Emerging from lockdown
Me
'The undertaker' (husband)
I haven't blogged for a few days now. That's not because I haven't got plenty to say, but rather late in life I have learnt to 'take a back seat'. It hasn't always been so. There was a time that if there was a cause, an injustice or a fight to be had then I would be on the front line, all guns blazing. But no more. The secret in life is to know when to stop, stress is the silent killer, people tend to forget that until its too late. But it's healthy to have an opinion surely? Well I would like to think so, but then again, perhaps its healthier to keep them to yourself...
One of the very first blog posts that I wrote, as soon as total lock-down was announced, confided that I had rashly purchased a super size carton of a well known brand of washing up liquid at a knock down price. It was only when I got home that I noted, after a hefty squirt (not necessary with superior brands) that it had a hideous smell of apple orchard. If I were to look at it under a microscope or put another way study it as though it was of any relevance that's nearly three months of unsatisfactory squeezes. I took the plunge today after queuing forlornly in the rain outside Waitrose, they at least offer you an umbrella AND clean the trolleys, to plump for a new scent. The latest squeeze promises a fragrant aroma of cucumber and basil. Life can, from here on in, only improve, as I plunge into the daily chore of washing the pans.
There is always plenty of time to mull over life when you are stuck in a queue. 'I don't know what it will be like when the tourists descend on us' is one. (Whilst being extra vigilant to not offend any satisfied second home owners who have slipped into Dorset through the non existent net. They can get very affronted, as such petty rules do not apply to them). There is danger lurking at every supermarket shelf, is what I'm saying. To be honest I'm very undecided about the whole scenario. Questions like 'so when are you going to get back into it then'? (run my market stall) only feed my irritation as to why people feel it is their business to delve into mine. 'The undertaker' and I debate the pros and cons on a daily basis and yes, of course I miss the interaction and the money it brings but then I have a lot more at stake than perhaps people realise. 'Because I'm lazy' I reply. Concise and to the point.
We are being very dreary with our 'lets not slip into bad ways' mantra as we strive not to succumb to all that is bad to our health and yet so good for our morale on a daily basis. 'Far more chance of dying from being bores than anything else' I comment. It's true, depriving yourself of being led astray and straining to be virtuous is terribly demanding, demoralising and draining.
A comforting snippet of news however on the radio this morning is that rats are most definitely on the increase in peoples back gardens. This is due to the lack of fast food/restaurant outlets that normally provide them with rich pickings. There was some debate on the tricky problem of disposing of the unwanted visitors, letting them loose elsewhere is merely dumping the problem on someone else's front doorstep (so to speak). 'Let there be no dispute' the expert informed us 'rats can carry up to 60 extremely unpleasant diseases'. The sentence was music to my ears as I am of the opinion that 'Mr Ratty' or a close relative even, must be dealt with in a decisive manner. ie: Eliminated.
Treading our way carefully and tentatively into this new world of ours is like picking your way through a minefield. None of us know what to truly expect. For some people their lives have changed enormously and it must feel bewildering. Most people like certainty, with which comes a feeling of security. However, I've always been of the opinion that if you are afraid of losing sight of the shore you will never know what is over the horizon. You just have to be ready to set sail.
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