Welcome to the new Kims
Gorgeous weather
Pretty plants on the balcony
Barbecue with friends
Simeon relaxing
Finding time to enjoy each other
According to the Ferret we just had the best 4th of July he’s ever had. Except for the lack of explosions.
We had a great afternoon hanging out with friends at our place. We had made the balcony and sun room pretty with lots of new plants, cozy cushions and patriotic decorations. We enjoyed the incredibly nice weather over a potluck barbecue and an animated game of Pictionary.
The Ferret made Chicago style hot dogs, albeit largely adjusted as he could not find any dill pickles or sport peppers here. I went for a friend’s recommendation and made the bananas with brown sugar and rum. Yumm.
Thanks to everyone who was there and shared America’s birthday with us. Thank you for your food and your friendship.
The newspapers finally reported on something that actually qualifies as news: the Belgian government has agreed on something and a real change is pending with the blessing of the king.
As of the retirement or death of our current king, only the crown prince(ss) will receive a dotation from the Belgian tax payers, and only if and when that person is considered by the government to act in a manner appropriate for their function.
Today the entire royal family receives a dotation, sometimes on top of revenues from private entrepreneurial activities. Come the next king or queen, the rest of the family can get a job like everyone else. The only exceptions are the current crown prince’s brother and sister, whom royalists feel would be treated too cruelly if their dotations were taken away now at their age.
Still. This is a big step forward in a country where politicians mainly try to outnag each other. We’re not quite there yet, but I’m sure the verbal battle between republicans and royalists will continue for decades to come.
