More Swedish History

Click on this:  Viking Yule

It's so much fun finding more and more information about our heritage!

Sweden

Riana and I took our very first trip to Sweden in Sweden. I haven't posted anything about it because life has been hectic and Christmas is coming far too fast. I am hoping to work on sharing more of our trip in January.  

I would like to share one photo, however.  This is one of Riana and Anna, distant cousins, who didn't meet until this night, one from the United States and one from Sweden, and formed an instant bond. One dark with hazel eyes, one blond and blue eyes, both with the same facial structure, same nose, same eye shape, and the same smile. Anna is a descendant of the Lundwall family, from Margareta -- Oscar's mother. 

For the Readers

The most famous children's books in Sweden were written by Astrid Lindgren.  You might be interested in learning more about her.

https://www.literaryladiesguide.com/author-biography/astrid-lindgren/

Part of the Story

This tells part of the story why our Great-Grandparents decided to leave Sweden hoping for a better life in Amerika!

Click on the next line. You can turn off the sound half-way down the article.

Sweden 1868-1869

The Ekquist Family Photo

This is Grandma Teckla's family, with Teckla seated on her mother's lap. Where it all began for us here in America, those who immigrated from Sweden seeking a better life for their family. They had lost a son, Carl Gustav, who died at a year old in Sweden. Andrew came first. Great-Grandma Louisa followed her husband, as she came alone with two young daughters Ida and Ellen, pregnant in 1880. Louisa got as far as Florence, Wisconsin, couldn't find her husband who was working in a lumber camp. A Mrs. Olson took them in and she delivered her third daughter, Julia, in the middle of the night. That was BEFORE there was any such thing as legal or illegal immigration. Thanks to them, the rest of us are American citizens!

From left to right, Emil, Will, Andrew seated, Ellen, Julia (in front of Ellen and Ida), Ida, Louisa seated, Teckla, and Evan

Interesting Information

For those of you looking for information about the emigration of Swedes to North America, a friend shared this link with me.

I found it quite interesting...

https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emigrationen_fr%C3%A5n_Sverige_till_Nordamerika

Senior Discount

by Ron Osterberg

Waiting in line at Dunkin Donuts, I tried to remember the Spanish word for discount.  Was it descuente or descuento?  When my turn came to pay, I said, “Descuento por viejo por favor.” The clerks couldn’t suppress their giggle.  I botched it.  I asked for an old discount instead of senior discount, but I get the discount word right.

Gently, they told me that viejo was not a nice thing to say about someone, especially oneself – or about a discount.  That reminded me that as kids when someone asked, “How ya doin?”  Or, “Que pasa?” We replied, “Estoy bien, viejo conejo.”  I’m fine you old coot.  The clerks suggested that I say mayor, a more dignified word.

The next time I said, “Descuento para mayor por favor” and the lady smiled.  She liked being part of a game.  Several visits later one the clerks suggested “viejito” or “cute older man.”

A few visits later I mentioned that I was a grandfather, “Soy un abuelo.”  So, I asked, “Descuento para abuelo por favor?”  The lady behind the counter replied that she is an abuela or grandmother.  She didn’t look old enough to be a grandmother.  On the other hand, anyone under 50 looks young, especially if their skin is tan without many wrinkles.

They suggested I say, “Descuento para abuelito” and I said, “Senorita, descuento para abuelito por favor.”  She blushed slightly saying gracias.

The entire exchange took less than a minute, but each time it reminded me of a lost adventure.  Before going to UCLA, I wanted to go to college in Mexico City for a year.  I would have returned speaking fluent Spanish with a Mexican dialect.  I still don’t know why I didn’t do it.  I wish I knew that we grade our youthful choices carefully when we are viejitos.