Friday 27 March 2020

Slightly better than one hand clapping - my own two!


Oh dear! Do people around here just not care?
Yesterday evening at 8, despite the chilly outside, I flung open my front window and clap, clap, clapped in support of our National Health heroes - and, as far as I could hear, I was the only one doing so, at least among the houses within earshot. I even turned the T.V. sound off as well as checking out back to listen if anyone may have been in their back garden joining me - Nothing! Not a dickie bird! Particularly disappointing as our area's large general hospital is a mere 3-400 yards away, an imposing structure I see every time I look out of my front window.
Heartening to hear this morning what a success it had turned out to be in other parts - check out JayGee's blog if you haven't already done so -  https://disasterfilm.blogspot.com/2020/03/thank-you.html  Thank you John!💟

Yesterday, third day of our 'lockdown' went to my local supermarket and, unsurprisingly, found their new policy had been adopted - they're letting in only 40 customers at a time and there was a queue around the perimeter of the car park, each keeping at least 6 feet apart or, at least, that's the idea, Took me 40 mins of waiting to get in but I'm not complaining about that, and when I did managed to get very nearly everything on my list - only rice wasn't in evidence. But now that's done I'll see if I can make shopping a once-weekly effort instead of my usual two, sometimes three, times a week, though I'd hate to put my back out again. then really will be in trouble. If only cat food bought in bulk wasn't so darned heavy - but they don't care a darned fig about my own well-being, so useless to moan. 

Fervently hope all you precious blogpals of mine will manage to continue dodging the virus bullet - and we can come through this with a healthy bounce without having to mourn many more of our lost ones, most especially any who may be known or even close to us. 
Take special care, my friends. 

29 comments:

  1. Lots of people were clapping where we live

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    1. I prefer to think that my area isn't typical, and it seems that way after hearing this morning's news. I'm pleased that you had company in your applause.

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  2. Hi Ray, maybe it wasn't the right timing (for clapping) or something. But yes, all of us need to stay at home and be patient. Everything's gonna be alright. It may last for a while, unfortunately.

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    1. Maybe, though if so many other places managed to do it with gusto I don't see why mine shouldn't - though I'm certain that my area wasn't alone in its seeming indifference. Anyway, I believe we'll get another chance to do it, or maybe more then one, seeing that the situation seems likely to be with us well into the Summer, and perhaps right through it, unpalatable as the thought is.

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    2. Forgot to mention I also visit the DisasterFilm blog, that's great. We have so much more time right now so, gotta spend it somehow.

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    3. His is a blog I visit several times every day, especially now when we need an anchor of serious tranquillity with just the right amount of levity to keep us from losing it. Grateful for it - and to him.

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  3. At least you good people in Europe even attempt to clap or sing. I have seen an attempt here too, but nothing like in Europe.

    Good to hear you've been out and to much good fortune and luck, no issues. Yes, with your back, probably better to go once a week. I still have not run low on any provisions of any kind, so I have not actually been to or near any people myself, in any numbers. I did however take my car for a spin the other day since it had been sitting idle for over a week. It felt nice taking a long ride with the roof open on our nice warm sunny day, on the back country roads. Here in Bucks county, it looks very much like your own English country side. The fair Hamlet of New Hope was a ghost town, with exemption to tumbleweeds blowing across the street. Some even boarded up their door entries and windows. That worries me into thinking they might think this is going longer then we think. New Hope is a very quaint town, filled with pubs, eateries, and all locally owned artisan shops selling their handy craft and specially items. The town starts about this time to get busy with tourist right through till October. So most have those seven months to make their yearly sales, to get them through the down and quite 5 months when the town is very quite, with exemption to us locals. I think this will devastate the town. The only chuckle I got was all the ducks and geese that were roaming the streets and sidewalks reclaiming the town

    I did have worries when it comes to getting food, but our dear Anne Marie made me feel much better knowing she had a good experience, and she doesn't live all that far, but about 40 minutes or so, as the crow flies. I did have on e neighbor in , and thats been it.

    Im glad to hear your own experience too and applauding you for clapping anyhow. I many times say it take one person to start something, being good or bad. I say continue your appreciation for your swell health workers, and you all take good care.

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    1. Oh dear...I sure didn't mean to babble on.

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    2. No need at all to apologise, M.M. I'm flattered to be rated as worthy enough to be in receipt of your thoughts and time. Yes, this is being devastating for so many towns with firms (i.e. employers) inevitably in risk of folding, with workers and their families going under enormous stress and uncertainty. How and when's it all going to end is the great unknown. Even just knowing 'when' would have helped a little. 'Scary' doesn't begin to cover it.
      Take care, Dearie.

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  4. You be safe old friend
    I could not do without my regular, pithy and professional reviews that are so more more well written than mine
    Chin up raymondo.....
    Be safe my friend

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    1. You too, JayGee. My chin is not only 'up' it's not even drooping. I'm far more concerned for others than for self as some us are in a far luckier situation than many.

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  5. Even if you were on your own, good on you for clapping, Ray!

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    1. If I hadn't joined in, even if in my case it had been with no one, I would have regretted having missed the chance)

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  6. I wish I could convince a few of our grocery customers to only come in once a week. We have a handful that come in daily and only buy enough for a couple of meals. They don't seem to understand they shouldn't be doing that. It's very frustrating for me. I feel like I'm breathing poison the whole time I'm at work.

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    1. It's being strongly recommended here now that even shopping should be done no more than once a week. Trouble is, for us oldies, whose physical strength is already diminishing, carrying heavy loads is not only hard but becomes positively dangerous. As for getting a home delivery, well fine for those who can wait a month for it to arrive!

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  7. The clapping, cheering, music, horns, you name it... grows stronger here every night. It's heartwarming. Glad you're well. Take good care of yourself ... and the kitties.

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    1. We're watching in horror the daily stats from Spain - a place where we might ourselves be in 2-3 weeks, having waited an unjustifiably protracted time before our own lockdown.
      I think people need a communal spirit-lift which the Spanish are doing as an antidote to the depressing situation. Hope we hear very soon that at least the numbers in Spain are beginning to flatten out and any increase at all turning round into a progressive decrease.
      Keep safe - and do keep D & M safe too.

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  8. no, the pussies don't care how heavy the cat tins are...but they do give you their love.

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    1. PS - just saw that BoJo has the virus.

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    2. As long as the pussies get fed on demand and have somewhere comfortable to sleep where they won't be disturbed, life goes on for them, every day like the one before - and blow everyone else! They give love? Not so sure. As long as they get something in return.

      Now with Bojo (and his Health Secretary, too) gone into isolation, plus Prince Chas, who knows what the situation MIGHT be in a couple of months? If Her Maj herself has acquired it, at her age it could well finish her off - so we might be heading for not only a new Prime Minister but also (dare I say it?) King William the Fifth!

      Btw: I suppose a certain POTUS is determined NOT to get it himself? Good luck with that. (Heh heh!)

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  9. In America no one claps, or sings or plays, at least in my town.
    Hopefully this won't be too long term. So glad you're doing well, and the cats, too.
    Tke care, stay safe.

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    1. W're all looking for the end - but it's an awfully long piece of string, disappearing into the mists. But of course I second your sentiments.
      Keep good care of yourself and yours too.

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  10. Stay well and stay in touch. It is good to be able to look in and see from time to time.

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    1. You yourself are EVER welcome to drop in here, Carol. You keep your own self and those precious to you safe and well. I'll post if anything of significance happens at this end. 'Speak'to you later.

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  11. I'm glad to hear that you're safe and well and staying cheerful. I'm headed out in a few minutes to buy fresh eggs and local honey from a coworker of mine--the stores were out of eggs-and I'm grateful to have a source for both!

    We WILL get through this. I'm so grateful for my blog friends. It's been a real comfort to have you all out there. ❤

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    1. The feeling is entirely reciprocated J. Never before has my appreciation of my blog-pals been as pronounced as it is now. When we get back to 'normal', even if that may be months away, I'll not forget it - and the likes of you. Thanks.

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  12. Glad to hear the shopping went well, take care

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