Britt-Arnhild's House in the Woods

Looking through.....

Looking through the key hole you see the most beautiful alley leading your sight to the St.Peter Cathedral. A photo (or rather MY photo) give no justice to the real sight, you HAVE to go there and see yourself :-)

I do have a couple of other Roma photos to show you though, for you to enjoy, and Debbie has sent me this link to Roma's Most Famous Hole on YouTube.

_____________________________________________________

Note: the address to the keyhole: Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta on The Aventine Hill.

19 years ago.......

           19 years ago I phoned my parents early in the morning."A girl is born. She is the cutest little thing you can imagine!"

Every birthday is filled with memories, and while I walk around in the garden picking roses for the birthday cream cake, I fill my prayer basket with thanks. You came as a blessing, you have lived your life as a blessing. May God keep on breathing blessings on you.

____________________________________________________

Happy Birthday Ingrid Elise...... and thanks for trusting me to make an Italian dinner to a house full of your best friends tonight. I am looking forward to it :-)

_________________________________________

Note to my readers: tomorrow I'll tell you more about "the secret" behind the keyhole

What is it about secrets......

            I simply love secrets!

In Roma there is a keyhole which reveals a wonderful secret. I always take people there when I show them Roma, and love the ohhhhs and ahhhhs and the smiling faces I get back.

Do you know about this secret, or do you want me to take you there one day?

_____________________________________________

Photo: my friend looking through the keyhole for the first time.

A basket is a basket is a basket

              With my new pink Mexican basket over my shoulder (actually one of several baskets I bought in Mexico) I couldn't resist this Roman window filled with baskets and bags. I must admit it - I am mad about baskets..........(and shoulder bags), and seldom travel without buying a new one.

Do you have a collection? What do you buy when you travel?

Baskets are only one of my crazy collections. I have more to show you, but first I want to hear about yours.

Sundays are for hiking.....and dreaming

         School starts tomorrow, and we ended the summer in the very best way we can think of, a week-end at our cabin. Terje had some work to do in the bedroom he has been renovating this summer, Marta and I had alot of rest to do, so yesterday we were all busy working/resting. This morning though we all woke up fresh and ready for a day in the mountains.

           With a backpack filled with coffee, buns and chocolate, with a day filled with sunshine......the road was easy to follow, the gates easy to open.

       We hiked in an area we usually visit in the winter, cross country skiing. It is amazing how different everything looks at different seasons. Marta was thrilled when we met two horses on or hike.

       Not "on a small island", but still a perfect place for dreams.

During our hike Marta was mostly 50 meters behind us. Not because whe was tired, but because she was deep in her own dreams. Every time Terje and I stopped to wait for her, we coule hear her happy humming. I was set right back to my own childhood and my wildlife dreams.

___________________________________________________

Note: we came back from our cabin week-end a couple of hours ago. Now it is time to get ready for school and work.

A break.....

         How do you spend an unexpected break?

During a taxi ride in Mexico City I passed this woman busy with her lipstic while waiting for green light. My taxi driver laughed when he realised I took a photo of her.

Terje, Marta and I are having a break this week-end, at our cabin. Have a nice day.

A moment to enjoy

        My friends have given me two hours off, and I walk, and walk and walk......with my Nikon in one hand, waterbottle easily available and my mind opened breathing in impressions. In the narrow streets behind Piazza Navona, in Via della Pace, I sit down with a glass of freshly pressed orange juice, and at once I am charmed by the beautiful young couple at the neighbour table. The girl is far, far away in her novel, the boy is painting a colourful dragon in sparkling lime, blue and pink. A small, well used paintbox,water from the drinking bottle, an orange batic pencil case. The miniature painting is finished, and with a small pen knife he cuts the painting out and present it to the beautiful girl. She lifts her eyes from her book and award him with such a beautiful smile I can feel shivers down my spine. Young fingers meet in tenderness and love. A kiss.

I did not pack my paint box this day and feel a pang of regret, but who knows, if I had may be my mind would have been too busy to enjoy young love and creativity..........

    _____________________________________________________

Note: After Mexico I flew to Roma to meet up with four of my best friends. Three of them had never been to Roma before, the fourth had been there for a short visit. Being their guide for five days is among the best things I've done as a traveller.

 

Everydays like Every Day

       To woke up in the morning to the sound of rain playing in the trees, or the sun shining through thin bedroom curtains. A morning walk in the garden. Coffee and the newspaper. A goodbye kiss from your beloved. Living fully here and now.

         Each day a colourful bead waiting to be thread on the golden chain, or may be you prefere silver, which is the life you have been given. The life you are given right here, right now.

         My main task in life is, as the apprentice of the Creator, to thread my beads. If I fail the Master is there to help me do it right. The Master steadies my hand and let me know that my beads and my work is beautiful and worth his praise.

____________________________________________________

Thank you God for the everydays and for every day.

Going Green in Mexico City

        The first thing I was met by when I arrived in Mexico City was the overwhelming richness of colours. I had a morning walk before breakfast during my first day, and was met by an inviting green everywhere.

            Another day I took a bicycle taxi, and the greens followed me. Or is it me following the greens?

     There were busses in all colours, but the green ones caught my eyes.

     I wonder if there is a green car behind this gate?

     Waiting for green light.......though the green really didn't make one feel any safer in the crazy traffic.

     My friend is ordering lunch, in a green t-shirt, of course.

     ____________________________________________________

I am writing an article about Mexico City and the AIDS 2008-conference. I might share some of the points here during the weeks to come.

To be home again

     The first thing I noticed when I walked out of my friend's car was that the roses are in full bloom in The Blue Garden. Hundreds, it looked like.

Then the front door flew open and I was embraced by Terje's arms. I am back home. Where I belong.