The Opera in Oslo in February

Last week I had an appointment in Oslo.

I took the train and had some spare time.

The Central Train Station is very close to

the new Opera House so I walked over to

enjoy the winter version.

Right outside the Opera House

in the Oslofjord there was a sculpture

I probably should learn more about.

Ice covering the fjord this close to shore.

Winter in Oslo.

The Opera in Oslo in February

Last week I had an appointment in Oslo.

I took the train and had some spare time.

The Central Train Station is very close to

the new Opera House so I walked over to

enjoy the winter version.

Right outside the Opera House

in the Oslofjord itself was a sculpture

I probably should learn more about.

Ice covering the fjord this close to shore.

Winter in Oslo.

Moss Canal today

In the background the ferry to Horten.

Along the shore some smaller boats.

Pieces of ice floating through the canal.

With around zero degrees Celsius today,

I am developing a hope of warmer weather.

Width 77 cm Height 93 cm

Artist's suggestion for future frame:

Broad black frame.

A present

About a week ago I was shown two oil paintings

made by Oddbjorn ( Oddbjørn) Ottesen

who lives here in Moss.

I am not an expert in this field, but

immediately was charmed by a painting

inspired by one of Rembrandt's self-portraits.

For me, even the technical part of creating

such an oil painting is a wonder.

At home, I searched the internet and

looked at some of Rembrandt's self portraits

from different museums around the world.

I was also reminded of my own visit to the

Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam around 35 years ago.

That night it felt like a wonderful surprise and

pleasure to have seen this painting here in Moss,

and to know who had painted it.

Imagine my surprise when I got a present today

- that same oil painting.

I like it very much.

I feel priviliged to own it.

Thank you!

PS. I took these photographs tonight, but will try again

in daylight to see what difference it makes in

the colors.

Some details from a teahouse in November 2010

November 2010

An old barn had been converted into a community

center, an oasis of peace, and on the top floor

there were several guestrooms.

I looked out and thought of events that took

place in that big house - one family's life,

but also events that took place during and

after WWI.

Moss December 2010

November 2010

Other persons have been sitting on these chairs

before.

What happened then?

Tomorrow my sitting there today will be a shadow

of the past.

In memoriam

For many years he was my neighbour.

He was the devoted husband of my friend.

He was my age.

He died tonight.

A heart attack I was told.

He used to joke that we should either build a bridge

between our houses, or a tunnel under the street,

to make it easier to visit each other, as his wife

and I spent so much time together.

As a boy growing up in a big city, he had decided

at a young age to become a dairy farmer.

He fulfilled that dream.

This morning he sold a cow.

This evening he went to check out his cows.

It was at his work place he was found dead a

few hours ago.

It is so far away.

I will not be able to go to the funeral.

I will not be able to hug his wife and children.

On old gravestones the texts often describe

the deceased as a "righteous, honest, good man".

That fits N.