And talking of Italy, I only caught the tail end of Andrea Bocelli's solo performance last night at Milan's Il Duomo cathedral but it was just haunting. I'm a big fan of Andrea anyway, and his performance last night just seemed all the more poignant somehow in these difficult times!
 |
| Andrea Bocelli in front of Il Duomo |
Other than that I think I'm getting the hang of this doing nothing business. Seriously, I have lots to do but I'm realizing that it's all right to work a bit, sit in the garden and read for an hour, work a bit more, read some more. Stuff is getting done but I'm finally learning to switch from permanent fifth gear to something approaching second/third gear, and I think this lockdown may well have something to do with it! As an aside, while this pandemic is awful I hope some good will come out of it - like people learning to slow down and realizing what is really important. Well that and, as I was saying to my friend today, maybe this enforced kindness to our environment could give us a kick-start into really doing something about climate change and pollution once this is all over, rather than just paying lip service to saving our planet!
I've also been taking the time to catch up with friends, so yesterday I chatted for ninety minutes with an American former neighbour of mine, now living in Ireland, and had a great time catching up with all her news - all the more so as I get the feeling that she managed to get a lot off her chest during that chat. I hope so at least. Her son had planned his wedding in Spain in June and I had been invited. When I told her I didn't know what to do as I wasn't sure what the travel situation would be at that time, she said not to worry as it turns out that since so many people will be having problems (the bride is from the Czech Republic), her son and his gf have postponed their wedding until July 2021! Shame isn't it, but there doesn't seem to be an alternative right now. Then today, in addition to chatting with Jordan and Jen and my friend, I also called my long-time friend - you know, the one I had shared an apartment with when I first arrived in Geneva. Well she was out on her daily walk so we didn't get to chat for too long, but she was saying that, like me, she's strangely ok with this lockdown for the most part, with just the occasional wobble. I asked her if she thought we were weird because neither of us were having too much difficulty coping with the present situation, but she just laughed and said nah, we're just self-contained. And maybe she's right, I really am handling this solitude pretty well, although I suppose the next four weeks could really test that "self-reliance" I guess!
Other than that, I realized that Saturday was the 18th birthday of Alexandre, the son of our neighbours who always join in with our board game evenings. Poor bugger, not able to have a party with his mates. Well I didn't have a card of course, so I made my own and took it over there and he was tickled pink!
 |
| I call him "The Emperor" because he always beats me at our quiz games! |
And can you believe it's almost a year since the bombings in Sri Lanka? What with all the coronavirus news the bombings weren't mentioned on Easter Sunday, although I'm assuming there will be some mention of it on 21st April, the actual one-year anniversary. It seems unreal and so long ago to me now!
Anyway, to wrap this up, with another month of lockdown I wonder what the chances are of my starting (and sticking to) an exercise routine and losing some weight during the four week period between now and 11 May? Not high I guess, based on previous experience, but it could be an interesting starting point I suppose. Then again, if I can't get to the hairdresser for another month and have to keep resorting to the "home cut", I might need to lose weight in order to take people's attention away from my dreadful haircut!
 |
| Don't leave your Easter bunny out in the sun if you don't want to make him cross! |
He'd be a hot cross bunny.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about the isolation, and how it's less stressful for some of us, that would be me, too. I'm so used to running my own schedule, working in the studio, pursuing my work in exhibiting etc, that it's not a lot different. There are more people around the neighborhood daily, but aside from not being able to do spontaneous local trips, well, I could, but my destinations are all closed, it feels okay. I've always cut my hair, cooked everything, don't like restaurant food, and that kind of drawback has passed me by.
One of my favorite couples on YouTube, Something Vloggy, was talking about this recently and saying maybe there are people who won't ever want to come out again! They start to slow down and like it.
I think it must be a lot harder for people who crave social contact. My ex is one of them and I can't even imagine what it would be like trying to live through this with him. But apart from not having your artistic talent, you sound a lot like me, and in that I think we're lucky. And thanks for the tip about the Youtubers - I'll check them out.
DeleteWith my proclivity for staying home anyway, I am already starting to wonder (and worry) if this enforced staying at home is going to push me to a place where I won't be able to go out when it's over. (Will it ever be over?) Besides missing being able to cuddle and play with my grandchildren and not being able to hug and kiss my kids, there's not a whole lot I miss. And I sort of feel guilty saying that.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the "feeling guilty" bit, it's weird isn't it. I wouldn't want to be totally stay-at-home after this but it really hasn't been too bad so far!
DeleteI'm not having a problem with it either. In fact, what I do seem to be noticing is that because people are being forced to slow down, they're discovering how life nice is when you relax. Not being able to do what you feel you need to do, does not equal boredom.
ReplyDeleteI remember one time making a cake for the farmer's wife because she had given me some eggs. I was still working and crashing along at 100 miles an hour and when I handed her the cake she said "when on EARTH do you find time to relax"? and I guess the answer was "never". Hopefully more people will start to think twice about the rat race after this!
DeleteI don't mind staying home, but have found that when I'm asked/told to stay home it becomes annoying.
ReplyDeleteI think I will run shrieking into the streets when this ends ...
I know what you mean Bob. When we were first "told" to stay at home all I wanted to do was go out but I'm more settled now. In any case I think there might well be muted shrieking over here too when this is all over!
DeleteMany weddings are being put off. Our oldest wanted to get married summer 2021 but they realize once things resume there will be many weddings so they are holding off now until fall 2021....of course not making any firm plans or commitments till we all know what is going on. Mostly our life is the same with exception of no dinners or movies out or freedom to go to the beach when we want - that plus I can't take Mom anywhere and our social visits are mostly picking up and dropping off something. My husband no longer tailgates, social distancing is having a positive effect on his driving :)
ReplyDeleteI think not being able to go to the beach would bother me (although replace "beach" for "mountains" here) and not being able to be with my mom also, but as you say, if it improves your husband's driving/stress levels it can't be a bad thing can it!
DeleteIf my kids were in relationships and not living alone (though son has roommates but over 1/2 way across the country, if I wasn't worried about my son's economic viability, if I wasn't worried about my sister now alone, if I wasn't worried about my MIL, and my oldest brother and sister getting the virus, yeah then I'd be better with this. I'm trying to push back my sad days. I sure have a lot to do-work today started at 6:30 since I couldn't sleep anyway, and I logged off at 5:15. tomorrow I am part of a child care panel-an industry both hit hard economically,and expected to still care for the children of essential workers, so it will be a 14 hour day tomorrow. But,I am not complaining-just tired.
ReplyDeleteYou have a totally different set of worries to any I might have, of course. I actually said to my sister the other night that I'm glad mom and dad are no longer here because I would worry about them and they would suffer from not being able to see my sister. Also my brother that died would be climbing the walls and I think the one still alive in England is probably not far behind either as he also lives alone. I do worry more about Jen as she's a nurse but I tend to be pretty calm thankfully. But trying to fit in your workload plus keeping a family going would probably have me on my knees and I feel for you. Stay strong, and stay safe!
DeleteI am not having trouble with the isolation, either. Of course, Tommy is here, but sometimes it is like I am alone with him in the house! I just want to find elastic, get my machine in the cabinet, and sort things--all things not happening! I have my little garden, a book, and the sun. Now, I need a lawnchair to bring all those together.
ReplyDeleteI figured you'd be ok actually. But good luck finding elastic - I hear it's more expensive than a bag of dope (not that I would know) at the moment. And yes having a book and the sun helps. I don't know if you're on Facebook but if you are could you put out a call on Freecycle? It's amazing what people are giving away!
DeleteI thought about that, but I would hate to get old elastic. I may before this is over.
DeleteI saw a thing recently and it said 'at the end of this half the population will be brilliant cooks and the other half will have a drink problem' and I think this might be the case! Thankfully I already cooked from scratch anyway so no problem and I don't drink so I guess I must be a better cook?! Both my sons girlfriends are becoming amazing cooks. The one in Australia asked me how to make yorkshire puddings. I, in my over 40 years of marriage, have never mastered that art but I have an old recipe book that tells you how to do it so I took a photo and sent it off to her. Well blow me, did she not make the most amazing puddings ever! Normally both girls work long hours and rarely cook but both are coming up with some amazing things just now. I hope they manage to keep it up when normality returns. My daughter on the other hand has turned to baking. She always enjoyed baking anyway but she's now concentrating on decorating them and coming up with some amazing stuff! I thought my youngest would suffer most with the lockdown as he's very sociable but they all seem to be coping fine with it. As I said before, hubby and I normally live a fairly boring (not to us though) existence so other than missing grandchildren cuddles and the odd shopping trip, I'm fine with this! I love that angry bunny lol. xx
ReplyDeleteYou're bang to rights about being able to cook. I think it's such a shame that home economics was taken off the school curriculum. I guess they figured they could learn this stuff at home but with more and more homes needing two parents to work it just didn't happen very often did it. Actually my mom didn't teach me to cook either but we did have cookery at school and I enjoyed it so much I started buying myself books and cooking when I could. And yorkshire pudding!!! What is it about them! I can't make them for love nor money and my kids LOVE them. All I end up with is a soggy mass and kitchen full of smoke!
DeleteMine usually bounce!! lol
DeleteYou’re so right about slowing down. Two weeks back I thought I’d really be making an impression on my longstanding To Do List but now realise I was either being over ambitious or, more likely, am becoming bone idle.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think it's a question of being idle. I really think it's a reaction to this stressful situation. Everybody seems to be saying the same thing - so much to do/would like to do but then only getting 10th of it done. I suppose we're so used to ploughing out the work that only getting 30% of it done makes us feel guilty, but I'm pretty sure you're anything but idle!
DeleteThe hot cross bunny did bring a smile to my face. Thanks Anna.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't my photo but it tickled me. Glad you like it!
DeleteThis is both difficult and easy. For me the hardest part is dealing with Mom's up and downs, and honestly she is down so much more than up. If I only had to worry about myself and my sons and their families it would be so much easier. They are smart enough to take precautions to keep themselves as safe as possible. With Mom I deal with the wildcard sitters. I am not sure they isolate at all even though I have asked them repeatedly to do so and they tell me they are, but then I will overhear they talking on the phone to friends about the good deal on TV's they saw at Walmart.
ReplyDeleteI get what you're saying. I said to my sister last week I was just so glad mom and dad are no longer with us because it would be awful, worrying about them and then seeing their confusion when they got no visitors. I feel for you, especially as your mom can be difficult when she's down. I'm so sorry you're going through this. "Courage" as they say over here!
Delete