Me on a Monday ... (07.02.22)

This dark and damp Monday morning finds me, very early, saving and keywording (New Year's Resoution) photos from the week, and enjoying again the memories ...

• This wonderful ship-in-a-bottle at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich always makes me smile ...
• A glimpse through a hawthorn hedge on a hillside walk, revealing a circle of sheeps' wool ...

• our two-and-a-half year old grand-daughter giving the wooden hippo in the park a Covid Test in his nose ("I know it's not very comfy, Hippo, but it won't be long"). And then inserting the found twig into the circle I made with my finger and thumb so she could check the result ("You've not got Covid, Hippo!"). Actually, poor Hippo had seven consecutive tests while she worked her way through the trauma of having had a tearful lateral flow test herself the day before to make sure our visit would be safe :(.
• and a quirky bird-shaped bell hanging outside a stone cottage in the fleeting watery sunshine. We're only five days in and already we've had more rainfall in February than the entire month of January ...

And the week ahead? My utilitarian word for the year (Clear) will have a hand in shaping it. Having finally put together a comprehensive what-to-do-if-we're-incapacitated-or-die-and-here's-how-to-access-everything document for our children, it's time to clear redundant paperwork and files. There'll be some very wet walks, some indoor seed-planting (given that the garden and the greenhouse are sodden underfoot), and the daily game of Wordle to enjoy. I never knew my family was so competitive! And I'm most impressed that our grandchildren (11 and 13) are joining in, when English isn't their first language. Then there's this year's photobook to catch up on. Hmm ... I wonder if I ought to factor in some hot chocolate, a rug, and a little dose of Inspector Gamache? Hoping you are all staying well and enjoying some fulfilling moments as the seasons turn, wherever you are! With warm good wishes, Alexa.

 

Comments

[Mary-Lou]

Definitely more Chief Inspector Gamache & I'll join you with my mug of tea & a cosy rug over my knees so the cats can curl up with us.

I like your photos but particularly that branch with sheep's wool caught on it - good find.

Our your poor 2 1/2 yr Granddaughter - but isn't it something children of that age will come to see as a normal part of life - she's known only pandemic life of sorts. Glad to hear Mr Hippo tested negative. That's a valuable document for your children - I am sure difficult to create.

[Ruth]

You should always factor in hot chocolate!

I thought of you over the weekend because I saw Karen M ... can you believe it is almost 6 years since I joined you at the Agricultural College?

[Deb]

What a funny story about Hippo having his LFT! It's strange how their age group are going to take it for granted that these things have to be done before you can arrange to go somewhere. I caught Rosie with a finger up her nostril and she assured me she was just 'doing a covid test' and did I want her to do it to me? Thank you but no!

[Karen B Walker]

It's really quite lovely that your granddaughter had a "fun" way of working through her experience with Covid testing. I often wonder what kinds of reflections my grandchildren will have when they look back on these pandemic years of their childhood. It will certainly be different than mine or my children's. I always love your photography and the "Curiosities of the Week" would make for a fun photography project!

[Susanne]

Love the eclectic photo selection. And how nice to turn a yucky necessary thing into a game for the little one. Knocking soundly on wood here that I have not had occasion to need a test as yet. Hoping 3 shots in the arm keeps it that way.

Having worked on my sis-in-law's estate in 2021, means I am hoping to do a little of that forward planning this year as well. With more and more online, the amount of actual paper in the office has thankfully steadily been shrinking the last several years, but there is still progress to be had.

Hubby and I just started Wordle this week - and he is ultra-competitive about it - which was no surprise to me. So far his streak is unbroken, mine not.

[Leslie Susan Clingan]

Thank you for stopping by to visit. I am always glad to hear from you. And to catch up with you here.

My heart hurts with the worries this danged virus has inflicted on our babies. I have been subbing in my granddaughter's kinder classroom and we spend so much time wiping the desktops with sanitizing wipes and washing their little hands. My grands asked for a doctor's kit so they could tend to their sick 'babies'. I am afraid that is just the beginning of some of the issues we may see in these little ones as they get older because of the isolation and restrictions brought on by Covid.

Please tell us more about how you created the document to tell the children what to do and where everything is once you are gone. I have a book called I'm Dead Now What which is supposed to help us create instructions for our kids. But my husband shudders every time I get it out. This has to be the year we tackle that, though.