My Northern Home

I actually decided to take my own advice quite literally. So on my way to work I stopped the car next to this small river, which I cross every day on my way. I started to walk bushy track, that was following the river. The place weren't magical or exceptionally interesting, but I was smiling. Just being outside. For stopping. The river is called Vaiskojoki I found a lot of beautiful plants by the river and nearby swamp. Maariankämmekkä or Heath spotted-orchid  (Dactylorhiza maculata ) is actually very common in the north, and yet it stands out from the other vegetation as an exotic Orchid family member.  Suopursu or Wild rosemary ( Rhododendron tomentosum ) is one of my favorite plants. I love the strong smell which always welcome me when entering to a swamp. Metsätähti or Arctic starflower (  Trientalis europaea ) is surprisingly common here in the north. I think it's really beautiful.  Mesimarja or Arctic raspberry ( Rubus arct

Summer has come without noticing. Next weekend is the midsummer festival and we have reached the highest point of the northern summer. After this the day starts to grow shorter and shorter. This was some how shocking for me to realize. I think I have been living in some kind of never ending spring phase in my life. When did all the snow melt away? When did the night frost stop coming? When did the tree leafs grow in their full size? I'm now convinced, that I have been definitely too focused in all the wrong things in life. If you can't notice time passing by and seasons changing, it is definitely time to stop. Stop running and take a deep breathe. After all I moved here in Lapland so I could enjoy all the four seasons. Where the life phase is slower. To have stress-free life. And yet I'm carrying the stress with me. I know, I'm good at being concerned and stress about things. But I truly hope I could learn to be more relaxed. More trustful towards life an