Dianemccambridge - thank you, happy you enjoyed the scenery. Isn't it nice to enjoy beautiful scenery on screen - no shoveling needed and no snowy winds either :-))) There are many retirees who stay much indoors during the winter times - and there are quite a few who enjoy skiing and outdoor winter life. PJ
I thoroughly enjoy looking at these beautiful scenes, no way would I want to go there. I am a 73 year old retiree who enjoys home and grandkids. Thank you.
PJ, there was nothing for you to really respond to. I just thought it was really interesting that the person who was in charge of all the statistics was forced to list the US higher than it should have been. One cool thing that came out of our discussion is that I sent him a list of all the criteria that SHOULD have also been taken into consideration, and after those emails (about 10 altogether), the following years, they did take more things into consideration.
Thank you Michelle, for your interesting and nice comment. I too enjoy using Nordic Poles for hiking. Our relative stability and welfare is closely connected to heavy taxes - it enables equality in welfare for the inhabitants. We are also turning into a multicultural country. PJ
You definitely have a room with a view going on here. Wouldn't it be great if all window panes showed a multitude of views, especially ones you could pick? I love the pics of your beloved Norway and will think about you as you cross-country ski in such lovely surroundings. Enjoy to your heart's content, and thanks for a lovely puzzle.
Thanks, PJ, for sharing these beautiful photos. You have a ruggedly beautiful country with some breathtaking scenery. The commitment to active and healthy lifestyles in Norway (and the other Scandinavian countries) is an example to us all. As an aside, thank you Norwegians for Nordic Pole Walking...it has made a huge impact on my life!
I was interested in reading all the comments about your country and the articles that listed it as the most happiest and prosperous. You do have valid points to make about homogeneity and prosperity. We have been fortunate to have a decent health care system but costs of health care escalate and our personal taxes are high to fund this. Even then, there is a call for donations and creative funding. Thank you for recognizing that with multi-culturalism comes other responsibilities and a different type of tax upon systems and communities, including providing a safe haven for refugees. I am pleased to see that our country's prosperity ranking is still relatively high (in Jan's link) and am proud, as I have mentioned previously, to enjoy living in a relatively peaceful multi-cultural city.
Hi PJ, I just got your note and just missed the board 1:49, and I didn't forget about your promise. I have a note stuck to my computer "Watch out for PJ winterscenes" :)))) Yesterday I wasn't at home and this morning there was no time for anything and tonight I just signed in half an hour ago and I'll be off in a little while again - somehow I should get up and work tomorrow morning. LOL Thank you very much for your wonderful winter scenery. It looks fabulous. We also get some snow in the mountains here in winter and sometimes it even snows in Madrid - meaning the absolute chaos on the roads LOL - but it is no way as beautiful as your Norwegian landscapes. Looking at this it will be fun getting into a nice warm bed and dreaming about some skiing in the the forests. :)) Thanks a lot PJ.
Jan - thank you for bringing the article. I see what you mean, and I think the author has many good points. It does help being a country with a historically high homogenity in the population, and a realtively good health care system. But comptetition is sky rocketing... We are used to sharing and voluntary organizations are in abundance. PJ
PJ, I had a back and forth email exchange with the head of the UN's statistical department years ago. I complained because the US (where I live as you know) was ranked too high at the time. I explained why I thought that and the UN guy agreed with me 100%. He said that he had no choice for political reasons. In other words, he was forced to rank the US higher than it should have been. I couldn't believe it (that he admitted it).
PJ- There were many criteria that they used to name these countries happiest / most prosperous.... Here is the article I read: http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/world-s-happiest-countries-233204795.html There was also an article in Forbes. Jan
Thank you Wendy - for your effort in checking and providing information. I have seen this report before, but now I studied it. Yes, and we still have lots and lots of room for improvement, trust me.
Jigidi is about puzzles - and we can increase international friendships :-) PJ
PJ, here you go- http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/NOR.html
Norway, Number One. If I remember correctly, Norway has had the top ranking for a long time. I don't have the time to check on that, but I remember about 12 years ago starting to check on which countries were the top rated and Norway was at the top three years in a row (if I remember correctly on that too). :-)
Jan, thank you for your sweet comment - glad you enjoyed the scenery. Yes, we do enjoy outdoors activities in the snow - especially when the sun is shining. It was fun making the collage - and its effects. Now - I'd really like to see that article! Do you have any reference.....? There is not the blatant injustice, famine and war situation present in many other countries in the world. But let me assure you - wherever humans are, misery and sorrow and want and injustice will be there - and happiness of various kinds. I have lived in different countries - so in some aspects, we enjoy good living conditions. Can you imagine fighting snow conditions - shoveling, etc. for 5-7 months a year? I could go on.... PJ
I just read an article about the happiest/most prosperous countries in the world. Based on a variety of liveability factors, Norway was number 1! With scenery like this, it's easy to see one reason why! This is a lovely collage. And it does look like you are looking out of a variety of windows. Love it, PJ!
Thank you Katie for your fun comment. Your avatar is perfect for these outdoor scenes :-)) Now, as I remember you have destructive tornados? We have about 6 months of snow! We learn to live with it and enjoy it when possible. PJ
Hi PJ, these are stunning pictures! My favorite kind of winter day is one with sun sparkling on snow too! I don't very often get much snow where I live in the middle of Ohio.
Thank you Mandy - such fine comment. The snow - in our area - lasts for about 6 months! We are very happy when the sun shines on the glittering snow - it is a wonderful sight. PJ
PJ - how lovely these views are, and you have blue sky with your snow!!! We only have thick grey clouds!! Somehow the snow always looks more sparkly in the sun!! Thanks :~)
I've been to Whasington state and I recollect how much the scenery there resembled some Norwegian coastal areas - and from books I've read, Western Canada has beautiful scenery. Flat-land areas have their own charm - and we need both. Variation is fine. The '94 Winter Olympics was an event we still remember, so fun you do too! PJ
Have seen many photos of Norway. Remember the '94 Winter Olympics on television. Beautiful country. I live in Ontario, Canada in a mostly flat-land area, having the St. Lawrence River, bird sanctuaries and provincial parks not too far away. Yes, Canada has many beautiful spots too, especially Western Canada for the mountains.
Thank you Francine. None of these are out of my windows but I have seen them. The scenery in Norway is quite spectacular, and there are more quiet landscapes too. You have some nice scenery in your area too? PJ
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