You know it’s come to something, don’t you, when you’re reduced to sorting out your pencil drawer? Well, that was me today. Lots and lots of big jobs still to tackle round the house, but it was the pencil drawer that kept me occupied. Mind-numbing activity, I suppose, so that the harsh reality of being confined to barracks doesn’t come into too sharp a focus.
Not that I am minding the confinement as such, but I’ve begun to notice how my horizons are narrowing a little more each day. We always knew that the lock-down would challenge us both physically and mentally but, as we start our fifth week of isolation, I recognise that knowing is not the same as experiencing. Self-discipline has never been my greatest strength, but I now understand the expression ‘digging deep’ and, in our household at least, we will need to do just that in the coming weeks.
Nonetheless, it’s been a good day today. In addition to sorting pencils, I have been able to tidy up a few administrative loose ends, which is always very satisfying. We also managed to contact the doctor first thing this morning for a telephone appointment to discuss the situation regarding John’s chest. The consultation resulted in a prescription for antibiotics, which were kindly delivered to our door by Julie from Balsall Pharmacy. Hopefully the ol’ man will be on the mend very soon.
Despite the fact that he can’t breathe, John did a bit more of a tidy-up down at the ‘man-shed’ and then insisted on getting the lawnmower going and mowed as much of the lawn as he could manage. So, the garden’s looking good and the plants that I transplanted the other day seem to be relatively happy in their new homes. And here, I thought you might like to see a pic or two of the ‘man shed’?
Mum, bless her, did a lot of sitting about as usual, with her standard television diet of Tenable, Tipping Point and The Chase this afternoon, but she did have a wander about after tea to aid her digestion, and made the effort to look out down Station Road at the crisp, pale blue sky and the setting sun. She even took the initiative this evening and took herself off to bed. That was a first since she came to live with us.
I am not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I am hoping that the news will be better than it was today. The death toll from COVID-19 is still very high, with 778 people having lost their lives, and we can no longer tell ourselves that these deaths are the aged and vulnerable; they are across all ages and even among apparently healthy people. 5,252 people are reported as being infected with the virus, which is an increase on previous daily figures, and the Government has now raised the risk to the UK as high. We knew it was probably going to come this, but we surely didn’t want to experience it; and the experiences of those on the front line right now is just horrific, and they are already exhausted. May God bless them and keep them.
Wow! What a transformation. Well done, John.
Like you I am finding life tough now. I knew self isolating would go on for weeks, months even, but I felt it would be better when Lent had finished, after Easter. And guess what it isn’t! 🙁
Still feeling brighter today, I have some new yoga exercises to try (thanks Jamie), have bought 2 plants for the garden and have been loaned a 2000 piece puzzle (which is mainly for Pete but hey it’s another interest!). Onward and upward! Hope John feels better soon xx
Sorry to hear you’re finding it tough too!! WE need to do more giggly Skyping!! And John’s chest is a bit better today – thanks. Chin up. Hugs.
I thought I’d replied to this but may be not? Yoga days are good days, Jaime would say and enjoy the jigsaw!!
As with Dawn well done John. I think I am turning into your mum Anne if I am having a cup of tea I usually inadvertently catch the end of Tenable watch, in the background, whilst preparing the evening meal Tipping Point and Ray usually watches The Chase d’oh I probably really am becoming your mum . Have a teeny problem when they refer to aged parents in their sixties, no, what is the world coming to? Of course we are not aged, d’oh. Love to read the up dates, praying for the chest infection to improve. Xx
Ha! Ha! I think we’re all turning into my Mum with daytime TV!!
I thought I’d replied to you Lizzie but I can’t see my comment here, so just wanted to share that you’ve made me laugh today!! No-one can come to being like my Mum, but…..we’re watching DAYTIME TV!! Shock horror!!
Dear friends, a wave from Australia. We also are in our 5 week of social distancing and can empathise with you and the pencil drawer. I have started cleaning out the kitchen cupboards and have discovered hidden gems that had expired years ago. So most of the spices ….. into the compost bin and the bicard of sofa … into the garbage, and so it goes. Same with the freezer, thought we would try and empty it, except I never label anything. So the other night we had taco flavoured mince on spaghetti.
I am sure your mum is as bewildered as we are as to what is happening and what the future holds. Familiarity and reruns create comfort. I don’t know the tv shows you mention but we bless Netflix.
Re Covid: We are very lucky in Australia, I think we have only had 70 people die and our numbers who have Covid are dropping every day. Where we live in Canberra we have had no new cases for 9 days, no one is in hospital and only 12 people are still recovering in isolation of their home. So small steps to normalise life will commence next week.
The best outcome of all of this will be the clean kitchens, renovated gardens, painted houses, tidy pencil drawers and long walks ….. also the jigsaws.
Hugs from us enjoying a lovely autumn 🍂
Bless
Lovely to hear from you in OZ and glad you are all safe and well. We are feeling very stupid right now in the UK as we zoom towards the highest numbers of those infected and deaths, and wish we were feeling smug like the Aussies!! Do hope that the figures stay small for you though, Oz has had enough to cope with in recent months without a surge in the virus!! Take care and love to Rod, Lizzie and Jeff. xxx