OYSTERHOOD is reclusiveness or solitude, or an overwhelming desire to stay at home.

— @HaggardHawks

A long, deep sleep; the TV kept watch. After waking up, I immediately moved to my bedroom with coffee and treats and a manuscript I am supposed to write a reader’s report on. Salieri joined me, of course.

Everything I do needs her paw of approval. We stayed in bed for a long time, reading the manuscript and articles online, watching Wild Earth and just staring into space. This article about Peter Piot was important to read:

‘Finally, a virus got me.’ Scientist who fought Ebola and HIV reflects on facing death from COVID-19

By the time we got up the sun was shouting: ‘Swim!’ We are experiencing an unusually warm autumn, me thinks, because I don’t recall ever swimming in May…

Guess who was waiting for me in the pool :)

dav

The Frog Prince allowed to be photographed, but refused to pose for a selfie! And when I looked into the pool wire where he spends most of his time, I saw a few bees and beetles floating around. Dead. Is this what happens to damsels in distress when they kiss the amphibian? I do wonder what frogs eat… Luckily, a little water rat is still bigger than a frog, and I know what the French eat and have tasted their delicacies before – surely one can find easy frog legs recipes online…

The Cats loved being in the garden with me, during the sunbathing, the swim and afterwards when I tackled the ‘lawn’ mowing. Our ‘lawn’ is as wild as the rest of the garden, so I am not sure it deserves the designation, but it definitely looked more respectable after the trimming.

I celebrated a job well done with a piña colada on the ‘lawn’ and Mozart came to investigate what I was having. I did share my olives with him earlier, but I did not allow him to have a sip, just a sniff. A drunk, blind cat is not a good idea. He settled for some cuddles instead.

Skyping with my love, I could report that my cheeks don’t get sore any longer. In general, my anxiety levels are much lower than even a week ago. Not that my situation has changed in any way, if anything it is becoming more dire as I begin to understand what the pandemic indicates for our futures, but the survival instinct is a powerful drive, and it amazes me every time what circumstances one can actually get used to in relatively short periods of time. One shouldn’t be able to, but one does. Sometimes, it’s the only way forward.

There are always Ribbon and her gorgeous cubs to make one smile. And elephants.

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Stay at home. Dream of kisses.

“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”

— NICD

PS A Lana Del Rey kind of evening.