Oct. 5
Today I met with Helena (see photo) - she teaches landscape architecture courses here at UMB. Her research is very interesting - she has been studying how people "look" in the green environment. She has collected data with subjects wearing a tracking devise that will record where they look once they get into a green environment. She showed her subjects different images of green spaces and then asked them where they would find most relaxing and comfortable. Her data shows "hot spots" (that is the collection of most looks in one place) on or near seating, under a tree looking out at people coming towards them (Tree - bench - people). Her findings are very new because no one has ever done tracking in landscape architecture - it is done quite often in marketing and advertising to see where to locate different products. It is all very fascinating and I enjoyed learning about what she is doing.














Later today, Grete and I drove into Oslo to meet up with Marianne Gonzalez - a psychiatric nurse who recently completed her PhD at UMB studying therapeutic horticulture in a green care setting. Marianne and Grete will be implementing the course I have working on - so the purpose of our meeting was to discuss the course. Marianne is married to a man - Orlando - who came to Scandinvia as a refugee from Argentina (under Pinoche). They met at a Tango dance class and now live in a beautiful home just on top of a hill overlooking downtown Oslo. It is a gorgous home with a lovely planted landscape. Our time together was both productive and enjoyable.










Oct. 6
Today I got up, packed and ready, to go to Malmo, Sweden. I got to the bus stop early only to find I was 1.5 hours early - so I sat and waited for the bus - when it finally arrived it was running 30 minutes late so had been sitting along a busy highway for over 2 hours. Good thing I had my iPod so mask some of the traffic sounds.

Got to the airport and had some problems with security because I was carrying a jar of jam as a gift to host I am meeting in Malmo. There was a bit of "discussion" and they allowed me to carry in but the permission was given in a hushed tone. My flight first took me to Copenhagen where I caught a train that crossed over the Baltic via bridge and tunnel into Sweden. Malmo is on the southern end of Sweden and it is a gorgeous city. My arrival went smoothly navigating the city to hotel, Master Johans - located in the "gammla" (old) part of town. I arrived at around 3:00 so I had a few hours to walk the streets before night fall. Did I say it was raining and the wind nearly blew me over - but I enjoyed myself none the less. I was even able to shop in one of my most favorite stores that I order from on-line!






















Oct. 7
Up and ready to go by 6:30 for a 7:30 pick up to Alnarp University - in a neighboring town. Caroline Hagerhall is a professor (she was the advisor to Helena) at the University of Alnarp and has a 20% position at UMB, too.











Caroline brought me to the rehabilitation garden I had read about over the years. Upon arrival I knew I was amongst kindred spirits - Lillian the PT and Frederik the gardener welcomed me with open arms and heart. We talked for a couple hours and then took a tour of their garden. This garden started out as a demonstration garden a vision of Patrick Griat (sp?) who is the head of the LA department.











On the drawings below you will see how the garden is laid out - first area near the buildings are where the interactions are held and in back is more a strolling area with a forest garden and woodland edges.













The primary participants attending this garden are people with depression/fatigue/chronic pain who have not been working for years and this program is the "last" resort (after conventional vocational therapy does not work). Lillian practices with the Rosen method - a noninvasive gentle form of interacting with both mind and soul. Anne (who I only was introduced, but did not talk to because she had a client group) is the OT and there is also Mary - (who I did not meet at all) is the psychotherapist who works individually with clients. Together, this team of four integrate plants into all aspects of their work. I was most impressed - as this is my idea of perfect combination.

There are two ares of the front garden - the "human being" and the "human doing" areas. As the titles imply, one area is for interaction the other for relaxation and calm. They have a geodesic dome green house (used in fall and spring)mostly for sensory awareness, along with a solarium used mostly in winter (made with repurposed glass and wood). The other areas include programming areas in the building, a propagation greenhouse and a variety of planting areas.




















After our time at the rehabilitation garden, Caroline took me on a tour of the Alnarp campus. Alnarp is the oldest agriculture university in Sweden - and is sister to the University in Uppsala. The buildings on the grounds are on the national trust list and have been restored and repurposed. Below are some images of the old horse and cattle barns that is now the library, auditorium and classrooms.















We went to lunch and got to talking that I was running late for my train out of town - we raced to the station and I caught the train 5 minutes before leaving the tracks. I made to flight in plenty of time and arrived back to As safe and sound.

Oct. 8
Today was my last time swimming with Grete and her boys. This morning, all the Patil family joined in the activity. It was wonderful to see the whole family playing in the water together.










After swimming and returning to the apartment, I was thinking I would go to office to work on final draft of course, but it was such a beautiful day - I decided to walk into town to see if Odd wanted a cup of tea together. As I was walking to his house, he was coming up the street - of course, he does not know English and I don't know Norwegian - so our time together was mostly smiling, trying to relay ideas and looking at my pictures on iPhone.

I had wanted to take photos of the sculpture in his yard - so after tea, we went to his home and I began talking photos. Most of what is in his yard are models of much larger pieces installed elsewhere.













As I was out back clicking - Odd was on the phone to both Ruth and Trine asking them to come over. Ruth suggested we go to Ramme Gaard (a nearby park) instead so she came and picked us up and we headed to Vestby for a walk along the coast. Before we could get to the coast, we had to walk through the forest on a trail - this was a river crossing that was so beautiful.













We walked at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the waning days of autumn.










After our hike, it was time to say good-bye. I had been preparing myself for this but of course when it came to pass I melted into a puddle of tears. I was able to compose myself enough for a final picture with Odd.










Oct. 9
Today it was raining - so I gathered up my materials and headed to office where I worked all day/ night finalizing the draft course. I was able to get most finished before heading back to apartment where I needed to get packing - I am to be out of my room tomorrow by 12:00.

Oct. 10
I am packed and out of Kaja Veien - tonight, I have a final meal in Oslo with Ruth, Camilla Grete and two others (here from Canada). I stay with Camilla tonight and tomorrow I head to Sweden - where I will be for the duration of my time. Still more to come, so stay tuned!