New days, new ways

I think it is important to remind ourselves that this will not last for ever.

Sooner or later a vaccine will be available and for all anyone knows the virus may just disappear or lie dormant, or whatever it was the Spanish flu did. It raged in 1918 and 1919, then just stopped.

I do the things I have been doing since retirement, walks, bike rides, housework, as little gardening (detestable task) as I can get away with, read, write letters, cook.

inishowen

I've been knitting a lot since March. I now have a huge box of baby cardigans, hats etc., My dilemma now is what to do with it. I want to give it to needy families but how do I find them?

For those people who would like to knit and crochet for good causes please look up Loving Hands a website with lots of information on organisations that would love donations. Also Knit for Peace are happy to receive donations. Check their website for what is currently needed.

I am getting myself informed about this whole situation and the why's and wherefores. I am becoming ever more sceptical about the lockdowns and believe that ultimately they will have to stop - hopefully before everything is destroyed and particularly our children's future.

lockdownsceptics.org/truth-in-the-timeline-of-covid/fbclid=IwAR3u1vwY2T1G5I9XRxP7hwRmLzvI2PKKCnp-wlXuSYsHd5QGzBEv1Apy670

It's lengthy but illuminating, particularly for those who are waiting for a vaccine before they go out again.

sandelf

Whitewavemark2 - What you describe sounds like my normal life. My only concern is there will be more people about on the 'quiet walks' - but that will be lovely. We have a lot to gain from all this really.

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Whitewavemark2 - What you describe sounds like my normal life. My only concern is there will be more people about on the 'quiet walks' - but that will be lovely. We have a lot to gain from all this really.

Ll, I believe 30 people may still attend a funeral. Full spacing, of course. How a family limits it to 30, I don't know. Personal invitation? Pretty awful........

You are nearly all very positive, well done the Granny generation. I'm feeling sad this morning after we saw our DS and DiL yesterday for a walk and a rather damp lunch in the garden. Now I wonder when we shall see them again, let alone DD & family at the other end of the UK.
So I'm trying to stay positive and busy, thinking of my mother's generation who were young in WW2 and endured so much worry, hardship and loss. Tears in my eyes for them as well as for us now.

Cuckoo22

I live alone. Don’t have family. Friends are in bubbles with their families. I’ve no pets. I tried to adopt a dog, but all the rescue centres are telling me I can’t. This new lockdown terrifies me. If there was a definite end it wouldn’t be so bad, but listening to Michael Gove it sounds like there’s every change they are already planning to extend it.
Might as well give up now. No life.

If you can’t adopt a dog you could offer to dog sit or walk a dog.

How about offering your help with a food bank or something similar.

Honestly it is tough we know that, but try to keep your eyes on the horizon, and understand that everything passes.

I live alone, well I have my dog and she's a godsend. Like others I miss the theatre, girls lunches, etc. It was the time I got to have some company, fun. I can chat on the phone, facetime, but it's not the same as actually seeing someone. I have to content myself that fun will hopefully return again, soon I hope. I'm lucky to live somewhere that has lovely dog walks, beside Belfast Lough or in the countryside. I read, love a good film and sometimes bake. As long as I keep occupied I don't have time to think. We are out of our circuit breaker in 2 weeks, I'll not be going out shopping, etc, just to get out of the house, essential shopping and dog walks will suit me just fine.

Please, cuckoo22, don't give up on life. I know it is difficult to imagine that things will ever get back to normal, at least normal as it was before but I am sure better days are ahead.

I have had dogs in the past but sadly do not have one now as taking it for long walks would not be possible, but have you thought about a cat? I am definitely a cat person - I would have six if I could - but they are so easy to look after. Mine is sitting on the chair next to me, purring loudly - probably because she has just had her saucer of milk, full-fat of course none of that skimmed stuff - and is a gentle, very affectionate little companion. One word of caution, do not even consider having a cat if you do not have a garden or access to an outside space. A house-cat is the ultimate cruelty.

I've started to write a memoir for the family. I wanted to have something positive to show for these months and realised that when I go, all these memories go with me. When I was researching family history, I would have loved a diary or journal from a grandparent. What we take for granted now will be of interest a hundred years hence.

Is that right that we can’t stay overnight anywhere in England? I haven't heard that. My husband’s aunt has died in Dorset, a long way from us in north Lancashire. She was just about his only relative and he’s been asked to say a eulogy at the funeral next week. We’ve booked a hotel for two nights. So, can we go and stay? It’s too far to drive back the same day and obviously we hoped to have a little break from the relentless rain up here after travelling to far. You can go to funerals, can’t you?

Joint projects are good. I have been doing something online with my sister every day since April. In Spring we educated ourselves by identifying flowers on our walks using Plantsnap and shared one each day. I ended up putting them into a photobook. In August it was a sharing of favourite artworks: artuk.org/discover/curations/sisters-in-lockdown. September saw us carry on with that but tongue in cheek , matching art to news items: artuk.org/discover/curations/remember-september
October was to share something about our day and I found out loads about the history of the town I live in by having to share stuff.
WEA courses are also good to join in with others safely.

Some really good suggestions here and it is not difficult to keep your self busy but I feel sorry for people perhaps living on their own in a small flat with not even a balcony. Those of us who have a house and a garden are lucky.

The people I really feel sorry for are the youngsters who are probably never going to experience what we had. I was 28 when I got married, and before that had never sat at home every evening, quite the opposite in fact!

I live alone. Don’t have family. Friends are in bubbles with their families. I’ve no pets. I tried to adopt a dog, but all the rescue centres are telling me I can’t. This new lockdown terrifies me. If there was a definite end it wouldn’t be so bad, but listening to Michael Gove it sounds like there’s every change they are already planning to extend it.
Might as well give up now. No life.

what a lovely thread xx weve been watching christmas films n channel 5 on rainy afternoons, luckily for me havent watched them before, too busy being at work

Picnics are a great idea, still with the good oldfashioned flask, going to fill with mulled wine and fruit if we are still in lockdown at christmas xxx

It’s nice to see positivity.
We are in week 2 of our lockdown and as Nanny says ask yourself what you should do rather than what you can do as regards controlling the virus.
I’m taking each day as it comes. Some days are lazy and done are busy. The dog gets walked. We have enough food. It’s a kind of contentment for as long as it takes.

inishowen

I've been knitting a lot since March. I now have a huge box of baby cardigans, hats etc., My dilemma now is what to do with it. I want to give it to needy families but how do I find them?

Maybe ask your local food bank?

Living on my own & again being unable to see Family & Friends is something I am not looking forward to! Just thankful that I have my little cat. She was my life over the last Lockdown & will be again! I do have my grumpy old man tortoise but he is not a great conversationist or cuddler! Would read but have a cataract that needed doing months ago hampering my sight!
Having said all that there are many who do not have as much as I do. I really hope that they can get through Lockdown!

I'm presuming many of us on here have friends and loved ones we can still talk to by phone or social media, sadly however there are a number of our age group that are not so lucky. If you are struggling to find something to fill empty hours consider seeking out an organisation that offers a befriending service and volunteer to be a telephone or letter befriended. Someone might be very glad to have a chat with you and you might just be the only person they have spoken to in days. Conversation shouldn't be that hard as you'd be of the same or nearly generation and so there should be plenty of common topics to discuss. Alternatively if you have Zoom you could start up a discussion circle. Each member takes it in turn to research a given topic then gives a short presentation about it. Afterwards circle members discuss the topic. Back in the 70's I belonged to something called The National Housewives Register. These were basically discussion groups set up to give housewives a chance to meet up and have adult conversation about anything that wasn't related to home and children. We met once a fortnight I think and venue was on a rota of members houses. Really enjoyed this and no reason why a zoom version can't be done. Certainly would pass the time and broaden your horizons.

This is certainly a time to be a WI member as they have masses of cheap online sessions on from history to craft, from cooking to genealogy, mornings, afternoons and evenings.

dragonfly I hope the treatment goes well. Take care. ?

I've been knitting a lot since March. I now have a huge box of baby cardigans, hats etc., My dilemma now is what to do with it. I want to give it to needy families but how do I find them?

I shall be having Radiotherapy every day for the next 3 weeks so that will take up some time and I am told after that I will probably want to sleep for a week! Maybe when I come too it will all be over.

I was lucky in the last lockdown when hairdressers were closed as I didn't have any hair

When I moved here the only activities I found were tennis swimming and a church group. No eating out or theatre as I live alone .Tennis is still going but will stop soon when it gets colder. I try to walk 3 times a week and did meet a friend for coffee but that has stopped as we are in a lockdown here,no hospitality or pubs.
I find the day goes in so quickly now. By the time I have got the papers and had my coffee I watch Phil and Holly and after lunch do a short meditation which sends me to sleep!
I spend a lot of time here or on local sites and have several puzzles and novels waiting. I usually cook a batch of something to freeze for dinners and for company I have my new cat who worries me quite a bit as he disappears for hours and only comes back when he feels like it.