Senority

Yesterday was my 65th birthday, a milestone I actually cherish, believe it or not.
Today is my turn at Vision & Verb where I talk about Seniority...and senior discounts. HA! Enjoy.
And by the way, my wife, Astrid, was the guest blogger there yesterday. I still beam when I say those words, "my wife." I am very proud of her!

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In celebration of my birthday, Astrid and I spent the weekend driving south in The Netherlands to Maastricht, on Saturday, to visit the "protected area" of its city center. It'll take me time to work on all the pictures I took but I wanted you to know what we did. We spent the night at a B&B outside of Arcen, north of Maastricht on our way home, to visit the castle and gardens on Sunday. After our visit to the Keukenhof Gardens in April, someone told us to make sure we visited Arcen one day. So we did. You'll hear more about it, too, in time.

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Now, something to give you a smile:

Back in early December when I first arrived in The Netherlands and started to find my way around to the grocery stores, etc., I discovered a certain spot near the Water Horse pond (where Old Sannie, the salmon fisherman sits) that is frequented by various ducks and geese. Thankfully, I had my camera with me and documented this "Right-of-Way" procession that happens every day on this busy road. Once the geese decide to cross the street (the pond is on the right out of the image), everyone simply has to stop and give them their right of passage.

It so happens this is the exact route I take to school on my bike 4 days each week. Last Thursday I didn't get the main migration but a couple of duck stragglers were in my bicycle lane. PAS OP! Pay attention, Ginnie. I have been intent each day on the cars and other cyclists...but never on the ducks/geese.
What's not to like about this incredible "little" country!

Speaking of school, I have now finished 4 weeks (of 41) and expect to take my third test today/tomorrow, the end of another chapter. There is SO MUCH I'm learning...sometimes TOO much. I think my head will explode. But then I find myself heading off each day in excitement, eager to learn that new word or two that will make it easier to keep speaking Dutch (vocabulary, vocabulary, vocabulary). Astrid is the Mother of all Teachers, being patient and long-suffering here at home. She is excited for me and keeps encouraging me by telling me how proud she is of me (flattery gets her everywhere). And when I bump into people here around where we live, I excite myself when I actually carry on a conversation of sorts.

65 years old, not too old, and loving every minute of it. Now give me some respect! :)