WHEN THE SHOES FIT …
TODAY has been a very mild, cloudy day — perfect for a cycle, some outdoor visiting and delightful conversation.
I set out on my bicycle to visit Klamer and Cathy Eggens, a lovely Dutch couple who live in my neighbouring community of Pitt Meadows. Their daughter Monika is the co-captain of the Canada Water Polo team and has recently returned from the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She had brought me some momentos from her trip and Klamer wanted to share some of his very successful garden crops with me. The visit turned into much more.
Cathy met me in the front yard and together we went to the back to find Klamer tending to the beautiful garden. They gave me the grand tour, with ziplock bags in hand, and I was happily gifted with some fabulous beets, 2 types of potatoes, kale and garlic. My keen eyes spotted a ripe strawberry and at that moment I was invited to take it! I did and it was so delicious — nothing like a berry straight off the vine.
Later Klamer gave me a jar of blackberry purée and prepared garlic. He is a baker by profession but he is also a fabulous cook, so he gave me some great tips on how to cook up some of my medley. I can hardly wait to enjoy some of those very fresh veggies.
While on the back porch, we enjoyed refreshments and speculaas cookies, and engaged in a lot of interesting conversation about the Olympics, the local aquafit program, interesting spots in the community, a must-go-to shoe store, a well-hidden kitchen store, and retail spots to find familiar Dutch delicacies. My “To Do” list has increased exponentially for future cycling treks for sure.
Just before I left, Cathy asked me if I ever had a speculaas sandwich. I hadn’t so she told me how it is made and I will look forward to trying it out soon — two slices of bread, buttered. Add a speculaas cookie in between; let it sit for a while, and then eat the most scrumptious sandwich ever! Leave it to the Dutch to come up with something like that!
Cathy also mentioned the local shoe store. Patten and Buckle Fine Footwear is a place I have seen often, but never entered. Since we are now at this end of the Covid era, I decided to step into that shoe store to have a look en route home. I am sure glad I did. They have a very impressive selection and all footwear items with an orange sticker are an additional 30% off. I bought two beautiful pairs of sandals — a Josef Seibel and a Clarks. It was a great way to round out a wonderful day!
I have entitled this story “When the Shoes Fit …”: Whether the shoes are just shoes or metaphors of “shoes” like comfortable friends, enlightening conversation or a bounty of fresh veggies, if it feels right then value the connection, savour the moments, and celebrate the many pleasures that come from “shoes” that do actually fit: real friendships, respectful conversation, insight, recommendations, and no bothersome blisters! If shoes or “shoes” give you “blisters”, throw them out!
Thank you Klamer and Cathy for your friendship and for this very enlightening and bountiful visit.
Antoinetta DeWit
August 2021
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