Guus Bosman

There are two competing library systems in Somerset: the libraries of Somerset County, and the libraries of Franklin Township. According to the librarian at a Somerset County branch the two split up in the 1970's and went their own ways. Since we live on Pierce Street, in the town of Somerset, we weren't welcome in the Somerset County branch, but tonight we were gracefully accepted by the libraries of Franklin Township.

We went to the main library on DeMott street, in a beautiful new facility which looks like it opened last week. In fact it's been in use for almost five years. We applied for a card and borrowed some books for our vacation.

I love libraries. I browsed through this one and found that there were even some Dutch books on the shelves: three, to be precise. All three translations into Dutch from American and British authors, incidentally.

At home I like to walk around in flip-flops. This morning, in a concession to the weather, I put on a sweater and a jacket before going to the leasing office to pick up some coffee. It became clear that wearing flip-flops is not a great idea when the temperature is below freezing, and I made a beautiful slide on the sidewalk in front of our apartment. No damage done, but I did go back and change into shoes.

We had a fun dinner party with the Zanes yesterday; great company and outstanding food.

We drove from Durham to Somerset yesterday, a trip that took us 8 hours and 45 minutes. We had packed most of our things on Friday. Saturday morning we packed the remaining items. We were on the road at 11.45 am, after a stop at the gas station and at Starbucks. We also stopped by the apartment office where Sinterklaas had sent us a very nice present (thank you!)

As soon was we entered Virginia we started seeing snow on the ground and quickly we were driving through a snow storm. Traffic was light though throughout the whole trip and it wasn't freezing yet.

We arrived just in time to do some grocery shopping (the store closes at 9.00 pm here). Comparing NC to NJ? To have to drive to a liquor store 10 minutes away to pick up a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer is silly in NJ, but the bread is definitely better in NJ.

We had a good Thanksgiving weekend. Thursday we cooked a great Bulgarian-American dinner. We went for a long walk twice, and Saturday evening we went out with friends. Saturday morning I went for a long run for the first time in two months and that went very well, to my relief.

I left Durham this morning, and around noon I arrived at the Zanes. Spent a few nice hours there (showed off the new camera) and left for Brooklyn where I went to a Dutch event.

I cooked boerenkool tonight. The new apartment is nice and fully furnished but I discovered that making stamppot without a potato peeler and masher is a lot of work. Instead of rookworst I tried Italian sausage and it was delicious. There is a lot of Italian-American food in the grocery stores here; New Jersey/New York has a strong Italian community.

Today is Thanksgiving Day and today and tomorrow are days off. I like Thanksgiving, it's a relaxed celebration. Sasha and I are celebration it together this year.

Yesterday we went to the store to get our supplies (it was a madhouse with extra police on the parking lot etc). Since turkeys start at 8 pounds or so we'll have a whole chicken instead; that is so much fun to prepare. Mashed potatoes, corn and cranberry sauce will complete the meal.

My brother-in-law Gerben injured himself badly while playing korfbal last weekend; he's back from an operation in the hospital but it will be while before he's back on his feet. Send him a message if you can.