Palm Sunday. The sun was shining and the virtual service from St Peter’s in the village was on point. We didn’t have the procession or the donkey, but we did have the people. Whether you’re into the ‘God-stuff’ or not, there was no denying that Guy read beautifully from the Old Testament – a piece all about understanding how to manage when it’s hellish; Becky, John and Mary performed a great little puppet show, with wooden spoon people, depicting Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem and predicting the fickleness of the people; and Alison gave us comforting words to help us through another week in her sermon. And Mum was dressed in her finest, even putting on her lipstick this morning.
One of us used the weather wisely today, getting out there and getting on. I did a lot of faffing about. Mum did a lot of sitting about and sleeping. Although, I was able to cross one job off my list – and that was transplanting a very sad and sorry lavender bush into another pot, winkling it away from its pot-mate – a self-seeded buddleia. Keeping my fingers crossed that they’ll both survive the trauma of being parted….
So, the one who was wise and used the weather well, managed to do more ‘big stuff’ down in the shed at the bottom of the garden. It’s not over yet, but he can now see the wood for the trees. Shelving is in place. The single door is fitted. Ceiling racking available. Heavy tools in situ. And now he’s wrestling with the up-and-over door that doesn’t want to play ball at all just yet. But you know what? The ol’ man is strong. May not be as strong as he’d like, of course, but he’s able to lift and carry, shift and hold stuff, make stuff (a Granny bannister today) – and deal with things. Alleluia!! Keeping our fingers crossed that it’ll continue…….
And so, to a delicious roast chicken dinner for our evening meal, sluiced down with a very palatable red wine, and a rhubarb crumble for pudding. First pickings of the season and, oh, it was nectar!! Palm Sunday – always rhubarb crumble – wouldn’t have it any other way. But, after dinner, I did notice that the box of empty wine bottles is getting a bit full……now, who’s that who’s drinking all the wine??? Can I blame Mum?
No blame. Nowhere. No thank you. We’re in a big enough mess as it is without the blame game. But I must say that I am so disappointed that the seriousness of the country’s situation hasn’t sunk in among some people yet. There are those who seem oblivious to the effects of this darned virus and don’t think it will be anything to worry about for them. Even the PM had a cavalier attitude to it early on in March, saying the virus wouldn’t stop him shaking hands with people. He’s probably ruing that now, as he’s hospitalised after ten days of trying beat the thing at home. He, too, has become a statistic, and is one of today’s figures: 47,806 infected people. On humanitarian grounds, keeping my fingers crossed that he, along with every other infected person, doesn’t become a dead statistic, of which there were 4,934 as of yesterday.
The symbolic Candle of Hope burns in my window every Sunday evening, and it burns in my heart every day for every single person, whatever their circumstances just now. Take care everyone.