43 things I like about the place I live

It’s not always nice, but often it’s very very nice. Now for example, it’s somewhere in the low 80s. A light breeze.

It seems like a perfect late afternoon for eating outdoors.

Despite the sluggish economy, there are jobs to be had for newly turned 20 year olds with no experience. She is beginning a table service job at a hotel restaurant. The food is very nice, the atmosphere very California chic. The restaurant has a happy hour with a buffet set up of chef prepared free goodies, and is relatively new. So they get business, but it is not the crazy business of say a PF Changs. So daughter S is pleased all around to be getting the experience, and looking forward to a nice summer income. Plus, they are talking about her continuing to come in weekends after school starts… and the restaurant/hotel is adjacent to the train stop!

I listed this with this goal because this opportunity and how it all comes together is part of the wonders of living here.

42. wild strawberries… my son has been over by the mailbox picking wild strawberries today. a lovely little treat!

43. wild raspberries… my son was picking wild raspberries today in the forest… another treat

38. malmö folkets park… a lovely park in the middle of the city. My youngest son especiallly loves the playground there. They have a fountain where kids play in the water, a Saturday market, concerts, and much more.

39. Stadsparken in Lund… a nice park and playground in Lund

40. We have 4 grocery stores within bike riding distance of our home. Very convenient and all of them are good stores.

41. some favorite stores…
postcard store in Lund
dollar store in Lund
Söstrene grene in malmö

I have been thinking about how to best survive the eroding economy. It is so hard to believe that this beautiful house, in this extravagantly beautiful place, is losing value so radically.

I was sitting in the family room, enjoying the warmth of the setting, having thought about giving it up, and it suddenly struck me. There is a certain comfort that comes from sitting in your own space, the space you have truly made your own, that you cannot get anywhere else.

It’s the Kansas effect. You can be in the emerald city, wearing silver slippers, and want to be back in Kansas ever so much.

So, this is Kansas then? Such a conundrum it is hard on my head.

102.7 classical radio. we are having the 102 days of summer, even though the fires have turned the sky gray and the air is full of the fine ash of grass fire.

Hoyt Smith in the morning is a fine way to start the day. He’s witty and a bit funny. OK, the station plays a lot of four minute fragments of longer pieces. I enjoy it though.

It’s nice to wake up to, and it’s a part of where I live. Hoyt and I even share the same home town. We went to the same high school, and probably waded in the same creek, picking blackberries and trying to catch fish in a paper cup. We probably came home with the same red dirt staining our blue jeans and turning our socks into throw-aways.

I grew up with classical music, so I guess this is about my roots and rootedness.

I’m going to do this in a book at home, have only 3 more to get :)

36) Crafty Creations: where people bring their crafts to be sold.. some really nice stuff
37) Papyri Books: The used book store!! I love it… I brought a huge box to her (the owner) last year.. and she let me take a book for free…
38)The Colonial Country Shoppe: He has a bit of everything: Yankee Candle’s, those collectible houses, candy, stuffed animals, really interesting jewelry, those little glass animals.. etc. And he is super nice… if I go in alone, he asks where my daughter is…. :)
39) McLellands Gift Store: Cool collectibles, Great cards, neat little things to stick in with someone’s bigger gift, And where I buy 99% of my stuffed animals.
40) Antique store: fun to go through… lady is super cool.. love her style
41) The Brew Haha…. They are a coffee place, but they also serve food… They make a salad that’s to DIE for.. It’s so big, and full of goodness it’s basically like eating a full dinner… Fresh baby greens, Huge sticks of carrots, tomatoes, cran raisins, raisins, nuts, alfalfa, seeds, The most wonderful bread (two big pieces) and there is more just can’t remember it all.. but the dressing has a great flavor..and it’s light.
42) The Cup and Saucer.. another coffee shop (2 blocks from the previous).. best hot chocolate, and fabulous sandwiches!!!
43) The Medicine Shoppe… Where I get all my medications.. A husband and wife team… Small place, the only other thing besides meds is Cards. They are like friends… He always keeps a watch on what I’m taking… He knows my voice on the phone (and my number doesn’t show up on people’s caller ID)... and when I go in… We chat for AT LEAST 5 minutes about life… kids, grandkids… anything… I trust them fully.

37. This is different than just loving the train. they have a special in our region every summer, almost unlimited train and bus travel for 450 kr. A great deal! The card can be used by anyone, as it’s not personal. Definitely gets us out and about in our own region every summer.

32. jujustu club… my son really enjoys going there and spends alot of time both training and teaching

33. swim classes in summer… both of my youngest sons have enjoyed summer swim classes here

34. soccer day camp… 2 of my sons have enjoyed this summer activity, another son is ready to try this summer for 5 days

35. canoe club… one of my sons is taking a summer canoe class at a local canoe club. He’s really enjoying it!

36. local gyms… We have 3 local gyms, but our family has a favorite where we workout. I especially enjoy their summer card for working out all you want for 3 months