topic Re: THE ARCTIC in Community Chat

THE ARCTIC

Oznell — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 13:26:27 GMT

Do you like the Arctic? All my life, I've been fascinated, but veer between being Team Arctic, and Team Antarctica (ha). Antarctica is interesting b/c of the geopolitical ramifications, the impermanent scientific stations (the fodder of entertaining Fifties' sci fi movies), and being so seemingly remote, at the bottom of the world.

But the Arctic seems "closer", and of course, we in the U.S. and in Canada, can "claim" it, like the other six countries that have land within the Arctic Circle. In addition to Canada and the U.S., those are Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Russia.

If you grew up in Canada, as I mostly did, the Arctic is a brooding presence, "above", if only psychologically. "True North strong and free" (cribbing from "O Canada), and all that. Even Canadian literature and history scholars have wrangled, at length, about what an influence the Arctic is on southern Canadians' image of themselves and collective persona.

But all eight countries have an ongoing relationship with their Arctic regions.

Imagine being at the North Pole--

I worry about Arctic hares. But they are so rugged! And cute.

The Arctic is more hospitable to life and growing things than we may think, and more so than the Antarctic.

I may have a prejudice toward the summer Arctic landscapes....

This is more austere, but still beautiful--

I like the rockiness of the shore...

Tromso, Norway is one of many towns within the Arctic Circle. It has a population of 68,000.

Tiny settlements in Greenland cling to the rocks. I like the different colors of the houses against the grayness--

An almost unfathomable region to contemplate--

Re: THE ARCTIC

laluzdelmundo — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 13:34:20 GMT

Thank you @Oznell, for introducing something new and beautiful for us to contemplate. It is especially appealing during this, the scorching season, in Arizona.

(edited for spelling, as usual)

Re: THE ARCTIC

bmorechick — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 13:34:51 GMT

Absolutely stunning and I have always wondered what life would be like in a region like that...other than extreme cold! And Canada is my favorite country on the planet. I traveled a little with my sisters before I had kids and have Been there a few times and it's...well let's just say I love it. Lucky you being a Canadian citizen.

Beautiful scenery, so crisp and clear.

Re: THE ARCTIC

RetRN — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 13:35:11 GMT

Fascinating, love the photos.

Re: THE ARCTIC

Mindy D — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 14:21:40 GMT

@Oznell @I love your posts and writing style. This one, The Arctic, is no exception. I do have a question about your posts. How do you get the type you use to look like it does?

Re: THE ARCTIC

sunshine 919 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 13:56:59 GMT

Thank you Oznell, everything you post and pictures you share are always interesting and lovely

Re: THE ARCTIC

DSD2 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 14:05:21 GMT

Visually stunning Oznell.

The first picture is breathtaking and majestic in its beauty.

Thank you for sharing these incredible pictures with us.

Re: THE ARCTIC

On It — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:26:42 GMT

@Oznell I am fascinated by the Arctic. I could never visit or live there, but I appreciate its beauty and impact on the rest of Earth. I still think of it as a water mass rather than land.

My visits to the Arctic region are mostly Alaska TV shows. I hope we are not too late to save the ice cap from melting beyond repair. At least the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge featured on "The Last Alaskans" was recently spared from oil exploration that had been granted by the previous administration.

Re: THE ARCTIC

reiki604 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:42:39 GMT

Thank you for the beautiful pictures. We are taking a cruise to Iceland next month. I hope to take some photos nearly as pretty.

Re: THE ARCTIC

ciao_bella — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:51:37 GMT

@Oznell Always enjoy reading your posts. Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures.

Re: THE ARCTIC

Oznell — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 21:04:58 GMT

@bmorechick , thanks! I consider myself being doubly lucky-- born in Arizona, to Canadian parents, time on both sides of the border, (now decades in the U.S.), and dual citizenship for life.

@reiki604 , oh, my goodness, how fab that you are going to Iceland. That would be a dream cruise to a magical place-- hope you'll report to us upon your return!

@Mindy D , that's a good question-- I had to stop and think. I always go to "Font Sizes", and select "4", since it seems to be a pretty readable one without being gigantic.

For the type of font, long ago I clicked "Font Family" and selected a type of font that, for some reason, has stuck and I don't have to select it each time I post. I think it is one of the first two on the list-- "Andal Mono" or "Arial", or it could be "Helvetica". I'm afraid to experiment to find out, since once before I tried one I thought was mine, and it wasn't and I had a hard time getting this font back, ha.

I think though, that one of those three font types, plus doing the font size 4, will get you to this one, or something almost identical.

Thanks for kind comments, and others' kind comments in thread-- much appreciated.

Re: THE ARCTIC

Mindy D — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 21:11:40 GMT

@Oznell @Thanks, I'm testing Andale Mono right here. Here is Arial. Here Helvetica.

I appreciate the tip. I was using font size 3 and it never looked as nice as you size 4 does.

Re: THE ARCTIC

Trailrun23 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 21:19:04 GMT

I do love the maps you posted. Gives great perspective when you describe an area. All of the photos are beautiful; thank you for sharing them. We will be going to Sweden in the fall to see some family...I don't think they would be anywhere close enough to show us the beauty of that area, but we may see some snow. I especially like the colorful little monopoly houses. The sun makes them sparkle.

Re: THE ARCTIC

bikerbabe — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 22:16:23 GMT

Both regions fascinate me!

Re: THE ARCTIC

Oznell — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 11:53:02 GMT

@Mindy D , thanks for demonstrating those three fonts for me, in one spot. That makes a handy template-- they always confuse me, they look so similar -- to me, at least!

Whoa, @Trailrun23 , a trip to Sweden for you in the offing, wonderful. Another country I haven't seen, but would like to. Love the 'old school' (not the current, more minimal) Scandinavian interior design style, with plenty of soft color and folk influences. I have a book showing the old cottages in the countryside which I just love...