Monday Roundup

Good morning everyone,

Here comes another week hurtling towards us, at what is a really uncertain time for us all in terms of covid19.

Firstly welcome to our group anyone who has joined us over the past week. Please enjoy being here and be assured we welcome your posts whatever they may be, but especially on the theme of caring.

Important though that is, it's really difficult to focus on at the moment. Of course it still goes on, every day, often behind closed doors and with high levels of anxiety and hard work which the world tends not to notice. And for others with loved ones in care home situations, an extra worry, again because of the pandemic.

Hopefully many lessons were learned and acted on in the first wave and there will be less tragic loss if cases continue to rise generally as autumn goes on. I can't imagine how it is to have such limited contact with those who need to live in care homes. This virus has had some really cruel side effects quite apart from its actual viciousness.

I know there will be extra dread of the darker, longer nights ahead which can be lonely and very isolating. I guess now's the time to think about how we can all alleviate that, whether it's through trying to find a group you can engage with online or from a physical distance, or by finding something you can be absorbed in by way of a hobby, when you manage some free time.

I remember all those lovely garden pictures that were posted in spring and summer and I wonder how all your gardens are doing as the leaves fall and some plants start to die back. I do think that gardening in autumn is a special pleasure though, with a sharpness in the air on clear but cold days. Strangely it's at this time of year that I really miss having one of my own, more than in summer when everything is absolutely blooming.

However your week works out, I hope that you'll find some periods of pleasure, and of course, if you feel like posting about it, please do. We'd love to hear from you.

Stay well and safe! 🌸🙏

Photo: Rula Sibai Unsplash

[sassy59]

What a beautiful picture Callendersgal. I do love the colours of autumn. It’s a lovely day today and really lifts the spirits. Good to see the sunshine.

I’m pleased we have a garden even though it’s small. Many happy memories of the grandkids splashing in the pool but not this year. Hoping we can do that again next summer.

Hoping everyone is keeping as well as they can and getting through each day. Sending love and hugs to all. Have a good week. Xxx💕😘💕

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Hi sassy59, It is a lovely day isn't it? If there's not much else to be happy about, a beautiful day definitely is spirit-lifting. I remember your pics of your garden and what a happy place it is and really inviting for children to play in. Let's cherish the thought that maybe next summer it will once again be filled with the laughter of children enjoying themselves. Returning love and hugs to you and hoping your week will be trouble-free. xxx 🍁🍂🍃🥮👍😊

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Callendersgal. Take care xxx🍂🍁🍎🍏

[Hidden]

Cardiff went into local lockdown last night and I wasn't surprised as I had an idea that the blow was soon when other areas did so I feel I made the right decision in cancelling those autumn events which had caused the anger and resentment to flare a couple of weeks ago.

I think its better to concentrate with what's available at present than worry about things that arent and I also feel that not having a job yet due to how things have panned out is a blessing in disguise as I feel that it would have stung a lot worse getting something and then having it withdrawn rather than what has happened with having to wait around!

With the autumn cancelled events some can be rescheduled for a better time and better times will come round again and again its a case of having to wait and I find I enjoy things a lot more due to having to have waited for them.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi catgirl1976, Yes, I agree that it was better to cancel your plans than to face major disappointment at the last moment. I'm very much a minute by minute person, as things can change as quickly as the wind, particularly at the moment. But I do think that some hope is still an important part of keeping spirits raised so long as we manage our expectations, as you have done. It's a really valid point that the more we have to wait for things, the more we savour them when the opportunity arises again. 👍😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Last Friday at the pyjama night on zoom this had come up about is it a psychological thing that you enjoy things more because you have had to have waited for them or is it a real phenomena?

My friends agree with me that they also appreciate and enjoy things more after they have had to have waited for them and how waiting is hard because its a reminder that there's very little in life that we do control and that with waiting its the uncertainty that upsets people and not knowing how long a wait will be.

I'm thankful though for having taken opportunities when they were available before the pandemic hit as even before that and having blood clots in my lungs back in 2017 my take on life is that I would rather be disappointed and regret things I have done rather than things I haven't!

Even before 2017 my attitude was to do things whilst you are able as you don't know when you won't be able to do them and how right I was as no one knows what lies in store for them round the corner.

Lesson is nothing in life is guaranteed to anyone!

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Utterly heart smashing, pure joy producing photo, Callendersgal!

Just wanting to take the opportunity to share how much I appreciate what you and other site moderators do to make these forums available as a safe and encouraging place to share.

For many years, I dreaded autumn as a harbinger for winter. Being very cold natured, I wear socks from late Oct.-early June and keep the thermostat much higher in the winter than most. smiles

So it came as a surprise to discover a few years ago that autumn was becoming one of my favorite seasons. The colors, the work required in preparing the summer gardens for hibernation, the zest to the spirits the cooler days bring began to make this season truly dear and to be looked forward to.

A short time ago, I started thinking of the coming winter and what new interests, hobbies or pursuits I might explore as I continue to self-quarantine. May re-teach myself to knit again; found a fun online free jigsaw puzzle site and a couple of cyber paint-by-number sites to explore.

Before Covid-19 and with diagnoses of chronic health issues, I became interested in and began to focus on diet approved meal planning recipes in a way never before considered. "Diet" had never needed to be a part of my vocabulary but now I enjoy trying out one new recipe each week.

With U.S. elections looming and the bombardment of too much unsettling news on all fronts, I've also begun quarantining from tv and computer media news. It is a hard habit to break but my improved spirits thank me. lol

Also having connections here to groups of like minded others has made cyber shares something to look forward to. Thanks again for making this possible.

[Hidden]

Thanks for your really engaging reply FlowerPreciousLover. It is odd how the loveliness of autumn can take time to creep up on your emotions and find its place in your heart.

There's actually loads of stuff to get stuck into that's interesting at this time of year, once you gather your thoughts and make a determined effort to find them.

My weakness is finding too much and getting overwhelmed with it all. Like you I'm severely rationing my consumption of any form of news. It's nearly time to make my Christmas cards for this year, a fun but messy hobby in a one bed apartment, but looking on the bright side, with social distancing in operation not many visitors, so only hubby and I will know if I decide to leave bits of card all over the floor and all the crafting accoutrements all over the kitchen surfaces.

Good luck with all that you decide to undertake and I hope you'll let us know, by and by, what you've been up to! 😊🙏🥶

[FlowerPreciousLover in reply to Hidden]

Beautifully stated and so true, Callendersgal: " It is odd how the loveliness of autumn can take time to creep up on your emotions and find its place in your heart. " Yes!

I so admire your making X-mas cards for others. Anything handmade is so highly valued! A friend makes her own to send as well and each of hers is a "keeper".

Yes, my interests can often lead to "starts" all over the house. However, with just Precious kitty to complain and not being "open" for indoor visitors, we are both adapting very well indeed to my numerous scattered projects. lol

[Hidden in reply to FlowerPreciousLover]

Thank you FlowrPreciousLover, and I'm so happy to hear that I have a partner in crime when it comes to all those projects occupying space around the home! 👍😃

[Sara_2611]

That is a gorgeous picture -WOW Ive got my BP test & also flu jab on Wednesday so not looking forward to it

What I am looking forward to as always - is my Tuesday & Friday Morning rides out

[Daisy55]

What a lovely picture , I love Autumn . My garden is changing colour now and saying time to prepare to cosy down , rest and restore , ready for Springtime . I just have one job to do , then the garden is in bed .

We have a lovely lake where I live , but haven’t been able to go as we are at home still with OH’s conditions . Hopefully in Spring if all is improved and he is well enough , we may get there.

One question , if I am unwell , how do you put a plan in place for his care , it is something I haven’t done yet , and the virus has made me make a plan .

Have a good week x

[Hidden in reply to Daisy55]

Hi Daisy55,

I'm glad you are enjoying the autumn season in your garden. I think we'll soon be seeing more leaves turning colour and our last 'hurrah' before the whole natural cycle begins again.

Yes, I think you should get a care package into place for your husband just in case something happens that would make you unable to care for him and become an emergency situation.

You can ask yourself for a social services assessment and you do this by contacting them through your local council. In most areas social services should still be in operation, but you will probably have to wait a little longer than is usual for the assessment and there may be emergency procedures in place to keep everyone safe. If you have any difficulty in doing this, then a GP surgery will probably be able to bring pressure to bear on getting the whole process started.

Take care and I hope both of you continue to stay safe! 👍😊