Lockdown Lookback

[smokingboot]

Many friends unhappy; nothing original in saying that 2020's been hard on a lot of people in differing ways.
Social media's a double edged sword, DW's fine, but FB's a constant aggro amplifier. Unlike some mates, I still enjoy it, but there are points of necessary retreat.

I had one very difficult time, and that was Aunty's death; that wasn't Covid, but the inability to go across, look after Mum, pay respects, was all down to the pandemic. Beyond that, the main damage has been to my waistline; too much eating, not enough exercise. What else?

Much more time in the garden (thank god we didn't buy a flat in the middle of Edinburgh!) more time to study and edit. My studies have fallen by the wayside a bit, and perhaps that's the real symptom of malaise, not having the energy to concentrate for long. But I've read more, discovered more art, watched more movies, poked around in histories and mysteries more.

I have always been sensitive to noise when working, and that's escalated. I hear more or there's more to hear, and it shatters concentration.

I like people but solitude is also OK for me, especially when R's in the house and mates can be reached on screen - so not real solitude at all, is it Boot? - Fact is, you're never alone with 4 cats anyway, and silence is a myth.

I'm strangely all right. If you're not, whoever you are passing this way, here's my wish that you find better times and good cheer today X

Edited to add: 2020 so far https://www.facebook.com/katecowanart/photos/a.194909564496270/66214839443904

Comments

[caddyman]

My reading has picked up in recent weeks, too. I was always a voracious reader, but in recent years it's slowed down. Unlike Furtle, I can't read on the commute. I shut my eyes and go inside for a bit of me time. When I get home, I don't have the energy to the same degree I once did.

But although it took me a while to change my habits, lockdown has dispensed with the commute. I have three hours a day back and am getting (pace periods of insomnia) more sleep.

And I am reading more. In the past couple or three months I've polished off more books than I did in the previous couple of years.

And somehow, I've managed to lose about 11 pounds and take my belt in a notch. Though we're having fish and chips tonight, which might torpedo that...

[smokingboot]

Lost 11 pounds? How did you do that? Between wine and cheese and er, more wine and cheese, I may have well have put that on!

[caddyman]

Less booze than usual, I suspect. And no office snacking.

But we're having fish'n'chips tonight as part of the remedial work...

[mallorys_camera]

Well, it is summer. The warm months when Nature provides us with all we really need by way of distraction.

Assuming that covid really is a thing and not a ploy by centrist governments to seize more control (I'm mostly facetious on that one 😀), winter is when things are really gonna get tough.

[smokingboot]

Doesn't bear thinking about. Credit where credit's due, BJ's circus could make Winter tough whether Covid's a real thing or not.