Right here, right now, our world is in the grips of a pandemic known as Covid-19. There is so much going on around our own state to keep us confused. Rules and regulations change daily, how does one remember it all? I am saddened to hear of so many deaths of the frail and vulnerable in nursing homes. Others who live alone must feel so isolated from the world right now. I can’t see any of my family as they all live across the border, yet we keep in touch the best we can. I am patiently waiting for the day I get to see my children and grandchildren.
Coping in isolation has been relatively easy for Geoff and I. We have both had many and varied tasks to complete, we also created extra’s. Geoff spent many hours during the first lockdown cutting firewood for family and friends. This he would mostly do alone, sawing the wood for others to collect in their own space and time. He has since closed in two sides of our back veranda, creating an open ended laundry, so much nicer on cold wet days for the washer woman. He has also completed the capping bricks around the house. This was about 22 years after the house was built, it looks so much better now. Geoff also made a lockable carry box to fit the caravan which holds a generator. He is temporarily back at work near Mitre 10.
He and I have been helping a friend by feeding hay to 4 or 5 paddocks of cattle twice a week. This gets us out of the yard for a couple of hours at a time. Some weeks this is my only outing.
I have been completing many UFO’s (Unfinished Objects!). Strip pieced placemats/coasters started in 2006; cushion tops x 5 almost done; a crocheted jug cover(too far back to remember); knitting beanies/ scarves for grandies and charity; making masks / pot holders; shopping bags; lots of gardening.
The best part of lockdown has been Geoff and I spending much more quality time together, completing many chores in each other’s company. He reinforced Dad and Mum’s wooden box before I painted it. He made a new step stool for the caravan, I painted it. Geoff dug areas of the vegetable garden which I filled with seeds or plants. We pruned every plant needing attention. We have also enjoyed many hours in the evenings, watching his personal videos of music festivals, fishing trips, tractor treks, horse riding trips or general holidays.
I hope this pandemic ends soon so I can be re-united with my family and friends in NSW, re-join U3A groups, go to the library or out for dinner/coffee etc, get back in the pool, and no longer have to wear masks.
Maxine Gardiner
August 2020
Coping in isolation has been relatively easy for Geoff and I. We have both had many and varied tasks to complete, we also created extra’s. Geoff spent many hours during the first lockdown cutting firewood for family and friends. This he would mostly do alone, sawing the wood for others to collect in their own space and time. He has since closed in two sides of our back veranda, creating an open ended laundry, so much nicer on cold wet days for the washer woman. He has also completed the capping bricks around the house. This was about 22 years after the house was built, it looks so much better now. Geoff also made a lockable carry box to fit the caravan which holds a generator. He is temporarily back at work near Mitre 10.
He and I have been helping a friend by feeding hay to 4 or 5 paddocks of cattle twice a week. This gets us out of the yard for a couple of hours at a time. Some weeks this is my only outing.
I have been completing many UFO’s (Unfinished Objects!). Strip pieced placemats/coasters started in 2006; cushion tops x 5 almost done; a crocheted jug cover(too far back to remember); knitting beanies/ scarves for grandies and charity; making masks / pot holders; shopping bags; lots of gardening.
The best part of lockdown has been Geoff and I spending much more quality time together, completing many chores in each other’s company. He reinforced Dad and Mum’s wooden box before I painted it. He made a new step stool for the caravan, I painted it. Geoff dug areas of the vegetable garden which I filled with seeds or plants. We pruned every plant needing attention. We have also enjoyed many hours in the evenings, watching his personal videos of music festivals, fishing trips, tractor treks, horse riding trips or general holidays.
I hope this pandemic ends soon so I can be re-united with my family and friends in NSW, re-join U3A groups, go to the library or out for dinner/coffee etc, get back in the pool, and no longer have to wear masks.
Maxine Gardiner
August 2020
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