Finally Monday!

Today was dedicated to helping my parents around their home and garden.

After another lovely breakfast together, we changed into practical clothes and headed outside. There is always something that needs to be done around a house, especially when summer is slowly beginning to lean toward autumn.

The weather in Northern Norway can change quickly, and it is never too early to prepare for cooler days.

Preparing the Garden for a New Season

We continued staining the entrance area that we had started working on earlier. It was satisfying to see the wood looking fresh and protected again.

We also carried the sun loungers inside and began preparing the outdoor area for late summer and early autumn. It feels strange to put summer furniture away when the evenings are still bright, but there is already a change in the air.

The days may still be beautiful, but autumn is quietly waiting in the distance.

There is something peaceful about this kind of work. One task leads naturally to another, and before you know it, several hours have passed.

Nothing we did was especially dramatic, but every small job made a visible difference.

A Clearer View

I also washed the large windows on the lower side of my parents’ house.

They are big windows, and cleaning them properly takes both time and effort. Once they were finished, however, the beautiful view outside seemed even brighter.

Clean windows have a wonderful way of making an entire room feel lighter.

Standing there and looking through the glass toward the mountains and the northern landscape made all the work worthwhile.

It was a true pleasure to help my parents with these practical jobs.

As Princess Diana once said:
“Family is the most important thing in the world.”

I completely agree.

Taking care of our parents is one of the most important things we can do. They cared for us when we needed them, and as the years pass, it becomes our turn to help whenever we are able.

It does not always have to involve something big.

Sometimes, love is shown by staining an entrance, carrying garden furniture, cleaning a window or simply being present. These small acts of care can mean more than expensive gifts or grand gestures.

Helping my parents does not feel like a burden. It feels like a privilege.

A Well Earned Evening Indoors

After spending most of the day outside, it felt good to settle down indoors for the evening.

We watched Ballad of a Small Player, a psychological drama directed by Edward Berger and starring Colin Farrell. Farrell plays Lord Doyle, a gambler hiding in Macau while trying to escape his past and his growing debts. His life slowly begins to fall apart as gambling, fear and desperation take control.

The film had a strong message and gave us plenty to think about afterward.

For me, it was a story about what can happen when someone spends too long running away from the truth. Lord Doyle tries to hide behind money, appearances, gambling and a false identity, but none of it can protect him from himself.

The film explores addiction, loneliness, guilt and the possibility of redemption. It also shows how quickly the search for excitement can become a prison.

There are moments when the story feels strange and almost dreamlike, but that only adds to the feeling that Lord Doyle is slowly losing control of both his life and his understanding of reality.

It reminded me that we cannot always change what has already happened, but we can choose whether we continue running from it.

I truly recommend the film, especially to those who enjoy stories that stay in the mind after the final scene.

It is not simply a film about gambling. It is a film about identity, consequences and the difficult journey back to yourself.

An Early Night

After a long day in the garden, we were tired.

The fresh air, the practical work and the film made it easy to settle down for an early night. Sometimes, the body simply tells you that the day is complete.

Tomorrow afternoon, our journey home begins.

It is always difficult when a visit with family comes to an end. The days here have passed far too quickly, but they have also been filled with so many meaningful moments.

We have travelled, hiked, visited museums, shared meals, played games, helped around the house and spent precious time together.

Tomorrow morning, we will see what we can fit into the hours before leaving.

Perhaps there will be a trip into town. Perhaps there will be another small job waiting in the garden. Maybe we will simply sit around the breakfast table and allow the conversation to continue a little longer.

Whatever we choose, we always try to fill our days with something meaningful.

A day does not need a grand adventure to become valuable. Sometimes, the best days are the ones spent helping someone you love.

Tonight, I am grateful for tired hands, clean windows, freshly stained wood and parents who are happy to have us here.

I am also grateful that we still have one more morning together before the long journey home.

Motto from Nordè

Love is not only found in the words we say. It lives in the small things we do for the people who once did everything for us.

Tonje