Three Weeks

 Do you remember the Monty Python sketch what have the Romans ever done for us ? 
Well in the same vein I’m going to ask
What has the lockdown ever done for me? 

I’ve decorated the cottage living room, bought new chairs, carpet and The Trendy blue sofa as well as a new desk 
My sister has redesigned and rejuvenated the gardens front and back.
I’ve read a score of new books
I’ve rekindled friendships on what’s app video
I have spring cleaned the whole cottage..twice
Re booted my finances and ordered all my paperwork 
And have sorted all my old photographs and keepsakes into files and books
I have learned to sing via zoom
I have zoomed weekly for film lectures 
I have gay quizzed weekly on zoom 
I have cooked and painted on zoom
Zoom is here to stay.
I have been supported by villagers old and new
And have been the recipient of kindness often daily.
I have been able to lend Mary out for cuddles and doggy therapy .
I have watched too much tiktok videos and have walked on the beach
I have been grateful for work and the discipline of getting up in the morning.
I have almost finished my art wall and I have reintroduced plants back into the cottage.

Three weeks to go







61 comments:

  1. Yes, lockdown has brought people and communities together in some wonderful and unexpected ways. I belong to a harp group, and when 6 people were allowed to meet outdoors, we dragged our harps up Kinver Edge, and sat in the sun, enjoying the view, playing our harps. It was brilliant!

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  2. PS I don't think you ever 'finish' an art wall!

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  3. Oh, have we got an end date?

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  4. Phew! You've made me tired with all that - and you work as well! I'm retired and have done bugger all. xx

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  5. Several legions of Roman soldiers couldn't have done all that. Now build a few roads criss-crossing the country and you'll surely have earned a CBE at least.

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  6. I pray it has worked! It worked for us, for which I am forever thankful!

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  7. Well done John. You should be immensely proud of yourself.

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  8. Hanging head in shame at having done bugger all apart from gain weight. x

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    Replies
    1. I’ve done that too.....spectacularly

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  9. Wow, John, I feel like a total slacker! Our restrictions here in IL have been nothing like yours, and still, I cannot claim to have done near what you've done! And I am retired. I have walked, A LOT, even in the frigid temps, so there is that! I pray your lock down is indeed over in 3 weeks. We all need our people, our activities and for Spring to get here and sweep us all clean!

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  10. well, biden announced yesterday that we might be reaching some sort of normal by next xmas but he isn't promising. i just heard that teenagers won't be getting vaccinated until next fall. we are in for the long haul here.

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  11. I painted my basement and made two quilts which I've enjoyed.

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  12. I have redecorated the kitchen and confirmed my assertion that I relied on pubs for a social life. That's two positives.

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  13. Just read an interview w/an elderly woman, former teacher; disabled/homebound for years. She talked of how terrible the pandemic has been but has also opened up so many avenues for people like her. Zoom, of course, but also virtual museum tours, online book clubs, etc. It was a different, interesting perspective.

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  14. you have made the cottage YOURS; that unto itself is a big accomplishment.

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  15. You made me feel like a slug! And you also worked.....
    I’m retired but did manage to get two knees replaced during this and said that my “ job” would be to get my life back and able to walk again. Still working on that as last surgery was 1/22..... will be ready for the nice weather I hope! Can’t wait to get out to see places that I have not been able to go to or do things for 20 plus years!

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    1. You made me feel like a slug
      That made me larf

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  16. See what we can do when we've got time on our hands?

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  17. Many accomplishments, new skills, new ways of living. This experience will leave us changed, I look forward to hugging friends again.

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  18. Like you I did many things on Zoom and I spoke to many kind people in my community. I discovered Whatsapp thanks to you. The things I did to occupy my time were replacements for what I used to do before lockdowns and not new, more like variations or adjustments to fit lockdown. I suppose that is the same for all of us. The house didn't get cleaned anymore than usual or redecorated. The only new thing I did which I have not done before is some weeding in the garden and I did re-arrange one room to become a summer sitting room. I may or may not have done these things without lockdown. I will never know.

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    1. I’ve done less gardening but then it’s a paid job now for my sister whose business is doing very well

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  19. You've prepared for a new life of your own. Now let's hope you can get on with living it soon!

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  20. You have certainly made beautiful use of your time.

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  21. It is good to list all of the positives instead of focusing on the negatives! We are lucky that we are all still here!

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  22. People often say, "I want my life back." This is life albeit in a pandemic. Kudos to those who keep on keeping on.

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  23. You've just got to keep on swimming x

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  24. Impressive!
    Corinne

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  25. You've been very busy John-I don't know how you do it all.I walk with my dogs,bath them which takes about an hour,give them their treat,have a cup of tea,feed them different requirements,play with them a while if they need supervising-a tiny bit of housework before exhaustion overwhelms me-Well-"Tomorrow is another day"x

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  26. I'm breathless reading that amazing list John!
    You've made me feel really lazy - I have a list but haven't crossed off much - "there's always tomorrow" seems my current mantra!
    Mary in soggy North Carolina (I'll get to the garden some day when spring arrives hopefully).

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    1. I’m guessing we have all done a lot of small things

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  27. You’re sounding very upbeat. Congratulations.

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  28. You've spring cleaned the cottage twice? I'm very impressed. We haven't spring cleaned in 11½ years. What insufferable slobs we are.

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    1. Once before and once after the smoke damage

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  29. Barbara Anne3:35 pm

    Oh, you put me to shame! Applause, applause on all you've accomplished. You and your sweet cottage are the better for all you've done and that others have done for you.
    I've made 6 Christmas wall quilt and 8 microwave cozies (gifts), 4 table runners, the blocks for a queen size quilt, finished two long waiting quilts, kept the laundry up, dusted and vacuumed prn. When tired (damn lupus fatigue) I sit and read.
    You should be proud of yourself!

    Hugs!

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    1. And you should too xx a regular powerhouse

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  30. No one can say you haven't been productive during this time period! My list of accomplishments would not be nearly as long.

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  31. What an excellent frame of reference for this time in your life.

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  32. Yes, maybe, but have you won the Euro millions?

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  33. So good to see you counting your blessings and finding the positives in our current world.

    lizzy x

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  34. Around 4 weeks for us. [sigh]

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  35. You have achieved a lot. I feel like I have too but I can't do zoom or suchlike.

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  36. Last year in lockdown here in NZ I was off work for 7 weeks and I literally did bugger all but watch you tube videos. General housework was completed as was cooking and eating! Exercise not so much. I am impressed with your great big long list; I've found out that I have a terrible time with self motivation!

    Jo in Auckland

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    1. "Happy Birthday Jo" x

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  37. You have certainly accomplished a lot! I wish I could say that. This time in lockdown has made me lazy and now I'm trying to change my ways to accomplish more. I have heard that many people have redecorated their homes during lockdown.

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  38. Well, you put ME to shame!

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  39. I suppose when we look back we'd be surprised at what we have done...so many concentrate on what they can't do.
    We have got the garden farther towards our aim of a decent fruit and vege garden.
    We have been selling spare bike bits on fleabay...make a bit of money and room...
    It would be so easy to think of what we haven't done

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  40. Re: "I have almost finished my art wall" - Almost? Would that be the art wall you declared "finished" many weeks ago? Never finish, just keep going.

    Re: "Three weeks to go" - I admire your confidence.

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    1. Everyone knows me better than I do xx

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    2. And as for me, I have been forced to realise that Lockdown Life makes my financial savings rise at an astonishing rate. But was all that money I used to spend in coffee shops and pubs and restaurants "wasted"? Oh, and I got Covid, went to hospital, but kept working even while lying in a bed surrounded by the bustle of NHS life.

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  41. Very impressive list. Keeping busy as you have keeps one sane, engaged and moving forward. Way to go...

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  42. I cannot say anything the same. Good job.

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  43. Wow John that's quite a list as is Barbara Anne's well done, it seems I'm always busy the days fly by but can't say doing what just puttering about.

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  44. You've done VERY well.

    What have I done ... moved into a flat in a different country, sold a house, bought a house, watched far too much television while the dust bunnies piled up in the corners and made themselves very at home. Gained almost a stone in weight, did one work-out and then decided that another box set and a bag of crisps was so much better for my mental health. Walked the dog, walked the dog, walked the dog, walked the dog ......

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  45. Thanks--this inspired me to post about what good has come of this past year too.

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