Chit chat

Walks outside may have to stop - we don't know yet if our government will enforce a lockdown in the UK ... - so today our walk in the woods was even more precious - we saw deer, wild violet, primrose and wood anemone

The call centre I work at has arranged for us to work from home with a gateway access to all the database, maps and callsheets on a monitor with headset and keyboard provided.  On Tuesday I set up at 6am which took hours because I am not IT savvy.  But I was ready for my first shift and it was fine.   Are you working from home?  Post a picture of your home office on your blog!

Oh yes, it was my birthday not long ago and I was over the moon to receive this beautiful kaftan hubby bought me, it's made from vintage sari silks.... intended to put it away for holiday, but one of the nice things about home working is you can wear whatever you like and feel comfortable in … kaftans included :)

Also for my birthday I had a lovely package from my blogging buddy Anne and a beautiful pink orchid from another good friend.  And yet another good friend (I have quite a few), kindly bought me a picture frame as she wanted me to display some snaps of my family, so I will have to get that up on the wall soon.

I have been walking rescue dogs from the nearby kennel on my days off, most recently this little Jack Russell who is terribly nervous and gradually gaining confidence,  we sniffed celandine flowers together.  We sat on a bench and ate cheese and he jumped up unexpectedly and gave me a big face wash!  So pleased as he doesnt like hands near him, but allowed me to stroke his ears.

Someone has taken the trouble to plant daffodils in the woods around the kennels, it's very uplifting to see their cheery yellow heads.  The rules have changed, we bought our own leads and take home to wash, observe social distancing, washing hands and air dry on arrival and exit.

I went to Ikea the day before they closed the UK stores down temporarily,  to get a table to work on, just a small one - I had checked stock online before leaving for the 45 minute drive - yet most had gone in that short time,  but I got something nice that works and assembled it from flatpack quite easily.  I am one of those rare people who actually enjoy making flatpack furniture!

I have to set up my home working by the window so I can watch the birds....

Today we had our first church service online, it was fun, just our paster and sunday school teacher were there and they sang to us.  It was held on facebook so we could post comments as the service went along, it was in the usual informal, laid back format which makes our church special, it felt connected.  Check out your local church for online services.

Are you self isolating? is someone bringing your shopping to your door for you?

Food supplies here are erratic, apparently due entirely to people stockpiling and stripping supermarket shelves bare.  There are no delivery slots for online orders, which encourages people to go out to the shops - when the government want us to stay indoors.  I think the army needs to manage food distribution.

Our library closed for 12 weeks yesterday.  They allowed us to take up to 20 books and keep them until July.  I mentioned it to my neighbour (a single dad) just in time for him to get down there, join up and bring his daughter home from school with arms laden with books.  So pleased they didn't miss out as they also have online books and magazines and this will be helpful for home schooling as the schools here also closed down yesterday.

Chris the photographer is taking part in backyard bird photography day,  I don't know what part of the world Chris lives in, have followed for some years now...  he has the most superb photography.  Take a look/join in.

http://christhephotog.blogspot.com/2020/03/backyard-bird-photography-day.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChrisThePhotog+%28Chris+The+Photog%29

This is my effort to join in - some swans at the lakes near here that we saw yesterday - we won't be able to go there again for a while, there were too many people and we have to keep our distance.

Today is Mothers Day in the UK and I feel blessed and happy that we are together, nothing more is required.  I hope if you are unable to have your family around you, at least you will have use of Skype and the internet to keep together.

Back soon ....