Operation Oysterhood: 25 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

Anne and Miss Stacey

Miss Stacey: “In the end, the truth will set you free.”

Remember this scene from Anne of Avonlea? I often think about it. The world doesn’t work that way most of the time, unfortunately, but occasionally, truth prevails and sets one free.

Last night, I woke up at some ungodly hour and felt so awake that I got up and made tea and read for a bit, and then realised that the Tangerine National Convention was just beginning, so I tuned in out of perverse curiosity. Wow. Just wow. If you ever want to see gaslighting in action on a grand scale – that is it. And it’s frightening.

To watch something like this unfold on a world stage is a good reminder of what is possible. Manipulation, abuse of power, blatant lies – all delivered on a tangerine platter, with lethal consequences. Right in front of our eyes. No matter how horrifying, it is also fascinating to witness.

Seeing it, makes me feel helpless and makes me want to despair. I know what it means when the same forces, on a much smaller scale, but no less devastating, invade your private and professional life and wreak merciless havoc. There is only one way to protect yourself: kindness, honesty and transparency at all times. Plus constant vigilance. Even then, the odds are against you, but at least your conscience is clear, your integrity intact. And sometimes, when you are lucky and have good people around you, truth does set you – and others – free. Today, was such a day. A day of small triumphs. Of reassurance – that one should never give up on the goodness all around. We need to search it out, support it, treasure it and make it shine.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

Operation Oysterhood: 24 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

A day in four pictures.

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One: A rare truce and closeness in our bed office this morning.

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Two: Coffee with Roland at noon, to discuss an exciting literary cooperation, beginning within the next few days. With someone like Roland by my side, I am not afraid to confront anything, even a zombie apocalypse.

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Three: Late, light lunch with Helen at the Food Barn in Noordhoek. With VINO!!! Health, books, editing, upcoming birthdays and possible book events were discussed. We believe in books and in kindness and in making literary magic happen (against impossible odds)!

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Four: Late afternoon meeting with Melissa to discuss her third novel, Switchfoot, an invitation to an unusual book event, book sales, freaky waves and Frosty’s encounters with birds (he sat in on the conversation, looking completely innocent!). Melissa gave me this wonderful gift: a mask that I can stitch something into … and guess what: I have an idea!

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

Operation Oysterhood: 23 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

A Sunday morning in bed with the Cat Ladies and Harry. I finished the third book in the Bosch series, The Concrete Blond. The first two were really good, but I liked this one even more and now I am hooked and am going to read the rest. Twenty-two in the series so far, so I should be nicely occupied for a while. It feels great to read for simple pleasure and entertainment, absolutely not work-related.

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But then it was time for some computer work, a small cushion for support for my now yellow-green-blue underarm.

I thought a lot today about the a Trevor Noah clip on Joe Biden and people referring to him as ‘decent’. One would think that being ‘decent’ should be obvious for anyone serving people in whichever position, but we live in a world in which it has become a rare quality. Unless we continue fighting for these basic qualities like decency, transparency, integrity, accountability and responsibility, we will continue to stumble around in darkness. I am sick and tired of psychopaths, their toxic, manipulative and gaslighting reigns. At the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris spoke about recognising a predator when she sees one. We all have to train ourselves to spot and expose them, the sooner the better – they usually start small before continuing to greener pastures and turning them into toxic wastelands.

Let’s look for decent people and support their efforts to make the world a more decent place, on all our small and big stages.

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The roses from my love are still as stunning as on the first day.

I spent the later part of the afternoon with my love. We went for a walk and saw beautiful flowers and this wondrous creature.

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I am writing early as I wait for dinner, which is being prepared for me. Roast chicken – no one makes it better than my love. A Sunday treat I often ask for. (All our Cats also delight in it.)

Day One Hundred and Fifty. Hard to believe.

Tomorrow is going to be busy and I can’t say that I am looking forward to all of it, but I am seeing two friends and that will make up for the rest.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

Operation Oysterhood: 22 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

872

Last week at the Alma Café Traders’ Market, my book stand was next to Luke Ellenbogen’s of Luke’s Larder. Like his parents, Luke is a theatre person, but he lost his job at the Fugard Theatre during lockdown. On Saturday, a week ago, I watched many people come up to his stand and taste his homemade produce and smile from ear to ear. Almost everyone walked away with a bag full of goodies. It was great to see so many happy customers.

Today, I went to the market as a visitor. To my surprise, Simone and Ernesto Garcia Marquez were selling vinyls there. It was good to see them again and to say hello. And Luke was there, too. I had coffee and Retha’s famous lemon meringue pie on the stoep of the Café and just sat in the sun for a while. When it was time to pack up, Luke and I chatted and he kindly offered me some of his food to try at home.

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I came home overwhelmed by his generosity and kindness. Remembering the happy faces of last week, I know my love and I are in for a treat of note. And my faith in the goodness of people has been restored all over again. Such an amazing act of sharing. This is what matters, what makes everything else pale in comparison.

Thank you.

The morning before the market was spent in bed, reading and resting. The early afternoon included some work. Then I went to see my love, and together, we visited a couple who invited us for dinner at their home. A first for both couples since the beginning of the lockdown. No hugging. No close contact of any kind. We kept well apart even at the big dinner table, with empty chairs between us. Despite all these precautions, it felt good to be together and to enjoy a lovely evening in one another’s company. I wore a pretty scarf from my Mom and my silver slippers (I only wear them for special occasions, so this was the first time in five months). We finished in time for me to get back home before the curfew, and because I chose to be the designated driver, I am having a proper glass of red only now while writing.

These are strange times and almost nothing is easy, but one can cope with a lot when there are so many kindred spirits around.

Tonight, I fall asleep with a less heavy heart.

Good night.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

Operation Oysterhood: 21 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

871

Home: having rusks with Glinka in the morning.

When I had my car accident four years ago, after the initial shock, as the pains and bruises developed slowly all over, I kept discovering new injuries to my body in the days following the crash. And so it is this time. At first, I thought that I only had a few scratches on my right arm. Then the swelling and bruises made their appearance. This morning, I discovered a scratch on my left arm that wasn’t painful at all, but it was there, unmistakable. And I spotted the horrible bruises on my lower back and my behind only this evening after my shower (I have lower back problems so often that I did not even think that the two could be connected this time).

Typing in an ordinary position is painful, so I had to get creative today, but only because I was forced to. I meant to rest all day long, but it wasn’t possible.

The gradual unfolding of the damage to my body after the impact of the sea wave as it threw me against the rocks the other day is a strangely fitting metaphor for what I have seen develop on one of the projects I am involved in. Another party involved, apparently with no integrity, had impacted the project in ways that I am only gradually discovering as the bruises and pains appear all over the project’s body. I am beginning to see why the project had been hurting for a while. And today, after discovering yet another scratch, I felt compelled to do something to defend it against further damage.

Sometimes anger allows you to suppress pain and fight when the cause is worth it. This one certainly was. And, I was livid. But I also feel a deep sadness. And, I think I am still in shock. Lack of integrity is like a wave that will unexpectedly take away the ground from underneath your feet and throw you against rocks. It takes a lot of effort to survive and get back on your feet and fight for what is right. And sometimes, all of it hurts like hell, but it has to be done.

My body, and so much more, needs rest.

Tomorrow. I promise.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

Operation Oysterhood: 20 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

870

Adieu, beautiful Lekkerwater!

Hello, Home! And rain and cold and fireplace and bath and loadshedding (still later tonight). Most importantly, hello my Furry Family! I love travelling, but I also love coming home.

As suspected, my injuries don’t allow me to type for long without pain. My arm looks awful and will need a few days of rest to recover. Maybe it’s a good thing – a kind of enforced holiday, especially since I had been working during the mini-break.

So, that’s it for tonight. Typing with one hand only is not much fun (even with a purring, loving Salieri on my lap).

Thank you for all the kind wishes of a speedy recovery!

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

Operation Oysterhood: 19 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

844

I did something really stupid today (was lucky, but could have gotten badly hurt or even drowned, but I am okay, more or less, although I am not sure that I will be able to move my right arm by tomorrow, once the shock wears off and my injuries bring me – not to my knees, but – my elbow; let’s just say that my right arm is not in the best of shapes as I try to type tonight …).

So, the following will be more pictures than coherent storytelling. Shock, painkillers, bubbly are not the best combination for sense-making.

Morning walk in the inter-tidal zone and on the dunes. Highlights: limpets grazing (I love limpets – they are fascinating creatures), an octopus, plants’ wind-dancing patterns.

Horrible anti-highlight: PLASTIC. Washed up from the ocean. During our one-and-a-half-hour walk, we managed to collect a few kilograms of plastic waste on the beach. Utter despair is what one feels seeing this.

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Breakfast was another Lekkerwater treat. The food here is simply delicious.

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We rested a bit after breakfast, but continued watching whales from our bed. Also sighted today: mousebirds and dolphins.

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The weather made a complete turnaround today: sunshine, hardly any wind, pleasant temperatures. I did very little work today, but did finish the next Harry Bosch novel (another good one).

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All the other guests left after the morning walk today and we have had the place to ourselves for the rest of the day.

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Lekkerwater Library, a little library with a view, now including Karavan Press titles.

After a light lunch and some rest, it was time for an afternoon fynbos walk. Billy once again lent me his macro lens, so that I could have some fun in the veld. Loved it.

Then, it was time for a sunshine hot-tub treat of note. And I would just like to explain that I was still completely sober when I had my stupid accident.

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All of this loveliness was waiting while I, after first getting into the hot water and feeling completely overheated after a few minutes, ran down to the sea and meant to just splash around in the shallows when Ms Ocean decided she had other plans. Let’s just say that I am very pleased that it was my arm, and not my head or my face, that hit the rocks when I tumbled and completely lost control over what happened to me when a huge WAVE crashed into me without any warning.

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The scene of the meeting between the rock and my unprepared self.

Bubbly, hot water and the distraction of mosquitoes allowed me to cope with the pain of the bruises and scratches after the too close encounter with the rock. Despite a long shower, I still have a lot of sand EVERYWHERE, especially my hair. And I know that by tomorrow, I will probably not be able to move my right arm. C’est la vie.

But, despite everything, there was a moment in the water – before the wave nearly killed me – when I felt free, careless and happy. (I only felt stupid afterwards.)

Now, as always, I feel humbled by the sea.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

Operation Oysterhood: 18 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

823

Cheesecake with coffee first thing in the morning.

Sjoe! The Storm. My nights are usually interrupted at around three to four, before I return to sleep and wake up around seven nowadays. Last night, the gap arrived earlier and lasted longer, and I did wonder how strong the architectural core of this cottage was and couldn’t decide whether to worry or not in the middle of the epic, stormy night.

The morning was sun, rain, rainbows and indecision about whether to stay in bed or next to the fire, or risk a walk in-between the showers. I had some work to finish, so I did. The fire and the sun helped to keep me warm.

We managed a walk with spectacular views before lunch. I experience awe whenever I walk in these kind of landscapes.

After lunch, Billy offered us a guided walk up a gorge. Shortly after we set out, he lent me his macro lens for the cellphone camera and I was able to experiment a bit while we wandered around for the next two-and-a-half hours, with a hot chocolate (delicious) and poetry recital (inspiring) break in the middle.

I loved every second of the walk and, even though it took some getting used to, I enjoyed the macro lens a lot and will get one the moment I get back to Cape Town.

I go to bed a relaxed Karina, who has seen many beautiful things today.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

843

Operation Oysterhood: 17 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

814

I’ve never had any doubt about loving my home and being happy there with my Human & Furry Family. In that sense, the lockdown has been so much more bearable because the space I call ‘home’ feels safe and good despite everything that the world can throw at it. But: I have always loved travelling, too. And even though inter-provincial travel is becoming possible from tomorrow on, I am determined to delight in the intra-provincial option for quite a while yet. The Western Province has so many treasures on offer … and the infection numbers in the province are sinking, the health system is coping in dealing with those who need care, and the number of people dying of Covid-19-related causes here is dropping from day to day as well. There is every reason to believe that we have the worst of the pandemic behind us. And travelling is allowed, even encouraged, because so much of our economy depends on it.

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We arrived at the Lekkerwater Beach Lodge in the De Hoop Nature Reserve today. It is our second visit to this magical place. We were greeted by Billy, the amazing guide, and his new colleague, Jan. And! An entire pod of dolphins frolicking in the ocean just in front of the lodge. Now, for many Capetonians, seeing dolphins is an ordinary occurrence, but for sixteen years these beautiful creatures have managed to evade me in the Cape. The only dolphins I have ever seen in my life were the black dolphins of the Bosporus. But today, finally, I could watch dolphins in the waves just outside Lekkerwater.

Anyone who knows the story of this place will understand why coming here is a homecoming for any of us. And so it is. But, unfortunately, my friend, Mr Eland, has decided to move out of the camp, so he wasn’t here to welcome me with flowers in his horns like the last time. I think he might have asked the dolphins to appear to make up for his absence. I did declare my love to him last year …

Lekkerwater is pure luxury, and after our first visit, I did not think that one could improve what this place has to offer its visitors, but there is something new at the lodge that we tried out the moment we got here: a hot tub on the beach just underneath the viewing deck of the lodge. We did not have long in the tub before the long-awaited storm arrived and we had to run for cover, but we were there long enough to see whales passing by in all their glorious majesty. A surreal moment if there ever was one!

The storm has been raging ever since, but who cares about the weather when you are in paradise and have a great book to read?

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The first time I was here, I promised myself that I would deliver a copy of Melissa’s Shadow Flicker to this place, because it felt like this book belonged in the little library of the lodge. And because of this spot’s remarkable history, I also think that a copy of Thembi Mtshali-Jones’s biography, Theatre Road by Sindiwe Magona, will find a good home here – to be enjoyed and to inspire anyone wanting to read a good book on a rainy afternoon in bed, or on a quiet, sunny morning on the pristine beach.

I wish I could say that our mini-break is all leisure and no work, but I haven’t been able to complete all the work that I was supposed to last week, so some of it is travelling with me. But even work in such surroundings feels special, so I am not complaining.

I remember Lekkerwater from last time as an incredibly social place, but we are still in the midst of a lethal pandemic and everyone is aware of the danger we are all in, so there are eye-smiles above masks, courteous waves across spaces and a bit of shouting to communicate across distance – a different kind of bonding.

The storm is ruthless tonight, so after dinner, we are all huddling around our own private fires and going to bed with the wind’s tantrum replacing a quiet night’s lullabies.

I also have a sweet birthday song playing in my heart because two of the most special women I know are celebrating their birthdays today: Erika and Sally. Both are my SA family and I cannot and do not want to imagine my life without their presence in it. Happy Birthday, dearest Erika and Sally! Thank you, for everything, and so much more.

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For Sally & Erika, happy veld flowers outside our Lekkerwater cottage.

Wishing you health above all!

One of the guests of the lodge is celebrating his fiftieth today, but he seemed quite shy about it. It is also my Dad’s name day. I sent him wishes earlier in the day.

:)

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD

Operation Oysterhood: 16 August

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

— @HaggardHawks

810

Small, gigantic steps. First meal in a restaurant in five months: at CREATION’s Tasting Room. On arrival, they took down our details, measured our temperatures, led us to a table that was quite a distance away from other patrons. Everyone wore masks apart from the guests (once seated). It felt so normal, and yet it was one of the most extraordinary experiences of the lockdown for me: just eating food in a restaurant overlooking a dam, happily overflowing with water on a beautiful wine farm.

The starter – steamed bao bun with confit duck, beetroot, rhubarb, cucumber and coriander was divine – and the classic pork belly for mains simply delicious. I chose chocolate macarons for dessert. There was tea. And because this is a mini-holiday, we did not have to drive back home, but simply up a hill opposite the restaurant to the magnificent Voormanshuis, with Strijdom van der Merwe’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ on the doorstep and, out the window, a view that said, ‘You can relax now, welcome to paradise on earth.’

The Voormanshuis has a beautiful bathroom with an irresistible bathtub. The water-sinner that I am, I just could not say no.

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The dam is overflowing, I promise! (She says, in her defence.)

And now, the frogs outside and the fire inside are singing, and we will call it an early night. They say that the dreams one dreams in a new bed come true, so let me dream of something calm and beautiful and smiling.

I am happy that there are ways of coming out of one’s oystershell that feel non-threatening, that in a way one can even carry one’s oystershell on one’s back around our gorgeous Province and feel safe. And I am grateful to all the people who care and work hard at making this possible. And I am grateful to my love for understanding my need to feel safe, even if I am over-cautious at times. We all need to adjust to the reality of the pandemic at our own pace. Mine is oystersnailslow, but that’s a good thing, me thinks.

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Salieri, this morning.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

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

— NICD