Sweden

Conversation - May 7 2014 10:38 pm EDT

Shout - readyforlove - May 7 2014 9:28 pm EDT

I read about, I think it's #Sweden, where they have a rule that the highest-paid employee can only make 15 times as much as the lowest-paid employee (or some #Other number). #Singles #readyforlove #newyork-single.com

Marzipan and Christmas

Throughout Europe, marzipan is closely tied to Christmas and New Year celebrations. This is surprising to many Americans; marzipan is virtually unheard-of here, which is a real shame. (I guess we are too busy eating Twinkies and crappy low-grade milk chocolate to enjoy things like marzipan.)

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The North Sea Cycle Route

Though riding the entire North Sea Cycle Route may not be realistic for those of us that have jobs we have to do, this 3500-mile is still a great place to have a wonderful, couple’s cycling adventure. Start anywhere along the route, in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden or Norway, and travel as far as you wish. Take the ferry from the

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Review: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ‘Eye Spy’

As this week’s episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., ‘Eye Spy’ opens up, we are in Sweden. There is a small army of weirdoes in red masks with briefcases attached to their wrists walking the streets and boarding a train. But then some lady beats them down and steals one of their briefcases but leaving all the rest. The S.H.I.E.L.D. crew gets wind of it and discovers that the same lady is stealing lots of diamonds and doing it in a way that almost makes her seem psychic. But is she?

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Drunken Swedish elk attacks

Every fall when apples fall off the trees and ferment on the ground, the Swedish police force braces itself for calls about belligerent drunken elk. Evidently the elk are quite fond of their ad hoc apple liquor, and they are angry drunks. One elk barred a man from entering his own home. Another got in a drunken brawl with a swing set and dragged it 820 feet across the playground before managing to free itself.

Sweden is dangerous, folks!

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Sweden is running out of garbage

Sweden's innovative and forward-thinking waste-to-trash and recycling programs are so efficient that Sweden is actually running ot of trash. (Only 4% of Sweden's trash ends up in the dump, compared to about 50% of America's trash.) If Sweden wants to keep the lights on - and they do - they may have to resort to importing trash from other countries.

Thomas Quick: the serial killer who wasn't

This amazing GQ article tells the story of the man known as Thomas Quick, also known as "Sweden's Hannibal Lecter." Imprisoned for dozens of violent murders - based solely on his confessions - Quick was recently released from prison when it became apparent that... well, you really just have to read the article. It is truly incredible.

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Gotland wool: LOTR longwool

When Lord of the Rings was released, knitters and spinners took notice. Several of the textiles (including the Elven cloaks) were made with handspun Gotland fleece, a heritage breed from a flock that was based in New Zealand. This breed has a beautiful natural color which varies from light grey to silver all the way through to a dark charcoal grey.

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Raising critical thinkers

My daughter never fails to amaze me with the various solutions and ideas she comes up with. I’m sure that your kids do the same thing to you! Here are a few pieces of food for thought to share with your kids over the weekend or upcoming week. Perhaps you’ll spark their interest and launch their work into solving a global crisis—or, if nothing else, have an interesting conversation.

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