Saturday 4 April 2020

Wandering aimlessly.



Recently I've found myself with absolutely nothing to do. OK, I make myself breakfast, and produce five star gourmet lunches and dinners for two; but other than that I just potter.

With all my Winter tasks complete, I have literally been wandering around looking for inconsequential things to fill my time. Trimming the grass around the trunks of trees, re-levelling certain garden flagstones, sweeping the treehouse, etc.

I have sawn mountains of logs, and chopped so many piles of kindling wood that there is literally no more room. I did even consider sawing yet more logs, but the idea of having nothing to do in a couple of weeks time is even more daunting. It's a fine balance between doing too much now, and having nothing to do in the future.

Of course there are books to be read, TV to avoid, and new dog-walks to be discovered, but having lived by a routine of two shopping trips per week for the past 40-odd years, I'm beginning to understand the term 'stir crazy'.

Luckily, at the same time, I do enjoy my solitude (if you can call it that). I'm not someone who searches out the multitudes; I am as perfectly happy by myself, as I am with a few others (not big crowds).

It's just that for the next month or so (after which I'll begin to work on Haddock's) I have very little to do; and I prefer to be busy busy busy.

35 comments:

  1. You are suffering the same first world problem that so many of us are, like birds in gilded cages. There seems to be a malaise around the world for people who intend to use this time at home beneficially but can't seem to motivate themselves. Yes, I am one.

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    1. At least we can walk around outdoors, and the weather is good, but there seems to be a general lack of purpose about that can't be filled.

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  2. Seem to be keeping busy so far anyway. This morning I cooked the mince we received yesterday with heaps of vegetables. This will be frozen is containers enough for two servings. It took a while with all the chopping of carrots, onions, garlic and sweet potato. Doug portioned up the bacon which was put in the freezer. Then, as I had cooked extra mash yesterday, we had it fried with bacon and egg for our lunch (main meal) This afternoon we walked Sophie, I read for a while and then made a couple of phone calls before watering the garden. Now time for a shower before watching the Chase and the News and a light meal. Have a big list of things to do - plenty of work in the garden doing the autumn clean up.

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    1. Usually in between ordinary daily tasks, I always find other things to do. These days I find myself wandering about looking for something to do; and not finding anything.

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  3. Paul is the same right now. I told him nothing had really changed with our usual routine. He said it was just knowing the fact that he couldn't nip out to the shops or garden centre if he wnated to.

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    1. We shall go to the V du Pd market this morning; which has just re-opened. We need bread, and some veg'. We won't stay long.

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  4. Pottering I adore. Listen up Monsieur Magnon, why not paint? If I had your skill that is what I would do. Meanwhile on my desk in the garden room I have invested in paints, crayons, fancy felt tips, I sit and wait for inspiration knowing full well I have all the gear and no idea! For the life of me I can’t draw, I envy those who can. A blog in the form of a drawing class would help get me started... ?

    LX

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    1. I just knew someone would tell me to get out my paints. I do draw and paint occasionally, but the appeal is fading. I know I should, but......

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  5. I’ve never understood why people like to be busy busy busy. I thought computers were supposed do all the work and we humans would have more time for leisure. That’s the brave new world they promised us 50 years ago. On one of my recent morning rambles I sauntered through a group of deer. One just stared at me and the other two moved away a slight distance. And only yesterday a squirrel jumped down off a pole and landed next to my foot. It didn’t even scurry away up the nearest tree. Just hopped about minding its own business. These are just two of several instances I’ve noticed of animals becoming more at ease with the quieter and less fraught humans. The pandemic presents with a rare opportunity to observe nature at close quarters. We should use it.

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    1. I'm not sure when our hunting season ended, but I imagine it was about 3 weeks ago. Ever since we see Deer all over the place, with not a care in the world. Even the tiny Blue Tits were feeding on grease balls just 5 ft away from us yesterday evening.

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  6. I don't particularly have a problem with it. You could tackle clearing out a shed outside, tidying a shed, outer living area might be worth a going over, that sort of thing.

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    1. Believe me, I have been going round looking for silly things to do for the past two weeks. I'll end-up digging holes, then filling them in again.

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  7. My husband is going stir mad...again. At least he has decided today he wants to eat a traditional meal and so he must cook it himself. When the weather is fine all the world is fine but we've had 2 days of rain and it looks as most of next week will be the same. Even our garden shop is not bringing in seedlings because his sources say it is still too cold for sowing outdoors. Crazy weather for crazy times
    Hope you find something to occupy yourself today

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    1. Well, at least we are having lovely weather. Sunny and 20 C again today. Traditional Sausage for us today; I went to the butcher this morning.

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  8. I’m OK with it apart from not seeing family and friends. But, when I see what the doctors and nurses and other frontline workers are having to do, it’s not a problem. XXXX

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    1. We all have Skype which I find very good. I'm only moaning because it's that no-mans-land period between Winter and Planting time when I feel pretty useless. I can't wait to get busy again. Nothing to do with the lockdown.

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    2. Sorry ..... got my wires crossed as lockdown is the subject on everyone’s minds at the moment 🤭
      I’m frustrated as I’ve hurt my back but, I just went and dug a small bed over .... probably shouldn’t have done but the weeds are taking over 😱 XXXX

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    3. I've just been weeding again. There's now hardly a tiny blade of grass in the wrong place; I'm becoming obsessed.

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  9. I am quite happy just pottering aimlessly but my other half paces around like a caged animal. He goes for a run across the fields then sometimes a walk afterwards. Today he has decided that the gravel path around the veg plot needs to be lifted and relaid. Hope that keeps him quiet for a while.

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    1. I've just been in Haddock's searching for tiny weeds.... I found a few!

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  10. Perhaps you could take up knitting. Does Lady Magnon possess knitting skills, wool and needles? If not, go to You Tube - "How to Knit: A Complete Introduction for Beginners". The craft will give you countless hours of satisfaction.

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    1. I could use a 'Vegetable Garden Cosy', but it would probably take a lot of wool

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  11. For the first time ever Cro I quite enjoy sitting in my window just so that I can wave to anyone walking past. I must be getting old.

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    1. We're not really restricted in what we can do. I've been to market this morning, walked the dog, weeded Haddock's, etc. My problem is not having any projects.

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  12. Replies
    1. I consider this page to be my memoirs; otherwise I have written a couple of autobiographical books (no longer available).

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  13. Maybe no comfort to you, Cro: The Buddha on the mountain sat still doing nothing. Or at least that is what it looked like.

    You know what I'd like to be in another life, given the choice? Yes, one of those majestic birds of prey with a large wing span. No, not for the prey (the idea of eating a rabbit raw not the most appetizing) but their habitat. Like the Buddha up there on the mountain, the bird surveying the valley, sitting quite still, for a long time, content. Even when they fly, make that glide, there is such stillness, such equilibrium about them. No rush, no hurry. Just be. In the moment. Which largely describes me (even without wings and in absence of a mountain top) - unless I am in a hurry to hunt down, on foot, that cadaver for the pot.

    The above notwithstanding, I do understand what you mean; some people need to be "doing", have a ongoing project to feel satisfied.

    Apropos of nothing, meant to ask you for some time: Do you, in a playful way, "teach" your currently resident older grandson drawing skills? (Did you do so with your sons and daughter?). I deliberately say "drawing" because, before starting to mess around with brushes, techniques, colours and titanium white in a serious manner, drawing - to my mind - is the foundation on which all other visual art rests. The reasoning behind my thinking, and please do let me know your own take, that so many (laymen) believe that "talent" is inborne and will out. I don't think so. So much latent talent lays bracken because it's not only not encouraged but because that spark, that impetus that comes from outside is lacking. Of course, talent is preferable to two left feet, yet so much can be taught at an age when children are not yet self conscious, do not yet judge themselves. I feel that, in all spheres of life, many are never been given a chance to blossom. By which I don't mean that a talent or an interest needs to be put to commercial use. Enjoyment will suffice.

    Maybe here is a project for you: Casually draw some pencil sketches when he bumbles about, maybe whilst he is baking with Grandma M. You never know … he may see you absorbed, get curious, sidle up to you and . . . If nothing else it'll be a lovely memory for him in years to come.

    Well, my dear Cro, answering my comment in both parts should keep you occupied for a few minutes or two.

    U

    PS Maybe some of your readers will contribute their thoughts on the subject, not least Rachel

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    1. I did plenty of drawing, 3D, painting, projects with my own 3 children, but we have only just started with Boo Boo. He sticks all his works on our fridge. We were looking forward to doing much more but I fear they may be heading for Holland or Sweden before long, so any further 'lessons' will have to be on hold. He does seem to be very 'creative', but I think most children are.

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  14. Lol, I am pottering too much. And truly, I must stop baking. :-)

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  15. We are not quarantined, but are "sheltering at home" - not supposed to go out unless for food or doctor. DH goes out to his radiation daily, but right back. It's been 20 days so far... and I expect it will be many more. But we stay busy with little projects... and many naps! Stay well and stay safe, Cro. (And I do seem to be baking a lot. It's comforting)

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    1. Yes, we all need to find little things to do. In my own case I don't think it would be much different even without the virus around, other than going out in the car; there would still be nothing to do here. I'm almost looking forward to the grass growing !!

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