Saturday 17 October
Saturday is still the best day of the week for me. Most Saturdays mean an easy start, relaxing times and activities around the house and garden. Plus football.
Went to see Dad this morning. It was a good thing to do. We arranged for a Covid test as his sense of smell and taste was off, but then it always has been. But it became clear that his emotional health was as, if not more, vulnerable. He was clearly lifted by my sister and me physically checking in on him today.
It dawned on me today another way that this virus has impacted on us all. We have all had birthdays during the pandemic, exam success, new jobs, anniversaries, end of term etc. All of these would ordinarily be celebrated in some way. We would all get together, share laughs and hugs. That hasn’t happened and it feels intense.
Those seminal moments when we are all in the same space as each other. Within the same physical space as each other, facing one another, with exposed smiles. Laughing out loud. So much of what we take for granted is [still] missing. I need to remind myself that it will come back. I miss hugs so much.
I took Mabel for a little scrumping walk in the orchard this evening. I tried to find the Buzzards nest from the spring and see if any feathers were underneath. We found the nest but no feathers, but loads of leaves. Looking up through the bare branches, to the cool grey sky, was a reminder that winter is coming.
The Bald Birder 