Fosse Nobel Award

    Sam sent me an article from the Norwegian American paper about Jon Fosse receiving the Nobel Prize for literature. The award ceremony was in Stockholm on December 10, 2023. "The 64-year-old was clearly moved by the solemnity of the moment, but he smiled when he received the award and bowed deeply to the king, the academy, and the audience....Fosse met children who read his books and was clearly moved when they sang to him...."'I look forward to meeting you, I know you're very shy, but that's fine so are we,' said one of the greetings from a child named Asli."

   Fosse is the fourth Norwegian to receive the prize. Former winners were Bjornstjerne Bjornson, Knut Hamsun and Sigrid Undset. It had been 95 years since Undset was awarded her prize.

  How many of those present had read the book? 😀

Takk for alt,

Al

Quick Read

     It took the better part of a month to read Jon Fosse's Septology. The subsequent book took three days. Day, a novel by Michael Cunningham has an interesting structure. It's pandemic related. The book is in three sections each one day; April 5, 2019, April 5, 2020 and April 5, 2021. 

   A cast of characters is introduced in the first day. This introduction is quite complete. They show up again a year later enduring the depths of the pandemic. In the final section the survivors are gathered to scatter the ashes of one of the characters who fell victim to COVID. Both the second and third day sections reveal much of what happened during the intervening years.

    While the concept of the book was interesting I felt no emotional connection with any of the characters. Consequently, their traverse of the pandemic and after effects were only mildly interesting. Cunningham received a Pulitzer Prize for his book  The Hours. I'd be surprised if this one wins any prizes.

Takk for alt,

Al

"Remember you are just an extra in everyone else's play."  Franklin Delano Roosevelt 

Aha

    Every once in awhile a truth, which has been hiding in plain sight, suddenly reveals itself. In a recent issue of the Economist there was an article about AI, artificial intelligence. The gist of the article was not about the essence of AI but about the reluctance for some to accept it.

   In the article the slow acceptance of farmers to use tractors for power instead of horses was held up as like resistance to AI. It was pointed out that many farmers embraced automobiles before tractors. That opened my eyes to a truth that had long hidden in plain sight. It was a truth about my family.

   My father bought his first car in either 1914 or 1915, an Overland. It must have been among the first cars in the township if not the county. Roads were little more than prairie trails. About 1920 he bought a Buick Roadster, his second car. The 1928 Ford Model A, was his third car. It carried my parents, from their wedding in St. Paul to Chicago, Niagara Falls, Washington, D.C., South Carolina and home to South Dakota, on their honeymoon.

   When did Dad buy his first tractor? 1941! Twenty seven years after his first car. He was the 'horse man' of the large farming operation with his father and brother. That may have been part of the reason for delaying tractor purchase. Both of his brothers bought tractors before he; one for farming the other for road building. It's one of myriad questions I'd like to ask; why did he delay tractor purchase for so long? But. until the Economist article, I'd never wondered about the gap between purchasing an automobile and a tractor.

Takk for alt,

Al

Fosse, Part III

    In case one, or both of you readers, haven't gotten your copy of Septology yet perhaps some more thoughts from the book will carry you until you have a chance to read for yourself. The main charcter, Asle, is a painter whose talents at painting were in evidence as a boy. Accepted into art school on the basis of pictures he's painted, with out graduating from Academic High School, he references an art school lesson with which he disagreed. The reflection comes later in life after he's a renowned artist able to support himself by painting.

   "when I went to the Art School they said you should never paint with black becasue black is not a colour, they said, but black, yes, how could I ever have painted my pictures without black? no, I don't understand it, becasue it's in the darkness that God lives, yes, God is darkness, and that darkness, God's darkness, yes, God is darkness, and that darkness, God's darkness, yes, that nothingness, yes, it shines, yes, it's from from God's darkness that the light comes, the invisible light,"  P. 267 

   "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it." John 1:5 NRSV That previous paragraph quoted above strikes me as riff on John 1:5. It's a thought to which he returns reflecting on the hiddenness of God. Give it some thought and I continue to encourage reading the book. More later...

Takk for alt,

Al

   

Fosse, part II

     Wondering if both of you readers ordered Fosse's Septology after the yesterday's blog?  While it is a bit formidable it is also engaging and rewarding. The theological reflections give much to think about. Alse, the protagonist spends much time thinking about the hiddenness of God, and other aspects of the Divine, with good effect.

   An example of his thought is evident as he reflects on Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus is quoted as saying. Typical reflections on this statement usually coalesce around 'humility'. The humble who do not put themselves forward will be rewarded with heaven. Doubtless humility is a very worthwhile virtue and countless sermons have made that point.

   Fosse has a very different take. He interprets the 'poor in spirit' are those lack awareness of the spirit which lives in them. Because of this unawareness they are not self-righteous like many of the religious people. These spiritually clueless persons will unware be included in the Kingdom. There's an interesting thought. It's clear that Fosse, as expressed through Asle, despises religious bigotry while he values the church, in this case the Roman Church.

   Yes, I recommend you read it for yourself, it did win the Nobel after all.

Takk for alt,

Al

No Comment

 

tour de force

     Norwegian author, Knut Hamsun, 1859-1952, was the first novelist to use steam of consciousness in the protagonist's mind as a literary technique. For examples read Mysteries, 1890 or Pan 1894. Both books are small, quickly read and worth reading. His Growth Of The Soil, won the Noble Prize in 1920. A Nazi sympathizer, he fell out of favor during WW II. His style exercised a huge effect on following novelists, not the least of which was Earnest Hemingway.

   Contemporary Norwegian author, Jon Fosse, age 64, is a busy writer with 39 novels and short story collections, 40+ plays, 13 volumes of poetry and numerous children's stories. He received the Noble Prize in 2023, for Septology, a tour de force. The English translation, which I read, is 667 pages of small print, 1000 pages in Norwegian.  Reading it is also a tour de force which took me most of January.

   His writing is much in the tradition of Knut Hamsun. It consists of what Asle, the main character, thinks or remembers. Originally published in three volumes the book cover's seven days in Asle's life, thus the title. Memories of this old man fill in the gaps of the story, so while the book covers seven days, his memories are of a lifetime. There is no period in it so all these pages consist of one sentence.

   Two themes penetrate the story, The first is relationships; family, spouse, friends and acquaintances. One of Asle's friends is named Asle so the reader needs to pay attention to the who's revealed in the memory. Asle's wife is named Ales, and if that isn't confusing enough another friend is Asleik. Two women in the story are named Guro. Profound thoughts emanate about these relationships.

   The other theme is harder to name: spirituality? the nature of God? the numinous? His thoughts about the nature and presence of God are keen. I'll have much more to say about this in a subsequent blog.

Takk for alt,

Al

Now what?

      This is one of those days without an original thought. It's the third day of fog. At least I don't have to pull the blinds on the sliding glass door facing southeast. Warm and foggy, and I, for one. don't miss the snow.

    Well, content and blessed!

Takk for alt,

Al

I'm on page 630, then.

Nice Addition

      A part of the rental fee at the OFH includes a daily continental breakfast.  Offered are the usual suspects of cereals, fruits, pastries and beverages. It's the source of my daily cup of coffee.  Set up on the main floor it's in the space labeled 'Bistro'. 

   Now, for the first time since the building opened the Bistro is actually a bistro. Open from 10:00-3:00 weekdays, it offers and alternative to the dining room which is 'sit down' service. Inmates select from a variety of sandwiches, wraps, pastries, a choice of two soups, and a plethora of beverages. There is also a variety of chips, etc. A bowl of chili cost me $3.75, The cost is added to our room charge.

  The bistro an opportunity to socialize. Joining a table of thee inmates whom I knew conversation was had by all and also by Al. Likely I'll be a regular patron both for the convenience and the company. Several inmates use it as 'take-out' bringing their food back to their apartments.

Takk for alt,

Al

OFH

    The entire drive from The Little House to the OFH was made in moderate fog. It was my task not to obsess about all the vehicles driving in fog without turning on their lights. The late Kirk Kranz, whose funeral was yesterday, would have said "Idiots."  That man certainly will be missed. In his 56 years he had a huge impact. 

   The bistro opened in the OFH yesterday. Tomorrow I'll explore it. Why did it take three years? Difficulty in hiring staff. Thousands languish at our border desperate to enter. Many of whom would be willing workers filling vacancies for which businesses advertise.

   Am I home or did I leave home? Let's just say both are home.

Takk for alt,

Al

        The late Kirk Kranz is in the tan shirt to the viewer's right. We're at dinner in the OFH.

The rest of thr story!

          When we returned to The Little, cold, House Sunday, the furnace started after it was turned off and on again. It ran awhile and then stopped. Several occurrences of the switching off and on convinced us that a motel was a good idea lest we spend the night trekking to the basement. As we left the house for the night the furnace was running.

      This morning the house was nice and warm when I returned meaning that the furnace had worked all night. Mid-morning the repair person who'd been summoned arrived. A thorough check of the furnace, propane tank and vents revealed no problems. ???? He left saying "it's a mystery, call again if it happens another time. 😕 So there you have it!

     Did I mention that the water heater also quit?  Ya, then. That can wait until I return in April.

Takk for alt,

Al

Furnace Problems

     Returning to The Little House last night after the visitation for  Kirk Kranz we discovered furnace problems so we repaired to a motel for the night.  More later.

Takk for alt,

Al

Little House

       After attending the memorial service for Brian Gunch at Central Lutheran, Mpls., this morning Kaia and I motored to The Little House. It's been a month since we left. My neighbor, Josh, had shoveled the sidewalk and steps which facilitated reentry. 

     Before leaving the house I drained the pipes, opened all the faucets and turned the water off. The furnace kept the house at 50 degrees in our absence. Closing the faucets I went to the basement and turned on the water. Returning to the upstairs bathroom I found the shower spraying the room even though the faucet was turned off.  Trying a number of tricks to get the faucet off didn't work.

   At five p.m. on Saturday evening I called a plumber in Brookings, fifteen miles away, and by six-thirty the faucet was repaired. Cost? Zero! Perhaps the fact that the plumber has been bowhunting on my property for 30+ years may be a factor. He told me once that his wife had said "you've been hunting there forever, get over and fix it." 😀

Takk for alt,

Al

Life in the land of grief.

     There has been change living in the land of grief. Immediately at the death of a loved one grief is overpowering, which I've described as a knife in the ribs. Early on their is such a profound experience of the presence of absence. Triggers that throw one into paroxysms of grief occur frequently with great force. With the passage of time such triggers happen less frequently and with less power.

   In the land of grief a new normal emerges and that new normal is life without the deceased. In my case the new normal is life as a single person. It's now the reality that I've inhabited long enough it just seems to be the way it is. Grief subsides to what maybe likened to a dull ache. Triggers of grief are replaced by fond memories of life that was shared.  Grateful for the good lived shared and the life beyond the bereavement sustain a positive outlook on life.

Takk for alt,

Al

One of my favorite pictures of Joanne during her working days.

Joanne quote!

       Joanne was frequently known to say "Grief touches grief." That is certainly true. Frequently I've said that death is often followed by a conspiracy of silence. Persons encountering a bereaved person often make the mistake of assuming mentioning the deceased will upset the one who has experienced the loss. This fallacy ignores the reality that the bereaved is filled with thoughts and memories of the dear departed. Far from disturbing talk of the one who has died such talk reassures that the loved one is not forgotten. That is healing and therapeutic.

   Part of the pain of grief endured is the realization that the passage of time means fewer persons remember the deceased. "Tell me about __________." Is a welcome invitation to the griever to talk about the beloved.

Takk for alt,

Al

              Joanne near the time of our fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Kirk Kranz, January 13, 1968-January 15, 2024

        Kirk Kranz, married to my niece, Susan Negstad, was living in Brookings, S.D., working as a construction supervisor on a large project in Nebraska. He had an apartment in which he stayed near the construction site. He spent every other weekend at home with Susan. When he didn't come to work on Wednesday, a welfare check found him dead.

    Kirk graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in engineering management. After graduating he worked several construction projects including erecting wind towers in Maine. Another job had him designing grain handling units for farms.      

    It's hard to grasp death at age 56. It was always a pleasure to be with Kirk. His subtle humor enlivened many a conversation. Kaia and I will be returning to The Little House to attend his funeral on Monday.

   Rest in peace, Kirk...you were much loved!

Takk for alt,

Al

Ione Agrimson Hanson 3/28/1946-1/11/24

     Ione Agrimson was born to the late Elmo Agrimson and the late Cordelia Hueglin Agrimson at Tioga, North Dakota. She died at Emerald Care, Burnsville, MN. She married Mark Hanson. Ione was mother of  Aaron, Alyssa, Rachel, Ezra, Isaac and Elizabet.  She had seven grandchildren. Ione was a much beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and sister-in-law. Ione was a very accomplished social worker once serving as head of the Minneapolis Children's Hospital social work staff.

   Memorial services for Ione will be held at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis on February 17, 2024 at 11:00.

May God bless the memory of Ione Agrimson Hanson. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Takk for alt,

Al

One who loves the cold!

      No, no, no it's not me that loves the cold!  I'm into hot and I sit around the OFH all bundled up like Nanook Of  The North. The Norwegians like to say "There's no bad weather only bad clothing." There is some truth in that. Certainly I pile on the clothes when Kaia gets her morning run.

    There's a park up the hill from the OFH that's primarily used for disc golf. There are no disc golfers out at 6:00 a.m. this time of year. Kaia gets to run free. She maintains eye contact with me and as long as I'm walking she runs. When I stop she comes to me. Other persons and dogs are of no interest to her. This cold energizes her and she can do the running she loves without getting overheated. She's the one who loves the cold.

Takk for alt,

Al

Leisure, Part 2.

    Several years ago my congregation, Grace University Lutheran on the University of MN campus, owned a surface parking lot across the street from the church. Developers eager to build a high-rise apartment building on the parking lot negotiated a deal with the congregation. In the deal Grace got 44 lower level parking spaces. Therefore, when I went to church on this sub-zero day I drove from the OFH heated garage and parked in the churches' heated garage. Leaving church it was a cold half block walk outside to get the garage against the 'wind tunnel effect' wind whistling down Harvard street. But the reward was a warm car.

Takk for alt,

Al

Today's random photo is our tour guide in Riga, Latvia. When I asked her is she was worried about Russia she replied "No, becasue of NATO."

Leisure

      From where I sit in my recliner in the OFH I can see a bus stop across the street. Uffda, pity the persons dependent on bus transportation in this cold weather. It's another reminder of my good fortune and I am grateful

   After an early morning walk with Kaia it seemed a good day to stay inside. With a day with no external demands it offered opportunity for telephone conversations. The first was with my friend who will be 101 in March. He thought that perhaps, if the cold persists, he may skip church tomorrow. The trip to church is 12? miles which he drives regularly.

   Waiting for a delayed flight was a good time to visit, the friend was waiting not I, for the second call. He's accompanying his daughter's family as they travel to Utah to go skiing. At age 80, or is it 81/ he's not skiing. I suggested he cut off some old skis just in front of the boots so he'll have "bar skis". Wearing them he'll be able to approach the bar. 😁 

    A call to North Dakota revealed that it was 26 degrees below zero this morning, that's about 25 miles from the Canadian border. It reminds of the farmer who farmed just over the border from North Dakota into Canada. When the land was resurveyed it was discovered that his land was actually in North Dakota. Asked how he felt about this development he said, "I'm very relieved, I don't think I could have taken another Canadian winter."

Takk for alt,

Al

               In other words "it could have been worse."

Fun Christmas gift!

    Before Christmas, Evy age 14, asked what I wanted for Christmas. My response was "something I can eat." Open gifts at Christmas there was certificate from Evy for a cake of my choice when I wanted it. One of our Friday night dinner persons is moving and tonight was her last meal with us. So Evy agreed to bake a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting for tonight's dinner. 

   Evy came home from school tonight and baked the cake and I brought it to dinner. The six of us at our table each enjoyed a very good piece of cake. Near us was another table of our friends. They all also accepted a piece of cake. This left me with about three pieces, which is ideal.

   What a lovely Christmas present which allowed me the joy of giving and also eating good cake.

Takk for alt,

Al

            The Friday night dinner group about to enjoy fresh chocolate cake from Evy.

Change

      While living in Davenport, IA, listening to National Public Radio via Iowa Public Radio, the announcer said "The next recording is on compact disc."  What? What's a compact disc? I wondered. Now there is compact disc holder in the bedroom filled with compact discs. In the two years of occupancy of the OFH I've not used any of them. No interest in music? The interest in music hasn't change but the delivery mechanism has.

   With significant hearing impairment, or said another way, I'm almost deaf as a post😉, I've found a method of listening that allows me the full measure of sound. Can you guess how? Hearing aids! Hearing aids paired with phone. Sounds from my phone transfer electronically to my aids. Find You Tube on my phone, type in the music I want to hear, and full spectrum sound magically appears. This renders my collection of CDs obsolete. All of the CDs are on You Tube. Some change is for the better.

Takk for alt,

Al

   

            Anyone you know in this comic?

Snow

    St. Paul has only a skiff of snow. Weather reports suggest that NW IL has more. It was fortunate that we had dry roads for our recent visit there. Sinai, home of The Little House on the Prairie, received about 8 inches. This suggests that I'm at the OFH until April. If the snowless conditions had persisted I might have gone to South Dakota to finish out the pheasant season which ends January 31. Having gone north for the winter I'll just hunker down in the OFH luxury. Tough life but someone.....😀

Takk for alt,

Al

                               The Little House a different winter.

Nice start!

     It's a good thing that I get up early. The day started with live, WhatsApp call from Thailand. Sue and Tom were in a night market when they called at 7:00 p.m. Thailand time and 6:00 a.m.in the OFH.  They are teaching at "my" school and two of my teacher friends were included in the call. The teachers remember me, which is no surprise, but the older students do too. It's nice to be remembered and of course I wish I were there.

    Ready for the memory care unit? Heading off to the store I forgot my shopping list. Perhaps not ready for memory care yet because I purchased the eleven things that were on the list.😀 Memory care is three floors below me so when I fully lose it I'll not have far to go.

Takk for alt,

Al

                  Students at "my" school, 2020.

Another thing....

     In a recent blog were listed some of the events enjoyed at the OFH. Today I did a large load of laundry and another perk of the OFH came to mind. Entering the apartment of the OFH a nice closet is off to the left. It has significant shelf space, a bar spans the width for hanging clothes, there are several hooks for hanging coats and caps, room for the vacuum cleaner and Kaia's food bag and dish. It also holds a large capacity washer and dryer.

    The condo downtown from which I moved had free use of washers and dryers but they were down the hall. Today's epiphany was the convenience of washer and dryer in the apartment though they spook Kaia. It's just one of the little conveniences of this lifestyle which needs no stairs. I do climb the steps regularly for exercise but the elevator is available.

  Yes, I'm grateful!

Takk for alt,

Al

                                         Hooks in the closet.

January 7, 1900

     On January 7, 1900 Edith Lydia was born to Rev. Olai and Minne Bergh at Volga South Dakota. She married Albert Negstad on November 28, 1929 in St. Paul, MN. After a lengthy honeymoon they made their home on a farm in Brookings County, South Dakota. To this marriage was born four children: Lucille, Richard, David and Allan. Allan grew up thinking his name was "Lucille Richard David Allan because Edith always started with the first born and worked her way down the list.

   Edith was a wonderful wife, mother and woman. God bless her memory!

Takk for alt,

Al 

"The new phone call etiquette: Text first and never leave a voice mail"  Headline of an article in the Washington Post

First sentence...

     The new book I've started is engaging though I'm still on the first sentence and I'm on page 88.😀 I prefer to say more about books I've finished reading so there will a more complete report later.

    Once again wisdom come from the 'funnies'. (See below.) Tomorrow will mark two years since I moved into the OFH. Friends here, Harry and Polly among the first residents in the building, told me shortly after I arrived that they "liked it from day one and even better as time went on." That's also been my experience.

   Four events in the last few weeks have contributed to my satisfaction. Every year the food services director goes all out for Christmas party that include all residents in both buildings. The buffet he prepares is outstanding making it a very gala affair. A good time was had by all, and also by Al.

  This year for the first time there was a Christmas party for residents of the 4th floor, on which I reside. The food was potluck but when the participants are seniors who obviously know their way around their kitchens it was an exceptionally fine buffet also. The group, much smaller than the all residents event, allowed for good conversation and making new acquaintances. 

   Another first was a New Year's Eve party and it had the same positive characteristics as the 4th floor Christmas Party.

   The fourth event I enjoyed was a simple gathering of military veterans. It was an opportunity to share military "war stories" with others who were interested. Since that event when I meet the veterans who were there it is evident that we bonded.

    A very common fetish among old people is "I'm going to die in my house!" Too often the effect is that they end up isolated and lonely. The OFH offers me ease of living, community when I want it and solitude if I chose.  Profoundly grateful I am!

Takk for alt,

Al

Home again!

    750 safe miles and a good visit and we're home again. With advancing age comes the increased significance of family connections. Electronic communication is very helpful but there nothing like being face to face for conversation. Thanks M & C for the fine hospitality made better by K's stopping in to chat. Many cars and trucks on the highway but the Twin Cities at rush hour didn't even occasion a slow down. Kaia got sprung from doggie camp a day early for which is grateful no doubt. The kennel at which stayed issued a 'report card' and said she played happily with others. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Away from my desk!

    Lisa and I are making a quick, overnight road trip to visit relative. We'll leave tomorrow and return Saturday. The computer is not traveling with me so there will be no blog tomorrow. You'll both need to find something else to do.

Takk for alt,

Al

   

    More on phone etiquette per chance neither of you are up to speed.

Good One!

     Don't even doubt MJV about books. She knew what she was doing sending Thornton Wilder's Our Town with Ann Patchett's Tom Lake. She was wise both because immediately familiarity Town is important as one reads Lake, knowing me, I'd be tempted to fudge. Dutifully I read them in proper order and was glad I did.

    Tom Lake is a good story well told. Patchett knows how to write to capture the readers attention. Perhaps her friendship with Tom Cruise was influential in the parts about movie making. She always intersperses succinct bits of wisdom into the narrative. For example she has this reflection on memory: "There is no explaining this simple truth about life: you will forget much of it." P. 116. Isn't that the way it is? We remember bits and pieces but whole experiences are forgotten.   

   Yes, glad I read and am grateful to MJV for both books.

Takk for alt,

Al

In the ongoing effort to educate you both on telephone etiquette the comics once again provides a teaching tool. 

That was fun!

    Back in the day in small towns, perhaps yet, bridal showers were community events. Joanne would return saying that the pleasure of those events was made, or not, based upon one's seat mates. Last night the OFH's New Year's Party was fun for me. Much of my satisfaction came from being seated at a table with persons with whom I enjoyed visiting. In addition the potluck food was excellent. Obviously the attendees know their way around a kitchen. It was a wonderful buffet. The ambiance was mellow with the club room comfortably full. It was nice to meet more of the community. Three hours is sufficient to fill my people bladder.

   Monthly there's a military veteran's gathering at the OFH. Usually when they meet I'm away. Today I was able to attend for the first time. Five veterans attended, three from the Vietnam era, one from Korean War era, and I who served between those eras. Few persons are interested in my military experience therefore it was satisfying to have an interested audience. The group was enhanced by the absence of any long-winded, dominant speakers. So far I'm the only Marine that's surfaced.

Takk for alt,

Al

Persons my age need to learn this new telephone etiquette. Text before you call younger persons and do not leave voicemail.