Nine Feet Underground

Our cleaner wanted to switch days this week, so today is the day for my early start. I'm not that bothered as I have two other reasons to get up early:  I have to complete a covid swab test before 8 a.m. for a research project / survey I was invited to take part in - it's due to be picked up by courier any time after 8; I need a phone consultation with my GP and I've been told to start calling - it could be a long wait - from 7:55 a.m. onwards, with a drink to hand (I think the receptionist meant tea or coffee, rather than something stronger!) When the first carer arrives at about 7:15 (cleaner got here at about ten to seven, FFS!) I have risen and shone, suitably buffed and polished ready to take on all comers. Covid swab is done and in the fridge, as per instructions, and I'm hanging on the telephone (this is where Debbie Harry steps in).  No Debbie Harry as it turns out but, even more unexpectedly, I get through to a receptionist at bang on eight and have a phone app...

Standard start to Saturday with son #1 accompanying me shopping - he was up in plenty of time primarily because he didn't actually go to bed until after shopping and breakfast. After cutting my hair it's time for the usual boring chores, whilst finding time to keep in touch with friends.   After lunch I had a call from my mother-in-law, which is becoming a regular feature of Saturday, not least because I appear to be the only person she speaks to most weeks.  After more than an hour the conversation comes to a natural end and I go and ask son #2 if he's up for a walk a bit later, and he is so we agree to go at around 4:30 p.m. (he does have get dressed, after all) In the meantime I discover that the Royal Mail has finally delivered the letter I sent on Wednesday, which I am relieved about. Time for a walk - it's very mild so for the first time in a while I just go out in a light jacket.  We manage to walk for a little over half and hour, which is a good sta...

Christmas is over - sort of! I don't go back to work until next year, so I'm still on leave for a while yet.  Christmas food is still not over yet, either. Despite cutting down on what we buy, there's still food left that is notionally Christmas food, though of course food is just food, at least from a utilitarian perspective. Today will be the last day of turkey - I have found a casserole recipe which cooks in one pot - I reckon it sounds like a tasty way to finish the turkey. The turkey fed four of us for three meals, which is pretty good for something only meant to feed nine people (we were expecting at least one guest).  Not only that buy by my calculation we have enough food to last until our next shopping delivery which could mean that I'll not have to go to the shops until Saturday. Right now that feels like the safest option. Today will mostly be spent catching up on the chores I'd normally do on a Saturday, though with the intention to read The Observer and...

[Wednesday 12th December 2018] "I've lived that kind of day..." [Quote is from chapter 14 (aka 'Oxen of the Sun') of 'Ulysses' by James Joyce]