Big Fat Writer

Artsy Fartsy Saturday at The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Things to do to keep the museum interesting. Strike a pose.

Cuzin Jane and Cuzin Tammie re-enacting the poses of subjects from Dutch masters in Amsterdam from the 1600s.

Like Ferdinand Bol, Rembrandt & keep swiping for our best work. No disrespect intended.

Just 2 Texas girls navigating fancy stuff. We learned a lot and had more fun. Got better photos. Life imitating art.

You can take the girls out of the country, but you cannot take the country out of the girls.

PRECIATE YA! 🫶🏼 Coming in HOT 🥵 from Southeast Texas to the Amsterdam! Some Cajun spice to warm up the winter blues.

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Thank you to our always spicy Cuzin’ Jane .

For a Bonfire fundraiser, I worked with Nataushia Morales on creating a t-shirt design to support her barrel racing dreams.

In 2021, she was on the fast learner plan for racing barrels.

And in 2023-2024, she has sponsors and was recognized at the National Finals Rodeo for her accelerated learning and fast times and all while battling Stage 4 cancer.

We have re-activated her store and put the highest prices possible on her shirts, hoodies and mugs.

Why? She needs entry fees and gas money to get to Texas and to more rodeos. Because she just wants to ride. That’s giving her life.

The nuts and bolts are that NatMo has a new tumor and no options for treatment. So if the prices look shocking so does Stage 4.

Look for store on . Snag a limited edition expensive hoodie that supports Natmo’s next rodeo.

LINK
Http://Www.bonfire.com/store/jumping-jax-ranch



Http://facebook.com/Bonfire
Could you throw some love towards the Jumping Jax Ranch Store? 👏🏼🫶🏼👍🏼🙌🏼

is my new thing at 50+. Walk. Photos. Snack. Movie. Lunch. Nap.


The Movies Petit Gâteau John Leijendekkers

Thanks for suggesting Day dating Michelle Buteau

Banksy reminder to ‘keep it real’ at Moco Museum Amsterdam.

Made it on a hot day to Amsterdam with writer buddy Shelley. She’s the star in the photo scroll and a delightful human.

My feet started sweating inside the museum creating a vacuum in the arch of my shoe. Spontaneously while stepping into or out of an exhibit room, my shoe would let out a TOOT.

I told Shelley so we could giggle together. She said, “Banksy would appreciate it.”

What’s not real is advertising a Warhol exhibit on the back of ONE Warhol. I asked if we missed the Warhol room. More Warhol souvenirs than art. Andy might appreciate that.

It’s still worth going, really. But more for the unexpected moving digital art and enlightening quotes and discussions about NFTs and what is art.

On Monday afternoon some Canadian Architect students arrived too late to see the 360 view of Amsterdam & Ijburg from the top of my apartment .

Our building has won prizes and is becoming a tourist attraction, especially for architecture lovers and students.

I hated that they came so far and someone in our building turned them away.

I used to teach this age group and offered to take them in small groups to view my apartment from the inside.

My bed wasn’t made, I was unpacking dishes, I forgot my keys inside on the 2nd viewing. But they didn’t care.

This group was so damn lovely & grateful & gracious. Every single one of them thanked me as they walked out of my apartment.

Group leader explained to me that something magical and unexpected always happens on their trips. This accidental inside peek was their magical moment.

Mine too. Now I want to have a better speech & more facts about SluisHuis & architect Bjarke Ingels (BIG).



Merci & say frommage! I added an old pic of my bed when it was all fixed and made up.

Monty is adjusting to being the only giant dog around here.

Spring sunset during our residents party. Glitter & sneakers was my dress code. The first time I wore my white denim jacket and BAM… it’s now a wine 🍷 purple tie dyed jacket.

When your big dog brother comes to visit…

Balcony weather weekend.

🧘🧘‍♀️ 1st Yin Yoga lesson with the very zen, chill, patient, kind, gentle Amy .

Got the full green mat treatment with aroma therapy, Aurora music therapy, breathing therapy & pillow support for all my parts if needed. Sometimes needed. ☺️

Yin Yoga is for every BODY says Amy. What I 💚 was that Amy was able to adapt my movements and our private class with my body in mind.

I am a fresh new 55+ older woman with rheuma & a recent collar bone 🦴 break & elbow break.

Some yoga poses & positions were more challenging or sensitive. Amy gave me extra support & other options to manage to lessen discomfort.

Amy also reminded me to breathe. I started focusing on my breathing 😮‍💨 & holding my position. This calmed my brain 🧠 & racing thoughts.

Yin Yoga & Amy opened my body & mind & heart today. I didn’t know what to expect. I appreciate the empowerment combined with some calming euphoria.

How fortunate to share a building, view & space with such amazing professionals like Amy.

We are becoming an IJCON!

Walking the SluisHuis dock at sunset.

.van.pelt

Balcony views & . & Passionfruit Martini . Free shaker at Gall & Gall.

My Cantilever apartment is being painted this weekend.

What does that window look like from the inside? Like a picture.

I also added the views from my balcony.

has his backpack on a flagpole. In Holland this means I AM DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL!

Adam has passed & graduates July 7 and will be a former VWO student at .

What’s next? A trip to Texas with .vdgrinten to celebrate with friends and family.

Adam worked hard including 2 years through a pandemic to get that 🎒 on the 🇳🇱 flagpole. My boys are men now. Yes. That went fast. 😮‍💨😭😍

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Deze schitterende foto's kregen we van nieuwe bewoonster Tammie. Ze is dolblij met haar Cantileverappartement. Het lijkt haar leuk om via een Facebookgroep in contact te komen met andere nieuwe bewoners. DM haar gerust voor een gezamenlijk initiatief.
📮 (English-speaking)

🇳🇱🏎🏁Dutch brothers Harry & John having the time of their lives 🇳🇱🏎🏁

bonfire.com/jumping-Jax-never-give-up
THE NEXT 20 SECONDS
My body is broken and hurts, always. But I have found some relief... 20 seconds at a time. When I am in the saddle and hear my name over the loud speaker, I take a deep breath, take off on Lizzie, and run that pattern in 20 seconds or less. In that short moment, I am not broken. I am not a cancer patient. I am a barrel racer.

Nataushia Morales
Jumping Jax Ranch

GIDDY UP! https://www.bonfire.com/jumping-jax-never-give-up/ Designed a t-shirt to help Nataushia stay in the saddle, ride barrels with Stage 4 breast cancer.

THANKS FOR GETTING A SHIRT TO SUPPORT NAT'S NEXT 20 SECONDS IN THE SADDLE. Click & scroll down to read her story: https://www.bonfire.com/jumping-jax-never-give-up/

Went to the Waal River Saturday July 17 to see the rising water. As a southeast Texan, I know we can’t control weather, floods, hurricanes. But mapping and watching gives me some grasp on what is coming.

Just 1 year ago, I was in the same spot near Varik looking back on our AirBNB in Heerewaarden. Our calming view was container ships going up and down the Waal.

I have dreamed about living on the water. This week has changed our minds and is not soothing.

May the dikes hold and the rivers stay low enough for everyone to be safe.

The Dutch have been fighting water for 100s of years. I don’t know any country that does it better.

Many will say “It’s in God’s hands now.” I know some really smart Dutch people have prepared for the flood scenarios and know how to get all this damn water to the ocean.

I’d love to see how the Dutch waterways command center is running now.

🛑 & talk to people. Meet Abe from abeFoto. He made a living as a photographer in the Netherlands. Until the pandemic.

Like a true Dutchman, Abe rode his on his bike to one of the most gorgeous streets in the NL 🇳🇱. I drove to pick up a box of experienced Dutch wooden shoes for our garden wall.

We ended up at the same spot on a Thursday afternoon.

Abe was taking professional drone photography near Stolwijk.

Abe told me that this narrow street Benedenkerkseweg in Stolwijk, Benedenberg & Bovenberg in Bergambacht were among the prettiest. He was born 4.7km away and had lived in the area his whole life.

I added the road I had just traveled, West Vlisterdijk in Vlist. I told him we used to live in a farmhouse on Bovenberg 57. Google Streetview magic can take you on a ride down all of these roads.

During slow times, Abe focused on getting his drone photography license. He was restarting with drone shots of old farmhouses along these exceptionally beautiful canal roads.

Abe gave me his card. He said he could take a drone photo of my home or your home, perhaps for your wall or if you are planning on selling soon.

I asked to take Abe’s picture. Photographers are usually only behind the camera.

I wish I had asked him for a drone photograph of me on this little bridge. High above is the best angle for a .

How often do you meet a drone photographer? Next time, Abe!

📸 1 & 2 are my photos of .

📸 3 & 4 are super cool aerial panoramic drone pics by

📸 5 are 5 pair of red, white & blue Dutch clogs for €20. And on the same spot Abe was standing… so it must be good.

📸 6 is the windmill near Vlist on the lovely winding narrow road. .

Tonight we had a Michelin Star dinner box 📦 from Pieters Restaurant. We ate on the fold up table that I am painting the kitchen cabinets on.

I’m wearing denim shorts, have paint on my hands and the best seat in the house next to the dogs’ water & food bowls.

Pieter’s Restaurant is in our former small town farm neighborhood of Bergambacht.

Food was awesome. The plating needs some work. 😂😅🤠

💚🤎💚Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream is now within walking distance of my house for the whole summer.

🍨Luigi’s Ijs Salon makes their own ice cream. You can order your own favorite flavors.

🖤🤍🖤Oreo Cookies n Cream is very close to Blue Bell back home.

🍦Astrid in Ijsselstein takes orders for liter packs €12. About the same price as Ben & Jerry’s but supports local business.

📧 No phone. You have to order in person or by email [email protected]. Worth the effort.