Inspired by Wooden Shoes

My passion is the Netherlands. I was born in Michigan, the state with the highest Dutch population in the United States. But several objects in my childhood home are what inspired my love for Holland. In fact, a pair of miniature wooden shoes that belonged to my mother found their way into my novel.

I began writing and telling stories as a child, and wrote poems to my mother, enclosing them in May Day baskets and Mother's Day gifts. When I was a teenager, the neighborhood kids would gather in our backyard at the gym set, and ask me to tell them a story. Sadly, I don't remember any of those tales. Later, I made up stories for my children on our long trips out west.

In fifth grade, my interest turned to romance. When I read about the building of the railroad across the nation, the caption, "The two met in Utah," brought no image of eastern and western teams meeting to connect their rails. Instead, I envisioned a young couple's rendezvous. But this scenario never developed into a story.

I can even claim a Dutch relative, though I never knew him. My mother's great or great, great grandfather came to America by ship in his wooden shoes. I would have loved to have known him and to hear him tell of his life in the Netherlands.

If you are Dutch, or have visited the Netherlands, or are interested in or intrigued by this country, I would love to hear from you and have you share your knowledge and experiences with me. And even if you're not Dutch and you have no Dutch-related adventures to write about, I'd still love to hear from you.

                  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.  Proverbs 25:11