Another gloriously sunny, sky blue day today! Slightly cooler than yesterday but, nevertheless, inviting enough to sit companionably in the garden with John, on the patio again, with warm mugs of tea.
Still feeling very tired, we lay in bed until 10 o’clock before venturing downstairs and breakfasting. Mum followed us down and managed to locate her bowl, spoon, cereal and milk without too much direction today. Already, I think she is looking a little better than when she arrived – must be doing something right, I think.
But after that leisurely start, we had an extremely busy day!!
We had decorated the kitchen a few weeks ago – I painted the walls and ceiling, and John and youngest son, Andrew, laid the new flooring – all extremely successfully, I might add! But it’s not finished, so we had a little go at tidying up some bits today, replacing some of the kick-boards under the cupboards and setting up a frame for a new cupboard above the freezer. Still more to do, but we were mightily pleased with ourselves for not yet giving up on what has seemed to be a BIG task.
After lunch and an hour of TV (The Trouble with Maggie Cole this time) to aid the digestion of our food, it was an afternoon of pottering about for me, tidying away the decorating materials and cleaning up, and John at the bottom of the garden again, moving more ‘big stuff’ and starting to fit a new door on the shed. Eeeh but, we shan’t half soon be spick and span!!!
Other than continuing with ‘jobs-to-be-done’, our particular pleasure today was chatting with friends – either electronically or on the phone. Uplifting emails in response to my blog and contact with people we only intermittently see, as well as uplifting support form my prayer group. And phone calls – so lovely to hear from Alan, whom we haven’t spoken to for a good while, and to chat to daughter-in-law Harriet, who is still working and trying to care for her young family as well as her elderly and sick father, and solace in talking to my ‘bestie’, Dawn.
We are reminded by this contact that social togetherness is so important, making us truly grateful for dear friends and family. Emotions are near the surface just now, and when, at eight o’clock this evening, we stepped outside to applaud our wonderful NHS workers and all the carers looking after us all, it wasn’t a surprise that the whole village was resounding with the sound of clapping, nor was it a surprise that I choked up.
With the death toll rising and currently at 578, there are now 11,658 confirmed cases of the virus. ICUs are beginning to fill up and doctors are warning that they will be full by the weekend. Against this backdrop, we do well to stay at home to avoid the spread of the pesky thing, but our hearts go out to all those who are ill, their families and their carers. No wonder there was such a din in Balsall Common this evening making some noise to show our appreciation of the work the carers do!
Concluding with the words now on everyone’s lips – stay safe everyone.