‘The lessons I’ve learned while in coronavirus lockdown’

What did we learn in lockdown? We learned that cooking is still a comfort, that the smell of fresh bread cooking or a casserole simmering is a joy. That planning meals is the opposite; and that the chore of clearing up after them every day is a positive pain. Those dishes and plates seem to multiply, and as we do not eat where I cook makes more mileage for my ancient legs. Even if we get a takeaway I still have to serve it up, get condiments and cutlery. Also I have this guilt thing so I make a dessert.

We learned that we rely on the computer a lot and this was not a good time for our modem to get blown out by a thunder storm. The phone was a second string to my bow, but not as easy to use for some tasks. Two weeks without internet connection was a constant misery for us, so many things we couldn’t do, so many services we couldn’t access. Made far worse of course, due to coronavirus we were hunkered down in the house. It is a wonder there was not a murder, we have been together for 61 years, and the last month or so has tested that record. Our 62nd year looked a little shaky sometimes.

We also found we could paint or write a lot more. I painted, whereas husband wrote more. Blogs flew from his machine and were swiftly sent off. I completed a painting of two little girls and a dog portrait … a garden scene next for me to attempt.

I missed friends and without the internet couldn’t do the video calls I’d hoped for. We’d chat on the phone and I could do Facebook on my phone, but missed the real company. I missed seeing family and hoped we’d get the chance to meet up before the fury of winter hits us all.

I also missed the live music sessions; the calendar now a series of crossed out events. No live music, which the town had been reviving so successfully, there were bands at the Country Club, the Inn, the Bowling Club and Golf Club, it had just taken off and there was music each Sunday afternoon. But not during Covid-19. I missed it so, as although I’m in the group addicted to slow foxtrots I am a heavy rock fan, and love blues and all types of music.

After this we ponder on the future, can it ever get started again? How many small towns like ours have the money and the backing to start up again? Some, like the coffee bar and the pub, have been doing takeaway, but obviously they are not making the sort of income they did when the place was packed for the raffle and drinks flowed. The ingenuity of some of the cafe’s is good though, I’ve found the food from our Coffee Palace is excellent, supplied ready to reheat, and a variety of sumptuous dishes on the menu each day.

Another good thing that kept us all alive was watching 10 artworks being painted. Our town was blessed with an amazing artist being employed to paint on walls around the town. At least going out to watch him did not involve huge crowds. We live in a small town of around 2,000 people most are farming families, so it’s rural, and very spread out. Heesco, the artist, was just a joy to watch and the paintings depict local characters or happenings. It gave us a brighter hope for the future when the town can accept visitors again. It was viewed widely so we hope we can welcome those travellers again next spring.

We learned that jobs you put off because you ‘have no time’ sometimes get done. The linen cupboard, under the bed, that mess of plastic lids and boxes, and under the sink where polish from the stone-age lurks. I did them all and felt virtuous until the gloss wore off.

I also made fabulous bread rolls and beer bread, apple crumbles and casseroles … then I saw the scales. The scales are still not my friend. There had to be a happy medium, so I didn’t let myself bake every day. I am winding back the culinary frenzy.

Already we are planning to see a friend or two, as (at the time of writing) we were only allowed to have five people in the house! Funny as we would not normally have five people in the house anyway. The days of lavish entertaining are over. We’ll see our local friends and slowly regain a little normal life.

I know nothing will ever be the same, for some people who have lost family, it will be worse, so we should count our blessings. At least 2020 will never be forgotten.

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