This makes 2 months since the start of isolation. Time for a stock take.
Toilet paper – I started with enough for 100 days, and managed to get a top up, so I now have more than enough for another 100 days. But somebody posted about mice today – reminds me I really should put my toilet rolls in a mouse proof box. Just image the panic as you realise you just have paper dust when you reach for a replacement.
Hand sanitizer – well I have only had one trip out to the chemist, so I have hardly used any. I still have over 2 litres left. That should be enough.
I am ready for the next month of isolation.
I normally work at home, I have no reason to leave the house. And I guess the mantra “If you can work from home then you should” will be one of the last ones to be dropped. I can live with that. I have to admit the lockdown has been good for me – I have had time to think, to do things around the house that I never get round to.
I have timber arriving next week to put a raised decking in place. Sadly the planters that were supposed to come at the same time were out of stock. Tomorrow I’ll build a growing frame for my tomato plants out of the remains of my shed. I have ten trees that have been growing in pots that desperately need planting out.
My garden is looking good – both Rhododendrons that I planted two years ago are starting to flower. The ivy from next door is gone (it was destroying the fence). The weeds are under attack frequently.
My carbon footprint has shrunk enormously (that was one of my targets for this year – and it looks like I will beat it by a long way). My car is washed more than driven.
I think I have been in touch with more people regularly than ever.
So on the down side – I think seeing people in the flesh (well, in the flesh but wearing clothes, you know what I mean). I have had to postpone Garth in concert, the eco-day and the chocolate and wine tasting. Greenbelt has been cancelled. So I think the biggest minus is the events that I am not going to.
And then there are the things I notice more. the birds are getting friendlier. I’ve realised that my neighbour is trying to steal my toilet roll and hand sanitiser. The milkman is playing mental games with us. The government are sending spy wasps to keep an eye on me.
Anyway – early bed tonight – I have a quiz night to run for a Christian Aid evening tomorrow. An event – one of the things I have been missing. I guess the thing I am taking away from the stock take is that going back to normal would be a step backward in a lot of ways, and staying with this new normal I can have a better life with just a little effort.