SummerTimeOut

 

These, absolutely adorable, harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) live at Ranua Wildlife Park. I usually don't go to the zoos but Ranua is a different. It makes a lot of nature conservation work with a great succeed. This summer season I've visited twice to see charming wolf cubs. I took this video especially for you! See how skillful they are in using their tails!

Also, this video is taken especially for you! I acted like a tourist at Kemijärvi center to get it for you when filling the gas at the station. I've lived two years at Kemijärvi.

This summer I signed off from Facebook at all my devices and deleted the app from my smart phone. I did it to reduce the information feed to set also my brains on holiday mood. I still need to use a lot internet and social media but turn of Facebook which I always need to use most was very conscious act for my brain relaxation and mental health. I do sing in once in a week or fortnight if something happens / is going on, for the information. Otherwise it stays closed. It feels a good time out because I know by school start I need to go back. I am considering to make changes about it so I am not sure yet how I will go back or exactly when...

Following social media takes time for other activities. This is one I managed finally to do when turning Facebook off. My dear loyal hiking shoes looked already so poorly. I supposed to handle them already last autumn but the life happened so here they still were, dusty, dirty, muddy... Only now in July I had a time to sit down, brush them, wipe them by wet towel, let them dry in the sunshine, sit and wait them to dry and then oil them. I even washed the cords and WOW! I feel I have brand new shoes again. I love these shoes. I bought them at ridiculous sale and paid just about 25€. They are Cindarella-size, out of fashion shade (plum) but who cares, they are perfect for my feet! 

(Notice: I used old horse harness nubuck oil for them and that is just fine, and perhaps cheaper than the one made for shoes, but at the end, it all is leather, no matter to which it is sewn into.)

This spring I have done a lot of volunteer work for our Sámi siida (local community that has existed from time immemorial) and its costume team. I've visited the original region of our Forest Sámi siida for several times. There, behind the fells, is half of our region.

This is pic taken 2 km far away from Russian borderline area on a hill by the crossing to Aatsinki village. Kelloselkä is the place where you can across the border. Part of Kuolajärvi Lapinkylä siida faced territorial ceding to Russia in peacemaking process after WW2. There's no way to go back. That's why our hearts cry for Ukrainians now and wish all the good for them.