Well, what a pickle we all seem to be in. When Ed asked for an article for this edition I was determined that it wouldn’t be about ‘you know what’ but I’m struggling to find an aspect of my life that isn’t currently governed by this dreaded virus.
I have been ‘furloughed’ (what a god awful word that is) from work, and whilst I love my job, enforced slobbery has been embraced wholeheartedly. I have managed with some skill to avoid all things Jo Wicks, Green Goddess or Mr Motivator! My daughter has had her GCSEs cancelled which initially she was upset about, but with much support from us, now realises that at this stage it probably won’t make much difference. Boy-child’s world has come to an end because of his cancelled driving test and his gateway to freedom sits forlornly on the drive, still adorned with L Plates. The dog is exhausted, not from walking, but because rather than being abandoned for four hours a day to find a perfect spot in the sun and sleep the afternoon away, she is compelled to spend her time herding us around the house in complete disbelief that we are all still at home.
So how to occupy oneself without the opportunity to ‘just pop out and fetch’ or ‘pick up on the way home’? I have cleaned out all the drawers in the house and have crocheted a scale model of the Humber Bridge with the disused cables and chargers. I have dusted the loft and tidied the garage, and I have coloured coded the airing cupboard.
Then the good weather arrived, thank all things holy! The garden is standing to attention having been dug, mowed, edged, and weeded and if all the seedlings come to fruition I may be able to take on Sainsburys with some confidence. My daughter and I have become ‘Swingball Champions’ (and I mean the proper Swingball that you hammer three feet into the lawn so you can really wallop it, not the plastic box of sand one that falls over if someone sneezes – which no one did!) which as well as being great fun and good exercise, if you add in the threat of letting go of the bat and taking out the conservatory is quite exciting.
I have also embraced my love of cooking and produced some truly dreadful ‘meals from the store cupboard’. I won’t bore you with the full menu but suffice to say that the sense of anticipation as I approach the table has recently been replaced by a slight but ever present whiff of fear. Nobody will be more pleased than my husband when the pubs finally re-open!
Please don’t think I’m being blasé about the situation. This life-threatening virus has affected us all in one way or another and will continue to do so for years to come. But we will, for the most part, get through this and beat it, we will not allow it to break us. We have some amazing people amongst us who continue to do their jobs selflessly and we must thank and appreciate them all. If we continue to follow Government advice this virus will be conquered and we will be able to rebuild our businesses, friendships and fitness levels!
Love to all and Stay Safe.