It’s been a while since I’ve dropped by here. All is well, it’s just summer in Norway and, as such, one is pretty much obligated to spend as much time outside as possible. And a lovely summer it’s been so far, with lots of nice weather and time spent with friends. I must say, though, that I can’t help feeling a vague sense of anxiety simmering in my head. I think I’m starting to panic that the summer is half over. That’s a bit ridiculous, I know, but I think it’s exactly what’s keeping me from being able to totally relax lately. I feel like I should be doing more all the time, going to the beach, bicycling, working in the garden, air drying everything I own, reading a book, taking a nap. It’s kind of freaking me out.

I wonder if this is why Norwegians, in general, are an impatient people. I mean no offense by that, and I don’t think it’s a national secret that many, many Norwegians find it very, very challenging to wait for stuff. They’re just not good at it. And I’m afraid I’m becoming that way, too. I feel like I don’t have time to waste, summer is passing me by, soon it will be over and then it will be fall and then NONONONONOOOO, it will be winter. And then I will want that to be over so summer will be here again, only to go by too quickly. Sheesh, this is making me super stressed out.

Good thing there’s a football game on tonight! Although I’m not sure how much it will distract me from my stress, since it’s THE BIG SEMIFINAL between Spain and Germany and I’m dreadfully frightened that Spain will not prevail. But I’m hoping against hope and will keep watching no matter what happens. GO SPAIN!!! GO DAVID VILLA!!!

For those who couldn’t give a toss about the game tonight, I leave you with some nice summertime photos I’ve taken while out riding my bike. Sandefjord is at its finest in the summer, and I especially appreciate how much crop-growing goes on around here. There’s something very back-to-nature about seeing field after field of wheat and other foodstuffs I can’t identify since I’m really a City Girl. It’s good for me to see the farmers working so hard all the time, planting and harvesting and tending their cows, as it is a constant reminder of where my food comes from and how much effort goes in to getting it from the earth to my mouth. GO FARMERS! Respect to you!