Dumbbells

Day 2 of TCP started quite well. (I wonder when I will forget that number? I may stop counting). It was a sunny morning, so after a muffin, egg and ham breakfast (we still have food - might as well enjoy it) I took the dog for a good walk. As usual, Tomo turned me down. It has become an automatic response when I ask if he will come with me. "Nooo" comes the reply when I holler up the stairs. The attractions of the internet are far more alluring. From Monday, I will insist as part of his daily exercise regime. I am trying to treat this as a normal weekend in as much as possible, so he was off the hook today. We had a fun movie night together yesterday. The billing was Rocky 3 and First Blood. He preferred the latter.

There were a fair number of people also walking around and about, either with dogs or with children, but no groups larger than 3 people. One old boy was determinedly walking nowhere in particular at a brisk pace and staying well clear of others. I exchanged morning greetings with several people. Maybe it's my imagination, but everyone seemed to be making an effort to be more social (if from a safe distance of several meters). I studiously avoided walking near the local shop. I can't stand the sight of people grabbing everything in sight, or worse, the now familiar and surreal reality of empty shelves.

Before I left, someone from the local Facebook group put out a request for dumbbells because the local gym is closed and they "can't exercise". I responded and said she could have mine for free. I haven't used them for a while. They offered to get us something from the shops if we need anything. I hope I don't have to call in that favor. I was happy to help someone out. Just pay it forward, please! We need a bit more kindness and generosity at the moment. 

Anyhoo. When I got home, I gave the car a good wash and valet. This weather is too good to waste and I wanted to be outside. It is bitterly ironic that the signs of spring are taking place while this horror is taking place. As I was finishing, the dumbbells were collected. I had given them a good wipe down with white spirit but advised 'Belle' to also sterilize them. Can't be too careful with C19.

Yesterday, I made a pan pizza for dinner (with a leftover meatball sauce for topping). It was pretty good, so I ate the leftovers for lunch with a salad. Tomo and Nozomi chose ramen. We found some fun quizzes on Alexa while making lunch. Need to up the difficulty of the maths one though as Tomo was too good at the normal level. It was fun though, and I am sure we will find other things on there that can be somewhat educational. (I bought an Echo Show for the kitchen last week so that I can talk to dad easily while we prepare our respective evening meals. I think we are talking more now than we have in years, so a silver lining).

We had a video call with Jeremy and Akiko today. They are living in France and have to print out a permission slip to take the children out for exercise. They seemed well and it was good to chat. Apparently, the same panic shopping happened out there last week, but now the shops are better stocked. Hopefully the same will happen here now people are bedded in for isolation, but looking at the news - not yet...

This afternoon, I had a little nap. Then I tried once more to record myself playing the guitar. I am trying to overcome performance anxiety and videoing myself is almost like having an audience, but damn fingers feel fat and clumsy. I shredded my thumbnail a couple of weeks ago which is a bit of a pain for the Travis style fingerpicking that I favor. Plenty of boo-boos, but I managed to get a few reasonable recordings done. I may send one to Helen tomorrow for mother's day.

Nozomi's family in Japan is healthy at the moment. I missed the chance to talk to them as I was walking the dog when she skyped. Hopefully tomorrow. Nozomi seems her usual cheerful self. My lovely sunshine wife. She must be worried about travel restrictions. I can't imagine.

What else? I fixed our laundry hamper (broken lid). Exciting huh?!

Beer O' Clock

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