Podcasts about New Year

In this solo episode, Christina Lecuyer opens up about the internal tension so many of us feel but rarely name. The pull between the driven high achieving version of ourselves and the compassionate side that wants more ease, clarity, and alignment.Drawing from both personal experience and what she sees with clients, Christina dives into the patterns that quietly shape our lives. The stories we repeat. The habits we defend. The identities we hold onto even when they are no longer serving us. She shares why real change requires more than motivation and why taking full responsibility for your life can be both confronting and incredibly freeing.She also speaks candidly about the current state of social media, the rapid rise of AI, and why authenticity and genuine human connection matter now more than ever.If you have been feeling stuck, ready for a shift, or questioning the version of yourself you are living from, this episode will challenge your thinking and invite you into a deeper level of self leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating  and leave us a comment on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser and Castbox about what you'd like us to talk about that will help you realize that at any moment, any day, you too can decide, it's your turn! 

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, discuss the challenges of creating habits around consistent exercise routines, especially as motivation fades after New Year's resolutions. They emphasize starting small, using accountability, and creating habits through simple cues and systems rather than relying on motivation. The hosts share practical health tips for integrating movement into daily life, highlight the importance of enjoyment and social support, and debunk myths about needing fancy equipment. They encourage listeners to “just press play,” focus on progress over perfection, and join their supportive Jen Health community for help in creating habits that last to overcome consistent pain and aches.Manukora Manuka Honey:During the winter months, I've been reaching for Manukora Manuka Honey daily. It's rich, creamy, and contains 3x more antioxidants and prebiotics than regular honey, plus MGO for added support. I take one spoonful each morning. Try it at https://manukora.com/docjen to save up to 31% plus $25 in free gifts.Just Press Play Discount!Have you been putting starting your new exercise or movement routine on pause for too long?! Come join us because now is the time to "Just Press Play!" Take the toughest step and just start one video. I promise you'll feel the difference in your body and come back for more! Listeners get a bonus discount with code OPTIMAL at checkout.We think you'll love:Free Week of Jen HealthJen's InstagramDom's InstagramYouTube ChannelFor full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/448What you'll learn:02:11 Common barriers to starting routines and why motivation alone isn't enough.04:13 Why people procrastinate exercise and how to overcome feeling stuck.07:45 Addressing fears of insufficient effort and debunking the 21-day habit myth; real habit formation takes 2–5 months.09:47 Examples of starting small, using accountability, and how habits grow over time.12:30 How to attach new habits to daily cues, with practical movement examples for busy lives.14:51 Incorporating movement into parenting and playtime, making exercise part of family routines.17:51 The importance of accountability partners, consistent timing, and following a plan to maintain exercise habits.20:21 Why enjoyment and personal value are key to sustaining movement habits, not guilt or obligation.22:29 Research-backed advice to prioritize... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dave sits down on the Life Actually Podcast with Mary Belle for an honest conversation about discipline, healthy habits, and the lifestyle changes that helped Mary lose 45 pounds while taking on more responsibility in her career and at home. Transformation requires standards, accountability, and the willingness to stay committed even when it's uncomfortable. The path looks different for everyone, but one truth remains: surround yourself with people who genuinely support your growth, then lean fully into your goals and watch your life change.

It's mid-February (or honestly… March… or April… or whenever you're listening), and if your New Year's goals already feel like they've floated off into the abyss — you're not broken. You're just human.In this episode, I'm breaking down why January 1st is kind of a terrible time to set goals, especially if you've been navigating grief, uncertainty, burnout, or just… life. I'm sharing how I actually set goals now using a monthly goals method that's way more realistic, flexible, and supportive — and yes, you're absolutely allowed to steal it.In this episode, you'll hear…Why January 1st isn't actually a clean slate (and never has been)How grief, uncertainty, and burnout affect goal-setting more than we admitThe monthly goals method I use instead of New Year's resolutionsHow to set goals when you don't feel clear or motivatedWays to bring “new year energy” into any month of the yearHow to stay present and profitable without rigid long-term plansClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam's free weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessLeslie Stephens' Substack NoteListen to EP 274. 4 Tiny Shifts I Make Every Winter (so I feel cozy, not crushed)Listen to EP 251. How To Leave Social Media without Losing Your ClientsClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

Why "New Year, New You" Doesn't Work (and why you're not behind) If you're not buzzing with motivation right now, nothing's wrong with you. In this episode, I break down three real reasons your energy might feel quiet, and how to create momentum without shaming yourself or forcing it. What you'll learn: Identity lag after growth: why motivation often dips after big inner shifts (even when metrics don't show it yet) Respect your season: high performers win by honoring cycles—"the higher the peak, the longer the recovery" Make your why personal (and deep): surface outcomes fade; meaning fuels consistency The Camera Roll Exercise: scan Jan 1–Dec 31 and list your Top 10 moments to unlock recognition → clarity A 3-question reset: one thing you're proud of, one thing you'll release, one quality you'll embody this year Why alignment shows up before motivation—and how to let it lead   Subscribe To My Newsletter: https://moirakfitness.activehosted.com/f/28 Join My FREE High Vibe Life Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/811935653862055 Learn more about MAKE Wellness:  https://meet.makewellness.com/?referral=74249EEEC5 FREE Habit Tracker https://bit.ly/HighVibeHabitTracker Rise up planner + Book Of Proof Journal https://bit.ly/moirakucababooks  Rise Up Course https://bit.ly/moirariseupcourse Follow Me On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moirakucaba/?hl=en Watch On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@moirakucaba5802 keywords: why resolutions fail, new year motivation, identity lag, behavior change, nervous system and goals, find your why, alignment over motivation, camera roll reflection exercise, sustainable habits, mindset for entrepreneurs  

We wanted to bring back one of our favorite interview episodes this week! Justin Su'a is a mental performance coach for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team and host of our daily favorite podcast, Increase Your Impact. He has worked with top NFL, PGA, MLB, and NCAA athletes, as well as top corporate leaders to improve their mental performance game.  In this episode, we cover the importance of mental performance, the power of self-reflection, doing things by design instead of by default, how to figure out your WHY, and so much more! Topics Covered: - What Is Mental Performance and Why It Matters- How to Train Your Mindset- The Power of Self-Reflection- How to Identify Your “Why”- Doing Things by Design, Not by Default- Using Your Mindset to Regulate Negative Thoughts and Achieve Goals- Your Mind Has Limited Capacity: Why Negativity Crowds Out Growth- The Hidden Habit of Elite Athletes and Top Organizations- Getting Consistent With Nutrition and Trusting the Process- Embracing the Boredom of Consistency- The Law of the Bamboo Tree and Your Fitness Journey- Stop Beating Yourself Up for Starting Late — Start Now---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Purpose Addicts, they are BACK! In this episode, Coach Vic and Doc explore themes of new beginnings, goal-setting, and the true meaning of success. They discuss the common notion of 'New Year, New Me' and whether it holds any real value. The duo emphasizes the importance of accountability in goal setting and the need to redefine success beyond financial metrics. They explore the idea of prioritizing purpose over money, highlighting the importance of connection and contribution in life. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the future of their podcast and the impact of their discussions on personal growth.

Your New Year motivation is fading—or already gone. That's normal. The problem isn't that motivation disappears. It's what you do next.In this episode, we break down why motivation always fades, how to know when to push vs. when to scale back, and what to do when life gets heavier than expected. This isn't about grinding harder. It's about building systems that survive real life.We also talk about the all-or-nothing spiral, reassessing your goals without shame, and protecting momentum when everything else is falling apart.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro + Life Update (IOP Program for OCD/Anxiety)11:00 - Why Motivation Fades (And Why That's Normal)18:00 - The Fork in the Road: Push, Scale, or Reassess24:00 - When to Push vs. When to Scale Back32:00 - The Shame Spiral (And How to Break It)37:00 - Identity, Anxiety, and Redefining Success40:00 - Practical TakeawaysIf you're stuck in the push-or-scale decision and don't know which one you need, that's exactly what I help people figure out. I work with people who are done burning out and want to build routines that actually last.

過年過節、重要時刻，我們常常會聽到「吉祥話」、「習俗」、「祝福」，那用英文要怎麼說呢？一起來學吧！

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, among others, have wished Chinese people a happy New Year and expressed wishes for more cooperation in the Year of the Horse.

APAC stocks began the week in the green but with gains limited following a lack of major fresh catalysts from over the weekend and amid thinned conditions owing to holiday closures in the region and North America.Nikkei 225 traded indecisively, with the index constrained by disappointing Japanese preliminary Q4 GDP dataEuropean equity futures indicate a mildly positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.1%, after the cash market closed with losses of 0.4% on Friday.US President Trump said on Friday that Ukrainian President Zelensky is going to have to get moving and that Russia wants to get a deal.Looking ahead, highlights include Swedish Unemployment (Jan), EZ Industrial Production (Dec), and Japanese PM Takaichi is to meet with BoJ Governor Ueda. Speakers include Fed's Bowman.Holiday: US Holiday (Presidents Day); Chinese Spring Festival Golden Week.Desk: Newsquawk EU coverage will commence as normal on Monday, 16th February. Thereafter, the desk will shut at 18:00GMT/13:00ET and then re-open on the same day for APAC coverage at 22:00GMT/17:00ET.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

In this episode I sit down with the founder of Northern Pine Fitness - Matt Browne - for an honest, no-BS conversation about building a healthy lifestyle that actually lasts.We dive into his fitness origin story — how he got started, what inspired him, and how Northern Pine Fitness grew from an idea into a thriving gym. From certifications and early challenges to lessons learned along the way, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it takes to turn passion into purpose.We also tackle why most New Year's resolutions fail by February, the biggest mistakes people make, and why motivation alone isn't enough to create real change. You'll hear practical advice on consistency, strength training, recovery, sleep, stress management, and accountability.On the nutrition side, we break down simple, realistic strategies for everyday life — including protein intake, portion control, hydration, meal planning, and a sustainable “no-BS” nutrition framework anyone can follow.Plus, we get real about common roadblocks like emotional eating, all-or-nothing thinking, and social pressure. We also discuss today's trending wellness topics, including GLP-1 weight-loss medications, sauna vs. cold plunge recovery, and long-term health strategies.To wrap things up, we highlight Northern Pine Fitness's training and nutrition programs, jump into a fun rapid-fire round, and close with encouragement for anyone ready to take control of their health.If you're tired of starting over and want real results without gimmicks, this episode is for you.

Send a textOk. So. ADHD is a thing and this episode got delayed, but it is before the New Year. The Lunar New Year but anyway. Gong xi fa cai and enjoy this episode from late 2025.Please check out Georgia's "Age of Diagnosis" video, it is very good.You can find us all on Bluesky: Simon, Alexander, Georgia & FilipAs ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

In this special holiday episode of IADC Speaks, Host Melissa Lin (Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani) is joined by Kurt Gerstner (Dentons Lee), Melissa Ho (Cavco), Selena Kim (Gowling WLG), and Edmund Wan (King & Wood Mallesons) for a celebration of Lunar New Year through a global lens.With roots in Korea, China, and Taiwan, they share insights into the rich traditions that define the holiday — from the zodiac system of animals and elements to symbolic foods, time-honored rituals, and the exchange of lucky money in red envelopes.Beyond tradition, the conversation turns personal. Each guest reflects on what Lunar New Year means to them — how they stay connected to their cultural roots and how they carry these traditions forward in their homes and communities.

Rabbi Perl discusses Tu B'Shvat.

Wishing you a happy Fire Horse New Year! We chatted about Chinese New Year decorations and snacks that we like. We also came up with some good luck horse-themed New Year greetings. [ratings] http://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/penanghokkien.com/media/PgHkn-2026-02-16.mp3 Support PGHK Follow me on: Clubhouse @JohnOng Penang Hokkien Podcast House Global Hokkien Speakers House TikTok (PGHK) @PenangHokkien TikTok (John's) @John.Ong Instagram (PGHK) @PenangHokkien Instagram (John's) @John.Ong Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/E78z0whEbLk (((DOWNLOAD AUDIO FILE)))

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning..." - Robert Duvall Click here to watch the highly energetic video [1 min 37 sec] I took when we visited a "Monday Night" event in Huntington Beach, CA. It was 2.5 hours and totally packed with beautiful young adults! Check out the new Naples, Florida Einstein Blueprint Academy ! Order my new hardcover book -> https://www.zerogravitykids.com/ Order my rebellious hs'ing book -> https://www.homeschoolsecrets.com/

Today's Episode:It's the Year of the Horse… but why is Draco Malfoy suddenly China's New Year mascot?

The New Year has started with 10 new or amended national policy statements intended to make it easier to mine, quarry and establish more aquaculture.  

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Liang's Choice: Balancing Career Ambitions and Family Bonds Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-02-15-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 雪花轻轻飘落城市的屋檐，远处的街道上挂满了红色的灯笼。En: Snowflakes gently drifted onto the roofs of the city, with red lanterns hanging all over the distant streets.Zh: 玻璃墙的办公室里，梁用力揉了揉眼睛，看着桌上的文件。En: In the office with glass walls, Liang rubbed his eyes vigorously as he looked at the documents on the table.Zh: 他知道，这个商业会议对他的事业非常重要。En: He knew that this business meeting was extremely important to his career.Zh: 这是他的机会，他想到。En: "This is my chance," he thought.Zh: 他想在老板面前展现自己的工作能力，以期在新的一年里获得晋升。En: He wanted to showcase his work ability in front of his boss, hoping to get a promotion in the new year.Zh: 然而正值春节，家里的人也在期待着他的归来。En: However, it was chunjie (Spring Festival), and his family was also expecting his return.Zh: 每年这个时候，全家人聚在一起，欢度佳节。En: Every year at this time, the whole family would gather together to celebrate the festive season.Zh: 然而，今年与往年不同。En: However, this year was different from previous years.Zh: 梅琳是梁的同事，也是他的导师。En: Meilin was Liang's colleague and also his mentor.Zh: 梅琳工作多年，习惯了在事业和生活之间取得平衡。En: Having worked for many years, Meilin was used to striking a balance between career and life.Zh: 当梁向她表达苦恼时，梅琳微微一笑，说：“工作重要，家人也重要。En: When Liang expressed his distress to her, Meilin smiled slightly and said, "Work is important, but so is family.Zh: 有些时候，你要做个艰难的决定。En: Sometimes, you have to make a tough decision."Zh: ”雪还在下，会议室内渐渐热闹起来，大家都在紧张地准备着。En: The snow continued to fall as the meeting room gradually became lively, with everyone nervously preparing.Zh: 就在这时，梁的手机突然震动了一下，是家里的信息。En: Just then, Liang's phone suddenly vibrated; it was a message from home.Zh: 他的心跳漏了一拍。En: His heart skipped a beat.Zh: 家里出了一点紧急情况，他需要立刻回去。En: There was a minor emergency at home, and he needed to return immediately.Zh: 内心的画面一闪而过，一个是闪烁的城市霓虹灯和满桌的商业文件；另一个是温暖的家、微笑的家人。En: In his mind, two images flashed by: one was the neon lights of the city and tables full of business documents; the other was a warm home with smiling family members.Zh: 他的心开始左右摇摆。En: His heart began to sway.Zh: 这一刻，他必须做出选择。En: At this moment, he had to make a choice.Zh: “梁，你准备好了吗？En: "Liang, are you ready?"Zh: ”老板的声音把他拉回了现实。En: The boss's voice pulled him back to reality.Zh: 梁将手机放回口袋，拿起文件起身。En: Liang put his phone back in his pocket, picked up the documents, and stood up.Zh: 但他突然停住了，低声对梅琳说：“我想，我知道该选择什么了。En: But he suddenly stopped, and said softly to Meilin, "I think I know what I should choose."Zh: ”梁迅速离开了会议室。En: Liang quickly left the meeting room.Zh: 他走得很快，雪中他的脚步越来越坚定。En: He walked swiftly, his steps in the snow growing more determined.Zh: 他知道即使在事业上，他也不愿失去那份深厚的传统与亲情的牵绊。En: He knew that even in his career, he did not want to lose the deep ties of tradition and family affection.Zh: 回到家里，梁受到了家人的热情欢迎。En: Back at home, Liang was warmly welcomed by his family.Zh: 虽然错过了会议，但他并不后悔这个决定。En: Although he missed the meeting, he did not regret this decision.Zh: 他意识到，事业固然重要，但家庭与文化传统同样值得珍视。En: He realized that while career is important, family and cultural traditions are equally worth cherishing.Zh: 在新的一年里，他隐隐感到内心的强大与平衡。En: In the new year, he vaguely felt a sense of strength and balance within.Zh: 故事最后，在新年的鞭炮声中，梁从与家人团聚的温暖中体会到了一种全新的力量。En: In the end, under the sound of New Year's firecrackers, Liang experienced a newfound strength from reuniting with his family.Zh: 他相信，下一次，他会更好地平衡这份事业和珍贵的传统。En: He believed that next time, he would better balance his career and precious traditions. Vocabulary Words:drifted: 飘落roof: 屋檐vigorously: 用力documents: 文件extremely: 非常showcase: 展现distress: 苦恼mentor: 导师striking: 取得balance: 平衡tough: 艰难emergency: 紧急情况vibrated: 震动flashed: 一闪而过neon: 霓虹灯sway: 摇摆determined: 坚定cherishing: 珍视reuniting: 团聚strength: 力量traditions: 传统affection: 亲情gather: 聚promotion: 晋升festive: 佳节reality: 现实hesitant: 犹豫welcomed: 欢迎cultivate: 培养regret: 后悔

As a new year begins, many people set resolutions—but what if this year's greatest resolution is spiritual? In this powerful and encouraging sermon, we explore biblical principles for a God-centered New Year through Matthew 6:33–34, 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Hebrews 12:1–2, and 2 Kings 22:1–2. Jesus teaches us to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust Him with tomorrow. Paul challenges us to run the race with discipline and purpose. Hebrews reminds us to lay aside every weight and fix our eyes on Jesus. And King Josiah shows us that it's possible to start young—or start fresh—and still choose what is right in the sight of the Lord. In this message, you will discover how to: Make spiritual priorities your first pursuit Let go of distractions and unnecessary weights Develop discipline that leads to lasting growth Run your race with endurance and purpose Keep your focus on Jesus throughout the year Build resolutions that have eternal impact This sermon will encourage you to move beyond temporary goals and embrace eternal transformation. Don't just make resolutions—make a decision to seek God first, run with focus, and finish strong. Start the year aligned with Heaven's priorities. #NewYearSermon #SeekFirst #ChristianEncouragement #RunTheRace #FaithGoals #BiblicalResolutions #FixYourEyesOnJesus

Matthew 17:1-9

New Year's Day is supposed to be a moment of rejuvenation and first-time new beginnings. There's nobody in the forest! What's the message?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

Drawing from the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes, this message explores how the "meaningless" toil of our daily lives—from New Year's resolutions to our favorite hobbies—is often like a fleeting vapor that we simply cannot grasp. However, when we shift from a life lived "under the sun" to one lived with an eternal perspective, our routine tasks are redeemed into significant opportunities for ministry. By centering our ambitions on the grace of Jesus Christ, we discover how to turn the "puff of smoke" that is our daily schedule into a lasting bridge for the Gospel 

A new year brings new opportunities—but without focus, potential turns into distraction. In this episode, C.T. Johnson breaks down why focus is the foundation of a successful life in every area: spiritually, mentally, relationally, and professionally. Discover how clarity eliminates chaos, how discipline strengthens direction, and why Christ must remain the central focus above all goals and ambitions.When your focus is anchored in Him, your life moves with purpose, precision, and power.CONNECT WITH CT JOHNSON

Welcome to The Empowered Spirit Show! In this special Valentine's Day episode, we delve into the powerful connection between love, dreams, and the cosmic energies of February. As we stand at a gateway of profound transformation, we explore how you can harness the universe's support to dream your most heartfelt desires into reality. Key Topics Discussed: The Cosmic Energy of February: We explore the significance of this transitional month, marked by an annular solar eclipse and the lunar New Year. Discover how these celestial events create a potent time for setting intentions and manifesting new beginnings, especially in the realm of love. Dreaming of New Love: In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we discuss how to open your heart to new possibilities and use the power of your dreams to attract love into your life. Learn how to align with the cosmic flow to invite in a partner who resonates with your soul's journey. Déjà Rêvé and Prophetic Dreams: Have you ever had a dream that came true, or met someone for the first time and felt an uncanny sense of recognition? We dive deep into the phenomenon of "déjà rêvé"—the feeling of having already dreamed a present moment—and explore the mysteries of prophetic dreams. Interview with Daniel Bourke: We are honored to be joined by Daniel Bourke, author of the groundbreaking book, Deja, Reve, and Love. At Second Sight. Daniel shares his profound insights into the nature of time, consciousness, and our innate ability to dream our future into being. Tapping into Your Inner Power: Discover practical ways to connect with your intuition, interpret the messages of your dreams, and consciously create the life you desire. This episode is an invitation to embrace your power as a co-creator of your reality. Daniel Bourke is an author, poet, and songwriter. He has a background in the natural sciences, the arts, and the video game industry. He has previously been published in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, New Dawn Magazine, and the journal Darklore. He lives in Dublin, Ireland. Website  Social Media: X LInked Tree Join us for this inspiring conversation and learn how to harness the magical energies of this potent time to dream your most beautiful life into existence. You can find The Empowered Spirit Show on all your favorite podcast platforms, and the video interview is available on our YouTube channel. https://terriannheiman.com/ Follow me on Instagram. Schedule a complimentary Spiritual Upgrade Breakthrough Call with me. Thanks for listening! To your Spirit, Terri    

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: The Mystery of the Vanished Tea Tree in Yunnan Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-02-14-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在云南茶园的冬天，寒风轻轻地吹过茶叶的芬芳。En: In the winter of a Yunnan tea garden, the cold wind gently carries the fragrance of the tea leaves.Zh: 明宇，一个勤奋的植物学家，漫步在茶叶之中。En: Mingyu, a diligent botanist, is strolling among the tea leaves.Zh: 他的目光专注地寻找着一株稀有的古茶树，这株茶树据说有几百年的历史。En: His gaze is intently searching for a rare ancient tea tree, said to be several hundred years old.Zh: 而与此同时，佳怡，一个当地的茶农，正在为即将到来的春节做好准备，挂着一盏盏红灯笼，给村子添了几分喜庆。En: Simultaneously, Jiayi, a local tea farmer, is preparing for the upcoming Spring Festival, hanging red lanterns to add a touch of festivity to the village.Zh: 几天前，这株珍贵的茶树神秘消失了。En: A few days ago, this precious tea tree mysteriously disappeared.Zh: 村里的人都说是因为这棵树富有灵气，不应该被打扰。En: The villagers say that this tree is full of spiritual energy and should not be disturbed.Zh: 一些人甚至说，外来者想把茶树卖掉。En: Some even suggest that outsiders want to sell the tea tree.Zh: 明宇非常着急，他来到茶园是想保护这棵茶树。En: Mingyu is very anxious; he has come to the tea garden to protect this tree.Zh: 而佳怡因为当地的传说，不敢过多干预。En: On the other hand, Jiayi, due to local legends, hesitates to intervene too much.Zh: 明宇决定不放弃。En: Mingyu decides not to give up.Zh: 他走访了当地的村民，逐一询问，并留心观察周围的环境变化。En: He visits the local villagers, questioning them one by one, while paying attention to any changes in the surroundings.Zh: 他看着远方的群山，想着如何破解这个谜团。En: As he looks at the distant mountains, he wonders how to solve this mystery.Zh: “也许，我应该去那个老仓库看看，”他心里想着。En: "Maybe I should check that old warehouse," he thinks to himself.Zh: 佳怡看在眼里，虽然不太情愿，但内心觉得应该帮助明宇。En: Jiayi notices this, and although she is somewhat reluctant, she feels inwardly that she should help Mingyu.Zh: 于是，悄悄地给明宇一些指引。En: So, quietly, she provides him with some guidance.Zh: 他们两人终于一起到达那座被遗忘的老仓库。En: Together, they finally reach the forgotten old warehouse.Zh: 在那里，他们找到了失踪的茶树。En: There, they find the missing tea tree.Zh: 原来，有人因为外来者的威胁，把茶树藏在了这里。En: It turns out that someone had hidden the tea tree there due to the threat of outsiders.Zh: 明宇和佳怡终于把茶树安全地转移到村里的温室中。En: Mingyu and Jiayi manage to safely relocate the tree to the village's greenhouse.Zh: 村民们聚集在一起，心里满是对他们两人的感激。En: The villagers gather around, filled with gratitude for the two of them.Zh: 在这个过程中，明宇对当地的风俗有了更多的理解与尊重。En: Through this process, Mingyu gains a deeper understanding and respect for the local customs.Zh: 而佳怡也明白了科学保存方法的价值，愿意更多地接受外界的帮助。En: Meanwhile, Jiayi realizes the value of scientific conservation methods and is more willing to accept outside help.Zh: 当新年的第一声鞭炮响起，全村都洋溢着团结与欣喜的气氛。En: When the first fireworks of the New Year sound, the whole village is filled with a spirit of unity and joy.Zh: 在云南的茶园，明宇和佳怡肩并肩，看着那被拯救的茶树，一样新的希望在心中萌芽。En: In the Yunnan tea garden, Mingyu and Jiayi stand side by side, looking at the rescued tea tree, as a new hope begins to sprout in their hearts. Vocabulary Words:diligent: 勤奋botanist: 植物学家intently: 专注地rare: 稀有的ancient: 古festival: 节precious: 珍贵mysteriously: 神秘disturbed: 打扰anxious: 着急gaze: 目光warehouse: 仓库reluctant: 不情愿guidance: 指引hidden: 藏threat: 威胁relocate: 转移gratitude: 感激conservation: 保存customs: 风俗hope: 希望fragrance: 芬芳strolling: 漫步spiritual energy: 灵气outsiders: 外来者hesitate: 犹豫intervene: 干预solve: 破解spirit: 精神unity: 团结

It's been a long time since I've done a show, but I'm able to catch everyone up. I talk about one of my coworkers being let go and share my own experiences of losing jobs. I also go over my New Year's resolution and how that's working out for me. Plus, I share a story from my aunt's 80th birthday who invited me and why I don't go places unless I'm invited. I didn't get to everything, but there's all that and so much more.

Episode: 2026.12.07The Living Full Out show with Nancy Solari encourages you to preserve a positive fighting spirit despite setbacks. Maybe you're facing an obstacle that feels impossible to overcome. Perhaps you feel like you're the only one struggling with multiple hardships. Join Nancy as she discusses how staying optimistic and consistent despite challenges is key to leading yourself to success. Our first caller, Kayla, wants to know how to stay consistent with New Year's resolutions and reach her goals. Nancy urges her to avoid excuses and put intensity behind her objectives. Tune in to hear how you can stay focused and push past setbacks on your journey toward success. Our inspirational guest, Blake Leeper, turned his challenges into triumphs and became an influential figure in the sport that changed his life. Born without legs below the knee, Blake still participated in various physical activities growing up while using prosthetics. One day after chemistry class in college, he was watching TV while eating cereal and saw the Paralympics for the first time. This was the moment he decided to pursue track himself. Despite multiple setbacks throughout his journey, he would go on to win a silver and a bronze medal in 2012. Tune in to hear how he recovered from adversity and is preparing for his next shot at Olympic glory. Perhaps you've lost confidence in your ability to reach your goals. Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed. Try to remember that your hard times will always pass. When you stay true to your dreams, you will find the strength to live full out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/living-full-out-show--1474350/support.

Host Tim O'Toole is joined by guests Melissa Burgess (Counsel at Miller & Chevalier) and Michael Burton (Partner at Jacobsen Burton Kelley) to make their draft picks from a pool of Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) actions in 2025. Throughout the draft, they dissect each other's choices, issue some compliments, suggest New Year's resolutions for the agency, and propose a new test for BIS agents. Picks include what BIS didn't do in 2025, the Affiliates Rule, and lifting comprehensive sanctions on Syria. ******* Thanks to our guests for joining us: Michael Burton: https://www.jbktradelaw.com/michael-l-burton  Melissa Burgess: https://www.millerchevalier.com/professional/melissa-burgess  Questions? Contact us at podcasts@milchev.com. EMBARGOED! is not intended and cannot be relied on as legal advice; the content only reflects the thoughts and opinions of its hosts. EMBARGOED! is intelligent talk about sanctions, export controls, and all things international trade for trade nerds and normal human beings alike. Each episode will feature deep thoughts and hot takes about the latest headline-grabbing developments in this area of the law, as well as some below-the-radar items to keep an eye on. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes so you don't miss out!

February is serving purpose, power, and pride, henny. In this powerful Black History Month episode of Dishing with Buff Faye, Buff spotlights Charlotte Black Pride (CBP), now celebrating 21 years of leading culture for and by the Black queer community. Buff is joined by her baby boy Giovanni D. Diamond—fresh off a January reset—catching up on New Year's resolutions, dating apps, and Gio's very specific Valentine's wish list (yes, dolls… all his exes are drag queens). Buff also shares her commitment to expanding opportunities for artists through the Buff Faye Drag Brunch House Cast. Explore the cast at AllBuff.com. The heart of this episode centers on a meaningful conversation with longtime friend Quan Rutledge-Wade, alongside Myles Perry and Kourntnee Pope Collins, discussing the history, impact, and future of Charlotte Black Pride. Myles speaks about the upcoming CBP events and making CBP more of a destination pride festival and celebration. Kourntnee speaks candidly about being a Black drag artist, serving in the military, and navigating today's climate. Quan reflects on legacy spaces like Oleen's and Club Myxx, the importance of dedicated Black queer spaces, and what bold, unapologetic Black queerness looks like today. Following the heartbreaking passing of Quan Rutledge-Wade before this episode could air, Dishing with Buff Faye made the decision to pause its podcast release. We now share this conversation in his honor—surrounding his family, our community, and his many friends with love. Quan's voice, vision, and spirit will forever uplift and inspire us. From the Kiki Ball to the Festival, Charlotte Black Pride's 21st year promises to be powerful. Follow, support, and donate at CharlotteBlackPride.org to uplift Black queer artists and programs year-round. As Quan said, “The more you immerse yourself in other cultures, the more you learn… learn something you never knew.” This episode is bold. It's affirming. It's real. It's about lifting voices, honoring legacy, and building a future where Black queerness thrives out loud. Listen at AllBuffPodcast.com. Tune in. Lean in. Be bold, baby. Eat It Up. 

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Xiaoli's Secret Dance: A Heartwarming Spring Festival Reunion Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-02-13-08-38-18-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 地下掩体里，温暖的红色灯笼和闪闪发光的金色装饰在空中摇曳。En: In the underground shelter, warm red lanterns and sparkling golden decorations swayed in the air.Zh: 这些装饰为寒冷的冬天增添了一丝温馨，尽管外面雪花飘落，地面已被覆盖得无影无踪。En: These decorations added a touch of warmth to the cold winter, even though outside, snowflakes drifted down, and the ground was completely covered.Zh: 对小丽来说，这个地方既熟悉又陌生。En: To Xiaoli, this place felt both familiar and unfamiliar.Zh: 她已经很久没有参加家族聚会了。En: It had been a long time since she attended a family gathering.Zh: 掩体里是每年春节他们团聚的场所，小丽这次在春节前回到这里，希望重拾家族传统。En: The shelter was where they reunited every year for the Spring Festival, and this time Xiaoli returned here before the festival, hoping to reconnect with family traditions.Zh: 在掩体中，小丽的奶奶，美凤，正忙着制作香喷喷的饺子。En: In the shelter, Xiaoli's grandmother, Meifeng, was busy making delicious dumplings.Zh: 她熟练地包着饺子，目光温柔而坚定。En: She skillfully wrapped each dumpling, her eyes gentle yet determined.Zh: 美凤是家庭的支柱，总能保持传统的活力。En: Meifeng was the pillar of the family, always able to keep the traditions vibrant.Zh: 小丽的弟弟，光，兴高采烈地帮助奶奶包饺子。En: Xiaoli's younger brother, Guang, was enthusiastically helping their grandmother make dumplings.Zh: 他早就习惯并热爱这些习俗，这让小丽心里有点失落。En: He had long been accustomed to and loved these customs, which made Xiaoli feel a bit disheartened.Zh: 小丽回到家，并不想显得外人似的。En: Xiaoli returned home not wanting to seem like an outsider.Zh: 她想回到传统中，可是，当她看到家人们流利地和谐相处时，她感到了孤独。En: She wanted to return to her roots in tradition, but when she saw her family effortlessly and harmoniously interacting, she felt lonely.Zh: 然而，她决心不再只是站在旁边观看。En: However, she was determined not to just stand by and watch.Zh: 她心中暗下决心，去学习一个传统舞蹈来为家人表演。En: She resolved to learn a traditional dance to perform for her family.Zh: 在接下来的几天里，小丽偷偷练习。En: In the days that followed, Xiaoli practiced in secret.Zh: 她找来了光一起帮忙，然而严格要求他保密。En: She enlisted Guang to help her but strictly required him to keep it a secret.Zh: 光支持姐姐的决定。En: Guang supported his sister's decision.Zh: 慢慢地，小丽的舞步愈发熟练，她迫不及待想在春节时大放异彩。En: Gradually, Xiaoli's dance moves became more proficient, and she couldn't wait to shine during the Spring Festival.Zh: 终于，春节的晚上到了。En: Finally, the evening of the Spring Festival arrived.Zh: 掩体装饰得更加美丽。En: The shelter was decorated even more beautifully.Zh: 一家人围坐在圆桌旁，享用了丰盛的年夜饭。En: The family gathered around the round table, enjoying a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.Zh: 气氛温馨而愉悦，小丽却忍不住紧张。En: The atmosphere was warm and joyful, yet Xiaoli couldn't help feeling nervous.Zh: 饭后，美凤示意开始节目，光立即站起身来宣布：“大家，姐姐有个惊喜表演！”En: After the meal, Meifeng signaled the start of the program, and Guang immediately stood up and announced, "Everyone, sister has a surprise performance!"Zh: 小丽站起，心跳如鼓，但她努力挤出一个微笑。En: Xiaoli stood up, her heart pounding, but she forced a smile.Zh: 随着音乐响起，她开始跳起练习已久的传统舞蹈。En: As the music began, she started dancing the traditional dance she had practiced for so long.Zh: 她的动作优雅而流畅，家人们目不转睛。En: Her movements were graceful and fluid, and her family watched intently.Zh: 舞蹈结束时，掩体里响起了热烈的掌声。En: When the dance ended, the shelter erupted in enthusiastic applause.Zh: 美凤激动得流下了喜悦的泪水。En: Meifeng was so moved she shed tears of joy.Zh: “小丽，我为你感到骄傲！”家人们纷纷围过来，拥抱小丽，赞美她的努力和决心。En: "I'm proud of you, Xiaoli!" Family members gathered around, embracing Xiaoli and praising her effort and determination.Zh: 经过这次表演，小丽真正感到与家人和传统的连结。En: Through this performance, Xiaoli truly felt connected to her family and their traditions.Zh: 她重拾了自信，理解到文化是生命的一部分，而家人的欢笑和支持是这个传统中最美好的部分。En: She regained her confidence, understanding that culture is a part of life, and that the laughter and support of family are the most beautiful parts of this tradition.Zh: 这次春节，小丽找到了归属感，她知道，无论身在何方，她仍旧是家族的一部分。En: This Spring Festival, Xiaoli found a sense of belonging, knowing that no matter where she was, she was still a part of her family. Vocabulary Words:underground: 地下shelter: 掩体lanterns: 灯笼decorations: 装饰snowflakes: 雪花drifted: 飘落reunited: 团聚Festival: 春节reconnect: 重拾dumplings: 饺子skillfully: 熟练地gentle: 温柔determined: 坚定pillar: 支柱customs: 习俗disheartened: 失落harmoniously: 和谐engagement: 参与proficient: 熟练sumptuous: 丰盛intently: 目不转睛eruption: 响起applause: 掌声embracing: 拥抱determination: 决心confidence: 自信connection: 连结belonging: 归属感elegant: 优雅fluid: 流畅

New Year's Day is supposed to be a moment of rejuvenation and first-time new beginnings. There's nobody in the forest! What's the message?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Seoul's Tea Evolution: Tradition Meets Modernity Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2026-02-13-08-38-20-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 서울의 예술적인 거리, 인사동에는 작은 찻집이 있다.En: In the artistic streets of Seoul, there is a small tea house in Insadong.Ko: 찻집은 전통적인 한국 장식들로 가득 차 있고, 겨울의 쌀쌀한 공기를 가르는 따뜻한 차 향기가 가득하다.En: The tea house is filled with traditional Korean decorations and is infused with the warm aroma of tea cutting through the chilly winter air.Ko: 이곳의 주인, 지수는 최근 가업을 이어받고 새롭게 바쁜 새해 맞이를 준비 중이다.En: The owner of this place, Jisoo, has recently inherited the family business and is preparing for a busy New Year afresh.Ko: 지수는 차에 대한 열정이 가득한 차 마스터이다.En: Jisoo is a tea master full of passion for tea.Ko: 설날을 맞아 새로운 손님을 유치하고 싶었다.En: To celebrate the Lunar New Year, he wanted to attract new customers.Ko: 그는 새로운 차 블렌드를 만들어 찻집을 더욱 활기차게 만들기를 소망했다.En: He desired to create a new tea blend to make the tea house even more vibrant.Ko: 하지만 지수는 가족의 명성에 걸맞게 해야 한다는 생각에 약간의 불안감을 느꼈다. 설날이 다가오면서 관광객들이 많이 방문할 것이기 때문이다.En: However, he felt a bit anxious about living up to the family's reputation because many tourists would visit as the Lunar New Year approached.Ko: 지수 옆에는 항상 성실한 가족 친구 민준이 있다.En: Always by Jisoo's side is the diligent family friend Minjun.Ko: 민준은 찻집이 바쁠 때면 언제나 도와준다.En: Minjun always helps out when the tea house is busy.Ko: 그리고 새로 온 인턴, 하나는 전통 한국 차 문화에 대해 배우고 싶어했다.En: The new intern, Hana, wanted to learn about traditional Korean tea culture.Ko: 셋은 함께 새로운 차 블렌드를 준비하기 시작했다.En: The three of them began preparing a new tea blend together.Ko: 지수는 전통적인 재료에 현대적인 변화를 주고 싶었다.En: Jisoo wanted to introduce a modern twist to traditional ingredients.Ko: 하지만 민준은 그런 변화가 필요 없다고 생각했고, 하나는 신선한 아이디어를 내며 여러 가지 시도를 해보고 싶어 했다.En: However, Minjun believed such changes were unnecessary, while Hana wanted to try out various ideas with fresh concepts.Ko: 그러나 지수는 자신의 방식대로 블렌드를 완성하기로 결심했다.En: Nevertheless, Jisoo decided to complete the blend in his own way.Ko: 설날 전날이 되었고, 지수는 준비한 차를 드디어 손님들에게 선보였다.En: The day before the Lunar New Year arrived, and Jisoo finally presented the prepared tea to the customers.Ko: 손님들은 차를 맛보고 각자의 의견을 나누었다.En: Customers tasted the tea and shared their opinions.Ko: 찻집은 사람들로 붐볐다.En: The tea house was bustling with people.Ko: 어떤 손님들은 찬사를 보냈고, 어떤 손님들은 전통의 변화에 약간의 불만을 느끼기도 했다.En: Some customers gave praises, while others felt a bit discontented with the changes to tradition.Ko: 그럼에도 불구하고, 많은 사람들이 지수의 새로운 시도를 지지하며 찻집에 대한 관심이 높아졌다.En: Despite this, many people supported Jisoo's new attempt, and interest in the tea house increased.Ko: 전통을 유지하면서도 혁신을 받아들이는 모습이 사람들에게 감동을 주었다.En: The blend of preserving tradition while accepting innovation moved people.Ko: 찻집은 이제 더욱 많은 방문객을 맞이하며 인사동의 문화적인 부분을 더욱 강화했다.En: The tea house has now welcomed even more visitors, further enhancing the cultural aspect of Insadong.Ko: 지수는 자신의 창의적인 비전을 통해 전통을 존중하고 미래를 향해 나아가는 방법을 배웠다.En: Jisoo learned how to respect tradition and move toward the future through his creative vision.Ko: 그는 찻집을 더욱 발전시키며, 스스로에 대한 믿음을 얻었다.En: He further developed the tea house and gained confidence in himself.Ko: 이제 다른 어떤 도전도 두렵지 않았다.En: Now, no challenge seemed daunting.Ko: 찻집은 더욱 밝은 미래를 향해 나아가고 있다.En: The tea house is moving toward a brighter future. Vocabulary Words:artistic: 예술적인infused: 가득하다inherit: 이어받다afresh: 새롭게passion: 열정blend: 블렌드vibrant: 활기차게anxious: 불안감reputation: 명성diligent: 성실한intern: 인턴twist: 변화unnecessary: 필요 없다고concepts: 아이디어nevertheless: 그럼에도 불구하고bustling: 붐볐다discontented: 불만despite: 그럼에도innovations: 혁신enhancing: 강화했다creative: 창의적인vision: 비전daunting: 두렵지chilly: 쌀쌀한aroma: 향기preserving: 유지approached: 다가오면서support: 지지praises: 찬사respect: 존중

Skandinavian Folklore and Feast Days.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Syv Slags Kaker. (or, Seven Sorts of  Cookies)December 22nd – Evening, Five Days LaterJorunn said, “Well, Gunnar, we are back at our starting point, and this concludes the tour. We got off to a rough start on the first day, but since then, I have enjoyed spending time with you. After my mom got divorced, I stopped dating. Sure, I went out in mixed groups with my friends, but I cannot remember the last time I went somewhere, by myself, with a man. The divorce made me lose all confidence and trust in men. Why enter a relationship, and give my heart to a man, knowing it is going to fail? My father hurt my mother and me so badly, that neither of us have recovered. You were so wonderful to me this week, and showed me that not all men are like my father.”Jorunn looked at me with pleading eyes, “I don’t want this tour to end. I don’t want you to leave. Can you please stay in Oslo at least a few more days?”Jorunn didn’t want me to go. And I didn’t want to leave her either. I replied, “Jorunn, I cannot think of anyone or any place I would rather be than here in Oslo, with you.”Jorunn said, “It’s still early enough that we may be able to find seating without a reservation. I know a great place for seafood.”“Lead on,” I replied.Jorunn and I discussed the now-completed tour while enjoying a delicious dinner at a small kafé. I offered suggestions for the tour, but otherwise let her know I enjoyed seeing Norway, and I told her what a wonderful guide she was. After returning to America, I promised to recommend her tours to everyone I knew.As I looked over the dessert menu, I asked Jorunn, “I’m willing to stay a few more days. Are there any other Norwegian Christmas traditions or activities worth doing over the next few days?”“If you put down that dessert menu, there is one called Syv Slags Kaker. I baked seven kinds of cookies to celebrate Jul. If you come to my house, we can have coffee and you can sample all seven kinds.”“That sounds great,” I replied. Jorunn was inviting me to her home. She was beautiful and funny, and I admit I developed fantasies about her as I watched her vlog videos back in the nursing home. Heck, I even created new fantasies over the last week. She was much warmer toward me at the end of the tour. In Tromsø, we shared a blanket as we rode in a sleigh pulled by an actual reindeer. But after the Nutcracker ballet, I held back and did not cross any lines. Could a 56-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman have a sexual relationship? I managed to keep up with Jorunn all week and didn’t see any reason not to. I reached below the table to carefully re-position myself before standing up.We made our way to the Train Station and rode to Jorunn’s neighborhood. As we walked to her house, I noticed many homes with a lighted star in one of the windows.“What are those stars,” I asked.“They are a tradition in Norway. A star is lit on the first Sunday of Advent to help guide the Three Wise Men.”We stopped in front of a modest house. There was no star in the window, but I saw sheaves of oats hung from one of the trees. I was familiar with the tradition of putting out something for the birds in the frigid days of December. As we stepped inside, I was suddenly surprised. “Hi, Mom! I would like you to meet Gunnar Larsen.”“Good evening, Mr. Larsen. Jorunn has been sending me text messages all week about your exciting travels. I hope you enjoyed your tour. My name is Leah.”This was not what I expected. I hoped to be alone with Jorunn. The family resemblance was striking and quite apparent. Leah’s straight hair was a bit shorter than Jorunn’s but matched her daughter’s pure blonde color. Her blue eyes stood out from her attractive face. She was wearing a multi-colored Norwegian Dale sweater and green trousers. I possessed absolutely no experience telling how old Norwegian women are. She must be in her forties but looked younger.I said, “I enjoyed Jorunn’s tour very much. Your daughter is quite talented in many ways. Please, call me Gunnar.”Jorunn said, “Gunnar was asking about other Jul traditions and activities here in Norway over Christmas. I thought Syv Slags Kaker would be a good one, and your cookies are the best ones in Oslo. I’ll make us some coffee.”Leah looked at me, “Please sit Gunnar. How much longer will you be staying in Norway?”I replied, “About two more weeks. I wanted to celebrate the New Year here before returning to America.”I talked about the completed tour, and she seemed interested enough that I rambled on.“I really enjoyed visiting Lillehammer. It brought back memories of watching the 1994 Winter Olympics, probably my favorite one. The music was fantastic, and the woman who sang the Olympic Hymn at the opening ceremony possessed such a wonderful voice.”Leah replied, “Her name is Sissel Kyrkjebø. She is still extremely popular today, and we consider her a national treasure. I was 18 at the time, and worked at those Olympics.”“I’d love to hear more about that,” I replied. “It was nice to see many of the venues still being used. I also enjoyed the Olympic Museum in Maihaugen, which told the history of the 1994 Olympics. I was surprised to learn that Norway has won more Olympic medals than any other country. But the highlight for me was riding the chairlift to the top of the Lysgårdsbakkene ski jump. The views were amazing. I can’t imagine anyone being brave enough to make such a jump.”“I agree with you on that!” laughed Leah.I continued, “We also flew to Tromsø, and I got to see the Northern Lights. We can sometimes see them in southern Minnesota, but they were much more impressive here with the clear Norwegian air. Jorunn and I took a ride in a sleigh, pulled by actual reindeer. Reindeer are much larger than I thought. We visited a Sami farm, where we ate reindeer stew and learned about the Sami culture.”“I’ve never been, but I hear it’s really fun,” replied Leah.“Bærums Verk was also a highlight. You may already know that the town dates to the 1600s. I loved the old buildings and cobbled streets. Although the Christmas Market was small, I found it unique, with artisans selling handmade crafts. It was nice to see the old crafts like glassblowing, ironwork, and woodworking.”Jorunn returned with a large tray, holding coffee and cookies, and we began sampling.Leah asked, “Did you take Gunnar to Pepperkakebyen in Bergen? It’s a marvelous gingerbread village in my hometown. There are over 200 small gingerbread houses, and with the tiny lights turned on, it looks so real.”Jorunn replied, “A week goes by quickly, mamma. There is only so much time. The gingerbread houses are very nice, and I have fond memories of going there with you.”As we continued talking and munching cookies, I looked around at the decorations. There was an advent calendar, wreaths, angels, gnomes called nisse, hearts, stars, and candles. The decorations looked more natural, perhaps a bit less commercialized than in America. There was a real tree, complete with its wonderful pine smell, a star at the top, garland, tinsel, ornaments, and white lights.I looked at Leah, “I noticed that you don’t have a Christmas star in the window as many of the other houses do.”Leah replied, “I found my former husband in bed with another woman. I immediately divorced him. Among the many things he took from Jorunn and I, was our Christmas Star.”Leah sounded deeply hurt and from more than just the missing star. After tasting the last of the seven cookies, Leah asked how I liked them. “The waffle-like Krumkaker was probably my favorite. We tried making them in Minnesota, but yours turned out so much better. And, of course, the Pepperkaker gingerbread stars were great.” I held up another cookie and said, “I don’t know the name of this one, but it was also excellent.”Leah replied, “That one is Serinakaker, a Norwegian butter cookie.”I realized the inevitable, “It is getting late. Thank you both, Leah and Jorunn, for a wonderful evening. I need to get back to my hotel and figure out what to do over the next few days.”I saw Jorunn look at her mother, who nodded. As I stood up, Leah did too. “Nonsense, Gunnar. I won’t have it. Come, spend Christmas with Jorunn and me! Nearly everything in Oslo shuts down in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and stays closed until the 27th. No restaurants or shops will be open. I have an unused bedroom upstairs. Come celebrate Jul with us.”I caught the signal between mother and daughter and wondered if this was pre-planned. But spending Christmas alone in my hotel sounded almost as bad as spending it alone in the nursing home. It was an easy decision. “I accept.”Leah said, “Good. I’ll stop by your hotel tomorrow and help you move your things. Perhaps we can have lunch as well at one of the restaurants along Karl Johans gate.”“It would be my pleasure, ” I replied. “Let’s say, about 11:00 AM”Little Christmas EveDecember 23rd - MorningIt was December 23rd, known in Norway as Lille Julaften. Spending Christmas with Leah and Jorunn created a problem for me. I needed to find at least one Christmas present for each, just in case they bought a gift for me. I got up early and headed out to search. Reflecting on last night, and indeed, the last week, it ended up being far simpler than I feared. I soon found a gift for each, along with reusable cloth gift bags in Christmas colors.I heard a knock on my hotel door and opened it. Leah stood there, holding a coat over her arm. She was wearing a traditional Norwegian folk costume called a bunad. Her blonde hair, simply styled, was highlighted by two attractive braids.I smiled and said, “What a pleasant surprise. You look like you just stepped out of a fairy tale.”She looked past me into the messy room, then took a step toward me and surprised me with a kiss on my cheek. She stepped back and started laughing. “It didn’t work. I am a fairy tale princess, but you are still a frog! It looks like we have some work to do cleaning up your lily pad.”As Leah entered the room, I said, “I already packed a small bag, enough for a few days.”Leah walked over to the pile of clothes from my week-long trip. She picked up a shirt and sniffed it. Then she pulled a wool sweater out from the pile. “Keep your wool sweaters away from the rest of your dirty clothes. Wool is harder to clean and may pick up the smell. Let me see what else you packed.”Leah dumped out my small gym bag onto the bed and then began tossing things aside. “This won’t do. We need to take all of your clothes back to my house and wash them.”Fond memories returned. Whenever we went on a trip, Solveig would always dump out my suitcase and re-load it with other clothes. Solvieg would also pick out clothes for me to wear whenever we dressed to go out to weddings or a party.Leah said, “Don’t expect me to wash them for you. I have other things to do to get ready for Christmas. You’ll have enough free time you can wash them yourself. We will gather everything up after we come back from lunch.”What a woman! I can see where Jorunn inherited her strong personality. We left my hotel, and Leah took me to one of her favorite kafés. As we walked, Leah’s bunad drew eyes, and attracted smiles, as if she were a magnet. As we waited for our food, I asked Leah about her bunad.Leah replied, “I don’t get to wear my bunad very often. I usually wear it for National Day in May, and for weddings and baptisms, but I haven’t been to many of those lately. Christmas is also an acceptable time to wear it.”Leah wore the traditional white blouse with a silver neckpin. Her vest was bright red with a handmade breastplate. Her navy skirt was trimmed with intricate embroidery, and covered in front by a white apron. Around her waist and running down the front was a decorative handwoven belt.“I grew up east of Bergen, in the Hardanger region, so my bunad is in the Hardanger style. While details may vary, you can tell where someone is from by which style of bunad they are wearing. It would not be proper to choose a bunad from a different region simply because you prefer a different color.”“That’s a lovely silver brooch you have on. It looks very old.”“It was my grandmother’s. Norwegians have a spiritual connection to silver, and silver brooches are handed down for many generations. One day, it will be Jorunn’s.”The food was excellent. I have not eaten a bad meal here in Norway. Leah was a great conversationalist, and she freely shared her humor and wit. Her stories from the 1994 Olympics were fascinating, and even though Jorunn and I were just there, I wanted to go back. I learned Leah worked as a radiology technician at a local hospital here in Oslo and took the entire holiday off. The meal finished too quickly, and we returned to my hotel.As we gathered my assorted clothing, I saw one of my socks on the floor, so I walked around Leah to pick it up. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with her. We stared at each other for a moment, then moved at the same time. Our lips came together, and we kissed. Not a gentle kiss, but a passionate one, long and deep. Intentions were clear on both sides.We separated. Leah said, “I have not had sex since divorcing my husband nearly three years ago. That bastard took away more than my Christmas Star, he took away my trust in men. I am forty-seven years old. I never go out on dates, because I’m afraid to open my heart again to another man. Jorunn texted me every night for the past week and would send short videos she took during the day. She kept repeating how much fun she was having with you, and how nice a man you are. I know it sounds funny, but after watching and reading what Jorunn sent me, I feel like I already know you, and have made it past the first date. I know you lost the woman you loved. I cannot replace her in your heart, but if you are ready, I would like to share mine.”This was unexpected. “When I was in Minnesota, I watched Jorunn’s vlog almost every night. She is so sweet and funny and does such an excellent job. Even though I never met Jorunn, I felt like I knew her. To use your dating analogy, it’s one of the reasons I picked her as a tour guide. I felt comfortable with Jorunn and was too afraid to trust another tour company. When I came to Norway, I left my past behind. It is time for me to find something, or someone, to love.”Our bodies came together, and our lips re-joined. Any fears of rejection vanished as I locked my lips onto those of this beautiful Norwegian woman. Our tongues danced with each other, while our hands moved quickly over each other’s bodies.“Help me take off my bunad,” pleaded Leah.Together, we unclasped, unbuckled, unbuttoned, and untied, removing one layer at a time of the intricate bunad and laying it over a chair. It was like slowly opening the best Christmas present I have ever gotten, as more of Leah’s body slowly revealed itself to me. Her breasts were small, but firm, and went well with her slender frame. I forgot how delicate a woman’s features are, and Leah’s body was perfect in every way. Below her waist, I found a mound of pure blonde hair, barely darker than the color on her head.“I have no other words, you are truly a gorgeous woman, Leah.”“Thank you, Gunnar. Now it’s my turn to have fun.”Leah approached me. With small steps, she moved gracefully. She lifted my pullover shirt, pausing as it obscured my eyes. “Don’t take your shirt off. Just enjoy the sensations.” In the darkness, her fingers teasingly played with the hairs on my chest. A fingernail flicked back and forth over my nipple, drawing it to an erection. Moving lower, Leah unbuckled my trousers and slid them down, taking my knickers with them. I was not yet erect, but moving rapidly in that direction. Cool fingers wrapped around my cock and lifted, while a single fingernail twirled against my ball sack. Her tongue dragged across the tip of my cock. Then, Leah’s hands moved behind me to cup and squeeze my bum cheeks. Her warm breath washed over my cock.Leah stood and pulled my shirt the rest of the way off, and I stepped out of my trousers. We remained like this, both naked, looking longingly at each other. Leah reached up and touched my hair. “You have just a touch of grey. I like that. Few mature men are as blessed as you, with a firm, lean body. I see all kinds of patients. You look like a forty-year-old.”I suppose that was one benefit of eating the low-fat, low-sugar, and tasteless nursing home food. I lost nearly thirty pounds. “I am older than I look, and you should know that I had a stroke two years ago. I am doing much better, but still have a balance issue, and sometimes slur my words."Slurring your words might just be because you have a lazy tongue. Perhaps we can find a way to fix that later.”For a moment, I wondered what she meant, then hoped my notions might come true. Leah dropped to her knees directly in front of me and ran a finger along my nearly erect shaft. “It feels so nice to touch a real one again. What a lovely cock you have.”I said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have a very large penis.”Leah laughed, “Anything more than a mouthful is just wasted. Now let’s begin. I will say a Norwegian word, and you repeat it. Listen carefully to my pronunciation and maybe we can fix your American accent.”Leah said, “Penis.” Then she grabbed my cock with her right hand.This might be fun, so I replied, “Penis!”Leah whispered, “Rub.” Then she began gently sliding her hand along my shaft. Without any lubrication, there was quite a bit of friction.I replied, “Rub!”Leah said, “Lick.” Leah extended her tongue, and starting near the base, began leaving wet trails along each side of my glistening cock. The warm softness of her tongue brought me to full erection.It felt fantastic, and I gasped out, “Lick!”Leah said, “Suck.” She opened her mouth wide and took in the head of my cock, using her tongue to tease the underside. Bringing her lips together, I felt the insides of her mouth pressing inward and squeezing tightly against me. When her suction began, she pulled the head of my cock deeper into her mouth. Leah’s head pulled back ever so slightly, allowing her soft lips to glide over me until my cock was almost freed. But not quite. Using the extra room, Leah teased my opening with the tip of her tongue. From the way her tongue easily twirled around, I was certain I contributed my pre-cum.Then her suction pulled me deeper into her mouth. She look

Skandinavian Folklore and Feast Days.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Syv Slags Kaker. (or, Seven Sorts of  Cookies)December 22nd – Evening, Five Days LaterJorunn said, “Well, Gunnar, we are back at our starting point, and this concludes the tour. We got off to a rough start on the first day, but since then, I have enjoyed spending time with you. After my mom got divorced, I stopped dating. Sure, I went out in mixed groups with my friends, but I cannot remember the last time I went somewhere, by myself, with a man. The divorce made me lose all confidence and trust in men. Why enter a relationship, and give my heart to a man, knowing it is going to fail? My father hurt my mother and me so badly, that neither of us have recovered. You were so wonderful to me this week, and showed me that not all men are like my father.”Jorunn looked at me with pleading eyes, “I don’t want this tour to end. I don’t want you to leave. Can you please stay in Oslo at least a few more days?”Jorunn didn’t want me to go. And I didn’t want to leave her either. I replied, “Jorunn, I cannot think of anyone or any place I would rather be than here in Oslo, with you.”Jorunn said, “It’s still early enough that we may be able to find seating without a reservation. I know a great place for seafood.”“Lead on,” I replied.Jorunn and I discussed the now-completed tour while enjoying a delicious dinner at a small kafé. I offered suggestions for the tour, but otherwise let her know I enjoyed seeing Norway, and I told her what a wonderful guide she was. After returning to America, I promised to recommend her tours to everyone I knew.As I looked over the dessert menu, I asked Jorunn, “I’m willing to stay a few more days. Are there any other Norwegian Christmas traditions or activities worth doing over the next few days?”“If you put down that dessert menu, there is one called Syv Slags Kaker. I baked seven kinds of cookies to celebrate Jul. If you come to my house, we can have coffee and you can sample all seven kinds.”“That sounds great,” I replied. Jorunn was inviting me to her home. She was beautiful and funny, and I admit I developed fantasies about her as I watched her vlog videos back in the nursing home. Heck, I even created new fantasies over the last week. She was much warmer toward me at the end of the tour. In Tromsø, we shared a blanket as we rode in a sleigh pulled by an actual reindeer. But after the Nutcracker ballet, I held back and did not cross any lines. Could a 56-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman have a sexual relationship? I managed to keep up with Jorunn all week and didn’t see any reason not to. I reached below the table to carefully re-position myself before standing up.We made our way to the Train Station and rode to Jorunn’s neighborhood. As we walked to her house, I noticed many homes with a lighted star in one of the windows.“What are those stars,” I asked.“They are a tradition in Norway. A star is lit on the first Sunday of Advent to help guide the Three Wise Men.”We stopped in front of a modest house. There was no star in the window, but I saw sheaves of oats hung from one of the trees. I was familiar with the tradition of putting out something for the birds in the frigid days of December. As we stepped inside, I was suddenly surprised. “Hi, Mom! I would like you to meet Gunnar Larsen.”“Good evening, Mr. Larsen. Jorunn has been sending me text messages all week about your exciting travels. I hope you enjoyed your tour. My name is Leah.”This was not what I expected. I hoped to be alone with Jorunn. The family resemblance was striking and quite apparent. Leah’s straight hair was a bit shorter than Jorunn’s but matched her daughter’s pure blonde color. Her blue eyes stood out from her attractive face. She was wearing a multi-colored Norwegian Dale sweater and green trousers. I possessed absolutely no experience telling how old Norwegian women are. She must be in her forties but looked younger.I said, “I enjoyed Jorunn’s tour very much. Your daughter is quite talented in many ways. Please, call me Gunnar.”Jorunn said, “Gunnar was asking about other Jul traditions and activities here in Norway over Christmas. I thought Syv Slags Kaker would be a good one, and your cookies are the best ones in Oslo. I’ll make us some coffee.”Leah looked at me, “Please sit Gunnar. How much longer will you be staying in Norway?”I replied, “About two more weeks. I wanted to celebrate the New Year here before returning to America.”I talked about the completed tour, and she seemed interested enough that I rambled on.“I really enjoyed visiting Lillehammer. It brought back memories of watching the 1994 Winter Olympics, probably my favorite one. The music was fantastic, and the woman who sang the Olympic Hymn at the opening ceremony possessed such a wonderful voice.”Leah replied, “Her name is Sissel Kyrkjebø. She is still extremely popular today, and we consider her a national treasure. I was 18 at the time, and worked at those Olympics.”“I’d love to hear more about that,” I replied. “It was nice to see many of the venues still being used. I also enjoyed the Olympic Museum in Maihaugen, which told the history of the 1994 Olympics. I was surprised to learn that Norway has won more Olympic medals than any other country. But the highlight for me was riding the chairlift to the top of the Lysgårdsbakkene ski jump. The views were amazing. I can’t imagine anyone being brave enough to make such a jump.”“I agree with you on that!” laughed Leah.I continued, “We also flew to Tromsø, and I got to see the Northern Lights. We can sometimes see them in southern Minnesota, but they were much more impressive here with the clear Norwegian air. Jorunn and I took a ride in a sleigh, pulled by actual reindeer. Reindeer are much larger than I thought. We visited a Sami farm, where we ate reindeer stew and learned about the Sami culture.”“I’ve never been, but I hear it’s really fun,” replied Leah.“Bærums Verk was also a highlight. You may already know that the town dates to the 1600s. I loved the old buildings and cobbled streets. Although the Christmas Market was small, I found it unique, with artisans selling handmade crafts. It was nice to see the old crafts like glassblowing, ironwork, and woodworking.”Jorunn returned with a large tray, holding coffee and cookies, and we began sampling.Leah asked, “Did you take Gunnar to Pepperkakebyen in Bergen? It’s a marvelous gingerbread village in my hometown. There are over 200 small gingerbread houses, and with the tiny lights turned on, it looks so real.”Jorunn replied, “A week goes by quickly, mamma. There is only so much time. The gingerbread houses are very nice, and I have fond memories of going there with you.”As we continued talking and munching cookies, I looked around at the decorations. There was an advent calendar, wreaths, angels, gnomes called nisse, hearts, stars, and candles. The decorations looked more natural, perhaps a bit less commercialized than in America. There was a real tree, complete with its wonderful pine smell, a star at the top, garland, tinsel, ornaments, and white lights.I looked at Leah, “I noticed that you don’t have a Christmas star in the window as many of the other houses do.”Leah replied, “I found my former husband in bed with another woman. I immediately divorced him. Among the many things he took from Jorunn and I, was our Christmas Star.”Leah sounded deeply hurt and from more than just the missing star. After tasting the last of the seven cookies, Leah asked how I liked them. “The waffle-like Krumkaker was probably my favorite. We tried making them in Minnesota, but yours turned out so much better. And, of course, the Pepperkaker gingerbread stars were great.” I held up another cookie and said, “I don’t know the name of this one, but it was also excellent.”Leah replied, “That one is Serinakaker, a Norwegian butter cookie.”I realized the inevitable, “It is getting late. Thank you both, Leah and Jorunn, for a wonderful evening. I need to get back to my hotel and figure out what to do over the next few days.”I saw Jorunn look at her mother, who nodded. As I stood up, Leah did too. “Nonsense, Gunnar. I won’t have it. Come, spend Christmas with Jorunn and me! Nearly everything in Oslo shuts down in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and stays closed until the 27th. No restaurants or shops will be open. I have an unused bedroom upstairs. Come celebrate Jul with us.”I caught the signal between mother and daughter and wondered if this was pre-planned. But spending Christmas alone in my hotel sounded almost as bad as spending it alone in the nursing home. It was an easy decision. “I accept.”Leah said, “Good. I’ll stop by your hotel tomorrow and help you move your things. Perhaps we can have lunch as well at one of the restaurants along Karl Johans gate.”“It would be my pleasure, ” I replied. “Let’s say, about 11:00 AM”Little Christmas EveDecember 23rd - MorningIt was December 23rd, known in Norway as Lille Julaften. Spending Christmas with Leah and Jorunn created a problem for me. I needed to find at least one Christmas present for each, just in case they bought a gift for me. I got up early and headed out to search. Reflecting on last night, and indeed, the last week, it ended up being far simpler than I feared. I soon found a gift for each, along with reusable cloth gift bags in Christmas colors.I heard a knock on my hotel door and opened it. Leah stood there, holding a coat over her arm. She was wearing a traditional Norwegian folk costume called a bunad. Her blonde hair, simply styled, was highlighted by two attractive braids.I smiled and said, “What a pleasant surprise. You look like you just stepped out of a fairy tale.”She looked past me into the messy room, then took a step toward me and surprised me with a kiss on my cheek. She stepped back and started laughing. “It didn’t work. I am a fairy tale princess, but you are still a frog! It looks like we have some work to do cleaning up your lily pad.”As Leah entered the room, I said, “I already packed a small bag, enough for a few days.”Leah walked over to the pile of clothes from my week-long trip. She picked up a shirt and sniffed it. Then she pulled a wool sweater out from the pile. “Keep your wool sweaters away from the rest of your dirty clothes. Wool is harder to clean and may pick up the smell. Let me see what else you packed.”Leah dumped out my small gym bag onto the bed and then began tossing things aside. “This won’t do. We need to take all of your clothes back to my house and wash them.”Fond memories returned. Whenever we went on a trip, Solveig would always dump out my suitcase and re-load it with other clothes. Solvieg would also pick out clothes for me to wear whenever we dressed to go out to weddings or a party.Leah said, “Don’t expect me to wash them for you. I have other things to do to get ready for Christmas. You’ll have enough free time you can wash them yourself. We will gather everything up after we come back from lunch.”What a woman! I can see where Jorunn inherited her strong personality. We left my hotel, and Leah took me to one of her favorite kafés. As we walked, Leah’s bunad drew eyes, and attracted smiles, as if she were a magnet. As we waited for our food, I asked Leah about her bunad.Leah replied, “I don’t get to wear my bunad very often. I usually wear it for National Day in May, and for weddings and baptisms, but I haven’t been to many of those lately. Christmas is also an acceptable time to wear it.”Leah wore the traditional white blouse with a silver neckpin. Her vest was bright red with a handmade breastplate. Her navy skirt was trimmed with intricate embroidery, and covered in front by a white apron. Around her waist and running down the front was a decorative handwoven belt.“I grew up east of Bergen, in the Hardanger region, so my bunad is in the Hardanger style. While details may vary, you can tell where someone is from by which style of bunad they are wearing. It would not be proper to choose a bunad from a different region simply because you prefer a different color.”“That’s a lovely silver brooch you have on. It looks very old.”“It was my grandmother’s. Norwegians have a spiritual connection to silver, and silver brooches are handed down for many generations. One day, it will be Jorunn’s.”The food was excellent. I have not eaten a bad meal here in Norway. Leah was a great conversationalist, and she freely shared her humor and wit. Her stories from the 1994 Olympics were fascinating, and even though Jorunn and I were just there, I wanted to go back. I learned Leah worked as a radiology technician at a local hospital here in Oslo and took the entire holiday off. The meal finished too quickly, and we returned to my hotel.As we gathered my assorted clothing, I saw one of my socks on the floor, so I walked around Leah to pick it up. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with her. We stared at each other for a moment, then moved at the same time. Our lips came together, and we kissed. Not a gentle kiss, but a passionate one, long and deep. Intentions were clear on both sides.We separated. Leah said, “I have not had sex since divorcing my husband nearly three years ago. That bastard took away more than my Christmas Star, he took away my trust in men. I am forty-seven years old. I never go out on dates, because I’m afraid to open my heart again to another man. Jorunn texted me every night for the past week and would send short videos she took during the day. She kept repeating how much fun she was having with you, and how nice a man you are. I know it sounds funny, but after watching and reading what Jorunn sent me, I feel like I already know you, and have made it past the first date. I know you lost the woman you loved. I cannot replace her in your heart, but if you are ready, I would like to share mine.”This was unexpected. “When I was in Minnesota, I watched Jorunn’s vlog almost every night. She is so sweet and funny and does such an excellent job. Even though I never met Jorunn, I felt like I knew her. To use your dating analogy, it’s one of the reasons I picked her as a tour guide. I felt comfortable with Jorunn and was too afraid to trust another tour company. When I came to Norway, I left my past behind. It is time for me to find something, or someone, to love.”Our bodies came together, and our lips re-joined. Any fears of rejection vanished as I locked my lips onto those of this beautiful Norwegian woman. Our tongues danced with each other, while our hands moved quickly over each other’s bodies.“Help me take off my bunad,” pleaded Leah.Together, we unclasped, unbuckled, unbuttoned, and untied, removing one layer at a time of the intricate bunad and laying it over a chair. It was like slowly opening the best Christmas present I have ever gotten, as more of Leah’s body slowly revealed itself to me. Her breasts were small, but firm, and went well with her slender frame. I forgot how delicate a woman’s features are, and Leah’s body was perfect in every way. Below her waist, I found a mound of pure blonde hair, barely darker than the color on her head.“I have no other words, you are truly a gorgeous woman, Leah.”“Thank you, Gunnar. Now it’s my turn to have fun.”Leah approached me. With small steps, she moved gracefully. She lifted my pullover shirt, pausing as it obscured my eyes. “Don’t take your shirt off. Just enjoy the sensations.” In the darkness, her fingers teasingly played with the hairs on my chest. A fingernail flicked back and forth over my nipple, drawing it to an erection. Moving lower, Leah unbuckled my trousers and slid them down, taking my knickers with them. I was not yet erect, but moving rapidly in that direction. Cool fingers wrapped around my cock and lifted, while a single fingernail twirled against my ball sack. Her tongue dragged across the tip of my cock. Then, Leah’s hands moved behind me to cup and squeeze my bum cheeks. Her warm breath washed over my cock.Leah stood and pulled my shirt the rest of the way off, and I stepped out of my trousers. We remained like this, both naked, looking longingly at each other. Leah reached up and touched my hair. “You have just a touch of grey. I like that. Few mature men are as blessed as you, with a firm, lean body. I see all kinds of patients. You look like a forty-year-old.”I suppose that was one benefit of eating the low-fat, low-sugar, and tasteless nursing home food. I lost nearly thirty pounds. “I am older than I look, and you should know that I had a stroke two years ago. I am doing much better, but still have a balance issue, and sometimes slur my words."Slurring your words might just be because you have a lazy tongue. Perhaps we can find a way to fix that later.”For a moment, I wondered what she meant, then hoped my notions might come true. Leah dropped to her knees directly in front of me and ran a finger along my nearly erect shaft. “It feels so nice to touch a real one again. What a lovely cock you have.”I said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have a very large penis.”Leah laughed, “Anything more than a mouthful is just wasted. Now let’s begin. I will say a Norwegian word, and you repeat it. Listen carefully to my pronunciation and maybe we can fix your American accent.”Leah said, “Penis.” Then she grabbed my cock with her right hand.This might be fun, so I replied, “Penis!”Leah whispered, “Rub.” Then she began gently sliding her hand along my shaft. Without any lubrication, there was quite a bit of friction.I replied, “Rub!”Leah said, “Lick.” Leah extended her tongue, and starting near the base, began leaving wet trails along each side of my glistening cock. The warm softness of her tongue brought me to full erection.It felt fantastic, and I gasped out, “Lick!”Leah said, “Suck.” She opened her mouth wide and took in the head of my cock, using her tongue to tease the underside. Bringing her lips together, I felt the insides of her mouth pressing inward and squeezing tightly against me. When her suction began, she pulled the head of my cock deeper into her mouth. Leah’s head pulled back ever so slightly, allowing her soft lips to glide over me until my cock was almost freed. But not quite. Using the extra room, Leah teased my opening with the tip of her tongue. From the way her tongue easily twirled around, I was certain I contributed my pre-cum.Then her suction pulled me deeper into her mouth. She look

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Skandinavian Folklore and Feast Days.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Syv Slags Kaker. (or, Seven Sorts of  Cookies)December 22nd – Evening, Five Days LaterJorunn said, “Well, Gunnar, we are back at our starting point, and this concludes the tour. We got off to a rough start on the first day, but since then, I have enjoyed spending time with you. After my mom got divorced, I stopped dating. Sure, I went out in mixed groups with my friends, but I cannot remember the last time I went somewhere, by myself, with a man. The divorce made me lose all confidence and trust in men. Why enter a relationship, and give my heart to a man, knowing it is going to fail? My father hurt my mother and me so badly, that neither of us have recovered. You were so wonderful to me this week, and showed me that not all men are like my father.”Jorunn looked at me with pleading eyes, “I don’t want this tour to end. I don’t want you to leave. Can you please stay in Oslo at least a few more days?”Jorunn didn’t want me to go. And I didn’t want to leave her either. I replied, “Jorunn, I cannot think of anyone or any place I would rather be than here in Oslo, with you.”Jorunn said, “It’s still early enough that we may be able to find seating without a reservation. I know a great place for seafood.”“Lead on,” I replied.Jorunn and I discussed the now-completed tour while enjoying a delicious dinner at a small kafé. I offered suggestions for the tour, but otherwise let her know I enjoyed seeing Norway, and I told her what a wonderful guide she was. After returning to America, I promised to recommend her tours to everyone I knew.As I looked over the dessert menu, I asked Jorunn, “I’m willing to stay a few more days. Are there any other Norwegian Christmas traditions or activities worth doing over the next few days?”“If you put down that dessert menu, there is one called Syv Slags Kaker. I baked seven kinds of cookies to celebrate Jul. If you come to my house, we can have coffee and you can sample all seven kinds.”“That sounds great,” I replied. Jorunn was inviting me to her home. She was beautiful and funny, and I admit I developed fantasies about her as I watched her vlog videos back in the nursing home. Heck, I even created new fantasies over the last week. She was much warmer toward me at the end of the tour. In Tromsø, we shared a blanket as we rode in a sleigh pulled by an actual reindeer. But after the Nutcracker ballet, I held back and did not cross any lines. Could a 56-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman have a sexual relationship? I managed to keep up with Jorunn all week and didn’t see any reason not to. I reached below the table to carefully re-position myself before standing up.We made our way to the Train Station and rode to Jorunn’s neighborhood. As we walked to her house, I noticed many homes with a lighted star in one of the windows.“What are those stars,” I asked.“They are a tradition in Norway. A star is lit on the first Sunday of Advent to help guide the Three Wise Men.”We stopped in front of a modest house. There was no star in the window, but I saw sheaves of oats hung from one of the trees. I was familiar with the tradition of putting out something for the birds in the frigid days of December. As we stepped inside, I was suddenly surprised. “Hi, Mom! I would like you to meet Gunnar Larsen.”“Good evening, Mr. Larsen. Jorunn has been sending me text messages all week about your exciting travels. I hope you enjoyed your tour. My name is Leah.”This was not what I expected. I hoped to be alone with Jorunn. The family resemblance was striking and quite apparent. Leah’s straight hair was a bit shorter than Jorunn’s but matched her daughter’s pure blonde color. Her blue eyes stood out from her attractive face. She was wearing a multi-colored Norwegian Dale sweater and green trousers. I possessed absolutely no experience telling how old Norwegian women are. She must be in her forties but looked younger.I said, “I enjoyed Jorunn’s tour very much. Your daughter is quite talented in many ways. Please, call me Gunnar.”Jorunn said, “Gunnar was asking about other Jul traditions and activities here in Norway over Christmas. I thought Syv Slags Kaker would be a good one, and your cookies are the best ones in Oslo. I’ll make us some coffee.”Leah looked at me, “Please sit Gunnar. How much longer will you be staying in Norway?”I replied, “About two more weeks. I wanted to celebrate the New Year here before returning to America.”I talked about the completed tour, and she seemed interested enough that I rambled on.“I really enjoyed visiting Lillehammer. It brought back memories of watching the 1994 Winter Olympics, probably my favorite one. The music was fantastic, and the woman who sang the Olympic Hymn at the opening ceremony possessed such a wonderful voice.”Leah replied, “Her name is Sissel Kyrkjebø. She is still extremely popular today, and we consider her a national treasure. I was 18 at the time, and worked at those Olympics.”“I’d love to hear more about that,” I replied. “It was nice to see many of the venues still being used. I also enjoyed the Olympic Museum in Maihaugen, which told the history of the 1994 Olympics. I was surprised to learn that Norway has won more Olympic medals than any other country. But the highlight for me was riding the chairlift to the top of the Lysgårdsbakkene ski jump. The views were amazing. I can’t imagine anyone being brave enough to make such a jump.”“I agree with you on that!” laughed Leah.I continued, “We also flew to Tromsø, and I got to see the Northern Lights. We can sometimes see them in southern Minnesota, but they were much more impressive here with the clear Norwegian air. Jorunn and I took a ride in a sleigh, pulled by actual reindeer. Reindeer are much larger than I thought. We visited a Sami farm, where we ate reindeer stew and learned about the Sami culture.”“I’ve never been, but I hear it’s really fun,” replied Leah.“Bærums Verk was also a highlight. You may already know that the town dates to the 1600s. I loved the old buildings and cobbled streets. Although the Christmas Market was small, I found it unique, with artisans selling handmade crafts. It was nice to see the old crafts like glassblowing, ironwork, and woodworking.”Jorunn returned with a large tray, holding coffee and cookies, and we began sampling.Leah asked, “Did you take Gunnar to Pepperkakebyen in Bergen? It’s a marvelous gingerbread village in my hometown. There are over 200 small gingerbread houses, and with the tiny lights turned on, it looks so real.”Jorunn replied, “A week goes by quickly, mamma. There is only so much time. The gingerbread houses are very nice, and I have fond memories of going there with you.”As we continued talking and munching cookies, I looked around at the decorations. There was an advent calendar, wreaths, angels, gnomes called nisse, hearts, stars, and candles. The decorations looked more natural, perhaps a bit less commercialized than in America. There was a real tree, complete with its wonderful pine smell, a star at the top, garland, tinsel, ornaments, and white lights.I looked at Leah, “I noticed that you don’t have a Christmas star in the window as many of the other houses do.”Leah replied, “I found my former husband in bed with another woman. I immediately divorced him. Among the many things he took from Jorunn and I, was our Christmas Star.”Leah sounded deeply hurt and from more than just the missing star. After tasting the last of the seven cookies, Leah asked how I liked them. “The waffle-like Krumkaker was probably my favorite. We tried making them in Minnesota, but yours turned out so much better. And, of course, the Pepperkaker gingerbread stars were great.” I held up another cookie and said, “I don’t know the name of this one, but it was also excellent.”Leah replied, “That one is Serinakaker, a Norwegian butter cookie.”I realized the inevitable, “It is getting late. Thank you both, Leah and Jorunn, for a wonderful evening. I need to get back to my hotel and figure out what to do over the next few days.”I saw Jorunn look at her mother, who nodded. As I stood up, Leah did too. “Nonsense, Gunnar. I won’t have it. Come, spend Christmas with Jorunn and me! Nearly everything in Oslo shuts down in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and stays closed until the 27th. No restaurants or shops will be open. I have an unused bedroom upstairs. Come celebrate Jul with us.”I caught the signal between mother and daughter and wondered if this was pre-planned. But spending Christmas alone in my hotel sounded almost as bad as spending it alone in the nursing home. It was an easy decision. “I accept.”Leah said, “Good. I’ll stop by your hotel tomorrow and help you move your things. Perhaps we can have lunch as well at one of the restaurants along Karl Johans gate.”“It would be my pleasure, ” I replied. “Let’s say, about 11:00 AM”Little Christmas EveDecember 23rd - MorningIt was December 23rd, known in Norway as Lille Julaften. Spending Christmas with Leah and Jorunn created a problem for me. I needed to find at least one Christmas present for each, just in case they bought a gift for me. I got up early and headed out to search. Reflecting on last night, and indeed, the last week, it ended up being far simpler than I feared. I soon found a gift for each, along with reusable cloth gift bags in Christmas colors.I heard a knock on my hotel door and opened it. Leah stood there, holding a coat over her arm. She was wearing a traditional Norwegian folk costume called a bunad. Her blonde hair, simply styled, was highlighted by two attractive braids.I smiled and said, “What a pleasant surprise. You look like you just stepped out of a fairy tale.”She looked past me into the messy room, then took a step toward me and surprised me with a kiss on my cheek. She stepped back and started laughing. “It didn’t work. I am a fairy tale princess, but you are still a frog! It looks like we have some work to do cleaning up your lily pad.”As Leah entered the room, I said, “I already packed a small bag, enough for a few days.”Leah walked over to the pile of clothes from my week-long trip. She picked up a shirt and sniffed it. Then she pulled a wool sweater out from the pile. “Keep your wool sweaters away from the rest of your dirty clothes. Wool is harder to clean and may pick up the smell. Let me see what else you packed.”Leah dumped out my small gym bag onto the bed and then began tossing things aside. “This won’t do. We need to take all of your clothes back to my house and wash them.”Fond memories returned. Whenever we went on a trip, Solveig would always dump out my suitcase and re-load it with other clothes. Solvieg would also pick out clothes for me to wear whenever we dressed to go out to weddings or a party.Leah said, “Don’t expect me to wash them for you. I have other things to do to get ready for Christmas. You’ll have enough free time you can wash them yourself. We will gather everything up after we come back from lunch.”What a woman! I can see where Jorunn inherited her strong personality. We left my hotel, and Leah took me to one of her favorite kafés. As we walked, Leah’s bunad drew eyes, and attracted smiles, as if she were a magnet. As we waited for our food, I asked Leah about her bunad.Leah replied, “I don’t get to wear my bunad very often. I usually wear it for National Day in May, and for weddings and baptisms, but I haven’t been to many of those lately. Christmas is also an acceptable time to wear it.”Leah wore the traditional white blouse with a silver neckpin. Her vest was bright red with a handmade breastplate. Her navy skirt was trimmed with intricate embroidery, and covered in front by a white apron. Around her waist and running down the front was a decorative handwoven belt.“I grew up east of Bergen, in the Hardanger region, so my bunad is in the Hardanger style. While details may vary, you can tell where someone is from by which style of bunad they are wearing. It would not be proper to choose a bunad from a different region simply because you prefer a different color.”“That’s a lovely silver brooch you have on. It looks very old.”“It was my grandmother’s. Norwegians have a spiritual connection to silver, and silver brooches are handed down for many generations. One day, it will be Jorunn’s.”The food was excellent. I have not eaten a bad meal here in Norway. Leah was a great conversationalist, and she freely shared her humor and wit. Her stories from the 1994 Olympics were fascinating, and even though Jorunn and I were just there, I wanted to go back. I learned Leah worked as a radiology technician at a local hospital here in Oslo and took the entire holiday off. The meal finished too quickly, and we returned to my hotel.As we gathered my assorted clothing, I saw one of my socks on the floor, so I walked around Leah to pick it up. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with her. We stared at each other for a moment, then moved at the same time. Our lips came together, and we kissed. Not a gentle kiss, but a passionate one, long and deep. Intentions were clear on both sides.We separated. Leah said, “I have not had sex since divorcing my husband nearly three years ago. That bastard took away more than my Christmas Star, he took away my trust in men. I am forty-seven years old. I never go out on dates, because I’m afraid to open my heart again to another man. Jorunn texted me every night for the past week and would send short videos she took during the day. She kept repeating how much fun she was having with you, and how nice a man you are. I know it sounds funny, but after watching and reading what Jorunn sent me, I feel like I already know you, and have made it past the first date. I know you lost the woman you loved. I cannot replace her in your heart, but if you are ready, I would like to share mine.”This was unexpected. “When I was in Minnesota, I watched Jorunn’s vlog almost every night. She is so sweet and funny and does such an excellent job. Even though I never met Jorunn, I felt like I knew her. To use your dating analogy, it’s one of the reasons I picked her as a tour guide. I felt comfortable with Jorunn and was too afraid to trust another tour company. When I came to Norway, I left my past behind. It is time for me to find something, or someone, to love.”Our bodies came together, and our lips re-joined. Any fears of rejection vanished as I locked my lips onto those of this beautiful Norwegian woman. Our tongues danced with each other, while our hands moved quickly over each other’s bodies.“Help me take off my bunad,” pleaded Leah.Together, we unclasped, unbuckled, unbuttoned, and untied, removing one layer at a time of the intricate bunad and laying it over a chair. It was like slowly opening the best Christmas present I have ever gotten, as more of Leah’s body slowly revealed itself to me. Her breasts were small, but firm, and went well with her slender frame. I forgot how delicate a woman’s features are, and Leah’s body was perfect in every way. Below her waist, I found a mound of pure blonde hair, barely darker than the color on her head.“I have no other words, you are truly a gorgeous woman, Leah.”“Thank you, Gunnar. Now it’s my turn to have fun.”Leah approached me. With small steps, she moved gracefully. She lifted my pullover shirt, pausing as it obscured my eyes. “Don’t take your shirt off. Just enjoy the sensations.” In the darkness, her fingers teasingly played with the hairs on my chest. A fingernail flicked back and forth over my nipple, drawing it to an erection. Moving lower, Leah unbuckled my trousers and slid them down, taking my knickers with them. I was not yet erect, but moving rapidly in that direction. Cool fingers wrapped around my cock and lifted, while a single fingernail twirled against my ball sack. Her tongue dragged across the tip of my cock. Then, Leah’s hands moved behind me to cup and squeeze my bum cheeks. Her warm breath washed over my cock.Leah stood and pulled my shirt the rest of the way off, and I stepped out of my trousers. We remained like this, both naked, looking longingly at each other. Leah reached up and touched my hair. “You have just a touch of grey. I like that. Few mature men are as blessed as you, with a firm, lean body. I see all kinds of patients. You look like a forty-year-old.”I suppose that was one benefit of eating the low-fat, low-sugar, and tasteless nursing home food. I lost nearly thirty pounds. “I am older than I look, and you should know that I had a stroke two years ago. I am doing much better, but still have a balance issue, and sometimes slur my words."Slurring your words might just be because you have a lazy tongue. Perhaps we can find a way to fix that later.”For a moment, I wondered what she meant, then hoped my notions might come true. Leah dropped to her knees directly in front of me and ran a finger along my nearly erect shaft. “It feels so nice to touch a real one again. What a lovely cock you have.”I said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have a very large penis.”Leah laughed, “Anything more than a mouthful is just wasted. Now let’s begin. I will say a Norwegian word, and you repeat it. Listen carefully to my pronunciation and maybe we can fix your American accent.”Leah said, “Penis.” Then she grabbed my cock with her right hand.This might be fun, so I replied, “Penis!”Leah whispered, “Rub.” Then she began gently sliding her hand along my shaft. Without any lubrication, there was quite a bit of friction.I replied, “Rub!”Leah said, “Lick.” Leah extended her tongue, and starting near the base, began leaving wet trails along each side of my glistening cock. The warm softness of her tongue brought me to full erection.It felt fantastic, and I gasped out, “Lick!”Leah said, “Suck.” She opened her mouth wide and took in the head of my cock, using her tongue to tease the underside. Bringing her lips together, I felt the insides of her mouth pressing inward and squeezing tightly against me. When her suction began, she pulled the head of my cock deeper into her mouth. Leah’s head pulled back ever so slightly, allowing her soft lips to glide over me until my cock was almost freed. But not quite. Using the extra room, Leah teased my opening with the tip of her tongue. From the way her tongue easily twirled around, I was certain I contributed my pre-cum.Then her suction pulled me deeper into her mouth. She look

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Rekindling Family Ties Through Gyeongju's Timeless Charm Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2026-02-12-23-34-02-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 겨울의 찬 바람이 부는 경주 역사 마을은 한옥과 고대 사찰로 가득 차 있습니다.En: In gyeoul, the cold winds blow through Gyeongju Historic Village, which is filled with traditional hanok houses and ancient temples.Ko: 민재는 자신의 가족과 함께 이곳에 왔습니다.En: Minjae came here with his family.Ko: 민재는 한국 역사와 문화에 대한 열정을 가족과 나누고 싶었습니다.En: He wanted to share his passion for Korean history and culture with them.Ko: 하지만 그의 여동생 수정과 아들 현우는 다른 생각을 가지고 있었습니다.En: However, his sister Sujeong and son Hyunwoo had different thoughts.Ko: 수정은 도시에서 바쁜 일상 속에 살고 있는 실용적인 성격의 여성입니다.En: Sujeong is a practical woman living a busy life in the city.Ko: 그녀는 시골에서 명절을 보내는 것에 회의적이었습니다.En: She was skeptical about spending the holidays in the countryside.Ko: 현우는 십대 소년으로, 역사에 관심을 두기보다는 휴대폰에 빠져 있는 모습입니다.En: Hyunwoo, a teenage boy, seemed more interested in his phone than in history.Ko: 민재는 가족과의 유대감을 다시 찾고 싶었습니다.En: Minjae wanted to reconnect with his family.Ko: 그는 고민 끝에 가족이 역사 마을 곳곳을 탐험하며 재미있는 사실을 찾는 이벤트를 계획했습니다.En: After some deliberation, he planned an event where the family would explore the historical village to discover interesting facts.Ko: 바로 스캐빈저 헌트였습니다.En: It was a scavenger hunt.Ko: 모든 장소에는 흥미로운 역사 정보가 적혀 있었습니다.En: Every location had intriguing historical information posted.Ko: 처음에는 수줍고 무관심했던 수정과 현우도 조금씩 흥미를 느끼기 시작했습니다.En: Initially shy and indifferent, Sujeong and Hyunwoo gradually began to show interest.Ko: 이들은 마을의 한 구석에서 뜻밖의 명절 축제 현장을 발견하게 됩니다.En: They stumbled upon an unexpected holiday festival scene in a corner of the village.Ko: 축제는 설날과 관련된 지역 전통 행사였습니다.En: The festival was a local traditional event related to the Seollal New Year's celebration.Ko: 다양한 전통 놀이와 적막을 깨는 웃음소리, 긴장을 풀어주는 음식 냄새가 가족을 이끌었습니다.En: Various traditional games, laughter breaking the silence, and the comforting smell of food guided the family.Ko: 현우는 친구들과 함께 전통 놀이인 윷놀이를 하며 웃음을 터뜨렸습니다.En: Hyunwoo burst into laughter playing a traditional game called yutnori with friends.Ko: 수정은 전통 음식과 함께 오랜만에 가족과 즐거운 시간을 보냈습니다.En: Sujeong enjoyed traditional food and spent a delightful time with her family for the first time in a long while.Ko: 그리고 민재는 깨달았습니다. 가족과의 연결고리는 역사에만 국한되지 않았다는 것을.En: And Minjae realized that the bond with his family was not limited to history.Ko: 다양한 방법으로 서로의 마음을 나눌 수 있다는 것을.En: There are diverse ways to share each other's hearts.Ko: 결국, 수연과 현우도 한국의 전통과 가족의 소중함을 다시 한번 새롭게 느낄 수 있었습니다.En: In the end, Sujeong and Hyunwoo could once again feel the importance of Korean traditions and family in a new light.Ko: 한파가 온 마을을 덮었지만 그들의 마음은 따뜻하게 녹아갔습니다.En: Although the cold wave covered the village, their hearts warmed and melted.Ko: 밤이 되자 경주 역사 마을에는 조명이 켜지고 새해를 축하하는 불꽃놀이가 시작됐습니다.En: As night fell, lights lit up Gyeongju Historic Village and fireworks celebrating the New Year began.Ko: 가족은 함께 손을 맞잡고 "새해 복 많이 받으세요!"를 외쳤습니다.En: The family held hands together and shouted, "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo!"Ko: 그렇게 그들은 새해를 맞이하며 서로를 더욱 깊이 이해하고 사랑하게 되었습니다.En: Thus, welcoming the New Year, they came to understand and love each other more deeply. Vocabulary Words:deliberation: 고민scavenger hunt: 스캐빈저 헌트intriguing: 흥미로운stumbled upon: 발견하게 되다unexpected: 뜻밖의festival: 축제practical: 실용적인skeptical: 회의적인indifferent: 무관심ancient: 고대traditions: 전통countryside: 시골reconnect: 다시 찾다explore: 탐험하다intriguing: 흥미로운local: 지역traditions: 전통comforting: 긴장을 풀어주는delightful: 즐거운bond: 유대감limited: 국한된diverse: 다양한melted: 녹아갔다lit up: 켜지다fireworks: 불꽃놀이celebration: 축하corner: 구석issue: 문제pride: 자부심indifference: 무관심

How does obeying the scriptures influence our relationship with Jesus?

he Rebbe highlights the Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen as a “New Year” for Chassidic learning, noting the large participation and its power to infuse vitality throughout the year. He also praises the practice of reciting Tehillim before Shabbat Mevorchim Schacharis, wishing it to bring continual blessing for body and soul. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/016/004/6002

The Homeland calls for Gunnar, And So Does Love.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.‘You are the Tin Man. This tour; is the Oil Can. Figure it out.'A recently widowed Norwegian American plans his escape from a Minnesota nursing home to travel abroad and join a ‘Christmas in Norway Tour’. While battling his fears, he meets a beautiful young tour guide and her divorced mother, who years later, still bears scars from her unfaithful husband’s affair. This story is about overcoming those fears to let healing begin. This story picks up after that, and shows the lingering effects of a husband’s extra-marital affair on his family. This is also a Christmas story, so expect to travel to locations in Norway, encounter Norwegian Christmas traditions, and maybe even get sprinkled with pixie-dust!“A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self - in the mirror of some woman’s eyes” - Clare Booth LucePrequel: The Ruined ChristmasOslo, Norway - Three Years AgoMy name is Jorunn. As a Norwegian landsby girl, Mamma and I spent Christmas week in Bergen, visiting her family and celebrating my 22nd birthday. We decided to leave Bergen two days early so that Pappa would not have to celebrate New Year’s Eve alone. During the week, while we were away, Pappa told us how he missed us.We arrived back home in mid-afternoon, just as the sun was setting, and saw our Christmas Star lit up in the window. After entering the house, we heard Pappa moaning upstairs and went up to see if he was all right. Opening the bedroom door, we saw him humping a strange woman!“What are you doing?” shouted Mamma.Pappa replied, “Leah, you’re home early.”“Who is this woman?”“She’s just a slut. She means nothing to me.”The woman yelped, “I am not a slut! I am a happily married woman.”Mamma yelled, “I can see what keeps you happy.”Pappa yelled back, “I still love you, Leah. Let me get rid of this slut. She’s only here because I was lonely. We can talk.”Mamma replied, “You can talk to my advokater. We’re through! How can I ever trust you again, you bastard? Do you realize what you have done to our family!”Mamma began sobbing and ran down the stairs.Pappa looked at me and said, “Jorunn, none of this would have happened if your mother hadn’t come home early and seen us.”I looked at Pappa and saw his slime-covered beard slick with the woman’s juices. “You’re wrong Pappa. It did happen. Mamma and I just wouldn’t have known. You said you didn’t want to be seen by us. That works both ways! I don’t ever want to talk to you or see you ever again!”I ran downstairs to Mamma, and with our suitcases still in the boot, we drove to a friend’s house.Gunnar and Nurse RatchedDecember 13 - MorningMinneapolis, Minnesota - Present DayI pressed the button on my cell phone and hung up after talking with Roger Mans, my long-time friend and attorney. My two adult children texted a few days ago they wanted to visit me here in the nursing home. I had not seen them since the funeral of my wife, Solveig, and that was two months ago. Their plan was for me to sign their power of attorney forms, giving them full control over me and my affairs. But my plan was different, and now was time to put it into place.Two years ago, at just 54 years old, I had a stroke. A devastating paralysis left me needing a lot of care, and therapy to regain my mobility, speech, and other functions.I realized Solveig was unable to care for me at our home. She tried with all her heart, but she was also fighting her own battle with cancer, and undergoing her own rigorous treatments.So I decided to enter a nursing home, while I continued to get rehab. I wanted a facility with a stroke recovery unit. This limited my nursing home choices. The only thing making life bearable here, was Solveig faithfully visiting me, and sneaking an occasional home-cooked meal past the head nurse and her staff. Sadly, Solveig succumbed to the cancer while I was still a resident at the ‘Bethel Retirement Center'. At Solveig’s funeral, my children promised to visit often, but as usual, I could never count on them for anything.Without my wife here to check on things, my decent clothes never came back from the laundry, and instead, the staff returned excuses. I put on old sweatpants and an old sweatshirt. It would do for now. I prepared myself for this day by walking the halls of the nursing home, attending physical therapy sessions, and taking care of myself without help from the staff. Still not fully recovered, but like my clothing, it would do for now.I said goodbye to Alfred, my shared roommate. He nodded, wished me luck, and said he would love to go with me. I felt sorry for him. He was a great storyteller but needed to use his walker, and physically, he required the kind of care they provided here.I walked down the hall to the nurse’s station and found Molly Turner, the rather brusque chief nurse, and her two assistants sitting behind it. “Good morning, Nurse Ratched,” I said.“Good day to you, Gunnar,” she replied.“I’m checking out,” I said.“Be serious, Gunnar. No one ever checks out of a nursing home, unless they are flat on their back with a toe tag.”I looked at her and smiled, “I only hope that will be your Fate, Molly.”“That’s not a nice thing to say, Gunnar. Now, return to your room or I will have dietary take away your rice pudding for a week.”The rice pudding here was a pale imitation of the riskrem, which Solvieg would make every Christmas. I would miss it this year. I gave Nurse Ratched a one-fingered salute, then walked toward the exit. There was a scramble of squeaky chairs and shouts behind me, and I heard their footsteps closing in on me. As I pushed the two doors open to the main lobby, there was Roger, standing next to the nursing home administrator. I walked up to my lawyer, and shook his hand, “Thank you, old friend.”I turned to see a stunned Nurse Ratched. “Allow me to escort Mr. Larsen back to his room,” she meekly pronounced.The nursing home administrator said, “That won’t be necessary, Molly. Mr. Larsen is leaving us. He isn’t taking anything with him. You may clear out his room and get it ready for the next resident.”I looked Nurse Ratched in the eye and saw the fires of hell blazing within. Then, it was my turn to smile back.All my therapists had agreed that my rehab was successful. My speech skills were quite restored. My left arm and leg took longer to restore. But it was good enough to ditch the wheelchair, then the walker, then the cane. What really set me back was the grief of losing my wife, and the guilt of not being there when she needed me most.Gunnar’s HouseRoger drove me to my house. I hadn't been there in two years. It looked pathetic. No one bothered shoveling the snow on the walkway, and I feared what my children may have done to the inside. I found the hidden key I placed under a rock years ago and used it to enter through the front door. The living room and dining room furniture were mostly gone, or should I say, stolen. They had rifled through the small office nook next to the kitchen, with papers scattered over the kitchen countertops and floor.I turned and said, “You’re going to have your work cut out for you, Roger.”“This is exactly what you said would happen, Gunnar. Our firm will take care of it for you.”I opened a small drawer in the office nook and thankfully found my passport intact. It was useless to my children. I went to the master bedroom and saw the dresser drawers partially opened, with clothes scattered all about the floor. On top of the dresser was Solvieg’s jewelry box. I opened it, and few things remained. I was glad to see the gold charm bracelet I gave her 35 years ago for Christmas. She wore it a couple of times, then stopped, complaining it turned her wrist green as the fake gold coating wore away. But she kept it all these years. A worn-out trinket to my children, as precious as the Sauron’s Ring of Power to me. I picked it up and put it in the pocket of my sweatpants.I went into the walk-in closet and picked out some clothes, tossed them into an old gym bag, and said, “I’m done. We can go.”Roger said, “The locksmith and security company will meet me here this afternoon. Once they are done, your children will no longer have access.”“I’d rather not have an auction of whatever is left in the house. I don’t think Solveig would have liked that. Once you go through the papers, just throw everything left in a dumpster and haul it away. Whatever the two pirates plundered will be the only inheritance they will ever see from me.”Miller And Mans Law OfficeRoger and I next went to his office. I said hello to Jane, the long-time receptionist. I have always suspected that Jane knows everything that goes on here, and secretly runs the whole place, not unlike the way Nurse Ratched does in her domain. However, Jane does so with more efficiency, happiness, and joy for both clients and staff.Jane asked, “Can I get you anything, Gunnar?”“I’d love a cup of decent coffee, and an Apple Fritter if you have one.”“I’ll bring them to Roger’s office. Two creams and no sugar, if I remember right.”“Perfect, as always, Jane.”We went into Roger’s plush office, and I sat down in a chair more comfortable than any I sat in for the last two years.“Are you actually going to go through with this?” Roger asked.“Every bit of it,” I replied.I signed multiple papers, removing my two children as beneficiaries from my life insurance and investment accounts. I also gave Roger limited power of attorney to sell my house and dispose of its possessions.Jane arrived with the coffee and Apple Fritter. “Norway? Why would anyone want to go to Norway in December?”“Did Roger spill the beans?” I asked.Jane replied, “Every piece of paper that comes into this office passes through my hands. I opened your travel visa when it came in.”“Jane, I can’t spend Christmas here in Minnesota. The bitter wintry weather pales in comparison to the cold hearts of my own two children. The further away from them I am, the better. I’ve never been to Norway and have always wanted to see the 'home country’ of my ancestors.”Like I said, Jane knows all. The coffee tasted great, and the deep-fried Apple Fritter, one of Nursed Ratched’s 'prohibited foods’, was outstanding. Roger slid me a packet labeled 'Gunnar - Norway’. As Jane left, I opened it and looked at the contents. As planned, there was an international cell phone with a different number, a stack of krone, and three new credit cards bearing the name of a fictitious business. I handed Roger my old cell phone.“We’ll dispose of this for you. Your children will have no idea where you are unless they hire a private detective with exceptionally good connections. Legally, they have no rights to any of your assets, so even if somehow they track you to our law office, they will not get past Jane.”I believed Roger on that.“The tour company you asked us to sign you up with seems pretty sketchy. Their contract looks like something generated off a free online legal site. We reviewed it, it is crude, but legal and binding. If you back out, they still get paid. Why did you pick this tour company? There are many larger and more reputable companies we might have booked you with.”“It’s silly, Roger. I know it’s only a one-person company, run by a young vlogger in Norway. It was terribly boring in the nursing home, so I would spend evenings watching her videos as she traveled around Norway visiting various places, and leading small groups of tourists. It looked like the people were having fun and she made me laugh. Watching her videos was one of the few things that brought me any happiness.”“Why did you reserve for four persons?” asked Roger.“I wanted to make sure her Christmas in Norway tour wouldn’t be canceled. She has a four-person minimum.”“You won’t get those other bookings back, even if more people are going.”“I don’t need the money, Roger, but I do need this tour.”“How about clothing? You don’t have many clothes in that gym bag, Gunnar. Do you want to stop somewhere before we get to the airport?”“No. I’ll travel light. It’ll be easier when going through airport security. I’ll buy more clothes when I get to Norway.”“How about after you come back?”“I’m going to someplace warm and sunny. Maybe visit a mouse in Florida. I’ll be in touch if I need anything while I’m in Norway, and call you when I get back in three weeks.”Jorunn, The Tour GuideDecember 15 – Morning, Two Days LaterI spent yesterday shopping for the new clothes I would need. The tour is a mix of city and outdoor activities, so I bought a basic wardrobe, along with good walking shoes, snow pants, a warm jacket, and gloves. I ate lunch and dinner at two smaller restaurants. The food was good, but I felt lonely eating by myself, in a city I didn’t know, in a strange country. I missed Solveig very much and wished she were here with me.The next morning, I walked to the nearby hotel where the tour group would be meeting and followed the “Christmas in Norway Tour” sign to a small room off the lobby. There she was! Jorunn. My vlogger! She was about as tall as I am, at least when I can stand straight, with long blonde hair parted in the middle, clear blue eyes, and her signature radiant smile. She wore a Norwegian Dale sweater and brown pants.Jorunn spoke to me in Norwegian. “Excuse me, sir, this room is reserved for a tour group.”I hobbled closer. “Yes, and I’m one of the people taking the tour.”“We have a pretty active schedule for the next seven days, from December 15th through the 22nd. Do you think you are well enough to take this tour?”I wasn’t sure if I was, but I didn’t want to tell her that. “I won’t slow you down,” I replied.“What is your name?” she asked.“Gunnar Larsen.”She opened a small notebook and flipped through the pages. “It says here you are in a group of four. I see three other names. When are they coming?”“There won’t be any others from my group. One of the names is my recently deceased wife, the other two are my estranged adult children. I’m all there is.”Jorunn looked puzzled. “Only four people in total signed up, including you, all from your group. If the others aren’t coming, then you will be the only one. I don’t… I can’t… I mean, I have reservations I cannot cancel. You’re going to cost me a fortune whether I go through with the tour or not.”I replied, “The contract states that you have a four-person minimum. I am paying you in full for all four people. You won’t lose any money.”Jorunn smirked and looked like she was thinking. “I don’t know if you’re some kind of dirty old man, but if I agree to continue this tour, you should know that we will have separate rooms every night and there will be no sex of any kind. Judging by the way you look; I hope you can at least wipe your own butt!”“Your terms are acceptable. I had a stroke two years ago, but I have mostly recovered. I can walk, talk, and listen. I have trouble with my balance at times and sometimes slur my words. If you think something is too strenuous for me, I am willing to skip that part of the tour.”“Well, Mr. Larsen of Minnesota, you need to sign some release forms. As stated in the contract, I get to film the tour group for my vlogs, so I expect smiles when I am filming you. For now, go help yourself to breakfast. There is coffee, brunost, bread, and milk. Enough to feed four. Don’t expect me to serve you, and if you don’t know how to use a cheese sliver, learn fast.”She looked puzzled earlier but was now the confident Jorunn with whom I spent virtual evenings. I was delighted we worked this out. Smiles would not be a problem.OsloDecember 15 - MorningJorunn left the room and returned shortly with a small basket of food. “We have a lot of brunost left over, so I am going to make us a food packet for lunch called matpakke. I have a place in mind where we can sit and picnic.”“We will use the Vy app and Oslo Pass and travel by train and Metro. But today, we will mainly walk around Oslo. You will need to check into this hotel under the tour name if you have not done so. We will be in Oslo for two nights. The prepaid room is part of your tour package. I will try to cancel or change some reservations. Meet me back here in one hour.”I went back to my hotel to retrieve my belongings, then checked into the one Jorunn requested. It was not as nice as the one I left, but it was clean, and I did not want to make a fuss on the first day. I purchased a surprising amount of clothing yesterday and needed to make two trips to bring everything over. Then I returned to the meeting room and found Jorunn waiting.Jorunn and I walked from the hotel to Oslo Central Station and took a tram to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Jorunn told me it is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, with over two hundred sculptures combining the human form with an element of fantasy. Most figures were naked, with a mix of vagueness and rather notably open precision. The most prominent sculpture was a 17-meter-high monolith consisting of 121 intertwined human figures clambering to the top, carved from a single stone block. We spent over an hour walking the grounds, and while it was interesting, I told Jorunn that I didn’t see much in the way of Christmas here.A combination of walking and a short bus ride brought us to the grounds of the Akershus Fortress. Constructed in the 13th century, it protects the waterfront and Oslo harbor. Also on the site was the restored Akershus Castle, which was formerly a residence of prior kings of Norway. Jorunn said it serves today as an entertainment and event center for the Norwegian government, and this close to Christmas was not open to the public.I found it challenging to walk the grounds of the Fortress, as there were steep inclines mixed with stone steps and cobblestone paths. Remnants of a prior snowstorm still lingered in shady areas and under arches, making the footing treacherous. We did stop at places offering magnificent views of the city of Oslo, the bay, and the fjord, and several ramparts still bore cannons. Jorunn was rather businesslike and did not seem to be enjoyin

The Homeland calls for Gunnar, And So Does Love.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.‘You are the Tin Man. This tour; is the Oil Can. Figure it out.'A recently widowed Norwegian American plans his escape from a Minnesota nursing home to travel abroad and join a ‘Christmas in Norway Tour’. While battling his fears, he meets a beautiful young tour guide and her divorced mother, who years later, still bears scars from her unfaithful husband’s affair. This story is about overcoming those fears to let healing begin. This story picks up after that, and shows the lingering effects of a husband’s extra-marital affair on his family. This is also a Christmas story, so expect to travel to locations in Norway, encounter Norwegian Christmas traditions, and maybe even get sprinkled with pixie-dust!“A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self - in the mirror of some woman’s eyes” - Clare Booth LucePrequel: The Ruined ChristmasOslo, Norway - Three Years AgoMy name is Jorunn. As a Norwegian landsby girl, Mamma and I spent Christmas week in Bergen, visiting her family and celebrating my 22nd birthday. We decided to leave Bergen two days early so that Pappa would not have to celebrate New Year’s Eve alone. During the week, while we were away, Pappa told us how he missed us.We arrived back home in mid-afternoon, just as the sun was setting, and saw our Christmas Star lit up in the window. After entering the house, we heard Pappa moaning upstairs and went up to see if he was all right. Opening the bedroom door, we saw him humping a strange woman!“What are you doing?” shouted Mamma.Pappa replied, “Leah, you’re home early.”“Who is this woman?”“She’s just a slut. She means nothing to me.”The woman yelped, “I am not a slut! I am a happily married woman.”Mamma yelled, “I can see what keeps you happy.”Pappa yelled back, “I still love you, Leah. Let me get rid of this slut. She’s only here because I was lonely. We can talk.”Mamma replied, “You can talk to my advokater. We’re through! How can I ever trust you again, you bastard? Do you realize what you have done to our family!”Mamma began sobbing and ran down the stairs.Pappa looked at me and said, “Jorunn, none of this would have happened if your mother hadn’t come home early and seen us.”I looked at Pappa and saw his slime-covered beard slick with the woman’s juices. “You’re wrong Pappa. It did happen. Mamma and I just wouldn’t have known. You said you didn’t want to be seen by us. That works both ways! I don’t ever want to talk to you or see you ever again!”I ran downstairs to Mamma, and with our suitcases still in the boot, we drove to a friend’s house.Gunnar and Nurse RatchedDecember 13 - MorningMinneapolis, Minnesota - Present DayI pressed the button on my cell phone and hung up after talking with Roger Mans, my long-time friend and attorney. My two adult children texted a few days ago they wanted to visit me here in the nursing home. I had not seen them since the funeral of my wife, Solveig, and that was two months ago. Their plan was for me to sign their power of attorney forms, giving them full control over me and my affairs. But my plan was different, and now was time to put it into place.Two years ago, at just 54 years old, I had a stroke. A devastating paralysis left me needing a lot of care, and therapy to regain my mobility, speech, and other functions.I realized Solveig was unable to care for me at our home. She tried with all her heart, but she was also fighting her own battle with cancer, and undergoing her own rigorous treatments.So I decided to enter a nursing home, while I continued to get rehab. I wanted a facility with a stroke recovery unit. This limited my nursing home choices. The only thing making life bearable here, was Solveig faithfully visiting me, and sneaking an occasional home-cooked meal past the head nurse and her staff. Sadly, Solveig succumbed to the cancer while I was still a resident at the ‘Bethel Retirement Center'. At Solveig’s funeral, my children promised to visit often, but as usual, I could never count on them for anything.Without my wife here to check on things, my decent clothes never came back from the laundry, and instead, the staff returned excuses. I put on old sweatpants and an old sweatshirt. It would do for now. I prepared myself for this day by walking the halls of the nursing home, attending physical therapy sessions, and taking care of myself without help from the staff. Still not fully recovered, but like my clothing, it would do for now.I said goodbye to Alfred, my shared roommate. He nodded, wished me luck, and said he would love to go with me. I felt sorry for him. He was a great storyteller but needed to use his walker, and physically, he required the kind of care they provided here.I walked down the hall to the nurse’s station and found Molly Turner, the rather brusque chief nurse, and her two assistants sitting behind it. “Good morning, Nurse Ratched,” I said.“Good day to you, Gunnar,” she replied.“I’m checking out,” I said.“Be serious, Gunnar. No one ever checks out of a nursing home, unless they are flat on their back with a toe tag.”I looked at her and smiled, “I only hope that will be your Fate, Molly.”“That’s not a nice thing to say, Gunnar. Now, return to your room or I will have dietary take away your rice pudding for a week.”The rice pudding here was a pale imitation of the riskrem, which Solvieg would make every Christmas. I would miss it this year. I gave Nurse Ratched a one-fingered salute, then walked toward the exit. There was a scramble of squeaky chairs and shouts behind me, and I heard their footsteps closing in on me. As I pushed the two doors open to the main lobby, there was Roger, standing next to the nursing home administrator. I walked up to my lawyer, and shook his hand, “Thank you, old friend.”I turned to see a stunned Nurse Ratched. “Allow me to escort Mr. Larsen back to his room,” she meekly pronounced.The nursing home administrator said, “That won’t be necessary, Molly. Mr. Larsen is leaving us. He isn’t taking anything with him. You may clear out his room and get it ready for the next resident.”I looked Nurse Ratched in the eye and saw the fires of hell blazing within. Then, it was my turn to smile back.All my therapists had agreed that my rehab was successful. My speech skills were quite restored. My left arm and leg took longer to restore. But it was good enough to ditch the wheelchair, then the walker, then the cane. What really set me back was the grief of losing my wife, and the guilt of not being there when she needed me most.Gunnar’s HouseRoger drove me to my house. I hadn't been there in two years. It looked pathetic. No one bothered shoveling the snow on the walkway, and I feared what my children may have done to the inside. I found the hidden key I placed under a rock years ago and used it to enter through the front door. The living room and dining room furniture were mostly gone, or should I say, stolen. They had rifled through the small office nook next to the kitchen, with papers scattered over the kitchen countertops and floor.I turned and said, “You’re going to have your work cut out for you, Roger.”“This is exactly what you said would happen, Gunnar. Our firm will take care of it for you.”I opened a small drawer in the office nook and thankfully found my passport intact. It was useless to my children. I went to the master bedroom and saw the dresser drawers partially opened, with clothes scattered all about the floor. On top of the dresser was Solvieg’s jewelry box. I opened it, and few things remained. I was glad to see the gold charm bracelet I gave her 35 years ago for Christmas. She wore it a couple of times, then stopped, complaining it turned her wrist green as the fake gold coating wore away. But she kept it all these years. A worn-out trinket to my children, as precious as the Sauron’s Ring of Power to me. I picked it up and put it in the pocket of my sweatpants.I went into the walk-in closet and picked out some clothes, tossed them into an old gym bag, and said, “I’m done. We can go.”Roger said, “The locksmith and security company will meet me here this afternoon. Once they are done, your children will no longer have access.”“I’d rather not have an auction of whatever is left in the house. I don’t think Solveig would have liked that. Once you go through the papers, just throw everything left in a dumpster and haul it away. Whatever the two pirates plundered will be the only inheritance they will ever see from me.”Miller And Mans Law OfficeRoger and I next went to his office. I said hello to Jane, the long-time receptionist. I have always suspected that Jane knows everything that goes on here, and secretly runs the whole place, not unlike the way Nurse Ratched does in her domain. However, Jane does so with more efficiency, happiness, and joy for both clients and staff.Jane asked, “Can I get you anything, Gunnar?”“I’d love a cup of decent coffee, and an Apple Fritter if you have one.”“I’ll bring them to Roger’s office. Two creams and no sugar, if I remember right.”“Perfect, as always, Jane.”We went into Roger’s plush office, and I sat down in a chair more comfortable than any I sat in for the last two years.“Are you actually going to go through with this?” Roger asked.“Every bit of it,” I replied.I signed multiple papers, removing my two children as beneficiaries from my life insurance and investment accounts. I also gave Roger limited power of attorney to sell my house and dispose of its possessions.Jane arrived with the coffee and Apple Fritter. “Norway? Why would anyone want to go to Norway in December?”“Did Roger spill the beans?” I asked.Jane replied, “Every piece of paper that comes into this office passes through my hands. I opened your travel visa when it came in.”“Jane, I can’t spend Christmas here in Minnesota. The bitter wintry weather pales in comparison to the cold hearts of my own two children. The further away from them I am, the better. I’ve never been to Norway and have always wanted to see the 'home country’ of my ancestors.”Like I said, Jane knows all. The coffee tasted great, and the deep-fried Apple Fritter, one of Nursed Ratched’s 'prohibited foods’, was outstanding. Roger slid me a packet labeled 'Gunnar - Norway’. As Jane left, I opened it and looked at the contents. As planned, there was an international cell phone with a different number, a stack of krone, and three new credit cards bearing the name of a fictitious business. I handed Roger my old cell phone.“We’ll dispose of this for you. Your children will have no idea where you are unless they hire a private detective with exceptionally good connections. Legally, they have no rights to any of your assets, so even if somehow they track you to our law office, they will not get past Jane.”I believed Roger on that.“The tour company you asked us to sign you up with seems pretty sketchy. Their contract looks like something generated off a free online legal site. We reviewed it, it is crude, but legal and binding. If you back out, they still get paid. Why did you pick this tour company? There are many larger and more reputable companies we might have booked you with.”“It’s silly, Roger. I know it’s only a one-person company, run by a young vlogger in Norway. It was terribly boring in the nursing home, so I would spend evenings watching her videos as she traveled around Norway visiting various places, and leading small groups of tourists. It looked like the people were having fun and she made me laugh. Watching her videos was one of the few things that brought me any happiness.”“Why did you reserve for four persons?” asked Roger.“I wanted to make sure her Christmas in Norway tour wouldn’t be canceled. She has a four-person minimum.”“You won’t get those other bookings back, even if more people are going.”“I don’t need the money, Roger, but I do need this tour.”“How about clothing? You don’t have many clothes in that gym bag, Gunnar. Do you want to stop somewhere before we get to the airport?”“No. I’ll travel light. It’ll be easier when going through airport security. I’ll buy more clothes when I get to Norway.”“How about after you come back?”“I’m going to someplace warm and sunny. Maybe visit a mouse in Florida. I’ll be in touch if I need anything while I’m in Norway, and call you when I get back in three weeks.”Jorunn, The Tour GuideDecember 15 – Morning, Two Days LaterI spent yesterday shopping for the new clothes I would need. The tour is a mix of city and outdoor activities, so I bought a basic wardrobe, along with good walking shoes, snow pants, a warm jacket, and gloves. I ate lunch and dinner at two smaller restaurants. The food was good, but I felt lonely eating by myself, in a city I didn’t know, in a strange country. I missed Solveig very much and wished she were here with me.The next morning, I walked to the nearby hotel where the tour group would be meeting and followed the “Christmas in Norway Tour” sign to a small room off the lobby. There she was! Jorunn. My vlogger! She was about as tall as I am, at least when I can stand straight, with long blonde hair parted in the middle, clear blue eyes, and her signature radiant smile. She wore a Norwegian Dale sweater and brown pants.Jorunn spoke to me in Norwegian. “Excuse me, sir, this room is reserved for a tour group.”I hobbled closer. “Yes, and I’m one of the people taking the tour.”“We have a pretty active schedule for the next seven days, from December 15th through the 22nd. Do you think you are well enough to take this tour?”I wasn’t sure if I was, but I didn’t want to tell her that. “I won’t slow you down,” I replied.“What is your name?” she asked.“Gunnar Larsen.”She opened a small notebook and flipped through the pages. “It says here you are in a group of four. I see three other names. When are they coming?”“There won’t be any others from my group. One of the names is my recently deceased wife, the other two are my estranged adult children. I’m all there is.”Jorunn looked puzzled. “Only four people in total signed up, including you, all from your group. If the others aren’t coming, then you will be the only one. I don’t… I can’t… I mean, I have reservations I cannot cancel. You’re going to cost me a fortune whether I go through with the tour or not.”I replied, “The contract states that you have a four-person minimum. I am paying you in full for all four people. You won’t lose any money.”Jorunn smirked and looked like she was thinking. “I don’t know if you’re some kind of dirty old man, but if I agree to continue this tour, you should know that we will have separate rooms every night and there will be no sex of any kind. Judging by the way you look; I hope you can at least wipe your own butt!”“Your terms are acceptable. I had a stroke two years ago, but I have mostly recovered. I can walk, talk, and listen. I have trouble with my balance at times and sometimes slur my words. If you think something is too strenuous for me, I am willing to skip that part of the tour.”“Well, Mr. Larsen of Minnesota, you need to sign some release forms. As stated in the contract, I get to film the tour group for my vlogs, so I expect smiles when I am filming you. For now, go help yourself to breakfast. There is coffee, brunost, bread, and milk. Enough to feed four. Don’t expect me to serve you, and if you don’t know how to use a cheese sliver, learn fast.”She looked puzzled earlier but was now the confident Jorunn with whom I spent virtual evenings. I was delighted we worked this out. Smiles would not be a problem.OsloDecember 15 - MorningJorunn left the room and returned shortly with a small basket of food. “We have a lot of brunost left over, so I am going to make us a food packet for lunch called matpakke. I have a place in mind where we can sit and picnic.”“We will use the Vy app and Oslo Pass and travel by train and Metro. But today, we will mainly walk around Oslo. You will need to check into this hotel under the tour name if you have not done so. We will be in Oslo for two nights. The prepaid room is part of your tour package. I will try to cancel or change some reservations. Meet me back here in one hour.”I went back to my hotel to retrieve my belongings, then checked into the one Jorunn requested. It was not as nice as the one I left, but it was clean, and I did not want to make a fuss on the first day. I purchased a surprising amount of clothing yesterday and needed to make two trips to bring everything over. Then I returned to the meeting room and found Jorunn waiting.Jorunn and I walked from the hotel to Oslo Central Station and took a tram to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Jorunn told me it is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, with over two hundred sculptures combining the human form with an element of fantasy. Most figures were naked, with a mix of vagueness and rather notably open precision. The most prominent sculpture was a 17-meter-high monolith consisting of 121 intertwined human figures clambering to the top, carved from a single stone block. We spent over an hour walking the grounds, and while it was interesting, I told Jorunn that I didn’t see much in the way of Christmas here.A combination of walking and a short bus ride brought us to the grounds of the Akershus Fortress. Constructed in the 13th century, it protects the waterfront and Oslo harbor. Also on the site was the restored Akershus Castle, which was formerly a residence of prior kings of Norway. Jorunn said it serves today as an entertainment and event center for the Norwegian government, and this close to Christmas was not open to the public.I found it challenging to walk the grounds of the Fortress, as there were steep inclines mixed with stone steps and cobblestone paths. Remnants of a prior snowstorm still lingered in shady areas and under arches, making the footing treacherous. We did stop at places offering magnificent views of the city of Oslo, the bay, and the fjord, and several ramparts still bore cannons. Jorunn was rather businesslike and did not seem to be enjoyin

The Homeland calls for Gunnar, And So Does Love.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.‘You are the Tin Man. This tour; is the Oil Can. Figure it out.'A recently widowed Norwegian American plans his escape from a Minnesota nursing home to travel abroad and join a ‘Christmas in Norway Tour’. While battling his fears, he meets a beautiful young tour guide and her divorced mother, who years later, still bears scars from her unfaithful husband’s affair. This story is about overcoming those fears to let healing begin. This story picks up after that, and shows the lingering effects of a husband’s extra-marital affair on his family. This is also a Christmas story, so expect to travel to locations in Norway, encounter Norwegian Christmas traditions, and maybe even get sprinkled with pixie-dust!“A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self - in the mirror of some woman’s eyes” - Clare Booth LucePrequel: The Ruined ChristmasOslo, Norway - Three Years AgoMy name is Jorunn. As a Norwegian landsby girl, Mamma and I spent Christmas week in Bergen, visiting her family and celebrating my 22nd birthday. We decided to leave Bergen two days early so that Pappa would not have to celebrate New Year’s Eve alone. During the week, while we were away, Pappa told us how he missed us.We arrived back home in mid-afternoon, just as the sun was setting, and saw our Christmas Star lit up in the window. After entering the house, we heard Pappa moaning upstairs and went up to see if he was all right. Opening the bedroom door, we saw him humping a strange woman!“What are you doing?” shouted Mamma.Pappa replied, “Leah, you’re home early.”“Who is this woman?”“She’s just a slut. She means nothing to me.”The woman yelped, “I am not a slut! I am a happily married woman.”Mamma yelled, “I can see what keeps you happy.”Pappa yelled back, “I still love you, Leah. Let me get rid of this slut. She’s only here because I was lonely. We can talk.”Mamma replied, “You can talk to my advokater. We’re through! How can I ever trust you again, you bastard? Do you realize what you have done to our family!”Mamma began sobbing and ran down the stairs.Pappa looked at me and said, “Jorunn, none of this would have happened if your mother hadn’t come home early and seen us.”I looked at Pappa and saw his slime-covered beard slick with the woman’s juices. “You’re wrong Pappa. It did happen. Mamma and I just wouldn’t have known. You said you didn’t want to be seen by us. That works both ways! I don’t ever want to talk to you or see you ever again!”I ran downstairs to Mamma, and with our suitcases still in the boot, we drove to a friend’s house.Gunnar and Nurse RatchedDecember 13 - MorningMinneapolis, Minnesota - Present DayI pressed the button on my cell phone and hung up after talking with Roger Mans, my long-time friend and attorney. My two adult children texted a few days ago they wanted to visit me here in the nursing home. I had not seen them since the funeral of my wife, Solveig, and that was two months ago. Their plan was for me to sign their power of attorney forms, giving them full control over me and my affairs. But my plan was different, and now was time to put it into place.Two years ago, at just 54 years old, I had a stroke. A devastating paralysis left me needing a lot of care, and therapy to regain my mobility, speech, and other functions.I realized Solveig was unable to care for me at our home. She tried with all her heart, but she was also fighting her own battle with cancer, and undergoing her own rigorous treatments.So I decided to enter a nursing home, while I continued to get rehab. I wanted a facility with a stroke recovery unit. This limited my nursing home choices. The only thing making life bearable here, was Solveig faithfully visiting me, and sneaking an occasional home-cooked meal past the head nurse and her staff. Sadly, Solveig succumbed to the cancer while I was still a resident at the ‘Bethel Retirement Center'. At Solveig’s funeral, my children promised to visit often, but as usual, I could never count on them for anything.Without my wife here to check on things, my decent clothes never came back from the laundry, and instead, the staff returned excuses. I put on old sweatpants and an old sweatshirt. It would do for now. I prepared myself for this day by walking the halls of the nursing home, attending physical therapy sessions, and taking care of myself without help from the staff. Still not fully recovered, but like my clothing, it would do for now.I said goodbye to Alfred, my shared roommate. He nodded, wished me luck, and said he would love to go with me. I felt sorry for him. He was a great storyteller but needed to use his walker, and physically, he required the kind of care they provided here.I walked down the hall to the nurse’s station and found Molly Turner, the rather brusque chief nurse, and her two assistants sitting behind it. “Good morning, Nurse Ratched,” I said.“Good day to you, Gunnar,” she replied.“I’m checking out,” I said.“Be serious, Gunnar. No one ever checks out of a nursing home, unless they are flat on their back with a toe tag.”I looked at her and smiled, “I only hope that will be your Fate, Molly.”“That’s not a nice thing to say, Gunnar. Now, return to your room or I will have dietary take away your rice pudding for a week.”The rice pudding here was a pale imitation of the riskrem, which Solvieg would make every Christmas. I would miss it this year. I gave Nurse Ratched a one-fingered salute, then walked toward the exit. There was a scramble of squeaky chairs and shouts behind me, and I heard their footsteps closing in on me. As I pushed the two doors open to the main lobby, there was Roger, standing next to the nursing home administrator. I walked up to my lawyer, and shook his hand, “Thank you, old friend.”I turned to see a stunned Nurse Ratched. “Allow me to escort Mr. Larsen back to his room,” she meekly pronounced.The nursing home administrator said, “That won’t be necessary, Molly. Mr. Larsen is leaving us. He isn’t taking anything with him. You may clear out his room and get it ready for the next resident.”I looked Nurse Ratched in the eye and saw the fires of hell blazing within. Then, it was my turn to smile back.All my therapists had agreed that my rehab was successful. My speech skills were quite restored. My left arm and leg took longer to restore. But it was good enough to ditch the wheelchair, then the walker, then the cane. What really set me back was the grief of losing my wife, and the guilt of not being there when she needed me most.Gunnar’s HouseRoger drove me to my house. I hadn't been there in two years. It looked pathetic. No one bothered shoveling the snow on the walkway, and I feared what my children may have done to the inside. I found the hidden key I placed under a rock years ago and used it to enter through the front door. The living room and dining room furniture were mostly gone, or should I say, stolen. They had rifled through the small office nook next to the kitchen, with papers scattered over the kitchen countertops and floor.I turned and said, “You’re going to have your work cut out for you, Roger.”“This is exactly what you said would happen, Gunnar. Our firm will take care of it for you.”I opened a small drawer in the office nook and thankfully found my passport intact. It was useless to my children. I went to the master bedroom and saw the dresser drawers partially opened, with clothes scattered all about the floor. On top of the dresser was Solvieg’s jewelry box. I opened it, and few things remained. I was glad to see the gold charm bracelet I gave her 35 years ago for Christmas. She wore it a couple of times, then stopped, complaining it turned her wrist green as the fake gold coating wore away. But she kept it all these years. A worn-out trinket to my children, as precious as the Sauron’s Ring of Power to me. I picked it up and put it in the pocket of my sweatpants.I went into the walk-in closet and picked out some clothes, tossed them into an old gym bag, and said, “I’m done. We can go.”Roger said, “The locksmith and security company will meet me here this afternoon. Once they are done, your children will no longer have access.”“I’d rather not have an auction of whatever is left in the house. I don’t think Solveig would have liked that. Once you go through the papers, just throw everything left in a dumpster and haul it away. Whatever the two pirates plundered will be the only inheritance they will ever see from me.”Miller And Mans Law OfficeRoger and I next went to his office. I said hello to Jane, the long-time receptionist. I have always suspected that Jane knows everything that goes on here, and secretly runs the whole place, not unlike the way Nurse Ratched does in her domain. However, Jane does so with more efficiency, happiness, and joy for both clients and staff.Jane asked, “Can I get you anything, Gunnar?”“I’d love a cup of decent coffee, and an Apple Fritter if you have one.”“I’ll bring them to Roger’s office. Two creams and no sugar, if I remember right.”“Perfect, as always, Jane.”We went into Roger’s plush office, and I sat down in a chair more comfortable than any I sat in for the last two years.“Are you actually going to go through with this?” Roger asked.“Every bit of it,” I replied.I signed multiple papers, removing my two children as beneficiaries from my life insurance and investment accounts. I also gave Roger limited power of attorney to sell my house and dispose of its possessions.Jane arrived with the coffee and Apple Fritter. “Norway? Why would anyone want to go to Norway in December?”“Did Roger spill the beans?” I asked.Jane replied, “Every piece of paper that comes into this office passes through my hands. I opened your travel visa when it came in.”“Jane, I can’t spend Christmas here in Minnesota. The bitter wintry weather pales in comparison to the cold hearts of my own two children. The further away from them I am, the better. I’ve never been to Norway and have always wanted to see the 'home country’ of my ancestors.”Like I said, Jane knows all. The coffee tasted great, and the deep-fried Apple Fritter, one of Nursed Ratched’s 'prohibited foods’, was outstanding. Roger slid me a packet labeled 'Gunnar - Norway’. As Jane left, I opened it and looked at the contents. As planned, there was an international cell phone with a different number, a stack of krone, and three new credit cards bearing the name of a fictitious business. I handed Roger my old cell phone.“We’ll dispose of this for you. Your children will have no idea where you are unless they hire a private detective with exceptionally good connections. Legally, they have no rights to any of your assets, so even if somehow they track you to our law office, they will not get past Jane.”I believed Roger on that.“The tour company you asked us to sign you up with seems pretty sketchy. Their contract looks like something generated off a free online legal site. We reviewed it, it is crude, but legal and binding. If you back out, they still get paid. Why did you pick this tour company? There are many larger and more reputable companies we might have booked you with.”“It’s silly, Roger. I know it’s only a one-person company, run by a young vlogger in Norway. It was terribly boring in the nursing home, so I would spend evenings watching her videos as she traveled around Norway visiting various places, and leading small groups of tourists. It looked like the people were having fun and she made me laugh. Watching her videos was one of the few things that brought me any happiness.”“Why did you reserve for four persons?” asked Roger.“I wanted to make sure her Christmas in Norway tour wouldn’t be canceled. She has a four-person minimum.”“You won’t get those other bookings back, even if more people are going.”“I don’t need the money, Roger, but I do need this tour.”“How about clothing? You don’t have many clothes in that gym bag, Gunnar. Do you want to stop somewhere before we get to the airport?”“No. I’ll travel light. It’ll be easier when going through airport security. I’ll buy more clothes when I get to Norway.”“How about after you come back?”“I’m going to someplace warm and sunny. Maybe visit a mouse in Florida. I’ll be in touch if I need anything while I’m in Norway, and call you when I get back in three weeks.”Jorunn, The Tour GuideDecember 15 – Morning, Two Days LaterI spent yesterday shopping for the new clothes I would need. The tour is a mix of city and outdoor activities, so I bought a basic wardrobe, along with good walking shoes, snow pants, a warm jacket, and gloves. I ate lunch and dinner at two smaller restaurants. The food was good, but I felt lonely eating by myself, in a city I didn’t know, in a strange country. I missed Solveig very much and wished she were here with me.The next morning, I walked to the nearby hotel where the tour group would be meeting and followed the “Christmas in Norway Tour” sign to a small room off the lobby. There she was! Jorunn. My vlogger! She was about as tall as I am, at least when I can stand straight, with long blonde hair parted in the middle, clear blue eyes, and her signature radiant smile. She wore a Norwegian Dale sweater and brown pants.Jorunn spoke to me in Norwegian. “Excuse me, sir, this room is reserved for a tour group.”I hobbled closer. “Yes, and I’m one of the people taking the tour.”“We have a pretty active schedule for the next seven days, from December 15th through the 22nd. Do you think you are well enough to take this tour?”I wasn’t sure if I was, but I didn’t want to tell her that. “I won’t slow you down,” I replied.“What is your name?” she asked.“Gunnar Larsen.”She opened a small notebook and flipped through the pages. “It says here you are in a group of four. I see three other names. When are they coming?”“There won’t be any others from my group. One of the names is my recently deceased wife, the other two are my estranged adult children. I’m all there is.”Jorunn looked puzzled. “Only four people in total signed up, including you, all from your group. If the others aren’t coming, then you will be the only one. I don’t… I can’t… I mean, I have reservations I cannot cancel. You’re going to cost me a fortune whether I go through with the tour or not.”I replied, “The contract states that you have a four-person minimum. I am paying you in full for all four people. You won’t lose any money.”Jorunn smirked and looked like she was thinking. “I don’t know if you’re some kind of dirty old man, but if I agree to continue this tour, you should know that we will have separate rooms every night and there will be no sex of any kind. Judging by the way you look; I hope you can at least wipe your own butt!”“Your terms are acceptable. I had a stroke two years ago, but I have mostly recovered. I can walk, talk, and listen. I have trouble with my balance at times and sometimes slur my words. If you think something is too strenuous for me, I am willing to skip that part of the tour.”“Well, Mr. Larsen of Minnesota, you need to sign some release forms. As stated in the contract, I get to film the tour group for my vlogs, so I expect smiles when I am filming you. For now, go help yourself to breakfast. There is coffee, brunost, bread, and milk. Enough to feed four. Don’t expect me to serve you, and if you don’t know how to use a cheese sliver, learn fast.”She looked puzzled earlier but was now the confident Jorunn with whom I spent virtual evenings. I was delighted we worked this out. Smiles would not be a problem.OsloDecember 15 - MorningJorunn left the room and returned shortly with a small basket of food. “We have a lot of brunost left over, so I am going to make us a food packet for lunch called matpakke. I have a place in mind where we can sit and picnic.”“We will use the Vy app and Oslo Pass and travel by train and Metro. But today, we will mainly walk around Oslo. You will need to check into this hotel under the tour name if you have not done so. We will be in Oslo for two nights. The prepaid room is part of your tour package. I will try to cancel or change some reservations. Meet me back here in one hour.”I went back to my hotel to retrieve my belongings, then checked into the one Jorunn requested. It was not as nice as the one I left, but it was clean, and I did not want to make a fuss on the first day. I purchased a surprising amount of clothing yesterday and needed to make two trips to bring everything over. Then I returned to the meeting room and found Jorunn waiting.Jorunn and I walked from the hotel to Oslo Central Station and took a tram to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Jorunn told me it is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, with over two hundred sculptures combining the human form with an element of fantasy. Most figures were naked, with a mix of vagueness and rather notably open precision. The most prominent sculpture was a 17-meter-high monolith consisting of 121 intertwined human figures clambering to the top, carved from a single stone block. We spent over an hour walking the grounds, and while it was interesting, I told Jorunn that I didn’t see much in the way of Christmas here.A combination of walking and a short bus ride brought us to the grounds of the Akershus Fortress. Constructed in the 13th century, it protects the waterfront and Oslo harbor. Also on the site was the restored Akershus Castle, which was formerly a residence of prior kings of Norway. Jorunn said it serves today as an entertainment and event center for the Norwegian government, and this close to Christmas was not open to the public.I found it challenging to walk the grounds of the Fortress, as there were steep inclines mixed with stone steps and cobblestone paths. Remnants of a prior snowstorm still lingered in shady areas and under arches, making the footing treacherous. We did stop at places offering magnificent views of the city of Oslo, the bay, and the fjord, and several ramparts still bore cannons. Jorunn was rather businesslike and did not seem to be enjoyin

Caleb Schafer, the Lead Pastor of Redeemer's Church, finishes his series about the New Year being a MOMENT in time that marks WHEN God wants to do a NEW THING-in you, for you, around you, and with you. February 8th, 2026 | 2.8.26 Category: Sensing, Progression, Whisper

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