Dugnad

This evening was our local dugnad. Dugnad is a Norwegian word that doesn't have a direct translation but means 'voluntary (and socially mandatory) community service'. We have them every few months at home, at Rhiannon's barnehage, and even at work. Everyone gathers at a given time and place with their gardening implements, gloves and wheelbarrows. Such a great idea! Today's dugnad included putting new sand into the sandbox, putting new tires on the tire swings, sweeping up all the gravel on the roads leftover from the winter, and probably a lot more that I didn't get to see. The dugnad started at 6pm so we had an extra early dinner and then joined in for half an hour before bedtime. Rhodri is away this week so it was just the kids, Bentley and me. We helped out by taking the toys out of the sandbox and picking up trash around the playground. Bentley raced around playing with his doggie friends Vicki and Nikita. At least we made an appearance, but I know the rest of the neighbors were out working until at least 8:30pm. Here is Rhiannon in her too-small rain clothes -- it rained all day and then cleared up about 5pm so the light and the sky was beautiful when we were dugnading.