Posted on by Cathy

A giggle a day…

 

‘What do you miss’ I asked her.
‘Oh I’m like Piglet, she said. It’s the hugs I miss’. The touching, being close, feeling someone’s breath on your face.

My widowed friend…the one afraid of becoming ‘one of them’ lives a fair way from me so we keep in touch by phone. We never did get that coffee and chat before the latest lockdown and as she’s a bit techno challenged the phone is the way.

‘Giggling’ I said. That’s what’s missing. Like when we’re having coffee with the others, finding something silly in what one of them says, saucy even.

I mentioned that even though I’ve always spent lots of time on my own I missed having regular things to do, there seemed to be no structure to the days anymore. Knowing the bins went out to the nature strip Sunday night so they could be emptied Monday morning was the only constant at the moment.

So after that whinge I said I’ve gone back to ‘ a drawer and a chore ‘ a day ‘ to make sure I do something productive each day besides sit on my backside doing whatever takes my fancy.

Right this moment my energy levels are not the best so if I concentrate on one drawer…..just tidy it up a little bit …..and one chore……just do one thing……something round the house, out in the garden, shopping, errands, I’ll feel better.

‘Yesterday’s chore was the bed’ I said.
‘And that gave me a real giggle…..
‘Come on, she said. Changing sheets and giggling don’t normally go together…… unless The Golfer was giving you a hand’. 😊😊

Have you ever tried to describe what happens when you shake open a sheet and instead of it floating gracefully forward and covering the bed it flies back and covers your face making you fall forward onto the bed in a fit of giggles?
No Golfer needed for that….claphanded Catherine can manage it all by herself.
Mind you I could of sworn the bed was giggling back at me as I tried to get back up.

I finished Voss the other day. At one stage he stops for a while at Brendan Boyle’s property (Jildra station) to gather further supplies before setting off into the unknown. The house is quite small and this is what Voss heard during the night. He being Mr Boyle.

“…had returned to the room which he was pleased to refer to as the bedchamber, beyond the chimney piece and which was the only other room of the house.  He was blundering about a good deal, and making animal noises, and exploring the darkness for its distinctive grain.  His bed, it seemed, was full of giggles.”

It’s been a hard and testing year for all and I know we are missing the big things in life but…..
what are those special‘ little’ things you are missing
mine’s giggling with the girls – I wonder what yours are

 Linking to #MondayMusings hosted by Corrine (Everyday Gyaan)

32 Replies to “A giggle a day…”

  1. Oh so many of the little things disappeared from my life many years ago, I mourned them deeply as they faded from view. The little things I miss now are being able to choose my own food from the grocery shelf, occasional conversations with treasured friends, and listening to the musical voices of my friends as they perform.
    Other than that, the only new thing about life for me is the fear of those nasty invisible predators.

    What I have gained though, by far outweighs what I have lost… a secure and safe home, healthy food, time with my life partner, and the knowledge that so far my loved ones and friends are safe and healthy, with the exception of the two extended family members who have died from Covid.

    Stay safe dear friend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think live music is one of those big losses we’ve experienced Maggie – choosing your own groceries also is a large loss to you. Hopefully there will be no more coming your way during these strange times. As you pointed out, the healthy food you are producing and Attila’s love and companionship are good things that you are benefiting from in these strange times

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  2. I miss the live music. I can’t play any of my instruments (brass and woodwind) in public so playing in the local orchestra is on hold. I still attend a virtual choir practice every week but because of the time delays between all the computers, we can only hear the leader singing. It’s a big compromise but better than nothing …. it’s the beautiful harmonies I miss.

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    1. It’s so true that choir rehearsals just don’t work online Eileen – mine decided right at the beginning to just see our conductor live (with her accompanying sound track) and we’d all sing along at home (not zoom). I’m afraid I lost interest and don’t tune in at all now.

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    1. No Joanne I didn’t miss tidying a drawer – doing that was to keep me from sitting around doing nothing all day. 😊
      Yes people are a big loss – it’s their funny little ways I miss.

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  4. I miss having people over to lunch…a crowd so that I can cook things Leo doesn’t like as part of the offerings….talking politics, gossip…and laughter.
    ‘Phone and e msail are not the same things at all…

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    1. It’s not so much the people I miss Helen; well I suppose I do but like you said, it’s the little things you do when you are together.
      A friend of mine suggested we had a zoom tea party – couldn’t get into that idea at all. I’m an all or nothing person, hate compromises.

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    1. Maybe you’re more accepting than others Kylie. Don’t forget though NSW hasn’t been through the really tough restrictions we have in Victoria so us down here are now thinking more longingly of those little things we miss rather than angrily as we did in the early days

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  7. Roaming around the city and inner suburbs using public transport, which some may think of as pointless, but there is usually a point to my roaming even if it only becomes apparent as I roam. I am very tired of local walks.

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    1. Yes I can imagine that extra freedom and the novel way of using it would be special to you and that others might think it a petty loss. Are you still cautious about using public transport?

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  8. Last week, I went to see an art friend at the gallery she manages – and she immediately said “we need a hug”….and it wasn’t something we have ever done, before. But we did it twice: once when I got there and again when I left. It felt good…

    I do miss things although some of the things I can have now … less lockdown in my region (New Zealand) but I don’t seem to want/need them. Or I’m not sure I do even want them…so many changes.

    Some of the changes that have occurred had nothing to do with the c/19…

    I think I’ve adapted to the new normal, and now I can’t nail anything I lost down…

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  9. It’s good to hear there have been some gains that have over ridden your losses Cathy.
    It’s also good that you were able to help your‘ friend emotionally as she obviously had been like Piglet and was missing her hugs 😊

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  10. Lots of gains in my life this year since we moved closer to family and I have seen so much more of them this year. I miss spontanaity the most- being able to go when, where and with whom I like on the spur of the moment and not have to book a damn slot.
    As for bed giggles- last nght one of the window curtain hooks had come off the rail and I was too idle to get a chair so climbed on the bed- one foot on the window sill one on the bed- mission accomplished- getting down resulted in me flat on my back legs in the air, on the bed, with the giggles! Not very dignified!

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    1. I’m thinking of all you Brits Cathy as things are changing again for you and more restrictions are being reintroduced. Yes we must toe the line but it’s so wearisome doing so.
      Wish I’d been a fly on the bedroom wall 😊

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  11. AS I’ve mentioned a few time previously, I’m sure, my lifestyle…my habits…having changed during the past few months. I live a hermit-like existence all the time…by choice. I keep to myself, and don’t have a social life…by choice. I very, very rarely go out for coffee. The last time I did so was around this time last year…to have coffee with a friend and her son and his lady. The young couple had not long returned from London (long before Covid-19 made its presence known) They did fly back to the UK…but then came back to Aus during this year…and spent time in quarantine in Victoria. Fortunately, they were then able to get back to Queensland before the proverbial hit the fan.

    So, in honesty, there is nothing I miss. As long as I have my two furry mates…I’m doing just fine.

    Take care, Cathy. 🙂

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    1. That’s good to hear Lee – we’ve had a tough time down here so are doing a bit of longing for some of those special little things we are missing. With luck some of them will be available in a couple of weeks time.
      Thanks for commenting Lee….I look forward to seeing your comments.

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    1. You know Elizabeth all these little’ losses are people losses…if you know what I mean. You enjoying friendship, me and my giggles, my friend and her hugs. No matter how good we are at self isolating, no matter how used we are to living a solitary life I still believe we need to see and experience life around us.
      Take care and stay safe, no matter how lonely it makes you

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  13. Hi Cathy (I’m visiting from Corinne’s link up) and I’m feeling very grateful to live in Western Australia – we have no community cases of covid and we’re all happily going about our lives – no masks or gloves, hugging if we feel safe to do so, seeing family, and just being careful with our social distancing & hygiene when we’re out and about.
    I did like your “drawer and a chore” approach to doing something constructive every day – and the bonus was that you got a laugh out of it.

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    1. It’s definitely a different kettle of fish over in the west Leanne…..different state….different number of cases…..completely different. Lucky maybe, good management maybe, definitely enjoy it. It’s been tough here in Victoria but we’ll come through😊
      Anyway thanks for dropping in, I’ve become rather lazy (well, more lacking in motivation) recently….knitting and the armchair far more inviting than anything else I could think of….so it was back to that little tip another blogger gave me years ago. Break it down- small bites are easier to digest than one big mouthful.
      Take care and stay safe
      Cathy

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  14. I wish I could just adopt your “drawer and a chore a day” approach, but sadly, for me, its a lot more than that and given my situation, I have the only option to get it over and done with and then get on with my writing and art—the two things that are currently helping me cope with the pandemic tremendously. I miss going out, meeting the few good friends I have, dropping by for a chat at a coffee shop or simply browsing books at our favourite bookshop. Oh, and the theatre shows…I miss them too…the hugs and the face-to-face chats most definitely…catching up with my neighbours over a cup of tea….so much has changed in these 6.5 months and yet, I am grateful for whatever I have, whatever makes me look forward to the future with optimism and hope that this too shall pass one day and we all will live to talk about it!

    Hugs, dear friend!
    Take care and stay safe

    Much love,
    Esha
    Visiting from #MondayMusings

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Esha it’s that thought that this will pass and life will resume again that keeps us going. It obviously won’t be in the same style as before and maybe some of those things we miss ……large and small….will be missing. You are right to lean on your crafts, your art and your writings. They are part of you – they are you!

      The ‘drawer and a chore’ is a coping mechanism for me, I’m not the world’s greatest housekeeper, in fact I’d rather do anything than housework (and cooking). Over the past few months I’d lost interest In everything….except reading and knitting. If the winter weather had been better gardening would have been on that list as well😊
      So I decided a little at a time was better than going full pelt each and every day. Of course being retired and there only being the two of us makes it much easier than if all the children were still at home.

      Thank you for dropping by and for your comment. Don’t be a stranger, you are welcome to pop in anytime you want.

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  15. I honestly don’t miss anything, except the luxury of ordering food occasionally. We’ve been eating only homecooked food since mid-March, but that’s been good for our health, so I can’t grumble.
    Thanks to having two crazy dogs, I get my share of giggles almost every day.
    Love your chore and a drawer idea, Cathy. I think I should adopt it, if only to clear the clutter.
    Thanks for adding your link to #MondayMusings.

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    1. Hello Corinne. How lucky you are not to miss anything during these unsettled times. For many it’s been the ‘tiny losses’ that have hit home more than the obvious strict restrictions on our daily lives.
      I’ll have to admit to getting a takeaway meal now and again- none of our restaurants are open for in-house dining so even the most select are offering a bring it home of some sort or another.
      Thanks for hosting #MondayMusings and giving bloggers the chance to share their posts with a different audience.

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