Muddy Paws

A little list of jobs to get through this morning which I ended up doing all before I took Mac out for a walk. One of the jobs was to mop the floors. There are muddy footprints everywhere. This, we think, is because Steve, our milkman/lawn cutter/hedge cutter, has very kindly dressed the lawn with some feed. It is obviously sticking to Mac’s paws and he’s wandering it in and out with no apology whatsoever.

I was grateful to John, however, as I scanned the list and sighed a bit about the things to do. “I wouldn’t mop the floors today,” he said, “wait until Mac has gone home.” I brightened up a bit. Now that seemed a good idea – so I crossed that job off the list. The floors are still muddy – as are Mac’s paws….. ah well….

It was mid-day before I wandered out of the house across the fields. Another glorious day in which I didn’t need a coat or a cardigan even. We had a fabulous meander and I took time to admire the flora in the fields and hedgerows again.

This is the posy I mentally picked to adorn my table: celandines – all milky yellow and arms open wide; cowslips – their heads nodding gently as we brushed past; cow parsley – their frothy heads just beginning to emerge; ladies’ smock – so very, very refined; daisies – little rosettes of fine, white petals; dainty dead nettles – their flowers peaking out from under their pointy leaves; and dandelions.

The dandelions were absolutely stunning. Mini-suns turning their faces upwards to drink in the sun’s rays – and I’ve decided that they are my new favourite flower. I mean, would you look at that? I challenge you to find a bonnier, jauntier, happier-looking flower than this….

John, having stayed back at the ranch, was tinkering in the garage again and trying to get the car started. It didn’t like it much and point-blank refused to get going. More tinkering required. It may be frustrating, but this is what John likes. He loves a challenge and loves the thrill of getting a section finished and ready for the next one. Even engines…..

Having tested negative for COVID, we went round to Pete and Dawn’s this afternoon. We sat out in their lovely garden – some of us in the shade and others – well, me – in the sunshine, all of us drinking pink Cava and eating super-juicy strawberries. Some of us had ice-cream as well. Not me….. oh, and cake. Gosh, it was yummy. The diet starts on Tuesday…..

We had a great time. So lovely to see them in the flesh at last after they’d enjoyed the delights of COVID, which they refused to share (and for which we are very grateful). Everyone is better and Dawn actually managed to dodge the little blighters that had infected Peter and Jack.

We enjoyed ourselves so much that the hour we promised to spend with them turned into two, and then a bit more, as we admired their new car and learned the intricacies of the specially-adapted wheelchair system.

Another dog-walk this evening and then John and I both agreed an early night is in order. We both feel a bit tired – must be all the sunshine.

Once again, I have avoided watching the news with its hype about the Sussexes, the horror of the war in Ukraine, and the plan to send refugees to Rwanda. Heaven help us – the world has gone mad.

On the Coronavirus front, Danielle is feeling a bit better, but cases are still 1 in 15. After this weekend, I am wondering whether it’s be higher than that again as people congregate over the Bank Holiday. What say you?

Prayers and positive vibes still welcomed if you are so inclined as the baby is due on Tuesday….

Take care everyone. Happy Easter and Peace be with you all.