Ascension Day, (celebrating the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, 40 days after Easter) is still a public holiday here in Sweden, even if many people now probably only have a vague idea of its origin, and just welcome it as a "day off", or even a long weekend (those who can often take Friday off as well).
Traditionally, Ascension Day was often celebrated here with an early morning church service and picknick outdoors. I have to confess it's been a long time now since I myself (not an "early morning person") partook in any such event; but I remember some such occasions from back in my youth. (Back in 2021, I posted some photos from 1975 + one of my grandfather's from 1924).
Today may also have been a rather good day for people feeling up for a morning outing, as it has been sunny and not too cold. (Rather windy, though!)
For my own part, I had a lazy morning, though - with just a little bit of "potting" on my balcony before lunch:
I re-potted two rubber plants (Ficus elastica) that have grown too big for the window sills indoors, and put those out on the balcony; where I think they go rather well with the fake green leaves on the "privacy screen". That corner of the balcony is also farily well protected from strong winds. (I still have one more Ficus plant indoors, and they're easy to take cuttings from.)
In the afternoon, I went out for my usual walk around the cemetery, checking up on the azaleas and rhododendrons and whatnot. I also saw one of the hares, and managed to snap two photos (one zoomed in). The other day I saw two of them, so there is at least a pair of them still living there.
Lots and lots of elm tree seeds on the ground and whirling about in the wind today - like snowflakes in the air, and making a rattling sound on the ground, almost like dry leaves do in autumn.
Yellow azaleas beginning to "droop"... But on the whole, they're still offer a blast of colour:
That hare is amazing. I'm surprised to see one in an urban area. It's windy here too. I have containers on my balcony but the plants are getting well battered. I wonder how well they'll survive.
ReplyDeleteJenny, there's been one hare, and latley two, in that cemetery for as long as I've been living in this neighbourhood - which is 17 years now... As I doubt hares actually get as old as that, I think it must be a younger generation that I see now!
DeleteYour flower close-ups are the best! Really stunning. Your trellis looks so good there. What is it that you put on it, ivy?
ReplyDeleteGinny, the leaves on the trellis are fake. They came with it, it serves as a privacy screen so that I don't have to stare straight at the neighbours on the next balcony. I bought that last year.
DeleteYour day seems quietly rich with reflection and gentle activity—there’s something lovely about honoring traditions in your own way, especially when balanced with the simple joys of plants, wildlife, and the soft rustle of elm seeds in the spring wind.
ReplyDeleteRo, for a pensioner living a quiet life, the difference between "work" days and holidays is sometimes very subtle... I do usually try to keep some sort of awareness in my mind, though, even if I don't attend any special celebration.
DeleteEvery day is Ascension Day for me when I finally ascend the staircase on my nightly journey into the hills of sleep. I see that the sun was shining on Borås once again! The local tourist information office should adopt the slogan, "It's always sunny in Borås!"
ReplyDeleteYP, I think they already tried that in the past, but failed, as the official statistics aren't based on my blog... ;)
DeleteSame in Germany, Ascension is still a public holiday but the majority of people don't know - or don't care - about its religious origin. For me, it was a very welcome day off after spending a busy and intense first half of the week for work in Berlin, with a long journey home on Wednesday night. I could really feel how that day was recharing my battery, and today I am ready to tackle my in-boxes for work and everything in them that has accumulated since Monday.
ReplyDeleteGood to know the hares are still around! And the colourful azaleas and rhododendron are still gorgeous.
Glad you could use your day off to recharge, Meike! :)
DeleteI'm sure Ascension Day will be celebrated here too. Any religious day normally means that all the shops, offices and schools will be closed, parking will be impossible and all the eateries will be crowded! Not sure how the religious significance will be celebrated!
ReplyDeleteThe yellow azaleas are doing well - they are such a vivid colour. Lovely to see so many colourful flowers.
Carol, here, supermarkets are usually open even on red days; but other shops in the city centre were probably closed. I did not go to investigate, though! ;-)
DeleteWhat a beautiful morning! I rarely see hares, but my heart races when I do. Ascension Day passes without notice in UK.
ReplyDeleteJanice, it makes me extra happy every time I manage to sneak a photo of one.
DeleteBoadicea believed the hare to be sacred. They are beautiful sentient creature. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteNorthsider, it feels like a privilege every time I happen to see them :)
DeleteSwedish Azaleas are really lovely to see, much different than the ones here and in Savannah GA.. love the hare, Beau and I see one that looks like this one, but not as big. he is an Eastern cottontail rabbit and soo cute and sweet.. he appears now and then in the yard next door. I have not heard about Ascension day being a holiday. If you told us in the past, it did not stick in my brain
ReplyDeleteSandra, there used to be rabbits (smaller than hares) living in the cemetery as well but I haven't seen any of those in years now.
DeleteLoved seeing the hare, as well as the beautiful path and the blossoms. Your rubber plants look hearty, and that's a most acceptable kind of privacy screen on your balcony. Nope, never had any Ascension Day holidays wherever I've lived in the US...where last Monday of May is now always Memorial Day.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I think some countries, the US included, have moved the celebration of the Ascension from Thursday to the following Sunday.
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