Isolation Day 76

Day 76….. that’s almost eleven weeks, nearly three months – of isolation. In theory, we ought to be thinking about lessening our lock down in a week’s time but, what with one thing and another, I am not so sure. The virus is still lurking; people are madly congregating; we are still vulnerable; the government, it seems to me, has lost the plot; and there’s the possibility of a second wave of infection. However, we are keen to see family members and close friends, so weather permitting, we might do a little more ‘garden time’ next week – socially distanced, of course.

At the start of lock down we were absolutely adamant that there’d be no-one in, or out, of our house. But circumstances have dictated otherwise, and we have had medics trampling all over in the last few weeks – and, of course, John has had a nice little sojourn in hospital a couple of times. Not what we expected or planned for at all.

All of that focuses your mind. It makes you think about what’s good in life, and what’s bad – and what you’d like to keep or discard.

Most of what’s good is people. And this was especially demonstrated this morning after I’d ‘been’ to church. As in previous weeks, I followed the church service on-line and I was especially thrilled to see that Kim, our organist, was playing all of the hymns this week. Because I can’t stop myself, I sang my heart out to his accompaniment and felt uplifted.

We usually have coffee and a natter after a church service to catch up on everyone’s news. This week, for the first time, Mark and Moira invited us to ‘Zoom’ in and meet up with fellow congregants. I was unsure as to how successful it would be but, as usual, M & M had it all sorted, and it worked out beautifully. And it was brilliant to talk to those who could join in and to see their wonderful faces again.

After church, John was up and about and so we went into the garden to see what was what. There was a lot of: ‘we must do this; we need to do that; let’s sort the other’ before we finally plumped on John being persuaded and choosing to finish a job he’d already started (trumpets sound). He attached the hooks he’d ordered for the shed to hang the tools upon. Gosh, I’ve never seen the shed look so neat and tidy!! I wonder if we’ll be able to keep it that way? And will we be able to fit the garden chairs in as we have planned? We’ll find out tomorrow when we get onto that task.

John is still coughing well and a bit of a ‘Puffing Billy’ but is, I think, improved. He’s trying to balance rest, play and work which all contributes to better health, both mentally and physically. Indeed, he was pleased with the work he did today; he thoroughly enjoyed his chat with youngest son as we prepped our evening meal; and had fun when it was ‘quiz’ time this evening, with the Sleath and Fielding families.

I also enjoyed my day, having chatted to Carol via a video link this afternoon, and then having drunk a vat of wine with my evening meal. I have no idea how I came to drink quite so much – but you know how it is (or do you?). I had a glass of wine as I prepped food, then another one as I chatted to Andrew, then another one with my meal and then another one as we did the quiz until, well, look ‘ee here…..that’s a whole bottle downed. Crumbs.

In between glasses of wine, I thanked my blessings – for my husband, my family and friends, and my home of course, but one other in particular that I am grateful for, and that is, my swing in the garden. For years and years, I said to John that I’d like a swing, until one day, I got up one birthday morning and there it was – all built and ready for me. I love it. And today was one of those days when I loved it just a little bit more. Perhaps it was the third glass of wine talking……. but still.

Mum has also had quite a good day – watching ‘Oklahoma!’ and a war film on TV this afternoon. She did feel lonely this evening though as we were upstairs quizzing, having forgotten that she could get up off the sofa and join us. Like a Queen, she does like it when the world comes to her; it’s never been quite so good when she’s had to go to the world. And now, as her memory declines, she has forgotten even that learned behaviour of seeking things out. Oh dear.

Let us not forget, though, those people who are in trouble, howsoever that trouble has come to them. For now, at the forefront of our minds, it’s those who are dealing with COVID-19 – nearly 300,000 people who’ve been infected, and almost 39,000 people who have died. 1,936 infectees as of yesterday; 119 deaths in hospitals; and 113 deaths in all settings, according to government figures. The NHS has reported 15 deaths in hospitals yesterday and confirmed 51 for 29 May 2020.

Take care everyone – hold onto your hats in anticipation of what’s to come.