Ama
Last week we said goodbye to my mother-in-law, the undisputed matriarch of our family. Her primary role was that of grandmother and great-grandmother, and following the lead of her first grandchild, we all called her Ama. From her apartment in Amstelveen, she surveyed the world and provided it with razor-sharp commentary. Sitting there in her chair, reading and watching TV, she was the most visited grandmother in the Western Hemisphere. A visit guaranteed a fine conversation
6 days ago3 min read
Consume yourself
We have had busy weeks here at Montecanino. Partly, that had to do with my sixtieth birthday; partly, it was a result of the fact that the house is now—more or less—finished and therefore can and must be used for guests. For instance, we hosted a lovely drinks gathering for all our neighbours; an incredible party week with children, their partners, grandchildren, and our brothers and sister, 25 people in total; a fantastic weekend with eleven of my best friends from Eindhoven
Oct 113 min read
Italian adventure 2
I bend the wire fence a bit further open, and we climb through the gap. There we stand. Like two curious fauns in an enchantingly beautiful Arcadia. We wade through the grass, taking in everything around us. A flock of crows startles and flies up into the air. We walk uphill, toward the house. We reach the driveway, which connects the house to the closed gate. The path is a bit overgrown, which is compensated for by beautifully blooming rosebushes on either side. On a stone c
Jul 294 min read
Erman, Erman!
Day five at home, following double pneumonia. And suddenly, there it is again—that old, familiar surge of energy. I feel it pulling through my body. We can move forward again! Plans are tumbling over one another, the lists of projects write themselves. The party lasts for four days. Then it crashes again. And ever since, it’s hit me almost every day. Waking up in a sweat, that vague feeling of simply being sick. No fever, nothing measurable. Just plain rotten. Naturally, my m
Jul 222 min read
Italian Adventure 1
I’ve been discharged from the hospital! Nowhere near fully back on my feet yet, but at least I’m home. But wait a minute—home? You were suddenly in an Italian hospital! And you mentioned moving?? You haven't told us anything about that! Yes, that’s true. And that is why I’m now going to take you along on our Italian Adventure. A compelling serial story in who-knows-how-many parts. Read along with me! It all started two years ago, when the Amsterdam summer turned out to be so
Jul 55 min read
Going Home
Another week has already flown by since I entered the hospital. And today, I get to go home. As has been the case every single time so far, this fills me not only with joy, but also with anxiety. The white world of the hospital offers routine, quiet, and protection. Whatever goes wrong—breathlessness or a sweat-soaked bed—with the push of a button, the cavalry comes rushing in. Should I suddenly take a turn for the worse, I don't have to call an ambulance; I am already in the
Jul 31 min read
Off Track
I wrote the piece below a week ago. Little did I know then that this was merely the calm before the storm... Once again, I am completely off track. Or rather, my body is acting strange. After a perfectly fine week, it suddenly decided to go into full rebellion. Zero energy, flu-like symptoms, a headache, aching all over. My Garmin watch confirms this: body battery almost empty, take some rest! What do you think I’ve been doing for the past 48 hours?! I’ve been flat on my back
Jul 14 min read
