Sunset Bike Ride to Vorstenbosch

Thursday, 27-January-2011 - Vorstenbosch - The sun was going down, but I wanted to get a short bike ride in today.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Sunset_bike_ride_to_vorstenbosch#

Honus BioLogical Diary Farm

Saturday, 15-January-2011 - De Rips - Got up at 0515 today to join Johan to watch and maybe help milk his cows. Start time was 0645. I had a standing invitation. He knew I milked cows when I worked as a farmhand in Michigan. Johan volunteered to host this year's Fun-on-Wheels (FOW) family day at Honus (the name of the biological dairy farm he runs with his brother Kees). The FOW family day committee was to meet at 1000, but I wanted to get a first-hand look before then. At Honus, cows have names, not just numbers.
photos(101)
video clips:
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 1
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 2
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 3

More Skating at the AA-Broeken

Thursday, 30-December-2010 - Veghel - The snow and ice were melting. Went to mail some greeting cards on my way to go ice skating, but discovered our local mailbox had been removed as a precautionary measure to prevent vandalism.Met Niek at the AA-Broeken. He's the bass player in the Fioretti school band. He was waiting for his cousin Huub to arrive so they could play hockey.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Ice_skating_aaBroeken_20101230#

AA-Broeken--Skating on Thin Ice

Monday, 27-December-2010 - Veghel - I got to the AA-Broeken pond around 1100 to check out the ice. I brought along my snow shovel to clear the best spots. The pond was officially closed--getting on the ice was at one's own risk. The thickness varied from 3 to 8 cm--not yet thick enough to handle 200 people. It would freeze again tonight, but thaw during the day. Some hockey players showed up around 1300. I asked everyone I spoke to to bring their snow shovels the next time they came to ice skate. to help the ice get thicker. http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Ice_skating_aaBroeken_20101227#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC3Ok_b4f4Y

Second Day of Christmas

Sunday, 26-December-2010 - Veghel - I got up to watch the birds feed in the back yard. I met my neighbor Johan on my way to the AA-Broeken. He showed me his high-tech bow. At the pond, the first ice skaters appeared to clear the ice to make a hockey rink.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Christmas_2010_day2#

Christmas Day

Saturday, 25-December-2010 - Veghel - Listened to the Radio 2 Top 2000 while I peeled potatoes. Chris joined us around 1800 for Christmas dinner. After dinner, we opened presents. Rosan was happy with her Marilyn Monroe calendar.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Christmas_2010_day1#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBj5kDnEoLQ

Christmas Eve Day Winter

Friday, 24-December-2010 - Got about 12 cm of snow last night. Spent most of the day shoveling and playing in the snow. Had a 0950 appointment at the hostipal. I was sweating after two hours of shoveling. Dr van Hulsteijn was pleased with results of MRI, X-ray and blood work. I'll continue on Prednison (2x5mg), and I'll see him again in four weeks. Need to wait to start play volleybal again. Spoke to two ice skaters (photo) who were checking out conditions at the AA-Broeken. It was slushy. It will get cold tonight and tomorrow night. I'll check back on Sunday. Our TNT postwoman complimented me on our clean driveway. I was glad she had strap-on spikes to get around in this slippery weather. Looking forward to going to the Christmas Eve service at 2300 at Sint-Lambertus with Rosan.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Christmas_eve_day_winter#

Christmas Brunch at StandardAero

Thursday, 23-December-2010 - Tilburg - It was less than a month since my last work day at StandardAero. I didn't expect to be invited to the Christmas brunch, but Gerard wanted to officially mark my retirement. I cleared the light snow, and then got cleaned up--I hadn't shaved for a few days. When I got to Tilburg, it was like I hadn't left. I was glad to see everyone. Got a nice bouquet of flowers and dining gift certificate. Even got a Christmas package--normally reserved for current employees. pics (27)

Merry Christmas

Thursday, 16-December-2010 - Veghel - Dear Friends, Instead of paper, we're sending this e-mail Christmas card to those who use internet.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Merry_christmas

Wishing you a blessed Holiday Season and a Happy New Year,

Dale, Marij, and Rosan

Winter Tires

Wednesday, 8-December-2010 - Veghel - Snow was forecast and I needed to be ready to take my daughter Katherine to the Düsseldorf Airport next week. Winter tires are mandatory in Germany. I was in luck. Lambert of Profile Tyre Center in Veghel had the last set of winter tires in the country that would fit my Nissan.

https://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/WinterTires#