Be positive, be kind.

Monday 7th September, 2020

There is a huge temptation, I find, to turn off the news. Also to turn off the constant commentary and constant giving of opinion. Who are the pundits? Who knows whether there will be a disastrous spike in Covid, an appalling fall out from Brexit negotiations, a terrible upsurge in violence with the Presidential election in America? Who knows? Yet I am certain that it is wrong to bury one's head in the sand. I am probably unable to influence the world's affairs yet I am able to try to empathise and sympathise and, in my case, to pray.

I was greeted at breakfast by the remark " you know they are closing the border between Scotland and England?" This was followed by " I slept badly because all night on the radio they discussed the disaster of the rise in infections".

I went to the dentist, already feeling that I had had quite a few teeth pulled. The dentist told me this was her second week of practising as she had graduated only recently and this was her first job. Fortunately I do not mind being a Guinea pig as someone has to be but I was a little relieved when nothing needed immediate attention.

I passed a friend's garden and she was picking runner beans and gloating over her French beans and possible apple and pear crops. I tried gnashing my teeth in envy and muttering how pleased I was for her. I keep saying to myself 'be positive, be kind' and say to others what you would like people to say to you.

Then back to deal with emails. One from a friend describing her husband as a doom and gloom merchant. He had been talking of the Covid spike and warned that I might not be able to travel there by train next Thursday as lockdown would be reimposed. So I replied.....and 'tell him they might be closing the border between Scotland and England soon!' This is how false news and fear spreads.

I got hold of my allotment friend and over I went. Two hours with digging for the planting of leeks and of broad beans followed by runner bean picking and French beans and also nasturtium quorns. Back to her house via blackberries and apples and potatoes dumped in the skip. Another veritable feast harvested. She gave me lunch of 'skip leeks and potato soup' with home baked bread.

Then a walk along the Tay, a quick foray in to the town to sort out money for my trip. Back home to find I had to park three streets away from my house as so many cars parked! Ugh....not happy but now as I write on my bed and consider a siesta I am satisfied. Next I shall be down to peel the apples for blackberry and apple pie. Oh dear, I fear my god is becoming my belly.

Never mind I am alive and feeling fit and fulfilled....odd how working in the garden does that! It even blots out thoughts of Covid, border shut down, Trumpism and teeth extraction. I highly recommend it.