Monthly Archives: March 2023

Untagged (unfocused) week

As usual, the clock was turned forward a week ago. We celebrated that spring and summer are coming. Summertime was celebrated with friends and waffles. It gave me hope for summer. But no. Jack Frost wanted otherwise. It has been cold, windy, and snowy. The wind has bitten my cheeks. There is something in Sweden called April weather, and that is when it snows and at the same time, spring flowers are popping up. I am longing to celebrate the First of May to see if the magnolias bloom in Lund as they always do at that time of the year.

The photo below is one of my best. These last few days I have had a little pain in my shoulder and arm. It is not due to too little stretching. Strange, I thought. The same arm lifting the hunting falcon below. I then thought about the mirror neuron phenomenon. Mirror neurons are nerve cells that react both when you perform an action and when you see someone else perform an action. In humans, just thinking about an action is enough for the neuron system (mirror neuron) to be activated. It happens intuitively, like a smile that is contagious. Just to make sure, I share an overview article for those who wish to delve deeper into the subject Mirror neurons 30 years later- implications and applications. In particular, please note picture A on page 771 if you can’t bear to read the whole article. The illustration suggests how different animal species and humans seem to share mirror neurons in specific parts/regions of the brain.

To round off this week’s writing, I have to admit that I got untagged (unfocused) when it snowed so much this week. However, the waffles with strawberries and blueberries have given me hope for summer!

Yesterday

Even though it was International Women’s Day yesterday, I had nothing to write about. The snowy weather took over completely and everything was directed at how to get through the day. I really love snow. That is wonderful. Today you can turn on the Christmas lights again. It is unusual in Stockholm with a lot of snow. The cars stress me out when I go by bike, but I go biking legally on my cycle lane. I can do nothing about the cars’ path blocked by the snow. The plow truck is coming soon.

About 25 years ago, when many things in life were still new, I remember saying that I would go home and clean and tidy up on International Women’s Day. My fellow students on the pharmacy program at the time agreed and thought it was good idea. Today I don’t know what to do. I mostly think that Valentine’s Day is better.

To play with the idea a little, one could ask how the world would look if more women were in leading political positions. Would there be more war? Difficult question to answer, but interesting nonetheless. The women I would like to highlight are Ursula von der Leyen and Angela Merkel. Merkel has secured Europe for many years, and nowadays Ursula von der Leyen is seen in various political contexts.

There was a dramatic change in the weather yesterday and I scrolled through my photos to illustrate my impressions of the day. I have respect for nature and it can definitely affect our everyday life. Here is an encounter that I will never forget, and by sharing this photo I am putting an end for today.