Paradise to continue

There's more of Paradise to come!

Last week, my toolset contained scythe, rake and fork. This week, I'll be focusing on the use of violin, songbook and Bible. Then it will be time to move on to the other side of the Baltic, to grab some pots and pans. På svenska.

No Internet. Plenty of silence :-)

Paradise

I had the privilege of experiencing the traditional July Paradise Week in the Morbacka community.

It surely reminded me of what Paradise can be like. There was joy, simplicity and mercy. Adults and children together!

The tangible elements of a Paradise we had this time were e.g. common prayers, sauna and swimming. Gardening work and carpet washing. Abundance of flowers. Cats and dogs. Scythe, rake and fork (rather than the Internet!). And plenty of eating together – wild strawberries, for example.

(not so) idyllic

This is the idylllic Laajasalo Beach, the location where I've spent several enjoyable hours of idleness this week.

To the left of this scene, there's a changing cabin where I left my minor belongings for just a few minutes yesterday afternoon.

Now this is something I should not have done. Either during the quick swim or the even quicker shower, someone unexpectedly pinched my shirt, watch, home keys and some cash.

Lots of nuisance! Disappointment, frustration! Locksmith bills!

But I'm safe, and nobody broke into my home.

Italian concerto

Last night I went to watch football on TV. In my case, the emphasis is really on going as there has not been a TV set in this household since 2001. This, of course, leads to my not watching football, or any other sports for that matter, very often.

I celebrated Italy's success over Germany by playing the Italian Concerto by J.S. Bach. It is so enjoyable - despite the fact that I cannot play the piano (yet)! Bach is godly.

It took me close to an hour to crawl through the whole concerto. On CD, Glenn Gould needs only 13 minutes and 6 seconds for the same piece. There may be other artistic differences as well. Unterschiede müssen ja sein.

Bummer

Riding home from a beautiful Mass with an open, contended mind, my thoughts go back to last week's trial, and the chain of events, and choices that have lead me to some major insecurity. The more I think about it, the heavier my mind gets. Not only are potential clients on holiday - so are also friends who could help me level out. Depression tries to kick in.
A friend, and the dictionary, help me name it: a real bummer, "one that depresses, frustrates, or disappoints".