#Summer lockdown….not over yet

July 11

But before I end my morning walk….discovered the ‘new place to be’ duck pond by the Elfstedenhal (ice skating rink). Social distancing? I don’t think ducks need to bother about that. #LoveTheReflection

Politics

Wake up to this news: Trump announces a presidential pardon for his ol’ partner in crime Roger Stone convicted of 7 felony crimes. Cronyism at its best! Trump is absolutely drunk on power.
Roger Stone looks like the best dressed man at the Nuremberg Trials!

Ups and Downs

The day started healthy, 2 hour walk, fresh fruit with breakfast….then it all went south! Decided I deserved my toast, jam and butter with my coffee after 3 weeks of diet…then splurged on a dish of pasta with cherry tomatoes and ricotta cheese, cocktail hour: Heineken + cashews while watching Formule 1 and to top it all off…that last dish of coconut rum cream pudding (home-made) isn’t going to eat itself! So I was completely going wild and enjoyed myself. I looked for a cartoon…and this one made me laugh, I hope you like it!

Politics:

You tell ‘em, Claire! Former senator Claire McCaskill is on fire!
She is telling Senator Lindsey Graham…..he is a POS! (…piece of s**t!) WOW! ….have a look!
#YouGoGirl

July 12

Well, I found another way to reach my destination…sunrise at 05:25. On June 20th sunrise was at 05:09…so as the weeks pass I can sleep more in the morning! High pressure moving in so it was a blast of light (…difficult to photograph subtly) so here is the pre-show…morning mist. Foto: 05:25 CET

Cats

Bruno is back…but very wary of me! Foto: 05:56 hr. CET

Swans

This has to be the best foto of the morning….it oozes peace, calm and elegance. Just look at the contrasts: water is like a mirror, reflection and sunlight on the first swan…shimmering water, shade around the second swan. Just breathtakingly beautiful…. #NeedCoffee and hot shower!

Sports

Am I the only one who watches and loves Formule 1?

July 13

Every morning I ask myself will there be anything to photograph today? I’ve covered just about everything in the past 3 months! But…yes, there is always something new! #JoysOfRisingEarly. Here is a regular friend…..the Dutch start off early to work in the morning mist! Foto: 05:12 hr CET

The minutes before sunrise are the most beautiful. It is a matter of timing my walk and listening to the weather report. You can guess what is coming tomorrow….rain! Foto: 05:16 hr CET  (official sunrise was 05:26 and around 05:36 hr I can see the sun above the trees.

Swans

What would the world be without the grace and elegance of swans?…I’m so lucky to have these two (…still thinking of names for them) in the ponds during my walks. I was a bit early so they were still in dreamland… Foto: 05:58 hr

I’ve never been so close to a swan in my life!
Riddle: What is in the water and never gets wet?
Answer: reflection
Foto: 05:59 hr CET

Ducks

Nearing the end of my walk I find these two beauties…50 shades of brown! Usually ducks are quick to fly away when I approach but these two were just #Chillin…a state of prolonged satisfactory boredom. Foto: 06:28 hr #NeedCoffee #NeedHotShower ….then I have to get this house presentable….#NeedToCleanTheFloors

Politics

Gov Cuomo is on fire….during his press conferences  1 in 5 Americans turn to Gov Cuomo for truthful information about COVID-19. He is the adult in the room these days.…!!  Poster #NewYorkTough

Art  ….my favorite Bansky…created art during lockdown in his home!

Yoga

It took me 3 months to get this flexible….even with my new hip!  (October 2019 operation). Must always look on the positive side of a lockdown!