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

— @HaggardHawks

A miracle! That is how this feels. After more than a decade of refusing to bloom, my amaryllis has decided to showcase its glory again!

It is fitting. This is a time of hardship and miracles. Most days, I sit down at my computer and am overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done and the sense of it all being somehow futile when there are so many more important things than books to consider for survival. (Although, obviously, some of us cannot imagine survival without books …)

A week ago, I was in despair. Today I think: we will somehow make it, Karavan Press and I. And we have been saved by not one, but several miracles. And the kindness of friends, loved ones and strangers.

Last weekend, someone offered to make something nearly impossible possible – just like that! And two days later, almost everything is in place to fulfill a dream for an author I am publishing.

I also met a woman who had read my own books and spoke kindly about them. Her comments made me realise once again how crucial sharing of feelings and insights can be, even when it is done unconsciously and between complete strangers: a writer and her readers.

We stumble on, do not give up believing. Two Karavan Press books are ready for distribution – I picked up a few boxes from the printer today. I will be delivering author’s copies later this week – always a pleasure.

Tonight, I go to bed with renewed hope in my heart.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD