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

— @HaggardHawks

Isn’t she a beauty? The first of the flowers are open and I am awed.

I also had a closer look at my mad Olive Thrush, whom I have renamed my ‘Rosebank Glasspecker’. He is still at it, relentlessly fighting off his reflection rival in one of my windows. I cleared most of the branches in front of the window, put up post-it notes all over the glass to break the reflection, but he does not give up. I am not certain he can still see the ‘other’ bird, but he is really worked up by the idea of the rival – imaginary or not. And there he still was this afternoon, huffing and puffing, throwing himself against the glass and pecking away at it as if his life depended on it. If I did not know better, I would say he was trying to get inside …

A busy working day, but without tensions. In the morning, I briefly visited the Book Lounge and that made me feel better about the world. Bookshops do that.

I had every intention to swim today, but the day ran away with me. I did prepare a simple braai for my love after work – and the fire and the company also made me feel better about the world.

I lit a candle. There was nice wine. Right now, I will take any little joy that comes my way.

I did not know Phumlani Pikoli, but many of the people I know were his friends and they are in pain. It is a time of unbearable loss, impossible to comprehend.

Yesterday: no water. Tonight: no power. (At the worst possible time!) Deep sigh.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD