Thanks to an alignment problem I found my
way to south Minneapolis for a chiropractic visit Monday after work. Nearby is the iconic gift and
deli/meat all things Norwegian and Swedish and probably Danish store,
Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace. It was as if the car knew I needed an
adventure for the week. As I pulled into a parking spot I looked down the street
to see the Taquaria’s and Supermercados. In this neighborhood full of ethnic
diversity sits the establishment of my people. As you step into the gift shop
every sense hits you, the smells of the deli, the bright red, blue and yellow
colors, the feeling of warmth, or maybe that feeling comes from the big sweaters that will protect the Norske through the coming months.
I head to the deli side of the building, it’s about 15 steps; this is not a
large store. I find the lefse and grab two packages. Cash and check only here
folks, don’t bring your debit cards to the deli. The place is filled with men
and women, clearly from the same place I come from. Some with rosemaling
designs on their jean jackets. Two women playfully argue about who is going to
get the last peppered salmon and who will get the plain one. The meat counter
is filled with Swedish sausage, ham hocks and dried meats, steaks, pork and an
assortment of fish. A women points at the sauerkraut and makes eye contact with me, “I am going home to make sauerkraut this weekend. I am getting the cabbage from Louise; she has the best and biggest cabbage.”
I smile and ask how long it will take, she tells me 12 weeks and goes on about her love for the kraut, reminds her of her mother and grandmother making it.
“Number 42!” the deli counter person yells. That’s me, the sauerkraut lady moves on to the next person in line to tell her of her adventure to come. I pay $15.98 for my two packages of lefse and head out the door.
As I
think of my year of 52 weeks of adventure I can’t help but enjoy this little
stop at Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace; the wooden floors, the old fashioned
butcher case, counter and the feeling of being home. Sometimes an adventure
into the past is just what you need to propel you forward, reminding you to
step back, relax and enjoy before you move on. Take a moment, smell the
sauerkraut, taste the crackers and enjoy the day.
Put it
on your list of things to do, you will find it, and my people at 1601 E Lake
St. Minneapolis.
By the
way, the lefse is good, but not as good as my Mom’s. (That’s tough to beat)
As
always, I wish you peace!
