Crisp changes

As I sit to type this week's blog entry, hail and rain are whipping against both the front and back windows of the house. Winter-like weather has finally been reaching The Netherlands as a violent North Sea storm crashes into the coast. The rest of Europe (outside of Spain) is also getting hammered - the Austrian Alps received over 1 meter of snow last weekend.

What makes it even harder is that just last week we were still entrenched in crisp fall weather highlighted by brilliant leaf colors. It seems like the changes are coming fast and furious and it might be a good time to step back and reflect on which direction we'd like to go.

An ancient road through the North Sea dunes. We walk this trail almost daily but have just learned that it was established in the 13th century. You can almost imagine a lone horseback rider trotting quietly along, glancing warily into the forest.


A classic landgoed (estate) with long, broad and well organized paths that is now converted into a city park.

I hesitated to post this photo because it carries such a strong pop-culture connotation of religion, but the sun cutting through the colorful trees spilling light onto the approaching intersection was too perfect to pass up. Take what you want from it...as long as it helps you choose your own path.