Nurturing Thursday: A tale of simple life

I am going to share a story, a real one which I heard today.

Yesterday a young boy celebrated his birthday. Everyone was busy during day so the family decided to meet in the evening. Being young and energetic he lives alone in his own house very close to city centre. He has a small garden where he grows potatoes. I have heard this many times, Norwegians are very fond of potatoes but growing potatoes in city centre surprised me. Anyways every year he uses the home grown potatoes for Christmas dinner. I am impressed. Are you not?

During the family gathering on 17th of May,  the Norwegian national day, someone asked about what present he would like for his birthday. He made a joke and said I always wanted to have a steam engine (dampmaskin på norsk) and yes some eye brows were raised.

One family member decided to look for it secretly and he found a fantastic model of a steam engine in a hobby shop.

I used internet to learn more about the reason for this fascination. If you have 4.51 minutes to spare, do watch this.

I must say, I like this promotional short film. Looks like so much fun if one is interested in mechanical work.

Now back to the story, the young boy made Bergen’s famous “hvit dame kake”, it’s a very  traditional kake for any kind of celebration. Hopefully the picture (from internet) gives you some idea. It’s marzipan cake with layers of cream and jam.

He also made hot chocolate for everyone, not cocoa but traditional hot chocolate.

Hero of our story was very happy meeting his family and he liked the gifts including “dampmaskin” very much.  What a great way to celebrate one’s 96th birthday. To make cake and hot chocolate for the kids (now in 60’s and 70’s ) and for grand kids in their 40’s.

The boys sat and discussed about various parts of the steam engine, including the motor and the extension where a woodcutter is in action as an application.

I am sure he will have good time with this new activity in coming days.

Hobbies make us happy – so ignore the mockery and enjoy!!!

For Becca’s Nurturing Thursday!

PS. This 96 year old boy keeps a 180 days bus pass as it is much cheaper than buying ticket everyday when he goes to cafe to meet his friends.

Weekend: National day

Every year on May 17, Norwegians shed their typically reserved shell to dress up, hit the streets and party. It’s a day full of national pride, yet there’s no displays of military power and the politicians keep quiet. Norway’s Constitution Day is all about the children.

The lack of military parades is perhaps the most notable difference about Norway’s Constitution Day compared to many other countries around the world. Instead, the main parade is full of children from local schools, often in marching bands. Proud parents watch on with smartphone cameras at the ready before joining a people’s parade later in the day.

Some highlights of the day’s parade.

Also joining the people’s parade are Norway’s high school graduates. Known as russ, they are easy to spot in their brightly-colored overalls. On May 17, they are likely to be taking it easy as the day marks the culmination of a two-week period of partying that is seen as a rite-of-passage by most Norwegians.

I was invited for tradition brunch/lunch with a norwegian family. I met the 94 years grandma, a fantastic enthusiastic lady. She is still actively living in her own house. She talked about flowers, garden, grocery shopping and even she told us about her country tour on bicycle during war time.

The whole event reminds me of celebrating festivals in India. The table was full of fantastic traditional dishes. Members of extended family paying small visits and tasting the food. It was a sunny day and as we were sitting outside, passing neighbours were stopping by for a moment and some even dropped in and enjoyed their share of champagne. All in all it was a fantastic day for everyone.

My contribution for Jo’s Monday walk and lens-artists-photo-challenge as I see the parade an example of lively street art.

Reference article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2019/05/15/syttende-mai-how-norway-celebrates-its-national-day/

Daily Prompt: Bite

When your child confides in you.

Learn to bite your tongue.

Be a good example.

Don’t always teach,

argue or express.

.

 

Nurturing Thursday: Count your blessings

If someone wishes you good night everyday, you are happier than so many people.

My contribution to Becca’s Nurturing Thursday  theme.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Spare (Sunday for family)

“If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money ~Pauline Phillips”

Say ‘No’ to extra work on Sunday!

Family time is as much important as money in your pocket and food on table.

My first entry for this week’s WPC

Nurturing Thursday: Family time

In day today life with our routines it is difficult to spend a lot time together even if we try hard.We have to wait for vacations.

Currently, I am on vacation with my family. This summer we have decided to visit Norwegian countryside. The weather forecast is not very promising. Still we keep planning small excursions. These are full of family jokes, tittle tattle, food, walk, laughter and classical music and “a new destination”. These vacations are sources of energy we need to go back to routine life.

This picture is from our recent visit to Hopperstad Stave church.

For Nurturing thoughts visit Becca’s Nurturing Thursday

Are you a parent – Beware

Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.

~ Robert Fulghum

Robert Fulghum is the author of book  “All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten”

आपुलकी – मनाची घालमेल!

रोज समाजात वावरत असताना आपल्या कानी अनेकांचे शब्द/बोल पडतात. लक्ष द्या देऊ नका ते पडतात. हं याला अपवाद एकच जर तुम्ही स्वतः ला मुद्दाम लोकां पासून दूर केलेत आणि कायम earphones लावून फिरत असाल.

परवाचीच  (मराठीतील परवा 🙂 ) गोष्ट. काही कारणास्तव अर्धा – पाऊण तास वेळ काढायचा होता आणि त्या साठी दोन options होते. एक तर macdonalds  किंव्हा starbucks. मी अर्थातच दुसरे निवडले.

येऊन टेकत नाही तेच मराठी बोल कानी पडले. ते टेबल थोडे आडोश्याला होते म्हणून बसलेल्या व्यक्ती काही दिसल्या नाहीत.

मुलगा १: अरे मी मुद्दाम तुला इथे बोलावले, घरी हिच्या समोर बोलायचे नव्हते.

मुलगा २: कायरे, काय झाले?

मु. १: अरे तसे विशेष काही नाही पण कोणाकडे मन हलके करावे असे वाटत होते म्हणून तुला बोलविले.

मु.२: ???

मु.१: तू बघितलेच आहे हिची नेहमी तक्रार असते कि मी पैसे खर्च करत नाही. चिकू मारवाड्या सारखा राहतो.

मु.२: अरे ती काही खोटे सांगत नाही. आता हेच बघ न! तुझा mobile किती outdated  झाला आहे. परत तुझे कपडे आणि हो shoes पण. काय रे साल्या इतका पैसा मिळवितो मग विचार कसला करतो? तरी बरे तुझी बायको – मुले tiptop असतात.

मु.१: पैसा मिळवितो बरोबर आहे. पण खर्च करायला होत नाही. हेच तर सांगायला तुला इथे बोलावले आहे. अरे गावा कडे आई- बाबा, मोठा भाऊ त्याचे कुटुंब राहतात. धाकटी बहीण ही दुसऱ्या गावाला असते. सगळे कमावते असले तरी माझ्या शिक्षणासाठी आई-बाबा सोबत प्रसंगी भावाने आणि बहिणीने या ना त्या कारणाने मदत केली आहे. ते विसरता येत नाही रे. माझी परिस्थिती खूप सुधारली पण त्यांची नाही.

मु.२: तिथे काही problems आहेत का?

मु.१: तसे नाही रे. पण इथल्या पेक्षा तिथे कष्ट खूप असतात. आईच्या retirement ला अजून काही वर्षे आहे. पण ती थकली आहे रे.

मु.२. मग तुझा काय विचार आहे?

मु.१: त्यांना नियमित मदत करायचा विचार आहे. तसेच शक्य झाले तर भावाला आणि बहिणीला ही काही मदत करावी असे वाटते.

मु.२: खूप भावुक होतो आहेस असे वाटते. नीट विचार कर.

मु.१: हे बघ मी गेले तीन वर्षात हिला आणि मुलांना कधी कशाला ही नाही म्हटले नाही पण माझ्या कडून जमेल तसे काही रक्कम save  केली आहे. तुला सांगतो दुकानात नवीन काही नुसते बघितले तरी खूप चोरट्या सारखे होते. जो पर्यंत ती रक्कम मी दादाला आणि  धाकटी देत नाही तो पर्यंत निवांतपण नाही बघ.  अरे त्यांनी मागितली नाही किंव्हा ते घेतील याची guarantee नाही. पण मी देणार आहे.

मु.२. You are different. अरे तू असा असशील असे वाटले नव्हते रे. केवढा विचार करतोस. Your family is really lucky.

मु.१: तुला पटते ना. मग आता तू मला मदत करायची हिला convince करण्यात. उगीच तिचे परत गैरसमज  नको.

…चल lunch break संपत आला निघूया.

सिनेमा- सिरिअल मध्ये असतात तसा प्रसंग, पण खरा. त्या मुलाचे बोलणे ऐकून खूप बरे वाटले.  अजून समाजात संवेदना जागी आहे पाहून खूप बरे वाटले.