Life Among Stoics
Congregants at Holden Lutheran, Beardsley MN 1936
I'm reading The Land of the Living: The Danish Folk High Schools and Denmark's Non-Violent Path to Modernization. I stole this book from a very good man and frankly at this point have no intentions to return it (sorry John!). Mostly because I envision a rural landscape full of these remarkable folk schools and figure we'll need an instruction manual.
I read with interest the chapter on why Scandanavians are melancholy, or as I would describe it -- stoic. The author muses "an obvious direction in which to look... is the dark and cold northern climate." But then he decides these Danes actually take pride in living with extreme cold and short summers and delight in the changing of the seasons. Instead he decides that:
Whatever the reason, I find myself living among (one could even venture to say "with") stoics.
I know a man who served in World War II, married, raised a number of fine and productive children, farmed and worked very hard past the point he was able. He lived a solid life, stern and upright, he frowned on tapping ones toe to the hymns in church because it was too close to dancing.
And then he was stricken with Alzheimers and lost control. He now gushes over his wife of nearly 65 years, enchanted by her, unable to to stop telling her how much he loves her, holding her close. All those years of holding himself so close only to burst with love and delight as the twilight hastens.
Comments
and you Daughter, my beautiful scholar, are becoming more the "poet" everyday....
Posted by: Mom | October 3, 2009 11:36 AM
I was entertained with your comments about the scandinavian people. I've often made the comment that when I die I want to come back a Norwegian. Thats something, coming from one who's blood is 100% from the Father Land! (I make my own sauerkraut!!) The deal is you see, I'm married to one and when they take you into there fold there no turning back. (I love em.) Do you suppose there's a part of this world that would prefer that these peoples (not just scandinavians) would remain uneducated? You know just let them be Stoic? When I was doing "Uncle Sam Time" I had a chance to see those country's. I'll tell ya it ain't hard see where or farm practices came from. Oh ya, our supplier of free range "Birds" spent the summer caring for an ailing and failing Mother. know where we could buy some birds? chow E.S.
Posted by: Evan Schmeling | October 3, 2009 11:44 AM
In response to the first response- I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that someday there will hardcover surrounding the words.
Posted by: Evan Schmeling | October 3, 2009 11:52 AM
Evan,
Yes our Scandahoovian spouses are extremely loyal. That was what I first saw in Mike- his dedication to his family and friends.
But you know I'm an odd breed- a Scandinavian raised by Germans! Over the past couple of years I've thought "boy I sure am glad I was raised by those free talking, idea mulling Germans!" Maybe it's just the circles I run in, but I was raised in an environment where people weren't afraid to express their views and hotly debate an issue of the day, even sensitive ones.
Try askings "so how about that AIG bailout?" in some stoic gatherings and the forks stop in midair!
I finally figured out my husband after 15 years of marriage. I asked him to walk around the farm with me to talk about where was the best place to plant the orchard. He was so resistant to the idea. I couldn't figure out why. Then he said "all this talking is just a way to get out of doing the work."
And Mom- thanks for heartfelt words.
Posted by: Kathy D | October 4, 2009 6:09 AM
I just found your blog. My wife and I currently live in northern Thailand. However, we are from Minneapolis and will be returning next summer. My dad owns some land just off of highway 75 that he bought several years ago for hunting. I'd love to come visit and learn more about what you are doing.
Posted by: Kenny Miller | October 4, 2009 8:04 PM
I'm not sure if my last comment made it. My dad owns some land just east from where you guys are based. I'd love to swing by and learn more about what are you are doing sometime. I'm currently in northern Thailand but will be back in MN during december and again in June.
Posted by: Kenny Miller | October 4, 2009 8:07 PM
Kenny,
We would welcome an opportunity for you to come and visit Big Stone County. We have big dreams and are making baby steps toward getting there-- local foods, organic ag, habitat restoration, community, Transition town, etc...
It is a subtle landscape, as you may know-- but filled with it's own wonders.
Let us know when you are back in MN.
Posted by: Kathy D | October 4, 2009 8:57 PM
Kath=Why are your comments now running "down to up", you must have inadvertently changed something.
Posted by: | October 5, 2009 11:57 AM
Feel free to stop by our place anytime as well. My entire family, except for me, will be at the farm for the Pheasant Opener this weekend.
Our land is 5 miles south of Highways 7 on the west side of 75. There is an old quarry one mile north of our land. My Dad has been building a log cabin in our grove for the last year or so.
The Hoffmans, not sure if you know them, farm our land. You just have to ask for the loud guy named Steve Miller from the city and you can find our land.
My whole family would really like to meet you guys. Take care!
Posted by: Kenny Miller | October 6, 2009 8:28 PM
Im from Hennepin county and accidently found your site. Pretty cool making the jump from city to country. Wish I could do that! My motorcycle country driving will have to do for now. Wish you guys the best of luck!
Posted by: vincent | October 9, 2009 9:49 AM