Day 31 – a philosophy?

Mrs Henderson thought that it might be a good time to explain how this is working. To start with, we are not going out; this is because I am considered vulnerable and Mrs Henderson is supporting me so that living together is possible. So we haven’t seen the outside world for 30 days. I was last in a shop on Saturday 15th March. I have taken the car out twice now just round the village to check that it still goes and to stop everything seizing up.

We are lucky to be able to get supplies delivered and are very grateful to our family, friends and colleagues who have delivered essential things and things that are just nice, either by leaving stuff on the doorstep or ordering it off the internet. It is lovely that many colleagues are moving into the friend category.

The internet has been a god-send and the issue of how we would have managed before is clearly irrelevant. However how we would managed without, knowing that it existed is another matter! We have been able to order things to be delivered to ourselves, friends and family and also, like you all have been able to see our people too; either singly or in groups. We have enjoyed quizzes and drinks. And morale has been buoyed by WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

As regular visiters will notice, there is a routine – when wasn’t there? Life is routine and people who say it’s not are liars. We try to differentiate between weekdays and weekend, though that is hard because all days feel the same. We try not to overeat or drink alcohol during the week. At weekends the gloves are off.

Many of you were surprised to discover I had taken up regular exercise and dieting this year not because of a new New Year’s resolution; it coincided with an opportunity to do a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course. I have lost 18lb and had joined a gym. Exercise is a real challange – difficult to get motivated and lack of space. Luckily Edward left a couple of 4kg weights at home and I have been lifting these and doing the bleep test. Mrs Henderson does an aerobic class on the internet and the bleep test. I haven’t put on any more weight and I think my fitness has stayed much the same.

The weather has helped. It is interesting to note that the weather in 2020 before lockdown was 150mm rain, mostly overcast. Since lockdown – 1mm rain, mostly sunny and warm.

This has enabled us to get into the garden and this has been an excellent thing. We have been able to do some exterior decorating but most importantly I have been able to “do” the garden. The garden has never been so weed free. I have also chronicled the passage of time in the garden – this slowly, everchanging landscape. You will have enjoyed the beauty of the flowers that have arrived. It is also great to be able to watch things move and change on an hourly basis. When at work, gardening at this time of year was mainly a weekend activity and a frantic, frustratingly rushed and never ending activity. I have always known that the beauty of gardening is that you have to go at the speed of the garden and that gives one time to think and get lost in ones thoughts. I actually feel in control of the garden for the first time in years, if not ever.

We have advertised widely that we have listened to a lot of music. This isn’t something new in our lives. We have always listened to a lot of music. I thought it might be a nice idea to listen more to whole LP records that we do more infrequently – we have uncovered some old favourites. We hope it has inspired you to do the same and maybe try some of ours…

We read. Probably more than when we were working, but not loads more. We never read much during the day and it is difficult to concentrate. We both find ourselves falling asleep.

We don’t watch much television. Partly as a rule and we never watched television during the day before, except perhaps the odd Spurs game or test match. There is also very little worth watching (now you know we’re old). When thinking about watching on demand (thank you Baz and Timmy) or catch up it is sometimes difficult to motivate oneself to watch because one can “always watch it another time”. WE NEVER WATCH THE NEWS.

The news is of course depressing and makes us angry. Watching it also changes nothing, certainly gets you no nearer the truth. I have tried – not always successfully – to avoid political polemic. Mainly because it is boorish and if you are reading this blog you probably share my views.

School work has of course been strange. And if I’m honest I have rather enjoyed this way of working remotely. I have time to consider what I’m doing. Many things don’t change; there are the same irritations and jokes. I can’t elaborate…

Time is the one thing we have in abundance and there is no doubt that the pace of life has s l o w e d down considerably. Once we’d got used to this I’m not so sure that it will have been a bad thing.

The immensely positive thing for us is that we find that we still get on just as well as we always have. In fact I would say given the relentless togetherness this situation has forced us into – probably better than ever. We are very lucky. We have always known that and continue to acknowledge it.

We are fortunate to have the company of two wonderful cats. We love the cats…

Sometimes you have to theme things – it gives structure. Funny LP sleeve mash-ups for example – I’m sure you’ve noticed others. But ultimately a themed approach is a cul-de-sac of stagnation.

We have tried to give you a flavour of what we’ve been doing. And we have tried to be positive. We hope it has helped you through this – it has certainly helped us. It’s been nice to know that this has been read and to receive your comments.

Actually, this is all a cover – we got up late today and did nothing. Spent the day in our dressing gowns watching daytime television eating family sized packs of crisps.

ONLY JOKING!

Mrs Henderson finished her jigsaw.