So – just over a week into working from home, and almost a week of total lockdown, and I am gradually getting used to being at home, and actually becoming quite domesticated! And counting my blessings. And even my husband’s lifelong dislike of being told what to do has been tempered by reality, and we are putting our own health and that of others to the fore and staying in. The only time I have actually been out over the past week is for shopping and to collect a mobile phone from school so I can continue to work from home.
Other than that, I have read, cross stitched, made bread, cakes and marmalade and planted seeds; I have played piano, guitar and banjolele, chatted to friends on the phone and on social media and lounged in front of the TV. Home cooked meals are the norm – not only are we not going out to get takeaways; we are not having anything delivered either. Maybe over-cautious, but better that than reckless.
I am finding though that there is plenty to do at home (although I did actually get bored enough this morning to do some housework!!) and in the garden and although it’s cold in the wind, I can usually find a sunny patch of garden to do some weeding – or reading…
It’s at times like this you realise how lucky you are, and I know I’m very fortunate to have my husband at home with me, playing his guitar, or ready to sit and chat over coffee, as well as my kids and friends who I can call for a chat and who keep me entertained with silly photos. I’m spending a bit more time on social media, as it seems are most people judging from the plethora of posts, to say nothing of trivia challenges which can provoke interesting conversations – who knew a friend went to a school featured in one of my favourite films??
We are living in historic times – and it’s important to keep a sense of perspective and know this too will pass: we will be able to look back on this time in the future, and think of how we coped. At present we are doing ok – but I realise how lucky we are, in a comfortable home, warm, dry and well fed – even if pasta is impossible to find!
Most important, I am lucky to so far be in good health and to know those nearest and dearest to me are too; I pray we all remain safe and healthy through these trying times.
Tuesday 31 March 2020
Monday 23 March 2020
What a difference a week makes
A week may be a long time in politics – in the current situation it’s a lifetime!
One week ago I was dealing with post-show blues, having worked for the previous six months to bring to the stage ‘the Man Behind the Microphone’ at Northwood House. In company with the writer, Tim, and an amazing group of actors and technical wizards, we played to a good-sized audience both nights of the show and I thought little if anything of hugging friends in greeting and in celebration of the show’s success. We all shared not only a room but a bottle of champagne as we toasted ourselves and looked forward to the next project for each of us.
I heard myself say: ‘I won’t have time for post-show blues… I will continue to rehearse for ‘Kipps’ with the Savoyards – for which I have started to teach myself to play the banjolele; will join in the rehearsals for Hamlet at Carisbrooke in June and can look forward to Nunsence at Bembridge in the autumn. With all that plus a few murder mysteries, helping front of house with Full Circle at Easter; a directors’ meeting at The Apollo to plan next season, and shows coming up that I have tickets for – Chicago, Wind in the Willows, When We Are Married, and Francis Rossi at Shanklin Theatre, along with my husband’s regular open mic sessions and gigs, I won’t lack for entertainment.
Ha! Every single one of the events listed above is now either cancelled or postponed – mainly the latter I’m pleased to say, but who knows for how long?
Last Monday there were rumours flying around that schools might be asked to close, but no one really thought it was imminent – but we did start to plan as the week progressed, so it made for a pretty busy week, leading up to the announcement that yes, we were to close from today. Oh, and the Year 11 and 13 students will not be taking any exams this year. So we were left to support all those teenagers who have just had their revision time, last day at school, final assembly, exams and prom night all ripped away from them at a moment’s notice. As one student remarked, it feels surreal.
And yet, as I sit here on the first day of working from home, I may be feeling a little shell-shocked from the speed of recent events, but I am anything but despondent. I am very lucky that at present I and my close family and friends are all healthy. That is the main thing. Yes, we may not be able to visit each other for the foreseeable future, but we do have plenty of ways nowadays of being in contact – Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp… and we do have the opportunity to keep safe by staying at home.
I am currently reading a novel set in WW1 and it describes the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. What comes over very clearly is the difference in society between 100 years ago and now. In particular, no NHS – if you were rich, you got medical help, if you were poor, you lived or died according to chance and your underlying health. Which if you were poor was unlikely to be good. No one had any way of being in contact with anyone without risking infection, so the epidemic spread exponentially, especially in army camps – and no one suggested not going to work: no one could afford not to. There were some similarities – schools, theatres and places of entertainment closed, but again that mainly protected those who could afford to go to such places.
The other similarities – and my parents would reference WW2 here as well – is that in times of adversity the community seems to come together, and I have read some heartening stories on social media of support being offered to the most vulnerable, and to set against the stupidity of panic buying, some neighbours and friends (my son’s among them) have shared their purchases with those unable to find what they need in the shops.
I know – and really appreciate – that there are still key workers who need to carry on, and I hope their places of work are doing all they can to keep them safe – but please, if you are able to stay at home, do. And if you can close your business and keep people safe – do it! And let’s keep that community spirit going and look after each other.
One week ago I was dealing with post-show blues, having worked for the previous six months to bring to the stage ‘the Man Behind the Microphone’ at Northwood House. In company with the writer, Tim, and an amazing group of actors and technical wizards, we played to a good-sized audience both nights of the show and I thought little if anything of hugging friends in greeting and in celebration of the show’s success. We all shared not only a room but a bottle of champagne as we toasted ourselves and looked forward to the next project for each of us.
I heard myself say: ‘I won’t have time for post-show blues… I will continue to rehearse for ‘Kipps’ with the Savoyards – for which I have started to teach myself to play the banjolele; will join in the rehearsals for Hamlet at Carisbrooke in June and can look forward to Nunsence at Bembridge in the autumn. With all that plus a few murder mysteries, helping front of house with Full Circle at Easter; a directors’ meeting at The Apollo to plan next season, and shows coming up that I have tickets for – Chicago, Wind in the Willows, When We Are Married, and Francis Rossi at Shanklin Theatre, along with my husband’s regular open mic sessions and gigs, I won’t lack for entertainment.
Ha! Every single one of the events listed above is now either cancelled or postponed – mainly the latter I’m pleased to say, but who knows for how long?
Last Monday there were rumours flying around that schools might be asked to close, but no one really thought it was imminent – but we did start to plan as the week progressed, so it made for a pretty busy week, leading up to the announcement that yes, we were to close from today. Oh, and the Year 11 and 13 students will not be taking any exams this year. So we were left to support all those teenagers who have just had their revision time, last day at school, final assembly, exams and prom night all ripped away from them at a moment’s notice. As one student remarked, it feels surreal.
And yet, as I sit here on the first day of working from home, I may be feeling a little shell-shocked from the speed of recent events, but I am anything but despondent. I am very lucky that at present I and my close family and friends are all healthy. That is the main thing. Yes, we may not be able to visit each other for the foreseeable future, but we do have plenty of ways nowadays of being in contact – Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp… and we do have the opportunity to keep safe by staying at home.
I am currently reading a novel set in WW1 and it describes the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. What comes over very clearly is the difference in society between 100 years ago and now. In particular, no NHS – if you were rich, you got medical help, if you were poor, you lived or died according to chance and your underlying health. Which if you were poor was unlikely to be good. No one had any way of being in contact with anyone without risking infection, so the epidemic spread exponentially, especially in army camps – and no one suggested not going to work: no one could afford not to. There were some similarities – schools, theatres and places of entertainment closed, but again that mainly protected those who could afford to go to such places.
The other similarities – and my parents would reference WW2 here as well – is that in times of adversity the community seems to come together, and I have read some heartening stories on social media of support being offered to the most vulnerable, and to set against the stupidity of panic buying, some neighbours and friends (my son’s among them) have shared their purchases with those unable to find what they need in the shops.
I know – and really appreciate – that there are still key workers who need to carry on, and I hope their places of work are doing all they can to keep them safe – but please, if you are able to stay at home, do. And if you can close your business and keep people safe – do it! And let’s keep that community spirit going and look after each other.
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