Category: cedar strip canoe

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March Madness for TCJ

The Cedar Journal March 11, 2021

As in most years people are glued to the TV or media screens in the USA to watch the NCAA March Madness, college basketball.

At the MSP Airport in 2019 March Madness ended in April.

Here at The Cedar Journal we have our own March Madness. In years past it has been awaiting the first day of the season to place the canoe or kayak on the water. Looking constantly at the perfect day in the forecast, the location we first want to explore, and checking supplies. You can read about those past adventures here and here and here.

This year is a bit different…

The Dutch government has extended the COVID restrictions now until 31 March. Although the government did make some minor adjustments this last week, like allowing for exercising with four people in a group outdoors instead of two; and adjusting the reservations for appointments to shop in stores, from only two persons in the store at a time so that now it is based on square meters of floor space of the store. All these changes still do not equal normal but they are small steps forward.

Suffering from my own new March madness I have been knee deep in projects. Planting seeds, making clothes and when I ran out of ideas…

A sweatshirt sewing project I purchased from De Steek in Amsterdam via online.

I started making bias tape, pot holders and tea towels.

My March Madness: Matching potholder, tea towel, and cast iron handle holder all self sewed.

Somewhere in all of that I did my US taxes. Now, that is something that did drive me nearly mad. A simple tax return turned into seven pages! My question to the US Congress is why can’t we streamline the tax code? I gained a few more grey hairs on that week! Plus, I might have said a few naughty words towards Congressmen lawmakers and the IRS.

On top of everything else, I was informed via email that all mail going to the USA from the Netherlands must have a custom form filled out electronically and paid for in advance online. When I say ALL MAIL, even a birthday card or personal letters are now required such nonsense! I would send my Congressman a personal letter of complaint, but it would take four months to get there and now needs a custom form with electronic postage, WTF hassle!

Yup, March Madness has arrived at The Cedar Journal. We hope April brings calm waters and stable conditions for us and all our readers.

What is March Madness like for you? Share your thoughts in our comments below.

Hummm… February Spring

The Cedar Journal February 26, 2021

Today was a day to just enjoy what nice weather the universe sent us. It is far from what would be our normal February weather.

We took the plunge to trek the 7km to the ocean early enough to beat the crowds.

A para sail catching a draft off the sea.

Hummm… wonder how this rose ended up on the beach?

Ending the hike with a nice cup of coffee and sitting in the sun.

Dutch Snowmen

The Cedar Journal February 11, 2021

With the snow came snowmen! These are a few from our neighborhood.

Hopefully, these snowmen bring joy to each of you.

cedar strip canoe

Now Entering the Fabulous 55+ Club

The Cedar Journal February 6, 2021

What is the big deal? Well, most likely nothing except a few more aches and pains from my years of adventuring. I know it has been awhile since I last blogged and the reason is… you guessed it… COVID LOCKDOWN.

So when I turned the page on 50+ this last week to 55+ I had to celebrate at home, without a party, and with only the Hubby. Funny thing is, it was one of my best birthdays in recent memory.

These tulips were the first to arrive via Hubby on the bicycle.

There just is something about a card in the old snail mail that puts a smile on my face. This year I got a few from family and friends here in the Netherlands and the one from Canada showed up 4 days after it was mailed!

My youngest son, who is currently deployed with the USAF in Qatar sent me birthday greetings via text and told me to expect flowers too. What did I want he asked? Tulips! He delivered!

My Hubby took the day off of work and went out and got me two bouquets of flowers! Wow, that brighten up the house under lockdown!

But, my day of flower deliveries was not over…

My two step kids and their partners both sent me flowers and those coming from different florist turned out to be so much alike that I placed them together to make a beautiful arrangement. They know me pretty well, my favorite color is purple.

When the last delivery of the day showed up, three bouquets of flowers from one florist I almost thought maybe flowers were a bit much for turning 55, but, I didn’t turn them away as my heart swelled with all the love I was getting from these deliveries. If entering the 55+ club means I get this many flowers in the dead of winter each year, I will take it!

Update on Dutch lockdown:

The lockdown with limited contact restrictions (one person from outside your home visit, per household, per day), work from home as much as possible, restaurants closed, bars closed, all shopping closed except for online with limited scheduled pick ups or delivery. Child care is now open, elementary schools go back to in school learning this week. Curfew is still in effect for now.

They estimate that 25% of all new cases in The Netherlands are of the English variant. They started vaccination of the oldest of the population groups this last week. We will get a letter from the government when our age group is qualified for a vaccine and then it is up to us to make an appointment. We guess that won’t be until sometime in the summer.

The aviation business is hurting here, as it is everywhere. Since that is how we are able to finance our blog and our canoe trips we are unsure how that will effect our future. Hopefully we will be able to bring more content in the coming months.

Until such time we will enjoy the blizzard we are currently experiencing. Then the next week of predicted freezing temperatures.

We would love to hear how things are in your world. Comment below or drop us an email via our contact page. Stay safe.

Friday Floral

The Cedar Journal January 15, 2021

Cold, gloomy and a chance this weekend of snow makes for a ho hum sort of walk, until you see these.

These happy daffodils put a smile and sunshine into my gloomy walk.

Now, inspired, I looked for other signs of brightness in the gardens I passed.

This periwinkle is protected by the rock wall.

The shrubs in this moderate climate provide colorful eye catching berries.