When I was down in Westminster on Thursday, it was sort of sad seeing the businesses dressed up for Christmas, and yet closed by Covid. The pubs are only able to offer take-away. You can see the take-away window at the Cavendish, above, between the red ropes next to the Christmas tree. If you're really set on having a pint, I guess take-away is better than nothing, but it's just not the same. Part of what's so wonderful about pubs is the warmth, the conviviality, especially when it's cold and wet and blustery outside.
Oh well. We do what we must. Hopefully we'll all be past this soon enough.
Our last day of school was yesterday, and now we're off until Jan. 11. Our break is slightly longer than usual this year because some people are traveling, and with all the quarantines and whatnot it takes more time. Most people I talked to are staying put, though.
We had another handful of Covid cases in school this week, bringing our grand total of positive tests for the semester to something like 35. From what administrators said, they appeared mostly unrelated to each other, but of course it's hard to tell. With cases ramping up in London, I think we're taking a break just in time – and I believe the government is going to allow a certain degree of household mixing over Christmas itself, so we may have a backlash from that in January. In which case, the rumor is, our school reopening may even be delayed. Who knows what to expect?
The best part of not being at work? I don't have to wear a mask all day! Woo hoo!
My boss and I took down the library Christmas tree yesterday, which is always kind of a sad task, especially before Christmas. I considered bringing it home like we did one year, but it's such an ordeal (and such a needly mess) that I ultimately passed. It looks like Dave and I will remain treeless, which is fine with me.
Remember the glittery hyacinth bulbs given to all the faculty and staff by the school's parent organization? Well, quite a few of them went unclaimed, so I adopted five more. I brought them home and planted them yesterday, next to the three we already received. They're already flowering, making the entire living room smell like spring.
I'm so glad you were there to take in the unclaimed hyacinths. It makes me want to pick up one or two from our little flower kiosk. Enjoy the break. I, too, am worried about what the holiday gatherings will do to the spread of the virus. I don't like to wish away the days, but right now I'm wishing away the months!
ReplyDeleteLooks like there will be no holiday gatherings after all, at least here. (See next post!)
DeleteA definite relief, with London's numbers rising.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the tree...you have plenty around the garden!!
Enjoy your break...I think it might well get extended the way things are going xx
Yes, it looks more and more like that's the case.
DeleteIt's sad that you and Dave don't have your own Christmas tree. You could try crowd funding through "Just Giving" or "Go Fund Me". I am sure that many of your "Shadows and Light" fans would be happy to contribute to such a worthy cause.
ReplyDeleteHaving seen your recent offering of a Christmas tree I suggest that Steve and Dave are better off without. Don't forget to dangle SS from a prominent branch.
DeleteKiss, kiss,
U
It's not for lack of finances, it's for lack of motivation!
DeleteSince you talk of smell. Yesterday, slightly forlorn as I wasn't able to score anything on my food shopping list, there I was in Little Waitrose (part of our local John Lewis - heaven doubled) when a smell hit me - with a slight time delay. I walked on. The smell stayed on my mind. Retraced my steps to get to the source. HA! Galia melons. RIPE. I plonked my bounty onto my desk; my study now smelling like . ,. . a Galia melon. Ripe.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you share the sentiment, Steve: There are some fruits I can barely bring myself to break into. That's how perfect their shape is. Not to mention figs - works of art.
U
Isn't it amazing we can get ripe melons in the dead of winter? Haven't seen any fresh figs, though. Surely they'd be a precious commodity.
DeleteThe hyacinths! Oh my YES! Who needs more decorating than that?
ReplyDeleteHurray for no masks for days and days! Enjoy your break, dear Steve.
They ARE really nice, aren't they? Even the glitter is kind of fun, sparkling in the soil.
DeleteLove that splash of color. I bet the sights and smells are welcome this time of year.
ReplyDeleteAny color is appreciated, when everything outside is looking so bare!
DeleteA living room that smells like spring... I want that. Really I want the real spring and Biden already President and Covid cases on a downward spiral and Trump in jail and Putin in there with him and people dancing with joy in the streets.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm with you. Spring can't come fast enough, though as Mitchell said above, I hate to wish away the days.
DeleteNothing Like A Winter Bloom Of Colors - Way Cool - Looking Forward To The Olga Girl's Daily Adventures
ReplyDeleteCheers
Olga is blissfully unaware of Covid and all its associated drama!
DeleteWhat luck to get extra hyacinths.
ReplyDeleteIt WAS lucky! There are still about 20 of them in the High School office. I feel bad for all the ones left behind, but I guess they'll be perfuming the school for the cleaners and security guards.
DeleteI see you're starting to read The Pickwick Papers! How's it going? I had a paperback edition, with the original illustrations from 1836/37 and they were fun, and added to the pleasure of reading the stories. I hope you're enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteI'm about 300 pages into it. It's not my favorite Dickens novel -- I expected something much more cohesive in terms of plot -- but there are some great flashes of humor and wit. My edition also has the illustrations, which were apparently what prompted the book. The drawings came first!
DeleteThose colorful hyacinths are the perfect decorations! Hope you enjoy a relaxing break and best wishes for Happy, happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteThey do add a much-needed splash of color! Happy holidays to you too!
DeleteWe went back to virtual teaching after Thanksgiving when the cases ramped up in central VA. We are slated to go back the end of January, but will be re-evaluated on Jan. 12. Who knows what will happen? I had my students to a virtual Christmas market tour this past week and they created slideshows of what they found. The London lights are simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI wondered what was happening with you! Yes, every day brings new uncertainty, doesn't it?
DeleteI love hyacinths. I briefly read about a new Covid strain that is much more easily spread. (hard to imagine) I couldn't bear to delve into it any more.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's the one making its way around London, apparently. Argh!
DeleteI can't believe those plants are blooming already. They will be fun to watch. It does seem odd to have the pubs closed. You are so right, pubs are all about the company.
ReplyDeleteYou really do have a long break this year. I guess since most places require 2 weeks quarantine if you have traveled, it makes sense. But all that extra time would have been perfect for a longer trip say Australia or South Africa. But now that I think about it, lots of little trips would be fun too. Ahhh, I can dream, can't I?
Yeah, and it IS pretty much dreaming at this point, given our new lockdown rules. :/
DeleteYes, nothing like a warm pub on a rainy day. Those hyacinth flowers make up for any nasty old Christmas tree, I should think.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and they'll come back every year, supposedly!
Deletethose glittery bulbs that need no dirt or water to bloom are weird. and it took me a minute or two to get the title.
ReplyDeleteThey are weird. I think they treat them with heat to get them to bloom. I have no idea what this does to the long-term viability of the bulb.
DeleteForget pencils. I have got dozens. Staedtler Noris. HB. Several sharpeners at my side.
ReplyDeleteSteve, in my hour of need I throw myself at your shoulder. In the spirit of Christmas, and one never knows what may befall one, I went to John Lewis, Haberdashery, and asked for half a meter of MUSLIM. I wish I'd just said "cheese cloth". Still, the lady measuring out my musliN didn't blink. Ask Dave. He'll know what I am talking about.
U
I'm sure you're not the only one who's made that mistake!
DeleteThe photo of the pub- those guys with matching jackets, beards and walks, Lucky shot! Impressed with your hyacinths, too. Anything standing upright in this house is fair game for "Christmas tree". Poor things.
ReplyDeleteIt was very good timing. I love the little flashes of red in that photo.
DeleteThe hyacinths are beautiful. Who needs a Christmas tree with such flowers in the house?
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I agree, although the scent is much different from the typical Christmas piney smells!
DeleteI would never thought to 'glitter' bulbs. But I have been giving out paper whites as Christmas momentoes. Amazing how quickly they sprout.
ReplyDelete