Life as we know it...

Monday 8th March, 2021

The usual threat of 'possible precipitation' was the forecast. No sunshine when I woke. After breakfast I drove off to Dundee to try to sort out some finances. I am always worried about rules and regulations first re Covid but second concerning money laundering. I am not used to all the bureaucracy but I was told to get back to them in three days to see if all had gone smoothly.

Then I finished three letters including one to a recent widow who, like me, dislikes the telephone but needs reassurance by letter. She does not have a computer. Her husband's death was very sudden.

The excitement of the day was a Tesco delivery between 14.00 and 15.00. It arrived at 14.17 with a very jolly talkative delivery man. He told me of the huge increase in deliveries and the massive work pressures they are under. He told me he was too young as yet to have a jab but was hoping.

After he had gone and most of the food put away I saw the sun and the blue sky so grabbed my boots and my litter grabber and set off on my newly discovered route. It was a glorious afternoon, actually hot as I had a vest on. I saw six recently born lambs and a lot of birds frolicking. I came across the game keeper who thanked me for picking up litter. He told me of a few hair raising episodes such as chasing a thief who had gone off with some farm machinery. The police were unable to come as ' too stretched ' even though the man was locked in a barn. 'You had better release him as you could be had up for false imprisonment' said the policeman on the telephone. Then he told me of the excellent Estate owner who ' cares passionately about the land and Nature '. A goodly talk and somehow encouraging.

Then as I neared the village so a truculent young girl with her Mother. It was obvious she did not want to walk!! Golly....screams, tears, threats, arm waving and a quick run toward freedom. The Mother smiled and said simply ' we have had a tense day at school and are in a foul mood'.

Two bags of litter. Not too bad. I have just gotten a letter from my learned spiritual friend. It was dated the 19th February so has taken a long time to arrive. His business is in huge debt to the bank and he is hoping to restart soon. He has had a Council of war with his family and they have all chipped in to try to save it. He is very conscious of his work force and their desperate state. Yet he has a simple faith and says he will do his best and hope. " I am not alone. Others are suffering equally if not more. I have a faith they do not so I am better prepared. Pray for me."

The sun rises and sets on the just and the unjust. It rains on the just and unjust also. This is life as we know it.