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

— @HaggardHawks

My manuscript reading marathon is officially on. So many of them have been waiting for such a long time, I need to get this done, somehow. There are so many wonderful stories out there, and so many talented writers … if only I had forty more hours in a day. Or at least if I could read during bouts of insomnia (a huge gap in my sleep again last night), but I can’t. I do listen to podcasts (I am working through the WOMAN ZONE STORIES at the moment – wonderful!) or watch TV during the restless hours until sleep takes over again.

A lot of work got done today, but there was the most beautiful interruption to it in the middle of the day: lunch with three wonderful women who brought light and warmth into my home despite loadshedding.

More and more of my friends are getting the vaccine and every time I hear of a new person I know getting it, especially now that the third wave is gathering momentum, I feel relief and know that, even if it is going to be a long time before it is my turn, at least I don’t have to worry about those who are protected suddenly disappearing from my life because of Covid-19.

It’s Rafa’s 35th birthday today and he will be playing at RG later tonight. I look forward to watching the birthday match under the lights in Paris.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD