Autumn in Helsinki

The summer did pass by. Many people thought that it was a nasty rainy cold summer but I can remember we had some very warm beautiful days too. It did not disturb me, especially after a wonderful year in tropic with over 360 sunny days! However somehow my general feeling was a bit melancholy, probably due several reasons. I was on the wagon until I heard that the mother of my sons and my ex-wife Riitta had slept away after a long difficult illness just two days before her 54th birthday, on Aug.14. I then took some cold tasty beers for the good times with her long ago.
Soon after the funeral I got some fever with extraordinary strange symptoms. After a week at Maria Hospital here, a bunch of doctors got out that it was a dangerous fever caused by the moles somewhere in the countryside. First I denied totally any visit outside urban areas this summer. Only two visits to Tallinn, Estonia and one short one to Tampere. After a heavy thinking I succeeded to remember a one day visit to a summer cottage of a good friend in Snappertuna in May. Well, having been during previous year in different jungles and waters allover in the world without any troubles, I have to get something very dangerous like this at my home grounds almost. Everything is fine now, and I enjoy some nice drinks time to time, which clearly seem to work with my mood positively too.
I earlier was praising the fine cultural life in Helsinki mentioning several international celebrities of music visiting us here. I like to add more names on the list of concerts this autumn. Cecilia Bartoli, Dionne Warwick, I missed in Las Vegas 35 years ago, Omara Portuondo, Cuban Grand Old Lady, I happened to meet in Havanna last year, Manhattan Transfer,whose concerts I did attend several times, The Count Basie Orchestra, Randy Newman, Jerry Lee Lewis, Leonard Cohen, Elton John, my favourit Randy Crawford and Little Richard (still alive!!). The summer was also filled with all kind of cultural programs especially during the Helsinki Festival Weeks in August. I was not very activ, I practically only did enjoy two concerts, one of Mari Rantasila, an actress friend for over 20 years and another one of Nicke Lignell, who splendidly did manage a Frank Sinatra repertoire, both performances at Elite restaurant during Art goes Kapakka (= Tavern or Pub ).
I also did enjoy several times the Storyville Jazz Club, where regulars had a free entrance during July and August.
I have been thinking for a while for some new adventures. This time to South America to Colombia, Equador with Galapagos and Panama in November for 4-6 weeks. No decission has been made yet, but if I will be declared totally healthy by doctors in two weeks time, nothing can stop me.
Keep reading, I try to keep writing.