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

— @HaggardHawks

Monday. The to-do list was frightening in the morning, but I got through most of it in one piece. Even managed to put out the bin on time. Had no time, however, to take photographs today (again), but the above announcement says almost everything that needs to be said about the present moment.

We are still having a Karavan Press poetry launch on Wednesday, but have adjusted the format of the event for safety reasons. I have an idea that it will be our last live event for a while.

I look at the official infection numbers and at the way people ignore the simplest safety regulations and I just can’t help but despair.

I am also tired and monstrual and the only thing that keeps me going right now is that, if the stars align in the next three days, on the evening of the 10th, I will be as happy as a little rat with a huge piece of favourite cheese can be. Because there is a huge piece of my favourite cheese waiting for me, but the path to it is still uncertain …

Good night.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

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

— @HaggardHawks

In Poland, Saint Nicholas does not bring presents on Christmas Day. It is the Little Star that fulfills that function and she does it on Christmas Eve. Saint Nicholas, however, does have a day for gift giving – the 6th of December. And although my brother and I are both ancient, our Mom still insists that we celebrate the day as if we were little kids. This year, though, we decided to do without the exchange of gifts, but we did meet on Skype and exchanged the gift of loving (virtual) company.

Beforehand, a real Sunday morning: with Cats, coffee and Harry Bosch in bed. I have missed this! I still have work to do and spent a few hours at my computer today, but the pace is slower and kinder and I am beginning to feel like I am gradually getting my life back after the insanity of the last few weeks.

I spent the afternoon and evening with my love and he made roast chicken for dinner for us – all humans and cats of both households are going to bed content.

I briefly watched a few interviews with health care workers in the States today – absolutely heart-breaking. The one nurse begging, ‘Please wear a mask, please.’

It’s so simple, and yet …

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

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

— @HaggardHawks

Bosch Binge continues. I finally have some headspace to indulge in leisure reading again. Today, early in the morning in bed and then late afternoon on my love’s couch.

In between, I dealt with tax returns and other admin and some housework. My love cooked a delicious dinner for us. In view of the rising infection numbers, we have cancelled all indoor socialising with friends for the time being. The recent developments are very worrying.

Thank goodness I can read properly again – it is the nicest form of escapism. Although it says a lot about our present reality that the inside of a crime novel feels like the safest place in the world …

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

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

— @HaggardHawks

Eel every it is.

An accidental image that says so much about the surreal quality of our present.

Stood in a loooooong queue at DStv today. It’s also a looooong story. Luckily, there was a happy ending, and Mama TV will still be able to put me to sleep for a looooong time to come.

Thank goodness I took Harry with me and he kept me company during the wait in the customer tent erected as a safety measure in front of the DStv offices. Terrible plot twist though: Eleanor was shot dead in a dodgy Hong Kong hotel!!! And all these books, I have been hoping that she and Harry would get back together again … What a mess!

What else? My shower renovations are complete! I finished everything this morning and will probably waste a lot of water tomorrow when I have my first proper shower in the house since September … No comment!

Everything feels like an eternity nowadays.

I also finished a book review today that I have been writing for the duration of the lockdown (I wish this was an exaggeration, but it isn’t). A million other things got done. By late afternoon, my head was spinning again and I just decided to call it quits and start a fire and open a red (a gift from a Karavan Press author :)). My love came to dinner and we enjoyed braaied chops and wors on the stoep.

And then, I had a wonderful Skype date with my Mom and Krystian – he celebrated his name day today :)

Now, I am ready for bed.

Eel every, I tell you. Good night.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

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

— @HaggardHawks

A live poetry reading! An evening of magic. Balm for the soul.

We launched FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS POINTLESS AND PERFECT by Stephen Symons at the Alma Café tonight. Thank you to Stephen, the Alma Café, and everyone who attended and made this into an exception evening of communal listening as Stephen’s words washed over us like a gentle sea wave of meaning and perfection.

Nothing is easy nowadays, but when it all comes together as it did tonight, all the hope and effort are worth it, and one can go to bed believing in a kinder tomorrow.

Thank you.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

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

— @HaggardHawks

The Book Lounge celebrated their THIRTEENTH birthday today! I met an inspiring woman who loves books as much as I do at the shop and we got our birthday book loot (mine pictured above) and went for coffee to catch up afterwards. The last time I saw her was in February and the world was a completely different place then …

In the evening, I had a simple dinner with my love.

The rest of the day was too much to handle and once again I realised that I am in a really tense and vulnerable space, and I am barely coping. There are a few new year’s resolutions coming – the most important one will be: be kind to yourself and say NO!

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD