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

— @HaggardHawks

Monday. Ridiculous rains. Deluge. Freezing temperatures. Nearly missed the refuse truck again. A dripping little rat returned from the upstream run after the truck.

By lunchtime, I already had an eight-hour workday behind me. By the time I finally got into bed, six more had been added to the tally. Since I haven’t slept properly for a while, I am beyond tired – physically and mentally. The numbness has set in.

Topolino has a new window. The two kind men from Glasfit did a stellar job, but they did break my hope. I hadn’t been aware that Topolino already had smash&grab protection on the windows and had been hoping that putting it on would protect me a little bit better in the future. But it turned out that I had the protection film during the attack and it did nothing to delay the inevitable. For a pro like the one who attacked me, this was not a hindrance at all. And, sadly, it is very difficult to install bulletproof windows in a little Fiat (I did ask).

I went groceries shopping once Topolino could leave the garage today, but driving makes me all tense, agitated and terribly sad.

Tomorrow, we are getting the first takeaways to support at least a few of our favourite restaurants, but tonight I just cooked a hearty lamb stew and served it next to the fireplace where I also spent most of the evening, finishing my work. My love came for dinner. Glinka catssisted throughout. Poor Salieri is sick and I think it’s the thyroid medication that might be making her feel so miserable. I have nursing instructions from the vet, and I am monitoring her closely. And Winter Version Mozart insisted on ‘watching’ the rain from the stoep for most of the day. I think he is still out there, although his warm cat house, his favourite blanket and our bed are available for him at all times … He is beyond independent.

Tonight’s EURO 2020 games are quite something, even though I am watching with only one eye on the screen.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD