Not quite out of lockdown.

We continue to live a near lockdown lifestyle.

Yesterday was our grocery delivery day.

I also order in for my mother, 89 years young and fiercely independent. Up until lockdown she still did her own shopping refusing our help or deliveries. It has taken a lot for her to accept support as she says it is "giving in" and she likes to be independent and not tied down to doing things on a certain day. But life is different right now.

On Wednesday afternoons we drive over to Mom's house with her shopping and for the past few weeks we have been able to go inside for tea and cake which is lovely. On our first allowed visit she asked me to cut her hair which was funny. She said she preferred how I had done it because I had listened to how she wanted it done and then did it for her. Mum thinks her hairdresser does it her own way regardless!

Mom is an avid reader so her order usually includes some magazines and I sometimes slip in a book too.

By the time we got home I was so tired I sat down; reading and watching tv for the rest of the day.

We had a fun hour long phone chat with our youngest son. He lives 100 miles away and has lived alone through lockdown, working from home. We were more than happy for him to come home but he decided to stay at his home and carry on, for the duration if possible, and he did it. I am so impressed by his fortitude and mental strength. He is planning to come home for a week next month. Something nice to look forward to.

Tea was delicious - prawn and scallop bisque with new potatoes, samphire and some crusty bread. I was so exhausted we ate this on a tray, not bothering to leave the sofa! I feel a bit guilty/lazy about that but never mind.

We are concerned that we have both noticed a decline in my health over the past month or so. We both cheerfully blame lockdown, reassuring each other that it is a temporary set back.  But I think we can both see through this jolly facade.

But life is still good. I continue to buy flowers; an orchid this week. It is easier to care for than flowers at the moment.

My love of books continues on my Kindle, Audible and buying real books. I recently added these to my book shelf.

To lose myself in books is therapy and medicine all in one.

I cut the final bunch of sweet peas this afternoon. The plants have produced blooms abundantly this year but they are looking very bedraggled now. Steve pulled them out for me; we want the garden to look tidy as we have some house viewings over the next few days.

And so the days, à la lockdown, tootle happily along. 

I think Cicero had the right idea......

                                                                       TTFN
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