Hotel Marienlyst

Oceans views and a casino! Woo hoo! You can watch the waves as you lose your shirt. It actually looks lovely. Has anyone been here? It has an indoor pool. Love indoor pools, the humidity, the warmth. Just like good 'ol San Diego. Our recipient is Inga. I'm sorry, but that is a classic European name, gotta say it. The only Inga I have ever met was a masseuse. She gave me a deep muscle massage while carrying on a conversation with a very European Inga-ish accent. Also classic. I noticed that our sender writes in all capital letters. I wonder if it's a penmanship thing? No one can read your cursive, therefore, you print? But why all capitals? They say that people who write in all capital letters are trying to hide who they truly are. And, most handwritten ransom notes are written in all capitals. Just throwing that out there. You're totally going to start watching people who write in all capitals now, aren't you? My only complaint about this card is that it's a tad boring. Shouldn't postcards show you a view? The wonderful, wish you were here, but not really, beautiful view?

Itty Bitty Santa Stamp

This is a little unique, because it's a USA stamp, and a recent one at that. I am having a momentary lapse into the holiday spirit, so I thought I should jump on it and post this little guy. Oh, shoot! That reminds me, Christmas cards! Well, there goes another year they aren't getting sent. Remember when you were younger and people would always tell you that time goes by so much faster when you get older? They weren't kidding. It feels like just yesterday I was forgetting to mail out last years Christmas cards.

Chocolate!

I have no idea why someone would keep this. It's cardboard, and I would think someone cut it out of a box, but the lines are absolutely perfect. No one can cut that straight, can they? Chocolate. I love chocolate. And these look so interesting. Don't you love going to new places, different countries, and finding all sorts of new ways to eat chocolate?! Or any food for that matter. What I hate is coming home. You find all these amazing candies or foods on your vacation and become a complete addict, yes it can happen that quickly, only to come home and find that your new addiction is nowhere to be found. Oh, the frustration. I was in London this summer, loved London by the way, and I found fresh shelled peas. I ate myself sick. More than once. They actually said they were from Africa, so why aren't they being shipped to the US? We live in a world of amazing shipping capabilities! This shouldn't be an issue. Really. When I become fabulously wealthy, I will travel the world, find the best of the best, and make sure they are available for the masses. Sure, why not.

Walking in the Garden

You can tell this picture was not posed. Love that. No date, which is a stinker. Could be anywhere from late 30's to mid 50's? This is just so classic, everyone is dressed exactly as you would picture them in, say around 1940, right down to grandma's pearls. The child is the center of attention, obviously, as children should be. Cute kid, too. Look at all of that dark, curly hair. Mom is pure Hollywood. Alright, I'm sure it's the sunglasses, but still, she's got a great outfit going on. The dress could age her, but she's thrown that black scarf in her hair, and boom, she just got ten years younger. Ok, it's the shades, too. Nobody looks old when they are wearing cool shades. Great picture. Has the number 49 written on the back. The year? Things like that always make me curious.

A Letter

This letter fell out of a book with no envelope or anything else with it. It's beautifully written, and I can't make sense of it as usual. It did remind me of something. Look at that margin on the left side of the letter. That is leaving some serious space. I can remember being in elementary school and learning about leaving that left side margin. Yes, it's a stretch, and sometimes painful, but I do remember moments from that long ago. I say moments because that's the truth. I have a terrible memory. That being said, I do have a the faintest memory of putting my ruler up on my paper on the left side and lining it up just right to make the perfect line for my left sided margin. Concentrating hard, using a pencil, and actually drawing a very faint line so I didn't go beyond the ever sacred margin. At least I think I remember doing that. Or maybe I saw it in a movie. Dumb memory.

Christmas Present Tag

I debated whether or not I should even put this on here. It appears to be a very small present tag. It's only about 2 inches tall, and an inch wide. I just thought it was so cute, and with the holidays just around the corner, I decided why not. Although, I will say, I was in a store today and they were playing Christmas music. And for reasons unknown even to myself, I absolutely hated it! I found myself pulling a face at the Christmas decorations, and at the Christmas candy the store had out. Maybe I am becoming a Grinch! Everyone keeps asking me what I'm getting my kids for Christmas, and asking how my shopping is going, etc. Truth is, haven't even started. Not even thinking about it yet. I'm sure some of you are in shock! I should have something done by now, right? I'd like to put an orange in each of their stockings, have a nice turkey dinner, and call it good. Oh my, I am the Grinch!

T. S. Eliot Turns 70

It's September 26, 1958 and T. S. Eliot is turning 70 years old. This article is actually pretty long, but I didn't feel like I had enough room to put the whole thing on here. I did include a couple of the cartoons, they were too great not to. The picture of Mr. Eliot looking all dapper with his hat and cane says, "there was always something timeless about him" under it. You can't look at that picture and think otherwise. The cartoon where he is standing next to the desk says, "he progresses on a rising track," and the last cartoon says, "the leading word of his criticism is precision and tradition." I could ramble on about T. S. Eliot's life, but I choose instead to share a few of my favorite quotes from him. Enjoy.

This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.
Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.
You are the music while the music lasts.

Biriatou, France

I am finding surprisingly little about this town in France. It is near the border of Spain and..... See what I mean. I can find a few hotels and inn's available, but no real information, which I just don't understand. I looked up some images and didn't come up with a whole lot. BUT, what I did come up with looked amazing! This little town is right near the water and is as picturesque as any place I have seen. Anyone been there? I need more input!
Our postcard is from 1959 and is in French! I'm so used to seeing Danish this totally threw me. French, a beautiful language I will never know, or attempt to butcher. I have been to France a couple of times, but I have learned that I don't have what it takes to learn the language. I am more than content to eat their pastries while I make like the penguins on the movie 'Madagascar' and just smile and wave.

Before All Hands on Deck

Oops, I think this picture should have gone with my All Hands on Deck post from August 29th. I think this looks like the family that was on that ship. Probably getting a last picture with everyone before they set sail for their new home. It would be even better if this were a "hey, we made it" picture and this was in front of their new home. Well, either way, there you have it. Gosh, they look cold. Probably because I am cold sitting here. Yes, it gets cold in San Diego. Not all sunshine and boogie boards. Collective sigh. Sad, I know. But still, it's no Alaska. So I'll put on a jacket, gaze at my palm trees and be happy. Yup, I'm rubbing it in.

Karen Blixen Dining Out

The Danish love Karen Blixen, or did. This is like page 6, Danish style. Here is a picture of a bunch of famous people eating at a fancy restaurant in who knows what year. She is seated on the far left. She died in 1962, and she's not looking crazy young here, so make your guesses. This is back in the day before plastic surgery was common place, so she probably looks beautiful for her age. I used to work for a plastic surgeon in my RN days. We did a LOT of wrinkle removal. Sunblock became my friend after that job. I'm not against plastic surgery at all, but there are limits. I think it's addicting, like getting a tattoo, hard to have just one. Also did a lot of hair plugs. Men of the world, hear this. Bald is beautiful. Seriously. Yul Brynner, hot! So there's my lesson of the day. Use sunblock and embrace the bald!

Japan in Spring

This is a whole fold out pamphlet about Japan. There's no year on it, but I am guessing somewhere in the 50's or 60's. The inside is a very bright pink color, it just doesn't feel recent. Hard to say since in every picture in the brochure the people are dressed up in traditional clothing. Or, as in the picture of the "wrestlers in a "sumo" match," not wearing much at all. It still does it's job, I want to go to Japan. My only problem with it is where they say that it's about 55 degrees in April and that is "ideal for travel, sports, and for the enjoyment of city gaieties and the stage arts." I beg to differ. That is COLD. I may miss the Cherry Blossoms and go when it's warmer.

Newlywed Pictures

Aw, the wedding pictures. Embarking on a new life with your spouse. What could be more exciting? Little do they know what awaits them. A mortgage, crying babies, playing chauffeur, laundry, grocery shopping, paying bills. What? I don't make it sound like fun? Marriage is great, but Disney has made it look like there are never any challenges or things that make you want to pull your hair out. They never go on to say how Cinderella never sees her mice friends, she's too busy changing diapers and doing what she does best, cleaning! I shouldn't pick in Disney, I'm actually a huge Disney fan. Other movies and books are guilty of this too. Of course, these are the movies and books I want to read. Who wants to read about the hum drum of actual every day life? No thanks, I'm living it. Bring on the prince and the ride off into the sunset. And, if Cinderella plays her cards right she can get groceries delivered and hire a house cleaner! Now that would be a happily ever after.

Johannes Jorgensen

I wish this had a date on it. It is speaking of Mr. Jorgensen in the present tense so it must be before 1956, when he passed away. There's not a huge amount of information about this author. He was Danish and was born into a Lutheran faith family. He seemed to struggle with religion for some time before becoming a Catholic and writing biographies of Catholic Saints.
I think everyone struggles with or questions religion at some point in their lives. I should think many of us, throughout our entire life. Mr. Jorgensen seemed to come to peace with what he had learned and thought about. Hopefully, the rest of us will as well, if we haven't already.

Barcelona!

A newer postcard from Barcelona. I feel a little weird posting the newer stuff. I wouldn't want to have the actual people who sent this to feel violated. But, on the other hand, postcards can be read by every person it comes into contact with, postman for one, unlike a letter, hidden by an envelope. Still feeling weird, but posting anyway. I am such a rebel.
I have not been to Spain but it is on the list. The ever growing, gotta do before I die list. The postcard has a picture of Casa Batllo. The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones). It's architecture is really cool. You really need to google it if you haven't seen it in person. It's decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles that starts out in orange colors and moves into greenish blues. The roof is arched and has been likened to the back of a dragon or a dinosaur. At the top there is a turret and a cross which some say represents the lance of Saint George, which has been plunged into the back of the dragon. All houses and buildings should have cool stories to go with them.

Andre Maurois and Edward VII

This clipping, dated December 17, 1934, is discussing a biography of Edward VII written by Andre Maurois. Edward was interesting enough. He was the son of Queen Victoria and Albert, the same couple the movie The Young Victoria is about. Edward does all the usual prince things and eventually becomes King in 1901. He apparently smoked twenty cigarettes and twelve cigars a day. Why did they keep track of this stuff? Marci drank 4 Diet Cokes a day and regularly ate Swedish Fish, only the red ones, and M&M's. There must be a daily dose of chocolate. There, now my own terrible habits are printed for my own posterity. They leave this kind of thing out of the history books so I think it's kind of fun to learn. Edward developed bronchitis toward the end of his life and was supposed to have commented about his horse winning a race for his last words.
Andre Maurois, his given name was Emile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog, was the author of Edwards biography that this article is speaking of. His pen name sounds a bit more exotic. He served as an interpreter in WWI for the French. During WWII he worked as The French Official Observer, whatever that is, and later wrote a book about these experiences. He died in 1967 and in buried in Paris. He had a few interesting quotes and this one was my favorite. "In literature as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others."

Postcard from Obernburg, Germany

As far as I can tell this postcard is from 1989. Which is a little scary to me because when I first looked at it, I thought it would be from the 60's or 70's. It makes me feel old when things from 1989 look dated. The hotel gets great reviews on Tripadvisor. Does everyone check that site before booking a hotel? You should. I have booked hotels all over the US and in Europe based on pictures and reviews on Tripadvisor. Great site. I have to say, I have a soft spot for Germany. I have only been to Munich and then to see Neuschwanstein Castle near Fussen, but I am anxious to see more. Munich was a mix of old meets modern. Loved the Rathaus-Glockenspiel and hitting theHofbrauhaus. I was there in May, so I didn't get the full experience of Oktoberfest, but the atmosphere was fun all the same. And Fussen, fell completely in love with this small town. Beautiful! Germany is definitely on my list of places to revisit. I still need to cruise the Rhine and see northern Germany. It might be time to start checking Tripadvisor again.

John Traugott and Laurence Sterne

This is an article that was published July 29, 1955. It appears to be a rather scathing review of a book written by John Traugott. Mr. Traugott was professor of English at UC Berkeley in California. I can't see who wrote the article, but they were pretty brutal. He says that most of the remarks by Mr. Traugott were "blurred and obscured by his besetting sin, bad writing." Yikes. Saying that to anyone is pretty bad, but to a professor of English! The author of this article had serious balls. What a terrible phrase, but it's the one that I keep thinking of, so there you go. I am not a writer, obviously, but I would love someone to find some mistakes in this article! I had to look up Laurence Sterne. For someone who has had multiple people dissecting his work, he was completely foreign to me. I googled, I Wikipedia'd, and still no sign of recognition. More proof I am in dire need of a better education.

The Backyard

These two pictures were found together in a book. The little boy, looking at the bird, is also seen sitting at the table on the far right. I have stared at that bird many times trying to figure out if it's real, and they managed an amazing shot, or more likely, it's a statue or a stuffed bird. I lean towards a stuffed bird, except the boy is looking rather awed by it which means he has never seen it before or it's actually a live bird. There's your topic. Discuss.
It's summer! Flowers are growing and little boys get to wear shorts. Although, there's a rule. You must wear long socks and only show your knees. Women must have lived in their aprons, so many pictures of aprons. The little boy on the left is adorable. He looks like he needs more sleep though, those bags under his eyes are intense. I am going to guess the 30's or 40's. Great pictures!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 1979

A Christmas card! This looks like one of those cards you add your own picture to. I mean, this deer was probably in their backyard. I honestly had no idea that you could do this back in 1979, take one of your own pictures and turn it into a card. Maybe that is sad and pathetic to admit. I guess I just think of the 70's like they were a million years ago. And I was alive and kicking somewhere in the 70's! But I will never reveal how much of the 70's I was around for. Suffice it to say, I have pictures of my small self with some cool looking bell bottoms and a crocheted, multi-colored vest on, thanks mom! Ah, the 70's. They gave us killer music and clothes you wouldn't want to be caught dead in.

A Bank Note, 1949

I believe this is a bank note that someone received after depositing 2,000 kroner. The date is August 12, 1949. I have never been good at seeing a kroner, euro or any other foreign money and instantly do the exchange rate and know how much I'm actually spending on something. It's probably not going to kill me, and as long as I'm getting what I want, I'm sure it's worth it, right? $20 for gelato stracciatella in a cone? Completely worth it! But, I do have a better idea of what a kroner is. And not only because I do business with clients in Denmark, but because I have read 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' along with half the world. Great series. Fascinating, fast paced, and a little dark and twisted. You have been warned.

More Bookmarks!

These bookmarks are so much fun. I don't know about other people so much, but I often find the first thing sitting around to save my place in a book, random pieces of paper, a pen or pencil. I've even used a candy wrapper! Candy wrappers always seem to be handy. That's probably not a good thing. Anyway, I don't know how well you can see the first bookmark, it has the impression of a deer on it and says Calgary Canada. I am hoping it was gift to someone and mailed to someone in Denmark. If you live in Denmark, where the average high in the summer is a balmy 64 degrees, why in the world would you choose to vacation in Calgary? Not to dis Calgary, I have been there and it's beautiful, but if I lived somewhere cold, I'm thinking the beaches of Spain would be perfect! The next bookmark is also made of leather and says Danmark on it. Our last bookmark is handmade. That just gets me every time. I haven't the talent, nor the desire, to sit down and do crafty things. I'm glad someone else did though, very fun bookmark.

Tennyson

An article in English! Let me explain something first. When I receive books for Book Decor, I can get 6,000 to 9,000 books at a time. They do not come divided by language or age. I go through each book by hand to divide them by language and by group as I have designated them at Book Decor; Jewel Tone, Designer Mix, French, German, etc. Out of 6,000 books, I will find about 7 books that are actually in English. I am completely rotten and keep all the English language books for myself. For some reason last night, I was standing in front of my book shelf and pulled out a 1911 Poems of Tennyson. Lo and behold, out falls this article about Tennyson! I swear I have looked through this book before and found nothing. Loved that it had a picture, very Jane Austen looking. The article tells about some proof sheets for the 1856 edition of Tennyson's 'Maud' that includes pen-and-ink revisions by Tennyson. And a poem in Tennyson's writing on the title page of the book. This poem has not been found in any of his other writings. The article goes on the explain why this is likely an original by Tennyson. I thought is was lovely, so here it is.

Pleasure in false love
Blights while it charms,
Sorrow in true love
Heals where it harms.
False love maketh
Sane men sad.
True love helpeth
Even the mad.

I'm usually one that needs poetry explained to me, but this one I get. Lovely.

1946 Bergen, Germany

The year is 1946 and this is Bergen, Germany. It's beautiful, and it's nice to know people were traveling to Germany so close to the end of WWII. And, for once, the scene is not snowy. I do wish it were in color, I don't think black and white does this place justice. The name of the person who took this shot was a Enerett Eberh. B.. Oppi. After scouring the Internet for more information on the guy, all I came up with were more post cards with his name on them. Post card maker, picture taker, or artist, I will never know. Maybe it's not a person at all but a company name. Logging another mystery here on the blog. Looks like a nice place to visit though, in the summer.

The Couple

This is a great picture. It reminds me so much of my maternal grandparents. My grandfather was a total cue ball on top just like this fellow. And my grandmother was always wearing an apron, cooking or not. Unless she was dressed up to go out, then she would put on her best jewelry, and ditch the apron. She had a whole drawer full of costume jewelry that all of us granddaughters played dress-up with. She was always in a dress. I honestly can only remember my grandmother wearing a pair of pants a half a dozen times. She used to make chocolate chip cookies and keep them in the freezer in an old bread bag for when we would come over. What a great memory. And my grandfather, if he wasn't dressed up for church, he was usually wearing a pair of striped overalls and a smile. He had these huge hands and always insisted on shaking your hand and asking "How do, how do?"

If we could give this lady glasses and put the guy in striped overalls, well, I'd miss my grandparents even more. Great picture, great couple.

Calixto Bieito - Verdi Opera

This is the opening scene of a Verdi opera by Calixto Bieito. He is a Spanish theatre director known for his “radical” interpretations of classic operas. I saw this picture and thought the article would be funny. So dead wrong. This opera is full of murder and people rubbing the blood all over their bodies, and someone drowning in a bathtub. As bad as that is, another opera he did had worse in it. I can't even type it. It's a wonder he even got anyone to act in them. He makes one actor drink urine! I don't think I would want fame that badly. And anyone who does should clearly be examined. Yuck, yuck, yuck.

Robert Kennedy Funeral at Arlington

Robert Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968 and passed away on June 6th. This newspaper only says June on it, no date. The first photo says, "President Johnson condolences, with all signs of compassion, pressed President Johnson Edward Kennedy's hand. The man in the middle is one of Johnson's security guards."

The second photo says, "Kennedy's stretcher carried to the grave at Arlington National Cemetery. In front is Robert Kennedy's son, little Robert, on the right side is McNamara, and back to left is Martin Luther King's successor, the Reverend Ralph Abernathy."

The young Edward Kennedy looks very much like President John F. Kennedy from this angle. Same head shape and hair, that whole family looked very similar. John, Robert, Edward and even John F. Kennedy Jr. as I recall. Tragic. Not the hair. Well, a little the hair too.

Axel Bang

Axel Bang. Here is a man I have tried multiple times to find information about. This paper is from 1937 and it's telling us that Axel Bang, a barrister who was apparently quite famous, is about to turn 80 years old. I have found more than one Axel Bang out there, but they are alive and kicking. But this Axel Bang, nada, zip, less than zero. He has an awesome name though. Sounds like a rock star. And I discovered, after my many searches, that someone thought it would be a really cool porn name. Don't ask. It wasn't pretty. Anyway, I have more than one article that mentions him, so I am hopeful that someday I will learn more about him. The barrister, not the porn star.

Let's Bake a Little Today

A one sheet recipe page from May, 1937. No, I didn't include the entire page. If you decide you want the recipes on here, email me. I will happily email it to you. I can get saving a recipe from the paper or a magazine, but I don't get putting it inside a book. Hey, let's make brownies. The recipe is in Pride and Prejudice over on the book shelf. Um, I don't think so. It was really torn out carefully. It's hard to imagine that someone used it as a bookmark. I think I've got it. A book was lent to a friend who happened to have these scrumptious recipes they wanted to share. They return the book with the yummy recipes inside and our book lender never took it out. Ok, very weak theory, but I suppose it could happen.

Preaching to the Choir

Now this is an interesting shot. It looks like a preacher, or whoever is in charge of this choir, was sneaky and took a snapshot. I'm guessing we're in the 40's or possibly the 50's. There are a few people not singing and a few looking a little bored. Check out the young guy in the white on the right hand side of the picture. His mouth is forming a perfect O. Wouldn't his singing coach be proud! Who interests me is the girl directly behind him and to the right. Can't miss her with her big, white "pilgrim" looking dress. I think she is shocked that someone is taking her photo. Or maybe she just doesn't like this song. I thought this was a cool picture, different perspective. It also has the number 23 mysteriously written on the back.

Star Wars Stormtrooper!

Without a doubt, favorite bookmark I have found so far! Love, love, love Star Wars. Who doesn't? Alright, there may be Star Trek fans out there that will debate, but seriously, Star Wars wins hands down. Although, I do give J. J. Abrams' Star Trek my respect. It's pretty awesome. But, it's still no Star Wars. I grew up on these movies and somehow I can still sit down and watch them, knowing full well what's about to happen, and still be totally into them. Of course, it was my little brother who got the Star Wars toys, completely sexist, but I remember playing with them. Luke's landspeeder, one of my favorites. And I totally want the Millennium Falcon toy that's out right now. It's 2.5 feet long, comes with Han Solo and Chewbacca action figures, a pivoting gunner station and the engine lights up! It also says phrases and makes all the cool Star Wars sounds! Yes, I know how old I am, and I don't care. I want it. Woo hoo!!

Swing Nonsense!

This is a snapshot of some kids doing some "swing nonsense," as the paper calls it, at the El Dorado Glass Hall in Tivoli, Copenhagen. It also says that they dance to the newest and strangest form of noisy music. Obviously, someone who didn't care for swing or the music wrote this article. I cannot find a date anywhere on this paper, but our guy here looks like he could give Elvis some serious competition in the hair and hip swinging department! Isn't she cute! Totally in the moment, having a great time, can't wait to tell her friends she is going to be in the paper. Swing dancing is still the thing to do in Copenhagen, apparently. There's a Facebook page you join about it and everything. This is a great picture. I can just see the older crowd tsk, tsking at it as they read the morning paper. These young kids are just awful. Love it!

Arne Garborg, Norwegian writer

This article is celebrating 100 years since Arne Garborg's birth, and is dated January 25, 1951. I had to look this fellow up. He died in 1924, and lived half way around the world, so I don't feel too bad about that fact, but it does make me realize how uneducated I truly am. Arne started as a newspaper man and editor and went on to publish essays and novels. I found one especially cool quote from him that I thought bore repeating.

"It is said that for money you can have everything, but you cannot. You can buy food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; knowledge, but not wisdom; glitter, but not beauty; fun, but not joy; acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but not faithfulness; leisure, but not peace. You can have the husk of everything, but not the kernel."

Very well said, Arne.

To The Danish People, April 1940

This is a very large paper announcing the occupation of Denmark by the Germans in 1940. I don't know if this is an original or a copy, but the feeling you get reading it is the same either way. You will notice that the translation is not perfect. If any of the Danish readers out there would like to provide a better one, it would be appreciated. I can only imagine what the Danish people felt when they read this. I have always been interested in WWII, so I think this is pretty cool, but this particular piece is affecting me differently today. The last two lines could be meant for everyone, and every country. Peace.

To the Danish People

German troops have crossed in the night the Danish border and have made landing different places. The Danish Government has decided to organize protest Country Conditions during Considerations of the occupation that has taken place, and according thereto promulgated following.

The German troops, who now find themselves in this country, enter in liaison with the Danish Wehrmacht, and it's population duty to refrain from any resistance to these troops. The Danish Government will try to ensure the Danish People and our country against the war ratio following accidents and therefore encourages people to calm and restrained attitude toward the relationship, which has now arisen. Peace and order must dominate the land, and with fairness must be paid to all who has an authority to exercise.

Under these for our homeland as serious, I urge all in town and country to show a fully correct and dignified appearance, as any unpremeditated action or utterance may have the gravest consequences.

Copenhagen, April 9, 1940 Christian R.

God bless you all. God preserve Denmark.

A Page From Life

Sadly, I don't think this page of photos correspond in date. They seem to have been slapped on this page without much thought. I can tell you that the upper left hand picture of the couple was taken in Svendborg, a town on the island of Funen in south-central Denmark. I can make that much out on the bottom of their photo. Mustaches must have been all the rage. All of the men in these pictures have one! Mustaches are a funny thing. Only a few men can actually make them look really attractive. Tom Selleck, maybe? I'm not sorry they have gone out of vogue, for the most part. I sometimes see these women in their fancy dresses and think how fun it would be to wear something like that. How differently we would act day to day if we were constantly in a dress and men were always in a suit of sorts. We would have to constantly be on our best behavior, always act like a lady. It makes me tired just thinking about it. The next picture is really hard to make out, but the man looks like he should be a captain on a ship. Must be the hat and the beard. The two lower pictures, they look so serious. I guess this is why I love the pictures where the people are behaving naturally so much. Or, maybe she really does just sit there looking a bit cross in real life. No, let's just say the sun was in her eyes. I'm sure that was it.

Sieppijarvi Lake, Finland

I will admit I had to look up where this place was. I checked out multiple tourist sites and photos of the area. Really beautiful. That being said, this place is way out in the middle of, well, I'm not exactly sure. Snow? The information I found about the area said that the people who live there make their livelihood mainly by agriculture and forestry but also working in the logging sites and REINDEER HUSBANDRY! That is cool! And a little strange, but amazing. I also found out that Sieppijarvi is actually a village of Muonio. And Muonio is known as the municipality with the longest snow season in Finland. For that reason its vocational college has a top ski class that attracts aspiring cross-country ski champions from all over Finland! Sweet! If you like that cold stuff. I think I'd visit during the summer season, thanks. Check out out our post card and the G's all over, awesome. Not sure what they are saying, but pretty certain there's a, "we're cold" in there somewhere.

Ah, Modern Art

The translation I get online is "let us rather run away, it's just us who get blamed for it." This just makes me giggle. It's not a big secret for those who know me, modern art is not really my thing. So to see this cartoon come falling out of one of my books gave me a moment of pure bliss. It's nice to know I am not alone in the world on this one. Not that I dislike all modern art, or can't appreciate some of it. It's just that, well, when I look at a painting, I want to be inspired and awed. I want to feel I could reach out and touch the person or object because they look so real. I want my imagination to go wild and my emotions to be moved. Squiggles and lines, splatters of paint? They just don't do anything for me. My Dutch artists, they move me. Ah, best not get me started on those. Suffice it to say, I found this funny.

Historical Procession in Elsinore, Denmark 1926

This is a really cool booklet that was given out by the Helsingor Tourist Association in 1926. Elsinore is English for Helsingor, by the way. And if this really took place, this would have been the coolest procession ever! It says that there will be approximately 500 participants, including 50 on horseback and then goes on to give the order in which they will appear. That is what these cool pictures are, the order of appearance. I couldn't fit them all on here, so you are seeing the first and last panels. The first one says; Herald, Riders with Standards, and Music. The last panel says; Nobility, Citizens with Elsinore Brand, Rider-Captain. Ok, I'm sure my translations are not perfect and I hope all the Danish readers will forgive me. I have searched the internet for any clue about this procession and cannot find a thing. All I come up with is how Helsingor/Elsinore is the place Shakespeare's Hamlet is set, which is really cool, but bring on the parade!! I would be really tempted to brave the cooler temps of Denmark to watch this thing. Please, someone tell me it still happens. Love the look on the Rider-Captain's face in the last picture, ticked because he following all the other horses? Where's the pooper scooper? Hey, at least he's riding. The Nobility has to walk through that stuff.