Saturday, March 21, 2020

Out and About


It's interesting walking around town and seeing how people are adapting to this coronavirus situation. Or NOT adapting. Yesterday morning Olga and I took a walk along the high street and a lot of people seemed to be going to work as usual (some wearing masks). I saw a couple of guys sitting in a cafe eating, a couple more at the counter in the kebab shop, several at the sidewalk tables outside Cafe Nero. There were workmen doing construction, and a man and woman sharing a cigarette.

I tried to maintain distance but it was hard with so many out. The official government advice to stay home hasn't sunk in, I guess. (Of course the same could be said of me walking the dog -- we probably do need to stay off the high street at busy times.)

Then we walked down Billy Fury Way and I saw no one except a lone Asian woman wearing a face mask.


Later in the day, Boris declared that all bars, restaurants, pubs and other entertainment venues would close as of yesterday evening. So I guess those people sitting in cafes won't be doing it any longer.

I went to Homebase, our local home improvement store, in the afternoon to pick up some supplies. I want to do a couple of projects -- I'm going to refinish our garden bench and our patio chairs, and I'm going to make mosaic stepping stones for the garden using all the pottery chips I've collected on my walks. Homebase was pretty dead, but again I was very aware of the handful of people at the checkout, and the distance between us. I kept trying to back away from the woman in front of me, and every time I backed up, she did too. It was like she had sensors in the back of her head telling her, "You have more room behind you!" I wanted to poke her and ask her to give me some space.


The garden center at Homebase was stocked to the rafters with plants. I hope someone's buying them. When I was there, I was the only one -- I picked up this polyanthus just to give it a home. I worry that in the event of a complete lockdown they'll all be left to wither, which would be just another sad aspect of a lockdown, a veritable sea of sadness.

When I got back I called my mom, who I haven't talked to since all this began. We had a very short conversation -- I'm not sure she's even fully aware of this virus situation -- and I simply explained to her that rather than visiting in April I'm going to come in June. (Insha'allah!) She just laughed, which is my mom's response to most things these days.

Oh, and I've suspended my Newbery Challenge. There's really no point if I can't display the books and talk about them with the kids. Time to catch up on my own reading!

16 comments:

Yorkshire Pudding said...

You wanted to poke the woman in front of you? Lascivious beast! Have a peaceful weekend! Is any other kind of weekend possible now?

Moving with Mitchell said...

So, which was it? You wanted to poke her or you wanted her to give you some space? Voluntary measures don't seem to do much good. I hope everyone gets their acts together.

Sharon said...

I had a similar experience at the grocery store yesterday. I kept my distance from the woman in front of me but the guy behind me was a little too close. I wanted to ask him to back off but at the same time, I didn't want to face him so I just ignored him the best I could. My beloved botanical garden closed yesterday for the duration. I'm glad I got one last walk in. I'll have to find a new walking environment for the time being. I'll go mad if I have to stay in the house all the time.

Ms. Moon said...

Be careful, Steve. Yes. This is a good time for projects in the garden.

Anonymous said...

Life gets very, very quiet during the "shelter in place" mode. No cars on the road. A few people out walking. Yes, garden projects and good books. Take care there and stay safe and well.

Red said...

We'e not as tightly locked down as you. But it is very quiet. Very little traffic on the main roads.

Fresca said...

I always enjoy your photos--thanks!

Yesterday I took the dog on our longest walk since fall, (now the sidewalks are free of ice). The path was mostly empty--whenever another person approached either I or they stepped off onto the grass---with a dog, I often do that anyway, to give space to people (or other dogs) who don't like dogs.
Some people said hello (NOT normal Minnesota behavior), and that was cheering.

Catalyst said...

I saw Boris on t.v. this morning speaking in Parliament. Does that idiot ever comb his hair?

gz said...

Not just a polyanthus but an Auricula! Google Auricula Theatre to see how the Victorian English used to grow them. They are great if you keep the rain off the flowers, but that does mean watering them somehow

Linda Sue said...

Catalyst, HAHA, My husband says the same thing every time Boris shows up spouting his BLAHBLAHBLAH- his message if there is one is lost because ...hair.Good thing Steve to postpone your trip, no choice, We have had to postpone trip in July to Finland too. Stay in, lay low, best thing to do right now. Ask Italy!!

e said...

Your garden projects should be fun.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

How dare two American citizens pass comment on our beloved prime minister's hairstyle! Mr Johnson is a fashion icon and besides we British folk never say anything derogatory about that fellow in The White House who has an unbelievable fake hairstyle. What's his name again? President Ronald K. Chump? Something like that.

jenny_o said...

I am chortling at Catalyst's comment on Boris's hair!

Like Red, we are not tightly locked down yet either, but I expect it to come at some point. At least you (and we) have a yard to walk around in. I really feel for folks who live in apartments, and can't get out at all.

Also, I wish MY mother would just respond to anything I said with a laugh. It would be a good deal more pleasant than how some of our conversations go!

Penelope said...

An easy way to get people to give you space is to cough a few times. A little gallows humor..
I love doing mosaics from found objects. Your stepping stones sound like a fun project. The plant is lovely. It always feels good to rescue living things.
I am sorry your Mom is drifting away from you. At least she is laughing and not crying, I guess.
Yesterday I read tRump has had his properties closed and I felt joy for a little while. Then I read a person in Pence's office was tested positive. Where there is one, there are a dozen.
This mismanagement is deliberate.

Edna B said...

Your new plant is gorgeous. I agree about the sea of sadness. I hope it doesn't come to pass. Your new projects sound wonderful. I'll be looking for photos. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

ellen abbott said...

yep, time for us all to be home bodies. I went to the feed store yesterday to get bird seed and dirt and as soon as I walked in it started raining so I didn't get the dirt, didn't want to guys having to load me us in the rain. I'll go Monday but that may be the last time I go out for a while. so far our town has no confirmed cases. that polyanthus is an interesting plant.