The 2Summers 2021 Support Group: Post #2 (Purplish)

by | Feb 5, 2021 | COVID-19 | 24 comments

Welcome to my second 2Summers 2021 Support Group Post. Here are some updates, both good and bad, since my first support group post:

1) Good: January 2021 is over.

2) Bad: It’s still raining in Joburg, for the 13th (feels like 130th) straight day.

3) Good: I started knitting again. I was super into knitting early in the pandemic, then lost the habit when summer hit. A couple of weeks ago I realized I needed to get back into knitting to calm my brain down, and it totally worked.

Heather knitting
This post is actually just an excuse to show off my new knitting project, which is kinda purplish but also lots of other colors.

I’m so grateful to my friend Fiver for her extremely patient virtual knitting lessons. She’s a great teacher and never judges me for my ineptitude.

4) Good: South Africa’s daily covid case numbers have decreased significantly, suggesting we’ve passed the peak of our second wave.

The other day my mom was telling me about the media frenzy in the United States surrounding the South African variant of covid-19. She said the American media makes it sound like every single person in South Africa is dying of covid.

While things have certainly been rough over here — as in many parts of the world — I’d like to announce we’re still very much alive and kicking in SA. We’re just living our lives as best we can, sanitizing and socially distancing and wearing our masks, and most of us are still perfectly healthy. Just sayin’. Also we’re allowed to buy alcohol again.

5) Good: I’ve started working on my memoir again, for real. I’ve set myself a strict rule of writing for at least one hour and 500 words per day. It’s a modest goal, to be sure, but in the past five days I’ve written 3801 words. For the first time in a while, I feel truly confident in my ability to complete this book.

If you’d like to read bits and pieces of the manuscript as I go along, please join my Patreon community.

6) Bad: Thorsten and I finished watching Bridgerton last night. This is bad because: A) Watching that show was a good way to pass the time in the evenings; and B) We found the final episode disappointingly dull. Where was all this racy sex we were promised? There were a few good moments in episodes 4 through 6, and yes, Lord Hastings is the hottest man on television. But overall I’d say Bridgerton was pretty tame and it ended with a bit of a whimper. I’m not all that excited for season 2. Who’s with me?

I’m open to suggestions on new Netflix series to watch/complain about. (I’ve already seen Emily in Paris — don’t even get me started.)

Please feel free to share your own good and bad news with the support group, and to share any purplish (or other colored) photos with the hashtag #2Summers2021SupportGroup.

Trixie photobomb
Trixie photobombs the yarn ball.

24 Comments

  1. Nancy McDaniel

    I like the knitting. And Trixie. And will look forward t your memoir! American media is more focused, I think, on the fact that the vaccines here are WAY less effective on “the South African mutation” of the virus. There’s actually not a lot of coverage about the virus IN South Africa, more about Europe and Brazil actually.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Well, I only have second-hand accounts to go on. But I can kind of imagine how a topic like this could be greatly exaggerated.

      Reply
  2. E.

    Netflix rec: Lupin (best in its original French, with English subtitles). But be forewarned that S1 (5 episodes only) ends in a cliffhanger and S2 is not expected to come out until the northern hemisphere’s summer.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Ahhhhhh, thanks for the advance warning! I’ve heard other people saying good things about Lupin.

      Reply
  3. David Bristow

    This is the way the world ends, not with a banger but a whimpy. (PS – I will desist and wait for the full printed version, thank you.)

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Hahaha, as you wish.

      Reply
  4. Tracy

    I have family in the UK – the place that’s worst hit in the world (as per statistics that is) and my Aunt has said the same things about us as your Mom did…

    Netflix – try Firefly Lane based on the book of the same name by Kristin Hannah.

    Good luck with the knitting.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Ah, thanks! Netflix was plugging Firefly Lane to us last night after Bridgerton – will check it out.

      Reply
  5. AutumnAshbough

    I’m hoping Eloise gets a season on Briggerton (pun intended, LOL). She’s my fav.

    Ah, Regency romance…I was surprised to see as much skin as I did. Not at the finale yet, though.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Ooh I agree about Eloise! Is Regency Romance on Netflix?

      Reply
      • AutumnAshbough

        Oh, no, that’s just the genre of Bridgerton. It’s a whole sub-genre within the publishing world of romance, and it really started with Jane Austen. “Regency” because the romances are all set during the time frame when “Prinny” (the Prince of Wales) was the regent for George III, who was insane due to syphilis. But if you can find Colin Firth as Darcy in the BBC “Pride and Prejudice” miniseries, that is the absolute BEST adaptation of a Regency Romance ever (I offer the cut direct to anyone who says otherwise).

        Reply
        • 2summers

          Ahhhhhhh, yes of course I did know that! Sorry wasn’t using my brain.

          Reply
          • AutumnAshbough

            It’s kind of a niche market within romance, although there’s some genre-bending with “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!”

  6. Dagmar

    In Ireland, we also heard how horrible the SA mutation is – I was surprised when you mentioned that the numbers are going down for you guys (a good surprise ????)
    I love the yarn colors, very elegant, bet Trixie loves them as well ????
    The memoir snippets are great – looking forward to reading more and kudos on writing every day! ????
    We don’t watch Netflix, but recently saw an HBO documentary Tiger – about Tiger Woods, it’s really interesting – a story about transformation that cannot be always bought with money.
    Have a great weekend, Heather

    Reply
    • 2summers

      I heard a great podcast series about Tiger Woods recently – his life is fascinating.

      Reply
  7. cboucher143

    Not a knitter, but that looks great.
    And, in no particular order (and I’m not sure SA Netflix is same as Canada)
    Pretend it’s a City
    Lupin
    After Life
    The Dig
    Derry Girls
    Halt and Catch Fire
    My Octopus Teacher
    Two Popes
    Death of Stalin
    Call my Agent
    Mudbound
    Occupied
    Black Klansman
    Trial of the Chicago 7
    Happy as Lazzaro
    What Happened Miss Simone

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Wow, this is a lot of ideas! I’m so excited – thanks.

      Reply
  8. Margaret Fauchier

    I second Call My Agent (Dix Pour Cent,) Dig and My Octopus Teacher (South African.)

    Reply
    • 2summers

      My Octupus Teacher is the best wildlife documentary I’ve ever seen ????

      Reply
      • Margaret Fauchier

        Yes it is wonderful Wanted to also suggest on Netflix the two Japanese series Midnight Diner Tokyo Stories and Gourmet Samurai.

        Reply
        • 2summers

          Oh thank you! I love food documentaries.

          Reply
  9. Alex

    It’s not a new series but I strongly recommend Pose!

    Reply
    • 2summers

      I LOVED Pose. One of my favorite shows ever. I wish they’d make more seasons!

      Reply
      • Alex

        Absolutely!

        Reply

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