Isolation Day 59

Potter, potter, potter. That’s what we’ve done today. I’d love to be a fly on my own wall watching us as we move ourselves and items from one place to another and back again. I’d be interested in a ‘time and motion’ study of our lock down movements. I swear the longer it goes on, the more we simply retrace our steps over and over. Up and downstairs; in and out of this room or that; back and fore from front door to back; round and round the kitchen; then round and round the garden. Not like a teddy bear. We haven’t done that yet – we have left that particular activity to others in the village who are telling full and creative stories with their teddy bears on their front doorsteps; from scenes of birthday parties to tributes to Captain Tom, and then on to Zoom meetings, for the delectation of both children and adults walking by.

With the weather being pleasant enough today and John feeling a bit better, he was pottering down at the ‘man shed’ fitting the final touches to the soffits he’d put up a few weeks earlier. This time, there was no Del Boy moment and the ladder stayed put. The ol’ man was pleased with his work, and I was pleased he was pleased, because it’s a step forward in the recovery stakes. I must say, it’s all looking good, and he was only a little bit out of breath after the exertion.

Whilst John was doing that, I had the pleasure of pottering in the utility room washing the washing machine. I hadn’t done it for a while and was shocked at how grimy it had got. I had also forgotten what a fiddly job it is. I mean, you think you’re just going to bung some liquid into the machine, put it through a hot wash and Bob’s your Uncle. But no, there’s all that business of removing the dispenser and giving it a good scrub; and then there’s the rubber seal inside the door to go at; then the door itself, not to mention the filter. Anyway, it was a good job done and it’s all sparkly now, but it’s a reminder of the sort of chore that I’m really not awfully keen on.

Meanwhile, I was surprised to find Mum had got herself out of bed early-ish this morning and was downstairs before ten o’clock. She is funny though. She wafts down in her dressing gown and then drifts into the lounge before settling herself into ‘her’ seat (which used to be my seat, once upon a time), and then just sits, as if waiting for something, but she has no idea what. I bustle about in the kitchen and make her a cup of tea, putting it on the table in anticipation that she’s going to come through for her breakfast. It never happens without the reminder, “Are going to get your breakfast, Mum?” to which she always replies, “Oh, yes.” as if it’s a lovely unexpected surprise.

This morning however, instead of coming through to the kitchen to actually get her breakfast, she disappeared upstairs again. Sensibly, she was getting her hearing aids, but of course I didn’t know that and, after fifteen minutes (and cold tea) I was beginning to wonder where she was and what had happened to her. So, I run upstairs to check – just one of the many occasions when I dart after her to check she’s OK, when she’s been gone for an inordinate amount of time. Ah, well, I suppose it keeps me fit!!

After lunch, I decided to have another ‘sesh’ with ‘Normal People’. Not quite finished it with one more episode to go, but I have really enjoyed it. The characters are brilliantly portrayed, and it is extremely well directed in my opinion – so much so, that I may even watch it again, once I have finished it this time around.

‘Round and round the garden’ beckoned after I’d finished the ‘sesh’ and I suggested to Mum she might like to do the circuit today. She is mostly always reluctant because she’s nicely settled and ensconced in her cosy seat. She peers out of the window anxiously to see what the weather might be like and whether there might be a good excuse for saying ‘no’. Today, however, she simply said, “If you say so.” So off we toddled into the beautiful sunshine and had a lovely mooch around. Even John joined us, and we sat by the raised flower beds, companionably chatting for a while.

Once back indoors, Mum beamed with delight at the experience and said, “I really enjoyed that.” I knew she would, but it’s not always easy to convince her beforehand, and there’s certainly no way she’s going to remember it for the next time it’s suggested, so we’re just going with the flow…….going with the flow…..

After our evening meal, for the first time in a long time, John and I ‘went out’ separately. I ‘went out’ on Zoom for a chat with my college crew, and John ‘went out’ on Zoom for a quiz night with his Uni friends. To paraphrase Elton John, it felt a little bit funny, knowing we were each on a ‘night out’ but not with each other. Whatever is lock down doing to us?? Whatever it’s doing, we both enjoyed our evenings and delighted once more in the friendships we have.

John’s medications went well again today and, excitement of excitements, tomorrow morning will be the last dose of the intravenous antibiotic before he starts on the nebulised version for the next three months. We have been very grateful to all the nursing team who have looked after him so well. They have been kind and thoughtful and gentle – just what we have needed. But in the nicest possible way, we hope we don’t see them again!!

And for the record, we continue in an ‘eased’ lock down with, according the official government report, 3,446 people infected with COVID-19 as of yesterday at 5 p.m. and 280 deaths in hospital; 428 in all settings. More precisely and ‘live’ data, the NHS reports 47 deaths as at 5 p.m. yesterday.

God bless – and peace be with you all.