Rising
late into a subdued world it did not take me long to realise that in
spite of a crammed freezer, in spite of a full fridge, in spite of
cupboards groaning I was about to run out of bread! After a bacon
sandwich for breakfast, all I could cope with, I began to wonder should I
bother with bread. Common sense however said otherwise. By lunchtime I
joined the trickle of people in Sainsburys for bread. It always
surprises me just how many folk fill a trolley on Boxing Day? There
were a few of those giving it a try. Most were like myself, filling the
gaps created from yesterday or finding the forgotten bread and milk.
The
Christmas cheer was not much in evidence, an occasional nod from a glum
passerby, a greeting, a grunt, but so many look the other way, not
joyful, cheery or willing to meet people. The recent incomers are
mostly responsible for this, London overspill you see, however many are
suffering, covid, family problems, illness, loneliness or maybe they are
just miserable gits? Who can tell, but it is clear less folks greet
one another these days than did 20 years ago. As I walked back across
the near deserted park, a few taking a walk, far from others, it was
clear most had remained indoors. Covid has had an effect both yesterday
and today.
I
ate quite a large plateful yesterday, followed by a reasonable sized
Belgian chocolate Christmas pudding, with a glass of 'Highland Park
Viking whisky' that my secret admirer sent me. Today I made soup with
the chicken bones, and I must say it is the best I have made for a
while. The butchers chickens are better fed than Tesco's. I was also
forced to eat more chicken and other bits. I am now looking at the
Christmas cake while sipping gin and blackcurrent that was donated by
another admirer. Sometimes I am glad these admirers live far away and
far apart!
Today
phone calls and emails replace the bother of having people around to
annoy me while watching football, (we won 5-3 by the way). I wonder
about a family gathering up north (they are not supposed to have the
whole lot together for one day, though they all enjoyed it) I'm sure
there was more than six there, but I am not surprised that the younger
element have gone off today to find a MacDonalds! Anyway, as the wind
rises and begins to howl through the cracks in the window frame, the
rain lashes the glass and my feet rest on the radiator I take no heed as
I now have several books to read, all good ones, with more on the way.
I also discovered a strange emotional response, humility. Looking at
what I had been given I felt realy humble and emotional, as I do not
deserve all that I have been given. I really don't deserve this family
or these friends.
Anyway, remember this...
4 comments:
Remember the naval toast? Wives and sweethearts. May they never meet.
Annoying to have to go out when you have planned a quiet, undisturbed day. I thought we were safe, but it was a working day here so Danilo and Carlos installed the cooker hood and trunking that I had been moaning about for five years and then ran short of sealant...so that was a trip out only to find the town humming! How did they eat all that they were buying on Christmas Eve?
Today should be quiet, but will not. Leo has plans to move the sheep to the bottom pasture before it gets burned up...let joy be unconfined! This will be a Cecil B.de Mille production...Higher Authority issuing orders, minions - me and the lad from across the road - scurrying, sheep protesting, dogs barking...you have the picture. Thank goodness the lunch is in the slow cooker!
Fly, I remember a postie who had a stroke. We all laughed at the sight of his wife on one side and his gir on the other.. both Essex girls.
Did they help him do his round?
Fly, They both helped in many ways....Not now however!
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