Catch up
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
I've fallen into a blogging lull. I guess life all seems very samey at the moment, and now that we're in lockdown for a second time, the sameness will undoubtedly continue.
I'd intended to take part in Photo An Hour on 31st October, but it was such an uninteresting day that I didn't bother in the end. I caught up on some well overdue blog reading (I've now fallen behind again), I did a little work and spent the afternoon reading on the sofa, it was pleasant enough but doesn't make for very interesting photos.
Work has been keeping me occupied. I've had some of my busiest months since I started working for myself seven years ago, who knew a global pandemic would be good for business? I'm grateful for the work and the distraction, but I'm mindful that it won't last forever.
I've been reading a lot. It's been my escape first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and during the night when I wake up at 3am. I've been making an effort to make nice meals, go for a daily walk (weather permitting), and noticing all the lovely little parts of my day (which usually involve cats).
In all honesty I wasn't expecting a second lockdown, we had a low R rate in this area and whilst cases had risen a little, they hadn't risen by much. It was inevitable that the number of cases would rise when the first lockdown was over and we started mingling again. I remember feeling at the time that restrictions were being lifted too soon, with not enough time between one set of restrictions being lifted before the next, and now here we are again.
Some people seemed to revert back to their pre-lockdown lives within minutes of it ending, something which I will never understand, the virus hadn't gone anywhere.
The news of vaccines is encouraging but these won't really make a difference until well into 2021, with the logistics of getting an entire nation vaccinated being the biggest hindrance. It's good news never-the-less, next year will undoubtedly be better.
I think the loss of summer and the uncertainty of the current situation has caused me to feel drained by it all. I'm certainly lacking enthusiasm, hence my trying to focus on the little things - Tinker snuggling up in the early hours of the morning and purring loudly at me, Socks trying to steal my marmalade on toast, the sun coming out on my daily walk, long baths, good books, reading good books in the bath, nice meals shared with Andy, discussions on who should leave the Strictly Ballroom each week.
Life certainly has a slower pace, and it's something I've enjoyed this year. The pandemic will change life, and in some ways it'll be for the better.
14 comments
I don't know about you not having any interesting photos, I could sit and look at those kitties all day long, such cuties. Mick's only been into work once since before the first lockdown, I don't think he'll ever go back to working as he did before, yet he's busier than ever. I don't think it feels like we're in lockdown at the moment, it's nowhere near as strict as it was last time with schools and universities open, people allowed to meet others outdoors for a walk, and as for shops having to close, I've just seen that TK Maxx near us is still open, how is that an essential shop? People should be taking it seriously but it's hard to encourage some people to follow guidelines and rules when there's mixed messages out there.
ReplyDeleteCats are rather photogenic :)
DeleteI think the way a lot of people work will be changed forever. My brother now doesn't have an office to go to, they closed it and now he, and all his colleagues, work from home. Which is fine if you have a room you can use as an office (which luckily he has) but some of his colleagues are at their kitchen tables.
Andy says that the roads are quieter, but the footpaths are busy - it's like people have suddenly discovered the countryside. In one place they were queuing to get on a footpath.
I heard The Range was still open, probably because it has a (tiny) garden centre, but I can't see why TK Maxx needs to stay open, it just encourages people to go shopping when they don't really need to. The message is very mixed, the Government seem to be relying on people to be sensible and only go out if it's essential but it's obvious that that's not happening. I'm beginning to wonder if this lockdown will achieve anything at all.
xx
I'm glad to hear you are focusing on the good things! How great that you are getting lots of work. Long may it last! I'd like a purring cat. I do wonder about the two kittens we were thinking of getting in the Summer- we didn't because we knew we would be away but I do think it would be fun.
ReplyDeleteMy pre-lockdown life was manic with all the playing I was doing but I loved it. I do miss doing all my orchestral playing but I do think I am lucky to get to still take part in music with others, even if they are only up to 11 years old! I'm so glad that I have Northumberland and was able to go and spend time up there- my mother in law is so glad she got to see us in the SUmmer and at Half term as otherwise she'd be quite lonely.
Cats make a home! Any pet does really. It feels very strange when Socks and Tink aren't about. Last night they seemed to be outside almost all evening, it felt so weird not to have them sat in the lounge with us. And it's lovely to be greeted when we come home (not that I'm going out very often at the moment!).
DeleteDo you think you'll go back to the same level of orchestra playing when you can? Or do you think you might do a little less? I'm so interested in how all this will change peoples lives. It is lovely that you still get to play even if it is with under 11s.
It's so nice that you were able to get away in the summer and in the half term, not only was it lovely for your MIL but also for both of you to get a break. Teaching has been particularly difficult during these times.
xx
Gorgeous cat photos, it's definitely a day for snuggling today!
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to hear how well your business is going, its lovely to hear some positive news coming out of the pandemic.
I'm dreading what the consequences will be if/when we come out of lockdown on 2nd December and everyone continues with business as normal. I've read so many blogs of people determined to celebrate Xmas regardless, it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better!
Stay safe! xxx
It is nice to have the distraction of work, not that I have any trouble filling my time when I'm not working but work is something that I can get really immersed in.
DeleteI hate the thought of not being able to celebrate Christmas in the way we usually do, but if we can't, we can't. I can't understand that people refuse to see the bigger picture. It does feel very strange not having made any Christmas plans yet, but what's the point until we know what we can do? One thing I do know is that the tree will be bought home as soon as lockdown is over.
xx
I think you're right - some things will indeed change for the better - I think a lot of people are evaluating their lives, appreciating their time more and wanting to take life at a slower pace - I'm one of them! Like you I have run out of blogging steam, it's hard to find anything new to talk about but never mind - I always enjoy your posts as you have such beautiful cats and I do love to see snippets of your farm. Betty
ReplyDeleteI think there are two distinct groups of people - those who are evaluating, and those who just want to get back to normal. It will be so nice to have the freedom to see people again and that's the only thing I'm eager to get back to.
DeleteKeep blogging - it's nice to hear what you've been up to and I'm looking forward to seeing how little Mollie gets on, she's such a cutie.
xx
I do agree on the sameness of life at the moment, and I actually think it's much worse now that the days are getting shorter and colder, and our gardens do no longer offer the necessary solace and distraction. Cats do make life much more bearable, as does concentrating on the small stuff. I'm glad to hear work is abundant, long may it continue. I'm not in a hurry to get back to pre-lockdown life any time soon. Ours is until 13 December, and I'm actually hoping they'll prolong it until well after Christmas! xxx
ReplyDeleteI was saying the exact same thing to my Dad last night about gardens.
DeleteI hope that I can see my family over Christmas, if I can't then Andy and I will make the best of it but as Christmas is so very much about family for us it will be very strange not to see them. Then we can go back into lockdown if necessary :)
xx
I think this whole year has left everyone disorientated. I've no idea what day it is half the time and with no longer or medium term plans to look forward to it's easy just to lose track of things. My garden is looking drab and miserable now and all the lovely light evenings we spent out in it are gone. It might as well not really be there at all.
ReplyDeleteI've mixed feelings about Christmas and 'the rules'. I think any mixing is bad and unnecessary mixing and families ought to worry a lot more about their older and vulnerable relatives. That said, I'm a pro-quiet Christmas every year so I guess my opinion is biased from the start.
I definitely feel like my routine and to-do list have given me great direction and enthusiasm but the peppering of work that keeps cropping up (and hindering things) is proving to be the greatest frustration. Take care xx
The days seem to blend into one. I'm glad your feeling enthusiastic, my enthusiasm is currently MIA - it'll return but until it does I feel aimless.
DeleteI'm beginning to think that Christmas should just be postponed. Even if the rules are relaxed for the Christmas period it doesn't mean it's safe to mingle with others, as much as I'd love to see the family - Andy's side and mine - it doesn't quite feel safe to do so. I'm torn, I have to admit.
Take care Sophie
xx
omggg I very very very love cats!! <3333
ReplyDeletethank you :)
DeleteThank you for taking the time to comment x