Ingrid – February 5, 2019 I recently returned from a trip to Seattle to see my brother, Luke. He lives in the now-trendy Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Ballard is not only where many Nordic immigrants came in the late 19th century to find jobs such as loggers, fishers and boat builders, but also where a…
DetailsLiam – January 28, 2019 As I write this, Chicago is staring down the barrel of what may be one of the coldest days in the city on record. New snow continues to cover the perfectly shoveled steps, walkway and sidewalk of our building. I do the shoveling, and I take pride in my work,…
DetailsLili – January 21, 2019 Every month I receive my copy of The Danish Pioneer and faithfully read about the many wonderful events, organizations and people that are all things Danish in this decades-old publication, published in print and online. My friend “Farfar” at The Danish Home told me that The Pioneer received The Danish Home’s annual Essence…
DetailsLiam – January 14, 2019 A few weeks ago, I was picking up tacos from a favorite neighborhood taco joint when I ran into my friend James. I was power-walking down the sidewalk like a 1980s mall-walker on an Orange Julius sugar high in an effort to get the tacos home before they got cold.…
DetailsElla – January 7, 2019 In Latin, Januarius means month of Janus, after the god of beginnings and transitions. Including 29 days, this first new month of the year was added to the calendar around 713 BC. King Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome (715-673 BC), divided the year into twelve lunar months. However, upon the advice of Cleopatra’s…
DetailsMia – January 1, 2019 I try to watch what I eat most of the year—with the occasional splurge, of course. But all bets are off during the six weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. That’s the time of the year when food represents more than delicious sustenance and becomes a vehicle for tradition,…
DetailsMia – December 24, 2018 Today being Christmas Eve has put me in a family mood. I’m thinking about not only my husband and children, but also my parents and grandparents. Right after Thanksgiving, my dad had his right knee replaced. That’s a routine surgical procedure for men his age—he’s in his mid-60s—and he’s healing…
DetailsLiam – December 17, 2018 I recently signed up to run the 2019 Chicago Marathon. It’ll be my first. My wife Kim, who is my most fervent supporter, said to me, “Are you out of your mind? You’re going to die, you know. That’s the whole point of marathons—run until you die.” “It’s not the…
DetailsLili-December 10, 2018 The Danish Home will host its monthly birthday celebration next week on December 19. My friend Farfar is especially excited because residents and staff are also going out that evening for a tour of Norwood Park’s spectacular holiday lights. “Did you see the house out there?” Farfar asked me on a recent…
DetailsElla – December 4, 2018 While searching the web for some good warm winter drink recipes, I came across an interesting observation: “Gløgg is liquid hygge.” It’s true! Coziness (the approximate translation of the Danish word “hygge”) abounds this time of year, from plushy sweaters to cinnamon-spiced candles to slipper socks roasting by the fire.…
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