Enjoying a chiminea.
Sorry for this lengthy post, but I wanted to record it for posterity.
There are so many people that I miss seeing in the flesh, but, top of the list is my adorable, Littl’urchin. Not being able to hold and hug her has literally broken my heart.
There are so many new words that I wish I wasn’t getting used to. Personal protection equipment, furlough and lock down to name a few!
There are also new habits that I wish I wasn’t adjusting to, wiping handles, light switches and counter tops relentlessly, switching from indoor to outdoor shoes, quarantining all parcels, mail, cash and long life shopping items for at least three days and wiping down perishable shopping. I’ve also almost worn my mop out, and if I do buy a new one it will require the obligatory three day quarantine.
I’m becoming neurotic re touching things and experience a mild sense of dread every time someone knocks on the door or walks up the drive! And yes, of course I have to clean the knocker and wipe down the letter box after the mail arrives, more for the postman’s sake than ours.
I’m now used to playing chicken whenever a person approaches on a walk, who will give first is a game I’m rather enjoying.
Now I’ve been made aware of the virus droplets falling to the ground after infected people cough, sneeze or talk, I’m considering wiping the dogs feet before they come in from a walk. Somehow, I doubt the cat will put up with that kind of behaviour though!
I’m also making new friends. People I have never seen before are suddenly popping up on our walks each day. For instance, there’s the Collie Woman. Every day we meet her, and every day her collie barks furiously at whatever dogs we’re walking. Annie barks back as furiously and eyes are rolled by all parties, followed by the daily…Collies…what are they like….sighs. Now the Collie Woman has taken to waving at me when driving past in her car.
There be ducklings everywhere.
I’ve been pondering on the hidden implications of this crisis. Spies can’t spy given borders are closed and people are locked down, crime must have fallen as gangs can no longer roam the streets, and drug dealers must be struggling to sell drugs as they are no longer permitted to hang out on the streets. Road traffic accidents must surely be down, terrorists have no real targets any more and the Mafia must be feeling the pinch re the shut down of all gambling.
A few days ago I spotted a water vole that wasn’t bothered by my presence. It was bobbing about in a stream and stayed put long enough for me to get a photo. A few minutes later a mouse calmly walked past us.
I am thrilled to see wildlife venturing into places previously dominated by people. This foot-golf course was teeming with red squirrels. I’ve never seen them there in all the years I’ve walked past it.
It may be my imagination, but bees and butterflies are everywhere, in far larger numbers than usual for this time of the year. Birdsong is delicious and deafening and I wonder how many creatures have been saved now there are so few cars on the road. Hedgehogs may actually make a come-back!
It’s also rather wonderful to walk up this road and no longer see cars, just the horse and cart man with his little Jack. Another new friend! No wonder the mice walk in the open without a care in the world.
I put my wildlife camera out to see if the hedgehogs were back.
Seems I’m feeding several cats.
And innumerable birds.
These are but a few.
Yay! They’re back!
All looking fine and dandy.
And Finally…..
I do worry about all the problems that existed in the world before this virus struck.
All those countries suffering from famine, disease and war. I hope that the charities are still managing to support these desperate causes, and even more desperate people. All we have to do is stay home, not much of a hardship in my book.
And so, another day draws to an end.
Until next time my friends, stay safe.xxx
Like you, I’m no domestic goddess either and all this cleaning is so time consuming! The shopping is the worst, as you say, it takes a couple of hours! I’m now mopping the floors with soapy water before I let the dogs in after a walk, hopefully this will clean their paws, you should see me slipping and slithering around! I also wipe the dogs coats down and haven’t opened mail in weeks. The list of chores seems to grow longer each day. Yes, it’s missing people that is the worst of it. Thanks Chloris.xxx
Another post I missed. Oh Dina, it really struck a chord with me. Normally I am the furthest away from a domestic goddess its possible to be. And now I am constantly mopping and cleaning, we’re all going to end up with OCD. It took me an hour and a half to clean my shopping the other day. And cleaning door knobs and bells and light switches. I never thought I would be a compulsive cleaner. I even cleaned my car the other day, for the first time in living memory.
I can imagine it must be awful not being able to hug your little angel and missing out on so much. I miss not being able to hug my big angels. Thank god for our gardens.
It’s not the same but I am so grateful for the internet … Skype has been a godsend to see and stay in touch with family 🙂
All the best Jan
Thank goodness for technology, it’s no substitute but better than nothing. Thanks Jan.xxx
Oh yes, how many things we’ve all taken for granted. Thanks Amalia.xxx
These are strange times indeed. They make us appreciate things we’ve always taken for granted, like being outside or spending time with friends and family.
Amalia
xo
Glad to hear you have lots of bees and butterflies. Around here they are still in hiding and waiting for the weather to warm!
It’s early for us to have so many bees and butterflies, maybe it has something to do with the reduced pollution. Thanks Jason.xxx
Great emotional post. Take care. Enjoy spring and the summer to come.
Thanks Peter. You take good care of you and yours.xxx
The Earth must be so relieved to be given a break from the lot of us. People are still out and about in my town. We just stay away from each other and after I’ve posted my online lessons, I head for the garden. This too shall pass.
Yes, how quickly the earth heals when we stay put. I hope it doesn’t go back to the way it was. Thank goodness for gardens and fingers crossed this does pass. Thanks Casa.xxx
There is so much to take in with this crisis. But as you say the most beautiful thing of all is the quietness and the coming back of our wildlife. The bird song is breathtakingly beautiful.
Yes, we miss the physical contact especially with those closest. but hopefully that will come back soon.
Love you Dina…stay safe – keep gardening, get the paints out and know that L’l Urchin loves you very much…..XXXXX
It is all so very surreal, but the bird song is a bonus! Fingers crossed that we can all get together soon. Ahhh, thanks Janet, love you too. Take good care now.xxx
I really miss not being able to see my family too, not being able to give them a hug is dreadful, face time goes some of the way, but it isn’t the same. Being well over 70, I’m self isolating and only go out once a week for my early shopping at Sainsburys. Nobody passes the house so I feel as though I’m liveing in a bubble! I think the wildlife will appreciate hardly any cars or people arounf, just like they did when we last had Foot and mouth and we couldn’t walk our dogs. The first day we were allowed to take them out again, I kept disturbing badgers, deer and stoats! Thank goodness I have my garden to work in, with the birds, bees and butterflies for company. Stay safe! x
Yes, not seeing or hugging family is awful! We facetime daughter and MIL, she’s ninety and is also self-isolating, although she’s suffering from cabin fever now. Having a garden is truly a blessing, I couldn’t imagine life without one. Thanks Linda. take good care of yourselves and stay safe.xxx
It is so hard not being able to see our loved ones isn’t it. I am really sorry to hear that you are missing your granddaughter.
How amazing to see a water vole, I don’t think I have ever seen one in the wild. It does seem like the birds are singing loudly, perhaps we are just not used to hearing them all the time as all the background noise we create has stopped. Glad to see that your hedgehogs are still visiting!
It’ is awful not seeing family and friends. I’ve only seen water voles twice. The first disappeared quickly, this one lingered for quite a while. I didn’t realize how chubby they are, maybe it was pregnant come to think of it. Everyone has noticed the birdsong, right across the country, just goes to show how much noise pollution we create. I’m always thrilled to see the hedgehogs come out of hibernation. Thanks Sustainablemum.xxx
While you’ve got this post down for posterity, I will remark on how fun it is to see what your camera captures! Those cats — I wonder if Curly cat can tell there’ve been visitors. And the birds, too. What fun to see them enjoy an early morning snack.
Your fire is very inviting. I learned this week that heat kills the virus. For my friends who are concerned about take-out containers, they can (apparently) put the containers in a 160F oven for about 10 minutes and that kills the germs. Of course, I’ve only had sushi take-out which won’t tolerate sitting in the oven! I’m sorry you haven’t been able to be with Lil Urchin. What a joyful child (thanks for that vid of her dancing).
Hang in there, friend. (safe) Hugs to you 🙂
Oh, that wildlife camera is worth it’s weight in gold. You simply never know what you will capture. We have a fair few cats hanging around the garden scoffing the hedgehog biscuits, Curly cat often indulges in yowling matches with them and occasionally fights break out. I am always surprised at how many birds are devouring the biscuits. Good to know ten minutes in the oven kills this virus, I haven’t had any takeaway since this outbreak.
I do hope I get to see that child sooner rather than later! Thanks Anne, a huge hug to you two.xxx
I think not being able to visit family is definitely the worst thing about the social distancing – all else I can deal with.
I wonder whether those bent on crime will be adhering to the rules?
Yes, totally agree re the family situation. I like to hope that crime is down, especially as there are more police on the streets. Thanks Sue.xxx
It is amazing how automatically we wipe everything down now and when we are out walking we smile and wave at strangers passing at the same time as avoiding them! Such a strange world at the moment. We too, miss our granddaughter very much and I can see from FaceTime that she is changing.
Yes, we are all adapting to this new way of doing things, it’s quite bizarre when you think about it. How quickly the world has changed. Ahhhh, I can imagine how much you must be missing your granddaughter, I think that’s the hardest part. Thanks Gerrie.xxx
I love your photos and your night camera, and your willingness to share how hard this is for you at times…and yes, the cleaning, the lurching rhythms of receiving mail and bringing home groceries and then quarantining everything with our outdoor shoes.
We also put all our clothes in the washer if we’ve been to a store (very rare), then race around to take turns in the lower level shower and etc. It would be fun and amorous if we were still in our 30’s, but is somewhat more akin to The Sad Racing Wrinklies at this point…although with Phillip, there’s always laughter. How amazingly and swiftly we adapt.
I worry about the neglected and poor, too, along with the imprisoned and caged…and I’m angry and feisty enough to keep myself alive just so I can keep fighting for their welfare and rights.
Your necessary and joyful reunions with your lovebugs are held in my heart. I send hugs and great love, Dina.
I just love that wildlife camera, I’ve carted it across the world and captured some unexpected animals. Everyone is missing someone, at least I hope so, how awful to be utterly alone. Hahahaha…you had me laughing out loud re the wrinkly thing…hahaha, same here!!!! So sad today to hear of the elephants in Thailand that may end up starving due to a lack of tourists, why they can’t be released to areas where they can feed themselves is utterly beyond me. Upwards, friend of mine…thanks and hugs and love to one and all!
I’m convinced that the birds are singing more loudly! I’m so enjoying the quiet and the beauty and the peace.
Oh yes…you and me both on all those points! Thanks Gill.xxx
Does it feels so strange, doesn’t it? I am at home for a week’s holiday… but well, I have remote access to the PC in the office and therefore, in order not to leave in a panic my “assisted jobless”, I try to answer at least the e-mails and check how they are doing.
They are more than two hundred now. A myriad and the numbers are constantly rising… The scourge of unemployment will be a scourge in wealthy countries. Of course, where people are used to getting by in some way, changing their way of life, it will not be so terrible for them… maybe they don’t have debts to buy a leased car… or an apartment with mortgage prohibitive rates …
These are the things I hear the most. Difficulty in paying debts.
But, as you have noticed, here is that Nature takes back its spaces! For at least 30 years I had not seen a Podalirio butterfly in our garden… the birds are suddenly very numerous and their chirping has been heard since the dawn of the day.
The stray cats that come to visit us are a couple more (never seen before)… but the most spectacular thing is the quiet that reigns everywhere.
With my husband, we collected herbs and then cooked them and tasted new recipes and flavors.
Well, it’s not that we are not worried, dear Dina: Emanuele Giosuè at the Covid-19 Center of the Locarno Hospital is in contact with infected people… there, the virus is in the air.
But let’s not get caught up in fear, nothing will happen, everything will be fine.
I miss the hugs to my 87-year-old mom, whom I hear only on the phone (it’s my husband who does the shopping for all of us).
Let’s get strong and become aware. There is still a lot of time to think! A big affectionate hug 🙂 claudine
It is certainly strange and surreal!!! Yes, paying debts is certainly a worry for many. I was thinking about millionaire’s in their apartment prisons, I bet they wish they had a garden! Oh, marvelous news about the podalirio butterfly and the stray cats that visit you, and yes, isn’t the peace and quiet just wonderful. Everyone is experimenting with food, using everything possible, I love how little waste there is these days. I pray that your lovely Emanuele Giosuè stays safe. Here’s to us all being able to hug our loved ones again. Love and hugs to all.xxxx
I can imagine how much you must miss those hugs from your little granddaughter. That’s the hardest aspect of this challenging situation we’re in. Our grandchildren are grown up, but our usual holiday get together here in our home wasn’t possible and social media phone calls are not the same as a hug. It’s our local daughter’s birthday this week. Last year we were all taking a break in Liverpool. It’s all very strange. We were hoping to see you when our granddaughter has her graduation ceremony. Not sure it will happen now. In July. She’s still there trying to finish her assignments and missing us all here. Take care Dina and family xxL
Oh, the loss of hugs from family is awful. What a shame if we miss out on meeting yet again!!! We have several wedding invites for October, I doubt they will happen either. We just need a vaccine, asap! You take good care of yourselves. Hugs. xxx
Personally, I don’t intend to get used to a good bit of what’s being suggested or imposed. Separation from family and friends makes us less human, not more, even if we do it in the name of surviving this newest disease. Of course I take precautions, and I miss the friends and family I can’t visit just now. But I’m not going to get used to it, and I’m not going to live in fear. Fear takes away our humanity, too.
Oh, I don’t want to get used to it either! It’s awful not seeing family and friends and not being able to hug them. Yes, fear does dehumanize us, I keep pulling back from that and try to live in the present, I also turn off the news. Thanks Linda.xxx
Good post and pictures. I like the horse and cart, which is something I’ve not seen for many years hereabouts. I’ve seen plenty of butterflies too, and bumble bees.
Thanks, and you too. xx
Thanks Flighty, it’s always lovely seeing the guy take his horse out for a run. Lots of bumbles around here too.xxx
Yes, there was a hedgehog sighting on one of Archie’s last walks of the day last week, the roads are definitely safer for them at the moment. It’s so hard for families being separated at the moment, especially when there’s such young children involved, they change on a daily basis when they’re babies, and all those cuddles, such a sad state of affairs.
Ah, lovely that hedgehogs are around in your area. It is a sad state of affairs. As you say, babies grow up so quickly. Thanks Jo.xxx
Oh, you must be missing Littl’urchin desperately. I hope it won’t be too long before you can hug her again. There does seem to be a lot of wildlife around doesn’t there. One of our walks recently took us on a footbridge over what is normally a really busy road. It was completely empty and quite surreal. We stood for ages just looking at it. Butterflies and birds seem to be everywhere here too; it’s lovely. Sadly, no water voles yet! Enjoy your chiminea and stay safe. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. I can’t wait to give that child a big bear hug. It really is odd seeing quiet roads! I keep thinking I must be dreaming! xxx