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

— @HaggardHawks

There is not enough of me. A week of coming and going. I have been trying to squeeze the work of three weeks into one (not very successfully) in order to co-organise a trip of a lifetime (much more successfully). And while this was all going on, important visitors kept arriving in South Africa and there was no way I was going to miss seeing them while they were here. I have a Lovely Houseguest and it is wonderful to share my home with her. And I have reconnected with dear Norwegian friends who used to be regulars in the Cape, but have been prevented from coming for over two years (you know why). Now, they are here, and their beautiful daughter, who was born in Cape Town and whom I first held in my arms when she was six hours old, is now as tall as I am and simply wonderful. It was amazing to see them. Writing has continued and by tomorrow I will have a quarter of a first draft of my next book ready – if I continue at this pace, there will be a book by the end of the year. Easily! Finally! We had a Karavan Press book launch, some great reviews, a new Karavan Press title is nearly ready for printing, and another Karavan Press author finished her next novel. Other work has been done. I am packed and ready for my PCR test. On Wednesday, I will be having dinner with the three most important people in my life: Mom, Krystian and My Love. And that’s enough for me. Guess who is the Happiest Woman In The Universe?

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

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

— NICD