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

— @HaggardHawks

Sunday evening on my stoep. I can hear the traffic in the distance, but otherwise, here, in the garden, only the olive thrushes are scratching in the undergrowth, and the evening descend in peace.

It was a good weekend. Yesterday, we met very dear friends for a braai and caught up with all their news and hopes for the new year. Afterwards, we dived into the pool. When my love went home, I stayed on with my feet in the water and read and drank leftover French rosé in the late afternoon heat. It was the perfect end to a great day. I watched some TV before I was allowed a long, deep sleep.

Today was more of a working day. I finished reading a manuscript I intend to publish and worked on the edits of another book that is coming in the first half of the year. In between there was Rafa’s successful return to competitive tennis and his 89th ATP title. He acknowledges the global suffering caused by the pandemic and has no problem following the scientific advice or safety regulations that are intended to move us into a brighter future. He is fully vaccinated and recently had COVID-19 and yet he dutifully wears a mask when required – it is a show of respect for others. He is an inspiration on and off the court. And it comes naturally to him. He has no need to ask people to like him. We just do.

The second issue of Everyday Journal is out. I dipped into it this morning. Literary magazines are where so many of us cut our teeth. They are precious incubators of literary talent.

I started reading my first Sally Rooney novel. I am not thrilled with the wooden prose, but intrigued enough by the story to see where it will take me. Rome, it seems …

Salieri did not have an easy day. I had to help her eat throughout the day, but she managed her own dinner and I think that she is feeling better now.

My love and I were too lazy for a walk today, but we did have leftovers supper together and will have an early night. I hope some rain clears the heaviness in the air.

I solved my first Wordle today. Hooked!

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please. Live.

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

— NICD