Author: Trish

Retired English teacher living in Norway
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Virtue of the Week – Truthfulness

Truthfulness is basic for our trust of others and for others to trust us. When we are not sure whether people are telling us the truth, we will have difficulties trusting them in anything. We find out about what is happening in the world through the media, often digital media today. There are many stories of “fake” news, where people are deliberately lying and creating untrue stories. This is not practicing truthfulness.

I remember when my son was six years old, I had first-grade distance learning for him, from the school system in British Columbia. One of the on-going lessons I remember was teaching the difference between fact and fiction. This is a distinction that has to be learned and I’m not sure how well many people have understood this difference.

Many of the stories that we read for relaxation are defined as fiction, in other words it is just a story made up by the author. The people do not really exist, though the stories are often trying to illustrate very human problems and types of people. However, facts are supposed to be truths, something that will be the same today as yesterday. Facts are often expressed using numbers, such as there are 24 hours in the day.

One of the things that I think we have to be more aware of is the difference between “truth” and “opinion”. For example, if I say it is a warm day, that is my opinion and others may or may not agree with me. Someone else may be wearing a toque or gloves, while I am happy in a t-shirt. On the other hand, if I say that the temperature is 13 degrees centigrade, then I am trying to give a measurable fact, and others can interpret whether they think it is warm or cool.

“Truth is the bedrock of integrity on which we build all our other virtues. It is an ongoing commitment to live by what is real, authentic and true for us. We make realistic decisions. We do not lie, cheat or deceive. We tell the truth kindly. Our words and actions are trustworthy. Our promise is our bond. We do not allow others to have undue influence on our perceptions. We investigate the truth with our own eyes. Truth tells us that we are not here to live another’s dream or to be all things to all people. We live by our own true nature.”

When I practice Truthfulness, I:

  • speak only the truth
  • have no need to impress or deceive others
  • use discernment to make good decisions
  • tell the truth with kindness and tact
  • investigate the truth for myself
  • know I am enough.
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The Boy Who Felt Too Much

Lorenz Wagner writes about a neuroscientist, Henry Markram and his son, Kai, who have contributed to a new understanding of what autism is. Henry Markram is currently involved in the Blue Brain Project which is trying to create a digital simulation of the human brain. One of the purposes of the project is to try to understand better how the brain functions so that we can better understand such conditions as autism. Kai has autism. Having a son who reacts to the world differently lead Henry Markram to want to understand better how the brain functions in such people.

In addition, Henry Markram, Tania Rinaldi and Kamila Markram have published an article about the results of some research, The Intense World Syndrome – An Alternative Hypothesis of Autism. To put their hypothesis in simple terms, some people react too much to the environment around them and this can make their life difficult.

“… excessive neuronal processing may render the world painfully intense when the neocortex is affected and even aversive when the amygdala is affected, leading to social and environmental withdrawal. Excessive neuronal learning is also hypothesized to rapidly lock down the individual into a small repertoire of secure behavioral routines that are obsessively repeated.”

Reading the book by Lorenz Wagner has given me a different understanding of autism and Asperger’s syndrome. I first read about Asperger’s syndrome because I was going to teach a pupil with this diagnosis. It was scary because everything on the list applied to me as well, even though I was a functioning adult with a job as a teacher. Today it is often referred to as being “on the spectrum” because every person who has autism or been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome is very different. Some have more severe reactions due to this neural processing, some have less severe reactions and many have learned how to cope with the way they have been put together.

One of the main things I have gotten out of reading Wagner’s book is a better empathy for those who have this ultra-sensitive reaction to the stimulus that we all receive in our daily lives. We are all built differently and we have to accept how others are, without wanting to change them. Though autism is considered a “disorder” (autism spectrum disorder or ASD), it is, in my opinion, just a different way of reacting to a world filled with a lot of action, sound and light stimulation. For some people, there is just too much to make life comfortable.

Everyone has their own way of coping with the stresses of the real world. Those who have been labeled as having autism also have to cope with the label they have been given.

I would recommend reading this book to anyone who has a family member who has autism or who comes into contact with those who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. It may give some insights into how they see the world and why they are the way they are.

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Virtue of the Week – Modesty

I think for me the important part of the virtue of modesty is being comfortable with who I am. I appreciate all the things that I have accomplished in my life. I want to continue doing my crafts which I find very relaxing. I would like to acknowledge my virtuous husband who has contributed to the success I have made with my life. I am grateful for the people around me who support me in what I do. Thank you.

“Modesty is a sense of quiet confidence and self-respect, which allows us to enjoy our accomplishments without inflating our self-importance. We have no need to brag or attract attention. We know we are worthy just as we are. We have a sense of respectful privacy about our bodies. We have reasonable expectations of ourselves. We resist the drive to overdo. Modesty allows us to accept praise with gratitude. We have no need to raise ourselves above others. We share the glory. We are grateful for the gifts we have, and we honor the gifts that others have too.”

When I practice Modesty, I:

  • am comfortable being who I am
  • have no need to exaggerate my importance
  • treat my body with respect
  • refuse to overdo
  • share credit for success
  • am simply grateful for my accomplishments.
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First Day of School

I started school in September 1955 and attended Kerrisdale School, which was about a five minute walk from where I lived.

When looking back on memories we have, I often wonder how much has been influenced by what we have heard others say about the event, often afterwards. So the reader will just have to accept my memories as how I remember the event, and not actual fact.

My mother had been very determined that I should start school the year that I turned six, even though I was still only 5 1/2 when the school year started, as my birthday is in December. It wasn’t until several years later that I found out that many of the girls in my class, who also had birthdays in December, were actually one year older than me.

In 1955 the schools in Vancouver, BC, Canada, were coping with the large number of children born shortly after the end of the Second World War. I remember having three full classes in each grade all through elementary school. A full class had 40 pupils, five “columns” of desks (from front to back) and eight desks in each column. This lasted most of my 12 years at school.

Kerrisdale Elementary School, Vancouver, 2016.06.25

On the first day of school, there were too many children in the classroom I had been assigned to. There were 42 children and only 40 desks. I wouldn’t remember who it actually was, so I must have heard my mother say something about the situation. Two children were picked out to start a year later. The reason, I heard, was because they could not yet hold a pencil, so their mothers were told to teach them a few very basic skills so they could start a year later. How true this was, I have no way of knowing.

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Virtue of the Week – Appreciation

I appreciate the good life I have had with the same husband for over forty-two years. I appreciate my two children who are turning out to be good adults. I appreciate having a sister that I can communicate with on a regular basis. I appreciate the friends that I have and the joy that they give me. I appreciate the experiences I have had over my 70 years. It is important to be aware of what is good in one’s life, to be thankful for one’s blessings and to tell others how you appreciate them being a part of your life.

“Appreciation is seeing the good in life. It is recognizing the gifts that come our way and showing gratitude for them. When we express appreciation to others, we mirror the virtues we see in them. We perceive their positive intentions and honor them with our gratitude. Love thrives on appreciation. Intimacy grows deeper when we know we are seen and valued. As we do the spiritual work life calls us to do, it is important to appreciate our own efforts and to acknowledge our progress. We don’t dwell on the unpleasant things of life. We value the learning even in the painful times. Drinking deeply of the beauty and pleasures life offers, we don’t waste a single day.

The Practice of Appreciation means that I:

  • look for the good in life and in people
  • freely express gratitude and admiration
  • honor my own progress
  • value the gifts in my tests
  • don’t allow myself to stay down and disappointed
  • enjoy all that life has to offer
  • feel grateful for the bounty of my life.
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Surprise at Vangshylla

While walking across Skarnsund Bridge yesterday, this ship came into view.

Ship approaching Skarnsund Bridge.

Ships from the company, Hurtigruten AS do not usually sail up Trondheimsfjord as far as Vangshylla, though Trondheim is one of the regular stops on the coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes. The name on the ship is Fridtjof Nansen.

MS Fridtjof Nansen, owned by Hurtigruten AS having sailed under Skarnsund Bridge

The ship sailed under the bridge and continued towards Steinkjer. At home I looked up information about the new ship which didn’t seem to have any passengers on board. It soon sailed back under Skarnsund Bridge and headed towards Verdal.

MS Fridtjof Nansen, having just sailed south under Skarnsund Bridge

Looking up the ship on www.marinetraffic.com, I found out that the ship was on a “sea trial”. The ship was built at Kleven Yard, located in Ulsteinvik, Norway and it had been delivered to Hurtigruten AS on 2019.12.20. The ship is scheduled to have its inaugural voyage in March 2020.

The ship uses hybrid battery powered propulsion to reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions. It appears that the ship will be used for Antarctic cruises. Its sister ship, MS Roald Amundsen, is currently cruising between Chile and Antarctica.

More information about the company, Hurtigruten AS, can be found at: https://global.hurtigruten.com/ including the cruises that they offer.

More information about their newest ship, MS Fridtjof Nansen, can be found at: https://global.hurtigruten.com/ships/ms-fridtjof-nansen/

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Low water at Vangshylla

The fjords of Norway are tidal water. The tides go in and out twice a day with approximately six to six and a half hours between each turning point. For example, the calculations for Vangshylla in Norway for the 13th of February 2020 are high tide at 2:23 and 14:38 and low tide at 8:21 and 21:04. Tomorrow the tides will be 45-50 minutes later.

Most of my life has been lived in cities on tidal water, except for a few years as a young adult in my 20s when I lived in cities on a river. The daily flow of water in tidal areas creates challenges for life in the seawater, but also brings in nutrients for life in the seabed and washes away “used” water.

For thirty years I drove to work passing over a bridge with a very strong current (“Oh, the tide is going out!”) and two bays that were laid bare when the tide was out. It always feels like the normal way of life. However, people who live on rivers or lakes will have a different seasonal flow to water levels.

Recently there have been very high tides where I live and it has been fascinating to see how high the tide could get. Suddenly I realized that for those who don’t live here, it may be more interesting to know what is hidden by the water when the tide is in. So this morning at approximately sunrise and low tide, at about 8:30 am, I went out to take some photos to show what is actually under all that water that I’ve been fascinated with for the last four days.

Low water at Vangshylla, Norway, on Thursday, 13 February 2020 at about 8:30 am. Note how narrow the entrance to the boat harbor is when the tide is low. The rock on the left-hand side of the entrance has a marker on it as it would be covered at high tide.
Here is the entrance to the harbor from the inside. At high tide recently, only the rocky edge on the far side of the breakwater has been visible. There has been about three meters difference between high and low water. Anything that is very dark in color is covered in seaweed and would be covered almost every time the tide comes in.
Here is the outside of the breakwater at low water. The photo shows how steep the sides of the breakwater are. Here too you can see a dark area which would be underwater at every high water.
Here you can see the seaweed and logs that have been washed ashore at the high tide and left as the water receded. This gives an idea of how high the water actually came in the last couple of days. Note the steepness of the white ramp down to the floating dock, where yesterday at high water it was actually going uphill.
We have often walked along this very rough beach area in front of the boathouses, though at high water no beach was visible. This is an area one must know one’s tides to be able to make use of the beach.
“Vangshylla” actually means the shelf at Vang and here the shelf can be seen at low water. It is not a sandy beach, but it stretches out quite a way from the high water level which can be seen by the piled-up seaweed.
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High water – day 4

Today there was still a very high tide in the afternoon at Vangshylla. It was about 20 cm lower today than yesterday, though still about 40 cm above the calculated high water in the tide tables. Today was a bit windier than yesterday so there was some wave action on the breakwater.

One thing that I find interesting is how accurately they were able to calculate the additional affects of the weather on the high and low tide levels. Even the low tides have been higher than normal.

It is normal that the height of tides varies from day to day, with a monthly swing based on the moon phases. The highest and lowest tides will be when there is either a full moon or a new moon. Where we live there will normally be two high tides and two low tides every day, and the times move about 45 minutes later each day. So yesterday, high tide was at 13:09 and today it was at 13:53. In three days time, the difference between high tide and low tide will only be 2 meters, instead of the 3.5 meters the last few days. This is part of the regular cycle.

This picture was taken about 15 minutes before the official high tide. If you compare it with yesterday’s picture you will note that the breakwater is much more visible, though still quite wet on top and waves were breaking over it. Yesterday the end of the breakwater that bends inward was not visible above the water at all.
Though there weren’t a lot of waves today, there was enough wind for even gentle waves to break over the top of the breakwater leaving it very wet.
It was much more obvious where the end of the breakwater was, with the stones on the outside edge at least showing the location of the breakwater. One news item yesterday was about a boat that had grounded on a breakwater that had been completely covered in water and not visible. That was farther north in Norway where they have also been having extremely high tides,
Quite a bit of seaweed has been washed up on land, but it also indicates that the water was not going to be so high today.
Though it is still a bit uphill along the ramp to the dock, the clearance underneath is much greater than yesterday. Note how much space there is between the ramp and the water. The gap was measured at about 20 cm, which would indicate that the water is 20 cm lower today.

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High water – day 3

High water peaked at 13:10 today (2020.02.11) and at 406 cm, which is about 20 cm higher than yesterday. Today the weather was nicer so I was able to take more pictures. The sun was shining and there was no wind. The only waves were when a boat went by.

A high tide at 406 cm occurs roughly every 50 years. The highest astronomic high tide is 364 cm. Anything higher will be caused by weather, which at the moment has to do with an unusually low pressure storm off the coast of Norway. The low pressure pushes the ocean onto the shore creating higher tides than normal.

This picture was taken at 13:23 shortly after high water at Vangshylla on Tuesday, 11 February 2020.
The end of the breakwater was definitely under water, though the table and signs showed where there was something under the water.
The breakwater was dry until a boat went by and the boat’s wake broke over the top of the breakwater.
Not much beach to walk along today.
It was definitely uphill to get onto the dock.
Definitely uphill to get to the boats.
Note that the left end of the ramp onto the dock is almost in the water. There may have been one or two centimeters of air between the ramp and the water.

The forecast is for high water to be a little less tomorrow, but still much higher than normal.

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High water – day 2

High water topped at 12:30 today and 386 cm, so almost 20 cm higher than yesterday. Today there wasn’t so much wind, so no particular wave action on the breakwater. On the other hand, it was raining a lot and more difficult to get good pictures.

High tide at Vangshylla at 12:18 on 10 February 2020
Walking out to the boats was on a level, or perhaps slightly uphill.

I was surprised to see men out on the breakwater fishing. They were wading through the water and standing on the table. Two more fishermen arrived while I was taking pictures. I felt that it is a bit dangerous to be on the breakwater when the tide is so high and with more than four meters of water on the inside of the breakwater. I wonder if the fish bite better at high tide. I’m not an experienced fisher so I don’t have the answer to the question. My fishing is done in the freezer department in the food store.

Tomorrow the forecast is for the tide to be even higher still, and hopefully the weather is better to get even more pictures. I’m using data from www.kartverket.no/sehavnivå. The measurements are taken in Trondheim and adjusted for us living farther in the fjord. Time difference is calculated at 0 minutes and height difference at 1.04. It can be noted that the low tides are also 50-70 higher than the tide tables.