…I’ve been in the habit of staying informed about these wonderful islands in the North Atlantic and found the BBC’s Island Blogging site. Naturally, I got hooked on the wonderful language of the bloggers as well as I keep myself informed about life there.

A gentle Shetland croft image near Eshaness, North Mainland

One new blogger in particular has caught my attention and, besides having a mutual background of living in America and leaving it to another place as well as having an exciting ability to write, she wrote something that I wanted to comment on.

She wrote of discarding possessions and backpacks as well as asking, ” When you are on your death bed, do you think you will wish that you had spend just one more day at the office?” She sounded like I do at times. (read- “Gift from the Sea”)

The fact of the matter is, a “commenteer” alias Flying Cat suggested that “It’s the things you can do with money that can bring happiness…” and continues with “…usually people who have none who insist it’s not contributory to happiness.” Therefore I feel I have to put my two cents worth into this.

For many years and many backpacking (trekking) trips, I have learned about the joy of only needing what you can carry in your backpack. I have food for the day, I become physically and mentally more awake from hiking. I have shelter against all types of weather with my tent. My sleeping bag keeps me warm. I lack nothing, but still I have such beautiful and rewarding entertainment with the mountains surrounding me…speaking with me and teaching me.

I’m sorry that Flying Cat hasn’t discovered this, yet. I would like to ask the question, What is it that money can’t buy?

It can’t buy good health or a Blue-Throat landing on the toe of your boot to say good morning. It can’t buy watching a bear kill a moose on a mountain slope. It can’t buy the midnight sun nor a steel-white snow covered night. It can’t buy perseverance against a raging storm nor pride from an honest climb upwards. It can’t buy honesty. It can’t buy inner contentment. It can’t buy life nor can it buy wisdom…nor…happiness.

Surprisingly, if one would spend a whole summer in the Laponia mountains, and you would have only a little money on you, you will have the same amount leftover when you leave the mountains. There is nothing to buy that you need and, still, you will boast of the most splendid time in your life. Something to think about?

Shetland coastline at Eshaness, North Mainland

So, in defense of Shetland: finally home, perhaps there’s some truth in what she is pointing out…it just takes wider eyes and an open mind to understand the wisdom with less possessions in this life…and it’s not too late since a death bed lurks ahead for all of us.

I do know, I can be better with this thought, too …now, back to throwing things away!

English for Swedes: “Commenteer” a person, often with others, giving comments on, in this case, blogs.

…I became more keenly aware of how proud they were of their family and sons through the many photographs they left behind. Pictures of us growing up, on the beach, vacations, graduations, sports, picnics, summer camp, scouting, special Sundays and special moments that are a part of and involves a lifetime. There were many many pictures and, in spite of my father having made attempts to sort these out and classify them in a historical manner, many are undocumented other than what my own memory recognizes. Their pictures were their memory and life. Only part of mine.

To save or not to save? And, for who?

For myself, I have “tons” of pictures. Some of historical importance. Some of commercial value. Some of interesting people, places and events now gone. But, most images are for my own remembrances so that my memories don’t become blurred in time. My children or grandchildren or great grandchildren or….will never really know the story behind these. Image meaning is often personal.

So, I’m not going to burden my descendants with my personal trivia but have chosen to sort out my pictures. The next to important images will be scanned and CD’ed (thank God for digital photography and its archival possibilities) and the important ones will be archived with references and comments. The others will be re-cycled celluloid.

But, as I look at these I sometimes wish I could re-live those moments and had savored them longer than I did, like my own boys’ growing-up and the truly great times I had with them as a father…as a friend.

I will try to be better with my images and try to savor life’s moments more!

…called me this afternoon wanting to go on one of my nature tours. He was alone and only one day in Jokkmokk. It was beautiful weather and I took him to Ruotevare. I think he learned some things. He enjoyed the afternoon.

Nicolas from France, Paris

He spoke about Paris…and France. His pride with Paris was evident.

I said my wife had just been to Bordeaux. He asked if I had been to France…to Paris… if I knew French?

No, I never had been there, I explained. I had taken French in High School, long ago. I wasn’t very good with French. My French teacher tried very hard with me. She understood. She was supportive. She never lost faith in me. I never saw her again and I never got to thank her for not giving up on me…

I think I must go to Paris one day. I should like to honour her spirit… her efforts. I would walk along L’avenue des Champs-Èlysées and, climbing up the Tour Eiffel, quietly say…

“Madame Fowler…I made it. Thank-you!”

…which is just fantastic! I mean, as a person of “maturity” and reflecting upon past communicative methods, sending a digital message to a recipient has powerful advantages. I love that it’s quick and, with an email client like Thunderbird, you can save or keep track of correspondences easily as well as allowing almost immediate answering to incoming emails.

I mean, think of what it was like without email! Consider how much paper was consumed in the years B.E. (Before Email) and the carbon emissions, use of energy and water. Consider sending pictures to newspapers or files to publishers or orders to companies or… Consider the rising costs and decreased service of postal services. Consider how many vats of glue on postage stamps one saves through email? Consider…

These last couple of weeks I’ve been filling 4 giant garbage bags with shredded documents and papers to send to re-cycling. I’m so glad that email allows me to use less paper and, perhaps in my lifetime, look forward to avoid seeing the following when walking my dogs…

Oh, by the way, should someone argue that paper manufacturing and all these clear cuttings provide jobs…and I have empathy with their thoughts, consider the 19th century wheelwright! If a wheelwright’s job was argued in this manner, we’d still be driving with wooden wheels. Changes can be positive! Now-go shred some paper for re-cycling and think about how you use paper. Email is great!

TIP: When just wiping up water off something with paper towels, lay the towels out and let dry to re-use. Food fell on the floor? Get a dog…works great!