A better day…

Today has been much better. The pain in my hip has been considerably less. I am taking painkillers now and have done as necessary for a few days. I had a phone appointment with a doctor from my surgery. We are trying for an X-Ray, although they are now really only checking for fractures. I said I would prefer to have one than wait for the second spike of Covid-19 when the weather is cooler, and when my hip might be more painful than I can cope with.

We shall see.

I have been editing for most of the day. It really is a tedious task, which boggles the mind. I’ve also been in close contact with a friend who is an artist, though she hasn’t done any for ages. She writes.

I picked my first tomatoes today. The flavour is amazing. Not like shop bought ones that are picked early. I shall have some with basil and mozzarella, drizzled with oil. I will roast some with a sprinkle of pepper.

There are strawberries in the the kitchen too, and lots more ready to crop in a day or two.

I may plant some spinach as the weather is good. So lovely in a salad, or wilted in a stir fry.

I am still rather low, but went out for a while this morning. It made me feel better. I’m glad today was not too hot, though certainly warm.

I feel pleasantly tired.

Both my neighbours and after the fall…

I found a graze on my shin yesterday which is mysterious but obviously due to my fall on Wednesday evening. Today there is a mild bruise…

I did wake during Wednesday night and hurt in a few places but it was all gone in the morning.

More of my tomatoes are turning colour now. From orange to almost red. It’s really satisfying. I need to pick my strawberries. They will be sweet and juicy.

You know, the other neighbouring house is also a let. I have never had a problem with them. It’s owned by an acquaintance of mine who owns a well known restaurant on the Quay. He is considerate and kind. While his friend was renovating it, I was asked if there was too much much noise. And I was shown progress as it became a lovely home.

He cares about community and the neighbourhood. That makes all the difference. The other side could not care less. And that is where they fail.

I bumped into a friend today. We chatted and then he kissed my cheek. I was touched.

I have cannibalised two watches. For ages I have wanted a purple watch face with a chrome bracelet. I have hunted every where. Finally I bought a purple watch that had a purple strap and had a chrome bracelet put on it. And so I have it! And it is unique.

An odd day in all. But ok.

Strange headache…

I awoke with a headache at 5.30 am. This is not usual, so I dozed. The headache did not go so I had to cancel with a friend. This was a bit of a blow as I haven’t seen her for ages. I rested and drank plenty and began to feel better by lunch time.

My cleaner has had to swap to tomorrow as he had a job he needed to finish. It’s made me feel oddly discombobulated. With lockdown Mondays have been my only fixed point in the week. Zoom meetings are fortnightly with others that I choose to join dotted in between.

I have already watered the garden. It was a bit early, but it has not been hot and we have had rain. I have more strawberries on the way, but am sad to see the rose for my sister bruised by the rain. My tomato plants are hanging in there until Pete can help me tomorrow. They need stronger stakes.

This morning I kept jumping when the builders started. I did feel very fragile at the time.

I took a watch bracelet to have a purple watch face put on it. I had discussed it before lockdown, but as I started shielding on the 6 March this was my first chance to take it in. The mall seems more scary now than before the pandemic. It seems half lit and there are arrows everywhere which people seem to ignore.

I do still feel a bit not quite myself though. I have drunk plenty and eaten fairly well. I’ve lost a little bit of weight in the last two weeks as my watch is a bit loose. I shall treat myself to something tomorrow. Maybe two things and maybe bake a cake.

I wonder if M has rearranged his flat? It can’t be nice to have one’s home on public display especially as some of it belongs to H jointly. It’s hard to believe some of what he has done.

I thought of my Dad so much yesterday. I used to take him out and give him a present. Often something he needed but the colours he liked. Or a natural history book – birds, or trees. I can’t believe there are people who throw away their Dad for an alcoholic.

I’m looking forward to bed tonight. I want to sleep away this fragile feeling.