29 July, 2009, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve!  Miita kuuluu?  Kiitos hyvaa!

It's me, Sari Annike, writing.  Sorry if I haven't written; the kids and husband keep me busy.  I also have my bad days (as well as the good); I guess it all balances out.  LOL

Lately, though, I have been having more good days than bad.  I have been taking yoga/deep breathing classes for people with chronic conditions or disabilities; I really enjoy it.  They let us work at our own pace, and if we can't do the exercises, they don't get angry, which is a big plus.

Some days, though, I am so stiff, I don't participate; I just go to watch.  Or I get in the pool to try to relax my abused muscles or ongoing pain.  It helps, but not always.

Nik has noticed a difference in my countenance; he says I am a lot more pleasant to live with.  LOL  And I'm not always snapping at Erick, Birtta, or Ilsa Magdalina; I know they like that!  :)

The weather is still warm here in Ivalo, though the nights are cooling down, plus the days are getting shorter.  By September we will start having our first snows of the season, and by December until March, we will be in near-total darkness most of the time, with only the aurora borealis and the street lamps lighting our way.

The flowers and trees are out in full force; it's really pretty this time of year; however, in a few weeks, the first colours of fall will start appearing, then progress rapidly thereafter.

I have seen my friend Ilsa; she is still as crazy as ever!  I just love her; it's too bad I didn't have any sisters, only brothers!  :)  I see my brothers and their families every week, usually on Sundays, but the kids wear me out!  This is when I'm glad I take these yoga classes; I seem to have more stamina than I used to before I started taking them!

In just a few months, the auroras will start their annual season; the aurora season goes from February to April and again from September through January.  The only times we really don't see the aurorae are in May, June, July, or most of August because of the near-constant daylight.

Hard to see aurorae when it's sunshine-y or twilight outside!  LOL  Once in a while we get lucky, see a faint green or red band in the sky, but not always.

Sometimes aurorae turn odd colours, not usually seen; this is when they are especially spectacular.  I've seen aurorae that were pink, magenta, brilliant crimson-red, burnt to tangerine orange, even a deep, brilliant yellow in colour.  Even blue aurorae, as blue as cobalt.

Most of the time, however, they are green, white, or a mixture of red, green, or white.

Well, I am going to go now.  Ilsa-Magdalina is crying; have to see what she wants.  Also, Nik wants a beer; he worked hard today in the yard, pulling weeds and mowing the grass.  I will write in here again; until later, this is Sari saying Nakemiin!

~Love, your Finnish friend, Sari Annike.  :)