I write this as a plea. Our Prime Minister tells us to stop panic buying, there’s enough for all, stock up in case you need to self-isolate for 14 days, but leave some for others. Please.
Mr Johnson, I would like to tell you that if the vulture-picked supermarket shelves in my community are anything to go by, few are listening.
Every day. Getting worse.
Everyone over 70 now needs to self-isolate for 12 weeks. Teams of volunteers are setting up to help those who are most vulnerable with their shopping, I hear. That’s great.
But I wonder what I am to do. I am a carer for my youngest, adult child who is on the autistic spectrum with social anxiety. Social isolation is not a new thing for our family. We live with it and find ways to deal with it. Now we have to find new ways, because my mother, who is vulnerable and also lives with us, is self-isolating.
This means I will also do her food shopping and thank goodness I can, but how can I when there’s nothing left on the shelves? Aware that supermarket staff are on the frontline and no doubt bombarded with complaints, I tried, nevertheless, to ask for advice.
Here’s my conversation from yesterday afternoon at a local supermarket:
Me, at checkout: ‘Sorry to ask, I don’t want to hold you up (the man in line behind me already sighing…) but do you have any advice for me, as a carer, of the best time to shop, as your shelves are bare?
Checkout Guy: ‘Oh…are they? Well, we don’t have any sanitizer or hand soap…’
‘Yes…I know that…but I’m talking about fresh meat, tinned food, toilet paper, pasta, bread…’
‘Well the shelves are stocked overnight…I can’t tell you what gets put out as I don’t do the shelves…it’s just what’s there…’
‘Yes…I understand that, but I’m trying to find out when I should do my shopping, as clearly there’s a time when everything gets cleaned out.’
‘Well, they come in early and buy everything…’
‘How early…like first thing, they queue up before you open?’
‘Yes…’
‘Can’t you put a limit on things when that happens?’
‘You’ll have to talk to my team leader,’ he sighed, clearly fed up with me. ‘She’s over there…’ He pointed to a checkout lady busy with her customer.
The man behind me glared as I walked over to said team leader.
I explained my dilemma.
‘Nothing we can do…’ she said. ‘Head office haven’t told us to limit anything…’
‘So what do I do? Online shopping is a mess…’
‘Well that’s probably going to end anyway…sorry, it’s pot luck. Sorry…’
This isn’t what their circular email said, reassuring their customers they were doing all they could to make sure everyone had enough. The panic buyers put paid to that. Not only that, they are risking exposure by herding together as they wait for the doors to open.
And what of those who still have to work? My eldest son called in to his local supermarket for his usual shop on the way home from work yesterday. Shelves stripped bare.
He went home with a bottle of rum.
My middle son can’t get much at all with the hours he works. As part of a houseshare, he doesn’t have room for hoarding even if he wanted to (he doesn’t).
He’s getting by with cider and tinned peaches. I told him, keep the peaches in the fridge; they’re nice chilled.
Seriously…I’m worried for them. For us.
Shut Away, Calm Waters
Still, today brings a glimmer of hope as supermarkets announce item limits. About time, because appealing to common sense and consideration towards others hasn’t worked.
Kindness does exist, though. If we don’t keep it close, we’ll sink.
My husband and I recently stayed at a hotel (necessity, not holiday). The hotel was pretty empty, but the staff there remained helpful and friendly, despite their obvious fears for their very livelihoods.
Back home, my husband emailed the manager to thank him for his help and concern (we needed an extra night). The manager replied that on a morning rapidly sinking into chaos, my husband’s email gave him hope.
Just a little kindness. That’s all.
But I am still unsure as supermarkets have set up dedicated early morning slots before 9 am for ‘the elderly’ to shop. How can they shop when they are self-isolating at home?
What do I do, as my family’s carer? Will I be allowed to use that slot? Will they believe me when I turn up, or think I’m trying it on? Do I need proof? Or will anybody really be enforcing this? I’ve researched online, tried calling, but can’t get through. Has this not been addressed?
Think of me tomorrow morning when I hit the shops at 8am.
And here’s the other thing: I need to keep myself healthy. Husband too. This I fear the most: who will look after us if we both get ill? Who will do our shopping? Online shopping isn’t a good option right now: the nearest slot is at least 2 weeks away and I have no assurance that my order would be delivered.
My head spins even as think of it, trying to make some sense through the writing of it. A dilemma to which I would love a solution without feeling that everytime I leave my house, I’m doing battle.
We’re in this together, world over.
We’ve got enough supplies to tide us over.
But we all know that nothing lasts forever.
Let’s hope this means coronovirus too.
A View From My Summerhouse 
It’s a frigging nightmare. I can see the unselfish perishing, and only the selfish and greedy surviving. What is wrong with people? Where’s the sense of community? If anyone was hoping for a return of the the WW2 community spirit, they’ll be sadly disappointed. All I can say, if only the selfish and greedy do survive, it won’t be for long, as they’ll start tearing each other to shreds.
I’m sorry I can’t say anything more encouraging to you Sherri, my dearest friend. You must be even more stressed than me (and that’s saying something, as my head is feeling fit to explode with panic), but my areas of responsibility as a carer are only a fraction of yours.
Thnking of you you and sending you loads and loads of love, hugs, and kisses xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
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Dearest Sarah, ha…yes, no wartime spirit here. Stockpiling is becoming a serious issue. I didn’t want to get at them, as I now know has become commom place, and I am deeply grateful for the staff, but I was as frustated as they, only wanting to know what I should do about my food shopping, wondering if they had anything in place. Tomorrow I’m heading to ASDA as they say they have slots in the early morning before 9am for ‘the elderly’. Still can’t get my head around that though when they’re supposed to be at home. Arrrghhhh… Well, I will be doing battle and will report back. This is utter madness.
Dearest Sarah, keep as calm as you can and we will talk soon. We’ll get through this…we have to.
Lots and of love and hugs and kisses back to you…xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Good luck for tomorrow. I’ll be thinking of you. Don’t forget to don your tin helmet! Perhaps I should try ASDA, too, or get Mister to do an early shop somewhere, as he’s the one who qualifies age-wise!
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Thanks, Sarah. Ha…good idea! Yes, try it. They just announced it starting tomorrow – it is 20th March tomorrow, isn’t it? I’m so fried with brian fog I don’t know what hour it is never mind day!! Send Mister and we’ll both report back!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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I hope you get lucky shopping in the “silver hour”, as they call it. We have a little shopping street down the road from us. Mister said there was enough ingredients available at 9 am between the co-op, the butcher, and the greengrocer. I’m not sure about stuff like toilet rolls, disinfectant, and paracetamol though. As if life isn’t stressful enough, without the present globral horror storythat we’ve no idea how or when it will end. Sending you lots of love and multiple virtual hugs xoxox
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Thank you, dearest Sarah. I got our supplies, but it was not easy. A sign at the pharmacy said: ‘No paracetomol, masks, thermomoters or sanitizer.’ The little shopping street sounds like a life saver, so glad you got what you needed. Our town, though not large, is closing down left and right. But I am going to try a couple of local farm shops. We are in this for the long haul and we just need to get through it on one piece. Take care dear friend…I will be in touch and I send lots of love and multiple hugs back 🙂 xxxxxxx
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It’s just the same here empty shelves today you couldn’t get eggs can’t think which idiots think you can stockpile them!!! As you say if everyone just shopped in their normal way this wouldn’t be a problem so thankfully the shops are finally putting a limit on purchases although I think no more than 2 of each item is adequate keep strong Sherri xx
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Tish, I’ve been thinking of you a lot and your family. We’ll talk very soon. It’s got out of hand and the utter selfishness of some people. Eggs…what’s with that? As for toilet paper…well, we could talk all day. This is horrible, all of it. Thank goodness we have means to connect if not in person. We’ll be heading to total lockdown soon probably…then what? Yes…I agree totally. Arrgh…thanks, my dear friend, and you too. Lots of love ❤ xxxxxx
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I think everyone is stockpiling eggs so they can do loads of baking while they are at home! Everyone is going to get very fat!
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Ha…too true, Jude!
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Looking at the totally empty shelves yesterday where beer / lager and crisps should be, I think I see where we are heading next… obesity, alcoholism and heart attacks…
Still no flour either 😦
So much fresh produce will be binned as no way can it all be eaten, then they’ll be back at the shops stockpiling again.
Next step will be to bring in rationing as in WW2 – now that would stop the idiots stockpiling.
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Jude, that’s the next thing…alcohol! And come to think of it, there wasn’t flour or eggs yesterday. A lot of comfort food ravaged…interesting what such times reveal about our habits!!! Let’s hope with the new measures in place, things are more controlled now…though I have to fight my rising panic everything I go shopping, not just for what I can find – or can’t – but that people will distance themselves. I had to keep on the ball constantly. And the milk section was heavily monitored yesterday too….
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Fortunately there is a dairy close to us so we should be able to find milk. Eggs not so easy. And wine from a local merchant whose prices at the lower end are similar to the wine we buy anyway, plus free delivery and the fact we are helping him keep his business afloat.
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That’s great helping keep local businesses afloat. I’m going to try our local farm shop (the place where we camped out for several weeks inbetween selling and buying a couple of years ago…) and see what they have. Keep safe, my friend! xxx
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You have my heartfelt sympathy, Sherri, not that that’s any help 😔. It’s nothing like so bad here but all the asking and calling on human decency in the world isn’t making any sort of impression on these people. I would hate to work in a supermarket. They not only endanger their own health every day but what must they witness? No wonder some are indifferent. I don’t have any answers hon. Just a hopeless hug across the miles. 🤗💕
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I agree, Jo. As I type this, the BBC is addressing this very issue, calling once again to stop people stockpiling. Appealing to human deceny hasn’t worked so far, I can’t say I have much faith it will work now. I went out at 8am yesterday and still there was a surge for fresh meat and all the usual. Soap and hand sanitizer? What’s that? I’ve forgotten… 😦 I do feel so sorry for frontline workers at supermarkets. They at least are now designated key workers but they don’t get the respect. I did manage to get supplies, but every staff member I spoke to told me about horrible abuse they’re experiencing. I’m glad it’s not so bad there. I hope you and yours are all keeping safe and well…and I don’t think any of us have answers. At least I got my provisions…for a little while. Hugs of any kind help a lot! Thanks, lovely one… 🙂 ❤
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My darling, its a free for all here too, espesh in the bigger shops, the smaller ones are not so bad. But of course we are told the shelves aren’t empty. Lorries are delivering round the clock. I don’t know what clock this is but it sure ain’t ticking too well. Either that or they are delivering to the wrong shop. People are going around with big shopping lists. In the news supermarkets are trumpeting that shoppers may only purchase four items of the same product. What they are not saying is shoppers will be lucky to purchase four items. Period. I have managed to pick my way so far cos my freezer is aye full and I make just about everything we eat and we don’t eat that much actually either. But to do a shop today, I was in five places all told, I have found that the smaller places are better though ..well so far… Indeed our little Extra shop down on the High St was so well stocked it gave a completely false impression of the carnage elsewhere…..
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Ha…I think those clocks need reparing! I’m with you, Shey…no ticking here lol. Yes, good point, I happened to visit the little Extra shop I used to go to all the time before we moved a couple of years ago, and was too very surprised at how well stocked it was. I hadn’t realised just how bad it was at the big supermarkets. Farm shops too are good I hear. I turned up yesterday at 8am at another supermarket and even then it was a bun fight. I did get what I needed, kept calm and spoke to several members of staff – from a distance, naturally. Every one told me about the abuse they’re getting, blamed for the shortages. Just now, there’s an announcement about the food carnage…again appealing to people’s deceny. Will it work? I don’t think so somehow… Keep safe, keep well… xxxxxxxxxx
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It won’t work appealing and it is not that a lot of people are minus decency, it is the sheer fact of standing in a supermarket looking at rows of empty shelves. So yeah, if you see something, like a basic like sugar, you buy it, even though you don’t need it cos you think… what about next week? The Mr went down to the Ferry today and he got everything from the wee shops, the indie shops, even flour.
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It creats panic seeing those empty shelves. It shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Word got out and people went mad. Where did the TP craze start? Who put the word out that it would be in short supply, I wonder? No sense to it.
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No-one did. But both the Scottish and the English gov would have been better to have been honest when they shut the schools and said re a sort of lockdown to follow, cos what I heard that day …and the writer in me pricks up the ears…was people already knowing cos maybe they had a relative in the police or army, or someone who saw them getting of off crafts with vehicles, big strong force in Arbroath Harbour, or maybe they just figured it ? And so they looked after their own.
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Ha…yeah…that puts it in perspective for sure… and let’s not forget the profiteers…
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I know this is unknown territory for these politicians but i do think the handling of it does not inspire any confidence at all. And I also feel that had the NHS been funded in the first place, the half of what is going on would not be necessary. The terrible scare-mongering either.
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I know, Shey…the chickens have come home to roost after 10 years of austerity… arrgh don’t get me started…
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The awful scaremongering now out of necessity cos of this nonsense, is going to cause serious probs I think in the not too distant future. People need more than wailing headlines, from a gov that ran the service down, and the fact they can’t get food, some places, can’t see the people they love. And they are being met by more doom, more gloom, more hammering into the ground. Shops are being shuttered, barred and bolted here, police hanging about. Why is that if they are not expecting trouble?
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It’s dreadful everywhere, Sherri and I find myself wondering what kind of sheltered lives the politicians and the head office supermarket honchos lead if they can’t see what’s happening in every town in the country. Sending virtual hugs – not much help but it’s all I can do 🙂
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Your virtual hugs go a long way, thanks Mary. Same to you 🙂 I wonder if today’s announcement will make a difference. Now the pubs and restaurants have closed, I imagine we won’t find a single bottle of wine either… ! Keep well and safe in these more than difficult times… xxx
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I will be venturing out for a small food shop tomorrow Sherri, not sure what I’ll find, but I am hoping they are not restricting wine to two bottles! That won’t last long in this house! As most people only need to self isolate for two weeks if they are in contact with someone who is ill , then why the need to buy so much? Truly bonkers, but not unsurprising and there wil be nasty greedy folk who aim to make a profit selling goods on. Then there are those folks who are most vulnerable and need to stay away from others for longer – like my son who has diebetes and a compromised immune system – but can’t get online delivery, HAS to eat regularly, and so will be forced to go out to shop. If only common sense was applied we’d be fine. Sigh… sending virtual hugs my friend, we just need to keep our pecker up! 🤗
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I hope you got what you needed, Jude. I got my provisions, but it was sparse even at 8am. And still a bun fight in some areas with people grabbing the fresh meat like gold dust. Ha…know what you mea, thankfully no limit on wine, but now with the pubs and restaurant closed…can you imagine? What a worry for your son, it shouldn’t be like that… Sadly, the appeal to common sense isn’t working. It’s shocking how fast this is spirallling. Lovely to hear from you, my friend. Keep those virtual hugs coming and I’ll do the same…pecker up indeed! 🙂 xxx
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I usually shop to the week’s menus I plan ahead, but now I am having to plan the menus around what I can buy. Fortunately there are several supermarkets within a 10 mile radius so I can, if I need, visit a few.
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Same, Jude. I hope things have calmed down in your neck of the woods as they have here now, somewhat. I shopped yesterday and it was much better now that stringent measures are in place for limits on all items, monitoring numbers and marking spaces for social distancing. I still don’t like going there, though, but the hour set aside on Wednesday mornings for carers helps me greatly. However, as I waited at the pharmacy (inside the supermarket), a woman sneezed openly as she walked right by me. It shook me…
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Firstly, Sherri, you made me laugh about the peaches! If nothing else keep that humour – it will do wonders.
Troubling times indeed, but I think once the initial panic is over, things will start to ease off a little… you never know we may be getting served by members of the armed forces if chaos reigns any longer.
It’s going to be very odd for the next few weeks, but we’ll get through it.
I’m hoping we have one of our very hot Springs, like we’ve had for the past few years, and that sorts out most of the problems… you never know.
Take care of you and yours, Sherri, and try to bob along with the rest of us! Good luck with your early shop!
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Glad to keep you laughing, Tom. If we don’t do that, we’ll go mad! Yes, we will get through this…good to remember that. I got my provisions, early, but it wasn’t ideal. And so we do indeed bob along the best we can. Thanks for your cheer and encouragement, Tom. Take care…and keep well!
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Oh Sherri, I can sympathiZe . We’re experiencing the same here in USA. Happily, our cupboards were already pretty full. Daughter did a regular online shop, only a few things were out of stock. (Walmart) I have heard that items are being limited tho. Toilet paper shortages freak me out no end, at normal times! But, clinging to Jesus, who cares for us.
Lots of love, and virtual hugs<3
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Yes, I keep basic stocks of non perishable foods, always have, so find it hard dealing with this stockpiling mentality. There is a supply chain, but still, the panic buying is making many others short. It’s terrible. Our online shopping is in chaos, with many areas not even getting delivery. Something’s gotta give! Glad you are all hanging in there….TP and all! Ha…I know what you mean about freaking out! Lots of love and virtual hugs back to you…keep safe, Melinda! ❤
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We are! Doing everything we can. ❤
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Great…same here…keep going, my friend! ❤
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Darling girl, I feel you. We are all living in a new world order and right now of uncertainty. It’s no different here, other than we are already a ghost town, only moments ago from a bustling city. Fear is what we all have because of the unknown, and stupid leaders that don’t help only add to the mayhem. Please check with the WHO website to get accurate updates and alerts, read lots – education is our friend. I know you have your hands full. Seems we’re all caring for someone :(. I am double masking and heading out to the grocery tomorrow. I’ve heard many stories of lineups and empty shelves, but I must do a big shop since my return and stock what I can as I may not be able to get out again with my husband. Then, I will use delivery service! Sign up somewhere, if your supermarkets aren’t already offering this, they will! Stay strong, and stay safe and keep in touch. Hugs across the pond xoxoxo ❤ ❤
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Thanks, Deb. Yes we’re on lockdown here now too. Crazy. I read constant updates from many outlets the world over. It’s the only way to keep on top of it all. All the supermarkets have online shopping and delivery service here but it’s overloaded with long waits for slots, delivery issues and many items not available. Some I know including family members can no longer get home/online delivery at all. I’ll be spending Mother’s Day tomorrow online with my chicks as they are self distancing as are we, too risky. I miss them and don’t know when we’ll al be together again 😦 Got my shopping and don’t plan to go out for a while now, but sadly I have no choice but to go out there when absolutely necessary. And going early did not keep the herds down. Hubby still has to work so we have to very careful about not getting too close to my mum and youngest. It’s bad but we are managing with our new normal. As you say, we do our best for our loved ones and those we care for and do all we can to keep safe. I hope you got all you needed too, Deb. It’s chaos out there. Keep well, my friend, and thank you for your hugs…and right back to you. Will definitely keep in touch… ❤ ❤ xoxoxo
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I was actually surprised to find the stores not busy. Although, the usual supplies had empty shelves – t. paper, sanitizers and the like. Took hubby to the lab. We wore masks and gloves and I managed to pinch a few more masks lol. I think it’s time people start making their own. The only reason we arent advised to wear them is because they are in short supply and that would cause more panic. Be extra vigilant around your mom for sure. And maybe we should just put in grocery orders every few days to keep the supply coming? Feels like we’re now living in the stories we read and write. Stay safe my friend. ❤ ❤ xoxo
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Ha…it really does. And they do say life is stranger than fiction, right? This is unreal…yet, it isn’t! Glad you got most of your supplies including extra masks lol. I have masks because my youngest has some thankfully. We need that supply coming for sure. A big announcement went out to day about the food supply chain…let’s see if things get a little better but so long as stockpiling continues like it has, I can’t see it. Although, where is all this extra food going? Selling on, perhaps? You too, Deb. Stay safe. So glad you’re back ❤ ❤ ❤ xoxo
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Selling is big for masks and sanitizers for sure! And I think the more dire we keep hearing about the devastation globally this is causing, the more primal instincts kickin in fear. Just my thoughts. Yes, stay safe! ❤ xoxo ❤
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With you, Deb. Human nature, sadly, is what it is through the ages. Fear and panic cause more harm in the end. So…to keep as calm and sane as possible and get through this safe and well…big hugs, my friend! 🙂 ❤ 🙂 ❤ xoxo
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Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤ ❤ xxx
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❤ ❤ ❤
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We light the path we’re all walking along.
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We do indeed, Liz…
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I hope you can go early. Stay safe. Xo
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Hi Luanne…I did and it was still chaos. But I got provisions. Thank you…you too, my friend… xoxo
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It really saddens me when those at the top of our society say things like ‘The UK can send Coronavirus packing in 12 weeks if the public takes ruthless action…’ when they’ve not insisted that bars, pubs, restaurants and anywhere where people gather close their doors. You have to look at what is going on in London at the moment, Sherri. Many of the bars are still packed with people who seem to think that none of what is happening will affect them.
And then there are those NHS workers who work 24-hour shifts to look after us and who can’t get any shopping of basic foodstuffs because the vultures have stripped shelves bare. I’ve even heard people boosting at what they have got in their shopping trollies as if it’s some kind of game. If our NHS staff can not get food to keep healthy, then who is going to look after us if we become ill?
I’m so very disappointed at how our leaders are not taking this threat more seriously. Seriously, they believe that everyone in society will act responsibly and we’ll be rid of this virus in 12 weeks? All they are doing is condemning many more people to their deaths. They need to get real and take the proper action to stop this virus instead of asking people nicely and keeping their fingers crossed.
I hope your shopping trip was far less stressful today, Sherri. Take good care of yourselves.
xxxx
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I hear you, Hugh, and agree. At least since the time of writing action has at last been taken to close those pubs and restaurants, but it should have happened long before now. But I have heard from various sources that even though it is now enforced, many still did not close as they should have, making sure to have one last blow out party last night. Don’t they realise this could sweep through us all like an uncontrolled fire? Terrifying. Asking people nicely and appealing to their common sense of decency isn’t working. Like the announcement today from the supermarket powers-that-be. It’s the same message about being kind and nice and considerate. It’s not working!!!!! And that’s shocking that some would boast about their supplies, but not surprised. Profiteering will never go away either…wonder whose stocking up and selling on? I did get supplies, thanks Hugh, but it was still a scramble. It’s frightening, I felt quite panicky as I tried to walk calmly around and not let it get to me seeing half the shelves cleaned out despite the early hour, and may parts shut down all together. And it’s happened so fast hasn’t it? I spoke to several staff members who all have suffered horrible abuse at the hands of shoppers blaming them for the empty shelves. So much for wartime spirit. We need firm action to control this. Asking won’t cut it. Thank you , Hugh, always lovely to hear from you. I’ll be in touch. You and your family all take care too and keep safe and well… xxxxxx
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I couldn’t believe it when I saw how many packed themselves into pubs and bars before last orders were called for the last time until who knows when Sherri. Likewise, we’ve had a lovely sunny weekend, but all those people packing the beaches and amusement arcades, without so much as a care in the world. No doubt it will have been noted, and probably means we’ll go into lockdown even sooner.
We needed to get some fresh milk today, and I was so glad to see that our local supermarket had a lot more stock (including toilet rolls) than they’ve had for the last week. And it wasn’t early, just after one O’ clock this afternoon. I did hear that the hoarders now have nowhere else to put stuff, so the shelves at the supermarket will gradually get back to normal. Let’s hope so!
It’s a strange world at the moment with nobody knowing what will happen next. Panic buying only fuels our fears and makes some people do stuff they’d never have done under normal circumstances. I hope we’ll see a gradual move towards the supermarkets always having full shelves. My fingers are crossed.
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Hi again, Hugh, and since we last ‘chatted’, here we are on lockdown. But the police are still having to keep order with groups insisting on gathering as if we’re on our spring holidays. Unbelievable. But the good news is, things seem to have quietened down on the supermarket front and order achieved at last with stringent steps to keep crowds to a minimum and limits on all items. So glad to hear it’s better with you too. That helps a lot. Especially with toilet paper! As you say, fear and panic just make everything so much worse, for us all. I hope you and your family are all keeping safe and well, Hugh. At least the sun is shining and we can get our for our daily walks. And this won’t be forever. Each of us doing our bit to help everyone else get through this as intact…and as sane!… as possible. Take care, my friend ❤
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Telepathic hugs across the waves, Sherri. These are indeed challenging times and it seems you have extra challenges to deal with. While we are given lots of directives and recommendations, there are some gaps that we have to fill ourselves but, without the knowledge, it’s as difficult as trying to find something on those empty shelves. I think it’s going to be a while before this situation ends, Sherri. I hope you steer a clear path through. Hugs. 💖
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Feeling those telepathic hugs, Norah, thank you. Right back to you. I am navigating our new normal, along with the world over, and doing all we can to keep as safe and well as possible. It’s demoralising though to go out there, like some kind of battle zone. But you’re right…we need to hold on and try to glean that knowledge to arm ourselves the best we can. Thank you for your lovely message, Norah. You too…keep safe and well. SMAG will get us through 🙂 ❤
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It will, Sherri. We must trust. At least it’s not as bad as it would have been last century. We have the advantage of being able to stay connected via the internet. 💖🌻
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So true, Norah, and thank goodness for the internet indeed. I remember when I lived in California for 20 years so far from my extended family and for most of that time, I relied on letters, postcards and expensive international phone calls. When 9/11 hit, I was cut off for 3 days entirely, unable to contact them and it felt awful. Who knows how long we will all be confined to lockdown now, but thank goodness, we are here, connecting with our loved ones… and dear friends 🙂 SMAG will always rule! 😀 ❤
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Always! But isn’t it amazing the way we stayed connected without the internet and mobile phones. It’s difficult to remember how we arranged dates or to meet up with friends. Somehow we just did. Perhaps we didn’t make so many excuses or have so many distractions. Stay safe, my lovely. 💖🌻
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I know…we just did, didn’t we?! It was certainly a very different time…and you’re right, Norah, we didn’t have the same distractions. Different times for sure… Thank you, my friend…and you too! ❤ 🙂 xxx
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💖💖💖
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I hope you are faring better. It is astounding how panic has infected us even more than the virus itself. Kindness goes a long way. Wishing you the best.
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Oh thank you Ms D! Yes, and that panic came so fast didn’t it? Thankfully, things seem to be settling down somewhat now that stringent measures are in place for better control of the situation. And kindness wins through in the end. I hope you are faring well too…keep safe and keep well 🙂
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Only just got to this, Sherri. I hope things are looking a little clearer and brighter by now. They seem to be here, with the added bonus that the roads are a lot quieter – which is great as Ess has a mini-roundabout right outside her house. I’m having to stay with her at the moment – can’t go home because it’s not essential travel. Be interesting to see how things are in three weeks’ time.
Take care of yourselves
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Hi Graeme, good to hear from you. Things have eased thankfully, and will update in my forthcoming post. Yes, the quiet roads are definitely a bonus, same here, and glad to hear you and Esther are together through this. The lovely early spring sunshine helps Thanks, Graeme, you too, take care and let’s get through this safe and well! 🙂
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It’s relatively calm where we are, and there is a massive field so we can take a short walk and enjoy extreme social distancing without being near anybody. The Philippines is out though so Crissy can’t get back to her family, that’s a massive challenge but that is one of the stresses of having family in two continents, one of us will always be worried by the distance from family.
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I know exactly how you feel, having lived apart from my family for 20 years when I lived in CA. There will always be the worry one side of the sea or the other. Not easy. I think it would have been a lot easier, back then, if we had skpe and such. When my mother and I both got email – oooooh!!! – in the last few years, that helped a lot! I miss my adult children terribly though ‘only’ 4 hours apart and won’t see them until all this is over, several family gatherings/birthdays/celebrations all cancelled, but I am now a huge fan of video calls! I hope you and Crissy are able to find some measure of peace of mind with the help of modern technology, although it will always be the next best thing. Glad you are all safe and have good open space for your social distancing. I am going for a walk around our village shortly…trying to adjust to our new normal along with the rest of the world, thereabouts. Take care, my friend 🙂
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We are up and down when it comes to our worries and happiness and sch which is expected. We are trying to keep busy and that is the main thing. Also we end up watching a bit of trash TV which is a waste of time but such an addictive waste, haha. Stay safe, and drink that bottle of rum!
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Ha…yes, trash TV has it’s place!! As does rum…although prefer gin. But hey…these are strange times…Thanks, Ste…you too!
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I hope your supply chain shores up, soon Sherri! Our smalltown stores and co-op have gone to limited hours, limits on high volume items, and have even rented Uhauls to keep shelves stocked with noticeable holes. We can no longer special order. But there appears to be plenty of beer!
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Thanks, Charli. Since we last ‘chatted’, I have been unable to get any online service at all, so we still have to brave the supermarkets, but we go as little as possible due to the issues with a lot of people still not getting the self distancing problem. Too many people getting too close. Things have eased with stringent measures in place to prevent stockpiling, limits on everything and reduced hours. So long as we can get the necesseties and there’s beer, we can’t complain! Keep safe, keep well, my dear friend ❤
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Totally agree! 👍 and for those that can only afford weekly shopping.
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Thank you for commenting. What times are these. Keep safe!
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