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[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Thanks for the wishes, my mum is home and looking better, which is an improvement on last week, so fingers crossed! Rang my befriendee, felt very sorry for her, her husband of 59 years died 8 weeks..."

So sorry about your friend.

And very glad your feisty mum is home! That's a huge improvement.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

It is, my bro spoke to her last night and said it was the most normal conversation in years, I missed mine, so will see if she tries today. Only doing a short walk today, but hoping to read in the sun.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Good to hear there's been an improvement Desley, hope it continues.

Another cloudless sky out there but it's colder than a well-digger's ass, to quote Tom Waits. Not sure why, or even indeed if, well-diggers have particularly cold bottoms but there you are.

Or perhaps he meant the well-diggers's donkey?

I've just sent an image of the finished commission off to the client. Always slightly nervous...

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

Well I thought it’s was Friday today. Good start. Beautiful day though but a bit chilly. I’m getting nowhere fast on my sewing as I thought I dropped a piece of wire, just long enough to cause a big vets bill so I spent nearly an hour searching for it. I found it when I eventually packed my stuff away to set the table for lunch. Tucked in a fold of material, OH has just dropped a glass jar in the garage so he’s not happy either. It was only a jar full of screws but he’s having to crawl sweep and vacuum the bits up as it’s near the car tyres. Going back to bed seems a good idea. Roll on the real Friday.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

I'm doing a socially distanced walk with a friend this morning, doing the reservoir again - on Wed I bumped into my doctor, which was a bit of a surprise! The client who has been asking for volunteers did a press release yesterday, and included my pic!

[Will]

Only ordered a couple of days ago, my polytunnel has arrived! That's the weekend taken care of...

[M.T.]

Glad things are better with your mum Desley, congrats on the commission Ro and well done, Will, enjoy your veg when they arrive! Also on warm winter days you can sit in there, it’s rather nice. Jim, they were grand those old types. :-)

Feeling really ill today. I think there’s a lot of oilseed rape round the town and a high wind has been blowing it in. Not as bad today but I have the mother of all headaches and am feeling a bit sick, to boot.

Cheers

MTM

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Sorry you aren't feeling well MT, hope it is nothing serious

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Morning all, overcast here - was going to go for a wander, but knee is complaining after yesterday (I did do over 13k steps, which I've not done for a very long time, so not surprised), so think it'll just be the long way to Lidl for some milk - I really want some cake though! Hoping it will be warm enough to dry my washing.

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

Lovely day here too. I’ve just mopped all the floors and OH has decided to dig the guano out of the gravel path near the bird feeder. Would it be ok to lock the back door and not hear him shout?
Oil seed rape used to make daughters horse really bad. He had COPD and used to have steroids this time if the year. We moved him to Lowestoft eventually to a friend after her horse died. He was much better with the east wind and and less pollen.
I saw a picture on a dog forum last night of a poor dog who had run through a field of it and his eyes were really bad, they looked almost burned underneath.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Yep, I'd say acceptable Lynne! Might look up rapeseeed oil fields, see if that is what I'm walking near at the reservoir

[Katy]

Afternoon all :)

Sorry to hear you're poorly MTM and about your mum, Desley. Will, what are you growing in the polytunnel?

I've just charged up my Kindle and I'm looking for something new to read. I've been away for so long and I've missed so much that I'm unsure where to start! Looking forward to a quiet afternoon with a good book. It's been way too long!

[Kath]

Howdy, each! Big gardening sessions today, ready for the big plant-out tomorrow.

Had a couple of distanced walks with my sister this week. She lives alone and has been doing our shopping but she won't go for a walk on her own. Banged up for six weeks! And she hates gardening, or even being out in the garden as it reproaches her for letting it get jungly.

All take care.

[Jim]

Kath wrote: "Howdy, each! Big gardening sessions today, ready for the big plant-out tomorrow.

Had a couple of distanced walks with my sister this week. She lives alone and has been doing our shopping but she w..."

to be fair, the weather has been so dry the lawn has barely needed mowing :-(

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Morning all, was quite lazy yesterday. Bad eye is a bit twingy today, just put some antihistamine drops in, hopefully that will be enough. My neighbour did a poem for the Kindness cards, thought I'd share "This message says we are all in it together, no matter, whatever the weather. We need to look out for those on their own, we could always ring them on the phone, to help a friend and get them through, is indeed a friend so true. We can all make safe by not getting near, so we can make sure everyone stays here. This will end one day and we will see that eventually we'll all be free. Have a good day and keep safe."

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Evening all. It's been really windy today and we've actually had the odd shower of rain but I went out for a walk anyway. Didn't actually see a soul apart from a few distant dog walkers

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Morning all, not much to say, knee is still a bit sore so not sure about a walk.

[Kath]

Yo, dudes! Planted out the beans. Tired now!

[Jim]

If you're tired now, you wait until you have to climb the bean stalk

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

My beans have all been totally scragged by the wind. So I will have to plant some more. Sadly run out of magic ones.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Morning all, busy day today. Bit disappointed that my boss has decided to reduce our team chats to twice a week. Friend gave me an Amazon voucher for ordering her stuff (even though she also got me some treats on Sat!), looking forward to buying more books. Screwfix to get paint for my sister, then retail park for 5 of us, Aldi for 3 of us, Spar for 2 of us. Then have to deliver shopping to everyone. Then back for an online fubetal at 3.

[Kath]

I need to tie up the newly planted (in the greenhouse border) tomatoes. Then hoe the raspberries. And I've been pimping my new book on Amazon. It's a great life if you don't weaken!

[Jim]

Kath wrote: "I need to tie up the newly planted (in the greenhouse border) tomatoes. Then hoe the raspberries. And I've been pimping my new book on Amazon. It's a great life if you don't weaken!"

It looks interesting. Remind us so we can all get out there and pimp it as well :-)

[Steve]

Are any writers finding that the lockdown is helping them to write or hindering them? I’ve got more time on my hands but I’m sorry to say I’m not making the best of it

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

I’m not making the best use of my time either. It’s really odd as if we need structure to do things we have to do and make time for things we’d like to do. I’m doing neither!
I cursed my sewing machine for half an hour this morning and did 5 minutes actual sewing then I had to clear it all away as I was using the dining table. I have a work room but didn’t want to work upstairs. My head is doing all sorts of thinking about things I could and should do but my body isn’t taking any notice.
Strange times for everyone.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

I was all over the place at the start, couldn't produce anything at all. I had been so busy producing work for a number of exhibitions which were then cancelled that I couldn't bring myself to paint anything else. I am now working, but only at about half speed... Got another commission today which is good as having accepted it I will now have to buckle down. I have also discovered that it really wasn't lack of time that meant I couldn't tidy the house :)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Well, that was exhausting, and by the time i got to Aldi i lost the will to live, which meant i haven't bought much proper food! Everybody's shopping has been distributed, need to deal with my own shopping! Turns out I'm a week out, the funeral is next Tue! Just heard an ice cream van, very unusual sound

I've done some things off my list, still loads to read and watch, but finding motivation harder now as it is dragging. Glad you are getting commissions R.

[M.T.]

Steve wrote: "Are any writers finding that the lockdown is helping them to write or hindering them? I’ve got more time on my hands but I’m sorry to say I’m not making the best of it"

I couldn’t at first, but now it’s definitely easier. Although I’m back into the weekly routine of driving to Sussex and back on a Wednesday which wipes me out a bit so it may tail off again.

Big gardening session on Sun and I’m still stiff but lots of things sorted. Need to do some more soon. Will take it slowly though. Very knackered now, as I’ve written about 5,000 words since Sunday.

Desley, not surprised you’re knackered, you sound well busy.

Ro glad the commissions are coming and you’re finding it easier.

Night night all,

MTM

[Alicia]

Steve wrote: "Are any writers finding that the lockdown is helping them to write or hindering them? I’ve got more time on my hands but I’m sorry to say I’m not making the best of it"

Once I figured out I only need to scan the news for stuff that affects me, a couple times a day max, I'm able to block the internet, and the writing is finally going well.

I don't want to look back when this is over and realize (assuming I'm still alive) that I had time and didn't use it.

To be fair, the kids are all launched, and our retirement community which has us in lockdown provides dinner and security, so I don't have the obligations many people have - but it was outrageously difficult in the beginning, and then it saturated. I'm up to date, but not obsessed.

Good luck getting to that place. It can be very productive.

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Well, that was exhausting, and by the time i got to Aldi i lost the will to live, which meant i haven't bought much proper food! Everybody's shopping has been distributed, need to deal with my own ..."

Best to pack it in when you get that tired. You do need to get proper food and rest for yourself FIRST. Then you can take care of the animals and other people. Take care.

[Jim]

Steve wrote: "Are any writers finding that the lockdown is helping them to write or hindering them? I’ve got more time on my hands but I’m sorry to say I’m not making the best of it"

For us we're in agriculture, there hasn't been a lockdown and we've just been busier than usual

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Morning all, first day of no team chat, wasn't quite sure what to do! I forgot to say that the bonus of shopping for 7 people was chatting to them all when i delivered stuff, one neighbour didn't know they were getting anything! One insists on giving me extra for petrol money, even though I'm going anyway, but she said it means she doesn't mind asking. Sunny today si have found some washing to do, and need to go to the post office as most people paid in cash!

I've finally stopped veing obsessed with the news, it does make things easier.

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

I’ve more than stopped being obsessed with the news - I’ve developed an aversion!
Had a Tesco delivery this morning, lovely chap was so quiet he was just putting the last bag in the porch when I saw the van.
I feel like I’ve been reborn as a hamster - food in - bedding out and round and round my sodding wheel.

[Alicia]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I've finally stopped veing obsessed with the news, it does make things easier..."

It really helps.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Morning all, was reading an article yesterday about quarantine fatigue, which I think explains my mood this week - yesterday would normally be one of my favourite kind of days, but even reading in the sun wasn't as good as normal. Had a phone call from a friend last night that perked me up, and trying to organize another socially distanced walk, so something to look forward to.

[Jim]

We're going to start seeing a lot of mental health problems and I suspect that when the figures come out we'll see we've already had a big increase in suicides

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Sadly you are right Jim, and there is already not enough support

[Kath]

I watch the daily briefing each day, in the belief that knowledge is power. It's becoming increasingly obvious that there's a lot of political floundering going on. We're all learning, though. On something so new, there are no experts.

[Jim]

Kath wrote: "I watch the daily briefing each day, in the belief that knowledge is power. It's becoming increasingly obvious that there's a lot of political floundering going on. We're all learning, though. On s..."

I suspect the skill of the politician at times like this is backing the 'right' expert.
Inevitably there will be a public inquiry. It will be rigorous and will really delve into things.
By the time it reports, politics will have moved on and the inquiry will inevitably fail to produce anything that will allow one party to attack its opponents

[Alicia]

Kath wrote: "I watch the daily briefing each day, in the belief that knowledge is power. It's becoming increasingly obvious that there's a lot of political floundering going on. We're all learning, though. On s..."

What there also are not is many grownups. One longs for world-class figures with gravitas. Worst is, we use to have one.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

We all miss Obama, Alicia. Watching his address to the graduating students was like a long cold drink after being lost in the desert.

[Alicia]

He is presidential even when not in office; his successor has never been - and never will learn how to be - presidential.

Even when the Republican Congress made life impossible for Obama, he never let it show, never let it get his goat. Even when people attacked his beautiful and amazingly intelligent wife and lovely daughters (no scandals in his administration), he never descended to their level.

We thought there was an actual improvement in being American - I'm very sad that there is not in many places.

I apologize for the mess I didn't vote for.

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

Why didn’t he run again? Or is that not allowed. My observation is that the other candidates put Trump in place.
Wild, wet and windy here with much needed rain last night. Why is therec always a storm on bin day? We’ve got a new recycling system here and a couple of the containers supplied.by the council are polypropylene bags. You can imagine what happens to them in a gale. We used to have to put a breeze block in the old black bin to stop it blowing away so a plastic sack stands no chance of ‘staying at home ‘

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Morning all, was woken up by the wind which is supposed to be here all day. As long as I can use my reading spot this afternoon, want to finish my book. Going to lidl this afternoon, getting some fruit and veg, I need to start eating better.

We used to have sacks for recycling, as you say, they don't stay put in the wind.

[Will]

I've completely lost track of the days, now. One merges into another with no discernible difference.

And that means I forgot today is Friday, and the forecast (accurate for once) was for string wind - and nearly lost the polytunnel as a result of not getting it held down firmly enough...

The penance was to be outside at 1.15 am battening it down with some old stonework.

[Alicia]

Lynne (Tigger's Mum) wrote: "Why didn’t he run again? Or is that not allowed. My observation is that the other candidates put Trump in place. ..."

Term limits; presidents may run once more, and we hope the voting shenanigans, etc., don't keep this one in place long enough for him to grant himself dictator-for-life status.

[Alicia]

Will wrote: "I've completely lost track of the days, now. One merges into another with no discernible difference.

And that means I forgot today is Friday, and the forecast (accurate for once) was for string wi..."

I'm stealing 'string wind.' As in 'string wind on an unknown Friday.'

[Kath]

Sounds like a kind of band.

[Jim]

'string wind on an unknown Friday.'
An experimental musical composition for triangle, viola and crumhorn

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Morning all, woke up with a stiff neck. Windy again here today - I walked a long way to Lidl yesterday and saw a trampoline being blown up to the top of the fence, luckily the wind died down then and it fell back on the floor! Winds are supposed to get up to 40kmh this afternoon, and some rain, so not sure I'll be going for a walk today. Cleaner contacted me yesterday saying she is able to work again (can't understand the logic of cleaners being allowed in houses, as she is going in other people's houses, surely the risk is higher?), but have said that while I am furloughed, I need housework to get me through the day!

Good job you were able to go out and fix it Will, even if it was silly o clock!