Jet Boeke's Work

For over 30 years now, Jet has been making books about Tummy Tom. The first story appeared in 1978.

Jet starts with a writing a story-line, then makes the illustrations. Once those are done, she hands them to her friend Arthur van Norden, who writes the text for the books. Usually, one or two new books a year, sprout from Jet's creative brain.

Tummy Tom was inspired by Jet Boeke's own cat. However, her cat was white and since that would not go over well on TV, she made him orange. He died in 1994.

Jet also does illustrations for other writers, every now and then. Occasionally, a book from her is published which is not about Tummy Tom.

Dikkie Dik (or Tummy Tom as he is called in English) is the most famous cat in The Netherlands. His books are not only funny, but very educational as well. The escapades of this naughty orange cat have taught small children a lot.

His stories are still regularly read out loud on the Dutch version of Sesame Street. The Tummy Tom books are considered, and were declared the best-loved books, at the annual congress for Dutch day-care organizations.

About Jet Boeke

Jet Boeke is an illustrator of children's books and was born on October 28, 1948 in Wagening, The Netherlands.

Jet was born as the youngest of 6 children. I could not find any other family background, but we can safely assume, she had a father and a mother. :-) In case I stumble upon more family history, I will edit this post and share it with you.

After she graduated from the MMS, she attended the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, where she studied graphic design. She had actually wanted to become a silversmith, or an industrial developer. But she chose a different direction.

After her education, she and her friend Arthur van Norden, traveled the States, Mexico and Central America, for about 2 years. While spending some time in New York, she met an illustrator, who made short animation movies for Sesame Street. This children's program was not aired on the Dutch TV at that time and Jet saw it for the first time on the American television and was very excited about it.

Upon her return, she found out there was a Dutch version of Sesame Street in the makings. She contacted the producers, who told her to come up with an idea for toddlers. She started making sketches about her cat, who was her inspiration and. Arthur van Norden wrote the text for the illustrations and... Dikkie Dik (or Tummy Tom in English) was born.

Jet is still very active as an illustrator and many adventures of Tummy Tom have and still are speaking to toddlers' imagination all over the world.

Jet lives in Amsterdam, in the company of two cats.

See also:
Jet Boeke's Work
Jet Boeke's Economical Impact

Crucial Tips That Can Save Your Life

It is really sad, how unsafe life can be and how many people get hurt these days. We have to protect ourselves, but sometimes we are not even aware how we make ourselves an easy target.

Because of the recent abductions in daylight hours, here are some things to do in an emergency situation. Please, keep them in mind. They can save your life!

After reading these 9 crucial tips, share them with someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do:
The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned from a tourist guide in New Orleans:
If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you. The chances are, that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit there, doing their checkbook, or making a list, adjusting their make-up, etc. DON'T DO THIS!
The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

If someone is in the car with a gun to your head, DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead, gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run.
This is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans, while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator, instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic. STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who always played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle, or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.'

He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby.

This should probably be taken seriously. because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America 's Most Wanted this past Saturday, when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.

Again, share this with all the women you know. It may save a life. You may want to pass it onto men, as well, so they can share it with their wives, daughters, mothers, etc. It and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life, or that of a loved one.

A Riddle

Here is a riddle for you. I thought it was pretty nifty.
Apparently, 80% of kids attending kindergarten got the answer, compared to 17% of Stanford University seniors. I never figured out the answer. It had to be told to me. I wonder where I classify???

No, that is not the riddle. Here it is:

'What is greater than God and more evil than the devil? The poor have it, the rich need it, and if you eat it, you'll die?'
~Paul Harvey.

For those among you, who do not know who Paul Harvey is (like yours truly), I will bring you up to date.

Paul Harvey is an American radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He broadcasts News and Comment on weekday mornings and mid-days, and at noon on Saturdays. He is also famous and well known for his 'The Rest of the Story' segments.

Well..., did you get the answer? Maybe you ended up like me. After straining my brain, I came up with nothing. :-)

Unexpected, But Pleasant

The babies are here! What an unexpected pleasant surprise.

Their Dad dropped them and their Mom off, before going in to work. Yeah, it was pretty early, 5.45 AM. That's okay, we usually are up earlier then that.

Our daughter has got some laundry to do and both boys have already been fed, playing outside and taken a bath. Right now, they are both down for a nap. At least... we think so. We will see. :-)

I already got some cute little occurrences to share with you. The day is not over yet, though. Grin.

SpongeBob Smarty Pants

Little Kc's Birthday party went very well, last Sunday. The critter(s) got spoiled, as usual.

Since he is growing so fast, he got lots of clothes as well. It was funny to watch him unwrap his presents. He would dig in the gift bags. The toys were checked out and played with, the clothes got dumped behind him on the floor. He did not pay any attention to those. He will. He always shows the prints on his Tees and he got plenty of show off. :-)

Since he loves to watch SpongeBob Square Pants, he got a backpack, a hat and a T-shirt with this cartoon figure on it. After dressing him up and out, he looked like a little SpongeBob himself.

He did not like wearing the backpack, until he discovered how the zipper worked and he found out that the cars he got fitted in there.

He sat down in my lap. Zipped and unzipped the backpack and took the cars out, one by one and showed them to me. We played with them and even staged a few minor car accidents. When it was time for him to go home, we put the cars back in the pack and he zipped it up himself.

And off he went, our little SpongeBob Smarty Pants. :-)

Two Years Old

Our oldest grandson turned two, last Sunday. A party was planned, but had to be postponed due to the passing away of the boys' great-grandma. She passed away on the Thursday before Kc's Birthday.

Today is the 'big' day however. He will have his party and it will be held at our home. Just like Leo's party, it was planned to be held outside in a park, where the kids could play. Due to the rain, the plan had to be adjusted.

Their apartment is a bit too small to seat everyone. Even though it got sprung on us at the last minute, we don't mind at all. We are looking forward to it.

Two years already. How time flies. :-)

A Fragrant Bargain

Not one day goes by, without me wearing perfume. I don't feel good without it. There are three fragrances by the same designer, which are my favorites.

Mostly, a designer fragrance is not a cheap perfume. You can lay down a pretty penny for it. That is, if you buy it at the stores. Unfortunately, the one that I love the most, is not sold in the stores here. That does not present a problem.

I order online, where my designer perfume is offered in abundance and for a lot less money as well. It is the best solution for me. I can purchase my perfume at a cheaper price from my lazy chair and it is delivered right at my door.

I don't have to leave home and when I do, I don't leave home without it. :-)

A Big Brother's Reprimand

Our grandsons stayed with us for a few hours, last Monday. It is cute to see, how Leo is getting around, following his brother everywhere and of course, getting in to mischief by himself. He is clearly testing his boundaries.

When Opa went in to the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee, the boys were right on his heels. Little Leo pulled open one of the cabinets and Opa told him "No, no!" Of course, all the little rascal did, was give him a big grin. Again Opa told him "No" and then .... big brother stepped in.

Kc positioned himself right in front of Leo, looked him straight in the eye and with a bit of a raised, but determined voice, got on to his brother. It was plain and obvious to anyone, who observed this little scene. In his own language, he was making clear to Leo, that opening cabinets was not allowed.

The message must have gotten across. Leo did not open them anymore, after his brother's reprimand.

Divined Art

Being from the Netherlands, I have never seen an Armadillo up close and personal. They are not around there and the only ones I did see here, were road-kills. Not a pretty sight.

For some unknown reason, those creatures appeal to me. I know it sounds crazy, but I would love to have one for a pet, haha. Outside of course, where it could eat it's little belly full whenever it wanted.

I got up this morning and had not even had a sip of my coffee, when Mia our dog went ballistic. She barked and growled and ran to the neighbor's fence. I looked over to see what got her all riled up and there it was: an Armadillo. Alive! Foraging in the yard. What a treat.

We took some pictures, but they turned out a bit too dark. It doesn't matter. I got to watch it for a while and was grateful to finally have seen a live one. I can only say one thing.

God is quite an artist! :-)

A Good Laugh

I kind of feel 'blah' today and was thinking, there could be several among you, who might feel the same way. Laughter works wonders and maybe you could use a good laugh.

I don't get that many funnies, but those I do get are being saved. I never know what they may be good for. Well, this is one of those time, I think they can be put to proper use.:-)

Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dental appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears, hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

I hope you are feeling better! :-)

The Pit

While I was about to go into the kitchen, I asked hubbie if I could get him anything. His grinning reply was: "Yeah, money! Lots of money!"
I put down my cup, stretched out my arm and started shaking my sleeve. Of course nothing rolled out of it. "Sorry, it's empty!"

A little time passed till I got this e-mail. Those spammers sure know how to find you, no matter what you do, but this one had me burst out in laughter. It was from one of those lenders and it said: Refinance your ARM today!

Ain't that the pits!! I guess they forgot to add it would cost me an arm and a leg as well, hehe.

I think I will pass their offer. I rather lean on the everlasting arm! He has and is providing all we need. :-)

A Kid's Perception Part II

Kids are so cute. Their simply, uncomplicated perception on life, can result in funny statements and beliefs. I can't help but admire the simplicity of perception, observations and innocence of children. Their minds do not go in to the depths of the why, what, how, or when.

Their believes may not always be true, but a lot of times, they hit the nail right on the head. Just take a look at these answers:

When is it okay to kiss?
- The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
Curt, age 7.

-When they are rich.
Pam, age 7.

Is it better to be single, or married?
- It is better for girls to be single, but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
Anita, age 9.

How would the world be different, if people didn't get married?
- There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
Kelvin, age 8.

How would you make a marriage work?
-Tell your wife she looks pretty. Even if she looks like a dump truck.

Ricky, age 10.

Sometimes, I wish I would still have that innocent mind of a child. Things would be a lot less complicated. It makes me wonder, why we do that.

I suspect, if we didn't, we would have more time to smell the roses. On the other hand, a lot of wrong decisions would be made. I guess, both have their advantages and it would be great if we found the balance.

My Party

Hiiii!!! Leo here.
I wanted to share my Birthday party with y'all. I turned one last Friday and we had my party on Saturday, at a small play-ground. It was great fun. Not that it made much sense to me. I still am not quite sure, why I got all those new toys, but I sure loved the cake!

I had it all to myself. I did not really know what to do with it at first, but mom showed me. She grabbed my hand, pushed it in the cake and gave me a taste. Well, after that there were no more questions on my part, haha. I dug in with both hands, iced my mouth, eye-lashes and even my hair.

Oma did not mind all that mess. When I was determined to get out of my chair, she just lifted me out and I got it all over her as well. She said, I was a 'sweet' boy, literally and asked if she could get some sugar. I don't know what she was laughing about. After having consumed one of the little iced cup cakes, Opa had to point out to her, that there was icing showing at the corners of her mouth. Geezzz, Oma. That is the typical pot, calling the kettle black. Grin.

Big brother enjoyed the cup cakes as well. At least the icing on the cake. After having munched off the colored icing and eaten half of it, he took a shot at the other cakes and managed to scoop up a handful of that sweet blue substance. Oma thought he looked like a smurf afterwards.

I got so many toys! Or rather, we did. Kc got some as well and it was not even his Birthday yet. Nope, he has to wait 4 more days and then.... Party Time again!

I so hope we go to the same play-ground. I loved the swing, but most of all the slide. It was electrifying. But that is another story, hehe.

Y'all have a great and blessed day now. This 'sweet' boy is still trying to come down from his sugar-fix. Grin.

A Kid's Perception

When we were over for a visit, my mother in law gave me a few pages to read, she had printed out. She had received them in an e-mail and thought they were too funny.

I started reading them and had to stop several times, because I was laughing so hard, I could not read on. I asked her if I could borrow them, to put in a post and she did not mind at all.

Here they are. I hope you get a good laugh out of them as well.

How do you decide who to marry?
- You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
Alan, age 10.

- No person really decides before they grow up, who they are going to marry. God decides it all the way before and you get to find out later, who you are stuck with.
Kristen, age 10.

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
- You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
Derrick, age 8.

What do most people do on a date?
- Dates are for having fun and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say, if you listen long enough.
Lynetter, age 8.

- On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough, to go for a second date.
Martin, age 10.

Kids, they are always so cute. You gotta love them. . :-)

There are several more questions and answers, but I will post those another time. Feel free to share these with your family and friends. We all can use a good laugh.