Get Your Feet Wet

If you get your feet wet, you gain your first experience of something. How many new experiences pass us by as not relevant or noteworthy.

Here I am putting my feet in the Baltic Sea on the grounds of the City Hall in Stockholm. The Baltic Sea is part of the North Atlantic Ocean but the water of the Baltic has a very low salt content, only about 1/5th of that in the oceans. Over 30% of the city of Stockholm is made up of waterways, the Venice of the North. Robin, my cousin was a little braver.

The City Hall is probably best known as the location of the yearly Nobel Banquet. I however remember it for the breathtaking view of Old Stockholm from the tower. I’ve been to the top of the tower twice. When we went in 2001 I told my group of the must see view I had seen over 25 years before. What I didn’t remember was the details of the trip to the top. I remembered the elevator, but forgot that the elevator only went halfway up the tower. Robin led the way, I was second, and poor Mom and Joyce brought up the rear. Both having had both knees replaced we sympathized as the passage seemed to go on and on as it circled at an incline around the tower with steps at each corner of the building. Robin and I laughed at our groups plight, as I would drop back to check on “the Moms” progress. Once we got to the top there was an open staircase to get to the really good view 106 meters into the air, more laughter. Not a trip for anyone scared of heights.

You may not be scaling the Stockholm City Hall tower but I hope you have many chances to “get your feet wet”.

Amtrack Railpass - 1978

When I wondered what to post today, and how to link it to yesterdays post, I've taken the easy route and am posting a photo I recently scanned into my collection below. Photography is the connection.
Back in 1978, my sister Deb and I purchased an Amtrack railpass. It was extremely cheep and a very economical way to travel. We had open access to any amtrack train across the US, Canada and Mexico and four of us took off on our 15 day adventure. The four of us would spilt and go our own ways, but we'd meet up again and again. We found this to be true of many of the people on the trains, getting to know people on one train and then seeing them again in a completely different location.
We each had one bag (This was before rollers on luggage) to stuff our belongings into and started our vagabond life for the next two weeks. Sleeping on trains and catching naps in train stations, washing our hair in sinks in the terminal, but we also planned a few stops with friends in certain locations and got motel rooms in three cities. I recently found a journal I kept from the trip so I can bore you with more details than my memory would allow.
Our path took us from Minnesota to Chicago where we got off the trail and explored a day, going to the Art Institute before getting back on the "Lake Shore Limited" heading for Albany, NY. We purchased individual berths for an additional price, but it was nothing like the spacious rooms on the train in Hitchcock's, North by Northwest, I remember a seat that folded into a bed with a toilet next to your face as you laid down. Needless to say that was the only time we paid extra for that "luxury".
We switched trains at Albany and got onto the "Adirondack" heading to Montreal, Canada to visit an old roommate of Debs. From Montreal we came back down through New York to Wilmington, Delaware where Deb had friends again. Next stop was Washington, D.C. and Union Station. We had a day there so chose one of the Smithsonian buildings as well as views of the Capitol and Mall area. We boarded the "Southern Crescent" train and upon leaving D.C. we went right by the Jefferson Memorial and got a rather quick close up view.
Atlanta found our group reconnecting as we headed to New Orleans and our first motel room. No ofence to anyone but here is an excerpt from my journal "There are 35,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in town and we get witnessed to on every corner, building and elevator. They have yellow sacks with their literature, so you know when they appear to be approaching to witness. We thought it was pretty humorous when we found some yellow bags in a trash can to carry, so they wouldn’t “bother” us." I guess you could say I've been a resourceful person for quite some time... :-)
We boarded the "Sunset Limited" where one of the guys in our group played his guitar in the lounge. Musicians would join in and it was a beautiful way of connecting with people across the land. Some trains had glassed top cars so at night you could watch the sun set or view the stars with music and singing. That was probably my most special memory of riding trains.
In the West Texas desert, 150 miles east of El Paso we collided with an automobile. Deb and I were in the accordian space between two railcars when we felt the jolt and immediately smelled the gas. When we got back to our seat a woman was screaming and crying, she had been looking out the window and saw the car after the impact. The accident killed a woman and left a husband and two children in critical condition. We stayed there awaiting a helicoptor, authorities and repairs. It was an emotional time for us all and the crippled train was now without any refridgeration or airconditioning in the desert. They allowed people down to the baggage area where they opened the large top part of the door to admit fresh air. The silver train was so hot going across the desert it was a sauna of rotting food and sweating people. I remember how cool it felt when we arrived in El Paso and were able to stand in the shade of trees in the 105 degree heat and feel refreshed while repairs were made.
On to Tucson where our guitar playing friend left for Mexico (Mom and Dad had asked that we not go to Mexico as at that time there were some young girls who had gotten jailed there and although many had tried to help free them they were caught in the system of another country.) and the rest of us headed for LA and Oceanside, CA for a few days of rest and relaxation and of course the ocean and Disneyland.
Up the coast to San Francisco, the view of the coastal scenery was beautiful. Cable cars, Fishermans Wharf, views of Alcatraz, Chinatown, filled our days here. Deb and I dressed in old clothes for a tourist spot photographer in San Francisco. The only thing I remember about having our photo taken is that my dress was purple polyester and I thought that was unrealistic for an old fashioned picture, but the photographer said with the sepia tones no one would ever know. Well, now you all do.Leaving San Francisco/Oakland we traveled north to Portland, Oregon, Puget Sound at Olympia, WA and the beautiful scenery again all the way to Seattle where we stayed with friends of someone in the foursome. We went on a tour of underground Old Seattle where I learned the trivia answer to "who was the inventor of the flush toilet?" (Sir Thomas Crapper) On to the top of the Seattle Space Needle - 700 feet in 43 seconds.
Our last train to ride was the "North Coast Hiawatha", more beautiful scenery through Idaho and Montana and a quick stop at Livingston, the gateway to Yellowstone Park from the north. We encountered a storm on our last night on the train. We later found out Minneapolis was badly flooded with 6 inches of rain that came down in 1/2 an hour so traveling was slow as tracks were washed out in places. Deb and I leave the group at Red Wing, MN where our parents picked us up.
That was 30 years ago this summer... oh to be young and carefree again.

Photograph Your Art

I really need to photograph some of the art I've created. It seems that, especially during the school year, I'm constantly creating things. Usually I work along with my students, to hopefully inspire them to get to work. I admit I don't always finish a project as I get involved in helping students before I ever finish. It may take me a few semesters to finish a project and that's only if I keep the same assignment in the curriculum.

I used to enjoy painting with watercolors. Of course I never took photos of some favorite ones, a couple of them are hanging on the walls at Mom and Dads, so I can still get photos of them on my next trip home.
So a lesson to you all , document what you do! Take a photo, I promise to be better at that in the future...

Eating Out - Summer Style

(Do you know that if you click on a photo it will enlarge into a new window?)

Going through old photos I found these treasures of picnic shots. As the last days of summer vacation creep up on me before school starts I imagine there's still a chance for a picnic.


Sitting on the front lawn at Charlie and Anna Swansons home (my great Grandparents who are in the bottom left of the photo) making ice cream as everyone anxiously awaits. There's a box with dishes in the center (by my Grandma Phoebe).

A Sack lunch in the church yard to the East of Grandview Covenant Church back in the 60's. Probably after Bible School? Families represented here include: Bjork, Hessaa, Johnson, Dieters, Volseth, and Payfer. Did I leave anyone out?


Lunch in the field - 1975. Left to Right: Calvin (Dad), Steve, Joe, David Hildring and Eddie Hildring.


The backyard of friends, Inger and Bjorn's home in Sweden - 2001. Mom, Aunt Joyce and cousin Robin and I made our memorable trip together, Barbro met us at Ingers also. I had met Inger and Barbro on-line back in the late 90's while doing family research. They both live in the town of Ljungsbro and while they weren't acquainted before meeting me, they both made our trip to Sweden a memorable one. We would picnic everyday on our trip. Packing a lunch in the morning and sharing our feast of treasures along our way.


The Ericsson family - 2001, my host family from when I was an exchange student back in 1975 in Hävla, Sweden. It was wonderful to meet Jan and Ulf's families and of course see Papa Olle and introduce them to my family in person. I do remember the dessert this evening was a huge bowl of ice cream with fresh raspberries in honor of a favorite treat when I lived with the family years ago.


In 2005 we had a Johnson reunion of Joyce, Calvin and Carol Ann's families. The day started with a church service at Grandview, followed by a trip to the cemetery before coming back to church to eat the then ready feast of food. (Ok, so we ate indoors... we're talking airconditioning and tables to eat at!) Many of the cousins had not seen each other for quite some time and while only 8 of the 10 first cousins were able to be there we were grateful for the opportunity to get together. After a buffet style lunch served in the church kitchen we toured the area connecting everyone with family sites of days gone by.

Organ Music

Did you know I used to play the piano and sometimes the organ in church when I was younger. Our little country church was blessed with people with musical talent, so for many years it has had the organ and piano playing together.
My sister Deb played the piano and organ too, so she would play the organ and I would play the piano in our duets at church starting with Christmas programs of long ago. Having an organ and piano in our home, we practiced there, but they were both involved in duets by family and guests alike, back in the days when activity surrounded neighborhood and family visits. Anyone who played a piano or organ was pressed to play when they entered the Johnson home. Often Dad would sit at the piano and he played many duets with his girls, as long as the brown hymnal was used.

When we were younger yet we had a pump organ in our house. Many smiles and lasting memories were formed around that old pump organ... pumping your feet on the pedals gave power to the sounds that escaped. Our vacuum also played a part in the sounds to fill our home when it was hooked up to the bellows leaving the air supply constant with no need to pump. What fun and trickery... In the photo to the side is Mom's cousin Iona giving the organ a hand back in 1958.
I was given this pump organ (photo below) a few years ago and it has been sitting in my little garage cramped between the mower and flower pots. Currently it's under a tarp where it has become the base for lamp displays at garage sales and it also corals the garden tools stored to the side of it.

My Dad was behind my "adoption" of this old pump organ, it is to become a project for him. Dad is a magician at refinishing, tinkering with the old to make it work again. The ivory is all there, the stops and wooden pieces too, I believe the bellows are probably dried out and silent but soon it will travel to the farm for Dad to give it his special touch. Mom and Dad are planning to come to Denver this week or month. I'm hoping for the week so I can spend time with them before school starts for me next week.
What will I do with all the space in my garage? The city wide garage sales (Steve would always say each year, "you haven't sold that garage yet?!") in Denver are approaching September 13th.

Hallowed Ground

There's some kind of connection from posting to posting. This time I go from the sacred beauty of God's landscape to the churches that have special meaning to my family. I first saw the Ljung church when I was an exchange student to Sweden back in 1975. Luckily, my host family made it possible for me to visit the church. An experience that was one of the many things that inspired my interest in family genealogy.
These photos are from the 70's showing the back of the church and inside from the choir loft. Did you know many of the cemetery plots are reused. If no one is caring for the grave it is reused. The headstones become part of the stone fence around the church or a walkway around the church. I'm not sure of all the details of the "recycled" graves but do know the cemetery has been in use for hundreds of years.

Brohemmet (the Swedish translation of the name is bridge home) is the birthplace of my Great great grandparents. (The brothers Karl and Adolph Svensson who later built Fallhemmet as mentioned from an earlier posting.) Their father Sven Svensson was a torpare. Brohemmet was on land which belonged to another owner than the Svenssons, in this case Ljung Slott (Castle) The settler who worked a torp was obligated to provide the owner with a certain number of free work days during the year. In return the torpare worked his plot of ground, seldom larger than a couple of acres, where he could plant potatoes, grow vegetables and a bit of hay for the lone cow, a couple of pigs and a few chickens. Brohemmet was one of the closest homes to the Ljung church and castle of the owner, therefore giving it a prime location as it was also next to the river. It is imagined Sven was an important worker for the estate due to the proximity of the home to the castle. The owners of the Ljung estate while Sven and Katrina lived at Brohemmet were The von Fersen family until 1862 (when they went bankrupt) and then The von Mecklenburg family bought the estate. The Svensson family had to move out of the house when father Sven died in 1860, that is when Fallhemmet was built. Photo Above: Brohemmet with a view of the Ljung Kyrka (Church) in the distance across the river.

Karl emigrated to the United States in 1869 with his wife Carolina and three children and settled in Dakota Territory in 1870, along the Sioux River. Adolph emigrated to the United States years later at the age of 54 in 1889 with his wife Greta and two of their six living children. The other four children had already emigrated to the same area where Karl had settled. The brothers reunited after 20 years, had 12 living children between the two of them, who were pioneers of the area. These descendants helped start a church named Grandview Swedish Mission Church of rural Granite, IA, now known as Grandview Covenant Church.

Yosemite and Steve

My brother, Steve, passed away from gastric cancer on December 19, 2007. When he moved to Fresno, CA in 2003, he found a love for the three National Parks near Fresno; Kings Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite. When he first moved to the area, he would drive to Yosemite and hike the different trails, explore the history of the area and soak in the nature that was so unlike the plains of Iowa where he grew up.
Whenever family or friends came to the area, Steve was sure to take them to one or all of the parks. When I went out to be with him for his surgery to remove his stomach, back in 2005, he kept on suggesting to my sister Deb and I to take an afternoon trip to one of the parks since I had not been there before. Of course we wouldn't hear anything of it, as we were there to give him support and sightseeing wasn't a consideration. All he was going through, he still had a love and pride for the nature around him.
When I went back out for a visit the next summer, Steve was eager to take me to the parks and I looked forward to the trips. We photographed the area, exploring what could be our best shots, got excited when thunder clouds crept into the valley at Kings Canyon making the view incredible, we got interested in the variety of bark textures on the trees and how the elements gave each one it's own identity, and of course all the waterfalls in Yosemite gave us pause for reflection.
I wanted to paint a scene of Yosemite for Steve and gave him this painting for Christmas in 2006.

Because Yosemite was "heaven on earth" to Steve it has become special to our whole family. We all have had our photo taken at this view. If Steve's spirit is traveling this earth, I imagine he has finally soared to the top of half dome (He had wanted to hike to the top, but never got the chance before his cancer was found.), the peak is in the center, off in the distance of the scene above.

We treasure the photos he took on his many adventures. I'm sure I will post some of them in the weeks and months ahead. I'm now the caretaker of his camera in the photo above, may the viewfinder point it's way to the wonders God has placed before us.