NOT dealing with captivity

Also, those who say how easy prisoners have it might want to reconsider their views. Freedom is sonething that is very easy to take for granted when you have it.

 

The other day I was sat in my garden, first time in it for 3 weeks. It was Saturday afternoon, sunny and hot.

Laid back on the sunlounger I looked at the blue sky with just a few fluffs of cloud gently drifting across. I suddenly realised there wasn't a single contrail in the sky.
I live on a busy road-and there was absolutely no traffic noise. I became aware of the silence, except for birds twittering, and as I listened I became aware of just how many there were going about their business and chattering to each other.
My very tiny garden backs onto a huge field in which about 10 horses are kept, I usually don't give them a second glance. That day I watched them for an hour and discovered who was the bully, which one had a cough, which two always stayed together, which one had an itch which made him roll over on his back and squirm. I could see the vivid colours of my whole viewpoint, I could hear the slightest animal and bird sound from far away-and I could actually smell the flowers and grass in the field.
The whole world slowed to a crawl-and it reminded me vividly of growing up in Grimethorpe in the 60's. Simple life though poor as church mice, playing out in the fields, climbing trees, grazing knees and returning home at dusk dirty and tired for a tin bath wesh
An hours bliss before returning back to isolation and the sensory overload madness of the modern world.

 

I must be one of the few people that's enjoying having a break from work and not being ruled by the clock.
I've worked non stop as a self employed joiner for the last 30 odd years, so a month or so off to potter around the house and garden doing jobs at my leisure is a welcome break.
Things will get back to normal soon enough but with the very real threat of recession having an impact on our lives.

 

One thing that has struck me is how much superfluous tripe pollutes our modern lifestyles. The tv adverts are still telling me how important it is to have a flash car, hair/nails/skin to die for, the latest tech, this season's fashions, an unmissable tv package, a shave closer than any other, and a host of other stuff. It all feels vaguely nauseating at the moment and completely divorced from reality. The only thing I'm interested in is getting to see my family again.

In the meantime, it's a combination of odd jobs, reading, sudoku, PS3, occasional food shopping, and our daily evening walk. Oh, and the BBS, of course.

 

a bit O/T - throughout the winter months have fed the birds in the garden - number of bird feeders
- do birds need feeding in the spring/summer?

 

I agree, Dave. As I've said before, Laura & I are in the at risk category (Laura is high risk), so we're sticking rigidly to the restrictions. Laura is continuing her studies for her MSC. I'm reading, pottering around in our small garden, feeding the birds, enjoying the blossom on our small cherry & pear trees. The blossom in turn is attracting various bees and hover flies. Also, we're watching a variety of sites showing animals in zoos, wildlife parks and various areas of countryside on the internet.
We're regularly having video chats with our son, daughter-in-law & grandchildren in Chester.
I appreciate how lucky I am to have the family I do and realise there are folk who are in a much worse situation. The NHS having been especially wonderful to us over the years (saving Laura's life on a number of occasions, as well as performing her kidney transplant), therefore I am proud to offer them my praise and applaud on a Thursday evening (it's the only occasion I see some of my neighbours now!). If that opens me up to ridicule and mockery on here from others, then I'm big enough to take their sneering condescension and jibes. If I had it within my power to increase the pay of the NHS workers and their numbers I would, but I can't.
One day this'll be over and we can go out and visit our family again. Until that time, I'll try to look for the many positives I DO have and concentrate on them.

 

Not as crucial as winter but still beneficial. This link might help

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-w...irds/feeding-birds/when-to-feed-garden-birds/

 

Stay away from the one with a cough.

 

thanks - at the moment a couple of magpies building their nest in the tree at the bottom of the garden - brilliant to watch!
(guess I'll defer mowing grass for a while in case I scare them away.)

 

I live on my sailboat because my therapist suggested slowing my life down might help with my mental issues..... PTSD and being widowed twice before I was 45..... normally my slow pace of life works for me and gives me the peace that I need but I am locked in an empty marina alone on my boat and having to get permission to go to the shop..... I really need an end date to this before I lose what is left of my mind..... I am in a cage with beautiful golden bars but it is still a cage.....

 

Hang in there, this will eventually pass mate.

 

Widowed twice before 45. That's unimaginably harsh, I'm so sorry to read that.

 

Anyone keeping a diary?

 

John Hegley is:

A Weekend Diary - John Hegley

FRIDAY
Hot.
Stretched out on hilltop all afternoon
wondering am I in wrong job?
Bloody Judas.

SATURDAY
Stayed in.

SUNDAY
Woke up feeling brilliant.
Visited friends - surprised to see me.

 

Sincerest sympathies mate. Hang in there.

 

Where do you live ?

 

Hour???. What's that all about. As far as I know there isn't a time limit to the exercise.

 

Stay safe, Nudge.