Memories of this week. A big bumble bee hovering the greenary under the window looking for a flower and finding one, a mad song thrush doing his nut in a tree nearby, I think the mating season has brought out the best in him, a baby squirrel prancing over the newly cut grass, a grandson gutting the little hut in the garden and putting back only what he reckoned was needed and now you could set in a table and eat your dinner there it’s so clean and roomy. The only problem was not being able to give a hug to say thank you. Monetary reward I think made up for it!
AND THOSE LUCKY PEOPLE IN STRANGFORD – THE EXTRAORDINARY SIGHT OF KILLER WHALES SO CLOSE TO THE SHORE, JUST A VISIT APPARENTLY AS THEY TOOK A LOOK AND LEFT! I BET THEY’LL BE BACK.
Great pic by someone on the Lough with Pat McKane on the right watching from the pier. Two Orca whales before your very eyes. What an experience.
So another seven days drifted away, Tesco came and went, we got a regular slot with Asda which is good and takes the worry away from my five o’clock rendezvous with my laptop trying to find a slot.
The week came to a close last night with the Eurovision programmes four hours or so and they turned out to be excellent as far as I was concerned despite the critics who couldn’t be satisfied with anything.
The work that must have gone into making the three elements, the slick presentation, only 30″ of each of the songs we should have heard had the usual format been possible. It was all recorded so there were no embarrassing moments, no stupid self indulgent green room antics and each singer had the chance of a few words at the end of their offering and, as Graham Norton said, it was very moving. They all said the same thing in their own way, delighted to be involved, see you next year and health is more important than anything so keep safe and show kindness.
The spotlight swings this way and that.
Coronavirus, hospitals, care homes, personal protection, lockdown, the easing of lockdown in England and now schools, to open or not to open. I think we have more sense here than they do in England, I’m not sure what Boris Johnson is at but he’s running a lot of risks. Listening to 5Live this morning my heart went out to the parents and teachers and the dilemma they face. It will happen here too – the choice of risking exposing a young life to the classroom and it’s not only that, how do they get there. Older children use trains and buses and therefore are in close proximity with commuters and if what they say is true, these children could end up being carriers. It’s a dreadful decision. But then there are so many dreadful decisions to be made at the moment and so many breaking hearts.
HERE’S A THING
What fruit or vegetable is a rich source of lycopene and was brought to Europe in the 16th Century by Spanish Conquistadors?
Guess the names of UK cities or towns – Cook’s meadow, Bing’s town, Ding Dong Quickly.
Read On.
At a time when newspapers are facing many challenges and some unfortunately have had to close their doors suddenly a new young publication has hit the headlines.
The PAL Gazette 3 has a ready market in Northern Ireland and already the take up has been impressive. Who make up the readership? The clue comes with the name of the publisher, Engage with Age a charity that is imaginative and hard working and this news paper will bring many people who are trapped in their homes during this corona virus tragedy.
This is a new fortnightly initiative from the charity and it has taken off and is full of news for older people and contributions from many, like Berry Drysdale who admits she\’s been indoor for weeks. “I’m walking up and down the garden every day to get my exercise. The lockdown reminds me of the curfews during the war. we all had t be inside with light out soon after teatime. We used to listen to the radio to Valentine Diall ‘The Man in Black’ and his stories of ghost trains.’
It is used in purchase viagra from india various applications in the medical industry. NF Cure capsule, composed with saffron, http://appalachianmagazine.com/2016/06/24/us-coast-guard-intercepts-two-runaway-barges-on-the-kanawha-river/ tadalafil cialis kavach beej and safed musli is another main cure for treating semen leakage problem after urination. According to a medical research, Genetic factors are responsible for MS to a large extent. viagra online http://appalachianmagazine.com/2019/10/18/americas-forgotten-hobo-nickles-of-yesteryear/ Dopamine can actually kindle the pleasure and make you feel compassionate towards each other. viagra prescription australia reviewMargaret Galbraith is 73 and for the first time she wasn’t able to spend the day with her twin brother which must have been very hard.
Making lists is the answer to this social isolation according to Mervyn Cleland. Every night I make a list of four or five jobs to do next day. When I complete a job I feel a sense of achievement and it’s good for my motivation. Making a list help me that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
There’s a quiz, quick fire phone competitions, help with getting online taking the mystery out of Facetime, Zoom and WhatsApp and connecting with family. A member of the Shankill Seniors Forum tried video calling for the first time and within one day Hazel was participating in the Chocolate Bingo fame carrier out using a Zoom video call and she won one of the chocolate prizes! There’s even a Spot the Ball competition, only those of us of a certain age will remember the newspapers running the picture of footballers in mid flight but no ball to be seen, if you placed it properly within the grid you won a prize – in this case a £10 Sainsbury’s voucher.
I am going to tackle Marianne Woodcock’s recipe for Belfast Bread and Butter Pudding and already I’ve taken the advice given on Ways to men Staying at Home more Manageable, routine, delivery services which should be easier now with the priority online food delivery. NI Direct link for vulnerable people sheielding for 12 weeks go get priority delivery fro Asda Resco Iceland and Sainsbury’s https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/register-priority-online-fod-deivery. It’s a hefty form to fill in nothing frightening just doctors details your details and your social and care number. At the every end of the procedure guess what – The stores will make every effort to offer you an online delivery slot, but it is dependent on demand and cannot be guaranteed’. Sort of defeats the object.
Then there’s the PAL Pyramid. Simple, just call two people every week who you already know but have lost touch with. To sign up for this call Martin Towers on 07856 926412
One of the most important items in the Gazette comes under In a Lock Down Rut? “Are you feeling a bit stuck with the coronavirus crisis and not sure what you can do to make things feel a bit better during lockdown? Then the invitation is there to call Martin Towers and chat it out.
So it’s all there, information, advice, humour, and people’s own stories. For a black and white newspaper it’s full colour.
One of the most important articles concern the Older People’s Forums across Belfast providing a voice for men and women from various organisations who have something to say and to lobby for important issues in the community working with Belfast City Council, the Consumer Council, PsNI, the health trusts, Translink amongst others.
More at www.engagewithage.org.uk or phone Eamon Quinn on 07710 993 0361
HAVE YOU SEEN THAT GIRL
Lindsay Robinson is the founder of this organisation dedicated to raising awareness of maternal & parental mental health and advising mothers especially to find help, and support, all based on her own practical knowledge. Lindsay suffered postnatal depression after having her son Reuben and has shared her experiences in a bid to help other women and at this especially difficult time she has created a video called Message to Mum. “With COVID19, I was determined we reach out to mums in some way. Many are online all the time now, at home, so I thought this could be a simple and effective way. It’s been getting great response since released last week. “Almost 30 mothers from all over Northern Ireland have taken part to share wisdom, hope and encouragement, simple and direct words – ‘make time for you’, ‘Ok to ask for help’, ‘you are not alone’ and ‘free yourself of guilt, give it a day off’.More at https://www.facebook.com/haveyouseenthatgirl/videos/267879427590497/ or you can contact Lindsay on email haveyouseenthatgirl@outlook.com
Got a real shock when I looked behind a chair in the living room! This was lurking! Had a huge coronavirus infiltrated the house?
No, it was a dog’s toy ball left after the last visit of Molly and Bella!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Take care, keep following the safety rules. It’s easy to become complacent and forget to remember – like washing your hands throughout the day. We must be vigilant. Look after the children, they must be so worried and bored, keep them busy and laughing if you can.