Bringing Norway to Iowa

Bringing Norway to Iowa by Becky Gjendem

Bringing Norway to IowaMy 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.

I followed him back to Florida, Tampa this time. All three of our children were born there.

2006“Adventures in Family Photos.” I used it on our Christmas cards that year.

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 tobring a little bit of Norway to Iowa.

I hope that makes otherNorwegians in the area happy, too.Winnebago County is “the No. 1 NorwegianCounty in Iowa.” It is 22nd in the country withthe highest percentage of residents claimingNorwegian 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.

Here are some beautiful sights from Norway.

Gjendem Mountain (Jendemsfjellet).

Almost midnight.

Bjørnsund.

Vestnes.

Tusen takk!Becky Gjendem / vaersaagod.com

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Bringing Norway to Iowa

by vær så god: a little bit of norway in iowa on Aug 08, 2012

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