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

— @HaggardHawks

Sunday lunch with a view. A joyous all-afternoon affair with my love and lovely friends, great food and the most divine Italian wines. I was responsible for the starter and went for one of my favourites, Jamie Oliver’s ‘limoni di amalfi cotti al forno’.

If you can’t go to Italy, you can bring Italy to you. Bella Italia is a generous guest at any table and today she graced us with some of the best tastes she has on offer. Does one call this ‘taste travel’?

The day began with reading (armchair travel – Uzbekistan today) and some work and a radio interview about the Philida Literary Award with Sara-Jayne Makwala King. I was unusually nervous, but I think it went well. Next week, Sara-Jayne will be speaking to the 2021 winner, Qarnita Loxton. Looking forward!

After the interview, I phoned my Mom to wish her sto lat! (Happy birthday in Polish.) I sang and we had a short chat and will be meeting on Skype later tonight to celebrate virtually.

Here is a photograph of us in Kalk Bay harbour (we bought fresh fish) when she visited me two years ago. She now has shoulder-long lockdown hair, but otherwise looks the same. And she is still as young at heart as ever. It hasn’t been always obvious, but the bond we share today is one of the greatest treasures of my life. She is a wonderful woman and the best mother one could wish for. Our Miś (teddy bear).

I wished her health and I wished us a safe and happy reunion somewhere on this planet this year.

On my way to my love today, I listened to a Madonna song and the lyrics have been in my head all day long:

I can’t be Superhero right now
Even hearts made out of steel can break down
I’m not Joan of Arc, not yet
I’m only human

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD