I just finished reading the English translation of Victor Hugo's book "Hans of Iceland," which actually takes place in Norway. You and my husband would enjoy the ambiance of this little classic as it brings Norway "close up" through its various characters and storyline... :)
Haunted by your tale of heritage and haunted by that beautiful music. And haunted by this line: "the fury of those who believed in the power of men and the strength of women, but did not believe in the sanctity of a human life."
Truth be told, my ancestors come from Sweden and Denmark and the east side of Scotland ... Aberdeen area, so they can be a cantankerous bunch ... both sides. I'll tell about my g-g-grandmother some time. Talk about strength of women.
I’d almost forgotten how crazy/beautiful you Norwegians are. I’ll send this to my friend Anderson. Listening to the song, I was seized by regret when the drums started in but didn’t play continuously. We Scot’s love our battle drums. Great piece as always!
Oh, Jack! You are so kind to say this. It is rare that I set down this kind of work. I never knew any of my Norwegian line ( not even my own father) but I seem to have some sort of genetic "memory". I feel my Nordic ancestors. You might like this short thing, too.
sharronbassano.substack.com/p/in-this-bed? And Yes! I know about you Scots and your drums. Yeoow! I have had 17 journeys to Scotland in my long life. It is like my second home. ( I believe some of my ancestors were Orcadians.)
Deep roots in the sea, the ice, and the fishermen, the plunderers…and the music you picked feels like the haunting loneliness of a woman caught in the vast ice scape , yearning for her place in a circle of a family, a hearth. Love. Just my take. I’m probably way off, but that’s what I felt, with this incredible writing, and lovely voice, singing, and the haunting music. Beautiful, Sharron!
I was so happy to have found this piece of music. I felt it deeply. I don't write these kinds of things often, but every once in a while the angst and the hidden fear bubble up to the top and have to come out! You know how it is.... Thanks for always finding time for such thoughtful comments, Sharon
Amazing grace, Sharron. You always amaze me. You g0t right into my blood and bones, again. I was mesmerized, kept reading it over and over, with the music. How do You know these things so deeply? You must be a time traveler. Takk fyrir.
Thank you, Bonita! I am so glad you read this. I knew you would react to it. I credit these visions and strong emotions to a kind of "genetic memory". And to the fact that I spent a full year tracing my genealogy
Returning from the north, where days are now longer, but nights will be longer during winter...it seems anything can play havoc with the imagination. Your line about the strength of the vikings, yet no sanctity for human life touched-primitive (and I don't mean not intelligent, they are CERTAINLY very intelligent) cultures think so differently about life and death.
I'm not sure I can unimagine how we think! But often they are more casual, if that be understood. Death just comes with fierce determination. Right now, I think of the Apache, a man was not a man until he scalped someone-only then could he marry.
Fools, infinite ways, yes! And some things are so difficult to believe, and yet pervasive. I prefer the elation of nature: pure survival and beauty cached together. Maybe cruel with survival of one species, but destruction of another. Yet pure: those plants don't lie
Interesting traits. It does read like a poem. I have a great, great grandfather who is Norwegian. His name is Thor Garth. He and his wife Anna immigrated to the flint hills of Kansas in the mid-1800's where they helped to settle Strong City. It's so cool having a relative named Thor.
I just finished reading the English translation of Victor Hugo's book "Hans of Iceland," which actually takes place in Norway. You and my husband would enjoy the ambiance of this little classic as it brings Norway "close up" through its various characters and storyline... :)
Yes, I would like to see that. Thanks
Wow, I really like this one, Sharron! Stirring words, indeed.
Thanks, Ron. A little heavy-handed this time. I don’t know what comes over me. But I guess it is good to get it out. ha ha ha
Very moving…. Poetic….
Thank you, Wade.
Haunted by your tale of heritage and haunted by that beautiful music. And haunted by this line: "the fury of those who believed in the power of men and the strength of women, but did not believe in the sanctity of a human life."
Thank you, Sharron.
Thank you, Basin-Girl. I DO have a little dark side, which I usually keep in check. Hope to "see" you tomorrow on Zoom!
Truth be told, my ancestors come from Sweden and Denmark and the east side of Scotland ... Aberdeen area, so they can be a cantankerous bunch ... both sides. I'll tell about my g-g-grandmother some time. Talk about strength of women.
I’d almost forgotten how crazy/beautiful you Norwegians are. I’ll send this to my friend Anderson. Listening to the song, I was seized by regret when the drums started in but didn’t play continuously. We Scot’s love our battle drums. Great piece as always!
Oh, Jack! You are so kind to say this. It is rare that I set down this kind of work. I never knew any of my Norwegian line ( not even my own father) but I seem to have some sort of genetic "memory". I feel my Nordic ancestors. You might like this short thing, too.
sharronbassano.substack.com/p/in-this-bed? And Yes! I know about you Scots and your drums. Yeoow! I have had 17 journeys to Scotland in my long life. It is like my second home. ( I believe some of my ancestors were Orcadians.)
https://open.substack.com/pub/jackjackson551/p/slow-and-steady-may-win-the-race?r=3vejei&utm_medium=ios
Loved your story. The above link is my friend Anderson.
Thanks for this link. I read it and left a comment on the post!
Deep roots in the sea, the ice, and the fishermen, the plunderers…and the music you picked feels like the haunting loneliness of a woman caught in the vast ice scape , yearning for her place in a circle of a family, a hearth. Love. Just my take. I’m probably way off, but that’s what I felt, with this incredible writing, and lovely voice, singing, and the haunting music. Beautiful, Sharron!
I was so happy to have found this piece of music. I felt it deeply. I don't write these kinds of things often, but every once in a while the angst and the hidden fear bubble up to the top and have to come out! You know how it is.... Thanks for always finding time for such thoughtful comments, Sharon
HAPPY WOOFIES )))
Amazing grace, Sharron. You always amaze me. You g0t right into my blood and bones, again. I was mesmerized, kept reading it over and over, with the music. How do You know these things so deeply? You must be a time traveler. Takk fyrir.
Thank you, Bonita! I am so glad you read this. I knew you would react to it. I credit these visions and strong emotions to a kind of "genetic memory". And to the fact that I spent a full year tracing my genealogy
What hounting melody! And you very accurately expressed the weight of our ancestors legacy.
Thank you, Yael. I searched for just the right accompaniment. I thought this one really set the Norse mood. SO glad you liked it.
Returning from the north, where days are now longer, but nights will be longer during winter...it seems anything can play havoc with the imagination. Your line about the strength of the vikings, yet no sanctity for human life touched-primitive (and I don't mean not intelligent, they are CERTAINLY very intelligent) cultures think so differently about life and death.
I'm not sure I can unimagine how we think! But often they are more casual, if that be understood. Death just comes with fierce determination. Right now, I think of the Apache, a man was not a man until he scalped someone-only then could he marry.
Eeeps!
Says Shakespeare's Puck, "Lord, what fools these mortals be." Illimitable ways to be foolish, if you ask me, Jill.
Fools, infinite ways, yes! And some things are so difficult to believe, and yet pervasive. I prefer the elation of nature: pure survival and beauty cached together. Maybe cruel with survival of one species, but destruction of another. Yet pure: those plants don't lie
👍🏻
Really like this, Sharron. A little bit of a different feel to it that weaves through the words.
"My blood and my bones carry the cries of souls who were lost at sea." Favourite line.
Thanks for reading this, Nathan. I feel honored when you drop by over here. So many writers; so little time!
Interesting traits. It does read like a poem. I have a great, great grandfather who is Norwegian. His name is Thor Garth. He and his wife Anna immigrated to the flint hills of Kansas in the mid-1800's where they helped to settle Strong City. It's so cool having a relative named Thor.
We might be cousins, Ken . Any idea what part of Norway he came from?
No idea, Sharron.
We can still be cousins.
Okay.
"My blood and my bones carry the cries of souls who were lost at sea." Loved that line.
I do believe that our heritage shapes our personalities in subtle ways. I find it fascinating.
Powerful prose, Sharron. Very well done.
(Late to the party. just got back from our trip.)
Now remind me? Jamaica? Trinidad? Was it a cruise? Wherever, I hope you just loved it.
What an evocative and haunting piece, Sharron.
Thanks so much Justin. We doing a fifties by the fire this Friday?
I’m going to try to have one. It’s been a hectic couple of weeks over here!
Oh golly, such stirring words, Sharron. Epic.