Dark mornings, grey days, early nights

Waking up a sleeping child in pitch-blackness to get ready for school goes against every maternal bone in my body. It just feels wrong. I've twice this week resorted to blaming "New York State," for demanding that children attend school, as the reason for getting the kids out of bed. Although I will say, something about the hush over the household while making breakfast in the emerging light isn't all bad.

I've been thinking about Denmark lately; more than usual, even.

The last time I visited Denmark was during October, so every year since then my memory of the atmosphere there, as well as the habits and rituals I picked up and brought home with me, resurface strongly during this season.

Light candles. Eat cheese with every meal. Wrap the babies up warmly and bring them outside. Walk around town and laugh with the people you meet there. Always wear at least one thing that's beautiful. Invite people in. Offer them drinks.

I was crazy-ready to have a child when I was there last, and one of my favorite relatives told me to not worry about things so much, to have a glass of wine and "get soft with your husband". Smart people, those Danes.

I was also there during the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, and had brought with me off the plane an American newspaper. My family in Denmark was simultaneously amused and astounded at the way the U.S. looked at that whole situation.

Lately, as I watch this political circus, I've been wondering what they think of it all, over in Copenhagen. I'm pretty sure I know.

So, I've been enjoying reading this blog, by an American living in Denmark, as a way of getting the lowdown on the election-as-spectator-sport from someone viewing it at a distance.

In the meantime, despite the dark mornings, the grey days (this week), I've been enjoying the early nights.

Light a candle. Eat some cheese. Get soft. Thanks for reading.

tt