Martha was born on a dairy farm in Friesland, a northern province in the Netherlands. She loved horse back riding, dressing up in the traditional Friesian costume and writing books for all her dolls and stuffed animals.
As a kindergarten teacher, she made puppets and wrote puppet plays for her students.
In 1981, she moved to Canada with my husband, Albert and children, Romkje, Sjoerd and Rikst. They settled in North Bay, Ontario.
To learn the new, English language she went to university and obtained a B.A. and B.Ed. She became a kindergarten teacher for the second time and started writing stories and poems for her students, but this time in the English language. While taking creative writing courses at Canadore College, she was encouraged to submit her stories to publishers. After many years of trying, her dream came true and in 1995 she became a published author, when her YA novel A Time to Choose, was published by Orca Book Publishers, in Victoria BC.
As a kindergarten teacher, she made puppets and wrote puppet plays for her students.
In 1981, she moved to Canada with my husband, Albert and children, Romkje, Sjoerd and Rikst. They settled in North Bay, Ontario.
To learn the new, English language she went to university and obtained a B.A. and B.Ed. She became a kindergarten teacher for the second time and started writing stories and poems for her students, but this time in the English language. While taking creative writing courses at Canadore College, she was encouraged to submit her stories to publishers. After many years of trying, her dream came true and in 1995 she became a published author, when her YA novel A Time to Choose, was published by Orca Book Publishers, in Victoria BC.
Albert and I are very concerned about the future of our planet.
We are continuously trying to reduce our carbon footprint. In 2004, we built an off-the-grid straw bale home,
which became an educational site for students and families, who are interested in sustainable living. We adore our six beautiful grandchildren and wish for them to enjoy this beautiful planet.
We are continuously trying to reduce our carbon footprint. In 2004, we built an off-the-grid straw bale home,
which became an educational site for students and families, who are interested in sustainable living. We adore our six beautiful grandchildren and wish for them to enjoy this beautiful planet.
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In 2016, Bijke, joined our family and he has been so much fun. Bijke is a 'Stabij Houn', one of the five rarest dog breeds in the world. This breed originated in Friesland, the Netherlands, and is becoming popular in North America.
In 2023, Albert and I moved to Vancouver Island, to be closer to family. We miss our beautiful off-grid straw bale home, but our new home offers much inspiration for new stories and writing projects.
In 2023, Albert and I moved to Vancouver Island, to be closer to family. We miss our beautiful off-grid straw bale home, but our new home offers much inspiration for new stories and writing projects.