Day One Hundred and Forty Three - Bits and Pieces

One of those days where nothing stands out and nothing much is achieved. Yet I don’t seem to have been sitting about doing nothing. One of those days where I don’t know where the time goes . But I’ve got nothing concrete to show for it. Beautiful morning. Again. Lovely walk. The sun was rising and made the clouds look absolutely beautiful and some of the trees were glowing in its rays.It has been a privilege to observe over the passage of the seasons how the landscape changes. So subtle, some of it. I think, too, of the beautiful yellow broom tree where I looked at my socially distant crows. Doesn’t stand out at all now as it’s lost all that gorgeous yellow blossom. I never saw it before. Yet it must’ve been there for years. I’m hoping that I’ll get to see it again next year. More blackberries? You bet. Chat with Sue? Oh yes. And back home to sort out all the garbage as it is refuse collection day. And to prepare for my organic vegetable delivery. It offers a curious little burst of intensive activity on a Wednesday morning. Breakfast outside in the sunshine. I have to sometimes take stock and understand just how lucky I am.

Some messages passed to and fro with my friend and I. I think she’s starting to get a little anxious about next week. The time has come. It’s scary. I’m going to give her a ring tomorrow. Not that I can actually do anything to help but maybe if she can articulate how she is feeling it might help.

I had lots of clerical bits to do with some of my reading and book review commitments. Because of the pandemic many of the publishing dates have changed. So I had to go through very carefully checking the books that were to be published and the dates that have been put back. I made a big faux pas earlier with a book that I didn’t check and the publishing date had been changed. The author was very sweet about it. But to me it’s inefficient and I must really make sure I don’t do it again.

The news suggests that summer will end in a couple of weeks and we are headed for some largely autumnal weather. So I wanted to try and make the most of what’s left of the warmth. And I literally pottered about outside, looking at cuttings and popping them in pots and in places where I hope they grow. I’m was very windy out there, though, which took the edge off the pleasure of a bit. I was battling the breeze much of the time. I always mourn the passing of the summer. But I seem to be dreading it more in this lockdown. If the weather changes dramatically the socially distanced visits conducted  outside will come to an end. Whether social distancing comes to an end or not is irrelevant. Sitting outside will have to. And I’m not sure what I’ll do then. I know lots of people are perfectly comfortable to have others in their home. I just haven’t reached that point yet.

I’m going to be interested to see what happens after the schools have gone back. If the infection rate drops and it’s supposed to be dropping I’ll review my own situation. And I’m going to have to summon some courage and determination to wean myself back into a more normal life. But I’m finding myself confused because some places are having to go under lockdown. Places like Manchester and Aberdeen. So my caution remains.