We have just had a lovely day! The weather was sunny, the temperature was a warmish 14C, the breeze was light and delightful.
Attila spent his day in the garden, preparing the soil for planting. This year he is expanding the garden, as he has time for such a project. Our hopes are high for a good growing season and harvest, but the weather and mother nature are really in charge, so we shall see what we get!
I have now been in self-isolation for just about two months, since February 27th. Attila joined me in self-isolation about a month ago. We are both enjoying having this time together, as we have never before had the opportunity to have so many hours sharing day-to-day life. It is going rather well so far. Of course it is early days, while we still have enough money for food, and to pay the bills, so things are pretty good by our account. Our biggest challenge is maintaining no-contact outside of our bubble while obtaining food, but we will get that figured out eventually.
Having Attila here during the day is a completely different way of life. Although it is a most welcome development, there is an aspect of disorientation to it as well. The rhythm of my days has been altered, my former routines are no longer working for me. I am just now beginning to establish new ways of doing things.
For instance, when Attila was working we were both up at 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. every weekday morning. After Attila left for work my morning would be quiet and contemplative, with only myself for company. Now, I wake up every morning anywhere from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., and Attila wakes up anywhere from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. He needs more sleep than I do. My quiet contemplative time is short, and occurs in the hour or so immediately after I awake. This seemingly small change completely alters the tone of my morning, and the structure of the days activities. New routines are slowly emerging, but not as easily, or as quickly, as I would like. I suppose it is good for me though, one doesn’t want to get too set in one’s ways.
Yesterday I baked Squash Muffins. Today I cooked dried beans, enough to freeze, and for Attila to make Refried Beans for himself. Attila and I did a tour of the garden, and it was wonderful to see the rhubarb doing very well, the garlic popping up, the walking onions growing to about six inches tall, and the strawberries Attila transplanted into the second hugelkultur bed putting out new leaves. The soil in my raised beds has fallen by about six inches, which is to be expected. Underneath the soil are piles of logs and branches, all of which will be settling and breaking down over time. I haven’t decided what to plant in my raised beds this year; I am leaning towards spinach, greens of various kinds, basil, and parsley.
We spend a few hours every morning reading the the provincial and federal reports on the coronavirus situation in Canada, and the news on how other countries around the world are faring. We are very disappointed with our local government representatives, who we feel are very near the bottom of the barrel in Canadian politics. We wonder how such people can live with themselves, and conclude we will never understand it. We discuss any concerns, and review our survival strategies if new information that directly affects us comes to light. Then we leave all of that business in a nice neat package, to be opened up again upon the morrow, and carry on with our own small doings for the day.
It has come as a complete surprise to me that Doug Ford, our Provincial Premier in Ontario, has risen to the challenge of leading this province through truly troubled and remarkable times. He has demonstrated abilities that might have remained hidden, had they not been so desperately needed.
And that is us, living quietly in a bubble of two, doing everything we can to keep ourselves out of harm’s way, wishing the best for our friends and loved ones, and waiting to see how each day will unfold.
Stay safe dear friends!
Worldly
Weather
14°C
Date: 7:00 PM EDT Saturday 25 April 2020
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.7 kPa
Tendency: Falling
Temperature: 14.1°C
Dew point: -6.3°C
Humidity: 24%
Wind: E 10 km/h
Visibility: 24 km
Quote
“When someone does something good, applaud! You will make two people happy.”
Samuel Goldwyn
1882 – 1974
“And that is us, living quietly in a bubble of two, doing everything we can to keep ourselves out of harm’s way, wishing the best for our friends and loved ones, and waiting to see how each day will unfold.”
This is a sentence for the ages and sums it up for all of us now.
Bex, we certainly live in interesting times! For me, so far in my life, this pandemic is the most communal experience I have ever had, the most shared experience. And it is odd, that it is shared so intensely encapsulated in isolation.
Stay safe dear friend!
I agree with you and Bex. Good quote there. I’m glad for my happy ‘bubble of two’, as well, and hope for the best for everyone. Yes, ‘communal experience’, that’s true, we cry alone, but somehow we cry together. <3 Stay safe and sane, everyone!
Joan, we do cry alone, and all at about the same time, and for roughly the same reasons. And we all share the same goal, to survive, and eventually thrive.
Stay safe dear friend!
Good evening, dear Maggie, and everyone else! Is the squash stuff like a relish? It looks delicious, and I am the main vegetable eating one here…Mike’s meat/ potatoes, a few green beans, peas, corn, and he loves all dried beans. I am so sorry for all of your pain and aggravation about the groceries. I suppose we are very lucky here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Other than a lot of empty shelves during the first couple of weeks in March…Mike goes early morning on Sr.Citizen days, and was able to get all on our list. We are stocking up on meats for the freezer…we have had several meat processing plants totally shut down in the Midwest. We usually do take out/pick up a couple of days each week. Chinese, pizza. The serving sizes are huge, so these usually last for 2-3 meals. One thing that happened is funny. 3 weeks ago, I ordered a case of toilet paper. It arrived yesterday. Well, the rolls look appropriate for a doll house….they are so small! We are accustomed to Charmin mega rolls. We will keep them in storage, or share with any neighbors that get in a bind. Maggie…what is your email address? I would like to share some photos, or how do I attach them to my comments here? Remember…I am challenged by ‘puter stuff. Grandson Ryder (5) got a new kitten yesterday. He named her Bluebonnet, and will be called Blue for short. Black/grey tabby. He is very excited. Our high today was 90…I fear we will skip Spring. I need to get myself ready to watch CALL THE MIDWIFE, so I am signing off for now. Try to enjoy your bubble. Xxoo. Margarett
Hello Margarett! Are you referring to the Squash Sauce, it is sort of like Plum Sauce or Sweet Tai Chili Sauce, I dip roasted potatoes in it, and my sweet potato fries, some people might use ketchup.
Online shopping is a misery, we don’t risk the stores because no one here wears masks, and we no longer know what they are like, if they are well stocked or not. The online shopping is like a trying to hit a moving target, we miss as many times as we hit. My email address is maggie at maggieturner.net, the blog comments won’t process images, so email is your best bet. Your Granson’s kitten sounds cute! Still cold here, 90 sounds a little too warm for me though, lol!
Stay safe dear friend!