Hello
Life in self-imposed isolation goes on...
there is more time to observe the lorikeets, and respond to their cheeky requests for food..
It has rained a lot, hot tropical storms and showers..
Roses are in bloom once more...
Given to me as a gift ten years ago, the Mary MacKillop rose honours Australia's first saint, who was canonised in 2010. Mary MacKillop was born in 1842, and founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, a teaching order of nuns in Australia. She is known as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The rose has a deep pink bud which gradually opens out to a pale shell pink.
As Omicron cases rise, and with no attempt to lockdown, we have joined many of our friends in the 'stay home' group. It seems that maybe 50% of people are doing this, while the others continue to go out and socialise, and in many cases get the virus. For the first time since the pandemic began, I now know people who have had Covid19 in the past few weeks.
We are getting home delivered groceries.... and notice the grocery delivery vans going up and down our street every day. This never happens in 'normal' times.
We have made a 'family bubble' with our son and his family, and visit to mind the little boys for a few hours each week. Little ones are such a joy.
There are a few lemons on our new lemon tree. I hope they ripen for us - our first crop.
I have been doing what normally get left undone - going through cupboards, sorting out photographs and putting them in albums, and have been given a chance to read a very precious diary:
A small, pocket size book, very thin paper and very fragile, it is over 100 years old. The diary was written by my grandfather while serving in France and Flanders during World War 1. His experiences in that awful, bloody conflict, were shocking and he was very lucky to have survived.
Back in 2009 we visited the area around Ypres, where he spent many months.
Here are a few photos of the preserved trenches, and war cemeteries:
After a busy week working on the house and garden, we had a Netflix weekend and watched three movies!
This is unheard of for me, as I like to keep on the move.
But we were tired.
A new release, 'Don't Look Up' - have you seen it?
A vast comet is headed towards earth, and the scientists who discover it struggle to get the world to listen. A satirical look at today's world, with quite a few home truths to be observed. Meryl Streep as an unhinged President of the USA, and Aussie Cate Blanchett as a morning TV host, give superb cameos.
Also enjoyed 'The Two Popes', a fictionalised look at the relationship between our present Pope Francis and his still-living predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
We learn quite a lot about the Argentinian Francis and his life experiences. He has lived a life very much in the world, rather than as an enclosed, monastic priest.
He loves football, The Beatles, pizza and a glass of wine. Good for him.
I enjoyed the scenes shot in Paris and Italy back in the day, recalling our much more recent trips to these places.
Responding to Mr Red Cardinal's recent gardening efforts, the Peace rose blessed us with one beautiful bloom.
Wishing you all a Peaceful and safe week.
XXXXX
Dearest Patricia,
ReplyDeleteHow sad for living confined to your home...
We're happy for having lived a normal life and enjoy it very much so.
The balance between body and soul makes people feel positive and healthy because of it.
If being deprived of personal freedom, it affects health big time. Far more than any influenza. We've had that for ages and lived with it. Sure it affects the weakest among us but should not deprive them from socializing. The fact that so many elderly died 'alone' because of being deprived any visitors, or any person at a hospital being denied the comfort of a loved one holding their hand when the end is near is the most heartbreaking to me...
When being in the outdoors, inhaling fresh air and eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, we build up a natural immune system.
Would love to see your roses and also the exotic looking birds!
We're having several nights of frost this week, starting tomorrow with -2℃ and as far down as -4℃.
I'm afraid that our just opened up Japanese magnolia blossoms might turn brown and fall off...
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette, thank you for your concern, but we are quite happy and are not confined to our home. We are not in lockdown, but are isolating from choice, avoiding crowds. We have immuno-compromised family who we visit 2-3 times per week, and to protect them we are trying to avoid being unwitting carriers of the virus. In our case we are very healthy and live on the edge of the city with lots of fresh air and healthy food. We can chat to our neighbours, who are doing the same thing, from a short safe distance. At times, one of us goes to a shop to buy an essential item, wearing a mask. Masks are never used twice. How lovely to have Japanese magnolia; we love the plants which grow in frosty areas. There are always roses and birds on the Red Cardinal blog :)
DeleteIn general Australia is not treating its citizens the best over the past two years... Keep enjoying your freedom and fresh air and eat healthy Patricia. That's what we do all the time, for health reasons and even more so the last couple of years. 💞
DeleteDear Patricia - glad that you are keeping yourselves safe, but still able to enjoy your family, your flowers, and the wildlife.
ReplyDeleteHere the scientists are telling us that now that most of us are fully vacinated and the omnicon variant is on the decline, and is weaker than the delta, it is time for us to get back to our normal life and learn to live with the virus. The niggle at the back of my mind is will there be another variant!
It must feel good to reach a point where most are fully vaccinated. Boosters only started here about the time Omicron arrived and as almost a year has passed since the elderly particularly had their first two jabs, it has worn off. Timing has been awkward and our vast land makes supply chains slow. We are hoping in a few more weeks this outbreak will pass the peak and we will relax a bit.
DeletePatricia, first of all, I'm so sorry to hear of people you know getting the virus, that's terrible. I think the "stay home" group sounds wise for now. I try to stay away from crowded areas myself. I cannot believe those Lorikeets and how beautiful they are. You got some wonderful photos of them. Imagine seeing them in my front yard, oh my. Your grandfather's book is a treasure, and how special that you have that to read and look upon his experiences during that horrible war time. I've seen the movie 'The Two Popes' on Netflix and really liked it. When I didn't have cable, I watched Netflix shows, and enjoyed many of them. Your peace rose is so pretty when it blooms. I have many beloved Saints, but have never heard of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Thank you for sharing a little about her. And LEMONS! Oh, won't those be good when they ripen. Stay healthy and safe, dear Patricia. You mean a lot to your blog friends.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I am pleased with my latest lorikeet photos, aided by our gum tree growing a branch closer to our high deck so I can zoom in on them easily. I am taking photos of the war diary, as it is too frail to be put into the scanner. Then I will transcribe it. Glad you liked the Popes as well; it was lovely how they recreated the Sistine Chapel. St Mary of the Cross is a new saint from 2010, Australia's first saint. We have a long way to go to catch up with your country :) Thank you for your sweet last comment, so kind of you. Be safe Sheri. x
DeleteYour grandfather's diary sounds remarkable! So happy you get to see your little ones! What joy they must bring you both! XOXO
ReplyDeleteSuch a privilege to read this frail little diary. Another joyful day today, with little arms curling around my neck, and a little head dropping asleep into my hand. Take care Tamera. xxx
DeleteYou have a wonderful view out that window! I'd be gazing out instead of getting my work done!
ReplyDeleteប្រដាល់ថ្មីៗ
Thai Boxing_ប្រដាល់តាមអនឡាញ
We have a few good views from different sides of the house, for which we are very grateful. I do spend time standing and staring out :)
DeleteSo happy that you are able to still see family but with sensible precautions. We do the same here, just to protect the ones that are not as healthy. I get some deliveries but find the ordering process a bit time consuming bit each time it is a bit easier! Thanks for the lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteAlways happy to know others are doing the same - we hear too much of those who are out rather more than is safe. I find ordering online time consuming too - I could go to the shop and come home with a load in less time! And the shop in 4km away. Glad you enjoyed my pics.
DeleteHi Patricia we too have been shielding but have taken steps to integrate in a careful fashion since our son arrived from Sydney. Exercise is very important for Phil who has Parkinson’s so we ventured back having given ourselves 3 weeks for our boosters to ‘boost’!!
ReplyDeleteSo far so good!!
My father kept a diary on his march through the jungles of Burma with the Japanese on their tails. It makes for sobering reading and I can’t help but think of all those anti Vaxers and others who seem to think the pandemic is a personal affront to their ‘rights’. My mum was 16 when the war started and she spent the war in London and endured the blitz. Both lost their teens to the war and I never heard either of them complain of what they had lost. They got on with it and always found joy in the simple things in life, family, good food and good company. Dad was 98 when he died 4 years ago and mum in her late 80’s.
Your garden looks gorgeous it’s lovely not to have to worry about watering isn’t it!! There has to be some plus’s to compensate for the humidity.
It’s lovely that you are able to spend time with you baby grands. I’m enjoying my son and thoughts for the future as they have bought a house!! My other son hopes to be home in March from Panama…. such excitement I can hardly contain myself. I feel so fortunate. Despite the virus life is good!! Cheers Lindsey
So exciting your son has arrived. I guess, like us, you are visiting family but shielding from the outer world somewhat. I still go walking, which feels very safe in the fresh air. Your father's diary must be very interesting indeed, as Burma was such a bad episode in the war. Your parents sound like mine, similar age, and just got on with it during the war. Like my late mother in law, they loved to go dancing, which included with the American soldiers who flooded Queensland at that time. The rain is good indeed, and we keep the hedge-trimmers busy these days. I love the name 'baby grands' and will utilise it at an opportune moment. They are indeed grand - we saw them today, and they are so affectionate and sweet. Also boisterous. Cheers to you all.
DeleteWe too are 'isolating' from crowds as my husband has health issues. We are both booked in for our booster shots in this coming week.
ReplyDeleteNSW numbers have been very high and the precautions we take are just commonsense.
How lovely to have your grandfather's diary. My grandfather served in Ypes as well and was a machine gunner. He didn't keep a diary and rarely spoke of the horrors he endured but he did go AWOL at some stage. Who could blame them.
My father served in WW2 in Borneo, New Guinea and Japan after the atomic bombs dropped. He wrote a story about his experiences a few years before he passed away.
Hello Petal49, You will be pleased to have your boosters this week. We are crossing fingers for a couple of weeks until our turn comes. Yes, NSW figures are high, but of course the population is bigger. I still find Qld's numbers shocking. The diary is a real treasure, and there was your grandfather as well: I wonder if they ever met? Going AWOL was certainly understandable, I am sure many slipped away at times. I notice my grandfather mentions going into the nearest town for a bath. I wonder if he was even permitted to do that! Your poor father, what awful places they were in WW2, and good for him to write about it. Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteReading your grandfather's diary would be sobering. It's a real family treasure to have something like that. Your roses are beautiful. I'm sure that working in your garden helps you pass the time at home. We are keeping to few contacts outside of family. Omicron seems to have passed the peak here in BC, and I'm certainly hoping so.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend.
It was indeed sobering. We only found it in 2012, and it took a while to get a chance to read it (big family!). There is always plenty to do here, and it is satisfying to sort out a few cupboards too. I am planning a sewcation week this week as its been weeks since I got into that room to stitch something...possibly a pretty dress I might not wear for months, but a sewist must sew. It is good to know Omicron can have a peak, because there is hope for the other side. Predictions are for a peak here in the next 2-3 weeks. Fingers and toes.
DeleteHi Patricia, I do enjoy your blogs and the glimpse you give us of life in Oz. Your grass looks beautifully green. I suppose that’s the upside of lots of rain. I think everyone has pandemic fatigue and as Omicron seems to be milder, most people are taking either the ‘stay home’ approach or the ‘carry on as normal’ and suffer the consequences one. I now know lots of people who’ve had it, including my stepson and one son-in-law. I do love your birds there and your roses are beautiful. Enjoy your sewathon!
ReplyDeleteHi Val, It is unusual for our grass to be so green during a hot Summer - we are competition with Ireland these days. Usually it is burnt brown by now. And the pandemic fatigue and the division into two teams seems to be all around the world (which has never seemed smaller). I will encourage the birds to pose for more pictures, when I am not sewing! :)
DeleteThank you for commenting on my blog after such a long absence! I hope to continue more often now. I loved the picture of the Peace rose. It was my grandmother's favourite and it is one of mine, too. The fact it often doesn't have that many blooms makes it even more special. McKillop sounds like a Northern Irish name. I have been scanning some old negatives I found in a box, and many of them are of my teenage years near Belfast, and one of our teachers had the surname McKillop. No relation to the saint, though, I am sure! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny, I loved reading your latest post, and will enjoy any more you write. Hello from the Peace rose, who we regard as rather special with its rare but beautiful blooms. Ha, I bet your teacher was connected to the same line of McKillops - of course, the saint came from an Irish family, as do many Australians.
DeleteHi Trish!
ReplyDeleteSure sounds like it's the same all over with this wave of covid. I have it and SO many others I know, or someone they're related to, have it too. Ugh! It sounds like you are being so smart about it all and keeping upbeat and busy and positive. ♥️ I do believe we will reach a calmer time again - but it sure stinks that this is just the world we live in now.
Your flowers and all the beauty there must be very helpful in calming and healing the staying in time. 🌸
That diary is priceless! What an amazing family heirloom!! Absolute treasure.
I really want to see Don't look up and I haven't seen the 2 popes yet - that looks really good too. Nice to add to my list while I'm doing a lot of home time myself. 😉
Blessings to you and stay well! 🙏