The C word

No, the title does not mean that this is going to turn into a rant about the leader of the free world, much as it so easily could, nor a reflection on our recovering leader’s approach to the current situation. Rather, just a few thoughts about how we are responding to confinement, given that many weeks have passed since when receiving 4 bottles of a particular lager seemed like a funny idea, many stories of hardship and sadness have appeared in the media and that lockdown looks set to continue…

Horticulture – At least the weather has been dry, so being forced to be at home has meant more time in the garden to start new battles (nettles), continue ongoing battles (brambles!) and consider cleaning out the small pond area. Child #2, at best a reluctant participant in any activities other than sunbathing in the garden, really got stuck into the pond area, inspired to make it a Japanese area of zen tranquility. All was going swimmingly, apart from the leech which attached itself to his arm, until signs of life were discovered. Child #1, the one with a degree in ‘animal shit’ (not really what it says on his certificate, but it best describes the range of things he studied!) was quickly called upon and he declared the animals to be newts and that the project had to be stopped forthwith. As a protected species, habitats have to be retained, so the pond was re-filled and child #2 returned to the easy chair to research all matters newt and to re-design his project.

Culture – The writer her indoors (literally) has been busy writing, responding to the plethora of requests from a variety of organisations for new writing, based on themes such as isolation. En famille we have enjoyed the streaming of National Theatre productions, most especially ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ in which James Corden excels. We have revisited ‘Derry Girls’, as well as Brooklyn 99. It is probably no surprise that these are all comedies, with moments that make you stop and think… we seem to feel the need to laugh. We have also all been caught reading for pleasure at some time or another, and increasingly so. More than one post on Twitter has made the point about the importance of the Arts in helping us all through the crisis and hoping that governments are mindful of this when normality is resumed.

Cooking continues to provide a source of purpose amongst the current conditions, with the challenge of using ‘different’ ingredients in recipes and the chance to empty cupboards of a variety of cans and packets that have probably been there for too long. Mealtimes are all the more interesting given the five of us at home; two pescatarians, one of whom is also lactose intolerant, has a gluten-free diet and is currently on a low FODMAP regime (of which more in my next post), and another allergic to hard shelled nuts and a range of similar foods. I’m enjoying the creative challenges posed!

Countryside – But I fully understand just how lucky I am to have a garden for good access to outside space, a house large enough for all five of us to have our own space at the times that we need this, and that we are all fit and healthy. Social distancing has been relatively easy living in a small village, with social lives continuing online – who had heard of ‘zoom’ before this all started? – and always plenty of space when walking the pampered pooch. But these are strange times indeed…

Eating: Probably too much! Above, both a cauliflower dahl, recipe adapted from a squash and red lentil recipe I have. Onions replaced with celery and garlic oil instead of garlic. I also had my annual go at hot cross buns, this year from Mary Berry’s recipe. Looked very rustic but actually very tasty!

Drinking: Definitely too much! I intended to blag it and just talk about the lovely coffee above, the house blend of a café in Ilminster that I found hiding in a cupboard in the kitchen, but that would have been pushing it too far. Eating plenty of fish at the moment, so the above complements a range of them (and I have soft spot for white Riojas!)

Listening to: Given the title of this post, perhaps I should be listening to The Cure, The Clash, Elvis Costello or Culture Club – you get the point, I’m sure. However, current ‘go to’ song is Dance Monkey by Tones and I, one of those songs that stays with you after first listen and just doesn’t go away!

Reading: Given the time we have at the moment, I thought I’d add this section over the next few posts. Currently, and as a result of our severely curtailed trip to Japan, of which more later, I am re-reading a textbook from my university days – Buddhist Scriptures, a collection edited by Edward Conze.