The Numbers
So, we just might be beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. At 449, yesterday brought the lowest number of new deaths for a while. The last time we were in the 400s’ was at the beginning of April, almost 3 weeks ago.
The News
Boris has said he is reluctant to end lockdown too soon, in case of a second wave.
The Office for National Statistics data is suggesting that the actual death rates may be 41% higher than those that are being reported.
Trump has halted all immigration into the United States for the foreseeable future.
Oil prices have hit an 18-year low, with the price of a barrel being -$37 at one point. I dread to think what is happening to our pension funds and our ISA’s. I’m not even going to think about that until I absolutely have to.
Some of the most successful (apparently) global chains such as Primark and Burger King, are reporting serious financial difficulties.
I dread to think what the world will look like when this is over. It seems certain that it will be changed forever in so many ways.
The New Way of Life
Yesterday, I had the uncharacteristic urge to give our bedroom and bathroom a damned good clean. Changed the beds, washed the towels and gave them both a thorough going over!
I spent all morning, and the early part of the afternoon, cleaning and after lunch I read my book in the garden. I’m still on the Handmaids Tale.
While M was out on his bike ride, I spent some time planning his birthday surprise. It’s his birthday on Saturday. It’s hard to surprise someone when you can’t go shopping and you’re together in lockdown 24/7. Nevertheless, I have a plan. Can’t say anything about it on here in case he reads this!
I made a butternut squash orzotto for dinner. It’s a barley risotto with butternut squash and mascarpone. It was one of my least successful culinary efforts in The Time of Covid. Honestly, it was disgusting. I couldn’t even eat mine. Creamy and rich with not a lot of flavour and a lot of chewing of al dente barley (if that’s actually a thing).
After dinner we took part in another quiz. This time hosted by one of M’s coaching buddies. That’s 3 quizzes in a week with another one scheduled for Friday! It was still good fun though, although we didn’t do very well. We don’t in the “family” ones. Too many popular culture questions aimed at young people!
We watched an epsode of Race Across the World before I went to bed.
I had a dreadful night. I went to sleep about 11 and then woke up when M came up later, around 1am. I don’t think I went back to sleep after that until about 4 or 5 am. I’m going to feel awful later today!
My sleep has been all over the place lately. I’ve been unbelievably tired and sluggish. I’m waking later and later in the morning, and finding it increasingly hard to wake up. I’m having bizarre dreams too. I feel like a teenager again! During the days I feel sleepy and lethargic. It’s just so unlike me.
I’ve heard that a lot of people have been experiencing sleep disturbances during lockdown. Sleeping much more, or not being able to sleep at all, and having strange and vivid dreams. Maybe it’s our subconscious minds trying to process it all?
But, I’ve realised that part of my problem is related to a painkiller I take sometimes called tramadol.
I take painkillers at night for the arthritis in my shoulders. I think I mentioned before that my right shoulder has already been replaced, and my left one is heading in the same direction. I take cocodamol at night and occasionally during the day. Sometimes, if the cocodamol doesn’t get rid of it, I take a couple of tramadol. I’ve noticed that exactly 4 hours after I’ve taken the tramadol I wake up and can’t get back to sleep. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but I’ve definitely noticed a distinct pattern now. Going to have to stop taking them at night I think. Trouble is, if I don’t the pain keeps me awake anyway. Hey ho, the joys of late middle age (or is it early old age?)!
Anyway, as a result of being awake most of the night, I’ve taken it easy today and been writing in bed all morning. I’ve been working on my biography project. I’m really enjoying it and its coming along nicely.
But, it’s 2 pm now, and I still haven’t had a shower, so I’d better get up!
jswritingservices.com 