Count your blessings...

Saturday 10th October, 2020

There is a limited number, by local Scottish decree, of people allowed in to our local Church for services. Today I knew there was a special celebration for three families so there would not be a place for an outsider. So I decided simply to walk. It was a very blustery morning with the wind whipping up the Tay and making one need to wrap up. I remember an old friend in Suffolk describing the cold north wind there as ' lazy'. When I asked him why it was 'lazy' he replied that it did not bother to go around you but through you. So this morning even mittens, a scarf and two layers of overcoat could not make one feel totally protected. Yet the walking through the local Park did keep one warm. I noted the hats, ear flaps, caps, gloves and scarves of fellow walkers and they made a colourful array.

I also noticed that the Autumn colours were coming to the trees. They are the most spectacular panorama of shades of colours galore. The cygnets on the lake had almost lost their juvenile tones and also seemed to have wings sufficiently strong for flying.

I picked up a newspaper, the one my friend enjoys for the Crossword. As ever I was tempted to read it when home. So I grabbed a coffee and ploughed through it. Lots of advice and spleen for the Government, much breast beating as to the apparent NHS unpreparedness for the second Covid wave, dire warnings as to economic hell and many pundits giving their opinions on World Peace, Trade and chaos.

Having had a huge amount of my own home made lavender and apple jelly for breakfast on my home made soda bread I was not ready for lunch but greed won out. I need to watch my weight as my BMI is not good and diabetes is ever a threat so my hypochondriacal friends tell me.

I replied to a couple of letters. I missed a telephone call as to collecting for a poppy Appeal. I had a severe discussion as to my appearance at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary concerning the development of the Covid flu vaccine. Also I read about the shortage of the flu vaccine and realised why my appointment for the annual jab had been put back a week.

A short sharp walk in the late afternoon following an afternoon in bed reading woke me up. Sausages for supper. What more could a man want? Resonating through my mind as I write is the constant remark of my Maternal Grand Mother. She suffered much and deep hardship so her words mean all the more to me: " Never forget to count your blessings". They are many.