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

— @HaggardHawks

Too much to do, not enough Karina. The last few days, I was drowning in emails, admin, board and other meetings, discussions, decisions and announcements. All of it with wonderful results, but not enough time to sit still and relax properly for long enough to think and write daily.

Apart from the work on my latest manuscript – that is continuing with strong determination, even on a Sunday.

We announced the 2022 Philida Literary Award: Mary Watson. She was interviewed by AJ Opperman about the award and commented later: “I told AJ about how André Brink and I used to meet in garden cafes and talk about stories and writing, with cake. How a piece of advice that lingers is how writing also happens away from the desk, how stories grow when we’re not looking.” This is exactly the legacy that the award is celebrating and I know that André would have been thrilled with the choice.

The 6th of February is never an easy day for me, but having the award announcement on this day keeps me focused on all the memories that make me smile.

The 7th was my Mom’s birthday. And the greatest news of this year is that I am going to HUG MY MOM – !!! – before this month is over. Despite the distance between us, we have always managed to see each other at least two times a year, and the last two years and a bit have been the longest we have ever been apart. But now, finally, we will be in the same space at the same time and will be able to hold each other. And: my brother will be there too!!! To say that I am happy would be the understatement of the century.

And today, by the way, is the 18th anniversary of my first visit to South Africa.

It is J. M. Coetzee’s 82nd birthday, too.

Lots to remember, to contemplate and celebrate.

What else?

My love and I discovered a great new restaurant in Muizenberg.

Tortuga Loca

Yesterday evening, after a lovely meeting with a new Karavan Press poet.

This view makes me so happy that I came here eighteen years ago, and stayed.

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

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

— NICD