3am again

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There’s a bright star,

high in the sky.

It’s 3am again,

and I’m driven to wake,

to write

Like an owl I stay awake,

listening to cars,

passing.

So few in these days,

often in the past,

there would be footsteps,

or shouting.

Now there is silence,

deep in this city,

only the odd murmur of traffic.

The click and whir of central heating,

the maniacal hum of the fridge,

the oil heater thermostat kicking in.

Freezing night,

3am,

too early for the dawn chorus.

The rest of the city sleeps, perhaps….

Unsettled dreams

Of corn fields,

clay fields,

beaches and trees,

freedom,

escape from imprisonment,

at 3am I shall sleep.

 

USK S-O-T challenge….day 4

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Today’s challenge was ‘Entertainment’,

I could have drawn the TV or a computer or phone screen, but I just love the way the cat stares out of the window at the birds, he can’t go out, so he likes watching them. Yesterday a couple of pigeons were perched in the cherry tree. Sometimes when he’s washing he’s really comical because he sits on top of our bird food box, he only just fits. The windowledge is too full of houseplants. He likes eating some of them. This is his spot, he entertains me.

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Didn’t feel like writing today.

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Another spring photo to cheer me up!

Things to do…

We have a garden that needs work…

I’m going to try and clean the house of our hoarded stuff.

But mostly I sit around feeling fed up. It’s good to be able to contact people through the Internet. Imagine the virus happening thirty years ago without smartphones. One land-line per household, trying to find out information? Now it’s almost like there is too much knowledge, but half of it is fake!

People have become cynical, greedy, selfish…

Sorry, rant over

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Lockdown?

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Just thought I’d add a photo of the outdoors..

Had a message off a friend. Wishing me luck with the situation in the UK.

We (my fellow population) has ignored our governments advice and gone off to beaches and parks, congregated together on underground trains, and basically ignored advice. Probably due to bloody minded arrogance.

Now, we can’t go out, unless it’s to do food shopping or to collect medication. We can’t be together in groups of more than two unless it’s as a family. Only exercise once a day and keep 6 foot away from each other. No groups except for funerals.

So we are in lockdown.

Stay safe

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Shopping

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I knew I was going to have to go out shopping when my hubby went out to get loo roll and came back with a light bulb!

I went out to try and get a week’s shopping, or more if I can make it last. I usually shop every few days because I don’t have the storage space in my small kitchen for much, and because I only have a small fridge freezer I can’t fit much in that.

First shop, no meat, got a couple of veggie lasagne’s. Two bananas (I left two behind), some mixed veg and a few more things. Second shop. There was no loo paper (what is it with people?) so I bought their last box of man sized tissues. (that always makes me laugh, are they six foot tall tissues?) Third shop, a few pieces of chicken, some burgers, celery, pasta sauce, a bit more.

I gave up the search and came home. One day soon the hoarding will stop.. It isn’t sensible, but what is? I have a feeling that this is partly being driven by that stupidity called Brexit. I think that people have been so wound up by that, that they have got into a seige mentality. The British can be very bloody minded. Its also difficult not to relate it to the idea that the country expects to be cut off from the European continent and is acting like it has already happened.

So what can we do? Deal with the virus, try and stay inside and stay safe. I will still have to go shopping. As to the B word. Maybe this will make people realise its not such a good idea after all….

I’ve read a few of John Wyndhams’ books about the world order collapsing ( Day of the Triffids, The Kraken Wakes,) he doesn’t mention toilet rolls once!

Dorothy Clive garden

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Just had an email from the Dorothy Clive Garden, explaining that they are closing due to government advice.

It’s a lovely place on the border with Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire. It is a magical garden on a steep slope. If you get a chance when things have calmed down do go.

This is what I wrote back to them…

We visit to come and see the wonderful rhododendrons in the quarry garden every year, and have been enjoying watching the ecology section being created. Then the rest of it is just wonderful when it’s in full bloom. I love sitting outside the cafe and drawing the view, or walking down the steep slope towards the pond. Watching goldfish as they quietly go about their lives under the surface. 

Ive been visiting over several years. When I was fit I used to cycle over with my husband.

I have a very overgrown small garden with lots of trees, but we have some amazing geraniums that have spread everywhere. We got them from you a few years ago.

Hoping for a speedy resolution to the current situation.
Sincerely

 

Today’s drawing

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Today’s urban sketchers Stoke-on-Trent challenge was to draw the book you are reading. This is one my husband gave me it to read. Wireless for beginners by Thomas Roddam. It’s strange but I like trying to understand technical books. I read just about anything, although these days I skim read and you need to take your time over things like this. Obviously I’m never going to make vaccum tubes…

I’m enjoying the challenge. Some of it’s difficult, you think ‘what can I do?’ , but you can put your own spin on it.

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Trying to keep going

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A couple of my friends own restaurants, and now the government has told them to close they are only allowed to do takeaway meals. I feel like I will be buying a takeaway each week to try and help keep them going. With food short in the shops it may be the only way to get something interesting to eat. Yes I can live on vegetables and salads, but it’s nice to have a bit of variety, especially if its well cooked. I mean there is only so much binge watching you can do.

Then exercise. I might drive out to Cannock chase tomorrow for a walk. Somewhere quiet and away from people.

Things to do

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The world is full of bored people. One of the things to do that was posted on Facebook is to close your eyes and choose a book at random. Find page 109  go to the third paragraph and post the first sentence you come to. Also include the author and book title.

Mine was : The radar maps show features of all kinds. (Patrick Moore’s Astronomy), ( teach yourself book)

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It’s random, but something to do…..