Hup Holland Hup!

     After 12 hours of sleep, I'm myself again!  We are staying in a bed & breakfast in Lierop, a small village in the south of Holland.  The owners have a delightful garden which we can see from our dining table.  There are three resident hens who give us fresh eggs for breakfast.  They reside in a charming chicken coop in the garden.  I am especially envious of an urn overflowing with pink fuchsias.  I've never been able to keep fuchsias alive through a Kentucky summer!

World Cup Fever is everywhere, and the Dutch are fervent supporters of their team. Shops and homes are decked out in orange flags and signs saying "Hup Holland Hup!"   I can't wait till Friday, when Holland plays Brazil, to watch the crowds go crazy. This shop display advertises different packages available for showing your support of the Dutch national team.

We have been watching "The Hiding Place," which is the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family, who worked to help Jews escape occupied Holland during WWII.  Their Christian faith was incredible.  I can't imagine how I would act under such circumstances, but I'm certain I couldn't be as loving and faithful as Corrie and her sister Betsie.  We plan to tour their home in Haarlem tomorrow.