Anne Woodland

            Having been raised on a fairly steady diet of classic Grimm’s fairytales it has been interesting to delve into the folklore of other cultures, particularly those to which I have an ancestral claim.   My maternal grandfather is from Swedish stock and in recent years I have had the opportunity to read some of the delightful tales that come from that country.             The interesting thing is that despite a large part of the evil in the story being attributed to trolls, the other characters have their fair share of flaws too.   The protagonists, whether prince or peasant, human or gnome, are sometimes rude and short-tempered, occasionally doing the right thing to simply avoid guilt, and sometimes doing the wrong thing despite the warning of their elders.   There’s something very human about them, about their imperfections and tendency towards pride....

            My apologies for not writing in so long, the holidays are always a busy time for me, I have a love-hate relationship with them, and this year was especially chaotic.   Giving gifts is my primary love language and I always try to put a great deal of thought and effort into each present.   (I enjoy crafts, so the majority of my gifts are usually handmade.)   Unfortunately, this year I was not as proactive with my Christmas preparations and so have spent the last few months being overwhelmed while trying to figure out the ideal gifts for my family and friends.                 Additionally, as of about two months ago, I have a boyfriend.   I’m from a conservative Christian background, and my depression has the side-effect of me being less hormonal than many of my peers, so this is my first serious boyfriend.   I realize that is rathe...