Office buildings you'd never see in the U.S.

Spaceship from the front...

Dutch East India Company ship from the rear...

High-stakes parallel parking

We rented a car this past weekend while Kris's parents came for a visit. It's a balancing act. You have to be far enough in yet still be able to get out of the driver's side. I could have done better but I was chicken. I mean, I had the full insurance coverage and everything. Shoulda tried harder.

Lymphoma test is NEGATIVE!!

Baxter does not have lymphoma. Just a really bad unidentified (so far) infection that caused his lymphatic system to go nuts. We're waiting on test results to find out exactly what it is. He's well on his way to recovery since he's had some heavy-duty antibiotics over the past couple of weeks.

Doing better

He's feeling much better. We're still awaiting results of a biopsy, but we're encouraged by his response to antibiotics. This could be a good sign.

Hang in there, buddy

Our dog Baxter is quite sick right now. He's in the hospital while we find out for sure what's wrong. Our friend Jim Paluzzi is his caretaker while we're gone, and he's been so wonderful to Baxter. While it's very hard to be away while he's so sick, the important thing is that the people around him, like Jim, are making him feel comfortable and loved. He's in good hands.

Have sled, need boy

The most fabulous Dutch winter in years continues with another major coup: skating in the Amsterdam canal district. This is right on our block of Keizersgracht (King's canal). Once I saw our downstairs neighbor make it around without falling in, I went for it. This water is deep enough to drown in, unlike Ankeveen.

When I saw the sled out on the canal, I knew what must be done...

Cruel joke

Another reason why you should lock your bike to a bike rack or pole.