“Are you some kind of die-hard?” I get variations on this question all the time, as I’m locking or unlocking my bicycle around town. It just seems weird, in this part of the world, for a person to be riding … Continue reading
This video is a brilliant example of satire: across cultures, across linguistic divides, and across political ideologies. I’m seriously impressed with the way the comedy was executed in a way that makes sense to both Dutch audiences and American audiences. The … Continue reading
Our family started Friday morning in Kent, Ohio, with kruidnootjes in klompen (crunchy, gingersnappy, cookie-buttons in old-fashioned, Dutch wooden shoes). We realize this pairing is not typical for most American families or Dutch families — but it’s pretty typical for us … Continue reading
In Amsterdam, we got lots of visitors. They were prepared to be impressed. Inclined toward romanticism, if anything. Consequently, my inclination would be to show them “the real Amsterdam” that lay off the beaten path. I’d bring people along for … Continue reading
I’m active and aggressive when it comes to unsubscribing from corporate e-mail flyers. I prefer to keep a clean inbox. So I excuse myself from as many of the mindless mountains of advertisements I possibly can… Unless they’re in Dutch. It’s weird, but … Continue reading
The weather in northeast Ohio has been quite Amsterdammish this week. Cool, gray, drizzly conditions… a dimness to the natural light… a feeling that Sinterklaas is on his way… Such circumstances conjure up many memories for me: both positive and … Continue reading
I’m back in the United States after a one-week trip to Europe: three days in Poland, three days in Sweden, and about 16 hours of travel each way. My body is tired from the travel, but my soul is renewed, … Continue reading
It was my first GCE Pastors Summit in four years — in a region of Poland I’d never previously visited — but it felt like a family reunion. Frank invited me and my kids to come get gelato with him … Continue reading
I love losers. Especially when it comes to television. One of my favorite programs of all time — a groundbreaking, critically-acclaimed comedy-drama series by Aaron Sorkin — was canceled after just two seasons. 45 episodes. Sorkin, of course, went on … Continue reading
I know I’m 64 years late to the party, but I just recently completed my first reading of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea — and wow! What a book! I felt like it was particularly enjoyable and … Continue reading
