Isolation Day 86

Because everything still seems a bit upside-down, I am once again stating the official figures in relation to the Corona Virus infections and deaths first, before I waffle on about our day. Just to get it out of the way.

The Government tells us that there are 1,003 people infected up until 9 o’clock today. And 245 people died. The NHS tells us that 11 people died in hospital up until 5 o’clock yesterday, with 50 having been confirmed for the day before. There, that’s it.

I still care, and I still think about those families going through the worry of it all, the bereavements and the heartaches when a loved one has been un-visited at the last. Then there’s aftermath of the illness to consider and sometimes a long period of recuperation. Plus, the doctors and nurses still putting their all into caring for anyone who is ill. The enormity of thinking about the hurt and hard work is overwhelming, so I’m not; for sanity’s sake, I’m turning my thoughts to the small circle I live in and am making the most of that for the time being.

First of all, there was the soothing admin job this morning, of hole-punching piles of paper to file the blog into the Family Album, along with the task of removing the sheets I’d already put into poly pockets, but now wanting them au naturel. I sat at the kitchen table, all spread out and carefully sorting each page.

It was nearly lunchtime as I sat there, tongue sticking out, concentrating on the task in hand, when Mum wandered down. I looked up. “Do you want to get your tablets, Mum?” She nodded and started off towards the fridge. Methodically, she started to get out all of her breakfast things, but not her tablets. She put it all on the square inch of table that was bare. I felt irritated. There wasn’t any room for her to sit at this particular table. It was plain to see that it was strewn with papers, and folders, and poly pockets. I sighed. Clearly, I’d have to gently move her elsewhere………

I was just thinking about moving on to another job, when Paul phoned. He and Freddie were going to get a McDonalds for lunch and eat it in our back garden. Did we want anything? I hesitated. I’d had a big breakfast and really didn’t need a McDonalds. “No, I’m alright, thank you, Paul. I’ll just ask Dad if he wants anything.” Well, John’s eyes lit up – ooooh, yes, please!! I mean, it’s not exactly on his diet sheet, but a treat now and then does you good, doesn’t it?

We sat outside, and it was quite pleasant, despite the dark clouds overhead. As usual, we were thrilled to be seeing Freddie and chatting to Paul. John thoroughly enjoyed sitting there and eating his food. He could actually taste it!! The last time we tried a McDs was not long after he came out of a long spell in hospital having been treated for GvHD. That time, the Big Mac had no taste – to John it had been like cardboard. Just shows how far he’s come in three years.

We spent a contented couple of hours together, forever mindful of the 2-metre rule. The swing was well used, leapt upon then spun round and round, to great squeals of delight from Freddie. The cherry stones that had been buried the other day were inspected. The fish were fed. The stilts were tried out. Every corner of the garden was explored. Great-Grandma was waved at through the patio window. And then waved at again through the kitchen doorway. And, when it came time to go, Freddie’s answer was always, “No, not yet.”

We had our phones with us, waiting for a phone call from the garage door delivery driver. Between 1 and 3 they said. Three o’clock arrived and no door. Five minutes later, John took a phone call. The driver’s forty minutes away. A little buzz of excitement. Paul said he’d wait and help lift the door down the side of the house. Freddie was pleased he wasn’t leaving just yet.

Sure enough, the garage door arrived and was duly delivered down to the bottom of the garden. As John looked at it, he remarked, “You know you said you didn’t know what was wrong with the old one? Well, have a look at the new one.” I did, and I can perfectly see why a new one was necessary. Plans are now being put in place for its installation.

We finally said goodbye to Paul and Freddie, the latter clutching a huge bunch of daisies picked out of the garden for Lily, who’d stayed at home feeling a bit sorry for herself, having had her braces tightened up yesterday. Hope the flowers cheered her up.

Had a lovely chat to Michael and William just before tea. They had been hard at work in their garden – although I think William may have been more of a hindrance than a help – clearing a space for slabs as a foundation for a ‘man-shed’. Like father, like son?

This evening we had a wonderful time. We quizzed again with our dear Centre Stage friends, and John was Quiz Master. Once again, he came up with a good quiz which, for once, we scored highly on, even though it wasn’t easy. What do you reckon, would you know this one? Without looking it up?

Question: Whose strap line was this? “Who wants to see the little bunnie wunnnies then?” Answer:………..??

Peace be with you all.