DO make me pull over... ;)

Scene: Inside (T)rusty, on the ICA parking lot in Sveg, Sweden.
When: After a 15km walk, app. 1:30pm.
Who: Yours truly and Beefy.

I was just about to leave the parking lot, right hand on (T)rusty's gear shifting device, eyes on the traffic, when I felt Beefy settle his chin onto said hand. I looked down at him. He looked up. He sighed. I smiled. Pulled (T)rusty over... and gave him a thorough head and ear rub.

Our walk on the incredible cross-country ski trails was blissful. Yet this moment with the little guy made my day.

+++

PS: He's slept ever since we returned home.

Falling in Love with Sweden... Every Day a Little More.

I have found an awesome net of cross-country ski trails just outside of Sveg that allow Buford and I to collect some serious mileage. Within the last 4 days we have walked around 3 Swedish miles (can you do the math?). And during those walks, I have felt grounded, strong, and filled with gratitude and wonder.

Am I really allowed to call this place home? Really? With all the birch trees, the pines, the moose, and the bear?

These days I'm pondering the fact that I haven't created a home for myself in forever. Over the past ten years I have lived in many different houses with different people, in my beloved van Shark, out-of-doors, or have frequently been allowed to "surf somebody's couch" for a while. I always enjoy making my space "my space" and don't mind those spaces to be transient (e.g. camping for one night on a backpacking trip). And yet, I smile at the thought of soon being able to invest time, money, and most importantly, creativity, into my home here in Sweden. I am not certain if "the house" will be that place, or if I'll find a smaller roof to live under. But I realized today, that in ten years I haven't bought (m)any things that were designed to be used in a house. All my pots and pans for example are camping equipment... [until tonight - I bought a set of pots that allow me to boil more than three red-beats at-a-time (I used to boil three almost every night - cause I love them)]. I catch myself almost nervously wondering, if I even have a home decor style. It seems so daunting to me, to think of purchases such as... a couch... a lamp... a (gasp!) bed. For years I have gotten those things for free (or almost) from friends, second-hand stores, and garage sales. While I love the practice of re-using and recycling (and I'll certainly do my fair share of that in the future) I think I will also commit to my new nest with some purchases when I return to Sweden. At age 32 it probably wouldn't be so bad to actually own a good mattress. Even though part of me screams inside, while I type this ("JUST SLEEP ON YOUR 2-INCH THERMAREST!! IT'S PROBABLY HEALTHIER ANYWAYS!!"), I almost feel like some home investments will add to my sense of finding a home.

And to "Create a home for Buford and I" must be taken seriously... it's priority # 2 on my Sweden To-Do-List after all...

Late Night Snap Shot.

I'm tickled by life.

Feels wonderful.


+++

Here's why:

My trip up north visiting Mr. Moose (thanks for the new and improved name, Andrea!) gets better and better. For one, it's longer - thanks to the increasingly wonderful Mr. Moose who will pick Beefy and I up in Stockholm on the 12th already - as the bus doesn't allow dogs to travel along (normally, public transportation in Sweden is animal friendly). Meaning: Our visit will be 8 days long... aww.. cottage, snowmobile and future work opportunities, here we come!

For two, Mr. Moose and I are now talking about utilizing the moose farm as an integral part of a rehab program for youth!!!! Recognizing the energy Mr. Moose puts into me, I'll do what I consider 'my part for now' and seriously buckle down with my Swedish improvement over the coming 10 days. I may go as far as writing this blog in Swedish, just for practice... stay tuned!

***

Online Dating - my first date today was really wonderful. I think I won't drag a whole lot of that stuff onto here - but I'll offer a mini insight that may strike you as funny (as it did me.....)

Envision this...: Several hours into talking, exploring Paradise with B, at home after having finished a meal... me sitting (don't know how I got there) on the kitchen cupboard - sweet guy just about to give me a lil' peck-in... I observe B over a nicely shaped shoulder (who's playing with "Ird" to enjoy his part of the deal) chew delightedly on the actual squeaker that used to be inside "Ird's" padded belly... = MAJOR CHOKING HAZARD!! ...yours truly interrupted her own exciting playtime, hopped off the cupboard, muttered an excuse (probably in that order), fingered the squeaky out of B's snout, returned, and proceeded.... with the grown up game.

Interacting with another human being (who didn't already love and adore me for my - or despite - my crazy lifestyle) also made me blatantly aware of me being less.... lets just say, "a little different". Glad the possessor of the nicely shaped shoulder could handle it and maybe even get excited about it.

***

My dog... I love my dog. What? That's nothing new to you? Well, it's part of this snapshot anyways. It's my blog after all ;).

And - maybe more importantly: Thanks to improving snow- and paw conditions, Beefy got to frolic along today WITHOUT BOOTIES AND OFF LEASH! - Needless to say: Bouncy flurries all around. (Also: The current snow would be SICK skiing... if only there were hills here!!).

***

My friends... I love my friends. Here's to community, technology which allows us to stay or get connected ;) , and health, and movement, and late-night-text messages (wait..., I may have a harder time than I thought to keep the sweet shoulder out of here...).

***

Intentions for 2010. I started an account with 43 Things in October (where did I hear about this? Maybe through LSL? definitively a good blog... so it may as well have been hers...). A recent interaction with lovely Andrea made me reconnect with that tool. I am now working on creating a list of 43 Things that I seriously want to put effort into. If you wanna "cheer me on" or just visit, feel free to do so at my profile New Roots on said site. Still working on the list and eager to make it realistic and meaningful.

***

Snapshot: Check. (Good thing... it's half past midnight). Later, alligator.

Wish List.

B being brave on today's hike.

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With all these crazy opportunities and ideas I sometimes lose track of what's important to me. So, instead of trying to figure out if I should go north, or south, or elsewhere I'll focus on the crucial stuff today.

Whatever comes next, it has to include the following points in the long run:

B must feel safe enough with my living situation to be brave often.

We must have room, time, and environment to live a healthy lifestyle.

Mountains and/or the sea need to be close. Or at least forests. Or all?

Sustainability (physical, environmental, financial, all of it).

It must be inspiring and challenging.

There must be authenticity.

There must be laughter.

There must be daily exploration of the self, others, and nature.

There must be opportunities for me to tap into my courage.

Internet access would be nice.

So would be a lovely soul to share it all with (in addition to the B).

Friends must find room, too.

And crazy trips.

And a fire place please!

And a "Shark" to explore new places on this continent.



That's about it. Wait... as I look at these points it dawns on my that I can probably realize all of those in any of my recent mind trips. So, stop waiting, Marlies?!

B being safe.
(This photo means a lot to me. I took it past weekend after B had been a bit possessive of his sleeping arrangement and growled at a somewhat ignorant girl. N (holding B) made sure that I didn't pull B away as I had warned the girl prior when she intruded B's sleeping bag. N asked B to come over to her and he spontaneously hopped on her lap. She held him probably for half an hour....)