Everyday, we are blessed with greetings from friends and family in the form of beautiful Christmas cards landing inside our porch. These are much looked-for from everyone because they contain a heartfelt sentiment and send us love – which we rather appreciate.
They are much-looked for from many others too, because they often contain an update on what everyone has been doing since we last saw them. In some cases, it is over forty years since we last met, and yet it is so lovely to keep in touch – even if is only once a year.
For others, of course, it is much less time since we last met up, but nonetheless it’s been a while. The pandemic has certainly got in the way of us catching up with some of our friends and family. But, the pandemic has also made our hearts grow fonder and, in some cases, we have been galvanised into setting up meetings where we can. I am hoping that, in the coming months, we learn some decent strategies for living our lives in this distressing pandemic, so that we can see our wider circle in person and make the most of whatever time is left to us.
In the meantime, we have sent out our greetings cards for the most part, and just have a few hand-delivered ones to put through letterboxes locally. We have sent them ‘with love’ as always, but this year it seems even more meaningful.
In other news, we are watching the COVID situation closely, because we are wondering whether we might need a ‘Plan B’ for our Christmas arrangements. There are so many of us that one false move and someone might be introducing the virus into the household. Generally speaking, everyone is consciously keeping themselves to themselves – so we’re crossing our fingers and toes that it’ll be ‘alright on the night’. I am, naturally, still anxious about John’s vulnerability, but he is fed up of it now……
We have done a spot of sorting out at home today. We have a plan to look after the Sutton Sleath boys on Tuesday, so we were busily tidying nooks and crannies so that we can hide Christmas presents away from prying eyes and fingers when they come. Heaven help us if William says, ‘What’s in this cupboard, Grandma?’ and chooses the one with all the presents in……..anyone know any good distraction techniques?
This evening we watched the telly. It was the Strictly final and what a good show it was. Apart from the schmaltz of ‘….and what would it mean to you to win the glitter ball?…….’ and the teary responses, the actual dancing was immaculate. I absolutely loved it.
We were about to start making our way up the wooden hill when what should be showing but ‘The Full Monty’? One of my favourite films of all times, so we had to sit and watch it. It means Christmas has arrived, I think. Just need to watch ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Zulu’ and we’re set.
90,418 people went down with the virus today – well, at least, that many tested positive but we know that many more are home without having done a test, so it’s not quite the true figure.
125 people died in the community with the virus today and 900 people were admitted to hospital.
Still a lot of people and not much proper strategy for dealing with it. London declared a ‘major incident’ this afternoon as hospitals were overwhelmed with cases and there were too few staff to deal with it. This is what the NHS management has been telling the government since Day One. The government hasn’t listened and certainly not learned in my opinion. I wonder what is really going on? Muddled management to hide something they are planning to introduce? Or simply just muddled management? Who knows. Goodness me, I am getting cynical in my old age…..
Take care everyone. God bless.