Nordic House – Dear Liza

Multnomah Village … and a Troll

Dear Liza,

With all this sunny weather, however temporary it may be, comes the need to be out in the world; so Auntie Bridgett and I had a short road trip to Multnomah Village.

This is a charming “Village in the center of Portland”, full of small shops, yummy cafes, and friendly people. To me, it feels far from ‘real’ Portland, even though it is less than 20 minute’s drive from our place.

We visited “Peggy Sunday”, a beautifully decorated shop of soaps, dishes, art, and toys, everything looking and smelling wonderful. We chatted with Judy Leach, who was running the shop, and learned that she loves France as much as we do.

As we walked down the street, we realized that despite the bright sunlight, it was very chilly. We stepped into Annie Bloom’s books to warm up, and I found a new collection of short stories called “Marple”. Think of it as fan fiction, if you will. Stories starring Miss Jane Marple, Agatha Christie’s geriatric British sleuth, but written by contemporary female authors. I have already finished one and am enjoying it immensely.

We continued to The Down to Earth Cafe for lunch, enjoying the delicious smells and the friendly hubbub of lunchtime. Delicious split pea soup, salads and sandwiches gave us the strength to carry on.

Having walked up and down the main drag of the Village, it was time for our next adventure. I realized that we were just minutes from The Nordic House, and that Auntie Bridgett hadn’t seen the Troll yet. Once we found parking (lots of people like this place!) we walked up the Troll Path and paid a visit to Ole Bolle.

This 30 foot high troll by Thomas Dambo is part of a series of trolls he has created in the Northwest. This one is shown opening a small red house as though it were a cookie jar to get at the goodies inside. It is so sweet and charming, with lovely details. It definitely brings out the kid in me.

We visited the Sauna Culture display in the Nordic House, then headed towards home. The sparkling clear skies gave us stunning views of the totally snow-covered Mt. Hood, just 90 miles east.

A pretty darn perfect day, I’d say.

Love,

Grandma Judy

The Ole Bolle Hus

Dear Liza,

I took the bus out to the Nordic House again this week, to get practice in Danish conversation and to see something that didn’t even exist until last month!

This is “Curious Troll and the Trollstua”, a wooden sculpture created by Thomas Dambo and a team of volunteers in the woods by the Nordic House in Southwest Portland. The site-specific installation is part of Dambo’s Northwest Troll: Trail of the Bird King, part of his Trail of a Thousand Trolls. Like all Dambo’s work, it is made of recycled pallets and repurposed lumber, as part of his philosophy of making beauty out of things once considered dirty and useless.

When you stand off from the piece, the troll seems almost child-like. But as you walk into the little house you get this ominous feeling of being watched by something very big. Not dangerous, especially, but BIG.

Of course, what has brought the Troll to the house is right there in the table, a pretty cake and basket full of pastries resting in a beautifully embroidered tablecloth.

A poem is posted on the wall, telling us what the Troll is thinking.

“There’s something in the air, that something makes my belly rumble,

Something smells so strong, it hits me almost makes me stumble

Could it be the little people cooking something smelly

In the big red cookie jar, so I can put them in my belly.”

So, it seems, the troll thinks the house is his cookie jar!

I love this mixture of whimsy and danger, adorability and slightly menacing. My conversation group compatriots Char and ElseMarie posed close by to give some scale. Char told me that the troll is 15 feet tall!

I hope this whimsical troll will be here for a long time. I can imagine that weather and rain will only make him more beautiful.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Having a Go at Danish Conversation

Dear Liza,

I have been trying to learn Danish for almost a year now, since you moved to Horsens. Duolingo has been my morning language buddy as I have drawn my own illustrated Danish dictionary. I was ready to try Danish with real Danish speaking people. Or so I thought.

The trip to the Nordic House was cool and pleasant, since our weather made a welcome shift to clouds and drizzle.

I arrived early because it is better than being late, and had some veggies and tea in the Broder Cafe inside the House. There were about twenty other folks enjoying the ambiance, yummy food and cool sunshine.

I spent some time with the Icelandic art exhibit. There, I met a lady named Charlotte who was also there for the conversation group. We hit it off right away, having crafting and language interests in common, as well as a certain lefty political bent.

Nine women and one man were at the group, with levels of Danish from absolute beginners to fluent native speakers. It was odd not to have my usual social tools of word-play and jokes to make myself comfortable. I listened hard and was only able to make three on-topic comments in the ninety minutes, which for me is like taking a vow of silence.

I didn’t take any photos of the group, because it felt rude. That hour and a half was enough to let me know several things.

I have miles to go in Danish before I can participate in basic conversation.
It is going to be a multi-level challenge of brain power and social skills that I haven’t used in a long time.
I really want to succeed in this.

Charlotte and I exchanged phone numbers, and we’ll try and get together soon. Maybe we can have some Danish practice combined with coffee, fun, and crafting.

I would say “Wish me luck” but luck isn’t going to get this done. So I will say “Wish me stubbornness!”

Love,
Grandma Judy