Positivity, apple crumble and a movie

I am going to start on a serious note and end up frivolous. Just because I can. Can't be serious all the time, it's boring and depressing. I'm all for a well balanced diet.

The serious part:

Even though there are still precious moments to celebrate, the fact of the matter is, we don't celebrate enough. Especially since Covid19 struck. During this pandemic, our eyes seem to be more focussed on what can't then on what can be realised. We seem to not only work hard at not getting infected with this virus, we also seem to have lost the zest for fun, laughter, for gratitude and daily life itself. And I get that. I do. Believe me I have my moments. Recently I've reached a point where I realise I need to get a grip. Be in charge of myself and my state of mind. Rationally, I believe we are all in charge of how we feel or experience a set back or a triumph. So, it's time for me anyway, to regroup and refocus.

The media is an essential and not unimportant aspect of life today. We want to know what's going on in the world. Thing is, depressing news travels faster than the speed of light and we appear to be attracted to it like moths to a flame when it comes to articles that get our dander up. Our blood pressure rises and our judgement calls roll out like the outgoing tide after a tsunami. Dragging everyone and everything in its wake.

The fun bit

So I'm turning over a new leaf. Well, working on it and accepting that I may occasionally have a minor set back after which I regroup and start again. I may have avoided the actual Covid19 virus but I'm done with that sad and somber variety. And how best to be happy?

Well for me, that's in the kitchen ( amongst other frivolous things) and creating something yummy to share, put a smile on faces and give me that sense of satisfaction.

Recently we invited the son of friends over for dinner. On his own, no mum and dad, well that wasn't allowed anyway. One visitor per 24 hours. Actually, this is one way to totally focus on one person. To not have to share the limelight with others. To have time for a personal and if desired, in depth conversation. So, we extended a dinner invite, a birthday dinner. It was intended as a 'replacement' for his annual concert ticket as there are no concerts.

We didn't want the evening to be boring- just three old fuddy duddies around the table, his 26 years up against our three 65+ years, so unbeknown to our guest we decided that after dinner, my hubby, brother in law and the birthday boy, would go upstairs to the other apartment and watch a 3D movie. Planning a tight schedule was paramount, as we have a 9pm curfew in place.

To be all organised I prepared the meal early and was for 85% all set by lunchtime. The meal couldn't be too extensive or we'd run out of time. A good cook plans to the minute and others consider me a good cook so I felt super confident all would be well.

I started with the dessert. Apple Crumble. I know that all 3 love this dish. There would only be a main and dessert so that was simple.

On the dot of 5:30pm our guest rang the lobby bell. Couldn't be better. I got my act together while a catch up chit chat was had on the sun warmed balcony. Before I served the main meal I looked at the apple crumble in the oven and saw the crust was cooked but pale. I upped the temperature and switched to grill. The idea was, serve the meal, put plates on the table and return to the kitchen to turn off the grill. I love it when a plan comes together.

Dinner was served. The timing went perfect. The meal was delicious, even if I do say so myself. As I picked up my glass for the last sip of the wine I glanced over to the kitchen and had this weird sensation come over me. The air looked a light shade of greying blue. For a split second I thought I needed to clean my glasses...just for a split second. Then without warning I almost flew across the table straight into the kitchen and turned off the grill. My feet never touched the ground. A cloud of sticky buttery blue-ish smoke swarmed around my head and into my nose. The apple crumble topping was as black as soot. Pitch black. And STINK. Oh my, the smell was HORRIBLE. The air now filled with smoke in the dining area, the hallway and lounge.

Throwing the front and back door open to air the place, my mind racing so fast I could barely keep up! What to do about dessert AND get those men upstairs in time for  the movie. You see, the guest didn't know about the movie surprise yet. Oh dear!

I did manage to create a rather speedy and surprisingly tasty replacement dessert to round off the meal. We all but needed gas masks to cope, so I left the doors open while we almost blew off our chairs as the breeze flowed through the building. Once the plates were empty and the meal done, the surprise 'after' was revealed. I have a strong suspicion the males were thrilled to leave me in my murky air to clean up. Some nights are just more memorable than others. This will be good fodder for a laugh at some point later, after corona. When we look back and say, " oh remember that Apple Crumble...!"

I'm looking forward to the next birthday guest.

Time to vote

It is time to vote. Due to corona we have had an adjustment in the normal routine. Three days. The first two days, limited booths were open for those with frail health, elderly and those most at risk from the virus.

There was also a posting vote option, which, after I read the instructions, deemed a good way for elderly or infirm to still participate in this important aspect of democratic life. Apparently not everyone thought it was 'simple' and many votes are thereby lost- bummer! Not the desired outcome of this extra opportunity offered. C'est la vie!

So today, the official day, my husband and I are off to the voting booth. To 'do our thing' in this country of my birth. It's been a bumpy ride these past 15 months. Everyone is affected in some way or another. Some more than others. It seems though, that only one man is responsible. Only one man has set our country on the road to disaster doom and gloom. Now we all, well the well thinking people I'd say, we all know that's NOT the case. There was a whole cabinet at the helm. And yes, things aren't all peaches and cream. Mistakes, oversights and call the blunders, have been made. Funny that, human failings. So who do you put at the helm? The people who blundered and give them a chance to repair any form of damage made? Or a multitude of tiny parties with little or no experience in this complicated world of politics? For many a torturous lead up to today.

I know on who I'm going to bet. It wasn't hard at all. Is it the right choice? I'll know in 4 years time.

Off I trot- the voting booth is calling.

Finding my way in an unrecognizable world

 

When you wake up in the morning, how do you approach your day?

I'm curious whether it is only me. Am I the only person who has 'lost' their daily perspective? Waking up while the list of things one wants to achieve that day, slowly passes the review. The mindful planning, that precedes the actions of the day, so nothing is overlooked and plan B is put into place. How long is your list?

Since Covid19 my zest for the day has not disappeared, only the process how I approach the day has totally changed. There is no need for a plan B, in fact a plan A would be nice.

Now this sounds pretty sad, ungrateful, depressing or maybe a futile statement. It isn't meant to be. This feeling of having lost the essence of my purposeful days is a result of 12 nearly 13 months of lockdown procedures and new rules. The longer it takes the more flat and empty my morning routines become.

I stay in my dressing gown longer. Not if I chose to get the paper from the mailbox. It is situated in the lobby of our apartment building. Dressing therefor is a must 😂. It was a routine I purposely took upon myself for the first 8-10 months. I've slowly let it go now only spasmodically taking the initiative. Instead I let my husband be the 'paper boy' most days.

The neighbourhood where we live is lovely. Enormously green and interesting. There is a small marina, a river, a wee woodland and gorgeous park to walk in. Yes well, I can almost tell you how many blades of grass that grow here and the amount of liters water that stream past as I walk the walk. Oh yes, I am grateful I don't live in a built up area with a view of endless brick walls. True. I do count my blessings. Just the real glossy look has been tarnished.

Do I sit and pick my nose all day? Heaven forbid. Do I neglect contacts with family and friends? Not on your nelly! Have I watched every Netflix series known to (wo)man? Don't have Netflix. Do I have Covid19 kilos? No! I walk or bike to keep fit. 

It just feels so, so endless. There is perspective, of course there is. This too will pass. I have come to a point where I'm finding it harder to be happy with what I can do, have got and hopefully, will return.

I am more judgemental. My reaction to the statement, ' the youth has been robbed of a year of their lives' gets my dander up! They aren't alone. I get irate when I see groups of people ignoring the distance request/rule. I don't really care if you don't believe Covid is a serious threat to your health. Just remember it may be to mine or your parents or grandparents.

My main goal every day is, to identify the good bits in my day. That I've had a good laugh, shared a thought or two with a friend. Received a txt from any or all of my children and/or grandchildren. Provide hubby with a delicious meal or enjoy his cooking skills and appreciate his efforts. Be grateful I'm healthy because I'm careful. My problem is, it's just getting more and more challenging to tick more happy moment boxes.

Despite all this, always good to have a moan, is that I know I'm one of the lucky ones. Blessed and rich with all those who are in the same boat as I am. Holding our breath while this threat passes us by. Creating a new day, a new start, a new routine and new opportunities. Can't keep a strong woman down for long.

KEEP THE FAITH

ALL WILL BE WELL

HANG IN THERE