10 Apr 2026 – Kirsten Backer(1947-2026)

Tue: exploring the combined Nationaltheatret tog(train)+T-bane(metro) stations while waiting for Kari from Jessheim.

Feels like Spring is finally in the air and what a glorious day to be wandering around town watching ppl taking their moment to enjoy&relax on the public benches or at the alfresco cafes. This amazing village is made of FreiaChocolate – do wonder what special ingredient is in it to prevent melting or perhaps that display is in an enlcosed temperature-controlled glass case.

Edited: posted some pix of Kari&I in FB including the above pix with the benches commenting that Spring is here and guess what? all those pix in that Wed8Apr2026 posting were deleted by FB!! For real…

Kari&I celebrating ~54yrs of friendship with a bite@NIO-House/KarlJohan and an ice cream for dessert. ThankU to my first Norwegian female friend for taking time to catch up on a beautiful afternoon.

Only recently did I have the time to look up at the lamp-posts to observe figures of tigers@FridtjofNansensPlass – why tigers? Never knew that the city’s nickname Tigerstaden(TigerCity)! Now I know!! The name was used by Norwegian poet BjørnstjerneBjørnson.

https://telepensjonistene.no/oslo-tigerstaden/

His poem Sidstesang(LastSong), he wrote about a fight between a horse and a tiger, where the horse represented the countryside, and the tiger represented Oslo. It was meant as a condescending metaphor for the city being dangerous, depleting, and hostile place, but today the name is often used positively, now an exciting and happening place rather than dangerous.

https://johnirons.blogspot.com/2016/02/first-part-of-sidste-sang-by.html

4.5 metre-long bronze tiger made by ElenaEngelsen was a gift to the city of Oslo when it celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 2000. The city of Oslo wanted a tiger, and that’s what they got. It has become one of the most photographed sights in Oslo, in bronze, and it’s one of the first things you see when arriving@OsloCentralStation. Of course, we are talking about Oslo’s iconic statue, The Tiger!

Perhaps this is real story – back in the days, when Oslo, or Christiania as it was called back then, went under the name tiggerstaden (city of beggars) by Danes and people from the more affluent western parts of the country due to the city’s quite palpable poverty. The transition from tigger (beggar) to tiger could probably be attributed to some part to the intricacies of Danish pronunciation, or lack thereof. Obviously the good people of Oslo preferred to hear Tiger rather than Beggar and hence the slightly surreal nickname Tiger Town – PeturJP. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 

How similar are the Nordic countries?

KongensGate; GlasMagasinet/Stortorvet one of my favourite places to shop where EmmaHald had shares here in the 1960s-70s and she took me here to get my first vaffeljern=waffleiron/maker: https://glasmagasinet.no/ OsloDomkirke/OsloCathedral was opened and have always like the interior but pix are not allowed inside. Stepped inside for a few mins to light 2candles in memory&respect of my parents and marking ChingMing here in my own way!

https://www.kirken.no/nb-NO/fellesrad/kirkeneioslo/menigheter/oslo-domkirken/

Topped-up my travelcard, thoughts of Katy&Jack on this poster and wondered if they will let their hair grow this long; a giant hammer with a quote by AsbjørnSunde(1909–1985). Det var verd å kjempe for friheten for alle land, for alle klasser, for alle mennesker=It was worth fighting for freedom for all countries, for all classes, for all people.

Wed: another glorious day to walk to Majorstuen for shopping via MarienlystSkole but had to rest on a bench by the sports field – goes to show how short of breath I can be nowadays! Just as well #6 did not have gym class today or he will be totaly embrassed – hahaha…

Thu: coughing most of last night and woke up gasping for air – tkx May for driving me to&fro ER/AkerHospital. Nice new ER and looks like it will be quite a hospital when constructions are completed; efficient good medical staff despite of the interesting patients! Was in at 10.00 and out by 11.45hrs. Nebulizer given+blood taken to be sure that whatever infection going within is not life-threatening! Steroids+Ventoline prescription.

Fri: today will be with a heavy heart out for KirstenBacker’s funeral as she passed a week ago quickly&suddenly. Was hoping to catch up this trip but not meant to be. We first met@PiggsoppgrendaGrenda,Kolsås in the mid 1980s when we were both going thru’difficult&challenaging stages in our life journeys and have been in contact since. Condolences to Karen&family+Geir, she will be missed and may she RIP.

We last met in 2023 and that was the final time our paths crossed – Jul2023: lunching with Kirsten&Geir at Løkenhavna@Kolsås and a trip ‘up’ memory lane still finding wild strawberries on the paths…

Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it — Haruki Murakami 

Blessed for all the good times@Kolsås,Jeløya&Melbystølen: https://amylamsg.com/2013/06/28/melbystolen/

Appreciations to her family&friends+all@WøyenGård for an elegant memoiral reception and grateful to Jan-Henrik for driving Mette&I to&fro. It was a great help considering my condition!

Kirsten’s creative talents with weaving@BærumHusflidsforening and picture books are an inspiration – gone but never forgotten, thank you for crossing my path in this life journey.

6 Apr 2026 – ChingMing清明節-TombSweepingFestival

Fri: Langfredag/GoodFriday grey cloudy sky day, another perfect indoor day with these lovely lush plants&deco+audio-book&movie – after yesterday’s mystery&murder had to go for some feel-good movies without having to think who done it…

Look! A riddle! Time for fun!
Should we use a rope or gun?
Knives are sharp and gleam so pretty
Poison’s slow, which is a pity
Fire is festive, drowning’s slow
Hanging’s a ropy way to go
A broken head, a nasty fall
A car colliding with a wall
Bombs make a very jolly noise
Such ways to punish naughty boys!
What shall we use? We can’t decide.
Just like you cannot run or hide ― Maureen Johnson, Truly, Devious

Sat: påskeaften/Saturday of easter weekend – woke up to glorious weather with a new layer of snow knowing that it will be gone in a few hours, grocery shopping before they close again for the next 2days. Cold brisk windy short stroll with HolmenkollenSkiJump in the far background on top of the middle lampost.

Birdhouses looking good and ready to be hung despite of the morning frost but when you are on a road named FairyTaleRoad and see the magic on it, everything is possible! hahaha!! Tkx to Mette for wanting to share my påskeaften Soup&BreadLunch – forgot to take pix

Sun: påskedag or første påskedag/EasterSunday. PeristeriaElata National flower to Panama/S-America – commonly referred to as the HolyGhostOrchid,DoveOrchid, or flower of the HolySpirit – FlorDelEspirituSantoin Spanish would have been perfect for today. It is also ChingMing清明節-TombSweepingFestival for those observing this period (4-6Apr) when ancestors are commemorated by visiting their graves, sweeping the tomb, offering food&burning paper goods – pix downloaded. https://amylamsg.com/2022/04/07/beliefs-triumph-over-logic-again/

Have been paying respect to my parents@MandaiCrematorium/SIN over the years when in SIN but have not risk being there after asthma attacks started – pix from 1999-2020 in SIN.

Heavy traffic expected@LandCheckpoints(Tuas&Woodlands/SIN) due to upcoming QingMingFestival and GoodFridayLongWeekend – ica.gov.sg. Sitting in such traffic for me would probably trigger an asthma attack – now glad to be sitting in a quiet kitchen here in OSL/Norway reading&cooking hoping that the family will not get caught in traffic or bad weather on their way back from Oppdal – pix downloaded.

Mon: andre påskedag/EasterMonday and a public holiday here with HolmenkollenSkiJump in the far background. Appreciations to Hazel for sharing this amazing Tromsø pix with StoreBlåmann, Finnlandsfjellet, Kvaløya+UNN,universitetet&GrønnåsenSkiJump in the background. Family off for an EasterBrunch on this beautiful spring day before back to school&work tomorrow –  hopefully no more frost or snow on the ground for the remainder of my stay!

A visit to Hageland/GardenLand with a GreenHouse perfect size for me! feeling that spring is in the air

Could not resist SpringHeatherNOK70 in this T-cup basketNOK150 and these YellowChrysenthemunNOK80 to bring spring indoors too. Tkx to Bjørn for the first 2026 SoftIceCream

2 Apr 2026 – Hello April 2026

Mon: Good Monday morning from OSL/Norway – woke up to this new thin layer snow on the roof early this morning as compared to yesterday! No worries thsi will not last and will be gone before noon but do like the cold evenings to sleep with the bedroom window opened and will be OK as long as these beautiful birchtrees are still in hibernation – hahaha.

May’s EasterCactus/RhipsalidopsisGaertneri indoor here is going to be amazing when the blooms open and Linn’s Clemantis(bought@Walmart in 2023)is now in-bloom/13blooms outdoors SC/USA – living vircariously from her pix where the squrriels have destroyed the basil&thyme there, bad nasty rodents!

Have been informed that this week is known as rompåske/the week before Easter – school is out #6 made yummy Fish&Chips dinner from scratch today with a tartar sauce to die for. Most ppl will have 3days off work (Thu,Fri,Mon).

The family will be heading to their cabin in Oppdal – goodies here ready for #6. For me will be the chance to walk about OSL(if health&weather permit)where it will hopefully be nice&quiet when many ppl are away.  https://www.lifeinnorway.net/easter-traditions/

Tue: late Bfast with #6 and we agreed that this must be the biggest blueberry! What an amazing morning to be amongst the neighbourhood’s trees depite that some have still to have any foliage yet.

SognHagekoloni enjoying the cute little houses where some ppl there are making hay while the sun shine prunning up their gardens.

Glorious day to walk to UllevalStadion(~8,000step to&fro)and to feel the ambience where they are preparing for this evening’s football/soccer game against Switzerland – what perfect weather to be sitting in this open-air-stadium to watch the game.

Was not aware that there is a CoopMega here and delighted to find Fenalår there which will be perfect gifts for SIN family&friends to taste this NorwegianSmokedLamb. Got my year’s supply of Moller’sTranCapsulesNKR238/~S$32@Normal. 

Across the road ppl were selling these scarfs,Tshirts,etc to promote the game –  tempted to get #6 a scarf but was afraid he might think it cheesy to later discover that he would have liked one! Goes to show how little in tune I am with football fans!! Ending this shopping day including take away Sushi@JaponSushi 22pieces+4Spring-rolls, usually not a fan of spring-rolls but these were surprising good when consumed freshNKR368/~S$50. TodayNKR1,332/~S$177 poorer but a successful shopping day. https://japosushi.no/japonsushi-sognsveien/

Wed:  a short trip to Majorstuen on All Fools Day – nice stroll down Bogstadveien with or without fools!@ValkyriePlass but with good memories when I used to push #6 in a stroller here. Up to 1985 it was the underground station https://lokalhistoriewiki.no/wiki/Valkyrie_plass_stasjon

ClasOhlson to pick up some ice-cube-trays and a stainless steel trayNKR280.

The shape of this apple tree when without foliage&fruits is quite unusual but have been told that they this how they should be prunned, and this other tree has a guardian angel by it! GardaSíochána (also commonly referred to as the Gardaí) is the national police force in the Republic of Ieland/Eire. Was rather concerned when I saw Garda signs on the fences around the house! Do not need any more action after SC/USA shooting incident!!

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/law-enforcement/garda-siochana-national-police-force/

No April Fool but here it is Norway’s leading security company  – pix downloaded. https://gardasikring.no/

Thu: wet morning and family packing to head towards Oppdal – hopefully weather will clear for their Easter skiing weekend. Perfect weather to enjoy this cold wet slushly day watching crime,murder&mystery films this Skjærtorsdag/MaundyThu following the bizarre Norwegian love of crime fiction over the Easter period – hahaha…

Happy AprBdays to family&friends

2  Apr –  NEO EngHuat
4  Apr –  KHOO Amy, MayaH, RichardY
8  Apr – TorillW
10Apr – LAM Danielle
12Apr – PeggyT
13Apr – LAU Yvette
15Apr – LynneO, AileenK
17Apr – LAM Sara, AnneS, SharonK,
19Apr – KLUSMAN Claire
22Apr – BOROWSKI Ike
29Apr – LAM Stanley

29Mar 2026 – RIP Kirsten Backer

Thu: woke up ~0200hrs, could not go back to sleep but thankful for a nice chat with Linn for nearly 2hrs and back to sleep until past 10a. After a nice stroll, left Ginny happily outside the fenced-area observing the construction next door with thoughts that the truck was too close for comfort and as for Ginny, she was probably hoping to find a way to escape – do not need any more drama on this trip – hahaha

Fri: Civil/Humanist Confirmation – a humanist confirmation is an alternative for young people who do not wish to be confirmed thru’ the church, but who still want to mark an important time in their lives. Borgerlig konfirmasjon/Coming-of-Age Ceremony is what #6 is going to classes preparing for this in May. Confirmations in Norway are more than just religious ceremonies; they are cherished cultural traditions that bring families and communities together to celebrate faith, growth, and unity. Whether religious or secular, the confirmation process offers young individuals an opportunity for self-discovery, reflection, and personal development. By understanding the significance, customs, and etiquette associated with confirmations in Norway, we can appreciate the richness of this tradition and the values it embodies within Norwegian society. Above 2attachments downloaded from understandinghumanism.org.uk

https://relocation.no/expat-communities/expat-resource-articles/understanding-confirmations-in-norway/

Would be nice to see him(but not meant to be)at the ceremony@OsloRådhus/CityHall where his Great-Great-Grandfather Magnus Poulsson was the architect – pix downloaded.

https://modernism-in-architecture.org/people/architects/magnus-poulsson/

Sad news from Mette that Kirsten was admitted into hospital a few days ago and passed away today – may she RIP. Was hoping to catch up with her on this trip and her last FB-posting 19Mar 22.42hrs where she commented Endelig en solfylt dag!/Finally a sunny day! Condolences to Karen&her family.

Sat: lovely day started with a short stroll to Kiwi to get food for dinner. Both houses beside us are also under works&renovations creating much dust around – poor May is vacuuming constantly. Let’s hope these mini daffodils will give some cheers&colours for now, daffodils here are called påskelilje literally translate to EasterLily – strangely for me lily somehow does not look the least bit like a daffodil??

Rice&fish early dinner of baked sei/pollock,scampi,broccolini(Asian-fusion-style)granished with cilantro&spring-onions.

Late grocery shopping@Meny/Colosseum remembering that most groceries here are not open on Sundays.  The kitchen sink is now filled with delicious smelling herbs.

Herbs are the friend of the physician and the pride of cooks – Charlemagne

Sun: May’s yummy Frittata/ItalianOmelette,Quiche – made with eggs tomatoes&cheese fried&baked and garnished with fresh basil completing this perfect PalmSunday’sBfast with fresh blackberries&raspberries before #6 heads for bouldering with his friends. Påske/Easter period begins with today palmesøndag/PalmSunday.

Scrumptious ButterTurmericChicken+#6s homemadeNaan for dinner and TineCherryYogurt for dessert – impressed that May has learnt to cook so well?

25 Mar 2026 – Bye ATL,GA/USA – Hello OSL/Norway

Sun: up bright&early@QualityInn&Suites,ATL-Airport-South,GA – near enough to the airport to see flights taking-off and landing nearly every few seconds. Checked out by 11.00hrs after Bfast and a bath in a perfect-size-tub for me.

Drive into ATL was quite an experience&nightmare, fortunately I do not have to drive and even Linn found it rather stressful…

PhippsPlazaShoppingMall is supposedly the most luxurious shopping mall in ATL has one of the most impressive ceilings I have seen. When we were there, a tiny bat was stuck flying around outside the Nordstrom entrance by the CanadianGoose. Despite not liking bats, did feel sorry for this tiny flying creature who would probably die of exhaustion flying about…

Walked around the mall while Linn&Ellie feast themselves with a buffet brunch@NobuHotel – still filled up from Bfast to justify spending US$80 but it sure looks good and had a LycheeMartini when they got their complimentary piece of Bday cake to end the meal with them.

Besides JimmyChoo’s latest bridal shoes ~S$1,400!, a real security do/not for sale!! and this HandmadeMetalBear sculpture from US$5,400-12,300!! and all I needed&wanted was a cup of coffee US$6…

Tkx to Linn for driving me to the airport allowing time for the TSA staffing shortages amid the ongoing parital government shutdown. Checked in 22kg suitcase/the heaviest ever, and by 16.45hrs got in line for the security-checked. The lines looped around the DepHall a few times round and then snaked along nearer towards the security-check – was thru’ ~19.00hrs, ie~2+hrs. Was such a relief to sit-down on an on-time flight to CPH/Denmark ~7hrs-45mins flight time. Appreciations to the gentleman who was willing to change his aisle seat with my middle seat next to his.

https://www.travelpirates.com/captains-log/tsa-wait-times-how-to-check-shutdown-2026

Mon: unevenful nearly full flight watching the OscarWinning movie OneBattleAfterAnother to CPH and arrived ahead of schedule to nearly getting on the wrong earlier flight to OSL but instead had time to shop&walk around for this round.

Tue: arr on schedule in OSL/Norway and no not in SIN despite of the TigerStadet/TheTigerCity at the airport – hahaha! Appreciations to May&#6-Olai for pick-up at the train station and tkx to Bjørn for this relaxing fire to end this most tiring journey so far.

Tkx to Gel for updates about the bad haze in SIN and to Huang for his updates about the floods in HI/USA – thank goodness that he is safe despite his car being destroyed, hoping&praying that insurance wil take care of it.

Quiet restful day walking to Kiwi to pick up a good simple&tasty Fiskekaker/fishcakes with peas&potatoes+Remulade for dinner.

Wed: change of plans for walking on this cold wet morning. Took the tram to Adamstuen and walked passing by The Old Veterinary School to Lovisenberg legesenter,Geitmyrsveien 45B to Dr appt for check-up&precriptions. Made FriedRice for dinner while waiting for #6 to finish with his bouldering. After a lousy night sleep last night, was in bed before 21.00hrs – jetlag does take a toll even more so at this stage of life…

I refer to jet lag as jet-psychosis – there’s an old saying that the spirit cannot move faster than a camel – Spalding Gray

https://locallll.com/projects/the-old-veterinary-school/

21 Mar 2026 – Packing Again – UGH!!

Wed: another cold morning 0°C/32°F – Happy 52nd-Bday to Linn who has been running since she could walk(Nesøya/Norway1975) – hahaha and up to today besides teaching fulltime&coaching,

(FL/USA2015&SC/USA2024)this mother of five+m-i-l to one still gets up between 4-5am to run – hats off to her. Running around for me today will be delivering elephant gift to my favourite PostMaster/6903StAndrew’sRd, returning Chacos@Kohl’s/120HarbisonBlvd, haircut@GreatChips/MurryLanding and grocery shopping@Publix before heading to ATL/GA this Sat to visit with #1Katy&Jack and to catch my flight on Sun. Hoping&praying that TSA strike will come to some agreement but mentally preparing for long lines with long wait! UGH that means packing again and packing is my pet hate – to me the most worrisome part of travelling comes before any of the travelling actually occurs; the suitcase packing process.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/insane-and-stressful-atlanta-airport-passengers-wait-for-over-2-hours-in-tsa-lines/ar-AA1YOgWM

While Linn is off at the beach for a well-deserved rest, this will be the last Sushi/Publix&LoMein/ChinaKingDinner for this round for the kids&I, and to celebrate #4Sophie for making to GirlsState https://www.palmettogirlsstate.net/ excited for her and feeling blessed with such amazing grandchildren.

Thu: beautiful sunset colours on LakeMurray. Dinner@TavernOn6,DreherShoalsRd with #2Ellie(pasta for her and burger for me) before her MedicalCollegeAdmissionTest/MCAT tomorrow. Also preparing her favourite NorwegianSmokedSalmon sandwiches for lunch during her testing.

Fri: all the best to Ellie for her MCAT all day today while I will be packing and clearing up the basement most of today. Tkx to KK for this recent newspaper cutting – good memories of this amazing young SIN chef from 2023, anything to distract&procrastinate where packing is concerned!

https://amylamsg.com/2023/07/30/stavanger-2023/

Congratulations to John#3 for his DodgeCharger2021 – respect to him for working&saving for this car. Tkx for the joy-ride to a Chick-Fil-A meal to discover that these yummy WafflePotatoChips can now be purchased in the grocery stalls.

Sat: so long for this round@YachtCove/SC – has been one of the most eventful trips here. Managed to put up more of Linn’s medals for her various races over the years in the laundry room where she keeps them, also a good way to cover up the unfinished walls – hahaha. Packing up this computer heading to ATL/GA later and will not be online here until OSL/Norway, ie sometime next week. I’m not good at Blackberrys, cell phones, or packing – Gruden

~3+hrs smooth drive from YachtCove/SC to SugarHills,ATL/GA where Katy&Jack’s apt is located.

https://cityofsugarhill.com/

Glad to be able to catch up with Stephine&Jason for dinner

and ice cream dessert before heading to QualityInn&Suites,ATL-Airport-South.

17 Mar 2026 – Happy St Patrick’s Day

Sat: Happy 21stBday to #2Ellie, her first alcholic drink tonight@Hendrix/MainSt where we celebrated her actual Bday – have not been present to celebrate her actual Bdays since the day she weas born! ie 2005!! the year I hiked the AT-Thru’Hike…

Oystes for starters and BeefTartare wtih CrispyBrusselSprouts on the side for me at the restaurant and

Bday girl had the scallops – desserts&drinks on the roof top with the beautiful sunset.

https://hendrixsc.com/

The 21st birthday is widely celebrated as a major milestone in adulthood, marking legal rights, social recognition, and cultural significance in many countries, especially the USA.

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/21st-Birthday-Key-Of-The-Door/

Do like checking out the MastGeneralStore/MainSt but never enough time…

https://www.mastgeneralstore.com/columbia

Kum cao/甘草/Glycyrrhiza uralensis, also known as ChineseLiquorice, which is used in TCM. This root could help moistens the lungs and stops coughs. It treats disorders such as shortness of breath and fatigue. Its neutral property treats coughing and wheezing of various etiologies that stems from either cold or heat and deficiencies of excess, with or without phlegm. Liquorice root has also been reported to speed the healing of canker sores. Would start chewing it when a sore throat or cough is onset and most times it works for me! Have been making tea with it the past month and seems to help slightly with the coughing.

Sun: woke up to this glorious morning – still some pollen but should be better after the forecast afternoon showers.

This tree went from blossoms to green leaf within less than a week.

Alfresco Spinach&BaconSouffleBfast@Panera/Harbison before the weather changes again next week.

Mon: wet day started and temps in the lower 20sC, on the muggy side and thunders were heard – there is a freeze watch for tonight. No wonder ppl get sick in these extreme changes within a day! No complains considering the snow storms in the US-MidWest and floods in HI. Linn&Ellie#2 on SpringBreak and Ellie will be staying the week with us here@YachtCove. Clearing&tidying the area under the staircase to store&find my things when back here again! Alot of Christmas stuff to be boxed and marked which will keep me busy until I need to pack and leave my stuff in there. Celebrated an early StPat’s&Linn‘Bday dinner with #2,3,4,5 tonight.

Tue: Happy St Patrick’s Day on this cold morning@Walmart to pick up stuff back to SIN, tkx to Ellie#2 for the loan of her car.

Was planning an early dinner@O’Hara’s/Lexington with Linn to celebrate Paddy’sDay and her Bday. Also would be my frist time in an Irish pub here – but it was not to be as the location was packed and there was ~1+ wait for a table. Nice to see so many ppl out to celebrate, too crowded&noisy for me, decided to have the food to go and the GuinnessIrishStew was decent, out of BreadPudding!

https://www.oharas-public-house.com/

13 Mar 2026 – Going Down Memory Lane

Sun: PrawnCurry dinner for Linn’s runner-friends and the grandkids. Appreciations for MC’s delicious homemade CherryPie and for Brad’s IrishCider – frist time tasting this MagnersOriginalIrishCider – a traditional Irish cider crafed in Clonmel/Ireland using fresh juice from 17varieties of apples following a recipe perfected since 1935, do like this cider.

Surprise visit from #1Katy, too excited to hear about her honeymoon that pix were forgotten this pleasant evening – missing #2Ellie on this great evening to have us all together. Kids are with us this weekend and the week ahead as Jeff is away in Honduras for work. Permission from Katy to now share her wedding pix.

https://amylamsg.com/2026/03/09/katyjacks-wedding-22feb2026/

Mon: Linn is making a 2026Calendar for me(belated-Bday-gift) – picking out pix for 12months is quite a job when there are 6grandchildren+their parents. #1Katy&I share Jan; #3Ellie&her mother share Mar; #6-Olai&his mother share Sep. The months without any Bdays of the flock are Apr,Aug,Oct&Dec – looking foward to getting the completed calendar. Found one from 2010 before James, but that cannot be the last one she put together?? Need to check when back in SIN…

#5James rode the school bus back today and reminded me when they lived here@YachtCove(tkx to the Lofurnos), the kids then also took the school bus from here after the house@Avalon burnt down in 20Sep2013(~13yrs ago) – another traumatic memory! Wondering if I should NOT be visiting considering that and now with the recent two earthquakes including the SwatTeam,etc in the neighbourhood??? https://amylamsg.com/2013/10/06/lost-for-words/

Tue: #4Sophie was under the weather this morning and stayed home. Another nice surprise, this time #2Ellie visiting as she has a Dr-app tomorrow. Fun out for a short evening shopping with the ladies as #4 needed an outfit for her interview. A pair of sandals from BurlingtonUS$15 was a perfect fit and tkx to Zack for the loan of his SlingShot/Catapult is what we call it and even remember making them from scretch in my childhood-days but do not recall what kind of tree?

Wed: making hay while the sun shines the past few days on these peaceful&beautiful morning out on the porch with my coffee&the new SquirrelProofBirdFeeder gift from May&family – the weather is supposed to change tomorrow! Birds are at the feeder when no one is on the porch and can be seen thru’ the glass windows if not too much action&motion going on inside.

Have been observing thru’ the window life on the porch since the birdfeeder was hung. The first week, squirrels were attempting to get to it and were rather upset when they did not succeed –

they would run around the porch railing and even dug up the herbs and I had to replant it a couple of times. Would not have believed that they are such clever,mean&nasty rodents if not seen by my own eyes with pix to prove it. No wonder EmmaHald(L&M’s paternal Norwegian GreatGrandMother) said that they are like rats if not for their tails and they too are classified as rodents.

https://wildremoval.com/are-squirrels-rodents/

Tkx to this borrowed SlingShot now all ready with ammunitions for those pesty rodents – revenging on what they have done to Emma&Linn’s plants+probably many more other ppl’s plants, not to hurt them but to frighten them and hope that they do not want to be around here!

Highly recommend this Squirrel Buster Mini, a 100% SquirrelProof BirdFeeder.
https://gardenartisans.com/squirrel-buster-mini/

SushiDinner+whatever in the freezer as it is still packed and food in there needs to be consumed. #4 back before midnight, tried&happy that IrmoHigh won the TrackMeet, she is still recovering from a broken femur but is the photographer for the team.

Thu: flashing on my mobile this morning Lexington County in central South Carolina with a tornado warning. There was some rains and that’s about it, even the squirrel is out despite of the warning! Did not expect to see this, so no weapon was on hand. Perfect morning to read – coughing less and breathing better in wet weathers. Cleared up later to a lovely breezy cool day.

Best of luck for #4 GirlsState interview: https://www.palmettogirlsstate.net/ the easiest grandbaby to care of when Linn was hospitalized after her birth. Two precious pix of her when she was 2yrs/2011 sleeping in the laundry basket and 4yrs/2013 sleeping upside down/both pix from the burnt-d0wn house@Avalon; she still enjoys her sleep but not quite sure if in those positions – hahaha!  https://amylamsg.com/2013/09/08/never-a-dull-moment/

#5James all dressed and ready for his scouts and will be getting his driver’s permit this summer – amazing with all the Fabulous5 driving here by Jul. Pix from today and 10yrs ago.

Fri: another 13Fri, exactly 1 month ago when one of the earthquakes happened then just after we arrived, and yesterday waterspout spotted on LakeMurray – pix downloaded. Fear of Friday the 13th one of the most popular myths in science is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/watch-waterspout-appears-to-form-on-lake-murray/ar-AA1YtW0R

Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive, and irrational-but how much does it cost you to knock on wood – Judith Viorst

22 Feb 2026 –  Welcome Jack Wegmet to The Family

Have been mentally preparing and getting ready for this date 22Feb2026 since Sep2025 and air-tickets are purchased in Nov2025 but unable to attend the BridalShower.

The Grove On Augusta,Gilbert/SC – perfect venue with Southern charm&rustic elegance ambiance for this beautiful young couple. Somebody has a good sense of humour  about 1897 – hahaha. Nothing may have happened here in 1897 but something very special happened on 22Feb2026. Most of the pix in this post by me and some by family&friends.

https://www.thegroveonaugusta.com/

Talented William/Katy’s cousin played the keyboard beautifully with his music choice and Katy’s uncle Chris officiated the wedding. Pix during the wedding ceremony have to be purchased and will be edited&updated here when they are ready…

Welcome Jack to the family and congratulations to Katy&JackWegmet – what a beautiful&big WeddingParty with Ellie/Maid of Honor&Sophie/BridesMaid+8 other BridesMaid, Jason, groom’s father/BestMan, John&James/GroomsMan+8 other GroomsMan.

FirstDance with the Groom and the Father of the Bride.

WeddingCake cutting and dinner.

Appreciations to niece Kat NY/USA and cousins Linda&Alfred+Irene CA/USA for being here.

6Grandchildren/#6-Olai,3John,5James,1Katy,2Ellie,4Sophie getting along and havling a blast – such blessings.

Caught in action with 3Grandsons

Linn/mother and Cindy/paternal grandmother of the bride in action with #5James.

CouplesDance: from Norway May&Bjørn/auntie&uncle of the bride; FL/USA Terry&Dee/paternal grandfather&step-grandmother of the bride; GA/USA Stephine&Jason/parents of the groom.

From MD/USA Amy&Mike; FL/USA Ramona(tkx for being such a great friend&support to Linn); FL/USA Rich, step-grandfather to the bride with Bjørn, #4Sophie and her friend Zack. Appreciations with thousand thanks to family&friends for taking time to celebrate this memorable day with us. Despite of the difficult lights to get good shots, a good time was had by all chatting,eating, dancing, etc…

Mother of the bride taking care of her baby getting her ready for her Honeymoon

Here is to wishing Katy&Jack all the best to a new chapter of their lifes together…

Edited:

7 Mar 2026 – Cook&Share More Pots of Curry

Wed: #2Ellie spent the night as she has dentist app this morning before heading back to Clemson. Nice warmer weather to potter around the pots of plants on the porch. WedSushiDinner&FriedRice for #3,4&5.

Thu: too much action&drama this morning but have yet to find out what happened?? All kinds of vehicles with blinking lights including the SWAT-Team with firing arms. Stayed indoors with all the doors locked and heard the sirens with loud-speakers telling us to stay indoors. Heard cursing,shouting and shots – slightly shakened up, too close for comfort and praying that no one got injured!

Managed to take these pix thru’ the locked glass door, like watching an action movie, and ppl pay to see these kind of movie while this is happening life here! Just read this and it happened 19Feb, but do wonder if it has anything to do with what happened this morning?

https://www.uscrimeradar.com/columbia-sc/5042-24523_1771496605_ggvwltfo-man-with-a-gun-reported-at-yacht-cove-complex

A short walk up the road to talk with the neighbours later to learn about a very sad fatal ending to Eric who was well-liked and has lived in this peaceful neighbourhood for nearly the past decade – words from others are not always objective or reliable. Do not know Eric and was not there to see what really happened??

ChickenCurryDinner for this group of lovely teachers&friends of Linn’s and tkx Haley for these yummy starters.

Freia the dog remembers that jumping&sniffing is not for me, a dog named after my favourite Norwegian chocolate must be an intelligent bitch – hahaha! Appreciations to HiHills for these exclusive Fran’s chocolate – looking forward to tasting them.

https://madeinwashington.com/collections/frans-chocolates

Fri: #3,4&5 were over for leftovers TacoDinner from the wedding and we had a few rounds of RussianPoker.

Sat: #3 on break from work and guess if he is hungry – always such a joy to feed him who eats&finishes whatever we put on his plate without any complains.

DaylightSavingTime/DST will begin at 0200hrs on Sun8Mar2026. Clocks will be set forward one hour, so sunrise&sunset will occur an hour later. Tonight we will be losing an hour of sleep and also means that we are exactly 12hrs behind SIN. A reminder that time is a human construct — and we’re not very good at constructing it!

The European Union voted to end it, Canada is debating it, and here we are still arguing about farmers who haven’t manually milked cows since 1952 – Frustrated citizen 2025