Author: anniesleath@hotmail.co.uk

Well, what a day yesterday, with all the celebrations for John’s birthday. So successful, that even the jeans that Paul and Harriet bought him, and we were convinced would be several sizes too small, fitted.

Today, however, was a day of two halves. I got up reasonably early but left John to snooze on after all the exertions of his birthday. He spent the morning asleep while I took it easy with a leisurely breakfast before I ‘went to church’ and enjoyed a virtual coffee morning with a few of the congregation. It was lovely to see several people that I have been missing.

Once that was done, I decided to sit down on the sofa and catch up on some TV. John, meanwhile, had got up and was in the kitchen, still on cloud nine from such a great day yesterday. As I wandered in, I declared boldly (because I felt guilty that I wasn’t doing any jobs), “I am going to have a day of rest today.” He said that was fine as far as he was concerned, so I put my guilt back in my pocket to save for another day.

Well, the sitting down on the sofa was fatal. John lit a nice fire to keep us cosy and…… I then never left sofa all afternoon. In fact, I watched a couple of programmes before promptly falling asleep. That gave John a bit of a giggle. So much so, that he shared the photo of me, snoring my head off, with the rest of the family. He, on the other hand, got busy and pottered about, having a bit of a tidy-up of the aftermath of present-opening and cream cake ingesting, as well as delving into some of his parcels.

So the day ran away with me. I blearily opened my eyes when John came into the lounge to ask me if I was enjoying watching ‘The Dam Busters’. D’you know? I didn’t even know it was on….. And then it was mealtime. Oh, no…. got to start cooking again…. actually, John offered to cook instead, which was rather a bonus. Steak, and lovely vegetables. How very nice. Followed by cake…. yummy.

In the evening, I decided not to break the habit of just lounging on the sofa and I did more cosying up in a blanket and goggling at the TV. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea – it certainly isn’t John’s – but I love this time of year, when it’s Bake Off, Strictly and I’m a Celebrity, all on TV together. All reality, but it their different ways, and escapism at the same time.

So there we are, nothing else to report.

Apart from, of course, the latest stats on the COVID front. The last seven-day trend for infection is still up but today there have been very slightly fewer people infected – just the 24,962. Gosh, that’s still a lot isn’t it? 168 deaths in the community and 98 in hospitals over the last couple of days.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Lots of people are celebrating in their own way during the difficult times of lockdown and we were no different today. John’s 70th birthday and what to do?

Normally, we’d have a party. A whacking, great big party, where the house is bursting at the seams with love and laughter, lots of luscious food and drink and memories in abundance. But, of course, we couldn’t do that. Instead, we had a steady day of treats culminating in a whacking, great big Zoom-in to create the memories and share in the love and laughter.

Not everybody is here because I took the photo before everyone had actually joined in – and some people are duplicated, as the pictures moved along when someone new entered the zoom. But a great BIG thank you to everyone for making the day special and coming along to sing happy birthday to John!! He was overwhelmed and loved it. I am so very grateful to everyone for making the effort. What a wondrous thing to do in lockdown. Our hearts are full.

The day started with a delivery of flowers and balloons and a lie-in. An arrangement of roses and carnations for love; gerbera for happiness (and a memory from our wedding); and lilies for a fresh start.

Once John was up, it was time for a delicious brunch and then a start on opening birthday cards, which contained so many good wishes. Then it was onto opening the various gifts that had arrived through the front door in the last week. Interspersed with the card and present-opening, there were also deliveries from friends, sons and grandsons, who ding-donged the front doorbell and sparkled with anticipatory glee as we opened the door. Grandsons in particular couldn’t wait to tell us why they there were here, making essential deliveries.

In between all of that, of course, there was the rugby and the Grand Prix qualifying to watch, a cream tea to eat, champagne to imbibe, candles to blow out and the birthday cake to cut. A home-made and simple birthday cake, but I did my best.

After our Zoom-in we met up on Zoom again with all the younger generation for a quiz night. That was fun and actually, everyone did incredibly well on the answers. Michael set up a round which tested our knowledge of the birthday boy and that gave us the best laughs of the evening. I mean, where was John when he saw a three-foot farmer?

We gave no thought today, for once, of the ongoing viral situation, the political shenanigans, or even the weather. We were cosy indoors, lit by candle-light and the warm glow from the open fire, and snug in the knowledge that friends and relatives love us. Here’s the Birthday Boy. He’s had a good day. Thank you all.

It’s a jolly good job that we’ve got lockdown, isn’t it? Otherwise all the jobs I am trying to get on with would never get done, would they? This pearl of wisdom was offered today, by Eileen, my guru from church and, I have to say, it stopped me in my tracks. It is so easy to just moan (which I do) and think lockdown is the worst thing ever, but there have been benefits for us. I have thoroughly enjoyed the garden this year, and walking out in it with my Mum, which I wouldn’t otherwise have done, but for the lockdown situation. And then I have set to on some long overdue decorating – again, which I may not have done, but which I am enjoying. So I am thankful.

So, we’re on Day 9 – and is it nineteen to go? Doesn’t seem so bad….we can get through it.

And, what have we done today? Well, we have beetled about busying ourselves with this and that, and generally had a good day. John got his big drill out to create a hole in the wall, which was needed to feed a wire through for the new drinks/wine cooler. It is now set up and cheerfully accommodating four bottles of white wine – and one bottle of champagne ready for John’s big birthday tomorrow. It has capacity for 34 bottles, but we haven’t quite run to that…..not yet anyway. All donations gratefully received.

I did a little bit more painting, but really, it’s a bit of a struggle. We have a desk, a chest of drawers, an organ, chairs, computers and so on, all in the way. Whichever bit of wall or ceiling or skirting board I am painting it requires a lot of furniture shifting. And ladder shifting. I mean, I know I love the large ladder but it’s so bloomin’ heavy! I shall have muscles on me muscles before long at this rate.

Not only have I painted, but I have tidied up, too. My desire has been to make it nice for John’s birthday. I know no-one is coming round because no-one can, but I thought he’d appreciate a bit of clean and tidy space for relaxing in for the day. When you’re in the middle of decorating, tidying up isn’t such an easy thing to do though, is it? The lounge is tidy but the utility room is still a mess….. ah, well, I tried.

John had a good afternoon watching the rugby, although I am not sure that it was a very good match from what I could gather. I think it was Ireland all the way which didn’t make for a great contest, and ended up with Ireland: ‘quite a few‘ and Wales: ‘not enough‘. Hope the matches tomorrow will be better.

We had our evening meal once it was all over and then, after we’d eaten, I shut myself away to decorate the cake I’ve made for John’s birthday. Now this is a big deal. As you know, I’m not into cakes particularly, and dislike baking them, so this act shows just how much I love the ol’ man to make such an effort. He made me laugh though. I was tentatively preparing the marzipan and icing to go on the cake when he came into the kitchen. The cake is no secret, so it didn’t matter, but he could see I was wrestling with it, so he said, “Do you want me to give you a hand?” Noooo….I squealed. I mean, you can’t make your own birthday cake, can you?!! I shooed him out of the kitchen and got on with it. It may be simple, it may not be glamourous, but I’ve done it and I think it’ll taste nice, so I was quite pleased with myself.

John shuffled off to bed about ten-ish. I was still in the throes of cake decorating – thought I’d be there for ever – but soon it was done and then it was on to present wrapping and laying them out ready for the ‘big reveal’ tomorrow. I had fun doing all that.

In between times, in among the work we’ve been doing today, we have listened to the news and find nothing surprises us any more. There are shenanigans in Downing Street with Cummings finally going; and the election in the USA is still causing comment with Trump not packing his trunk and saying goodbye to the circus. ‘Keep your eye on the ball’ is what I want to say to these people. It’s people’s lives you’re messing with. Really, it is.

27,301 people have been confirmed as infected with the dreaded lurgy today, and 376 people have died. 169 people have died in hospitals over the last couple of days too.

It’s in our hands how much the virus spreads, so please take care everyone. Had a sobering conversation with a friend from church today who had recovered from the virus. She knows she caught it from her granddaughter who was down from Uni. She thought it would be OK to meet up at her daughter’s house, but clearly it wasn’t. She said it was no joke but, thankfully, feels better now. Can happen to anyone, I suppose.

God bless. Stay safe.

….the dark depths of Lockdown 2. And what did we do? Same. same. See below.

Got up. Got dressed. Did a yoga class (thank you Jaime) which I enjoyed. Pottered. Polyfilla’d cracks in the library ceiling. Took John for a blood test. Went to Screwfix for supplies. Did a bit of ceiling painting. John did more man-shed stuff – fitting a door…. Had a takeaway. Drank Cobra. Felt drunk (probably was drunk). Watched TV. Zoomed the College crew. More TV. Bed. As I said. Much the same.

Except, of course, that there were 33,470 people infected with the virus today.

And, 563 people died of the said virus.

Plus, 190 in hospitals over the last couple of days.

This is what hits home….. the volume of people encountering the virus and dying from it. It’s too much, isn’t it?

Take care everyone, God bless.

Not that we’ve opened it yet, but great excitement in the house today. We have taken delivery of a wine cooler! I think we’ve ‘arrived’, don’t you? We have wanted one for ages and never been able to justify it but, having decorated the kitchen and made a space for one, we have finally taken the plunge. That’ll be good at Christmas – to free up space in the fridge, if we need to…..well, fingers crossed anyway.

In addition to this particular delivery, one or two other parcels have been arriving at the front door and John is now forbidden to go into the dining room where they are being stored. I texted Gail and Graham to say, “The camellia has arrived.” Gail texted back with a ‘that’s not supposed to arrive until next week’ message, which puzzled me a bit as John’s birthday is on Saturday and its arrival would be a bit late by then. Ah….. ‘There should be 2’ – meaning camellia. Oh. And then: ‘They are for your birthday not his.’ Well, thank you very much. How nice is that? A really nice surprise. No wonder they should have been despatched for next week!

I am not sure how John was feeling today but he said he was going to be anti-social all day and take himself off to the bottom of the garden to his man-shed to do some more sorting out down there. You would think, after all this time, that the man-shed would be finished, wouldn’t you? But no. There was still a wall to build between ‘storage’ and ‘working area’. So off he went to try and do as much of that as he could. I haven’t been and inspected his handiwork but I think he has got on quite well – although he came back up to the house knackered at tea-time.

In the meantime, I decided to have a bit of a go at tidying and cleaning the bits of the house that aren’t under the paintbrush, and finally, put some washing on. It’s been a week since I did any and the laundry basket seemed to be creaking at the seams.

I also did more painting with top coats on the things I’d started yesterday, which are now all ready to be placed back in situ tomorrow and eager to be used, I have no doubt.

After we’d eaten this evening, it was Quiz Night and a good time had by one and all. Great fun, great questions – and great answers. We were on fire! Got loads right today.

The virus is on fire too, with 2,590 people confirmed as infected with it and 595 people having died of it today. Plus 204 people having died of it hospitals over the last couple of days. Too many, too many.

In other news, the Trump show still goes on. Susie Dent’s word of the day today was ‘stiffrump’ (18th century) meaning an obstinate and haughty individual who refuses to budge no matter what. That’s about right, eh? I shall never read the word ‘Trump’ right again….. and we haven’t heard the last of it yet, have we?

Take care everyone. God bless.

Gosh! Doesn’t time fly? Almost a week done – just three (ish) to go. And, to be honest, apart from not seeing the kids, nothing much different for us. We keep beavering away in our little abode, hoping to make it a beautiful home before we have to sell up and downsize at some point in the future.

Feeling my age today. I got up all enthusiastic because there was more painting to do and I had realised, overnight, that I had the requisite paint for the first coat on my Dad’s bookcase, after all. So I set on and did painting and various jobs, only to have a gradual dawning that I am so slow and it will take me until doomsday before I have a neatly decorated home – if ever!!

Don’t get me wrong, I did manage some of the planned work today, for example: my father’s bookcase got it’s first coat; as did one of the skirting boards, and the shelf above one of the windows had an unexpected lick of paint, too. Although it looked a bit startled to be getting some attention, if I’m honest.

In addition, we popped into Solihull to collect the paint that had been ordered, and I nipped along to the local shops to post the parcel John so lovingly wrapped yesterday. Between times, we had a lovely chat to George who so kindly looked into the problems on John’s laptop. And I cooked. And made cups of tea. So I wasn’t lazy, or sitting twiddling my fingers. But I was slow – and messy.

Anyway, here’s a pic of the floor-to-ceiling bookcase for your delectation, with my Dad’s little bookcase peeping put, proudly wearing its first introduction to a paint job. When it’s all finished (ha!) it’ll all link together nicely – I hope. The books are just shoved on the shelves for now – more to be gathered from the rest of the house where they have been lurking for the last few years, and then it’ll be done. Some areas of the house will breath a big sigh of relief, I think.

John has felt a bit under par today though, in my opinion. He always says he’s alright no matter what, but he was quiet with not a lot of ‘get up and go’ for the early part of the day. He got up late-ish and intermittently chatted to George, who had remotely logged onto his laptop to offer it a bit of TLC, but then spent a fair bit of the afternoon snoozing on the sofa, before venturing out into the garage.

Once in the garage, his aim was to cut, from aluminium, some spacers for the Lotus. The trouble was, for a little while, he had to hunt for the original ones as a template to work from. “I know they’re in here somewhere…..” Of course, neither of us can see for looking these days… He’d had a good look in the storage area where he has carefully put all things Lotus, with nothing doing. Came back to it a bit later after we’d been to Solihull and, voilà! There they were. In the place he’d expected to find them earlier. Typical. I wonder where they had been hiding?

With regards to cooking, you may recall that we took delivery of an exceptionally large pumpkin, courtesy of Michael and Danielle. Several of you offered recipes – thank you very much – which I haven’t had time to try yet. In the meantime, we have eaten roast pumpkin every day since and we now look like pumpkin. However, with most of the recipes calling for pureed pumpkin, we roasted the last of it today for puree-ing, ready to be inserted into the various recipes soon. Maybe tomorrow?

So, we have pottered about in our little bubble and hopefully not come into contact with the dreaded lurgy, which has killed 532 people in the community today and 148 people in hospitals on 8 & 9 November. This is the largest number yet – which we were expecting, but it’s shocking, nonetheless. 680 families bereaved and heartbroken in a couple of days and similar figures to come – it hardly bears thinking about, does it?

With the news of a vaccine soon to arrive on our shores there is hope, but in the meantime, we think of those who are ill – 20,412 confirmed as infected today – and pray that they recover well.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Lazy morning. Neither of us wanted to get up today. I sat reading my book until almost mid-day, and John, who had opted to sleep in the spare room as he couldn’t sleep during the night, slept on this morning until about eleven.

My philosophy was to just let the day unfold. Not to go at it hammer and tongs like I usually do, but to allow the day’s vibes to wash over and take me wherever it led. That’s why I was still in bed!

We finally got ourselves up and were pulled into those activities that were on our minds. Having cleared the area off the lounge to create a library, we found all sorts of bits and pieces that needed some attention. Last Christmas we had had Sky Q fitted. The engineer didn’t take the old stuff away with him, so it’s just been lying around on the floor. Anyway, it transpires that we can send it back and we could have made the engineer take it all away with him at the time. Ah well. So John spent ages researching that, and then parcelling the things up to take to the Post Office. Not that we got to the Post Office today, mind you. But the parcel is ready.

I chose to run a few errands and ….shhh….. don’t tell John….. think about what to do on Saturday. I certainly don’t want it to be an ‘ordinary’ day for him, so I am thinking hard. But there’s the Grand Prix Qualifying and the Autumn Nations Cup on TV especially for him on his birthday and to keep him happy, even if there’s nothing else….

Last time he had a ‘big’ birthday i.e. when he was 65, he was ensconced in hospital, which wasn’t ideal. Michael suggested that he is avoiding the big occasions. Some of you may remember we had a 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration without him, too…… and now, it seems, he’s orchestrated a national lockdown to avoid having a party. Honestly, the extremes some people will go to…..

Once I’d finished doing my thinking, I decided I’d have a go at sanding down my father’s old bookcase ready for painting the same colour as the recently donated one. It’s a beautiful, oak bookcase that my father made when he and Mum were first married – tenon and groove joints and everything. It was also varnished and a bit treacly-looking. I wasn’t keen on man-handling the thing into the garage to do the job, so thought I might do it outside on the patio. Only to be thwarted by rain. Had to do the man-handling after all.

And, would you believe it? I thoroughly enjoyed the work. Firstly, of course, I was using one of my favourite tools – John’s flat electric sander; and secondly, it was my Dad’s carpentry that I was fondly and closely working with. It felt good – and, wait for it – almost as if I had his approval. Had a lovely half-hour or so in the garage – just me, my Dad’s bookcase and what felt like my Dad’s spirit.

I might have mentioned that I am bit messy. As well as a bit forgetful. I might have mentioned that I got more paint on me than the things I was painting yesterday. I didn’t mention that I hadn’t put the lids on the paint pots properly – or at all, it transpires…..

As I walked through the kitchen, there seemed to be a bit of chuntering. On rounding the corner, John was there, in the utility room grovelling on the floor. Oh. Paint everywhere. He had, apparently picked a pot up that had been on top of another pot, and the lids were insecure (or non-existent) and, in the movement of lifting, paint had poured out all onto the floor. I wasn’t in his good books, so I scarpered and ran. A bit cowardly, eh?

Other than that, the wheels are in motion for a birthday cake – you can’t secretly make a paleo birthday cake, can you, really? So I had to admit what I was doing this morning, as I weighed out all the fruit to soak in alcohol for a rich fruit cake. Marvels of marvels we actually had (nearly) all the required ingredients. Normally when I am prepping something like that I have to shoot to the shops two or three times for an essential something or other.

There was one ingredient missing though, and that was an orange. The recipe calls for the zest and the juice. So, rather than make a trip to the shops (weighing it up – essential trip out? Or non-essential?) I rummaged in the cupboard and found some candied peel which, finely chopped, I thought would make a good substitution for the zest. We did have orange juice, but far more importantly we had some Cointreau – that’s a good substitution for OJ isn’t it? The concoction is sitting soaking up its alcohol as we speak. It’s going to be yummy!

A good day, all in all, on a local level, but still the figures for the viral infections make sober reading. 21,350 people are confirmed as infected, with some of that number being people we know. It’s awfully close to home when your friends’ loved ones fall ill, isn’t it? And they really don’t know where they have picked the infection up from, having followed all the rules. Our prayers, thoughts and all good wishes are being sent across the miles to them over the next few days in the hope that they recover well and quickly.

In terms of deaths with COVID as a contributory factor, there have been 194 people who have died in the last twenty-four hours in the community, and 133 in hospitals on 7 & 8 November.

Take care everyone. Enjoy the week as it unfolds. God bless.

Remembrance Sunday. A day when we would normally stand, with many others, to be grateful for the ultimate sacrifice our forbears made for a free society. I did stand, and I did remember them – but not with others, of course. I was on my own in the lounge.

And, to be honest, it felt more poignant today than ever. Perhaps it’s because we are more aware of how the world lives, in our own country and abroad, with newscasters streaming scenes from far-off places in ‘live’ newsfeeds on our TV screens. Perhaps it’s because we are aware of the acute differences in society and the tribalism that leads to war. Those uber-egos, coupled with perceived rights, which forget the cohesiveness of humanity and strength in togetherness. Kindness. Humility. Sharing. Qualities that many have, but seemingly not enough among those in leadership roles, just now.

But today is another day and a new dawn, so we can hold on to the hope that there will be peace, and not strife, for our future generations. Conflict? No thanks. Give me harmony any day.

In terms of harmony, I bring your attention to my current project. More painting today, harmonising the ceiling, the wall and the skirting board to the bookcase I finished the other day. And, I have to say, I think it looks okay. I am quite pleased with it so far. Next step: paint another bookcase the same colour to match. Then perhaps paint the chest of drawers. I have a lot to do.

I did find time to pop round to Mum’s today though – the first time in about ten days. Strictly speaking, I suppose, we have formed a bubble with Mum this time around since we’re not allowed to meet the kids and their families, and I do need to call on her to drop shopping or washing in. But equally, I am a reluctant visitor because she has carers in three times a day who could be bringing anything in with them. I am still paranoid that I’ll take the bug back to John……

She was well, however, if very forgetful. I was only there about an hour and a half, and she must have said at least half a dozen times, “Oooh, it’s getting dark early today, isn’t it?” I nodded in agreement every time. Bless her.

I was able to share with her all the photos that have been sent through of the family in the last couple of weeks and she absolutely loved that. “What a good-looking boy, isn’t he? Freddie?” Yes, Mum. “Ahhh, look isn’t he a good-looking boy? William?” Yes, Mum. “Oh, look, isn’t he a handsome chappie? What’s his name?” This one is Thomas. Oh, yes. “And this one? “That’s Alexander” Ah. I think the babies were interchangeable in her mind. But she was thrilled to see all the family, including a fabulous photo of Graham and Gail in Oz. And she laughed out loud at the picture of us all on the one WhatsApp screen, when we chatted altogether the other night.

John, in the meantime, spent time in the garage. Mostly, I think, still tidying up and trying to sort it so that tools are to hand, so to speak. We are so very messy. I think I have managed to paint more of myself and surrounding areas than the items I was actually supposed to be painting today. And John manages to put tools down and then be unable to find them. “But I put it down just there” is a frequent cry as we search and search for stuff. Well, to be honest, that’s the same for me too…… now, where did I put that dratted screwdriver?

In terms of the virus, it’s a weekend, so one never knows the accuracy of the figures, but they were down – 20,572 people having been confirmed as infected today; 156 having died in the community and 98 in hospitals on 6 & 7 November.

Hoping you all have a very good week ahead, whatever you are doing. Peace be with you and all those you love. Pass it on.

It’s been a painting sort of day today. And John has been on the computer researching special equipment to help me make a nice, neat edge between the wall and the ceiling. In the end, crazy ideas and crazy prices later, I said, “I’ll just borrow Pete’s Peter Painter, again.” He has a lovely little device, with little wheels that run along the wall/ceiling, that I borrowed before when I was doing the kitchen. Let’s not spend any money on a new-fangled thing, eh?

So, the wall-to-ceiling bookcase is finished. The ceiling above the bookcase has had one coat of paint which may be enough. The skirting board and the wall behind the bookcase have had one coat of paint and will need coat number two tomorrow, when I should get on quicker. I won’t be stopping every five minutes to watch the news.

I was like a cat on hot bricks. What’s the latest in the USA election? The figures stayed the same for a long time: 253 to Biden; 214 to Trump. Pennsylvania, what you doin’? Who you votin’ for? As it turned out, I missed the moment of excitement as I was in the middle of a very tricky bit of the painting exercise, so it was John who said that the result was being announced. I was a bit disbelieving, because the vote count hadn’t/hasn’t finished. But everyone’s celebrating anyway. Well, 50% of the American population is celebrating, the other half is litigating.

It’ll be interesting to see what unfolds. The Democrats are not so much our friends it seems, so the ‘special relationship’ that we need so badly now that we’re out of Europe may not be so ‘special’ after all. Difficult times ahead for the UK? We’ll see.

In between the excitement of the election over the pond, John was tackling a broken cistern in the bathroom. The thing had decided to give up the ghost the other day, so John rummaged for spare parts in the garage (or was it the man-shed?) where he found a brand new replacement piece. Yay! That’s good news. Something is going right for once.

He dismantled the cistern, I cleaned it all up and then the moment of truth: would it all go back together and work? Ah…. no. That brand new replacement piece wouldn’t seal. Oh dear. So, I know it’s lockdown but John had to shoot out for a ‘click and collect’ piece of plumbing from Screwfix. This time, the brand new replacement piece did seal and it looks like it’s fixed. See? It went right in the end – and the ol’ man is useful after all!!

Later on, we had a lovely time this evening chatting to Pete and Dawn on Skype – during which Pete said ‘yes’ to me borrowing the Peter Painter piece of equipment. Thanks, Pete. Walls and ceilings – watch out! Here I come!

The Skype session got off to a bit of a stuttering start though. Like last time, we were late to the party as John’s laptop really didn’t want to play. We spent a good while looking for the mouse, to start with. That had gone walk about. Once it was found, John logged on (although it’s still a bit slow) and attempted to find the Skype app. Ahhh….. the menu wouldn’t load up. No Skype app to be located. Nope. No matter how he tried nothing doing. Frustrated, we ended up in the computer room upstairs instead, and…(drum roll) I managed to log into Skype all by myself. (Does a little dance).

And, other than that, there is really nothing much else to report. The family have been in touch – Micael sent us a video of William in his birthday suit which he was refusing to change and made us all laugh – ‘a rare sighting of the lesser-clothed toddler’; Paul sent us gorgeous photo of Freddie, who was a picture of concentration, and Andrew said all was OK in Cambridge (phew!). Christiana joined in too – she’s loving the baubles that Danielle is making and is planning to order one. Hmm…. I think I should, too!! They are very good. This one’s a cutie, don’t you think?

And so to the reason why we’re all cooped up (in theory anyway – we seem to have been out through one cause or another……. ) – today’s figures: 29, 957 people have been confirmed as infected today. That’s almost 30 thousand people!!! And 413 people have died with the virus having been mentioned on the death certificate. 170 people have died in hospitals on 5 & 6 November. Numbing numbers…..

Take care everyone, God bless.

We had to go over to Solihull hospital today and it didn’t seem very much of a ‘lockdown’ to me. Lots of cars on the road. Although, it has to be said, we weren’t in an area where there’d be lots of people so I don’t know if it was busy with footfall anywhere.

The visit to the hospital was for a CT scan – John was in and out in no time at all. They have got these things down to a fine art these days, for which I am ever grateful. The appointment was at seven o’clock at night – which I am amazed at – so thank the Lord for those people who don’t mind working late. In the ‘olden days’ you couldn’t get an appointment much after about four o’clock. It’s a positive change for us, the ‘punters’, but not so good for the staff, I suppose.

I had forgotten that John wasn’t allowed to have anything to eat two hours beforehand, so we ended up eating late this evening at about half past eight. Guess what we had? Pumpkin!! And it were luvverley!!

Earlier in the day, I had got up at a reasonable hour to get on with my painting and, I am pleased to report that the bookcase is finished! I think it looks OK too, so I am pleased with it. Took me all day, mind. As I hadn’t quite finished the first coat on a couple of shelves yesterday, I had to do those first this morning, before starting the second coat on the other shelves. Then I had to wait a little while to allow the first coat to dry on the ones I did earlier on before applying the finishing touches. (You get the gist….) But it’s done. Yay!

I started emulsioning the ceiling too, but we’ve got some weird staining that’s broken through the plaster, and no amount of paint is going to cover it. Not sure what to do about that – although John says he’s got some ‘special stuff’ that might do the job. I’ll try that tomorrow.

John, in the meantime, browsed the internet for a variety of goods today, some of which he ordered and some of which he didn’t. Then he spent some time on the sofa having a little snooze. He really wasn’t in the mood to do anything much, although he did say on a couple of occasions, “I really must get on.” but I am not sure what he had in mind, although it was clear that motivation took a back seat today.

We have been mesmerised by the election in the USA – transfixed by the news which we have had on, wall-to-wall and all day – and stunned by the statements coming out of Trump’s mouth. We all have our own opinions about what is happening and what the truth might be, but really, even his own aides and fellow Republicans are showing signs of exasperation now. It’s a fascinating study in self-belief, owner’s rights and lunacy, as far as I am concerned.

The election has taken over as the main news on every channel it seems, with the COVID situation taking second place. However, there are still concerns about the incidence of infection, not surprisingly, with 23,287 people having been confirmed as infected today and 355 people having died from it. Tragically, three people from the same family in Wales have died within a week from the virus, which is so very, very heart-breaking. 153 people have also died in hospitals over the previous two days. and, of course, more to come.

Our own coughs have abated so fingers crossed we aren’t sickening for anything. I’d be devastated if we caught anything now after all the care and attention we have paid to keeping scrupulously away from others, with mask-wearing and lots of hand-washing. Still, I am not thinking of that. I am thinking of all the decorating I am going to be doing and how thrilled I will be when it all looks lovely, just in time to receive our new three-piece suite. Oh, hang on, Thomas Hearn has just written to say, sorry, furniture might be delayed…….ha! well, there’s a surprise.

Enjoy your ‘stay at home’ time over the next few weeks everyone – I’d be interested to know how you all spend it, if you have a moment to spare to drop us a line.

And in my moments spare, I am trying to think up exciting things to do in lockdown to celebrate John’s ‘big birthday’ next week since we can’t have a party. Suggestions anyone? Oh, and thank you for the pumpkin recipes…..

Take care and God bless.