Hygge Highlights

Hygge? It’s a Danish word (pronounced “hoo-gah”) that integrates a feeling of well-being, contentment, and coziness through simple and everyday experiences. About creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying good things with good people.

In my case, it’s not only sitting by a crackling fire and sipping wine, but more. Like these things that led up to today’s Autumnal Equinox . . .

I continue to write every day and am even expanding my writing arena. Taking a break from cranking out novels, I’m now amplifying my Neander franchise by both working on an audiobook edition and writing a screenplay adaptation of my most popular story. And doing that is bringing me in contact with new people doing similar things.

One thinks of writing as a solo activity—tapping on the keyboard by yourself. But connecting to other people who also do related creative activities is just as important to me. It’s a real comfort.

For example, I’ve recently joined a screenwriting group on Facebook. And by posting my first attempts at a Neander screenplay, I’ve met some cool people involved in the entertainment business. I’m connecting and sharing, and that’s always a good thing.

Sports & Fitness

Swimming is always at or near the top of my fitness list. And September is prime swimming time for the outdoor 50-meter pool at my local club. There’s a lot of camaraderie among us lap swimmers there. A lot of joking and kibitzing. A lot of . . . you know, Hygge.

And then there’s disc golf, my newish activity. I play regularly with a new buddy, Peter. We text each other with a: “how about a quick round at the lake at 5:00?” and then meet there and throw our flying discs. I love watching those discs—aka Frisbees—soar! Peter is way better than me, but he’s younger, too ;-).

And then there are the little “league” events held every week around the area. Always a different course, and usually different players. Here I am with new-to-town Jeremiah recently:

Again, simple activities with interesting people. Hygge.

Family & Old Friends

Another aspect of Hygge is sharing with loved ones and friends.

While my wife, Lynn, is perpetually camera-shy, others are not. Here’s my little great-nephew, Justin Duke, on his first birthday. That’s his mom, Kira, one of my two nieces, and husband Leo. I was excited to send Justin a little soccer ball as a present, and then I found out he can’t walk yet! Oh well, he’ll grow into it. Right, Justin?

And I’m still Zooming with my cousin, Thomas, who’s moved from Germany to Costa Rica. He’s helping me rediscover my native language.

Then there’s sharing with old friends. And sometimes, just rediscovering them:

I recently reconnected with Chris Strauss, someone I knew when I was living in Edinburg, Texas—an in-between stop that separated my time in Paris, France and then Los Angeles. We both shared a love of surfing, both in Texas and in Mexico. He surprised me with some old photos that included me from 1972. And I hadn’t talked to Chris in more than 50 years!

Well, I may have stretched the meaning of Hygge a little here, but I’m allowed. I’m a writer/creator. I invent things.

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

— Harald