Month: October 2021

John continues to be restless. So much so, that he’s hankering after seeing people. So, yesterday, because he couldn’t really bear the thought of being on our own, he texted the Midlands Sleaths and invited them over for lunch today. The Kenilworth Sleaths said ‘yes, please’ but Sutton Sleaths regretted that they were already booked up with birthday parties to go to.

Right, so off up to Oakes’ this morning to buy a decent joint of beef and all the veg; and then on to prepping for lunch. Well, goodness me, not only does everything seem to take forever these days, but rest times seem shorter than ever. It was a relief to sit down for five minutes while the meal was cooking, before the family joined us, but no sooner had I sat down, than it was time get going again.

Anyway, lunch was a success and it was absolutely lovely to see Paul, Harriet and Freddie here at home.

I am a woman of repeatable predictability when it comes to Sunday lunch. Beef and all the trimmings and some crumble or other with custard. Or a chicken dinner with some crumble or other with custard. But today, I pushed the boat out. I made Banoffee Pie.

The family’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Where did you get this from, Mum?” Paul wanted to know. “I made it, ” I replied. There was a Mexican Wave of shock that ran round the table. Wait. What? “You made it?” Paul asked, incredulous. “It’s not a crumble, how can you have made it?” That gave us all a chuckle. Yes, indeed. And at my age, too!!!

We passed a very comfortable afternoon together. Everyone was on top form and just delightful, marvellous company. Freddie was excited about Hallowe’en and arrived dressed as a skeleton. He spied the glass pumpkin head in the porch, full of chocolate pumpkin heads. “Please can I have one of these, Grandma?” Of course he could. I had bought them for the children. “Please can I have another one, Grandma?” “Shall I offer them round?” “Oh, there’s one left, do you want it, Grandma?” No thanks Freddie. Save it for later. And it was gone within minutes.

Very, very grateful for the blessing of family. My heart was full today. As was John’s. He had thoroughly enjoyed the day.

After the family had left, we sat down for a while on the sofa and scrolled through TV programmes to see what was on. Not long after we’d chosen something to watch than the doorbell rang. Momentarily, I had forgotten it was Halloween. Freddie and I had decorated the porch the other day, and Freddie had set up all the lighting this afternoon, so it was on.

And that was lovely, as well. The children who came to the door were all very respectful and excited to be visiting the house. “Trick or Treat!” they cried, behind their masks or make-up, not expecting to have to offer a trick. “Have you got a trick, or do you just want the treat?” I occasionally asked. “Just the treat” came the reply, every time. And it warmed my heart to hear a little boy, aged about seven, run back to his parents on the pavement, saying, “This is fun!” Yep. Enjoyed the interaction with the local kids tonight. Regrettably, their fun was cut short by the heavy downpours, and by seven o’clock this evening, it was all over.

In other news, you may recall the saga of the mixed peel for my Christmas cake. None at the Co-op and I didn’t want to use the petrol to drive miles just for that. So I made my own. And it’s going in, folks…….

I’ll let you know how successful it’s been when we’ve made the cake!!! I might be following in my Mum-in-laws footsteps and having to make more than one Christmas cake, but I hope not. I hope it’s going to taste alright. We’ll see.

A lovely day, in which the highlight was seeing the Kenilworth Sleaths. Take care everyone. God bless.

And, a thought for the day which I thought I’d share. I read it somewhere recently and it struck a chord:

Every moment of your life is a second chance.

After the excitement of yesterday, I felt raring to go today and looked at my list of jobs, and thought, ‘Hmmm, let’s see what I can tackle today,’ Well, this morning, that worked well, I got on with things. But, by this afternoon, I was pooped.

John had trawled the TV for sports programmes and announced that there was both cricket and rugby on this afternoon. I like both, so thought I’d watch whatever he was watching for a while and then get on again. But no, once I was installed on the sofa there was no budging me. I thoroughly enjoyed the cricket. It was an amazing game, with England in commanding form. John watched the first half an hour and woke up for the last fifteen minutes or so. He, too, was obviously tired.

And really, that’s been about it. I read a bit of my book, cooked the tea this afternoon and watched Strictly but nothing else. So we’re going to bed early! Night, night folks. Sleep tight and take care in all your doings tomorrow.

COVID report on Monday.

My toothache didn’t bother me much; the Sutton Sleaths (minus Michael, who was working) came to visit; and we took ourselves off for coffee and cake at Dave and Chris’s. So it was a cracking day. Wonderful.

We lazed in bed again this morning, chatting and generally mulling over life and the universe. It was lovely – no pressures to do anything, just luxuriating in the fact that we can stay in bed if we want to, and who’s going to stop us? We took our time on our ablutions and wandered down for a brunch of banana pancakes, sprinkled with pecans and raspberries, and drizzled with maple syrup. Delicious.

We had not long started in on our pancakes when the doorbell rang. It was Danielle, William and Thomas. We were expecting them, in order to collect a document, and they soon made themselves at home. William eyed up the pancakes. “Would you like some of my pancake?” I asked. “Yes, please.” he said, his little eyes shining in anticipation. “It’s got nuts in.” I warned. “I like nuts.” said William, “My Daddy eats nuts and I sometimes eat them with him.” True his word, he more or less wolfed down the lot. And what he didn’t eat, Thomas hoovered up afterwards.

Oh, such bliss to spend time with the family. We had a companiable hour and a half before we had to shoo them out of the door, because we were going out. Whilst we were keen to go over to see Dave and Chris, we were reluctant to say goodbye. I fairly had to drag myself away from Thomas, who was sitting on the floor of the lounge, trying to make the robot do something. I pressed a few buttons on the controller and Thomas’ eyes opened wide, he grinned and then patted the floor beside him to insist that I sit alongside. We then had ten minutes of fun pressing buttons and being amused by the robots movements. But, whenever I made any indication to move away, Thomas patted the floor, very determinedly, and looked at me with those big blue eyes, pleading, to ensure I stayed. Boy, he knows how to work a girl! I was putty in his hands.

We finally dragged ourselves away and drove over to Rugby to see Dave and Chris. Gosh, we didn’t half give them a big hug* when we got there! It’s a while since we last saw them, having had one or two aborted arrangements, so it was just terrific to see them again.

In my mind, I had thought we might not stay too long, as John was feeling exceedingly tired and Dave hadn’t been well, so I thought we might not want to add to their fatigue. However, the minute we got there John perked up like nobody’s business, chatting at a rate of knots; and Dave was feeling so much better that he wasn’t feeling too tired after all – or at least, he certainly didn’t show it.

“I want to hear all about the boat trip.” said Dave, almost as soon as we got there. They were both supposed to be coming with us on that very exciting boat trip, (see my post ‘Drama on the River’ on August 3rd, if you haven’t read it) and, having read that blog entry, they were keen for the first-hand account. However, we talked and talked and talked – about everything. Until, at last, I looked at the time – nearly quarter-past five – and thought we ought to be making a move. We did that thing that everyone does before setting off on a journey – the loo-visit – and then, as a throwaway comment before we left, I said, laughing, “We never did get to tell you about the boat trip. We’ll have to meet up again to tell the tale.” Well, that set us off again. “No, no, tell us about the boat trip.” Dave and Chris said. So we did. And left their house at about a quarter to six. Had a fabulous time.

Not only did we chat and chat, but we had cake. Chris is one of the best cake-makers I know, (I might have said this before) along with Gloria and Christiana. And she didn’t disappoint. There were two cakes. Her speciality, lemon drizzle cake, and a coffee cake. Now, before lockdown, when John and I were seeking out good things to do, we made a point of having a decent hot chocolate wherever we were, and I sampled all the coffee cakes, to find the best one. Erm….. hello? Anyone tried Chris’s coffee cake? Absolutely yummy. Had two slices.

Home again, and we didn’t do anything but eat our evening meal and goggle the box. All good, and we were thankful for our wonderful day. I am particularly thankful that we were both able to enjoy it. Thank the Lord.

Want the COVID figures? No? Well, you’re gonna get ’em, anyway! Now I’ve started….. I’ve got to keep going.

43,467 people tested positive for the virus today; 186 people died in the community; 76 in hospitals in the last 48 hours. That enough for everyone? Yes, I thought so. Masks, masks, masks……..

Take care everyone. God bless.

*We had all done LFTs which were clear, so we thought we’d risk it!!

Oh, my heart…… it’s a while since we had Freddie over and I felt well enough to entertain him this afternoon, so he came and we had fun!

This morning we were up at a reasonable time for a change, because John was due to have his flu jab, so I got up and made him breakfast – only to take it to him for him to say, “I haven’t got time for that, I’ve got to go.” Well, there was 20 minutes before he needed to be at the surgery and it literally takes three or four minutes to get there, but he didn’t want to be late. So I ate it instead.

We both pottered about when he got back – he was mending a wardrobe door malfunction and I was tidying the kitchen and changing sheets. I was also prepping for when Freddie arrived…..

I had enough energy to get up into the loft and bring down the Halloween decorations, to rummage in the dressing up cupboard for garments to create ghosts and bat wings, and to get the ingredients ready for muffin-making with Halloween decorations. Oh, boy, I wasn’t half looking forward to Freddie coming!!

Equally, Freddie was thrilled to be at our house and to be sorting out the porch where we were to put the decorations. Although he made me laugh, because he arrived at lunchtime and declared he’d like a banana sandwich. Regrettably, I didn’t have any bananas. “No worries,” said Paul, “Harriet’s popped into the shops to get some.” Once Paul and Harriet had left, I suggested that Freddie have his lunch then we’d do the decorating. “No, let’s get the Halloween stuff out first and do the porch!” he said. OK. So we opened the box and had a good look at everything. Decisions needed to be made. Which way should we put the table? Where should we hang the black fringe? Shall we use the bird cage? After about twenty minutes, Freddie said, “Let’s have lunch now….” Bless him. The empty tummy overtook the excitement of the decorating.

After lunch, we did the decorating while John carried on fiddling about with the wardrobe door. Then we decided to pop up to the shops to see if there were any extra decorations that took our fancy. John came with us for the walk as far as the end of the road, where he had his eye on some sycamore seeds he wanted to gather to add to his collection of little oak trees he’s growing.

There wasn’t anything much left in the shops, so we bought a toffee apple and a light sabre and came home. After that, I was tired. I planned to have a sit-down. “I tell you what, Freddie, you sit and eat your toffee apple and we’ll put the telly on for half an hour.” He was very happy with that. As was Grandpa, who sat him on his lap and chuckled at ‘Grizzly and the Lemmings’, as we tucked into toasted teacakes.

Time to make the cakes. We had fun – not the cake-making, that was simply from a packet – but the decoration. I found some Royal Icing and we spent a great time modelling pumpkins, ghosts, spiders and wriggly worms/snakes. Even Grandpa joined in. It absorbed Freddie for ages. He was in his element, and so were we because he was such good company.

It was time to go home. Ah, we’d had such a lovely time. And we enjoyed the half an hour or so in which we saw Paul, Harriet and Lily, too. Lovely.

And then, more riches this evening! It was Zoom-time with the college crew. Oh, what bliss to have a natter to old friends. We even (almost) strayed into politics, a subject we usually leave well alone, but it just felt right to be chewing the cud together this evening.

Having been busy, I haven’t watched any of the news but the COVID report is: 39,842 people testing positive with the virus today; 165 people dying in the community and 55 in hospitals in the last 48 hours. Almost a 1,000 people admitted to hospital today – 962, which makes, in the last 7 days, a total of 6,999 people. 1,000 a day as near as dammit.

A YouGov poll, published on Wednesday, suggests the general public are in favour of stronger measures to prevent infection, masks in particular. The percentage of English people would support bringing back:

• Masks on transport: 81%
• Masks in shops: 76%
• Social distancing in pubs/restaurants: 67%
• 2m rule: 59%
• Rule of 6 indoors: 42%
• No large events: 42%
• No household mixing indoors: 30%
• Full lockdown: 20%

I wonder if it’ll happen?

Take care everyone. God bless.

Oh, dear, John is going stir-crazy because we’re not busy. Nothing to do (!!) and nothing to look forward to. Gulp. I apologised because, as I’m not whizzing about, it feels dull and flat. And, naturally, the things we might have been doing in the last week, we’re not.

However, tomorrow is another day and, if I feel a bit better, then Freddie might come for a few hours. That should brighten the ol’ man up, shouldn’t it? I mean, who wouldn’t want to see this gorgeous little boy?

In the meantime, it was another day of lolling about really. We stayed in bed for hours this morning, before I thought I really ought to get up. Once I was up, I cooked brunch and, when I took it to John in bed, he said “Ooh, lovely! Lunch?” Made us both smile. It’s the little things, folks…the little things…

After I cooked brunch and tidied the kitchen I thought I might get on with making my candied peel. Washed the oranges and lemons….

……..but then John called me through to look at some small print, and all of a sudden, I went tired. Oh, crikey! I’d only been up a couple of hours and I was having to have a sit-down already! That was it then, until about three o’clock – just couldn’t get going again.

By mid-afternoon, though, I was after more drugs. We’d run out of Ibuprofen, so I ambled up the road to the pharmacy and bought some. While I was out, I enjoyed the fresh air – despite the rather dull day – and thought I’d nip up to my neighbour’s, Carol, whose husband recently died. I had a little bag of goodies that I thought might cheer her up.

“Do you want to step in?” Carol asked, as I stood on the doorstep. Well, just for a minute then…. so we had a lovely chat for about half an hour. I hope I cheered her up a bit, but to be honest, I wasn’t my best, lively self, so I am not sure that I did. But she was pleased with the goodies anyway.

John was still sweating away on the computer when I got home. He’s trying to source a new part for Andrew’s broken bike. You know, a widget, a thingummy bob, one of those tiny things that you can hardly see. I think it’s a struggle.

I did that fatal thing of sitting down again when I got home, with a cup of tea – and time went on…. Finally, I remembered that I was supposed to be doing my candied peel, so I got on and did that. Well, sort of. It’s not turned out exactly as I would have wished.

The instructions said to let the peel boil for an hour. So I put the timer on for fifteen minutes, then another fifteen and so on, so that I could keep checking on it. When it gets to 120°, the instructions said, turn it off. Hahahahaha……..

John had offered to cook the tea. Well, thank you very much! Meanwhile, I sat in the lounge, waiting for the timer to go off every so often. When the final buzzer went off, I trotted through to the kitchen to find the peel boiling like fury and the thermometer telling me it was 136°. Yikes!

We now have candied orange and lemon brittle. I’m trying soaking it in brandy – do you reckon that’ll work? A pic, I hear you ask? Maybe tomorrow. I think it’s going to be a disaster. A tasty one though, if you can get your teeth through it.

Working round me and my disaster, John cooked a fabulous meal for us this evening. A really delicious curry, which he took his time over – and it was just perfect. Thoroughly enjoyed having something cooked for me.

I think he might have started drinking a glass or two of wine while he was cooking however, because by the time he came through to the lounge, he was already in a state of devil-may-care. But not altogether buoyant. TV palled. He sighed – all the programmes are the same. So he had another glass of wine to relieve the monotony.

And he wanted me to ask you this question: ‘When was the last time you had fun?’ Answers on a postcard please. I think he’s looking for ideas.

43,941 people tested positive for the virus today. 207 people died. 68 in hospitals in the last 48 hours.

Take care everyone. God bless.

And here’s my current prayer, which I have on repeat:

God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen

We have spent most of the day lolling about, interspersed with little bursts of activity every so often.

This morning, we lolled in bed until about eleven o’clock. I didn’t want to get up to face the inevitable; and John didn’t want to get up because he felt tired. When we finally got up, we had a bite to eat and mooched about a bit before we thought about the jobs we’ve got listed – one of which is to make the Christmas cake. I normally make it by the end of October to give it plenty of ‘drinking’ time so, while John was looking up something on the computer, I rummaged in the cupboards to see whether there were any ingredients we needed to buy.

By the time I had done that and made a list of things to get, it was time to set off for the dentist. As I said, I was a little nervous about the visit because I am not normally tripping into the dentist’s surgery in unusual circumstances. My anxiety was the fact that I still have pain.

As it turned out, I needn’t have worried. The dentist did another x-ray and promptly said that he wouldn’t be keen to be injecting pain relief into a stream of nerves that were already inflamed. He showed me the x-ray, and I could see exactly where the infection was seated. “Can you bite down on that tooth?” he asked. Erm… hello?…. I mean, it’s painful. “No,” I replied, and then, feeling a bit foolish by my description, told him: “that tooth feels a bit spongy.” He nodded. “Exactly. That’s telling you that there is still an infection. And we wouldn’t want to be drilling into that.”

I trotted out from the dentist’s surgery to John waiting in the car park, clutching another prescription for stronger antibiotics. He was surprised to see me out so early. He’d just been thinking: ‘Ooooh, she’ll be having the injection now…..’ when I opened the car door. I am not sure whether he was relieved or not by the fact that I’d got more, stronger antibiotics and another appointment for next Thursday, or whether he was wishing I’d had something done. Anyway, we drove home – me, the embodiment of relief…… and keeping my fingers crossed that these antibiotics do the trick and I can stop popping the painkillers.

This afternoon, we nipped into the Co-op to buy the few things needed for the Christmas cake. Disappointingly, they were out of mixed peel. No worries – I’ll make my own. I have oranges and lemons and sugar – should be simple, yes?

Then we came home to loll on the sofa all afternoon – a-snoozing sometimes, lifting a bleary eye to watch whatever the other one of us was watching on TV at other times. And that’s how the rest of the day passed until just before tea, when John thought he’d try and fit the new hose, which arrived yesterday, to the tumble dryer. “What did you do with old hose?” he wondered. “I threw it away,” I replied, “Like you said….” Ah….. it transpired that the fixing on the new hose wasn’t quite the same as the one I’d chucked out. Anyway, he found a solution: Gaffa Tape. Trusty old Gaffa Tape.

This evening, we lolled our way through Bake-Off and caught up on a GoggleBox that we’d recorded and then through Murder Island. And now we’re about to go to bed to do more lolling about until the morning. Eeeeh… it’s hard life , isn’t it, eh?

On the COVID front, we are still registering lots and lots of people infected with the virus – today it was 40,954; and lots and lots of deaths: 263 in the community. In hospitals, there 66 deaths in the previous 48 hours.

We only get one chance at life, and I am so very angry that the government don’t see fit to at least tell everyone to mask up. It’s criminal negligence in my opinion, to allow more and more people to become infected and die.

We now know that the virus can affect cognitive function, other key organs and be life-changing. For our children’s children, at the very least, this is for me unacceptable, knowing that you might be setting them up for a poorer life ahead.

But I don’t know how to do anything about it. Grrr…..impotence is such a horrible feeling, isn’t it?

In the meantime, folks, it’s best foot forward and keep smiling. Take care everyone. God bless,

Oh – I nearly forgot – Susie Dent’s words of the day are ‘unanimous’, united in agreement, from the Latin for ‘one mind’; and ‘unasinous’, united in stupidity, from the Latin for ‘one ass’.

Monday. The start of the week. And let’s hope it’s the start of a better week. I am due to be in the dentist’s chair tomorrow lunchtime, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that he’ll be able to sort me out. Not looking forward to it at all. It’s very rare that I make a visit to the dentist for an ailment – normally it’s just checks-ups and planned fillings s/he’s found – but this is different, so I am a little nervous.

We haven’t done much again today, although John has battled with installing a new motorised valve on the central heating pump. We have had warm radiators over the summer, even when the heating has been switched off, so he’s had a go at fixing it. There was a bit of puffing and panting and grumbling that he couldn’t see the finer points of the installation but, it looks like he’s done it! Mister ‘I-Will-Not-Be-Beaten‘ has done it again.

We had a drive into Kenilworth too, to drop a couple of Andrew’s suits into the cleaners. That perked John up. He’d been thinking that he might be sitting in his chair all day otherwise. And it was such a lovely day, wasn’t it? The sun was shining and it was mild. Very nice.

I did a little bit of pottering about this morning but, to be honest, any effort seems to make my tooth ache even more, rather than taking my mind off it! So I did the right thing, and sat down for a while. I think I’m beginning to turn into a couch potato………

We are not keen on our energy ebbing away, to be honest – we might, just might be feeling our age, which isn’t what we want at all. I mean, we were going to live forever, weren’t we? We weren’t going to have any of this horrible old-age lark, for sure. But here we are – doing our best, but slowing up, darn it! Or maybe I just feel like that because I haven’t felt well? That’s a nice thought – I might hang onto that.

On the COVID front, fewer people tested positive for the virus – could this be because the schools are out? Who said kids didn’t catch/transmit the disease? At the moment, most of the infections are among school-age children who then pass it to their families, I understand. Those infected numbered 36,567; deaths were 38 in the community and 21 in hospitals in the previous 48 hours. Over 1,000 people were admitted to hospital today.

Let’s keep on, keeping on, folks. Take care and God bless.

Oh, by the way, the word of the day is ‘flenching’ (19th-century Scots): promising an improvement that never quite materialises.

I was up early this morning ready for an appointment at the mobile breast screening clinic. Regrettably, when I got there, it was no-go. The generator had a mind of its own and switched itself on, then off at regular, three-minute intervals. “I am sorry,” said the nurse, “but we can’t do any x-rays until it’s sorted. Do you want to re-book?” There being no choice, all three ladies waiting, re-booked.

Home again, and a text message from the Sutton Sleaths to say that William had been poorly overnight but seemed better now, and Danielle had also been poorly. Michael felt iffy. Hmm…. I thought I’d better phone Dave and Chris. We were planning to go over for lunch, but obviously needed to let them know we’d been in contact with the dreaded lurgy. We agreed that visiting probably wasn’t the best thing to do, given the circumstances, so we postponed our visit.

John, meanwhile, having had a nice lie-in, got himself up and dressed in his best togs, before I had chance to tell him that we were staying at home. “Never mind,” he said, “probably the right thing to do.” So he’s been smart all day – which has been nice.

My intention this morning was to watch the church service. Normally it’s at 9.30, but in the newsletter that’s emailed round to us all it said the service would be available at 10.50. I assumed, therefore, that the service was at 11.00. Hmmm…. got the wrong end of the stick, I think, and it was a recording at 10.50. Ho-hum. That was alright, but the timings weren’t quite what I’d planned.

I watched it anyway and it gave me food for thought on doing our bit for climate change. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by that, though, to be honest. Still, looking on the bright side, we haven’t been using the tumble dryer because we haven’t bought a replacement hose yet. So that’s a contribution to reducing energy expenditure, isn’t it?

With our plans thwarted today, we spent the rest of the day mostly goggling the box. I had a book beside me which I read intermittently, as well – ‘Reasons to stay alive’ by Matt Haig (better than the title suggests)……… John inspected the back of his eyelids for some of the time, waking up for our evening meal, and then back to the detailed inspection of his eyelids until he perked up to watch the Grand Prix. All in all, a relaxing afternoon. Neither of us had the energy for much more. Me, with my toothache and he, with his chest.

The COVID situation continues apace with cases high in numbers. Not quite as high as recently, but still too many, and we need to be cautious – even around our loved ones, despite whatever the MPs might think.

Look after yourselves and those you love, everyone. God bless.

Well, there’s a little bit of improvement here in our household. I actually managed to get up and get a shower and wash my hair this morning. Reasonably early, too. We were due to meet the Sutton Sleaths at the house they are buying in Kenilworth. Michael wanted to measure up a few things so we took the opportunity to go with them and have a look round.

It’s a lovely house, so I am really hoping that everything runs smoothly for them. They have had a tough couple of years one way and another so it’s time for some brighter and easier times ahead.

John drove us there, as my brain was still addled with codeine, and then we all came back to our house for a cuppa and a pastry. Thomas hadn’t been very well during the week with a tummy bug, but 48 hours had passed since he’d last thrown up, so we were confident that the bugs wouldn’t be around.

I still wasn’t feeling great, so I left everyone to it and William and I went to watch some Octonauts on TV. He didn’t want any pastry but ate a few raisins instead. Thomas was clearly better as he hoovered up anything he could find. He came trotting through to the lounge with a mini box of shreddies and grazed his way through them.

The Sutton Sleaths left just before lunch and then, about an hour later, we got a text message apologising for their visit. Why? William now has the dreaded lurgy and had only been home a short while before he decided to throw up, too. Ah, well. Just got to keep our fingers crossed we don’t get it!

Exhausted by our morning excitement, neither of us has done anything today, other than put the shopping delivery away and John cooked the tea.

John had said he’d go to the shops for a few bits and pieces, but I really didn’t want him to. The incidence of COVID in the village quite high, so better to stay safe, I thought. Fortunately, the Co-op does deliveries, so you can do an order and receive your groceries within an hour or so.

Nationally, the incidence of COVID is going up too – in the last week it has gone up by 15%, those admitted to hospital by 19% and deaths in the community by 12%. Not good, is it?

With there being a question mark over whether John has developed any antibodies and, therefore, any immunity to the virus, I have ordered protective masks for us to wear now, instead of the cloth ones. There is some data to suggest these help prevent infection for the wearer, so let’s hope so.

However, there’s always something to look forward to, isn’t there? And the latest news is that, unexpectedly, the Sutton Sleaths are expecting another baby – due in April. They definitely need to move house now!

Take care everyone. God bless.

I can’t help thinking the last few days have been a waste. Here was a week in which we had nothing much happening and an opportunity to get on with those jobs on our lists. But no, if the toothache wasn’t bad enough, the codeine I am taking has done me in. Basically, all I have been doing for the last three days is sleeping and just sitting around, waiting for the pain to go away. Still waiting, in fact.

John, however, has been working through his list – which is a bonus. He’s tackled the jasmine, which was threatening to arrive in all our back bedrooms as it made its way through the roof space. He’s been on to Sky and sorted out our TV and telephone package, which is a relief; and he’s generally looked after me by asking, every five minutes, “Do you want anything?” Mostly, I haven’t wanted anything, so he’s been thwarted in his efforts.

Anyway, middle son thought I ought to be contacting the NHS 111 line as I seem to be taking my time to be better. After a half an hour wait to be through to an agent (or whatever they call them), the girl said she thought I’d got everything I needed, but did I want the phone number of a dentist? I thought I might as well. So she gave me the number of the dentist with whom I am already registered and waiting to see….. I shall just keep taking the tablets and keep my fingers crossed.

I haven’t been taking any notice of the news or the COVID situation – it’s funny, but when you don’t feel well, you can only be interested in yourself, can’t you? Ah, well, another day – maybe tomorrow? Fingers crossed I can give up the codeine which is just addling my brain.

Take care everyone. God bless.