Tough knowing how to pitch our blog posts at the moment, as yet again things have moved on apace, and we can barely keep up with what is unfolding day by day. After finding a new positive side to my personality this year after a couple of whingey and moany years, I have struggled this week. The virus itself has not really made too much of an impact up here yet on our health services (although I know it will), but of course the measures to contain it have, so it just takes a while to adjust and regroup.
I can’t see my mum at the moment but I have put cards offering help through all the doors of our immediate neighbours, and those others we know who are over 70. Our estate was built just over 40 years ago so many of the original residents still live here and are obviously now in the age group we need to shield, by asking them to self-isolate. A livelier bunch of septuagenarians you would be hard pressed to find, so it’s gonna be tough – We will endeavour to do what we can for them.
DD lost her job this week but hopefully will be joining the ranks of the NHS 111 teams very soon so trying to do her bit. Myself and Mr WIAA certainly have skills that could be invaluable at this time, so we too are ready and willing.
We watched The Last Leg on telly last night which did provide a bit of light relief, however the show ended on a serious note and it definitely struck home. The team made the point that at this difficult time we will be sorely tested – We should endeavour not to behave like the lawyer in Jurassic Park who runs off to hide in the toilet, but try to behave responsibly and help others in whatever way we can, directly or indirectly.
And here is a moment of levity in this sombre post. There is no chance of me running off to my toilet anyway, as this week, of all weeks, was the one we were scheduled to have a new shower room put in. Here is a picture of what my bedroom looks like at the moment! It is due to be finished next week but with things changing at such a pace, starting to wonder if that will be possible.
Believe it or not there is a very close connection between the current state of my shower room and this blog, specifically my Full Moon Calendar In Song series. 25 years ago I worked for the NHS myself, although not on the frontline. For 5 years I shared an office with RJ who has provided me with so many great pictures of the moon for my series. We both left our jobs at around the same time – I gave birth to DD and became a full-time mum, whilst RJ went on to try his hand at an array of new professions. Somehow, he ended up becoming the installer of fabulous kitchens and bathrooms and our paths have now crossed again at this most unusual and uncertain of times.
I am at a loss to know what to share musically, but as yesterday was the Spring Equinox I am reminded of the little film we made a couple of years ago on the dashcam. I’m sleeping in DD’s school bedroom at the moment whilst the work is going on, and as her bed is situated right by the window, I woke up yesterday to beautiful blue skies and birdsong. For a few seconds I forgot that life as we know it has totally changed at the moment and might never quite return to what it was ever again. Nature is having a well-earned break from the worst effects of what we as a race have been throwing at it. If you can, I urge you to go out and enjoy a brisk walk. Really listen to the birds and check out what Mother Nature gives us at this time of year.
Until next time…. Hope you and your loved ones stay safe and well.
Mr. Blue Sky Lyrics
(Song by Jeff Lynne)
Morning! Today’s forecast calls for blue skies
Sun is shining in the sky
There ain’t a cloud in sight
It’s stopped raining
Everybody’s in a play
And don’t you know
It’s a beautiful new day
Hey ay ay!
Runnin’ down the avenue
See how the sun shines brightly
In the city
On the streets where once was pity
Mr. Blue
Sky is living here today
Hey ay ay!
Mr. Blue Sky
Please tell us why
You had to hide away
For so long (so long)
Where did we go wrong?
Hey you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race
A celebration
Mr. Blue Sky’s up there waitin’
And today
Is the day we’ve waited for
Ooorrr
Oh, Mr. Blue Sky
Please tell us why
You had to hide away
For so long (so long)
Where did we go wrong?
Hey there Mr. Blue
We’re so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do
Everybody smiles at you
What's It All About? 
I hear you! Where I live it’s autumn. The skies are blue (after an awful smoky summer) and after good rain (at last) the grass is shockingly green. On Tuesday morning I sat on top of a nearby hill with a friend resting after the steep climb. We looked out over this amazingly pretty place where we live. We were struck by the contrast of the beauty that lay before us and the mayhem that the whole world is experiencing. I think your advice to get out in the green spaces and enjoy this rested world is spot on. Our human lives are in chaos but the little creatures and organisms to which we are so damaging are getting a well deserved holiday. Their activity is a joy to behold.
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Ah, of course on the other side of the world where things are playing out just the same you are heading into winter. Not so good. Been on a long walk every day this week (sometimes twice) and have been struck by how beautiful the countryside around me is. The birdsong is everywhere yet I don’t think I’ve fully appreciated it before. Clinging on to the hope we will come out the other end of this realising we will have to change how we treat our planet. The various systems by which we have been living our lives are now thrown into question, big time.
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Are you sure RJ isn’t drinking the Elixir of Youth? He looks younger now than he did 25 years ago.
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It is sickening isn’t it but no, it was his birthday on Thursday and he turned 51 – Sadly I didn’t find out until he’d put in a half day of plumbing work but he did get a card later in the day.
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I was going to make a similar comment. The portrait in his attic must be in a terrible state.
Stay strong, Alyson. Loved the Mr Blue Sky video.
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Think he’s really going to have to come back tomorrow so I will ask about that portrait!
Yes, I feel really foolish for having worried over so many seemingly inconsequential things now. Funnily enough I’ve been sleeping better than I have for ages – Not sure if it’s because I’m in DD’s bedroom, or if it’s just that suddenly we’re all in this together so just got to get on with it.
I loved making that little film – More to come hopefully.
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Lovely post Alyson and great to see your video again. It’s so true about nature, it’s always been my personal healer in times of worry, I love the way everything out there just gets on with everything anyway in normal circumstances whatever is going on in our heads , especially at this time of year – birds building nests, flowers blooming, shoots growing, etc. but right now it’s even more meaningful. And it’s getting a little breather from our toxic habits at last – I do hope we can learn something from this as a species. On a more personal level I’m also so encouraged by the lovely acts of kindness and creative resourcefulness of people around the world at all levels.
Good luck to DD re. the NHS 111 job and all power to her for taking that route – and hope you get your shower/toilet installed soon. (Nice to see the pics of your talented moon photographer too!)
By the way, I think we’re all understand/feel concerned about how to pitch our posts and comments etc. at the moment, and also I think we can expect to go up and down a lot over coming weeks, and feel the need to express ourselves in different ways that might change from day to day. Just one of those things – I think we all get it. But at least blogging is one of the few places where we don’t have to distance ourselves socially. Stay well and all the best with your mum’s situation too.
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Hi – Just back from a lovely walk up the hill behind our house with DD and her boyfriend who have come up to see us ahead of whatever they get embroiled in down south. Something I have noticed this week is that people are being unusually friendly and smiley when out and about. It is usual in towns and cities for people not to acknowledge each other when passing each other in the street but that’s all changed. A lad of about twenty on his bike even gave me a big smile and a greeting yesterday which never happens. Perhaps the #BeKind movement will really kick in because of what has happened. (Of course we are hearing of ugly scenes in supermarkets but I really hope they are in the minority and can be curbed.)
Yes, had hoped the shower room was going to be in by now but going to be next week now, cross fingers. Good that my “moon photographer” gets properly credited too.
Difficult to get the temperature right at the moment in blogging but this is also my web diary so important to record what is happening I feel. I shall return with some more items from Alyson’s Archive too. I see you have shared new posts which I will pop over and visit soon. A good time to share interesting stuff from the past. Stay well.
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Greetings to the other side of the Atlantic. My wife and I recently have watched the first three episodes of Sherlock. It’s on Netflix, but originally was on BBC. Cumberbatch and Freeman are good in their roles. The plots move so fast, I usually can’t keep up. But the show is an enjoyable ride for these unhappy times. Have you seen Sherlock?
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Hello to you guys over there. A fine time to find distraction in a few good dramas and Sherlock definitely one of the best. Fine acting indeed and love how they use on-screen text messages to bring the detecting process up to date. Take care and keep safe.
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