“Move along!”  Steam flooded the platform as a voice cut through the din.  “Last call for the Henry Express!”  Henry checked his pocket watch and shook his head.  The train was already two minutes behind schedule. Operating a train company… Continue reading

Memoirs of Pake and Beppe When money was tight for us in those early years, we had to forgo some of the luxuries others around us were enjoying.  In Canada, it was custom for people to set up a Christmas… Continue reading

Memoirs of Pake and Beppe Things continued on in a regular fashion.  I had steady work at the barber shop and over time our English got better.  I had to be at work for eight in the morning and closed… Continue reading

Memoirs of Pake and Beppe It was better, they told us, to change our names when we came over.  I guess Canadian tongues couldn’t handle a Dutch name.  Mother’s name became Mary and so did Map.  Tjittie became Sylvia, Adrie… Continue reading

Memoirs of Pake and Beppe We weren’t there very long at all off the plane when we all began to sweat.  It was much warmer in Canada than it had been when we left Schiphol in the Netherlands.  We were… Continue reading

Memoirs of Pake and Beppe Things went from bad to worse in quick order.  During our stopover in Iceland, we were treated to a fine meal in the airport restaurant.  The food was tasty, and the portions were hearty.  Mother… Continue reading

From the memoirs of Pake and Beppe Saying goodbye is always a sad thing for me to do.  Even when the places I am going are promising to be great.  It was not that I didn’t love Holland.  The places… Continue reading