Thanksgiving Birthday Dinner

Thursday, 24-November-2016 - Veghel - Having a birthday near on on Thanksgiving, as well as on the same day as the birthday of my mother Doris, is always special.  Marit had to work, but the rest of the gang (Chris, Seth, Rosan, and Koen) joined Marij and I for Thanksgiving dinner.  We saved a piece of pie for Marit.
menu
fried chicken
mashed potatoes
sweet potatoes
grandma's favorite beans
pumpkin pie

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie

Thursday, 24-November-2016, Veghel - It's Thanksgiving today in the United States.  I made my first crust and pumpkin pie.  The last time was 60 years ago with my grandma Weiss.  I wanted to make the crust from scratch, and I was trying to remember how she did it.  I used this crust recipe from E.D. Smith, along with canned pie filling.  When the crust stuck to the counter as I was rolling it back onto the rolling pin, I called my sister Jane to get some help.  I knew how her pies came out of the oven.  I later found some nice videos to help me the next time--I need to work on the crimped edge.  Then I'll make the pumpkin filling from scratch too.  Oh yes I forgot.  Except for the well done edges, it tasted great.  Pics (10)

how to roll out a pie crust 
how to make a delicious pie crust from scratch  

Saturday Sligro Skating

Saturday, 13-August-2016 - Veghel - Met Boekel skating friend Jos (photo) on the way to the Fun-on-Wheels Sligro meeting point.  Marjon and Frans joined me for a smooth roll along the canal.  We were good for 16 km.  pics (30)  gps-tracked route

Postel 2016

Saturday, 6-August-2016 - Oirschot - At around the 60 km mark, my left knee was hurting so bad that I was ready to take the bus back to Oirschot.  Mark, Toon, Jan, and Wil had already helped me get this far.  Luckily, Hélène asked me if I'd like to ride a bike for awhile, and Francine was willing to put her skates on.  Riding a bike with full bags at 20 km/hr in stocking feet while taking this photo was also hard work.  At the last stop in Knegsel, I traded places with Yvonne so I could skate the last 20 km.  I once again got a helping hand in my back from time to time from Hélène and Frans so I could stay with the group.  When we got back to Oirschot, there was a garden-hose shower and a barbecue.  Thanks to all tour participants, and especially my helpers and our host and guide Pieter for making this day to remember.  Seventeen skaters, two bicyclists, and one moped rider--good for 102 km! pics (147)    pieter's route  dale's gps-tracked route: part 1 part 2 part 4

Fabriek Magnifique 2016

Sunday, 24-July-2016 - Veghel - Marij and I rode our bikes to the center of town to start our discovery of this year's Fabriek Magnifique--a stimulation of all the senses.  After taking the chocolate factory tour, I walked under this WWII liberation parachute (photo) to get closer to the music of DafunQ.  I immediately loved it, wanted to dance, and felt moved to become their groupie. pics (162) dafunq clip don't you worry (00:41) dafunq clip play that sax (02:57)

Eten en Skaten 2016

Sunday, 17-July-2016 - Oirschot - We had to wait for heavy rain showers to pass before we started, and it was slippery along the way, but it was oh so enjoyable when we stopped to have a meal like this (photo).  Thanks to Pieter our guide for organizing this great day.  Fifteen skaters, four bicyclists, and one moped rider--good for 65 km.  pics (180)  route

Royal Welshbrug Skating

Thursday, 14-July-2016 - Den Bosch - The Royal Welshbrug (photo) was magnificently bathed in sunlight this evening. Four de Toren skaters--good for 28 km. pics (83)  gps-tracked route--part 1 gps-tracked route--part 2

Saturday Fun-on-Wheels

Saturday, 09-July-2016 - Veghel - Desiree (photo) and Frans joined me today.  Three skaters--good for 21.5 km.  pics (16)  gps-tracked route 

20 Years of Fun-on-Wheels

Sunday, 3-July-2016 - Since I joined 10 years ago, I've been taking pictures along the way.  I wanted to share the feeling of of what it was like on the roll in the middle a group of skaters, as well as show the beautiful countryside we saw.  Just fill in "fun on wheels" in the search field of this blog or click on Dale's Skating Adventures to see where we've been. Today we celebrated 20 Years of Fun-on-Wheels skating.  Twenty-one skaters, one bicyclist, and one moped rider--good for 42 km.  Thanks to our hosts Maria and Clemens for opening their home to us and making this a day we'll always remember.  pics (203)   gps-tracked route part-2

Kevin 33

Friday, 1-July-2016 - It's Kevin's birthday today.  Happy birthday, Kevin!  Thirty-three has been my favorite number since I saw Cazzie Russell play for the University of Michigan.  He instantly became my basketball hero. Thirty-three was my number (photo) when I played volleyball for the Las Vegas YMCA.  pics (5)

New Roof for Garden House

Tuesday, 28-June-2016 - Veghel - It's been rainy the past week, but there was no rain forecast for this evening. Chris (photo) came over after work, and we had supper before tackling the roof.  We had the replacement Eternit cement-fiber corrugated roofing sheets installed within three hours. Marij and Rosan supervised. pics (45)

Note:  Although the old roofing does not contain asbestos, Dutch regulations require disposal according to asbestos rules:  getting a permit and double wrapping in 0.2 mm PE clear plastic sheet before delivery to the township recycling unit.

Thunderstorm Bearing Spin Test

Saturday, 25-June-2016 - Veghel - I did a spin test to listen to the bearings after installing them back in my skates. video clip (1:43)

Thunderstorm Skate Bearing Cleaning--Part 2

Saturday, 25-June-2016 - Veghel - I thought I'd have to get new bearings for my front wheels after my bearing covers didn't fit; but during breakfast, I got an idea:  remove a bit of the aluminum cover--making it oblong (photo)--to allow it to slip by the inner diameter of the bearing.  pics (27)

Thunderstorm Skate Bearing Cleaning--Part 1

Friday, 24-June-2016 - Veghel - This is as far as I got before I realized that my old BSB bearing covers didn't fit my SG9 bearings. My bearings were peeping after the first cleaning, and I didn't want them to corrode any more.  I should have used WD-40 yesterday evening before I let them sit and freeze up overnight.
pics (18)

Thursday Caught in Thunderstorm Skating

Thursday, 23-June-2016 - 's-Hertogenbosch - It was warm and humid.  We chose to skate in Den Bosch this evening despite weather radar warnings in that area.  On our way to the center of town, we met these young enthusiasts (photo).  They followed and caught up with us as we stopped to decide which route we would take.  We escorted them back home before continuing on our way.  We stopped in the center of Rosmalen for an ice cream treat, but decided to head straight back to our starting point after seeing the downpour coming our way.  There was lightning and thunder close by, and it started to rain just before we got back.  I looked continually to make sure I wasn't the tallest object for a lightning bolt to hit.  I just concentrated on not slipping on the wet pavement.  I jumped soaking wet, skates and all, into Bart's car.  We all made it back safely.  While driving home, it hailed as I saw a brilliant sunset in my rear view mirror.  When I got home, I took my bearings out of the wheels and dried them off.  They were all turning, but the bearings in both front wheels were making some noise.  I'll need to clean these tomorrow.  Six de Toren skaters--good for 21 km. pics (35)  gps-tracked route

Painting Purlins

Wednesday, 22-Jun-2016 - Veghel - Yesterday, I didn't know what a purlin was, today I painted four of them.  In Dutch, we call them gordingen.  The weather was sunny and warm, and most importantly, dry.  I dropped our car off at nearby Autobedrijf van den Heuvel for the yearly safety inspection and maintenance.  I rode a loan bicycle back home (2 km).  I worked until sunset to get done before the rain came (photo by Rosan).  pics (55)

Father's Day Roof Project

Sunday, 19-June-2016 - Veghel - Chris and I built our garden shed 19 years ago.  The roof is ready for replacement (photo). The new fiber cement corrugated roofing sheets got delivered last Monday.  I started removing the old sheets today.  pics (107)

Tuesday Evening Skating in Boekel

Tuesday, 14-June-2016 - Boekel - It started to rain lightly just as we departed from the Sint Agathaplein starting point, but we got to enjoy this view on our return to Boekel.  Fourteen Boekel skaters--good for 25 km.  pics (84) gps-tracked route.    

Saturday Fun-on-Wheels

Saturday, 12-June-2016 - Veghel - I was alone today so I headed for Beek en Donk (photo), and then on to Gemert, before returning to the Sligro starting point.  The sun came out as I headed for Erp.  It was my longest skate of the year--it felt good.  One Fun-on-Wheels skater--good for 40 km.  pics (109) gps-tracked route part-1 part-2

Sunset Skating along the Maas

Thursday, 9-June-2016 - Macharen - Skating along the Maas (Meuse) river is always magical.  The ferry boat at Lith had engine problems, so we skated through low-lying (polder) farmland to return to our starting point.  We saw farmers using giant tractors and wagons hurrying to get grass for silage off the fields.   Six De Toren Skaters--good for 33 km.  pics (91) gps-tracked route

Warm Evening Skating in Geldrop

Monday, 6-June-2016 - Geldrop - This evening I went skating with the Eindhoven Rolleerder Skaters.  I was afraid we'd get rained out in Boekel.  I met Bart, Frans, and Jeannette at the 't Ven carpool parking lot.  In Geldrop, I saw familiar faces and two new ones:  Wim and Elly.  Yvonne was our guide this evening.  The route took us through wooded areas between Geldrop, Valkenwaard, and Eindhoven (photo).  Warm evening--great skate.  11 skaters--good for 27 km.  pics (52) gps-tracked route.
 

New Location for Builders Village Under Water

Monday, 30-May-2016 - Veghel - It's raining a lot today. Veghel in Hout arranged a new location for the builders village (bouwdorp) this year.  The drainage of Juliana park needs to be fixed, or an alternate location needs to be found, before August.  If it rains in July during Fabriek Magnifique, we will see what we can expect for our young builders. pics (27)

My Flag

Monday, 30-May-2016 - Veghel - It's raining and thundering outside.  They're throwing strikes up there--the loud, scary, startling lightning explosions coming close, sometimes right above me.  It's Memorial Day in the United States and for Americans all around the world--we remember and honor all Americans who died while in military service to their country.  We thank all those who have served, and all those still serving.  In a month, we'll have 300 war refugees staying at the old hospital here in Veghel--an emergency shelter in a safe, peaceful, free country.  On Memorial Day, I can only feel pride to have served my country to help keep it, and the countries of its allies, free and peaceful.  This is my flag. pics (17)

Skating to Kilsdonkse Windmill

Saturday, 28-May-2016 - Veghel - Today we headed for the Kilsdonkse Molen (photo).  Super weather--great skating.  Two Fun-on-Wheels skaters--good for 18 km. pics (29) gps-tracked route

Brún in Heumen

Friday, 27-May-2016 - Heumen - Today I visited Jan de Bruin (photo) owner of Brún schaats-skeeler Sport.  I didn't realize that brún is the Frisian word for brown (bruin) in Dutch.  Frisian (Frysk) is the official language of the Dutch province of Fryslân.  I went to Heumen to try on a Fila FM 100--a wider inline skate.  My Rollerblade Tempest 100C was a bit narrow, and I wanted to compare.  Before I left home I took a look at the garage door lock. I then biked to the Vrijhof Vishandel fish stand where Marij was working to pickup the car.  There I chatted with Tini. On the way back from Heumen, I dropped of a set of wheels for de Toren skater Monique's old skates and looked at her new skates that were giving her problems.  I collected some straw (Monique is a dairy farmer) for my strawberries before heading home.  Evening menu:  spaghetti. pics (46)

Saturday Fun on Wheels with Francine

Saturday, 7-May-2016 - Veghel - We both came to the Sligro meeting point on skates--Francine (photo) from Sint Oedenrode (6 km) and me from Spoorven (5 km).  We we waited until 1530 before heading for Nijnsel via Zijtaart.  Fantastic weather, great skate.  We were good for 13 km together before I dropped her off near her home.  pics (49) gps-tracked route

Vat-oe-Fiets 2016

Thursday, 5-May-2016 - Veghel - Today, it's Ascension Day, Dutch Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag), and also the annual bicycle tour Vat-oe-Fiets.  It's a tradition in Veghel and also in the Weiss Family.  I usually ride with Chris, but this year he was staying home with Marit enjoying their newly-born son Seth. This year the route took us through all six towns and villages which make up the township of Veghel.  In Eerde, we rode by the turning sails of the town's restored windmill next to the memorial (photo) to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment who landed here on 17-September-1944 and, after eight days of heavy battle, liberated this area of the Netherlands. Great weather, great ride.  I was good for 50 km. pics (134) gps-tracked route part 2 windmill video clip (33 sec)

Saturday Fun on Wheels with Tonnie

Saturday, 23-April-2016 - Veghel - Tonnie (photo) joined me today.  We headed north against the wind.  We wanted to see if the parallel road on the north side of the canal was finished.  We made it all the way to Middelrode.  We had the sun and a strong wind in our back as we skated back to the Sligro starting point.  Super weather, super skate!  We were good for 22.5 km.   pics (81) gps tracked route

Thursday Evening De Toren Skating

Thursday, 21-April-2016 - Dinther - Our second ride of the season.  We couldn't get enough of the new asphalt on the south side of the Zuid-Willemsvaart.  Nine skaters--good for 22.4 km. pics gps-tracked route

Fun-on-Wheels Leap of Faith

Tuesday, 19-April-2016 - Veghel - Hylco Broos jumps over five Fun-on-Wheels skater volunteers during the last of ten inline skating lessons at the Noordkade in Veghel. clip (22 sec)

First Tuesday Evening Skating in Boekel

Tuesday, 19-April-2016 - Boekel - After getting rained out last Tuesday, we all were glad we could skate again.  This evening, we headed for Venhorst.  Fourteen skaters--good for 15 km.  pics (34)

With Chess Players in Washington, D.C.

April-1987 - Washington, D.C. - I found this slide on the guest room floor.  After seeing the movers pack our possessions in New Mexico, we spent a week here on vacation before traveling on to our next Air Force assignment in England.  It's high time I scan and share the rest of my slides and photos. one pic

Jheronimus Bosch 500

Sunday, 28-February-2016 - Den Bosch - Rosan treated Marij and I for a visit to the Jheronimus Bosch 500 exibition at the Noordbrabantse Museum.  Here is a detail of the Wayfarer which was projected on wall as we exited the exhibition.  Afterwards, we visited Marit and Chris in Dinther.  It was a great day!  pics (66)
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Noordkade Skating Lessons

Tuesday, 23-February-2016 - Veghel - Fun-on-Wheels hosted skating lessons this evening--the second of 10 sessions lead by Hylco Broos.  The music was on while twenty-one skaters had 90 min of fun.  pics (27)

Floortje 1951-2016

Saturday, 20-Februrary-2016 - Uden - Went to the funeral service of Floortje today. We met forty years ago at Marc's Bar 'BQ' where she was a familiar sight as waitress.  She would get Marij and I tickets for Oldies Back on Stage so we could see, among others, her husband Peter, lead singer of Image S5, perform.  My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends.  funeral remembrance card  "With great sadness we have to say goodbye..."

Early Flower Frost

Wednesday, 17-Februrary-2016 - Veghel -  Early flowers had frost on them this morning. pics (4)

Valentine Pancakes

Sunday, 14-February-2016 - Veghel - After watching Charlotte's Web on TV, I made pancakes for Valentine's Day.  It worked! pics (7)

Bicycling to Uden and Lumbering in Volkel

Saturday, 13-February-2016 - Uden/Volkel - After Rosan and I got the heater to work, I rode to Volkel to see Koen (photo).     There, he proudly gave me a tour of his workplace--the lumber yard of van Engeland-de Groot. pics (40) gps-tracked route--part 2