Ticking over

Despite my best intentions, I never did complete any job really, today. I was too busy enjoying myself doing other things.

We got up reasonably early and pottered about, getting breakfast and tidying the kitchen, which seems to have a mind of its own and is always untidy. I started on a little clear-out of the dining room, but didn’t get very far before I left John to his medical ministrations and whisked myself upstairs to Zoom in on dear and lifelong friends, Sue and Rod.

I don’t think we’ve been in touch since just before Christmas, so it was delightful to see them and chat away. They both looked so very well and happy, even though lockdown is as frustrating for them as it is for the rest of us. They thought I looked well, too. It’s amazing, isn’t it, that lockdown makes you look well even when you’re feeling a bit off par because you’re missing your family. It was also amazing that we found so much to talk about, and the time went by so quickly that it was soon lunchtime before we knew it and the goodbyes were said.

By the time I got downstairs, John had finally finished his medical stuff and was suggesting it might be time for something to eat. Between us, we prepared lunch and, then, after we’d eaten, because it was such a glorious day with the sun shining on the fast-disappearing but sparkly snow, we thought we’d take a walk.

John took ‘Puffing Billy’ with him on the walk and we stopped at various times to ‘admire the scenery’. It was chilly, but exhilarating. We took a short circuit along the path that takes you round the marshland area in Lavender Hall Park, and enjoyed several interludes with dogs and their owners. Some really cute dogs in the park today and very nice owners.

Once we were back at the house, we thought we’d hop in the car and run over to Sutton to drop off an essential item that had been left behind with the washing the other day. It was a lovely run there and back, and we were pleased that the Sutton Sleaths had a moment to spare to say ‘hello’ before they got back to their busy lives. We also brought back a whole pile of junk that is to go to the tip when we next go. We’ve got a slot booked for next Thursday and we are beginning to think this is the new highlight of our lives, and something to look forward to.

I decided I really didn’t want to carry on faffing about in the dining room when we got back, so we made a cuppa and I sat and watched ‘The Chase’ while John investigated something on the computer. And then, after our evening meal, it was Quiz Night again. How quickly the days rush by and how quickly a Wednesday appears on the horizon once more. It’ll soon be our turn to be Quiz Masters again and we’ve only just got over the effort of doing the last one!

However, it was a great evening. Interesting quiz, to which I had almost zero answers and, it’s at times like these that I realise how little I know about politics, music, geography, IT and history. Oh. That’s pretty much a whole quiz, isn’t it? Ah, well, thank goodness for the rest of the team members who knew stuff and made me laugh throughout with their wit and clever answers. Quiz night = keeping me sane, thank you very much.

All in all, it was a day of nothing startling or dramatic, but we made our way through it gently and took it easy. No rush, no pressure, just as it came.

Of course, not everyone can do that, so once again, I am thinking of everyone who is in trouble or pain, from whatever cause, today, and sending positive vibes.

• 13,013 people tested positive for the virus today
• 1,001 people died in the community from the virus in the last 24 hours
• 315 people died in hospitals from the virus on 8 & 9 February

The lockdown is having some effect, but we really don’t know how to plan our lives and what we will be allowed to do and when. I am hoping for garden visits at the very least in early March. John’s got his heated blanket to keep him warm, we’ve got a patio heater and the rest of us can run about like lunatics to keep ourselves warm.

In the meantime, I am delighted to feast my eyes on the rather beautiful amaryllis I had for Christmas, which is just beginning to bloom, and to succour my soul with poetry. See what you think – see if it does the same for you. God bless.

Sunshine is my dawn
Moonshine is my night. 
This, from the day we were born, 
Forever, engaging light.

Be thankful for the gift you've been given.
Help those in more desperate need. 
Bring sunshine to their dawn, 
And into their eyes, rays of light.