New paintings and regular art updates.
I had my hair cut on Monday so I added a fringe to my self portrait then I tidied up the chin. Finally I finished the painting on the right side of the portrait. My hair is still long as I grew it out during covid. Now I just have it trimmed occasionally. It’s slightly different to my usual style. The acrylics I used were not as opaque as I normally use so I think it looks more like a watercolour.
When Covid happened I got used to living in my bubble with my hubby and my cats. I never really came out of that isolation. We were both travelling less and as we both started to suffer with various ailments we often didn’t feel like visiting people or travelling far. I saw friends, but not very often.
Then when I lost my hubby last December, and I had various health issues I virtually stopped going anywhere except to the shops, appointments or the choirs I am in. My one day away this year was a coach trip with a group I am in to the Welsh coast to visit a relative. I was there for 5 or 6 hours then caught the coach home. I’ve found I cannot drive there on my own. I was too used to having my hubby with me as a passenger and I didn’t realise how much I relied on him as a support (and I was supporting him). Nerves and anxiety and illness seem to stop me.
Now I don’t like to bother people, so I try not to ask for help. I stay inside as much as I can, curtains closed, door locked, just occasionally going to the shops when I have run out of most things. I find big supermarkets overwhelming and go round them in the evenings when they are quiet. I know I need to break out, I’m to comfortable with the isolation, but I’m sure it’s not good for me. Plus I miss appointments because of anxiety. I need to pull myself together.. But my curtains remain closed!
My friend came round and gave my hair a trim today (another friend has also offered).
I was sitting in my dressing gown keeping warm, when a friend rang up. Do you want a haircut? I thought about it. Yes why not. She arrived twenty minutes later with scissors and comb. Ten minutes later and I felt lighter and neater. No fuss with washing and drying, no conditioner. I’d washed my hair already. I tried cutting my fringe (why do Americans call a fringe bangs?) but I couldn’t really see it properly so she finished it off.
Midway through the cut another friend rang, so I rang her back and chatted about this and that. All the company tired me out, but I’m glad they got in touch. Now I’m surrounded by hungry cats. A reason to go shopping in a bit. Life, you can’t always hide.
I feel rough so I did another covid test. It’s positive again. I managed to avoid it for all the years it’s been around. I think I’ve just been unlucky and seen too many people recently. I really feel bad incase I’ve passed it on to others. According to the government you don’t have to self isolate any more, but why would I not protect my friends and family?
Sore throat, dizzy, runny nose, aches, hot and cold shivers. I hate it, I don’t need it. I want to be better. I’ve got things I need to do but I have to be patient. It’s very frustrating, and the longer things get left the less I want to do them.
Someone told me if it’s just one line even if it’s the C line it’s negative? Googled it and apparently you have to have both lines to be positive. I will test again in the morning but might be good news. X
Covid! I have avoided it for years. Now I’m hot and bothered sore tbroat, sniffles, bad head cold symptoms, dizzy, tired. But I didn’t realise till a friend said she had it. So I hunted down an old test kit. Lol and behold…. I’m gutted and worried. Wish me luck.
Spending time worrying about whether I have covid means I have not really thought about all the other bugs out there. They can be transmitted differently, for instance by touching surfaces. I think covid is spread more by breathing in droplets.
Anyway, bam! I have got a bad cold or virus, and as many of these haven’t been around as much because people were not interacting or being in close contact with one another. We are all more susceptible to the risks of other diseases now. You might have immunity to one illness, but if you are not in contact with it frequently then it can be worse when you get it again. What fun! Sniffles…..
Feeling a bit happier this morning. I couldn’t sleep because when I lay down I started to cough. If I sit up I can breathe. I think I have a touch of bronchitis. Thankfully there is no sign of a positive result on my lateral flow test. I spoke to my pharmacy and they said they have test kits in but they will cost £2 each. That’s a bit much to pay but I guess I need some as I’m running out. Oh for the days when I could get them for free. Anyway symptoms are the cough, aches and a very sore throat which I have sugar free lozenges but I need paracetamol to get on top of it. Bleugh! I feel rotten…
I went into a shop tonight, but I’d forgotten to take a mask with me. I felt naked as I walked around. Every cough or sneeze made me jump! The trouble is for the last few nights I’ve been at rehersals and I’ve trusted everyone is covid free. Now I’ve started with a bit of a cough and a sore throat. I will do a covid test in the morning and check. I have to say I’m quite worried. I hope it’s just a sniffle. I’ve had all my jabs, so I hope if it is I will be OK.
My friend just told me she has covid and a few other friends have had it recently. Then someone else posted this graph on Facebook. There is a definite uptick on the right of the graph. It’s not clear how it will progress and given the lack of publication of the stats on TV anymore its not surprising that people are possibly getting a little complacent about it. Yes most people are vaccinated, but it doesn’t mean you will be totally immune. I just hope that people can get over it quickly. I for one keep buying and wearing masks.
Thursdays #bandofsketchers prompt was independent business. I had to think about it and since I’m trying to run an independent business I drew this. But with covid and the current cost of living crisis it is difficult to get anywhere. One thing I do is paint tiny canvases so that if people don’t have much space or can’t afford a big painting then they can chose a little picture.
Mallaband-Brown