The longest days
Today it is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year and in my city that meant the sun rose at 03:41 am and set at 23:11 pm making the entire day 19:29:56 long. It is apretty magical time and these pictures that were taken around midnight give an idea of what it should look like but... It is cold and raining this year.
Midsummer is kind of a big deal in Finland is classed as the most anticipated drinking weekend of the year where people spend their time at summer houses with friends drinking and will likely have a local bonfire where the community gathers around and drinks more. Drinking is a big part of Finnish midsummer, Finland, being Finnish... They drink a lot.. any occasion will do really.
We were meant to be going to a friends place for a barbecue but, in my family we are all too ill with a flu to risk giving it to everyone else. They will catch it of course but, it won't be from us so we won't be blamed for it. This does mean that for the biggest party weekend for the year, we will be alone together. Perhaps there is some football on.
My plan is to make a Pavlova tomorrow. There are two reasons I like to make Pavlova, the first is that they are delicious, the second is that it is the only dessert I know how to make and, it is easy. Perhaps I will do a post on it and take some pictures. Soon, I will be food blogging. After the Pavlova will come canned spaghetti and perhaps if you are lucky, Vegemite sandwiches.
We were actually looking forward to getting out of the house and spending some time relaxing with friends and I know that my wife is a bit disappointed that we will be stuck at home. It is better than the hospital though. Things will ease up eventually (statistically speaking) but it doesn't always seem that way and when it is on thing after another week, month and year on end, there is a limit to the patience of being told, soon.
Well, no matter what expectation might have wanted, life always has its own plans and will see them carried out regardless of wishes. If were being granted though, I would wish for a little easing up of the pressures on my family, no one really deserves so much in much a short time frame and even though we are surviving, life isn't really being lived either. If there is a meaning to human existence, it is more than just making it through to another day, even if it is the longest day of the year.
The sun is getting ready to come up, my daughter's nappy leaked and her bed is soaked so my wife took her into ours, and I will have to sleep on the couch with the dog. Biggest party day of the year. I hope you like the photos though because these are what life should look like a little more often than it seems to, beautiful. Goodnight.
Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
Those photos are gorgeous!
You are right, life is not just for surviving. Life is for living. You have been in a difficult life situation for too long now. It's easy to say "hang on there" and "it will get better" but in the end I'm not sure it helps. The only thing that helps is that the situation really gets better... So, I'll just say that I wish from the bottom of my heart that your situation will get better soon, the worries and health issues will disappear, at least some of them, and you will have easiness and joy.
Thanks. It has been much too long now and we feel that we have somehow missed her early childhood. It'll get better in time but it is hard not to consider the time gone.
@tarazkp those photos are lovely. The sky is that red? Midsummer must be something. It is fantastic that is what it is. I wish I had such a view, I'd probably forget my troubles for a bit and just enjoy nature's artistry.
On that night it was very red. I love the long days still but they were more exciting when i was a bit younger.
Yeah when you could've for hours without getting tired. Nowadays, i just stare at kids and wonder where they get their energy from. Half the day I just want to find somewhere to lie down and sleep.
Finland's total alcohol consumption per capita per year is 12.3 litres. It's the 16th highest in the world. But if Finns drink a lot, then Australians drink a lot, too. According to the same source, Australia's total alcohol consumption per capita per year is 12.2 litres. Portugal is the only country in Europe apart from the former socialist bloc (and Andorra but that could be caused by foreigners buying a lot of alcohol for tax reasons) that has a higher figure.
Source
Yes, the difference is that Australians are likely to have a beer or wine with dinner whereas Finns will get Kalsari Kännissä on a Firday night. :P
It really isn't the volume consumed per year, it is the way it is consumed and, why it is consumed that makes the difference. It is changing in Finland slowly but even still, you won't find many sober Finns comfortably talking at a bar but that is not uncommon in other places.
For many here, they only talk when drunk which is also why there are so many problems. Avoid emotions sober, let it out drunk.
But, I am skewed as I have always been a happy drunk and if depressed, won't ever drink to avoid the feeling.
From a public health perspective, it is the total amount that makes the difference. The amounts of beer consumed in Australia and Finland per capita are nearly equal. One thing to keep in mind is also the distribution of alcohol consumed in the population. From what I've heard (I have no stats at hand now), it's quite lopsided in Finland. Australians do drink a lot of wine while Finns drink more spirits respectively.
Finns as a group are far from being unique in not being very talkative. I visited Stockholm a couple of years ago and went to a few of pubs in hopes of finding people to talk to while drinking my beers. I did and I became Facebook friends with them but those two were the only ones among dozens and dozens of people I scanned looking for people wanting company. The entire Northern Europe is like Finland. Finland is nothing special in this regard. People prefer not to talk to strangers to Northern Europe. They don't talk other people on the train or the bus in London any more than they do in Tampere.
Hi Taraz. I agree on the Pavlova but will pass on the rest. Vegemite or Bovril you either love it or hate it. I can't even stomach the smell and it would be on my "fear factor "lists for tasting it.
As an Aussie you should fit in well with another drinking nation lol.
Vegemite is a food of gods. When young I held my own but I get tipsy on half a glass of wine now.
Nice post , i really like your post .
All photography is so beautiful .
Thanks for sharing @tarazkp
Upvote you .
The photos are amazing. I'm sorry to hear that things are not really easing up for you guys, but at least you know that their is nothing major wrong in her head.
Well, not that they can see on an MRI. If you meet her in person though.. ;)
I could have phrased that better, I guess (and spelt it better!) - at least you know there isn't a brain tumour!
lol. She is a character is what I mean ;)
That is some beautiful photos that really gives you a special feel to look at. I just googled Pavlova desert btw. Alright now I'm jealous! Haha. Looking forward to that food blogging can bring some nice new novelty in!
After food, I am going to do movie reviews and stream DIY odd jobs around the house.
Wao those photos are wonderful ... Here the solstice never passes. It must be a great experience .... After the storm comes the calm. You will see next year everything will be fine and enjoy the solstice in family.
Those are stunning photos. I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through an illness. Is it again or still? Seems several weeks ago you were also. Speaking as someone who’s been through something of a gauntlet of injuries, inconsistencies and outright “time to do battle” conflicts recently, I feel you. But the sun does eventually rise on our joys and set on our woes. Hopefully for you and your family very soon.
Continuing...
It feels an incredibly long gauntlet at the moment but each day, we still get up hoping it is better.
I understand you've been through alot lately with your family,life seems to be unfair to us but just give it time and see how every thing will come back normal, time will heal it all and every thing will be history.Mean while i can't wait to see the picture of the pavlova tomorrow.
Goodnight@tarazkp
I am looking forward to eating Pavlova 🤤