These Days

I haven't seen Lida in person for a few years. We've used WhatsApp and Skype, but these days it's only with WhatsApp.

I'd been there soooo many times, and I realized it's time for me to get out there again, in person. So, I bought a plane ticket... 

• Did you know that just because you can buy a plane ticket doesn't mean you can actually get off the plane?! In this time of COVID-19, one cannot easily travel from the US to the Netherlands. 

My plan was to bring photos and memories of our adventures. Since I can't be there in person, I'll be posting photos and some little stories online, here. 

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• Lida's birthday is October 5?

• Lida's last name, Kerssies, means Cherries... and that her name, Lida, is short for Alida? 

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Here's my first post: These Days.

Below are images of Lida posted by friends of hers on a friends-of-Lida WhatsApp group. 

The group writes mostly in Dutch. I haven't spent much time trying to decipher the words, but I can easily see that Lida is surrounded by friends ...and just as lovely, and stylish!, as ever!

Lida, you continue to inspire me! I love you a lot, dear friend. I hope you enjoy the posts to come!

Lida in her apartment on Overtoom, adjacent to the Vondel Park. 

It's a lovely neighborhood with stores and coffee shops nearby. 

Above: Lida and Evelien enjoying the Vondel Park. 

Above: Lida, NiNi, Ita, Marrie enjoying a lunch at a cafe in the Vondel Park.

Dear Saskia is the photographer for the above photo and the next two. Thank you, Saskia!

Here's Lida looking fierce for the camera. ...and for me? 

Serious, but Lida gives a "Thumbs Up"! so I think she's saying, Dan Dan! 

だんだん (dandan) means “little by little.” 

I interpret that Zen phrase as, "Keep going, Grasshopper."

OK.

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