While We Were Otherwise Occupied

Staring into space out of my bedroom window this morning it occurred to me how many flocks of birds I had seen lately.  And as I went outside for my morning lungful, I realized that the only sound I could hear were birds. More than I ever hear when I go outside this early. There is absolutely no traffic noise and none of the usual sirens, but I like to think that the birdsong I am hearing is because there are more of them around. Suburbs and gardens are less frightening for now.

I also went outside last night and stood in the garden. It wasn’t late at all, barely seven o’ clock but the silence was deafening. The sky is also so much clearer, and I have heard speak of blue skies peeping through in places where smoggy grey is the standard. For all the misery and tough times Venice has faced recently the canals are staring to run clean, and from the end of my driveway the Joburg skyline is as clear and definite as it was thirty years ago.

My mind has been thoroughly occupied by this virus. I haven’t been paying attention to much else besides lockdown, handwashing, symptoms and the toll the we are paying the world over, spending much of my time checking everyone is ok, safe and in good spirits. So pre-occupied I nearly forgot that in spite of this the world turns, people in high places are making decisions and processes continue unabated.

While we were looking away.

·         Vladimir Putin passed a law which allows him to be elected as president once again, and again. (Shades of Mugabe)

·         Vera Lynn turned 103. She was one of the best-known wartime entertainers and supporters of troops during the war years.

·         Stem cell research has allowed for a second person to be cured of HIV; my medical knowledge is lacking but this is the gist of it.

·         South Africa finally landed a ‘Junk’ status, kicking our economy while it is down.

Trying to find news that is of importance has proven difficult because of the prevalence and the focus on Coronavirus/Covid-19 articles.  But the world hasn’t stopped, and we all have things that are important to us, whatever arena they play out in.

If you have been checking the news occasionally you will probably have seen how the human spirit is persevering, with concerts on balconies, singing policeman on patrol, food packages for the elderly, endless silly boredom avoidance videos. News that, although linked to the virus, gives us hope.

It is a beautiful day today; I am going to feed the birds in my garden.  The food is going quicker than normal. Are there more birds, are they also stress eating or am I projecting and being too generous with my portions?

All kitchen cupboards will be unpacked and rearranged before the day is out. Also, I am having my first glass of wine since I shut my gate on Wednesday afternoon.

Stay strong.  Keep the faith.

Garden Walks and Waistlines

Having checked in with my nearest and dearest and finding them well and safe I managed to have a rather good nights sleep. Of course there is worry which will linger for the duration but as we move through these weeks it will become easier to manage.

So it was with a sense of renewed hope and energy that I embarked on a bit of a walk. It seems that the driveway I have been talking about is slightly longer than I thought. Added to that a circuit of my garden and I only need 14 laps to complete a kilometer. I have managed to notch up 2 km this morning, despite the lack of scenery and the sense that I wasn’t going far.  My neighbor promised not to judge.

The dogs think it is great fun for the first few laps and manage to burn off a bit of energy charging around, trying to get nowhere first. But distractions abound and they end up sniffing at invisible blobs and chasing birds. I have also started giving them less food and only one biscuit a day. The last thing we need is to come out on the other side only to be restricted by diet. That applies to us humans too. I don’t know how much weight one can gain in three weeks; imagine not being able to fit into anything!  Talk about salt in the wound. Or is that salt and vinegar?

We limited the 'cheat foods' that we bought for the duration of the lockdown. Some through choice, others through forgetfulness.  We chose to only buy one slab of chocolate for each week, we did however forget to get any crisps or Easter eggs. I know its a good thing and I will thank myself later. But we did make sure we have an abundance of flour and sugar and a brand new bottle of gas for the oven I love so much.  May sense prevail.

Since it is a weekend we haven't allocated tasks but will probably find something to do so the day isn't wasted. I think staking out a vegetable patch might be just the ticket. But first a few more walks around the garden.