Hella

A few years ago I watched a documentary on the writer Hella Haasse. It was an interview, held in her own appartment in the centre of Amsterdam. Watching this documentary I recognised the place, the view from her window. It was almost in the park that is my backyard, close to the city centre, and on my way into and home from work. I often walk past there on my way to the centre. From the day I saw that documentary I always looked up to that building as I cycled or walked past and thought of the lady in there.

Over the years I have read most of her books, I have enjoyed them, almost lived them, and they have come alive for me in other ways too. On a cycling holiday in the eastern part of the country I recognised the landscapes and houses she described in the Dutch historical novels, and I could see the world she created in them. I could just imagine running into one of the characters.

Watching her on television she always struck me as a very sensible, kind person. The kind of person you would like to get to know. She seemed like a person with a strong opinion, a sense of humour and great compassion, which is what you find in her books as well. An intelligent woman.

When I read that she had died it was a shock. She was 93, I knew she was frail, but still. Knowing that she is no longer in that building at the entrance to the park is a sad thought, and it will be a while before I don't look up anymore.

Oma

Three generations

My grandmother's birthday again. She was born 102 years ago, and she died 42 years ago. When she was born most of the twentieth century was still to come. Neither Amundsen nor Scott, nor anyone else, had reached the South Pole. No big wars to end all wars yet. Hardly any cars or trains, no real big cities, very few people taking holidays abroad. When she died, at the end of the sixties, there were no computers, no mobile phones, just a couple of tv channels. We have come so far in such a short time, and it feels like an entire way of life has vanished in just one generation.

Life is Skittles

Meteorologists everywhere tell me spring started today. So can one of them also tell me why my feet are so cold, why I am shivering even though I have the heating on? I know my house isn't the best insulated in the street, but still. Those same meteorologists also tell me that temperatures will go below zero during the nights still this week. So I will continue to be cold for a while. And yet again, in the tree opposite my living room window this afternoon I saw a couple of pigeons. Very romantic, obviously preparing for spring. So I guess, it's just around the corner, really, just around the corner. And if I try really hard, I can see it heading this way. Slowly.

Wellness

I have rediscovered the sauna. Over the past couple of years life was busy. Always rushing, not necessarily achieving all that much, but rushing anyway. And just lately, I have taken the time to go swimming again. Not feeling rushed, but taking my time. And after swimming I sit or lie down and relax in the sauna. I get warm, just lie there, and there isn't anything else I can do really. I guess you need to make sure you don't fall asleep, but that is more or less it. Lie back, close your eyes and get nice and warm. I like that in these cold winter times. After spending much of the day in the house, getting a bit chilly, it is just lovely to get warmed up again. And to be forced not to do anything except soak up the heat. A girl could get used to that.

Lenette

There is a very Dutch theatre art form, cabaret. It is comedy, sometimes political, topical, which goes a little beyond comedy. The best performers manage to make you laugh till your sides hurt, while making you think as well. They all have their own message, their own style, their own brand of humour. I have my favourites.

One of the best is Lenette van Dongen. After hearing it all from the men, it is good to hear modern life as experienced by a woman. It is a different perspective, and one closer to my own. I went to see her new programme, and it was all it should be. Not too much politics, but plenty of modern life in all its absurdities. The latest trends in outdoor gear, compulsive happiness, social media, electric toothbrushes all made an appearance. At times maybe a little too close for comfort. So, yes, I laughed, I recognised what Lenette said, I even have that very electric toothbrush. So I took the message home, but it didn't weigh me down. Just right.

Guilty Pleasures

Over the weekend I went over to have dinner with a couple of friends. On the way I went to get some chocolates for them. Not just chocolates, actually, but Puccini chocolates, the most exquisite little chocolate works of art you can find here in Amsterdam, and some of the most unusual flavours. And just as I had ordered a box for my friends I heard myself ordering a second one. Just for me. Not a big box, the smallest they have. But still. I did feel guilty, carrying this box home, these lovely big pieces of chocolate with all their exotic tastes.

And over the past few days I have eaten them all. Cranberry, Pecan, Mint, Vanilla Poppyseed, Rum Currant, Honey, Rhubarb. Getting the box out in the morning, taking one, checking in the little booklet which one it was, then slowly taking small bites and enjoying the taste. Repeating the same ritual in the evening, always taking just the one. So, guilty? Just a little. Pleasure? A great deal.

Cricklewood

I subscribe to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography's daily email, which means I get the life story of a king, a queen, a statesman, an artist, a scientist in a daily email. Someone famous, someone who has made a contribution to society, a life written down in a few hundred words. If you check the website you get a picture as well. Sometimes I don't take the time to read the life, sometimes I learn something new about someone I already knew something about, and sometimes I make the acquaintance of an unknown.

Today it was the life story of our man in Cricklewood, and that can be only one man. I first heard the voice of Alan Coren when I started listening to the News Quiz, many years ago. I loved listening to the man's voice and to his stories. He was able to tell a story with passion, with just the right turn of phrase, and could hold your attention. When he was on a roll I could be laughing aloud for a while, just listening to him talk. He told stories in a way only he could, and you never quite knew where he was heading. His dancing lesson from the sergeant was a great example, and from the way he told the story you could see it all happening right in front of
your eyes. And just once he burst into song, and gave a wonderful rendition of Lili Marleen, in German, much to the amazement of the others on the News Quiz, and, I'm sure, many members of the audience. I used to record the programme on cassette and listen to the various episodes over and over again. Listening to old recordings the same stories can still make me laugh every time.

Some people in your life have the power to bring a smile to your face when you hear or see their name, when you see their picture or hear their voice. Usually these are people you know personally, that you care about and that you share good memories with. And just occasionally it is someone you don't know personally, but who has made you laugh. Alan Coren is one of those people for me, listening to his stories again brings a smile to my face, reading his life story did as well.