It’s raining heavily as I write this.
And even though I’ve come in from the daily dogwalk absolutely soaked – as have the dogs – I don’t mind. We’ve had some glorious, unseasonal weather in this lockdown which has made it so much easier to bear.
And besides, the garden needs it.
I’m halfway through treating the garden table and chairs with Danish oil. It’s my project of the week. If I get it finished by end of play on Sunday, I can tick it off my list, along with the jobs I’ve already done, including painting four garden chairs and table with Hammerite and upcycling the coffee table.
Three more weeks of lockdown were announced yesterday so I’m going to need to find other constructive things to do. The devil makes work for idle hands.
So far, the dining table is lined up in my sights for the upcycling treatment, as is the dresser in my Shed of Dreams if the three weeks turn into something longer, which wouldn’t be at all surprising.
The Sound of Music Through The Square Window is still happening here in Lush Places every day at one o’clock, with requested songs played on my laptop through a speaker in the spare bedroom window.
People come out from their doors and poke their heads out of their windows when they hear Julie Andrews singing her little heart out, followed by the tune for the day. Yesterday was Bill Withers’ Lean On Me for Spanish John, who is called that not because he’s Spanish but because he lived there once.
It’s likely that more of the village will soon be able to hear their requests because once it stops raining I’m going to pick up a couple of speakers and a mixer from professional musician Ding Dong Daddy. So put that in your window and play it.
If the music’s too loud, you’re too old.
Age hasn’t stopped 99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore from raising more than £18 million for the NHS by completing one hundred laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.
He only set out to raise £1,000. What an absolute hero. It shows how one person can truly make a difference.
It’s heartening in a situation where some dismiss as dispensable many of those who have died from coronavirus because of their age or underlying conditions.
It gives me faith in humanity that so many of us are saluting this old man for such an outstanding achievement.
In other news, my friend and former NHS colleague Emma Gale has been inspired by the lockdown to release her very first single today, which you can buy if you follow the video link.
It’s lovely.
That’s about it.
Love Maddie x
