It came as no surprise that the lockdown was going to be extended for another three weeks. There are still far too many deaths and, even though we might have reached our ‘peak’, there doesn’t seem to be a downward trend. As yet. But I live in hope!
Talking to friends we are all in the same boat, just some of our boats not the same size! Upper lips need waxing, hair coloured and cut, and nails looking very much the worse for wear! And then there’s Botox! My forehead hasn’t been this mobile in years!
I found myself googling leisure wear the other evening. I am getting so tired of my ‘glad rags’! Because it’s not quite warm enough to bring out my summer casuals, I’m still having to chose between black, grey and navy ‘outfits’ which are becoming very worn and boring! Just walking, gardening, housework or sitting means that I need clothes I can move around in freely. This rules out jeans. Even my comfort fits aren’t particularly comfortable!
On Saturday we were back to grey skies and mizzling rain. This would have been a good opportunity to go to the cinema, wander around a garden centre, getting ideas for summer plants or visiting a National Trust stately home. Of course there would be other options but those just sprang to mind when I stared despondently out of the window. But I filled my day, typed another two chapters of my novel, listened to the daily Coronavirus update and had a gin and tonic! So all good in the end!
On Saturday morning I googled light lunch recipes and made a stuffed sweet potato ‘concoction’. It was healthy and I thought, tasty and unusual. My husband’s comment, when asked, was not a meal he’d put on his top ten list! I didn’t even know he had a list! Amazing what one can learn about one’s spouse of thirty five years when one is locked up with them for weeks!
I have even had a Zoom lunch! Two of my friends and I sat together in our dining rooms, casually chatting, the same as we would have done in a pub. I had my sandwich and a mug of coffee and we discussed life in general but the current situation in particular. One of my friends is ensuring her shopping is disinfected, she reads her newspaper a day later and only opens essential mail on the day. Her others letters are left to rid themselves of any virus so only handled a few days later. She sent me a video to explain.
My husband went shopping on Friday. It was his turn and he shaved and got dressed up in his smart casuals! I gave him the shopping list and he set off, earlier than usual, to reach the shelves before they emptied. About half an hour later I received a frantic phone call. The list had blown out of his hand and he wasn’t going to lose his place in the queue. Could I text him what we needed! The result of his shopping trip was buying enough food for ten people for a month!
I had disinfected the work surfaces in the kitchen and was going to take over the unpacking. I had planned to rinse off plastic, wash fruit and vegetables and use antibacterial spray on tins, bottles and glass jars. My husband rushed into the kitchen with his hands full and dumped the bags down on my sanitised section! That was the start of the nightmare. I put the bags down on the floor, resprayed, filled the sink with a diluted bleach solution and started the marathon wipe down. And the bags just kept coming! Fruit and vegetables to feed an army, tins of tomatoes, beans of every kind, sardines, tuna, salmon. I couldn’t believe it!
Apparently the list I sent was far too short (of course it was! I made it in a couple of minutes!) so he had rushed up and down each aisle and grabbed what he though might have been on the original list.
So, back to disinfecting! I did my best but probably not enough. I was fast losing the will to live so just have to ensure that all fruit is carefully washed before use and vegetables well cooked! At least the fridge and freezer containers were wiped down so felt something had been achieved! It was nerve wracking! But what is even more annoying is that it’s my turn to go out next week. Unless neighbours and friends need groceries I’ll be all dressed up with nowhere to go!
But life goes on and each day, when the sun shines, is used to full advantage. I have ordered plants from one of the few nurseries who will deliver, so am looking forward to getting into the garden to prepare. Vitamin D is apparently a good Covid-19 deterrent as it boosts your immune system. I’ll get it the natural way, from sunshine that must not be wasted!
So, stay safe and at home. Remember to clap for all our frontline workers on Thursday and this will soon be just a dim, distant memory! My glass remains half full! Unless it contains gin and tonic and it’s over the weekend …..👠
,
Jenny Burrell 