Today, I thought I’d treat you to a short story – dedicated to Erin Davies – detailing the sad fates of Lieutenant Sixten Sparre and his paramour, tightrope dancer Elvira Madigan. The below takes place in July of 1889, in Denmark. It is a perfect summer day…. He took her by the hand when they left […]
One last time – of impossible love and its consequences Read More »
There is something strange in our relationship with love stories. While most of us hope for that happy ending, the stories we remember are the ones that end in tears and loss, such as that of Juliet and her Romeo. Even weirder, we will sit in our sofas and snivel as we watch – yet
In my recent post about St Birgitta, I mentioned in passing the Swedish queen, Blanka. According to Birgitta, this French sissy had none of the spiritual backbone required of a queen, and besides, she was French… As for Blanka, I suspect St Birgitta was not on her Top Ten most favourite people list – especially
I live in a country that embraces moderation in all things. One should not be too loud, too self-confident, too successful, too beautiful – well, you get the picture, I suppose. Here in Sweden we believe in conformity, and just so you know, this does NOT make us socialists. In actual fact, we combine this
So who do you think you are? Celebrating my B.R.A.G. Medallion. Read More »
At times, I regard my children and wonder how on earth they can be mine. Sometimes this is said with a little sigh as I pick up yet another piece of discarded clothing or wipe the counter tops free of crumbs and marmalade stains. Mostly it is said with an element of pride and genuine
Sometimes, I wish I was Chinese. Especially when we approach New Year, I really, really wish I could have a New Year’s celebration like theirs, complete with those magnificent Chinese dragons. Then, of course, there’s the added benefit of Chinese tea – cha. This is a people that fully understands just how relevant tea is
Some months ago, a large part of the World’s population turned their attention to Rome. One Pope was dead, another was to be chosen, and people came together before St Peter’s, waiting to hear if the conclave had made a decision. Even today, in this world of tweets and texts, immediate connectivity and all that,
There has, apparently, been an upsurge over the latter years in trips to Gambia. Now why is that interesting? Well, it’s not your normal little holiday trip, no, the people who go to Gambia very often go to scratch one particular itch, namely their need for sex. The majority of these tourists are middle-aged European
“Honey, could you clean out the garage today?” says wife over breakfast. “No, ” says husband. “I have other plans.” Oh dear. there went that cosy breakfast down the drain… Obviously, this is a relatively new marriage, as the man has as yet not cottoned on to how female communication works.The wife isn’t asking him
In 1496, Princess Juana of Castilla, daughter of their most Catholic majesties Fernando and Isabel, married Philip the Beautiful, son of Maximilan I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, scion of the Hapsburg dynasty. At the time of her marriage, Juana was not expected to inherit the combined kingdoms of Aragón and Castilla. She had
Of inbreeding, royal marriages and their ultimate consequence Read More »