Exercise and movement are fun. I have participated in a few races over the years, and it is primarily the joy of experience that drives me. People gather under festive conditions with the same interest. The goal is to move forward with great focus and determination. My reward system is stimulated, and I get a feeling of well-being. The brain reward system is stimulated by exercise. Interestingly, drugs such as nicotine and alcohol can also stimulate the brain reward system where dopamine is a common denominator.

At the time I was studying the reward systems, I read about results from a research group in Stockholm at the Karolinska Institute (Brené et al). Exercise is not only rewarding but also has an antidepressant effect: Running is rewarding and antidepressive. Moreover, exercise and movement have measurable effects on cardiovascular health. Parameters such as blood pressure, blood sugar, blood fat profile, and reduced inflammation levels are improved. What really supports this is a dose-response correlation. The more we move, the greater the health effects. Please see: https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/W0zJ8d. From a pharmacological perspective, a dose-response can appear differently, with a linear or, for example, a biphasic relationship. I need to find the exact reference to find out the shape of this correlation.

Today is the check-in for the 2025 Ladies’ 10 km run. It is good to be registered for a race because it makes me go jogging a little extra. This will be my fifth Ladies’ running. I am happy to have started jogging again, and I expect to continue even in autumn and winter since exercise is perishable. There are many pointers when it comes to diet and training, but the most important thing for me is that it provides well-being and happiness!

The paintings by Chagall were gigantic. Biblical and very colorful motifs. This museum was created during his lifetime, which is fascinating by the way. It was pleasant to see strong colors. The motifs reminded me of biblical events that I read as fairy tales when I was growing up—memories intertwined with these colorful illustrations. The afternoon passed quickly, and it was time to return.

It was spring at that time, and the leaves had just started to burst out. The days now are beginning to get a little cooler, a change that is noticeable when the wind blows through the trees. The leaves rustle in a different way than when they just fell in spring. However, September has become a summer month to be reckoned with. Warm, sunny afternoons. Even though it feels like there are a hundred seconds left until Christmas Eve.

I still haven’t finished sharing with you my experiences at the art exhibitions in Nice, France. It is true, you live on memories for a long time after a trip. When I travel to a city, I love to walk for hours. Sometimes with the help of a map, but usually roughly, where I at least know the directions. A city map can limit the journey of discovery. That’s why I always look for routes that look exciting and interesting.

Today I was on my way to see Chagall. I had walked for about an hour, passed the train station, and a large, busy street in Nice. It was just after lunch, and I saw a small alley that piqued my interest. I hesitated for a microsecond, but it felt quite safe. Some older men were playing boules on my left, and on my right, there was an adjacent wall. It was a relatively steep road, and a few meters ahead of me, I spotted a so-called fighting dog. They might attack, I thought, even though they are considered family-friendly. I kept an eye on the dog for a while and then ventured forward.

Unexpectedly, I discovered paintings on the stone wall opposite the gravel court where the men were playing boules. The paintings blended well into the surroundings, and I stopped. They were intense, vibrant colors with life and movement. I took a few selfies as Molly had taught me. I felt the atmosphere, which at the same time gave me a taste of Chagall’s house and art exhibition.

The dog ran down the road and was at a safe distance. Maybe it sensed that I am used to dogs. I walked on and after a few hundred meters, I arrived at the museum. Luckily, the museum had just opened after being closed for lunch. New impressions awaited the retina, which had already received many experiences during today’s excursion.

My ability to associate allowed my thoughts to wander to the world of literature with “Le mur” by Jean Paul Sartre. I still argue whether we have free will or whether our choices in life are pre-destined based on our heritage and environment.

The free will? The theme of my next book.

My hairdresser had given me information in advance about Sally’s wedding. It turned out that his sister had previously gotten married in the same venue. I was well prepared and, above all, both Jack and Sally said “yes” to each other. It was no “Runaway Bride” like in the movie with Julia Roberts. You certainly remember the scene when she jumped onto her horse in a big dress and wedding veil and then rode away at full gallop from the church.

Film is a big part of my life, even though I don’t watch as many films a year as I did 30 years ago. Back then, film was a way to learn more about life and the world, and at the same time, a perfect entertainment. Today it’s still the same, but with more life experience, I see things from new perspectives. Sometimes I can watch the same film again and experience it in a completely new way because I have gained more knowledge.

When I was in Nice, I saw a photo of Charlie Chaplin in connection with the Cannes Film Festival. It made me think about who Charlie Chaplin of our time is. I don’t have an answer yet, but at least Chaplin’s films during World War II in the 1940s meant a lot in challenging times.

I am happy with this year’s summer. Warm days, sun, rain sometimes, but not all summer like it is some years. Greenery, flowers, and a little easier everyday life because you don’t have to think about thick jackets, hats, and mittens. It had been raining heavily the whole Friday, and it stopped in the evening. That should mean a long and happy marriage for Jack & Sally!

Sally’s wedding was fantastic. She was beautiful in her lovely dress with flowers. We were at a venue where everybody felt part of her wedding day. My mind was brought to the oriental “One Thousand and One Nights”. There were many at the party, several hundred. A whole team filmed and photographed the evening. Those of you who know Sally can see it on her FB. The dinner never wanted to end – cross-cooking with toast Skagen for starter – then one course after the other was taken in true Meze spirit. I also met some former colleagues who were sitting at the same round table. Friends of the bride were also at the same table, and they jokingly said they felt discriminated against; their husbands drank wine with the food, and the women would drive the car home later in the evening.

Today is August and we are back to everyday life again. Nowadays, August and September are also nice summer months with great opportunities to continue being outdoors. I hope so, because I now have the women’s mile, which will be in early September. This constant striving for good posture and jogging steps.

What a summer. Stockholm is fantastic in the summer with water in the middle of the city. I haven’t swum yet, even though it looks very inviting. I like saltwater swimming the most because I’m afraid of being bitten by a pike.

I have now switched from cycling to jogging, and it’s going well. I reviewed my training times from 10 years ago, and I can see potential for improvement. It is wonderful to go jogging, but I know that interval training is needed to achieve my previous results.

Reading some literature on training to find changes that will increase my performance. The goal is to jog 10 km under 60 minutes. I have August to improve. When I go jogging in Stockholm, I pass horses in a pasture similar to the countryside.

It is a bit of a win-win because I need to be in shape to wear a dress in a week. I am going to Sally’s wedding on Friday. She has struggled much with her studies, and soon she will have her final semester. And now she is getting married. Hurrah!

I have received some tips that it is good to have comfortable dancing shoes, maybe some chafing plasters too. I searched and found this song that sums up quite a lot: ”Young hearts run free 🎵🎵🎵”

It has almost become a habit to travel a little south at the beginning of spring. To be safe in case it turns out to be a rainy summer. We are almost in the middle of July, and one day it is high summer while the next day it is raining. Then it is nice to be able to think about sunny days in May.

I still enjoy the different artists. It was an experience in at least three dimensions. In Antibes, I had to wait for Picasso’s museum to open after lunch. It didn’t matter because I got to enjoy a wonderful view. Azure-blue sky that met the sea, to the tunes of a wandering musician playing.

Suddenly, a long queue formed for tickets to the Stone House of Art on the mountain by the sea. The wait was filled with various events, where the main observation was a group of people from China who were given priority. I almost breathed a sigh of relief because it was the first Chinese tourist group I had seen since the start of the pandemic. The order is back to normal.

Once inside the stone house, I found a lot of large paintings, and I also found a terrace where I could breathe freely with an astonishing view of the sea. I took a deep breath and continued my walk through the different rooms. Even though I had been there for several hours, it felt like a minute. This dimension of life, I mean time, continues to fascinate.

Time has flown by, and what was once cold and rainy has now given way to the middle of high summer heat. Everything is easier somehow when it is warmer. I was in the south of France, specifically in Nice, a month ago. It is wonderful to be able to walk along the sea. The elderly couple on the bench in the photo below were there every day. They were so nice in a way, and I asked if I could have a photo of them.

There were warm winds in and I planned to see exhibitions by Picasso, Chagall, and Matisse. A whole day for each artist. Despite plenty of time, I would have liked to stay longer. I really can’t compare them, but Matisse became my favorite. Just when I had finished seeing his exhibition, it ended with the photo above of Matisse and his dog.

I have so many photos, and of course, I had technical problems with my camera as well. After updating an app, it works again. I have never been able to paint, and I admire these artists. It is a life’s work, and I was able to follow the development of the artistry over the years. What inspires? How have contemporary times influenced painting? Cubism, impressionism – expressions that I remember for a long time, but have forgotten the meaning of. Chagall, for example, painted with such strong color combinations.

Henri Matisse was certainly inspired by Vincent van Gogh, who lived in the 19th century. It is said that van Gogh’s epilepsy was treated with digitalis, which is found in foxgloves. Here is a note that describes a side effect of digitalis; it can affect vision so that you see more in the yellow direction. Van Gogh had a penchant for painting yellow, and it is said that this side effect may have contributed to yellow shades. You will also find a portrait of his doctor, Dr. Paul Gachet, with a foxglove in front of him   Van gogh and the obsession of yellow- style or side effect

I love staying in front of a painting; playing with the idea of ​​how it was created and took shape. What stories lie behind the choice of colors, motifs, etc? It is a bit of balm for the soul, especially since I cannot paint.