Late summer

"I’m baking a pie. Rhubarb pie, for now. We don’t have our own rhubarb, but we got some from a neighbor. For several years, we’ve tried to grow it ourselves, but the plants refuse to take hold. Isn’t that typical? Rhubarb, which is almost considered a weed! This year, for the first time since we pruned the apple trees, we’ve at least had a substantial apple harvest. They are super sweet, and big. Yes, it’s definitely harvest time, and as usual, it’s difficult to find the time to take advantage of everything.

Mats was home for a quick "visit" this Friday but is now away on another work trip—down to Småland, of all places. Life at home goes on as usual, even though the pace has picked up a bit at work. I try to be in Stockholm on Mondays and Wednesdays, either to visit archives or to be in the office. It’s a pretty good balance, for now.

Waiting for the bus

Last Wednesday evening, the master's students had a graduation party. I was invited!

Nice people. I hope everything goes well for them in the future, wherever they end up.

This Friday we rearranged the sheep paddock... again

This time, we pulled the fence through a wooded section with some larger rocks. The sheep have never shown any sense of adventure before, but wow, did they start climbing! It was apparently great fun for them, and they were good at it. Real mountain goats...

Now they are joined by a herd of horses as well

The Royal library

I came home to the apartment a little while ago and just took a bath. It’s not very late in the evening, but it still feels like it could be midnight. I went to Stockholm early this morning to go through a bunch of archival material at the Royal Library (KB). I wasn’t really looking for anything new, just needed to double-check that all the strange claims I’m making in my dissertation chapter are actually supported by the sources... I made some progress but didn’t finish. I’ll be back there tomorrow.

After work, I met Tobias for a drink. Now, I’m not sure who’s reading this, but if there are any “new” readers, I should mention that Tobbe is my oldest and closest friend. We were colleagues for many years at the meat factory and were both new to Stockholm at the time. It’s nice that we’re still close even though we both live completely different lives today.

The reading room at the Royal Library (KB). Beautifully cinematic.

Finnish army dogs in training.

On my way down to the old newspaper archives.

We met in Hornstull at an Indian restaurant.

And after that to Loopen, down by the water.

Sollentuna

Yesterday, we were invited to Mats' parents for lunch. Last time I saw them was at Easter! Way too long ago. They live in Sollentuna, municipal next to Stockholm. However, quite soon after I had to leave to get to Hornstull and meet Tove. We did our master's together and have become good friends by now. Last year, we went to Greece on an archaeological trip together, which was unforgettable.

Anyway. I slept in the apartment last night and came back to the house a while ago. Had time to go and check on the sheep, but that's all I have done today. Tomorrow, we're going to a house viewing (just for fun, it doesn't match what we're looking for but we are still curious). After that, Mats' sister and her family are coming to visit.

Tove and her dog, Sickan!

From now on and for the next two months, it will not be difficult to be self-sufficient in fruit and vegetables.