bringing norway to iowa
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Bringing Norway to Iowaby Becky Gjendem
Bringing Norway to Iowa
My story with Norway began 22 years ago with a love story.
I met this cute Norwegian in college.(Oops! Wrong picture.)
Here’s my cute Norwegian.
I was young and in love, and I would follow him anywhere.
I followed him to mountaintops.
And ski trails.
I followed him to a glacier.
I followed him to the altar.
I followed him to Tallahassee, where we lived for five years, because he dreamed of living someplace warm.
I followed him to Norway, where we lived for two years – land of tiny refrigerators and milk cartons and gigantic cereal boxes.
And extremely large trolls.
I followed him around Europe with a backpack.
Paris.
Nice.
Pisa.
I followed him back to Florida, Tampa this time. All three of our children were born there.
2004
2005
2006“Adventures in Family Photos.” I used it on our Christmas cards that year.
2007
He followed me to Iowa. We moved here to live closer to my mother, who lived in Mason City.
Iowa – the land of tall corn.
And funny mailboxes.
And big, beautiful flowers.
So I thought it was only fair to bring a little bit of Norway to Iowa.
I hope that makes other Norwegians in the area happy, too.Winnebago County is “the No. 1 Norwegian County in Iowa.” It is 22nd in the country with the highest percentage of residents claiming Norwegian ancestry.
“Vær så god!” What is it?
“Vær så god” (pronounced vah-sha GOO) directly translates to “be so good,” but it means, “You’re welcome,” or “Be my guest.”
I can’t exactly bring this to Iowa.
Or this.
But I can bring this.
And this.
And this.
Here are some beautiful sights from Norway.
Gjendem Mountain (Jendemsfjellet).
Almost midnight.
Bjørnsund.
Vestnes.
Bud.
Tusen takk!Becky Gjendem / vaersaagod.com