Working together

We don’t often do stuff together – unless it’s a visit to the hospital or to friends and family – especially at home. John does his bits and pieces and I do mine. I suppose that’s much the same for many a household. But today, once I’d winkled myself out of bed and managed to make it downstairs, John suggested going for a walk. “Yes, OK,” I said. The weather was stunning with the sun shining beautifully, so why not?

Except that I felt uncomfortable. I hadn’t planned on going for a walk this morning. I had had other plans. But if John suggests a walk I never really want to say ‘no’. It’s good for both of us and, not only that, it’s something we can do together. But today, I felt squirmy about having said ‘yes’.

We had more chat over breakfast and the walk was mentioned again. I plucked up courage. “John, I don’t really want to go for a walk now.” He thought for a minute. “Well, the sun’s shining and we need to make the most of it,” he suggested. “Hmmm…. but the thing is….. I’d sort of planned to go down the bottom of the garden and sort the wood out for the fire this morning.”

“I mean,” I continued, “I’ll be outside in the fresh air and in the sunshine, so it will be making the most of it, won’t it?” Ah…. yes. He agreed. “Well, I can help you.” he said. So that’s how it came about that actually did something together. And not only that, but I was allowed in the ‘Man Shed’ to boot.

We both enjoyed the activity, which extended into clearing up a few of the leaves that were still strewn about the garden. John was on top form, with the new inhalers still working their magic and breathing made easier. We filled half a dozen crates and boxes with wood for the open fire to be stored near the house, and then put our backs into shoveling the leaves into the green bin.

The sun shone on us wonderfully well and I think I may even had a relaxed face today – not quite a smile, but not far off. We even managed to to get the new water butt moved into place and set up on its legs. Although, once it was in situ, I thought maybe its intended home wasn’t going to be quite right, so we think we’ll have to think again about where to locate it.

We thought we deserved a rest after all our exertions and sat down with a cup of hot chocolate and a bit of cake. I think that’s the end of the Christmas cake now…… “We probably need to make a smaller cake next year,” John observed, “I mean, I’ve made a sterling effort to finish it off. It’s hard work, but someone’s got to do it….”. Yes, we probably do need to make a smaller one, but whether I will remember is another matter, of course.

John has been mending the washing machine, but stalled the other day when it became clear that it was a two-man job to get the spring round the drum and fixed to the rubber seal. After we’d had our little rest, we thought we’d go and have a fight with the washing machine. But….ha! ha! No fight necessary. We did it in one go. Boom!

I toddled off upstairs to set the Quiz for this evening while John put the finishing touches to re-mantling the washing machine. (Is re-mantling a word? As opposed to dismantling?) He came up to let me know he was planning to watch a bit of TV. “Have you done the washing machine then?” I wondered. “Yep. I’ve put it on and it’s working.” he said. Honestly, he’s an amazing man, isn’t he?

A little bit of the Australian Open tennis before our evening meal and then this evening, Quiz Night. Once again, a giggle and good fun. I was Quiz Master this time, which always gives me the willies in case I choose questions that no-one knows and it’s too hard, or questions that everyone knows and it’s too easy. But I think it was OK and everyone enjoyed it.

So, another day which went well and provided some enjoyment. But January is dawdling isn’t it? Dragging it’s feet a bit? Did you know that before the revisions to make it a twelve-month calendar, the Romans considered winter to be month-less? I can see why. And here’s Brian Bilston’s view on it, which made me laugh:

Take care everyone. God bless

In COVID news, there were 102,292 people who tested positive for the virus today according to the government website i.e. new cases. 346 deaths in the community and 1,399 people admitted to hospital. 99 people died in hospitals in the previous 48 hours.

I shall be very interested to see what happens to the figures when they start including re-infections…..