When we were kids, my brothers and I were periodically subjected to my father’s long Sunday drives after church. If my father was still alive, I think he would recall these drives as the foundation of our interests in architectural style. My memory to date is that I hated them: the three of us kidsContinue reading “Sunday Ride: Now and Then”
Author Archives: kristininholland
Do the Dutch Celebrate Earth Day?
The Dutch are busy with many aspects of environmentalism by default. Due to rising sea levels linked with climate change, they have become experts in water and flood plain management. (There are more reasons they have expertise in water, but that’s for another post). The Netherlands, with 17 million people in a country that’s about 1/10thContinue reading “Do the Dutch Celebrate Earth Day?”
She’s back. But is she here to stay?
Some people find the whole concept of New Year’s resolutions to be a bunch of childish mamby pamby for losers who don’t realize it’s just another day. Me? I’m a dyed in the wool sucker for hope and fresh beginnings in the New Year. And if there’s one thing I can count on, it’s me making a wholeContinue reading “She’s back. But is she here to stay?”
The Smile
I’ve lived in Holland, or The Netherlands, for four years now. It didn’t take me all that time to recognize the smile, but now that I have seen its many permutations, I feel its about time to write about it. The Dutch are used to being straight forward. Its one of the traits you will readContinue reading “The Smile”
Rothko at the Gemeente Museum
Can an artist portray emotions of happiness, fear or ecstasy through the sole use of rectangular shapes of color? Can they do so without explanation or words? That is the question that came to the forefront Saturday afternoon during a visit to the Gemeentemuseum to view the Rothko exhibit I have to admit, his large swaths ofContinue reading “Rothko at the Gemeente Museum”
Possessions
Although I tend to avoid antique stores and second hand shops because of the crowded nature of the lay out and the often musty smell that comes with old things, I am drawn to bazaars and the hidden treasures they provide. Bazaars have an extra carpe diem appeal because they are often one or two dayContinue reading “Possessions”
Sometimes you’ve just got to talk to the ducks
Coincidences have been abundant as of late. I chose a book for our reading group called Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s about a lot of things involving flight, from a woman who wants to flee her marriage, a reporter who flies toward sensationalism and away from reality and the flight patterns of Monarch butterflies.Continue reading “Sometimes you’ve just got to talk to the ducks”
Whew hew! Really?
I wrote this post a month ago, but it is strangely in synch with today’s forecast, at least weather wise. It was a gorgeous day: sun out, warm, an ever so slight breeze rustling the trees, and it was my day off. But I wasn’t feeling so gorgeous myself, clad in faded 501s, an oldContinue reading “Whew hew! Really?”
Is there a distance threshold for friendships?
When I moved abroad the first time around (Amsterdam 2004), it felt like a European adventure. I had only been to Europe once before and for a measly three weeks, not nine months. My U.S. friends were keen to hear about my adventures and when I moved back Stateside less than a year later, I picked up where I left off.Continue reading “Is there a distance threshold for friendships?”
Havana, Deventer, Apes and Cousins
When I was in my mid-twenties, I worked for a short stint as a museum travel program assistant. Although most of my hours were spent in a tiny office doing paperwork and taking reservations, on a few occasions I actually got to travel. The most exciting of my journeys was to Cuba with two dozen wealthy clients,Continue reading “Havana, Deventer, Apes and Cousins”
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