What a fantastic blood moon we had last night and an even more fantastic photograph from Jo. My gosh can it really get any warmer; it is unbelievable and absolutely gorgeous.
Despite the heat we decided to get on with more log sawing and poor Patrick, who was wearing steel toe-capped boots and his riding chaps as lower body protection was absolutely melting.
My job is to keep the saw bench supplied with logs, then load the wheelbarrows and stack. More summery news is that the first thick spear of asparagus has appeared and we have pruned all our hydrangeas, but left them slightly too late as the flower buds are already formed on some of them. The slow worms are out and about and one nearly had a sad demise while Patrick was strimming, but it moved at the last moment and another of its nine lives was spent.
Went to Tesco and found it an extremely civilised experience, bar the woman in front of me, tall, and blond and who seemed unable to judge a six foot distance. Every time I turned round there she was at my shoulder and to my glare she would toss her golden locks and move away. It is not difficult to keep a distance, especially as it was marked out on the floor all down the aisles. Even managed to buy a pack of loo rolls and so the hoarded newspapers are out for recycling. Shopping for four generations meant I had to use the big trolley and when I got to the counter I virtually had to upend myself in it to reach the stuff in the bottom; I do not suppose that you have that problem Estelle?
The bore was when I reached home and had to spray everything off, which took more time than actually doing the shopping. All around the kitchen were damp till roll receipts, debit cards and my wallet covered in bleach. New name for me, Mrs Bleach. Being sure I will end up with bleach marks all over my clothes I have resolved to sort out my wardrobe into coronavirus and non-coronavirus sections so at least when we have our first choir practice I will have something decent to wear.
Patrick spent yesterday morning honing his carpentry skills which are non-existent. A chain saw is about the most sophisticated he can get. In the coal shed we now have a rail onto which four hooks have been screwed. On each hook is a carrier bag, one for a day and into them go the mail and the newspaper of that day and then four days later it can be emptied ready for that day’s filling. Amazing how we have to adjust to a new pace of life and rules. When this is all over how will we cope with the frenzy of the world around us? It will be like being let loose in the sweetie shop.
Angus, our son, in Okehampton has announced that his bees are busy and have already begun to produce honey. His birthday is at the end of the month and foolishly I asked him what was needed and the rapid response was another beehive. Have you any idea how much they cost? it will be bread and butter next year.
No news on facebook so only my gossip today. As Sharon is hoping to publish our diaries on the choir open facebook page I have asked you all to state if you mind your name and messages being published. Sharon and I are in the process of checking them all to remove anything offensive and I am busy checking my grammar and spelling. As a child of the 60s I was never taught grammar and the only grammatical grounding I had was that which I learnt during Latin lessons, which at that time was a prerequisite for entry to university. I am pretty good on past pluperfect and dative and nominative cases, but not much else. I also have to write with the dictionary beside me because with this new windows programme I cannot find the spellchecker and my spelling is dire.
The roads are getting very busy with what appear to be holiday traffic; large four by fours with whole families in them, not just one essential driver. The Chalet above Saunton Beach appears to have all six flats occupied with people paying astronomical rents. Whatever happened to staying in your own home I ask?
It is very obvious reading between the lines that we are all struggling and worrying as to whether our families and ourselves will get a catastrophic or a mild dose of coronavirus and so to help you I include Light Watkins’ “The ten-breath anxiety buster.”
Sit comfortably with eyes open or closed.
Take a full breath in, pause for a couple of seconds, then exhale fully.
Pause as long as it’s comfortable.
Repeat, breathing in and out for slightly longer for up to ten repetitions, with more emphasis on the exhale.
For the family :
Gather in a distraction-free area and choose one person to lead the meditation.
Everyone takes three deep breaths.
The leader prompts everyone in the group to quietly notice five things they can see.
After about 30 seconds the leader tells everyone to close their eyes and notice four things they can hear, then three things they can smell, two things they can feel, and finally one thing they can taste.
If you are the leader, take your time and feel when it has been long enough before moving on to the next cue.
At the end, take three more releasing breaths and let everyone sit silently for a minute.
I cannot imagine my lot doing it.
Bye for now and you have Jane tomorrow.
Sarah
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