shhDRink me

 Locked down, locked out, locked in a mindset which turns your mind round and around and around. It is winter, the fire is warming the house, invitingly.  That's being positive, isn't it? There's a birthday on Friday and he has decided to cancel it. Hmmm. I do try, honest I do but it's not always easy, pushing the boulder up hill.

 A comment on a serious programme made by the BBC (who should know better) -     "A piece of work painted by the artist before his death." Well, thank goodness for that! I have heard of ghost writings, but can you imagine a renowned art gallery patiently cataloguing a (dead) artist's studio with a view to exhibit, feeling a cool chill and a seeing a new work taking place in front of them? I feel the word 'shortly' could so easily have been inserted between 'artist' and 'before'.

 Quiet, soft, slowly the snowflakes fall like whispers on marshmallows, wishes on meringues. Pondering the idea that snow is like Life. Both need special conditions before they can form. Both float seemingly randomly, until they fade. Timescale is different, but then Time is ephemeral. Just an idea we try vainly to measure. It is cold but the fire is on in the front room and pineapple chutney is simmering on the Aga. Is there honey still for tea?

 Flash! Bang! (rumble). And the world turns white. I thought it was snow, but turned out to be hailstones. Still very pretty, slippy underfoot but hey! children could still make a snowman (albeit a tad small) and throw a few snowballs. The clouds tried to gather, sprinkling odd bits of frozen water but by lunchtime it was melting. Is there anything more pitiful than a small child forlornly pulling a sledge through muddy grass? Collected Sevilles from J in Parkgate, cautiously watching for lurking officiousness.  Chopped the ice from the fast-freeze and discovered hidden protein. Will make pineapple+ginger chutney tomorrow, thus making more room in the freezer. There is several cakes, so might take one with some marmalade to J+R.  We are threatened with minus temperatures overnight so the world might be dangerously white again tomorrow.

 Nothing is new, the lament of the more mature! The advert for coffee bags is particularly irritating. Coffee was in bags in the sixties/seventies (Lyons made them, I think). I found them a bit weak, but then good coffee was rare in those days. Television programmes for school children is a good thing, for lots of reasons. Now they call it 'Bitesize' but I remember school programmes on during the day, when we were off because of illness. Tucked up in a blanket, resting on cushions piled on the couch (or sofa, depending how posh you were) and if you were really lucky, a glass of Lucazade to hand. The wind has blown the sky blue and the room smells of cooked oranges. Having done the shopping, now it is time to wash the dishes and do some ironing. Oh, and print some labels for the marmalade.

 We try to be positive. We know we are lucky. Count our blessings, be aware of how others struggle and despite how life has been reduced, we manage very well.  R. emailed to tell us of N's death from covid. The first person I know personally who was unfortunate enough to catch the virus so terminally. It has been raining all day, storm Christoff crying across the country, flooding and worrying householders north of Watford Gap.  Apparently, mental health can be an issue during lockdown. Is Mother Nature having a go at Humanity?  Is this thought an expression of paranoia? J collected jars to put with the order for the deli, now to see if customers will buy. Tomorrow is shopping, let's hope it is dryer.

 Cold wind, trying to rain. Frozen hands inside gloves. Skeins of geese flying overhead. Did I mention P. has had his first jab? Wondered what (if anything) is the difference between inoculation and vaccination? Had a single, explosive attack of d+v yesterday morning - might have been a dodgy pastry from supermarket. No one else affected. Okay today. P met me at A's and we walked up to West Kirby, got a few bits from Aldi then train home.  Marmalade on the go, first batch with oranges from Jackie. Lunt's oranges are quite expensive, even if I get a box. Might ask J if she can get me some from her greengrocer. Viet coffee came today, carpet cleaner came Saturday and P and J had fun unpacking and working out where everything went! Bergamots coming in A's Riverford box tomorrow. All go!