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

— @HaggardHawks

Miss Stacey: “In the end, the truth will set you free.”

Remember this scene from Anne of Avonlea? I often think about it. The world doesn’t work that way most of the time, unfortunately, but occasionally, truth prevails and sets one free.

Last night, I woke up at some ungodly hour and felt so awake that I got up and made tea and read for a bit, and then realised that the Tangerine National Convention was just beginning, so I tuned in out of perverse curiosity. Wow. Just wow. If you ever want to see gaslighting in action on a grand scale – that is it. And it’s frightening.

To watch something like this unfold on a world stage is a good reminder of what is possible. Manipulation, abuse of power, blatant lies – all delivered on a tangerine platter, with lethal consequences. Right in front of our eyes. No matter how horrifying, it is also fascinating to witness.

Seeing it, makes me feel helpless and makes me want to despair. I know what it means when the same forces, on a much smaller scale, but no less devastating, invade your private and professional life and wreak merciless havoc. There is only one way to protect yourself: kindness, honesty and transparency at all times. Plus constant vigilance. Even then, the odds are against you, but at least your conscience is clear, your integrity intact. And sometimes, when you are lucky and have good people around you, truth does set you – and others – free. Today, was such a day. A day of small triumphs. Of reassurance – that one should never give up on the goodness all around. We need to search it out, support it, treasure it and make it shine.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD