Make yourself heard! We're redesigning the start page and we need your feedback. What content would make a new visitor sign up as a member? What content on the start page, once you have logged in, would encourage you to write stories, upload photos, keep in touch with your friends etc? Please visit our development blog and post your feedback in the comment section. http://bit.ly/CoSstartp Don't miss out on this opportunity to help shape the future of CoS :)

Hello Joanna, Thank you for adding your pictures to the group Kungsleden north, have you had a great trip . Tsau Peter

Important information: the problem with uploading new profile photos should now be fixed. We're very sorry for the frustration this has caused. The problem occured together with an update of the CoS dynamic page titles.

(Message to all members) CommunityOfSweden.com has gotten it's biggest update so far: Groups! Anyone can create a group and other members can then join this group and discuss the group's subject and upload relevant photos. A group can be about a city, an activity, perhaps a swedish musician or something else. You decide! You'll find the new Groups section in the top navigation. Check it out and enjoy! :)

So sorry Joanna. I don't check this site very often anymore, so I missed you message. When we have quiet periods I have more time to spend on line with 'COS'. We hope you had a fabulous time in Sweden. Apologies again. Matt and Lindy.

:)

Since you liked my story about the Anderssons, I will tell you a story about my mother's family. They were Sephardic Jews. They lived near Colmar, France. The name was du Plones. Napoleon emancipated the Jews in France. He made them join the army in obligation for their legal freedom. My great great great grandfather was in Napoleon's army during the march on Moscow. He deserted the army during the winter retreat. He lived in Poland for awhile. I do not know where in Poland. He married in Poland, and, eventually,the family went to Brid, Austro-Hungary (not sure which country Brid is in today), and then to Odessa. They emigrated from Odessa to California about 1894. My mother's fathers side are also Sephardic Jews. Their name was Kibrik. They also emmigrated from Odessa to Pennsylvania in 1893. But they had once lived in Zinkiv, Ukraine, and before that, in Poland. I do not know where in Poland for them, either. Someday I would like to see if I can find out where everyone lived in Poland.

Hi Joanna! Thank you for your kind comment on my family story. I am glad you enjoyed it. I see you want to go visit the land of the Sami! So do I! I would very much like to experience the culture of the other indigenous Swedes! And see the natural environment, too. My wife goes to Alaska every year and stays in a remote Inuit village. She has done this for 19 years. I think the village elders have adopted her. It would be interesting to see another culture and lifestyle in a similar environmental setting. What motivates you to want to go there?

(Site wide message) Hi! Please check out the weekly poll on the start page. We're asking you how you found CommunityOfSweden.com. Understanding how you found us is important to us and by answering this little poll you will be helping us a lot. Thank you! :)

(Site wide message) Hi! You might have noticed that you haven't recieved any email notifications on your new guestbook entries for some time. This is now working again! :) (and by the way: the possibility for you to choose which notifications you want and don't want is in the works)