"Hej" from Stockholm's open air museum! I'm taking a summer break.

I'll be back in September with more reverence for this living world. :)

Hello all!

Today I’m writing from Sweden, where I’m on a week-long visit with a dear friend I haven’t seen in a few years. We are both really big fans of open air folk museums, so yesterday we were delighted to visit the world’s first one, called Skansen. It’s on an island right in the city, and it’s full of examples of traditional architecture from different regions of Sweden (and a couple from Norway, too).

Here my friend Sofia and I stand before a storehouse from Telemark, parts of which date from the 14th century

There is something about gazing at, smelling and touching centuries-old building materials and appreciating the love that goes into reconstructing heritage spaces that fills my cup like nothing else.

It’s all in the details! The ceiling of this Skåne farmhouse has original hand-printed star wallpaper pasted across its wooden beams above the kitchen stove.

I especially appreciate the windows on old buildings. Historically made by hand, glass used to have such character! An old window’s faults and ripples can remind us that it too is alive and perhaps even flowing, still. They compel me to ask “what has this glass seen?”

I found this embroidered wool cap from Dala-Floda, Dalarna, by chance in a thrift shop in the old city centre the day before we visited the museum. Isn’t it lovely?

I’ll share one more photo, for the spirits in it:

What dreams live in the cracks of this old Finnish-Swedish settlement?

Aside from sharing dreams from Skansen, I’m actually writing to let you know that I will be on summer break from writing my Substack while I travel, do other work, and refresh my mind and perspective. I’ll be back in September with more vernacular spirituality, folklore, and song.

I may still send a letter or two during this time, but I will pause paid subscriptions so that folks who are paying monthly or yearly are not out of pocket while I’m away.

Wishing you a beautiful July and August,

Danica