SCENE ON THE STREET : Trying Out a New Roll

Once upon a time, in fact twice upon two times, because it happened two winters in a row, a thick quilt of warmth settled on tiny Holland.

Tulip bulbs sulked. Windmills’ arms hung by their sides. With no frozen canals to use, skaters (almost everyone in Holland except tourists) felt their lives turn to mush under their feet.

Then Rollerblades were invented. And in far-off Pasadena and Altadena, roller-skaters like these have skated happily ever since.