Old friend, new friend

Shelley, Leon, Me with Martijn standing

Just a week and a half ago our dear old friend, Leon Loos, a Dutchman who grew up American, returned to his native country to visit family and friends. We were lucky that he put us on his agenda. It had been eight years since he'd visited his homeland, and quite some time since we'd been together in Minneapolis, where we met and shared many an adventure. Leon seems at home wherever he is, so simply hanging out together is a big treat. And this time he brought along his sweetheart, Shelley, who felt right at home as well.

Europeans often freely admit that they mistrust American 'friendliness', finding it shallow or phony. Maybe you have to be an American to recognize that our overt warmth is authentic, probably cultural. Like those big, rolling American vistas, many of us grew up with wide arms, a vast heart, and a propensity to embrace strangers instantly. That's how it felt to be together - wide and warm instantly connecting and reconnecting. This flow is something I sometimes miss here. Many Europeans are more cautious in building their friendships, and even once your mates, they are slightly more conservative in their show of emotions, excluding of course, southern Europeans!

With Martijn more and more able to participate in these visits, the three day stay of Leon and Shelley was relaxed and welcome. 

In another two weeks we're expecting a full house for the annual Maastricht TEFAF, the world's largest art and antiquities fair, when David Meyers and Roberta Strickler return for their second visit to our fair town, and David Hyde, arrives for his first. 

This past week has been low key due to some colds and other pesky physical ailments for both us. But our outlooks remain bright, getting lighter as the days grow longer.