallus in the form of a wooden pole, dressed with leaves and flowers. Once risen, the pole is used to dance around. Kids and adults form a ring around the maypole and sing and dance various songs. Most notable perhaps, is "Little frogs" where they imitate the behaviour of frogs .

Food is very important on this eve. Pickled herring is the number one dish this day. New potatoes is a must, together with sour cream and, hopefully, the year's first batch of fresh, sweet strawberries. And to wash it all down - a shot of aquavit or ten...

Back in the days, Midsummer was considered to be a night of magic. People were afraid to go for a bathe this night because of the Neck, but at the same time it was a perfect night for perfoming rituals to predict the future.
Some old traditions are still preserved, like picking seven different kinds of wild flowers and putting them under the pillow. This would supposedly make you dream of your future spouse. In other words, not a good night for a nightmare...

Have a great Midsummer Eve! And let me know who you dreamt of .