Monday 30 March 2020

Monday

What strange times we are living through. Nature carries on as though nothing is different - the leaves sprout on the hedges and trees;  I see that the mature ash tree I see from my window here is already showing a faint flush of green so it looks as though it will be the ash before the oak this year - implying that we shall be in for a soak over the Summer rather than just a Splash.   Nobody needs me to tell them that we definitely do not want that this Summer.   In only  four months it will be a year since we had the dreadful storm here in our town and neighbouring villages and some householders are still not back in their homes yet after the clear up.

It is another cold day with a sharp wind still from the North - just a little more sunshine today so we are on the up.   And next week we can expect much warmer weather so that is something to look forward to. 


 Life has suddenly become much simpler for those of us in self'isolation.   The highlight of my day has become something simple like a friend ringing for a chat, or a friend walking past with a dog and a friendly wave.   And even lunch (salmon and haddock fish pie with veggies) has become quite an event.   Now I no longer have my cleaning lady coming I am trying to do one job a day - today's was to strip and change the bed, wash the bedding, dry it and it is now sitting there inviting me to go and iron it.   My next job after the bed - now well aired - has been remade.   So -off to my chores folks - see you tomorrow.
 

20 comments:

Jan said...

Yes-strange days. I almost feel surprised when I look out the window in the morning and see new leaves and flowers and hear birds singing. The world carrying on as always while we stay home.

JayCee said...

We have had another dry sunny but bitterly cold day over here today. Lots of spring flowers, blossom, and the birds investigating our nest boxes. It does seem strange to see all this around us and yet think about what is going on out there beyond our small community.
Take care.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

The only worry is that people will be less inclined to stay home if we have some summer weather; there are certainly less folk taking exercise than there were last week. Spring is continuing apace down here too with a few cowslips blooming here and there.

Rachel Phillips said...

Yes, I was thinking as John above, the cold weather has kept people away from hiking down my road which is a good thing. Life is much the same as a lot of my days.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

You are always ahead of us when it comes to the seasons, but I have my first few little spring flowers up (they are like crocuses, but not actually crocuses). I smiled when you mentioned ironing sheets. I can honestly say I have never, ever ironed a sheet before. But I distinctly remember much ironing happening with my mother and my grandmother. They even ironed the men's red and white (or navy and white) hankies that they used daily while doing barn chores! -Jenn

Sue said...

If I were you I'd leave the ironing until tomorrow. One chore a day!

Librarian said...

Can't your cleaning lady come occasionally? You could make sure that you are not in the same room together, or at least not too close to each other; I doubt you'd be risking infection that way (either of you), especially with all your hygiene measures in place and your general neatness and cleanliness.

It's been deceptively sunny today but still very cold. I went to the post office to post a birthday card for my sister-in-law in Ripon; took me 3/4 of an hour because of their customers management for fear of corona. Never mind, my sister-in-law is worth every minute spent waiting my turn!

Jennyff said...

Change over day here in the penthouse too, although I don't iron my fitted sheets just smooth them over as they go straight back on the bed after a tumble dry. I do iron the duvet cover and pillowcases. I'm sure we are all finding jobs to do, I see so many people gardening and washing their cars on my walk out and less and less people actually walking. There are 25 apartments in our building and now we see no one, feels like we have the whole place to ourselves, fortunately I like that.

angryparsnip said...

Very strange and different days for us all. Take care
parsnip

Heather said...

It is the time of year for us to be sprucing up our own nests and I must clean my windows and mirrors. I try to do a couple of chores each day and then reward myself with a leisure activity.
Apart from not seeing my children, life hasn't changed much for me. I stay within the confines of the flats gardens and my son does my weekly shopping for me. However, I do miss my hairdresser and am beginning to look a bit wild and woolly already. Goodness knows what I'll look like by the time all this is over.

Terra said...

Yes, strange times indeed. I wonder how long my hair will be before I get a hair cut. This is the new normal for those of us who live alone, being alone all day. When my sons bring me groceries we sit outside and chat on the patio, which is a treat!

Bovey Belle said...

I agree with you - I no longer feel pressured to having to do this job NOW - it will still be there tomorrow and no-one will be visiting to notice it hasn't been done! I think Heather's idea of a bit of hard work and then a leisure activity reward is a good one.

When Tam and I were out for our walk today, two local young ladies drove past and gave a HUGE wave and grin as they passed, and that made SUCH a difference to my day. They were part of our little community and we will stick together through this.

I have always ironed bedding - sometimes I will leave the fitted sheets, but if it's cold and I'm ironing to Warm Up I iron those too!!

A cold wind here with us still, but DRY.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Jenn - you made me smile - I iron absolutely everything - there is something lovely about getting into freshly ironed sheets when the bed has been changed.

Bonnie said...

Your days seem to stay busy despite the changes. I have been surprised how quickly the time has been passing. My days are not really a lot different as I never did go out a lot but certainly more than now. I stay busy at home and never get bored.

I hope your evening has been going well. Your busy day should give you a good night's sleep.

Anonymous said...

A message for Librarian above - the Government has told us we need to isolate ourselves and to not have anyone in our homes, that why the cleaner isn't coming. Follow the rules, they've been made for a purpose!

Joanne Noragon said...

We are having an unusually wet spring and the river is way too high. I hope all goes will.

Tom Stephenson said...

There are some good things about this business. I am enjoying the tranquility of it all, for instance. Normally, Friday and Saturday nights have crowds of drunks shouting in the street outside. I don't miss them.

thelma said...

I quite like the idea of two jobs a day, no guilt about the other jobs. Car got washed under this system, and it gleams at me. Chickens pottering around the garden and feral kitten playing around and getting bolder, entertain for free.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes Anon. you are quite right - my cleaner couldn't come under the strict rules laid down, especially as her husband has myeloma and has had a stem cell transplant and she needs to be sure he is as safe as possible too.

Thanks for all your cheerful comments - I am sure we are keeping each other going.

Sue said...

That North wind has been a real chiller hasn't it. Thank goodness today we are completely wind free at last. Still, calm and sunny, and at last sitting out for a while might be feasible. I'll take a hot mug of coffee with me though to keep my hands warm and take some time to drink in the view as well as the coffee.

You are right we bloggers are most definitely keeping each other going. Thank you for your posts. xx