*Ya, click on the illustration to see it in all its' glory*
Roots: My roots are Dutch, 100%...I am a first generation American.
This photo is of the zomerhuis (summerhouse) on my grandparents' farm. The house (at the left edge of the photo) wouldn't fit in the picture.
This is my mother's parents' farm near Voorschoten, Holland. It no longer exists...after the big flood of 1953, this area was turned into a lake, part of the system to control future flood events.
When my grandparents moved into this house in the 1910's, it was already about 150 years old. During WW2, my grandparents hid a Jewish teenager here, in a secret room above the attic in the main house. It was a dairy farm and they held back milk from the Nazis, made their own cheese and hid it, so they would have more food.   They had an orchard on the property and grew all sorts of fruit. The land was fronted by the Oude Rijn River. The farm was on the north side of the river and at the end of the war, the Nazis came in and occupied every house on that side of the River. They had a whole bunch of soldiers who had taken over the barns till the Allies came too close and then they fled. My mom remembers eating tulip bulbs because they were so hungry. She remembers when the Americans dropped boxes of food, which included American chocolate bars, and how they all ate themselves sick. My mother was in her mid-teens when the war started and she was the 3rd of 11 children!
This is what I think of when I hear the terms 'roots'.
Wonderful illustration for this topic. I just love hearing stories of family. I think it's so important to know your history.
Posted by: Arlene | Sunday, September 11, 2005 at 04:59 PM
I don't know if I have commented before on this but if I did forgive me... Great job on the illo/collage and great story, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: patty | Friday, September 09, 2005 at 12:52 PM
I admire your family greatly, and what an inspiring story. It would make a wonderful book.
Posted by: Margaret | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 10:00 PM
So: when will you write this family story so that children (especially) can understand self-reliance, adaptability, family and cooperation? In light of what is going on in New Orleans, it would be helpful to read about how people coped with having to give up their perfectly good house for "the greater good."
Posted by: Sultry Painter Woman | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 08:43 PM
Such a sad story. My Dutch friend tells much the same history of the war years. The illustration goes so well with your family history.
Posted by: Maureen | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 02:45 PM
wow.. i luv hearing survival stories from the WWs.. ive been visiting your blog thru IF and havent realized till now that you were Dutch.. hmm.. im just amazed at the rich art and history the Dutch has.
having a slow server, your illo gradually appeared from the top and i first thought the bg was from a painting of Vermeer, but having read your story, i learned its not.
I just Love Your illo so much...
Posted by: velvet | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 12:12 PM
Wonderful story. I love reading about family history
Posted by: Toni | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 09:43 AM
I like the dutch girl, and the picture behind. It's nostalgic.
Posted by: ange | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 09:30 AM
Great history in your illo, thanks for sharing !
Posted by: rowan-tree | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 06:47 AM
What a wonderful family and history to have.
Posted by: Marilyn | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 05:46 AM
That's what I think of when I think of roots too! I love that you know all about your family!
Posted by: monicalee | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 05:25 AM
Wow, what an amazing background! The house looks so simple and lovely. I'd like to summer there, but without the Nazis.
Posted by: Loretta | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 04:41 AM
Great. So interesting to hear a bit of the story from that house.
Posted by: wynlen | Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 12:07 AM
What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Posted by: Aravis | Wednesday, September 07, 2005 at 11:36 PM
That's what came to mind for me too--ancestry. But I don't think I'm going to get to it this time, sniffle.
Posted by: Laura | Wednesday, September 07, 2005 at 10:05 PM
Wow, I love the story that goes along with your illo! Your dutch girl is lovely!
Posted by: Bertha | Wednesday, September 07, 2005 at 07:30 PM