Random musings

Firstly a big thank you for your interesting posts, I loved reading them.  I feel quite humbled that you have taken the time to write your memories, happenings and thoughts. Well done!  🙂  Here’s a link to  Yesterday’s readers posts.

How did your day one go?  On a Thursday I normally teach all day at Wintec and must admit it felt strange not to be there today.  Wintec is in lock-down and everyone is working from home.  There were no classes this week, tutors/lecturers are preparing for total online learning and learning how to use Zoom so we can continue teaching next week!

This morning my bubble and I went for an early morning bike ride.  As expected there was very little traffic, but surprised at the number of trucks that passed me – but generally it was quiet and very enjoyable. Oh how I love that.  The paddocks have a green tinge from the recent rain.  Life style blocks that have been for sale for sometime are now sold, and house construction under way. An older house has been moved onto another life style block; look forward to watching the progress there.  I get enjoyment from seeing the changes as I cycle the country roads.

I saw more people than normal out walking and running.  They seemed happy to say “hello” and have a quick chat, more so than normal.  I guess people have time to ‘enjoy the now’, take a deep breath and slow down, and not be rushing off to work or dropping kids off at school etc.  What did you notice when you went for your walk or bike ride?

Now that schools are shut I’m enjoying hearing my neighbour’s son Ethan practising/playing his drums several times during the day.  He’s learning the drums at intermediate school and definitely getting better.

My wood pile is smaller than yesterday!  What jobs can you now cross off your To-do list – any?  Any luck with the meditation Carly?

I have something special to share with you on day two.  In the meantime, take care and stay in your bubble.  GoldCard Gal 🙂

This afternoon as I was chatting to one of my good friends Prudence we were conversing about how we will cope in the coming days of ‘living in a bubble’.  We briefly discussed the idea of writing a journal to reflect on our journey, when Prudence suggested “why not write a blog about it”.  That comment instantly struct a cord with me, my imagination went into overdrive.  I was excited.  Not writing about what I was experiencing but how could I get you my readers to share your experiences and thoughts.  We could create a little “online community” to help/support each other over the coming days – oh the potential, I’m excited.  The next 28 days are days we never imagined would happen, well I certainly didn’t.  How are we going to cope with the lack of social connection and interaction – that is what I see as my biggest challenge.

So, over the next 28 days I intend to record each day’s reflections, thoughts, and incidents, and I also would love to have your input, don’t be shy.  This will certainly be a new experience for me, one I’m excited about!

Preparations

Over the last couple of days I completed my to-do list before lock-down.  Buying paint to paint my garage door.  Incidentally Mitre 10 had sold out of semi-gloss paint on Tuesday, so this morning I went to Resene Paints where I got the last tin of semi-gloss.  They told me they had 300 customers yesterday! Obviously many people have the same idea and as I, the next 28 days will be an opportunity to get some maintenance jobs done.  Filled up the petrol can for lawnmower and hedge cutter and of course got a few extra grocery items; I got the last packet of flour.  It has been an eye opener going to the supermarket and seeing people bulk buy.

I checked on my over 70 yr old friends to ensure they are OK and re-enforced that I’m only a phone call away.  Later this afternoon I got a bonus – a load of dry firewood was delivered; can’t wait to stack that under my new woodshed roof!  At least I’m ready for winter.

What preparations have you done for your lock-down?  What did your to-do list consist of?

The idea of “living within a bubble”

On the radio the other night I listened to microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles, love that red hair of hers.  Her description of living in a bubble and what that actually means made sense to me.  These are her words :

“You are in a bubble …. our own household is our bubble and you need to stay in your bubble and if you go out of your bubble you’re going to pop that bubble and that’s going to put us all at risk.

You can go for a jog with …. your bubble family.  You can go for a drive to the beach with your bubble family.  But you must not enter anybody else’s bubble.”

I’ll miss not cycling and socialising with my Tuesday and Saturday boys and of course miss my walks and catch-ups with my friends.  But hey I’ll save money, hopefully get lots of jobs done and have plenty of time to blog!!  AND the great thing from all this isolation is that we’ll stop this Covid-19 virus because we’ll be living in our bubble and not entering anybody else’s bubble!

Sure looking forward to hearing your preparation activities and your reflections on “living in a bubble”.

So take care, till tomorrow night – Goldcard Gal.  🙂