Tag: North Holland

A Dutch Garden

May 3, 2020

Not the most original title for this blog. I guess I am getting lazy with my blog creativity. I promise I will do better.

A couple of weeks ago I got the virus cabin fever. I just needed to be anywhere but locked in the house or in our garden! Thank goodness and the Dutch government for not completely locking us down. I got on my bike a rode like a crazy lady trying to escape the cops out of town and into the countryside. So happy to work off some of the anxiety of being locked away without the freedom to do what I want when I want to do whatever whim hits me. Immediately as I got into the countryside I felt better. The wind in my face, the flower fields full of blooms next to the bike path and air I could breathe without the fear that someone else might have polluted it with a virus exhale. No worries about the grumpy old man that lives next door, the neighbors kids that play soccer against the fence making so much noise that it pushes my PTSD to the limits and scares the heck out of my hens. Just me, the bike, the fresh air, and the scenery of the Dutch countryside.

Heading out of town through the park.

I rode along a road I know well in Lisserbroek. Lined with large farm houses and old nursery/greenhouses owners that keep the yards as well groomed as the flowers in those buildings. It is one of my favorite rides close to home.

One of my favorite houses along my bike route

As I came to one of my favorite houses along the route the owner was out working on his large beautiful garden. I stopped and asked if I could take some pictures of his yard. He said sure and invited me to cross the canal that separated us and to walk into his yard to “get closer and better pictures”. I was gob smacked!

The pansy planter at the front gate

“Really?” I asked thinking how kind in this time when everyone I had met recently was full of anti-social behavior due to the invisible threat.

Trees in bloom, flowers blooming this place was a palace.

“Sure, walk up around the house too, there is plenty blooming there for you to photograph.” He answered.

So I started taking pictures.

These red flowers popped in color
Tulips in this garden shining with their heads towards the sun.
These yellows are bright.
A collection of tulips in bloom near a garage

The beauty of kindness is that it knows no boundaries. Knows no threats. It fulfills the emptiness of others. On that day this kindness was what I needed and the universe showed me where to find it! Thank you universe, thank you garden owner with a beautiful and a kind heart.

The front garden of this yard.

©️ The Cedar Journal, 2020, all rights reserved.

A Celebration Day – Kings Day 2020

May 3, 2020

Another week has gone past and it seems that time is either flying or standing so still that we can hear the plants grow.

I now have two chickens laying eggs (Most everyone missed out on the first egg event). Weaver was the first to lay an egg and then it was Kipass. Now, the two white hens are acting like they will start to lay any day.  Today will be the first day I can actually eat one of the eggs, because the were all on medication earlier in the month.

Not everything in the world stops because of my chickens are laying golden eggs.

Yup, the Dutch Hubby has figured that we need to produce 10,000 eggs to break even in this chicken investment. We have now determined it is a hobby. A hobby is something you sink tons of money into without ever expecting a return on the investment.

Yesterday was Kings Day here!!!

Usually, it is the one day each year that the entire country turns out in anything orange in support of the royal birthday of the King of The Netherlands. This year it was not the usual party time seen across the Dutch countryside.

Yes, most people placed the National colors outside their houses.

Yes, some people wore orange if they went out of the house.

Yes, some people ignored the rules of no public gatherings.

Although, most families stayed home and then toasted the King with an adult beverage at 4pm.

A bit sad. But, very necessary.

As an American living here, I have found most people very kind and understanding to what is happening to my mother country.

But, many also want to vent to me about the dumb crap our President says, or tweets. I have decided that people just need to vent, so I let them. I also make it very clear that I did not vote for him!

I hope a pray for the sake of my children who serve in the US military that he is not re-elected in the fall.

Next week the Dutch will mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands in 1945.

Those many important lessons seem to have died with the souls who fought on all sides of those battles.

But, if each of you can take a moment on 4 & 5 May to think of those sacrifices our ancestors made during that difficult era and apply those lessons to today’s current crisis I feel we will have hope of making it a better world.

Freedom is never free!

©️ The Cedar Journal, 2020, all rights reserved.

 

NO TIME!!! Only to build a Shed.

March 30, 2020

Hello my dear blog readers.  I and still here.  My Hubby is still here.  We are still healthy.  I owe you many blogs but I am not sure that it will get accomplished due to the mass quantity of work work that must be accomplished each day and there just isn’t enough hours to complete all the tasks.

The chickens came on Friday.  We love them! They have names.  Another blog…

In the process we had to build a new shed. The “we” is a collective term meaning the Hubby built the shed and I helped by staying out of the way and offering no comments.  Even the shed being a bit crooked didn’t receive comment from me.  I was trying to keep things as peaceful during this time of chaos as possible.

At one point in the construction it looked like we could soon have a horse or a cow lodging in our back garden but when he finished we realized it was just perfect for all the things we need to store.

Soon I found that it could have another useful purpose.

Yup… it doesn’t get any better than this! Environmental friendly and some private time away from the home office chaos of Hubby pushing airplanes around. Ahhhh… peaceful… until… he found me!

So there you have it! It has gotten that bad here where I have to revert to old school farm outhouse jokes to make us laugh.

Take care everyone. Stay healthy and hug the closest loved one and say “hello” to one stranger today. Kindness goes a long way in these situations.

 

 

Where are we now?

March 27, 2020

I have written hundreds of blogs in the last two weeks. Have you seen them? The answer is “no”! Sadly those blogs maybe lost in history and time due to fast pace of events unfolding each and every day.

But, we are still healthy, food is available in the stores.

Pet food – alternative food source if needed.

The Hubby has now finally relocated from his office at the airport to the office at the house which means I have less space to do my thing. As most of you are also enjoying all the quality time together with your significant others I am sure you all feel like “ why haven’t we done this before.”

The first bloom of the season

Let’s face it. The Hubby can now help me in all those tasks he only accomplishes when I am traveling alone in the US. He has to follow the strict towel folding rules. Accomplish the “Honey do list” that recently has gotten totally out of control with the new situation facing the world.

One of his many projects over the last week.

Our, yes…I said “our” office now looks like a operational war room with lists, dates, tasks to be accomplished, tasks already accomplished and more equipment than I ever use for writing. I guess this airplane business is serious stuff.

In other news we have been preparing for our chickens which arrive tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear their clucking in the back garden. Thanks to my readers and family for providing name requests. They will be revealed next blog.

The start of something new. Hubby moves his monitor into the home office.

Also, my tulips are in full bloom. That along with the beautiful weather has made our “home” time like a vacation resort. Maybe the Hubby thinks differently as he has been doing the heavy work. Hummm… another blog, maybe.

So, don’t fear readers/followers we are still here and keep moving forward with each passing day.

Stay safe, healthy, and humble.