from the mixed-up files of a middle-aged mind

OK, so I got a little distracted by a death in the family, a beautiful fall day and an interesting word challenge, but here is the last installation of pictures from my Finland trip. These are my personal favorites: the people. These are such a beautiful people! Everyone was so kind and friendly. Perhaps the trees all started to look the same after awhile, but I never, ever got tired of watching the people... I have a baby picture that looks just like this... We were amused by the Japanese tourists posing for pictures with the little Finnish kids Shane reaquaints with and old friend--she has held on for 26 years to the book he gave her

Helsinki is such an amazing city! So colorful and distinct and interesting. I decided the best way to do Helsinki was not to worry about trying to see everything, but to just take the time to savor it--to feel it, hear it, and just watch--wherever I was and whatever I was doing. Several times we just got on the "trolley" and rode whatever loop was in the area and just looked out the window. I could live here in a heartbeat. I think I could be a professional shopper (I have never seen suge HUGE department stores--nothing like a mall, really). Well, all except for the in-just-a-couple-months-there'll-only-be-three-hours-of-daylight-and-everything-will-be-buried-under-ice-and-snow thing. (I know for sure I'd go to market every day to buy some tomatoes.) The Rock Church was built right into a big chunk of granite For our second (and longest) stay in Helsinki, our hotel had the BEST view! We looked out on one of the squares and could see just about anything and anybody. W...