Thriving
Is it possible to thrive during wintertime, I don’t think so. This has been the most terrible winter ever, at least since I moved from Stockholm to Lund, in 1989. In fact, most around here refer to that very year when they try to recall when it was as cold as this, last time. That winter, I were neither in Stockholm, nor in Lund. I was on Iceland, me and a friend thought we would become millionaires by working there, cutting fish to be specific, for a few months. How wrong we were. It took several months to earn enough money for the flight ticket home again. It was cold also on Iceland, that winter, but I think I was more hardy when I was young. Foremost, they had their most severe recession in economy for decades, that’s what I remember mostly. Before 1989, you have to go back to the early years of WWII, when it was a bit colder than now. My God what they must have suffered, a war like that and this kind of winter, without the convenience of central heating, hot chocolate and after ski fur shoes. My suffering gets pale in perspective, of course. To leave the sad thought behind, I get a little bit warmer at heart by seeing a window that seems to withhold and protect an entire rain forest, full of the most beautiful plants and flowers. A flower shop……..I can imagine even I would thrive in there…sleeping through the winter, waking up sometimes by the scent of the flowering plants, seeing all the people outside that cope with their everyday lives and covering themselves from the weather as good as they can. It wouldn’t take long to fall asleep again, and yet, these flowers are in full bloom. Amazing, and hard to understand.
January 22nd, 2010 at 22:16
Oh man now that you made me think about it I’m going to the couch and nap til spring gets here. Great image Ove and I love the idea of flowers in a window there for all to see while it is so miserable outside.
January 22nd, 2010 at 23:07
I’m joining you, Ray. Thanks!
January 23rd, 2010 at 14:27
Hey folks, cheer up! This winter is cold, true enough. But it’s also the most beautiful winter we had in a long, long time. Compared to the ordinary around-zero-drizzle-wet-slush-dark-windy-boring thingy that we call “winter” here so often, this one is very honest. I appreciate that.
And now of to a small hike at the coast – and then the hot chocolate!
January 23rd, 2010 at 18:25
As usual, the composition and tones are wonderful, Ove. I always enjoy your images, they are inspirational to me.
January 23rd, 2010 at 21:20
Thomas, it’s all about the degrees, the less the worse. But, I do understand what you mean, the winters along the coastline of Southern Sweden usually aren’t the most lovely on Earth.
Chris, thank you for your kind words!
January 23rd, 2010 at 21:29
Great choice to find a beautiful, warm, colorful spot in an otherwise dreary time, Ove. I’m sure that those flowers were calling to you and offering you a much needed pick-me-up.
January 23rd, 2010 at 23:19
We don’t get winter like you guys where I live (a cold day might be 62F) but it’s still winter when the days are shorter and the shadows are longer. I always find that at that time of year I like to slow down and sleep more. I always think of winter as the time to rest & recharge, even here where everything stays green and flowers bloom all year round.
I love your image with all the layers that interplay and mix in together. Well seen.
January 24th, 2010 at 01:23
There certainly are a few places that may serve as an oasis in this deep frozen times, Paul, flower shops are.
The view had at least three layers so I had a hard time deciding where to focus. Thanks, Cedric!
Cedric, it’s how it works also here, life slows down for many during the winter. But there is nothing to charge from, so we are rather entering a sort of power-save mode…