Gettin' the Band Back Together

Guess I'm showing my age with that title.

Live in Hasselt weekend is when about 25 or 30 bands set up all throughout the centrum (center of town) so we decided to check it out. We also know someone who plays in one of these bands so that's the band we listened to on Saturday night.

Vital (works for Norbord/name pronounced Vee-tall/accent on the tall) is on the keyboard. Since they have a day job, I'm not sure how often they get the band back together, but we were glad we didn't miss this one.

We don't know the other band members of MoodSwing (think that's their name), but they are all very talented.

See, I told you they are talented!

Honored

The Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery

Belgium

We attended the Memorial Day event at Henri-Chapelle this past weekend. The weather was beautiful and the ceremony very meaningful.

As we drove up, we could see the flag of Belgium at the entrance - flying at half-mast. You can see people in the distance looking out at the view.

Here's a shot of that view of the Ardennes area of Belgium.

At the opposite end of this 57-acre memorial is the American flag - today also flying at half-mast.

Each of the 7,992 gravesites held both a Belgian and an American flag.

This video is of the missing man formation performed by pilots from an airbase in Germany. You will see that one plane moves away from the others. I actually did this filming myself, but almost missed it because, believe it or not, these planes are very quiet.

FYI - The missing man formation is an aerial salute performed as part of a flyover of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event in memory of a fallen pilot.

Speakers for the event were excellent and included the U.S. representative to NATO, the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium.

We are reminded that countries that once fought against each other - our neighbors - are now united in peace and united in the effort for peace in all countries. What an amazing feat.

A mere 70 years ago, right here where we live was occupied by Hitler's army. I cannot imagine it. I simply cannot imagine it.

We have come so far, but freedom is not yet universal. There are millions of people waiting to be liberated, hoping for that freedom we enjoy so much.

In honored memory of those who gave their lives for their country

Freedom is most assuredly not free.

Battles and Barbeques

For many, Memorial Day is just a holiday from school, day off from work and perhaps a family barbeque. It certainly was for us. Despite my Daddy serving in WWII, we never did anything to commemorate this day. I must admit as a young adult I didn't do much more.

I didn't grow up with a family member in the military. There was no war in my backyard. Wars were somewhere else. Far, far away. With people I'd never know. I still feel somewhat that way today. I'm even grateful to live far, far away from the wars I hear about on the news. Grateful I don't really know any of those people. They're strangers to me. What a shame to admit that. Perhaps you have similar feelings?

Until we moved to Europe, I suspect that attitude may have remained unchanged. Sadly, as an American, I had no real appreciation for the price of freedom. Oh, I appreciate freedom. I mean an appreciation for the price of freedom.

I'd like to think that's all changed somewhat. I hope I never have to experience the tragedy that is war. Wouldn't it be wonderful if no one else did either? Here, in Belgium and all across Europe, there are celebrations on our American Memorial Day weekend. It's not a Belgian holiday and there's no day off from work or school. People here commemorate the tens of thousands who lost their lives liberating this country and others. The famous Battle of the Bulge occurred just an hour away from where we live now. The war really was in their backyard.

Yes, we attend commemorative events in the States too, but I never did.

Last year we attended a commemorative event at the Netherlands American Cemetery. This year we will attend another commemorative event at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery here in Belgium. It's about an hour from our house and is the resting place for over 8,000 American soldiers.

At the end of this post is a video describing this cemetery. I found it by visiting a website called American Battle Monuments Commission which gives a brief history of the 24 cemeteries overseas. They are beautifully maintained and a laudable tribute.

Only 1% of our population is a member of the military and the other 99% of us are forever in their debt. If you are able to attend such an event, I recommend it. If not, perhaps take a moment during your family get-together to pay your respects not only to the lost, but also to the living.

This video is on YouTube and has been viewed a mere 64 times. I hope you will make it 65.

Like a Kid in a Candy Store

Thanks to Steve (works for Norbord) and Georgina (his wonderful girlfriend), we learned about an amazing store. The American Food Store. It's about an hour from our house in a little town outside Antwerp.

Ross, his friend Laurel (from Texas) and me took a road trip to this awesome little bodega.

Yes, they have a whole display of nothing but Pop-Tarts.

Instant Jello-O pudding.

Lucky Charms.

Thanksgiving will never be the same. Or it will be the same!

Libby's canned pumpkin and Ocean Spray cranberry jelly.

Jif peanut butter.

And Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows.

It's like I gave them my shopping list!

Campbell's Soup. Pam.

Hormel Chili - No Beans.

A full aisle of Duncan Hines, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker cakes mixes AND canned frosting.

Tootsie Roll Pops, Jolly Ranchers . . .

Unbelievable - Jose' Cuervo Margarita Mix :)

This may sound crazy if you're an American reading this, but none of this is available in Belgium or Germany or Netherlands or France. As far as I know, this little American Food Store which opened in 1962 is the one and only place where you can find all this stuff.

With the exception of the wonderful items Randi (thank you!) has stuffed into her bag when she's visited, I've not laid eyes on any of this for nearly two years!

So, here's my purchase just for today 'cause I'll be back.

Candy corn. Reese's. Jiffy cornbread. Rotel. Nilla wafers.

Did pretty good on this bag of Tootsie Roll Pops. Only one brown to throw away.

DebB, if only it wouldn't cost €10, I'd mail it to you.

Yeah, things were a bit pricey. My whole bill was more than I will reveal and trips to the American Food Store may be few and far between. That can of Lysol up there was €7. That's about $10. This can of Rotel was one of the few items with a sticker on it. That's about $5. Worth it.

This was dinner.

It was a good, no, a GREAT day.

Proost!

We've drank our fair share of Belgian beer since moving here. Probably more than our fair share. I've often said that I never drank beer until we moved to Belgium. Oh, I tasted a few beers in my life, but never considered more than a sip. They simply weren't good.

But that's all behind me now.

There are plenty of official competitions for voting and declaring the best beer in the world. The overall winner for 2011 is a Swedish beer, Narke Kaggen Stormaktsporter which we haven't tasted - yet. The Belgian beer, Westvletern 12 came in at #2 and we've tasted a lot of it. It is a very good, dark beer.

In 2009, it was the same two beers at the top. Ironically, these same two beers held these same positions in 2010 - except in reverse.

And so it goes. Sadly, these particular beers are simply not available in the States.

However, you can drink some fine beers in the States and many are made right here in Belgium.

Just a short walk from Ross's apartment in Leuven, Belgium is the headquarters of AB InBev. In 2010, this huge company had over $36 billion in revenue. The Leuven brewery has been around since the year 1366 and the familiar Anheuser-Busch has been around since 1852.

They now manage over 200 beers including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Bud Light, Becks, Hoegaarden, Michelob, Leffe, Jupiler.

While living in the States, we usually drank wine (and an occasional margarita:) and we amassed quite a collection of bottle corks. They are still around somewhere.

Since living in Belgium, we began a collection of not only wine corks, but we've also kept every bottle cap for those beers we drink at home*.

*does not include those we drink at cafes, pubs, and restaurants. ha.

Ross got this idea to see which beers are our favorite. We had a lot of fun sorting them all out.

Ross's favorite is Grimbergen Blond. That's the bright yellow caps.

My favorite is Kwak. That's the 6 rows at the top. But, but, I don't drink all those others!

Jim's favorite is, well, he likes them all.

Even if you don't get a chance to sample a Kwak, a Grimbergen, or a Westvleteren - if you see Leffe on tap in the States, try it. You won't be disappointed.

Proost! aka Cheers!

Paris . . .

Pa - ree.

This was my fourth visit to Paris. I can hardly believe that statement is true. How many people can say that? Maybe a lot, but I never thought it would be me.

We stayed in another area of Paris this time with few tourists so it felt very different. Naturally we visited all the major sites because this was Josh's first visit to Paris.

As mentioned in one of my quick updates, we took a scenic boat tour down the River Seine. I highly recommend this despite it being mainly for tourists. It is a way to see Paris from a perspective you can't get any other way.

The one thing I noted most on this trip to Paris is the size and scale of everything. Take a look at the Notre Dame Cathedral in comparison to those people climbing the stairs.

I can't remember what this building is, but Jim noted the huge advertising on the side. What a stroke of genius on this ad wizard's part . . . that massive L'Oreal ad is covering scaffolding while the building is being renovated.

The sunset from the Louvre looking down toward the Avenue des Champs-Elysees.

I just love this photo of everyone at the fountain.

This is the Arc de Triomphe, of course. You can see Randi and Josh and get some perspective on the scale of this huge monument.

A view of the Eiffel Tower from our boat cruise.

Here's some real perspective on the size of this thing. Those are people up there!

Paris . . .

I could go there again and again.

Save the Date

Or just pencil it in.

According to the most recent prediction . . . around 6:00 p.m., wherever you are, ironically, the rapture is to come. Today. May 21, 2011.

I suggest you grab a cocktail - it's 5:00 somewhere.

Rapture: noun - joyful ecstasy.

The chosen ones are no longer with us and the rest of us have until - write this down - October 21, 2011 when the world really comes to an end.

This same guy, Harold, predicted this same thing for 1994, but this time he's really, really sure.

Call me crazy, but I decided to go out on a limb and get my hair highlighted since we have dinner plans for "the day after".

Well, it's post 6:00 p.m. here in Hasselt, Belgium and as best I can tell, my little world is intact. I guess I'll have to answer for that whole bag of fun size Snickers I ate as my last meal.

If you're reading this post, apparently you are not one of the chosen ones. Sorry you didn't make the cut. And the world as you know it has not ended. As predicted. Only in America. Again.

I, too, apparently didn't make the cut nor did any Belgian because we're all still here. These wicked Europeans.

You may not know this, but the world was to come to a screeching halt quite a few times since we started keeping up with this (these) important predictions. Here are just a few notable ones:

-Between Mar 21, 1843 & Mar 21, 1844 William Miller predicts Christ's return.

-Oct 22, 1844 William Miller's revised date.

-1891 & 1990 - Mormon "Prophet" Joseph Smith predicts Christ's return(s).

-1914, 1918, 1925, 1942, & 1975 - Jehovah's Witnesses predict the end(s).

-By 1981 - Chuck Smith predicts Jesus will probably return.

-1988 - Edgar C. Whisenant publishes 88 Reasons why the Rapture is in 1988.

-1989 - Edgar C. Whisenant publishes The final shout: Rapture report 1989.

-1993, 1994, & 1997 - Edgar C. Whisenant predicts the end(s).

-Oct 28, 1992 - Korean group "Mission for the Coming Days" predicts the rapture.

-1993 - Multiple predictions for the 7 years of tribulation before the year 2000.

-Jun 9, 1994 - John Hinkle predicts the rapture.

-Sep 6, 1994 - Harold Camping predicts the rapture.

-May 21, 2011 - Harold Camping predicts the rapture . . . again.

Ever heard of cognitive dissonance? It is the theory that individuals will evade evidence and even when presented with undeniable evidence will not only continue to believe as they did before, but will actually be more unshaken in their belief.

Some time after 6:00 p.m., wherever they are, ordinary people will believe the rapture date was simply miscalculated, or God had second thoughts and spared us all, or pledge another donation to Family Radio.

Here's what I predict . . .

(1) another prediction revision will be added to that list

(2) that the world as you know it will end in your death just as it has for every other person who has ever lived and you nor I can predict when that will happen.

And lastly, I predict . . . no, I guarantee, if we concentrate too much on preparing for the afterlife, we may just miss our real life.

Chartres . . . II

This was our second visit to Chartres, but this time the weather was warm and the sun was shining so it seemed different and even more impressive.

As we arrived, the sun was beginning to set.

The next morning the skies were perfectly clear.

Although Frazier and I stayed on the ground,

the rest climbed the tower for a bird's eye view.

The grounds around the cathedral are immaculate and bigger than most of the other cathedrals we've seen.

I suppose it's because most other cathedrals are in large cities, usually in the center of town.

As a result of the sunny day, we could capture the beauty of all the stained glass windows.

There are 176 of these massive windows throughout the church, some dating back to the 1200's.

The hotel with the white umbrella is where we stayed. Although I don't usually brag on hotels, this one appeared to be a one-woman-show and was really nice.

This is one of our quaint little rooms.

And this is the view from our hotel window.

The current cathedral was built between 1193 and 1250. If you haven't visited Chartres, I hope you can some day. We have seen a number of old cathedrals and none can compare, in my opinion.

Dijon

As really only a stopover between the Alps and Paris, we stayed in Dijon, France. It was more than a pleasant surprise.

As we drove along, this view caught my eye. You may remember from a previous post - this is rapeseed used to make canola oil. There are bright yellow fields all over this area.

A street in Dijon. Every street in Dijon looks just about like this one. We saw street after street of old historic buildings. We actually never saw anything new. It was really beautiful.

The picture above and below are the Cathedral de Notre Dame.

Built between the 1220's and 1240's.

The church you can see in the background is the Dijon Cathedral - also known as Cathedral St. Benignus.

The pictures above and below are the Place de la Liberation. The sunset was amazing.

Although Dijon is usually associated with the mustard, the term "Dijon" designates a method of making a strong mustard relish. Over 90% of the mustard seed used to make Dijon mustard today is actually imported from Canada.

Mustard or not, this is a fine city with a plethora of old buildings in excellent condition. I hope to return for another visit.