Quote for the day:
“May I have the courage today to live the life that I love. To postpone my dream no longer. But do at last what I came here for. And waste my heart on fear no more”.
by John O’Donohue
Welcome to day 20. Quite a blustery day with a cold south-westerly wind blowing and the odd scrawly shower of rain – welcome to a colder break. I have lit my fire this evening – first time this year. It feels nice and warm. Have any of you got your fire going yet?
First day back at work for some of you, how is that after the Easter break?
In case you have missed out on day 19’s comments, click here to catch up with readers feedback and happenings. Thank you for taking the time to respond and share what is happening in your bubble. One of my aims for this blog was to provide a platform for you to share your lock-down experiences and reflections. One of my readers has said the lock-down has got her trying new recipes: Beer bread and Irish Soda bread, both successful and tasting delicious, and having a virtual dinner with her family. What special events have you done with your family members or friends during this lock-down?
Thank you Margie for the ‘feature image’ for this post. I appreciate how many of you have responded by sending some of your garden scenes, and other photographs. I will include them in the coming days.
John O’Donohue
In my yoga class yesterday, the instructor Neal read a quote from John O’Donohue (1 January 1956 – 4 January 2008). It resonated with me, and have included quotes from him in yesterday and today’s posts. His quotes have prompted me to look up more about him. He was an Irish poet, author, priest, and Hegelian philosopher. He was a native Irish speaker, and as an author is best known for popularising Celtic spirituality. Here is a link to his obituary, I feel it makes for noteworthy reading.
Morning walk
While on my morning walk around the block it occurred to me you don’t have to travel far to see nature’s beauty – it is everywhere. Just that sometimes we are always in a hurry so don’t take the time to stop and see what is surrounding us. I feel having this forced lock-down has allowed us to slow-down, take a deep breath and be in the moment. Re-evaluate what is important in our life and “just be”. I think this then enables an inner sense of contentment and peace. What are your thoughts?
To-do list
Another couple of items have been ticked off my to-do list today and I’m feeling pretty pleased with that:
- GST done
- a document for a client completed – yippee
- sanded and painted my grand-daughters noughts & crosses set
- spent time scrapping paint off on my outdoor chairs – making great progress there. Initially I was using a course wire brush sander to take the paint and rust off. But scrapping seems to be working better, will still need to get rid of the rust.
What can you cross off your to-do list? Does your partner add more items to the list when the list is getting smaller?
Signs of autumn
Well that is it for Day 20. Look forward to hearing about your happenings and events.
Be patient and be kind to yourself and everyone else in your bubble. Stay safe – Goldcard Gal 🙂
Hi Heather. Just catching up on your blogs. Would you be able to put the name of the flower, or deciduous trees in your photos. I am wanting to plant some more deciduous trees this winter.
You have posted some beautiful photos if lots of trees. Maybe one of your followers could name them for us?
I will send through some photos of what we have been up too?
Thank you Floss. 🙂 Sorry I can’t help with names of trees, perhaps “Susan of Hamilton East” may be able to help? Can you Susan?
Lockdown day20.
Today was started backwards.
The Tour de Garage was brought forward so that sections missed on earlier days could be made up. The stage today was of a greater distance and 35kms was covered.
Of course this was made possible by no new details emerging about the human remains found on a property north of Hamilton. We wait with a baited breath for the wheels of investigation, judicial and police reportage to move forward.
As implied yesterday, no one noticed the absence of yours truly from yesterday’s stage.
Starting near the front the Gordonton team was now strengthen by the inclusion of Keith (Willy Nelson) Blackburn fresh of his own windtrainer, he plundered the intermediate sprints and now looks to be holding an almost insurmountable lead in the sprint competition. Neville (The Machine) took it on himself to grow a beard and go to the front whereby he decimated half the field. Trying to not be noticed I hung back and hid in the main field. This proved a worthwhile tactic as by the time we got to pointy end and due to the extended length or the parcour was able to make a significant impact on the survivors within the peloton. Changing gear and making a concerted effort over 40 seconds I was able to pass the early leaders with wooosh that left them breathless and carried the day on reaching the line.
Now where is that cuppa?
Now back to the workshop with more technical fiddling to be done. A start made in setting up applications to the PC that will be of use later. Tidy up the wiring with wire ties and by tomorrow I think this project will be done.
Then I think it is back to the original plan to clean and make sparkling the rest of the workshop. That’s unless some other secondary scheme does not poke up it’s head.
A short stroll into the front garden before tea with a visit to the letterbox. Hardly ever used these days but occasionally some dear soul leaves something there.
Well today I got a bill from the medical centre, not much exiting there but wait! There’s more.
On top of the envelope from the medical centre sits an A4 size laminated document in the box as well – What can it be?
It’s “A Certificate of Appreciation for Excellence in Presentation” awarded to the occupants of our address, in “recognition of dedication, passion and hard work”
Awarded by: Anonymous daily walkers. Issued: 12 April 2020.
It has a shadowy background picture like water mark depicting our front garden and house.
Obviously someone has good taste and the lockdown is providing them with the time to search out, identify and award prizes for up until now, fruitless hard work.
We go to bed very please with ourselves.
Unhurried in Hamilton
Oh isn’t that nice, “A certificate of appreciation for excellence in presentation” given anonymously – you will be feeling pretty pleased with yourself “Unhurried in Hamilton”. Your place is immaculate as is your workshop! Enjoyed reading today stage, thank you. 🙂
There is truth indeed to the Tour de Garage: early advance to the pretenders to be buried by Unhurried at the pointy end: pleased to see Keith (Willy) join the party.But seriously I do miss the Tuesday riding sessions. A brisk outing on the bike then back for the coffee chat. If we had that chat now somehow we would ease this situation: I-Solution🚴
Thank you “I-Solution”.
In our houses (3) owned since my childhood we have never had a fireplace: there are lots of woodburners in the new houses being built here. We did have a fireplace where I grew up at Woodend. In fact we also had a coal range. All cooking and water heating was done on the coal range. Wood was never an issue: we lived on the edge of rough peat swamp. When our neighbours developed their paddocks we would assist in gathering the wood ploughed up. This was encouraged as it helped the farmer do a very manual task. For the blog in the UK we are having a name your favourite movie,book,group and so on. It has engendered much conversation.There are favourite groups of the UK people I have never heard of which I suppose is logical.Tomorrow it is supermarket day and I agree with Colin’s remarks. It is quite an adventure to go shopping these days.I also very much agree with the quote in regard to ‘encouragement. You cannot do better for someone. All the best: I-Solution☕
Hey thanks “I-Solution” for your memories many of which I could relate to and sure many of my readers will also relate to. And thanks also ideas about favourite movies and perhaps add to that music group/singer. We’ve had quite a cold spell up here and today still windy. 🙂