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!
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