National Poetry Day 1/10/2020

 I am thine, thou art mine,

Of that be thou assured.

Thou art locked up within my heart

And lost is the little key.

ANON 

German, 11th century

Cheer up and don't despondent be

We've tasks we must fulfill;

Remember that behind the clouds

The Sun is shining still.

Ethel M Urry, 1921

Sent by my student Julie C.

July 21

Since I last blogged I have been edging out gradually and my world is expanding a little.

I have been to the hairdresser ,Jacelyn, and had a cut and blow dry. I felt very safe the place was clean and tidy all my things were put into a plastic bag and I had to use hand sanitiser and sign in.It was fantastic to be somewhere normal again and great ti have my hair cut it felt great.

My first trip to the shops was to the wee paper shop on Smithdown  Road where I used to get John's Guardian. I bought a pint of milk and paid with contactless I was the only person in the shop and it felt good to do it.

I then went to the Tesco on the corner and bought a few things including flowers for myself. It was all good, the screens seem  safe for the staff and I wore my mask.One day when I was walking in the park I decided to go to the co-op on Lark Lane for some sesame seeds . I could not get them online of locally, they did not have them either.But it got me into another shop and that felt ok too. Today I went to Asda to get a print made from my phone and while I was there I did some shopping.I am getting braver and braver as time goes on. I am careful but taking a few more risks.

I was happy that Mersey Ferries used some pictures on our wedding pictures in their social media sights, it was lovely to see the pictures there with a little bit of our wedding day story. And it was lovely to read about another two couples who had their weddings on the ferry. too

It is good to be thinking and talking about things other than Covid 19; and Brexit which I notice is creeping back into the news.

I would have been arriving back in Liverpool after two months in Castalla on July 8th but sadly due to covid, I was not able to go at all. I was coming back earlier that usual to celebrate my son Andrew's 50th birthday with him and Lucy , but again due  to to covid, celebrations  had to be postponed.

I had another meal with Andrew and Lucy in Woolton ,this time I took all the food with me and we had another great night together. It was not until Andrew was bringing me home on the Sunday that I realised that they can come to my house if they are in my safe bubble. I really thought that it was only me that could visit them :)

I am still counselling on the phone and I can hear from clients how difficult the lockdown is for them I think mental health issues are and will continue to rise due to this very difficult time on our planet.

I have no confidence in our government or the USA government.I listen to in depth analysis programmes on Radio 4 and have realised that once I have the information I have to take responsibility for myself. That is what has given me the courage to go out more.

My cleaner is back working and it is lovely to have her back again, I love going out for a few hours and coming home to a lovely clean house. Another sign of things returning to normal.

I have been receiving lots of deliveries of the gifts that I ordered for Andrew's birthday. The last one, one I thought I could not get as it was out of stock in a few shops, became available a few days ago and it has made me very happy.
My  main gift, sadly could not be got for Andrew, due to Covid, but maybe in time it will be possible.

I am looking forward to this weekend and seeing Andrew on his 50th birthday and I will celebrate too ,being a mum for 50 years :)



"Breathe darling, this is just a chapter ,not the whole story."

July 5th 2020

So here we are in July, I find it hard to take in. When I hear someone mention the month I feel a bit startled  as it feels like February or March.

I AM MAKING A LOT OF SODA BREAD WHICH I AM REALLY ENJOYING. As are Andrew and Lucy. I am still getting Asda delivery easier and my friends continue to bring me day to day things like milk and fresh veggies.

Janet , brought me more flour and icing sugar she is a real help to me as I love baking , mostly for other people.

My highlight since I last blogged. was to visit Andrew and Lucy to see all the work that they have done in their lovely home.

it was a wonderful weekend. Andrew collected me and we sat in the garden  in the beautiful sunshine and drank some wine.


The garden looks well with the new wall to hide the bins and the beautiful whiskey barrel to collect water and the new garden furniture. The hallway had beed beautifully decorated in a very classy deep green paint below the daydo and a much lighted grey/cream above. Lots of features which reflect their taste so well.

I love the new rope handrail in the attic space, and the plants in the backyard.

We had lovely food and wine and lots of chat and a wonderful catch up, even went into the yard later to see the lights and lantern out there.

We ended the evening with a West Wing episode then we all went to bed.

In the morning, we had breakfast of veggie sausages, then as they did the crossword with Phil and Philip, I had a shower. I was able to have a nice catch up with Philip after my shower as Andrew got ready to bring me home. all in all a wonderful life enhancing experience.

I went to the doctor on Monday morning to have my bloods done and that was another new, since lockdown experience. I did not recognise my lovely Dt Kate she was dressed up like a space woman,

It was an ok experience ,if strange , something we all took for granted just  twelve weeks ago, was a bit scary. I then walked to Woolton in the afternoon to see my dentist, also a bit strange but in the end ok.  I went to Andrew and Lucy afterward, as they are in my bubble. I watched an episode of Succession then Andrew very kindly brought me home.

In one weekend my behaviour had changed and it was all good .Yet when I was home again on the Monday evening in my bubble I felt safe and wanted to stay here. I am not happy about that, I simply notice that is how it is.

I had a lovely Zoom chat with Pilar in Finland, and that was a first for us, we usually meet up in Leeds when she is home or we see each other in Castalla. I miss not being there this year.

My cleaner Carmen has started back now. That is great stuff, that little bit of help once a fortnight, gives me a lift.

I met Tony in Green bank Park and we had a flask with coffee and sat on our coats on the grass and had a good catch up.

I have loved David Olusoga 's programmes on BBC2 about Black British History; he is wonderful

I hope that the next time I blog ,that I will have had my haircut :)

All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well.

June 15th

It's two weeks since I last blogged, a lot has happened in the world in that time.

Covid 19 continues to thrive in some countries and in others like New Zealand it has gone ;there have been no deaths for a few weeks. Life for those people is back to normal, schools opened, shops ,pubs cafes and cinemas are all enjoying normality.

On a sadder note a young man George Floyd was shot and murdered by a policeman in America and it has had reactions all over the world. Black Lives Matter is a phrase you hear all the time now, many people have broken the lockdown "rules" and been out marching and gathering in squares all over the world.

I am in my little bubble here in Ullet Road and it is disturbing to hear what is really going on in the world, in hospitals care homes etc. I have not been to a shop since March. I hear that people are sometimes not following the guidelines and that worries me. I am lucky that I have many friends that do my shopping for me. I have a friends hub at my window and people come for coffee and a chat.

I make cakes for the elderly around me ( older than me at almost 72) I have a few pro bono clients , it is what I can do to help the world go round in this strange time.

I can now easily get an online grocery orders delivered within a week, this is new.


I have always found it easy to get non essential online orders delivered , essentials for me, candles, incense, fairy lights, summer dresses.

Birthday gifts and cards all easy to come by.

I enjoy zoom chats with my sisters each week, and my brother and his wife most weeekends.

We have a new conductor and The Liverpool Philharmonic; Domingo Hindoyan , he is young handsome dynamic, we will be in safe hands, I will of course miss Vasily Petrenko .

The most exciting thing for me personally is that people who live alone , like me ,are now allowed to choose another household to be in a safely bubble with. this means you can visit the home, no social distancing , hugging is allowed and you can stay overnight. Hip Hip Hooray.

I have already met up with Andrew and Lucy in Calderstone Park ,had a big hugs and did a lot of touching. It was awesome . i felt as high as a kite all day after I saw them.

This weekend, Andrew will collect me to take me over to Woolton where we will have food and wine and I will stay over night , Andrew will bring me home the next day. I feel so happy and very fortunate that I can now do this.

Today in England the non essential shops are opened .I have seen videos on facebook of long lines of people outside many shops,.I don't miss shopping at all.Not going out to shop that is, I have shopped online.

The weather has been a blessing during lockdown , warm and sunny with blue skies. We had a cooler few days with thunder and lightening and it has been a big clammy too. But it looks like we are getting the nice weather back again.

All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well.

Last day of May

We are still in lockdown, there has been some easing up, we can meet some people out doors, we can meet some in our garden, some shops are opening up, there is a conflict about if and when schools go back. I cannot keep up any interest in any of it now.I believe that whatever the government tell us,  we have to take responsibility for ourselves.

There have been a good few highlights since I last wrote this blog.

I have treated myself to some new things, enjoyed a bit of retail therapy.

I bought two small round coffee tables ,two small cushions one large cushion, and a throw, all in the same design as the cushion Jackie gave me for my 70th birthday.

I have bought three pairs of cotton trousers and new underwear.  I got a jigsaw puzzle of Inveraray Castle on ebay for Andrew and Lucy and two old Inveraray postcards for myself. Reading the messages on the cards is really touching and I love seeing the old stamps.

I sent large bars of chocolate, and notes on cards, to each  the Cambridge and London grandchildren.

I found on Ebay ; Thomasina by Paul Gallico. I ordered it for myself.I had a copy that John gave me that belonged to his beloved Mother. Reading it was like a balm for me when I was going through a tough time . It is set in a made up Scottish village, but to me it is and always will be Inveraray.

I took the book to David last year when I went to visit him in Pasadena.I don't know if he will read it, but he was definitely pleased and touched to have something of his grandmothers.

It is a very old book the pages are turing brown and the spine is falling off, but it was precious to John and me and now David.

I ordered the new one on ebay but was not sure what would come as there was no picture available.

Imagine my surprise and delight when an exact copy of the one that I took to David
came through the post. I smile each time I look at it and look forward to reading it again.

I am waiting for two sundresses to arrive, and that will be me finished, very satisfied with all my purchases.

I have loved my weekly zooms, with Matthew and Marie, sometimes just the three of us, sometimes with other family members, yesterday it was so good to have Philip with us on Zoom. Along with Andrew ,Lucy ,Scott, Greg and Sandra.

I enjoy the Monday sisters Zoom too.

Tony came past last week , we usually have a chat at the window, this time we sat distantly in the garden, it was nice.

Stef came and took a picture of me in the garden,  it is part of a project of hers to get pictures of all her local friends wearing an outfit they can't wait to wear when lockdown is over. I chose the dress I have bought to celebrate being a mum for 5o years, hopefully one they day and with Andrew.

This week I had my first ,meet a friend in the park, moment. I met Tony at The Mystery we sat on a fallen tree one at each end.I took two small flasks of coffee,  and some biscuits, we enjoyed the coffee and  a passing dog helped itself to the biscuits.

I enjoyed joining in a quiz with Andrew and Lucy on Thursday evening. We did not win , but it is a nice way to spend an evening.

I am missing my Zoom choir .Su is having technical problems, we are all in touch on whatapp. I hear how folk are, but the singing is therapeutic.

I sing along with favourite songs most days as Su says use it or use it.

I also do the slosh most days after Jane Fonda. I am really getting the hang of it now.


I miss Pasty, Kev, Sue Margaret. Pete and Jenny ;unfortunately they are all too far away to meet in the park.

Day'll come hen, as my much loved Granda always said.

I am still happily counselling on the phone and I have now taken part in a Zoom counselling session and supervision session.

I am enjoying listening to Radio 4, love Jackie Kay's poems for lockdown. I love hearing how creative the arts are being; each museum ,art gallery, theatre finding ways to keep in touch and entertain us.

I hope against hope they will all get funding to keep each and every one of them afloat.

The world outside of my bubble seeps in , the nightmare of covid and the deaths, the tragic death of a young black man in USA and the riots that have followed, the worry about Hong Kong.The worry about the economy.

I  do all I can to stay positive with an open loving heart .I am trying out new recipes , I made some pickled red cabbage yesterday and humous and rocky road and soda bread today. it is good for my soul.

All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well

May 19

it is a while since I have blogged.

I have had awful toothache, been on antibiotics, recovered from that and I am now out the other side.

I could not see a dentist ; it was a phone call and a toss up between an extraction ,the only dental option, and antibiotics.

It was a beautiful week the week I was on the meds. I did not feel well enough to go out at all.

Since then I have enjoyed my work which is increasing . I think due to Lock down. It is very tough for all of us but some more than others.

I have contributed to a podcast that my daughter in law is making . She is interviewing folk around the world to hear their experiences of lock down and I enjoyed contributing to that.


I hardly listen to the news these days.I find it too depressing . I think in the end we will all have to make our own decisions about which risks we are willing to take. I worry that like Brexit this pandemic is divisive  or at least the way it has been handled and reported.The rich still have more choices than the rest of us.The Government are not able to unite us ,  we the people ,don't feel safe in their hands.


On the bright side I have plenty flour, thanks to Andrew and Lucy and Marie. It was so good to see A&L in the flesh at my window. I was able to resist my natural inclination to hug them.

I made some cakes for my neighbour's birthday and some small cakes for my shopping tribe.


I enjoy my Zoom glass of wine with them and I enjoyed joining in a quiz with them one night last week.  We won :)
We had a great Zoom with Matthew Marie, Matthew Jeanne and Greg on Saturday afternoon, and when everyone left, Matthew Marie and I  carried on for another two hours. I am becoming used to Zoom  now.

I did my first Zoom supervision session this week and it went well.

I should be in Castalla now for my planned two months holiday. I feel sad I miss castlenel , the sunshine, my neighbours and the cafe's and shops along with my trips to see the Med.


Even though I know none of that is available over there now anyway.

I had two unexpected parcels this week, one from Taiwan and one from Ireland.

From Tailand my parcel was from Philip, it contained a mixture of things.

My favourite is a beautiful shawl  hat he bought in Thailand, a Taiwan tea towel, onion holder, makeup mirror, Winnie the pooh sox.

The Irish parcel was from my old friend Ruth in County Clare , she sent me two colourful masks that she made for me.

I feel the need to expand. I would love to get on a bus into town.A train to Glasgow Central, there is nothing like that feeling when I arrive at that station . A train to London and Cambridge I will certainly go to see the Angel of the North as soon as it is safe to do so.


All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well.

May weekend!

Sunday May 3rd,


another week has passed and we are still in lockdown.

This week The Prime Minister is back at work . He has recovered from Covid 19  and is girlfriend has had a baby boy, he has been through a lot.

I am not confident that he is the right man for the job at this time, it is quite frightening when you look around the world at some of the leaders, it feels like it is the blind leading the blind.

I imagine that it would be good if there was more consultation going on ,a more co-ordinated approach.I hope there is behind the scenes. I think if we knew more we would feel better.As humans we like to feel in control even if it is just an illusion.

In the end we have to make up our own minds about when we feel it is safe to go out ,and where we choose to go.

I hear that some young people are finding lockdown hard and are going out anyway.  Some people feel annoyed as they are giving up their lifestyle for the elderly. I get that ;it must be hard ;if you don't think there is much chance of you getting the virus ,or if you do it will just be like flu.
Each of us is on our own journey through this .
We don't know what will happen when we do go out again ,or when pubs and theatres open.I imagine it will be trial and error.

I continue to have people pop past my window, I am so happy to be on the ground floor.

I have a folding chair and an umbrella by the window. I have flasks which are wiped down before and after each use,they are filled with tea or coffee.I wear my marigold gloves to bring in the shopping etc.

It can be quite festive a highlight of my day. This week a very big highlight was that Andrew came over to bring me his stand for my laptop, his keyboard and mouse. Which meant that I could try them out over the weekend and decide if I would like to have them to go with my laptop.

I have decided that I would like them . I won't hunch over so much with these additions.And I want to do more writing during this time maybe and after too .

I am listening to more Radio 3 again, the news is too alarming on Radio 4 too much analysis and it just creep up on me after a nice enjoyable programme.

I ordered and jigsaw for Andrew and Lucy a few weeks ago of Inveraray Castle, I got in on ebay it was only 5 dollars for the puzzle and £19 to have it delivered from America.

It looks great and will pass a few evenings for them.

I have my Zoom chats with the sisters on Monday afternoons, I have had a few with Gary and Sam too One with Matthew and Marie.

I send out emails to my students with ideas for homework and I still do a few telephone counselling sessions.

I had another marathon call with Susan this morning, almost 3 hours, what do we get to talk about :)

I have had a few shopping deliveries with fresh fruit vegetable and salad, great stuff I have had a big cook in which I enjoy doing, and I did a big bake in too mostly for Andrew and Lucy

I came across some writing that I did a few years back while John was in Marie Curie, it made disturbing reading and I cried a lot that day, that was such a tough time for me,  for all of us.

I think as we are hearing of so much death every day it stirs up deeper feelings and memories ;maybe in all of us; certainly for me.

This is a very difficult time for the world .We are all doing our best I am sure ; some days I feel optimistic and believe that all will be well, and other days I feel very frightened that I will end up in hospital unable to breathe ,or worse one of the children will.
I am glad Philip is in Taiwan for now as he has sarcoidosis - and I feel terrified when I think what might happen if he contracted the virus.

I think I might need to see the dentist , I don't know if they are open, what the procedure is.

I will call tomorrow and I might need to talk to the doctor too and I don't know what is happening there either. All things I normally take for granted, now I wonder how to get to the dentist ,as I usually go by bus or uber, both things I am not supposed to do at this time.

All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well........and so it is.

April 27th

Another Monday , and today I have lots of energy.  The zoom chat with my children ,stepchildren and the grandchildren gave me a real boost, as did my private chats with Andrew, Philip and Penny

I love my weekly Zoom with my sisters.

I continue to be in awe of my clients working on the front line, as well as all my clients and students family and friends staying home and following the rules.We are all doing the best we can.

I find the telephone work much more tiring and I have an increased respect for The Samaritans.


I enjoy thinking of things to send out to Artist's Way students each week.


I enjoy many programmes on Radio 3 and Radio 4 and feel very grateful for the BBC

I watch a little Netflix some evenings and I am grateful for that, but once again I have to admit that I miss my evenings at The Philharmonic, Fact cinema and Everyman theatre.

I miss bus rides, uber rides, seeing my clients and students at number 83.

I miss having friends over for dinner, meeting people for coffee or a glass of wine, going out for dinner with Andrew and Lucy.

I take heart when I go to Sefton Park ,seeing spring  blooming , hearing the magnificent birdsong seeing all the folk enjoying the sunshine the springtime in a careful distant way.

I enjoy a city walk too .I miss the city I can hardly imagine walking along Hope Street, wandering around the Albert Dock, a trip on the Mersey Ferry, choir at Mann Island, and Hunts Cross.

I continue to be very grateful for the many people who bring my shopping to my window.
I am grateful to my neighbours who are kind friendly and inclusive. I especially like the two new arrivals and 83, Arlo the puppy and Vinnie the kitten.


I love how lovely the garden is looking in such a short time with the help of the neighbours; and look forward to seeing all the plans come into fruition.



I have done all my spring cleaning during this time, and have enjoyed it, I miss Carmen coming to clean every fortnight, and will certainly have her back when the time comes, but as I am not going anywhere I have rather enjoyed taking care of the flat.


I enjoyed a wee celebration we had last week in the garden for a neighbours 30th birthday. I made the cake ,we all did our best to make it special for him.


All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well............and so it is

Into week 4

This week, for the first time I felt a bit down about this new way of life.  I also feel conflicted because I know I am so lucky to be able to pay my bills, I can get out to the park for a lovely walk, cook and bake ,have enough food, help some clients, zoom with friends and family. Yet I miss my life, my normal,every day every week routine, running courses, seeing clients in the flesh, meeting friends for coffee for lunch, going to the Philharmonic, The Everyman, Fact. Mann Island and Hunt's Cross choir. Going out for dinner with friends, visiting Andrew and Lucy in Woolton, seeing the new things they are doing in No 22.

It is a big adjustment for all of us , which makes it hard to admit how hard it is for me, I miss John even more during this time, I miss my dad  my mum, I miss Anita. My mind is turing to all my family and friends who are long gone. My lovely grandparents, aunts uncles and even some cousins, all dead now.

I know that I am passing through this moment as I do from time to time, you are never too far away from remembering and missing your loved ones. and mostly I am used to it and I enjoy my life and feel so grateful to have shared in all these peoples lives.

I am grateful to still have Patsy, Kev, Philip C, Pete, Tony , Jenny W, Sue and Margaret, still in my life, as they are all in my age group. I am surrounded by  much younger people, and I relish that ,it is good for me and keeps me young I really like young people.

I do like to be with my peers too.

This week, Janet my Asda driver got me lots of flour and caster sugar and other baking things, I am so grateful ,Stef, brought me some shopping, a new friend Paula, from Next Door brought be a few things ,I really like her, and think after this is over we might meet for coffee.

Sadly William and Emma lots kirk this week and we were all sad, I made them cakes gave them some flour and we all raised a glass to Kirk ,in our own flats.

Chandlers opened again on April 15th ,my dad's 92nd birthday. I always get my Christmas Tree from Chandlers. William and Emma very kindly went along and got me lots of plants to fill up my empty pots. Sandy and Joanne have painted the shed doors and fixed my hose, it has now stopped leaking :)

The garden has been transformed, full of life and young people all working away to make it nicer, I like it. We hope to get a new fire pit and some new garden furniture.

Two people have ordered cakes from me for Thursday, I feel very happy about this as Nel's Bakes has had to close down due to current crisis. They are both friends, but are insisting on paying me.

I am much happier when I feel helpful and useful.

Peace love and healing , to the North to the South to the East and to the West.

Easter Monday

It is a week now since I blogged, there is not enough happening each day to talk about to be fair.

I have been doing some telephone counselling this week and that has helped me, helping others.

I am noticing already the toll this lockdown in  having on my clients, some are stir crazy and frightened, some are experiencing domestic abuse, some totally shattered and grief stricken because of the work that they are doing on the front line. I do find telephone counselling more tiring for me, I like being a counsellor, because of the close contact and intimacy with my clients, I don't  get that on the telephone

I do know my work is helpful to my clients essentially because they tell me it is. I also hear the difference in their voices towards the end of the sessions. I am not sure there is much reflection going on in the current crisis,  people need a safe place to offload their deep fear, their anger and their pain.

I am glad I can provide that safe space,  it does cost me and that is ok .

I keep in touch with my students weekly to give encouragement and some exercises that might be useful or at least a distraction.


I enjoy being in touch with the choir ,the facebook, and Zoom singing time is good fun . I hear from so many of these amazing folk about so many acts of kindness that are going on out there in lovely generous Liverpool.

The Easter bunny was out in a few streets, delivering easter eggs to all the children, at a safe distance of course. There has been music and distance dancing in the streets too. My sister in Balloch sent a video of some people on her street doing the slosh at their front doors, to celebrate a neighbours birthday.

I have about ten people offering to get my shopping. I met a new friend this week on next door, Paula, she is keen to help anyone who needs help . She saw my request for plants, and offered to collet one from another neighbour who has a fern for me ;and bring it here;we had a nice chat at the window.
I love my walks in the park, I can't believe how much birdsong  I now hear. Spring is so beautiful the daffodils are dying back but the blossom is stunning, simply takes my breath away.I know it is so good for me to be out there.I hope we are allowed to keep going out for that precious hour.


The Prime Minister is now home from hospital, but wont be back at work for a while. I really hope this experience will change his view of our NHS and start to fund it generously and pay the staff a good salary.

I had Easter cards from Archie and Martha with such lovely messages they made my day, also I felt a bit sad not to be able to visit with them

I had a zoom call with Penny and talked to Steve and all the children, they were showing me their super den.

I write to D  regularly but not really sure how they all are out there. I am concerned.

I am having more Zoom chats now, it is beginning to feel more normal,.

I had my first Zoom chat with T and that was good , nice to see friends as we cant meet for coffee.


Johnny was in a radio 4 play this week, I thought the play and Johnny were great; it was  all about George Elliot. P&K listened too and they also thought J was great.

My neighbours are all working hard in our communal garden transforming it for all of us, it is so nice to see other people out there working and enjoying the space, the fire has been lit a few evenings, lovely to see, I keep my distance, but in time it will be great to be out there with them.

I have been thinking a lot about John and my folks, and all the people that I love who are gone now. Maybe its the time of year, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are often a time of reflection. I have had  a few days this week when I felt sad for me to be honest, and for the world.
I am getting on with life and I am grateful to be able to self isolate and have so much help. Conversely I miss my family my friends, my clients and my students. I miss getting on a bus or in an uber to go to the Everyman theatre , to Fact, to The Philharmonic.I miss travelling to London Cambridge, Scotland,. I am sad I am not travelling to Castalla this year for my two months visit to dear Castlenel.

I miss my evenings out with Andrew and Lucy and visiting them in Woolton.

I miss Philip more somehow at the moment. I did enjoy a lovely chat with him yesterday, we had a good catch up.

I really enjoyed Easter Sunday dinner on Zoom, with Andrew ,Lucy, Wendy, Sophie, Lola, Nick ,Christine, George ,Russell and Marie.

It was quite an experience, seeing all those people on the screen ,eating their food, in different parts of England and Germany.We  had an easter quiz which was good fun , then we had a quiz lead by Nick which went on for a very long time and I had no idea about most of the topics, but we continued to drink wine and just enjoyed being together.


All shall be well
and al shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well......and so it is

6th gifts and treats

Today is a beautiful day the sun is shining and I had a beautiful walk in the park, it is the anniversary of Andrew and Lucy meeting such a shame they cannot go out to celebrate together.I sent a card and an e card, I also sent cards to Wendy and Gary for their silver wedding on 8th, and get well cars to E and M .I can go to the post box which is amazing ,a nice thing to do.
I always took for granted going to the post office buying stamps, just every day things.I have discovered that I can buy stamps online.

I wanted to send a book to a client which I thought would be helpful for her. Luckily my neighbour said she would take the parcel to the post office for me. The post offices near us were closed, she had to drive around for a while to  finally find a post office that was opened, she posted my book, got me 12 2nd class stamps, and a daffodil pin to cheer me up :)
 M. came with some shopping that she got for me in Aldi, I have not shopped in Aldi, but everything is fine and cheaper than my normal shopping. It was lovely to have a chat at the window. She brought be some lovely pink carnations as a wee gift.

After my walk, I came home to find a wee bag of gifts from a young student; half a dozen eggs, teabags, and some oat flour which she had ordered from a friend in Ireland. I am so touched by the kindness that I am experiencing.



My sisters and I had a three way zoom, and it was the first time we all saw each other online. On whatapp we could see two and hear all three. They are well, like me, missing family, friends, but we all realise how fortunate we are to be able to self isolate, unlike some of my clients and friends who are working on the front line in not the best conditions and without the right protective cloths.Bless them all.

I am sad to hear our Prime Minister is very ill, I did not vote for him and not sure how good he is at his job, but I wish him well, I wish him a speedy recovery. I think the current crisis, may well have challenged him in to growing up and becoming more serious.


Su my singing teacher is great, we had two online meetings last night.One to do some breathing exercises and one for a sing along, it really cheers us all up.

I can't get an online shopping at all, luckily my neighbours get all I need for day to day, but I will need a bigger shopping at some point. I bought some wine on line, thought I was buying six bottles of Muscadet, a wee nod to John,  it cost a bit more but thought it would be a nice treat, when it came it was six half bottles, so very expensive indeed , but I kept it any way.

I am sitting here at the table the sun is streaming in the windows, Mozart is playing , my peace plants look beautiful as do my pink carnations and my daffodils.


Yet I know the world is in a grave state and it still does not seem possible.


I am sending healing out to the North, the South the East and the West.

All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well......and so it is.

April 5th

I have been writing this week in my journal and morning pages, which made me think I have been doing my blog, which, I hear from my daughter in love that I have not been publishing.

I thought that when I sent it to face book ,others could share my journey during Covid19.

This week, I have had a daily walk in Sefton park, which I am so grateful for. I have noticed that as the weather has got warmer more people are out there, everyone is sensible and kept their distance.

I have done  some telephone counselling, and it helps me to feel helpful and useful too and to be fair , brings in a little extra money.

My young friends and neighbours continue to get my shopping. One of them has fixed my central heating, which is wonderful, as although I am grateful for the heaters that I have been loaned, it is so nice to hear it coming on in the mornings.

I am so grateful to him, he is very willing and always wants me to know, I can ask him anytime for help. His mother is in Germany and he is very happy that she is. He says they are doing much better than we in UK are, he was very impressed with Angela Merkel covid19 lockdown speech and totally unimpressed with UK's prime minister.


Andrew, helped me set up Zoom, and although I am not 100% sure how it all works, I can use it now , which makes me happy.

I have had a few Zoom meetings with Sandra, and another drinks Zoom with Andrew and Lucy , and they had Max and Rick join us after half an hour,it was lovely to see them all.

Lucy was a bit concerned they were not doing enough for me, but that is just not true, they are the ones who are always there for me, not just to help, but to spend fun times with , they are the ones who live here in Liverpool and I am so grateful that they are.

I have lots of help at the moment from local friends, so there is no point in bringing them over from Woolton, when there is help here. This crisis could go on for a long time and so far I have not been able to get an online shopping from Asda or any other supermarket.

I think at some point I will ask A&L to do a shopping for me, when I need it.

I am glad they are there.

My SOSO choir are keeping me entertained with lots of messages and jokes and online singing too. Su is great to keep our spirits up

I have two Artist's Way groups, and I send them encouraging messages, and some home work  each week,which they are grateful for. I do for them what Su does for me, it is always nice to have some encouragement especially when you are the one that usually give it to others.

I am doing well during this time, I feel grateful for family and friends , students and clients, I always have things to do,and have people to talk to every day if I want to. Conversely I miss my old life, The Philharmonic, The Everyman, Fact, Coffee and lunches with friends. I miss my evenings with Andrew and Lucy, at the theatre, or out for a meal, entertaining them here. Having friends for dinner, my read aloud evenings.What a rich life I have, so much to be grateful for,


All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well.

Mach 31

I started on my 12  one hour  slot plan today, a little piano, a little Spanish, weekend blog, daily cleaning,lovely long walk in the park,  A young man called Tom from Next Door brought me a fan heater and a loo roll today. Carmen saw my post about it, and offered me another heater, like the one Charlie brought me, probably not so expensive to run, so today i was given two heaters by two very generous and caring people.

I joined in the SOSO online Zoom sing along today it was really good fun.

I wrote a long email to David, and sent postcards to Archie and Martha, Kate, Johnny, Felix and Harry.

My local area, is very quiet, and the people bring me shopping are helping me feel a little less isolated.

I am watching Last Tango in Halifax, I like it but,  i find it disturbing too.

I prefer, Masterchef, Mock the Week, QI , have I got news for you, they make me laugh.

Stef brought me veggies and salad to day, and Stefan brought me fruit Salad and milk and malted milk biscuits ...I am very grateful to and for them.


I am staying warm but miss my central heating !


Peace to the North
Peace to the South
Peace to the East
Peace to the West
Peace be without
Peace be within......peace peace peace,,,,,,,,,and so it is !

10/11 weekend

This weekend,the weather changed, is has gone colder, the young neighbours were around and about and I find that reassuring.

They got me some shopping , we are trying to avoid using cash and I am transferring to their accounts, even for small amounts. I continue to clean the ground floor doors light switches, floors. It is good to help, everyone in the house is helping we all find things to help each other. I make cake and pass them round the neighbours.

I still have no central heating and don't think I will get help until the crisis is over, but I have hot water and a borrowed heater so I have more than many.

I had a call on Saturday night with my brother and my nephew, very unusual, but nice  I think many of us are changing our behaviour.

We managed another three way sister chat :)

I have a long chat with my son in P  in Taiwan, he sounds remarkably upbeat, and enjoying his beautiful balcony with all the new furniture, herbs, and fairy lights


I have worked out a daily plan, with 12 one hour slots, with ideas of what to do each hour. I rather like having a routine.


All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well ...and so it is.

9 Dress up day.

It was another beautiful morning, I have added to my morning rituals; wiping down the clothes rope; and I will only use my own clothes pegs,

I share with another three flats, so I have to think about that.

I did a telephone counselling session with a woman who is is struggling she is looking after family who are very ill, with covid19  another client works in NHS and is on the front line ,taking care of our most vulnerable people. I feel so privileged to be able to listen and support them.

I put on my working clothes , make up and a spray of Chanel, made me feel good. I will do more of that, it is so easy to stay in Jammie 's and dressing gowns.


I striped my beds and got all the laundry washed and dried very quickly in the March sunshine, which was very warm today. As it was so nice I decided to bring out all my summer clothes and launder them , and managed to get them all done too.

My neighbours got me some non essential shopping , nail varnish remover, Nivea, Marigold gloves, so kind of them all  : later in the day some other neighbours were out shopping and saw some pasta, they know I was hoping to get some, and bought me a packet, generous spirits abound.

Another friend brought me some music that I was looking for ; handed it in through my window, he was out for his cycle ride ,we had a nice distance chat,then off he went. I am so grateful that I am on the ground floor. I see all the neighbours coming and going , they wave and chat ,it's great.

Last night  as I joined it the "clap for our NHS" folk all over Britain, stood on balconies front steps opened windows and applauded the fantastic people who put their lives on the line for others, they truly are Hero 's It was very emotional and amazing to be part of the gratitude five minutes, people banged pots and let off fireworks.

I heard today that our Prime Minister has the corona virus, such a shame. I am not a fan of his, but I feel sad that anyone is ill.

I had a long chat with my Sister which was good fun.  Heard from M who is not having such a good time of it, also R, she is struggling.


I am amazed that I always have things to do, I don't miss work yet, but I suspect that I will in time.

I miss hugs and touch and the presence of my family, but glad to be able to use modern technology to keep in touch.

An eighteen year old girl Holly who has struggled all her life with illness, died in Liverpool, she was well known in Liverpool and loved. We all wore something Pink today, the day of her funeral, it was her mother's wish as sadly no one could go to her funeral.


Peace to the North
Peace to the South
Peace to the East
Peace to the West
Peace be without
Peace be within

Peace Peace Peace.

8. uplifting things and tough things.

I wakened early and the sun was shining the birds were singing and for a wee while I forgot about the  crisis.

I made tea, opened the windows,  thought about the day , what would it bring.


Ullet Road was very quite , again, empty busses going up the road, ; fair play to the drivers, and the people who have to go out to work

A young friend M  text me to say she was going to Tesco and  did I need anything. The only thing I needed was onions. She showed up later with my onions, and a lovely bunch of yellow tulips, and a big bar of chocolate.We had a lovely distance chat at my window. I am so grateful for all the help and care that I am receiving.

I went for a lovely walk in the March sunshine, it did me good, physically and spiritually. I took a flask of coffee with me and had some coffee at my dad's tree, the branches are still very bare  but the ground all around it is surrounded by daffodils, a lovely moment in the warmth of the March sunshine.


I came home and had lunch  of my yummy home made soup, then Andrew called to talk me through how to bleed my radiators, but he decided that would not help with my  heating problem, it might be something else.

My neighbour has loaned me a heater and that helps till this problem is sorted.


I finished off making the ratatouille that  I started last night, had a face time chat with S my sister, then made a delicious Banana and blueberry loaf, the house still smells lovely.

It is my next door neighbours birthday today and sadly due to isolation, she could not do all the things she had planned. I gave her some cakes and party poppers and Taiwan tea which I brought back  lmost two years ago, and hope it tastes ok. She was pleased with that.

I saw her and Charlie out in the garden, later on  having a lovely takeaway meal, with two friends, and I saw some flowers being delivered for her, so hopefully it was a little better than she thought it would be at the beginning of the day.

My last telephone client, works in the NHS and I was rather disturbed about what she shared with me. I am full of admiration for her and all her co workers, they really do take their lives in their hands for others.

I with my choir and thousands of others were in their gardens tonight  at 8.00 PM clapping hands for all the NHS workers ....so so touching, but I am worried that they are not getting the help that they need.

I heard from Penny ,Johnny, Philip today, and of course a nice long chat with Andrew :)


Blessings on all of our Hearts


All shall be well
and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well

Up and down

Ullet Road is so quiet,  the buses going up and down are almost empty, there are a lot less police cars and ambulances rushing up and down.


I fell asleep last night over my hot chocolate , and was rudely awakened by four neighbours looking over me; as I had not gone to bed my door was unlocked and they were able to come in.

My boiler was making a terrifying noise, like it might explode, they all heard it from their apartments upstairs and across the landing.

I managed to stop the noise eventually, by frantically pressing everything in sight. I really thought it might explode.

I rang the person who fitted it less that a year ago, but he did not answer last night, and this morning his phone just rang out, I had no heat or hot water,yet I felt remarkably calm as I realised I have more than many folk on the planet

Finally my engineer text to say , he was self isolating as he has a very sick child, so what to do in the time of Covid ?

My brother in law talked me through a few steps from Glasgow... sadly  to no avail.
I then rang safe gas, and a very good man .listened carefully, got me to do a few more tests and hey presto I had hot water; thanks to what I had done with H, and he has assured me my boiler will never blow up, and my radiators need bled. My neighbour tried to help with that , two wonderful young woman with huge responsibilities at work , but we did not have the correct tools, which we have now ordered for communal use. I have good neighbours, hot water and heating coming soon, very grateful.

Another wonderful your friend dropped off some shopping through my window and we had a brief chat I am so grateful.


I did my first telephone counselling session, for a long time, and it was good, felt really OK.

I also had a sing along with our singing teacher Su, on facebook,she  is a total star , it was great fun.

I feel filled with gratitude tonight , the virus is very serious, and we are scared, yet we are all holding the fear and not letting it paralyse us.

Blessing on all our hearts !

Day 6 so far so good

Today I cleaned all the communal door handles letterboxes buzzers , with water and Domestos as I have no wipes but pretty sure that will help.

We share a laundry line and pegs, so I have decided to use just my own pegs, to be safe and to wipe down the laundry line too.


I did my Jane Fonda for the lower body, I am not sure if I am in denial ,but I feel calm after last nights lockdown news.


My Collins family are all keeping in touch and it is encouraging to see that already the pandemic is bringing us closer, when theoretically it should keep us apart.





Wishing all my family and friends ,the ones I know and the ones I do not know, peace love and healing.

Day 5 cancellations

I have a morning ritual now , I get up, open the door in the bedroom out onto the gardenm, open the window in the lounge and draw back the blinds, then I can see and hear the folk and traffic out side, and I feel connected.

My young friend across the park asked if I needed anything the other day. I asked that if he was passing a place that sold logs, could he get me some. He let me know he had some coal and kindling the he would drop off today. He came while I was out for my walk, I was so touched when I got home to discover  that he had bought me both the coal and the kindling - I had imagined he had some bits in his cellar, I offered to pay, but he would not hear of it and in the end I accepted the generous gift gracefully. I feel moved by this kindness.

My Asda shopping was delivered today, by a young man named Liam. He  gave me my shopping through my window, I thanked him for keeping going and making my life easier, he was very humble about it, this also moved me.

My neighbour was going shopping and asked could she bring me anything, I realised I am running low on baking stuff , not essential of course but something I love to do. She got me everything except flour, which has disappeared off the shelves.

My sisters and I managed to have a three way call today. I could see both of them ,they could only hear me, but it was great, up lifting. I feel the need to see them a lot right now, we all need each other.


When I was out in the  park in beautiful sunshine this morning, I finally made the decision to cancel my courses and clients . I see all of them at home. The advice for my  age group is that I should not invite anyone into my home.

I found it hard to do, for them mostly, some are so vulnerable, but I did it and it felt right,and of course they were all great about it.

My hairdresser has just done the same thing and it occurred to me that by the time this is over, my hair will be long and messy as will my eyebrows. I might have to learn to pluck my own eyebrows and cut my hair.


In 20 minutes the Prime minister is making an announcement, I think it will be lockdown but don't know what that means in detail, I hope I will be clearer an hour or so from now.

one hour later

The prime minister has spoken, total lock down,we stay home except for essential shopping , essential workers, exercise once a day, no more than two folk out together.

God bless us everyone!

Day 4 Mother's Day

Mothers Day was a good day for me, I had a face time with Andrew and Lucy instead of meeting at the park, Lucy had been for a run and Andrew was still in his dressing gown, amazing to be able to see them like this, we all agreed meeting in the park was not a good idea.

I wonder when I will see them again , in the flesh.

I had a lovely long chat with Philip in Taiwan, a local student brought me a bag off goodies including loo rolls and a lovely post card, saying nice things , the front said " always wear your invisible crown" which made me smile.

My neighbours were in our communal garden in the March sunshine, some working , some having a beer, it was nice to see and hear them chatting.


I had many messages from folk to wish me happy mothers day , many young clients and students who( I think )see me in the mother role for them, it is very touching.


I feel slightly below par, just a little tired , slowly the serious of this crisis is sinking in.



Peace and love and healing to all of us on this beautiful blue planet!

DAY 3 "new normal"

Today I listened to lovely music, and finished my audio book.
I did 20 minutes with Jane Fonda, Made delicious soup. I feel very blessed to be hearing from lots of friends family and students.

I spent time emptying all the pots in the garden of old dead plants, saving what I could  and feeling happy to get some work done, although it is bright sunshine and blue skies, it is very cold outside.

After getting my new hub set up and feeling happy that everything was up and running, my laptop lost its sound, a few folk on Next Door offered to help me out distantly, but happily my son came to my rescue, after checking various things on my laptop using my phone camera to see everything, He suggested switching off and on again,and hey presto it came to life !

Which meant we could have our first Skype ( Zoom actually ) wine ;with A&L&S&H

It was a lovely experience, a great way of keeping in touch, staying physically isolated but not emotionally isolated.

Already we are finding ways to be together in this new time.  I am grateful for the technology which helps us do this.


I know this time is frightening for some people, I don't feel frightened I feel concerned yet I have a sense of gratitude for the way we are all rising to the challenge in the "new normal " time we are living in.

Stay safe!

Day 2 Care and kindness abound

Today I went to York Centre to have my bloods done;I took and book and went early expecting to be there for a long time ,which I often am.
I was pleasantly surprised to find both sets of door were fastened open. The waiting area is usually full of people and too hot in winter  and I dread going because I think I will pick up a cold,  today was fresh, airy and not many people waiting.

I was taken very quickly , the two nurses taking the blood were very warm and friendly, my nurse did not wear a mask she did wear gloves, the other nurse wore both. I thanked them for their work ,for keeping going on the front line, they were very humble about that.
 One nurse was more worried because , as she is a key worker her son will still go to school, but he is only five and still getting used to school, will now be going to a different school and that is frightening for him, she was not anxious about her work and covid 19 she was a mum worried about her child, I was touched by her

I then went to Asda looking for logs and firelighters, it was very early yet the store was  busy, there was a festive atmosphere . I found some fake logs and firelighters and went to the check out where there was a very cheerful man around my age waiting in line with his shopping, he had three large colourful bunches of flowers. I said how lovely they were, he said they were for his wife and mother ,he was taking them to their graves on Sunday, his wife would have been seventy one next week, she died when she was forty seven ,his mother died thirteen years ago. I said I was sorry he said his wife was very special , you only find one like her in a life time.
I understood what he meant I feel like that about John. He told me he had two wonderful daughters who looked out for him, his name was Sanchez .  He seemed to know all the staff and folk in the queue and chatted to them in a way that brought cheer.

I walked home in beautiful March sunshine with a spring in my step. I met two neighbours on the avenues; to be honest I thought he had died because I had not seen him for a very long time , he had had a heart attack a year or so ago. It was lovely to see them both, she looked a bit more stooped and older since I last saw her, he looked much healthier and had put on a little weight. She was heading to the gym, and I was impressed by her, I had not seen her as a gym person , but there she was on her way.

I thought about her later when I heard gyms were to be closed until further notice.

I had two cakes to decorate when I got home , for my Nel's Bakes venture ; one luxury Victoria Sponge filled with fresh cream and raspberries and one lemon cake to be filled with lemon butter cream and lemon icing.  My lovely young customer and friend came to collect the cakes, with her three equally lovely sisters ,all down from Plockton for her birthday.

Sadly I could not invite them in due to  covid 19. We had merry banter at the door though ,the sun was shining on them on their beautiful blond hair, their dogs were being playful, and it seemed impossible that the world was in crisis.

I then set up the garden for my afternoon friend's arrival , T, coming for a cup of tea, my theory is the garden is a safe space. I hosed down the chairs, lit a fire with the fake or long burning logs, took out a tray with my mini cakes, biscuits, cups , napkins a flask of hot water and a flask of cold water and two big blankets. when T arrived he came in the side gate and settled in one of the chairs wearing many layers , cosy hat , and put the blanket over his knees. I brought out a pot of tea and we settled down for a good catch up about T's trip for work to Malaysia.
He was encouraged to go there for his examining work on a five week tour ,reassured all would be well, sadly as things change dramatically from day to day, by the time he got there, everything had been cancelled, and he was brought back home but only to Heathrow where he got a train back to Liverpool.

My garden fire was a great disappointment, all we had was smoke. I am not a fan of fake logs now. However the smell was lovely and took me back to Loch Lomond side when I was a child, my dad loved an out door fire and as soon as we got off the bus, he sent my sister Sandra and I to collect sticks of wood to get the fire started,.When it was ready he boiled water in his camping pot,and we all had tea out of cans and Sandra and I still say it was the best cup of tea we ever drank, we have not had anything close to it since.

I am swapping from BT to Virgin media, the new box arrived two days ago and although they say its easy to set it up, after an initial few steps I was defeated, I sent a message round to my three neighbours, there are four apartments in my house ,asking if anyone could help , I said I would go out to the garden while they were in the house.

My lovely young neighbour W came down almost immediately and said he would have a go, in about 20 minutes it was all done, new box fitted and the old one plus phone disconnected and my mobile phone laptop and Ipad all connected,  after he had gone I remembered I had two Alexa which were not connected, and he came back and got me connected to them too, they are important to me as I love audio books and listen through Alexa.

I am in a few whatsapp groups, my choir group, my Artist's Way students group, which was only set up yesterday, Collins Family group, sisters group.

All day I heard little pings from time to time alerting me to one or other of the groups getting in touch, always with words of encouragement for all of us, jokes ,cartoons, videos, idea how we keep in touch without actually " the touching part"


It is remarkable to see the best  of us humans coming to the fore, as I am over 70, an amazing array of people  have been offering me help, asking if I am ok ,do I need anything : next door group, past students , present students,my immediate neighbours, my family, children, and stepchildren.

I find all of that kindness and care very reassuring and touching ;and I am also texting and contacting people far and wide to ask how they are.


My son A  said he will call me each evening for a quick catch up which I really appreciate as I get to hear how he and L are as I obviously feel concerned about all my children, my own and John's too, and the children of the world!

Day One -March 19th 2020

I was struck by the beauty of the March sunshine on the flowers and shrubs in the gardens on Ullet Road this morning, as I walked to Bentley Road to my local doctors
.
I had a text from the GP to say it was time for my bloods to be checked again, a regular occurrence for me. I rang the surgery to ask when it would be convenient for me to collect the paperwork, they said today.
I was surprised when I arrived to find that the doors were closed and a line of people were talking to the receptionist through the speaker on the wall.

People were asking questions and being given answers from the receptionist in that fashion, then. When it was my turn I was asked my name my date of birth, why I was there, did I have a cough or a cold ?

I said "no "to to the last question. I was surprised that the doors magically opened and I was allowed to go in.  In front of the reception area was a big desk making the distance between me and the woman there ,wider.

She gave me my paperwork and told me that when I go to have my blood taken tomorrow the medical staff there would be in protective clothing.
I could see that the reception staff were very busy answering phones and also taking instructions from the medical staff. I thanked them for their work , for just being there in the front line.

I walked back along the sunny road past my flat ,where my lovely cleaner was in cleaning for me, she made sure that I would be out when she came,  she wanted me to be safe as I am in the vulnerable group.

I was curious to see if any cafes were open as I often go there when Carmen is cleaning for me. Costa had a sign up saying cashless sales only, and takeaway only. The staff were on their knees cleaning the floors under the tables.  Many of the shops and cafes were either closed, or open and empty. Tesco was opened as was Roy Castle charity shop.

I decided that as the sun was shining , it was time to tidy the garden after winter, so in the spring sunshine, I cleaned out the sheds,  brought out my garden chairs , they need replaced, but they will do for now. I lit a fire with last years fire lighters and some wood chopped up by Ben last autumn, it was the frame of my old wardrobe. I had forgotten all about it. It smelled lovely. I washed out seventeen plant pots which I stored away in November, and invited the neighbours to take a few each and fill them with shrubs and or flowers to cheer our communal garden.

We probably won't get our holidays this year and I certainly won't be away for my usual two months to dear Castlenel, so the garden will be important to us all, we hope we can meet out there and that it will be a safe space if we all follow the guidelines.
I have a friend coming for coffee in the garden tomorrow, we will get well wrapped up and light a fire and enjoy the fresh air.

All day I have been sending and receiving messages from family and friends on whatsapp groups and texts I find that very encouraging and reassuring.

I have been invited to make felt flowers with a friend as we face time, she will teach me how to make them, they are for her civil ceremony party.
My choir are planning a picnic and a singalong in Sefton Park, where we can stand apart and still sing together.

And I have been invited for my first Skype glass of wine over the weekend with A&L . I love how creative we  are all being, rising to the challenge finding ways to stay in touch, without the touch part. I find that tis he toughest thing for me as I am a touchy feely person;  so virtual hugs it will have to be  for the for -seeable future,and very welcome too

So far I am finding this time scary ,challenging ,and fun; fun to be able to pick up on projects which have gone by the wayside , start some new ones to keep me stimulated and interested during this time. The Garden and this Blog are two of the new projects.

I am still managing to do a little work, but not at all sure for how much longer.

More tomorrow, be safe and wash your hands X