But Tell Me, Where Do the Children Play?

The neighbourhood is empty. Some restrictions have been lifted but many businesses are not re- opening. School is out, but the children are all inside. Occasionally I see my next door neighbour’s two kids, but only as they head in or out. It is strange , but reassuring that people are taking it seriously, at least in my area. 

The garden continues to provide food and relaxation. I’ve tarped it tonight as there’s a chance of hail in the wee hours. I certainly don’t want a repeat of last year. There’s so much growing in our small space. This year I planted out the back of the house as well with some cumin, mint, and nasturtiums. I’ve never grown cumin- so far it looks healthy. In front I have sweet and white potatoes, lettuce, mustard greens, peas, spinach, chard, cardoons, violas, chamomile, thyme, basil, rosemary, sunflowers, strawberries, sorrel, scallions, and kale. For the summer I have tomatoes and cucumbers that will replace the spots where the peas and kale are. Every few weeks I reseed the lettuces to keep a regular supply. Anyway, it keeps us fed and it gives me something relaxing and enjoyable to do. 

So yeah, my immune system is kicking my behind. That’s ok- I know how to deal with it but right now, since the pandemic began, I’ve been stuck doing everything. I mean, I always was, but now I’m cooking three meals a day and constantly cleaning and picking up after two people that never leave the house. Ahem, a mother’s day card would have been a nice acknowledgement but yeah, neither mentioned it. So tomorrow is the big shopping day (every two weeks) and I have to go it alone because somehow it made sense for me to do it. I am in So. Much. Bloody. Pain. Delivery is impossible here, and it is only every few weeks but still. I really don’t want to think about it. Hopefully it will go quickly and smoothly. 

Warning- gruesome toe photo ahead😬

I had to laugh at the description of “Covid toe” that people are getting. How on earth would I know?! My feet always look like this thanks to Reynaud’s Syndrome . Winter, summer- always blue toes. If Covid manifests as an inflammatory response I would probably not notice. Already had the yearly bout of pleurisy to keep things interesting!  Never dull with autoimmune disease! OK, thanks for listening to me moan. I largely keep it to myself but today was particularly bad. There’s nothing to say, really ( Happy mother’s day would have been nice) but I needed to let off steam. How about we get back to the clothes? 

This Moby Dick tee shirt features a design by Kate Beaton. If you don’t know her work, go Google it. You won’t be sorry. 

The linen culottes have an annoying paper bag waist, and I rarely wear them. The fabric is nice though, so perhaps a good lockdown project would be to make a proper waist band. I purchased them new and they feel too extravagant to just get rid of.  World Market has such nice clothes. I go for tea and really have to fight myself not to come home with a new wardrobe. I’m well stocked with tea for a few months so at least the temptation has been removed!

A few more skirts featured on Instagram. Some of these photos are old that I re-posted.

It has been fun going through my collection one after another. I should probably stop buying them now!

All this time at home is an opportunity to sort through things. Sometimes there’s a good discovery.

 Can’t remember where it came from.
Years ago, Danny made this and stuck it on the door when he was sick. He still has it. Hopefully we won’t need it. 
The pool won’t be opening anytime soon. I might get one like this ( yes, that’s me in the 60s) to put in the garden. I already talk to crows and have a trained squirrel, so it isn’t like the neighbours don’t already know I’m strange. 
The best thing I baked lately was this rye with  a 3 day starter made with the water left from boiling potatoes. 
Rye flour is easy to find right now as white flour is selling out. I grew up eating rye bread so it isn’t terribly exotic to me. I also made a successful wholemeal and buckwheat loaf that toasted beautifully. 
Made some vegetable stock from peelings, as you do. 
I was all set to do a series of Hawaiian vintage clothing posts but the Covidiots have taken to wearing Hawaiian shirts, etc. to their armed protests. Apparently some sort of reference I don’t care enough to Google. Anyway, for fear of looking like I support them (I Do Not) it might be best to hold off on the vintage barkcloth for a bit. Sigh, what happened, did they run out of camouflage and MAGA hats🙄.
I’ll leave you with a picture of my new squirrel friend. He’s fearless, and tried to follow me back inside after feeding him. I’m certain he thought there’s better stuff inside. 
Wish me luck tomorrow. I’m bringing the clerk at the health food store a Christmas card with a tip in it. She’s always there, doing a hard job that’s all that much harder now and I wanted to say thank you. No reason to wait until December to thank the people that make life easier. Who knows what will be come December? We gave the postman a tin of candy and a card ( they’re not permitted to take money) as well. I don’t see anyone else anymore, so that’s probably it for tipping.  I hope it doesn’t look strange. I just kinda think it feels appropriate. Has anyone else been giving their yearly holiday gifts early? I don’t want to seem morbid.I can’t wait for the day when I can bake cookies for the library volunteers again. The library is closed for the foreseeable future, and I miss everyone so much. I guess the feeling is mutual because they have a giant sign in the window reading, “We miss you too!”Have a good week.
See you next time.