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HS, We're working hard at not worrying about Brian, but try as we might...However, he has an in person appointment with a new primary care doctor a week from tomorrow. We seriously weighed the pros and cons of going into the office and decided that it was worth having someone actually look at the swelling, and listen to his heart in person The new doctor is my doctor, and I trust her to let us know if we are okay riding out the virus without any further intervention into Brian's health issues.
Trump seems to have once again changed his mind. He now seems to think that the virus is in fact different from the regular flu, and has had a revelation that lots of people could die. I can't imagine the mental gymnastics that his supporters must go through to rationalize his craziness.
I think that we ended up with Trump due to Clinton's immense unpopularity in a situation similar to Corbyn and Johnson. It is a little over 8 months until our election. Gosh only knows what will happen between now and then.
How nice of Sarah H. to knock on your window! I agree that in many cases the silver lining to the virus is the strengthening of relationships, and acts of compassion. It's really hard for me to imagine spitting on anyone, but I'm afraid that we have such foul acts occurring in the US, as well. I am mostly trying to focus on the local community and ignore the scandals.
I hope that you had a nice run today, and maybe saw some of your running buddies at a distance.
WtnMel, How wonderful to have a possible resident for your nesting box! We haven't had bird boxes for years, due to a steady stream of cats and one dog that would jump into the air and grab birds that were taking off from the bushes. It was quite horrifying. We no longer have cats (or that deranged little dog), but the tree that we would use for a nesting box is now home to a bunch of squirrels. It's a sore point with my husband, as the squirrels use the tree to get up on the roof, but I really enjoy watching them.
I'm giving it another week, and then I am going out and starting to clean out my raised beds, even if I have to wear a down parka. I have a bunch of seedlings being delivered in a few weeks, and I need to start some seeds.
Aquarius, I read a post that said that we now only have three days: yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It is strange how the way we perceive time is changing. Brian and I are working hard to make the weekends somehow different. But, our pace during the week is very different from what we are used to. In some ways, I am actually enjoying the changes. Because so many things are cancelled at the moment, it looks like I am going to have a stretch where I will be able to just enjoy my work and not worry about deadlines.
When we are on the other side of this nightmare, I'm sure that you will find that you and Steve are 'young', fit and independent. These youngsters are just super bossy when they get worried
Ha! Brian would sympathize with your neighbor. My husband doesn't have much hair left, but there is no way he is letting me near him with scissors. He's pulled out the clippers and is buzzing his hair until he can get a proper haircut.
For the record, I have never found your posts to be tedious rubbish. I always like hearing about what you are doing. But, I am sorry that the knee injury is being stubborn. I hope it heals soon. It is really too bad that you can't get your physio to look at it.
Today was a humbling treadmill session. I've had this treadmill for almost 8 years. I got it after we moved here from Maine, because my old one was slowly dying. I haven't used the preprogrammed workouts since that first year. However, one of the reasons that I chose this model was because of it's preprogrammed trail runs and the fact that the incline goes up to 40 (the decline goes down quite a bit, as well). Today, I chose an 'easy' pre-programmed route for a 'rolling hills/hill training' session. Suffice it to say that I have clearly lost all ability as a trail runner. It was such a poor performance that it was almost funny. Or, would have been funny if I hadn't been breathing too hard to laugh. The other thing I discovered is that really utilizing the incline/decline feature of the treadmill is way too much for my little RDpods chips to process. I got some fairly bizarre data out of the 'run'.
Tomorrow is a cross training day. If my legs aren't too sore from today's workout, I'll go for an interval session on Wednesday.
Be safe everyone!
WtnMel, I'm only bald on the top and still have hair at the sides and at the back. I started losing my hair when I was about 35, but resisted the Bobby Charlton look!
You can't believe a word Michael Gove says.
That's good news that your nesting box has a regular visitor. I used to have a bird table in the garden, but unfortunately it gradually rotted away. My sisters late husband made it. He was a genius with wood and seemed to be able to make anything, including furniture.
Good that Margaret is working out on the treadmill, we have to keep up our fitness whilst indoors.
You are lucky that your ipod still works. Mine "packed up" a few months ago and they are no longer available. I've got most of my CD's on my laptop on i tunes. I used to sync my ipod on shuffle. I've got used to running with out music now, although it would be helpful running solo now.
A good idea making lists of things to do. I'm doing that with my shopping lists. When I think of something, I add it, so that when I go to the supermarket, I don't have to do any last minute thinking, possibly forgetting something.
That message on strava is very clever. Some of our runs accidentally produce some rather rude pictures.
Aquarius, I also have trouble remembering what day it is. Luckily I use a calendar and diary to remind me when to put the rubbish out, when the glass collection is due, what days the milk is delivered etc.
I think it is a shame that your children are treating you as vulnerable adults. In my opinion, we should value our independence whilst we are still able. I actually included a couple of items in this mornings shop for Sarah H and Karen. Sarah's just been round to collect her eggs which I left on my doormat, and then we chatted through the window with her standing outside.
That must have been a shock seeing your neighbour with a bald head.
The admins on the local facebook pages are very good at closing threads that start getting argumentative or abusive. There is no limit to how far you walk, run or cycle, as long as it is from home. It's driving to somewhere to start the activity that is unlawful.
A shame the way the birthday cake for your son turned out, but as you say it's the thought that counts.
Hope your knee soon gets better, so that you can run again.
Molly, It will probably be a weight off your mind knowing that Brian has an appointment with the Doctor that you trust.
It must be impossible to believe a word that Trump says. I think he makes it up as he goes along. A bit like Johnson.
Sarah has just tapped on my window again to collect a box of eggs that I got for her in this mornings shopping. Karen will be round this afternoon to pick up some crumpets I got for her. I'm still useful at 74, and don't believe that all over 70's should stay indoors.
I just did a short run yesterday and didn't see anyone that I knew.
We actually had a page on facebook where we had to insert a word in front of day. My contribution was "Doris Day." I don't suppose any of the younger contributors had even heard of her.
It's surprising how quickly one can lose the ability for a particular skill if not used for a while.
Good luck with today's interval session.
I haven't much to report today except that I went shopping in the OAP hour this morning. They are very well organised now, even wiping the handles of the trolleys before passing them over to us. It's good to feel useful as I mentioned above, as I was able to get something for Sarah and Karen. Karen will be round later, so that will be another chat through the window. We've all been saying how much we miss our little meet ups for tea and cakes, or for meals.
I've been trying to get on top of all the shredding that needs doing, some of the paperwork going back many years.
I'll be outside the front door tomorrow night again at 8pm clapping the NHS and care workers, and hoping more will come out this time.
Take care everyone and stay safe.
Take care everyone and stay safe ..
WtnMel, I remember the classic ipod, mine was the shuffle which clipped to my shorts.
I've never risked removing a car battery because of the problems resetting everything afterwards.I'm also ploughing through lots of shredding, it's never ending.
I used to colour my mums hair whilst I was caring for her. She had a mobile hairdresser cut her hair. I don't know what I would have done if she was still alive in the current crisis.
That was a good pace on your treadmill, and a good selection on your playlist.
I was looking out of my bedroom window this morning and saw a black cat drinking water out of a bucket on my patio. I thought I would take a photo, but it must have sensed me looking and turned away. As it ran, it poked its tongue out at me and I managed to photo it. I put it on the clubs facebook page where it got plenty of likes and comments. One comment was "it was saying I can go where I want, and you can't."
Yesterday I was attempting to print 2 pages and it wouldn't print. I tried several times without success, so in desperation, I switched off the printer and back on again. Guess what, it started printing and kept printing until it had run off about half a dozen copies!
I ran 6 miles in the forest this morning, my first forest run for some time, and I really enjoyed it.
Have to admit I've not done a lot else today after this morning's run other than process some bills that arrived, set up our recorder for next week and phone my sister for a chat. The new 'normal'?
I hope your weather is offering something nicer than our freezing, unending sheets of icy sleet. Ugh!
HS, We are following the UK clapping example. It was announced in our newspaper that tomorrow night, at 7 pm, we are supposed to go outside and clap for everyone who is on the front lines of the virus. My husband and I will clap. I can only hope that other people will, as well.
I am so glad to hear that you were able to run in the magic forest once again. I know that that isn't the proper name for the forest, but it is how I think of it. Did you see any ponies?
I would be interested to see your picture of the saucy cat sticking its tongue out
WtnMel, Great job on today's treadmill run! 10:18 is an excellent pace!
We saw Idiocracy a number of years ago, and I can't tell you how often it has come to my mind over the last couple of years. Part of it is due to the abysmal education process in our country. The majority of our country has no idea how our government works, what our constitution entails, and cannot read above an 8th grade level. These statements are actually born out in studies. And, I believe that they are among the main reasons why so many people believe in Trump, or random facebook conspiracy theories. I am pretty sure that it would be easy to get a number of people in the US to water their gardens with Rawndo simply by starting a facebook post attributed to some 'expert'.
Oh my gosh, were your calves burning at an 8% incline? My calves and my hamstrings really took a beating from that the treadmill hill run. I was so sore that night that Brian had to put the dogs out for me. Something that he is loathe to do, as they don't always listen to him. I am going to keep trying to work with the automated hill runs, but in small doses interspersed with easy flat stretches.
I'm not much for makeup or hair dye, simply because I don't have the patience. But, for my friends, who are much more diligent about keeping up their appearances, this is proving to be a very trying time. I'm pretty sure that some of them might privately consider exposure to the virus a worthwhile risk, if it allowed them a trip to the hairdresser. It seems that hats are making a comeback.
Aquarius, I've been thinking that in someways our life now is not too much different from when we lived in very rural Maine. Especially during the long winters. Except that in Maine, the internet was often down for long stretches of time. But, both my husband and I worked from home, and, except for our son going to school, it wasn't unusual to go a week without seeing anyone outside of our family. It's a much more relaxed way of going through the day.
I am so glad that you have booked a consult with a physio. It seems like your knee tweak has been hanging on for a while now, and it must be taking a toll on your spirits. I am looking forward to hearing how the appointment goes.
Damien Nagle, I hope you are well ?!
Yesterday was a light 30 min crosstraining session on the bike. I wanted to give my legs a chance to recover from the treadmill's preprogrammed torture session on Tuesday. Happily, I felt fully recovered today, and had a very good 4 mile interval session that increased in difficulty from the last interval session. Tomorrow is a rest day, and I expect that my legs will be tired.
Hang in there everyone. We're almost another week down.
I'm posting on my phone, so hope I don't miss anything as there are a lot of posts since mine yesterday.
WtnMel, I was wondering whether running on a treadmill was quicker than on roads.
Hope you are able to photograph the squirrel. You are right about the printer storing my efforts in the memory.!
Aquarius, there are quite a few cats in my Street and possibly from further afield. They do tend to use my front and back gardens as toilets.
Hope the telecom with the physio today will be helpful.
I do get quite a few birds in my back garden on the lawn and in the bushes and surrounding trees. My estate was forest once, and we are surrounded by trees, many hundreds of years old.
I remember those bands, songs that you mentioned, a good selection. I'm afraid mine were mainly heavy metal which were great for long forest solo runs.
Molly, I'm ashamed to say that I was the only one in my street that went outdoors to clap. The Cruise Ships anchored in Southampton Docks sounded their horns. Hope there was more support among your neighbours!
The New Forest is magical and I'm glad to be running in it again. I didn't see any ponies. I will post the photo of the cat at the end of my posts.
I'm glad that your interval session went well yesterday.
Damien, that's a great idea, your Company starting a Strava group. Hope you enjoy your 10k run today.
Aquarius again, we will be interested to hear how you got on with the physio telecom.
Good to hear that you have got a delivery slow from Sainsbury's, albeit probably not for a few days.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Steve's scheduled check up with the cardiac unit isn't cancelled, but unfortunately, it probably will.
I've been shopping this morning in the 7.30 to 8.30 OAP's slot, and got 3 bags full, including essentials like beer and wine. I didn't get 3 bags of wool as per 'Baa Baa Black Sheep rhyme!
I'm going to attach the photo of the cat now.
It often notifies me of new channels and I usually ignore it. Yesterday I decided I wouldn't because I wanted to record Austin Powers from Sony Movies Classic (channel 50) and we didn't have that one showing in the programme guide. It didn't find channel 50 as it turns out it's restricted to some areas of the UK - unfortunately, in the process of re-tuning I lost all the recordings I had scheduled so had to re-programme the whole lot again (shakes fist at technology!).
Damien Nagle, I think that getting 51 people out your company to join a strava group is quite good. Over here, once people are working and having families any sort of running tends to go by the wayside for the vast majority of people.
Aquarius, How did it go with the physio? Did they ever ring, and were they able to diagnose your injury?
My hair is definitely getting quite shaggy. I may be pulling out the nail scissors myself very soon. It's beginning to get in my eyes.
I've been doing tai chi type exercises in the morning to get moving before the day starts. It's not quite like yoga, but it made me think of you.
HS, Thank you for posting the picture of the saucy cat. It gave my husband and me a nice chuckle. It really does seem to be sticking its tongue out at you
Unfortunately, we were the only ones who went outside to clap in our neighborhood, yesterday evening. I am going to hope that it was just a matter of people not hearing about it.
Did you have another 5k challenge this morning? I was wondering if your time improved, as you have become more used to running the challenge alone.
WtnMel, Happy Birthday! How fun. We had a zoom surprise birthday sing along for a friend last night. It looks like Margaret baked you a really yummy cake!
We had a beautiful blue jay resting on our squirrel tree this morning. He stayed long enough that I was able to get a couple of super fast sketches, which was a lot of fun. We may have to find a way to talk the squirrels into sharing their tree.
I sat on the bike for a cross training session this morning, and am planning on a 6 mile run tomorrow.
I hope everyone is well and not going too stir crazy!
WtnMel, sorry I seem to have overlooked your birthday, so please accept a belated happy birthday 🥳
I've only got freeview, so it's about time I got a "smart TV" I'm waiting until things get back to normal, and will then visit the computer shop that I have a maintenance contract for my laptop with. They always get me a good deal for a new laptop, taking the old one in part exchange, and will get me a smart TV and set it up for me.
I'm keeping a diary which is probably similar to your journal.
That birthday cake looks really tasty 🎂
Molly, glad you liked the photo of the cat, it must be very unusual for cats to poke their tongues out. I took some photos during this morning's run, and I will post a couple on here. I will do another post for the others, as I don't think the thread would take too many all at once.
It's a shame that you and your husband were the only ones clapping, but perhaps they will follow your example if we do it again next week.
Yes I did the 5k run and was about a minute quicker than last week. I felt really "in the groove," and gave it max effort. My average pace was 9.03 minute miling, so "I'm made up," as they say in Liverpool!
I didn't know that sketching was one of your talents. I'm hopeless at drawing, painting etc and art was my worse subject at school.
Hope you got out for your 6 miles today?
Today is lovely and sunny and I ran 7 miles, road, forest, road. I'll attach a couple of photos now. The text,if shown, may be against the wrong picture, so ignore.
Aquarius - I only intend to cut Margaret's hair again if it involves removing small amounts at a time (don't trust myself to do anything more). Margaret had cut her layers at the sides herself before I was let loose - so I was only having to do the back where Margaret couldn't see to do it properly. I don't imagine the Queen's message will make much difference (I ignored it myself for instance). Re the smart tv - RTFM
I saw one of my clubmates run past the end of our drive this morning - while I was sat having my breakfast!
Today I haaaave mostly been (and will be) - washing cars. Margaret's was covered in sap from the tree above the parking space beside the garage. Mine is still covered in bird s**t from where it was parked while I was on my walking holiday so that's next on the agenda.
WtnMel, I'm intrigued with your sitting for an art class. Was it a nude pose?
My TV must be 9 or 10 years old, so it must be a matter of time before it packs up.
Glad you liked the photo's. Ghost Town was by "The Specials"
Well done for your 4 mile treadmill session, and for edging your lawn. Our club has issued a 5k challenge to be undertaken in our gardens. A few have done it, but I have no intention of partaking. I'd get dizzy and bored senseless.
There is no end to your talents, turning your hand now to hairdressing🤣
Hope the Sunday roast was a success!
A neighbour of mine, across the road parks his and his wife's car under an oak tree which overhangs his drive. He is out there nearly every day cleaning the bird sxxt of the cars. He has just got a "20 registration," so is extra particular about keeping it in pristine condition.
I've got an overflow pipe which is leaking water, but thankfully only at night which is strange. I've put a bucket out to catch the water and each morning it is full to the brim. I'm going to check my home insurance to see if it is covered, but I don't think plumbers are permitted to work at the moment?
Aquarius, I'm very impressed with your hairdressing achievement with your friend. A Rod Stewart style must have been very tricky, because I'm sure that back in those days his hair was back combed. That was quite popular back in the day. I seem to remember the Ryan Twins, sons of Marion Ryan (remember her?) having back combed barnets.
Thanks for your comments on my 5k time, I was very pleased.
Glad you liked my photos. they were taken on my phone which is a Galaxy S8. It is very eerie, the village being so deserted. The only sign of life is when the supermarkets open and everyone starts queuing with their trolleys in front of them to keep the 6 metre gap.
It is a worry that outdoor exercise may be forbidden if the ignorant few ignore the directive to stay indoors, except for the 4 reasons which the Government keeps repeating. A friend of mine received his letter from Boris this morning. I still haven't received mine.
Trump really is dangerous and should be self isolated permanently. He changes his mind from one day to the next, and you can't really believe a word he says. He ignores the advice of his Advisers, thinking he knows better. I'm not a fan of our PM, but to give him his due, he does listen and acts on their advice, especially the medical specialists.
It's good to know that your physio doesn't think that your knee problem is meniscus related, because as you know, that was my injury back in June 2017, and took at least a year before I could do much more than hobble. I'm still doing the exercises my physio gave me every day. It was that and twice a week spinning that helped me to slowly get back into "proper running" again. I can't spin now because the Leisure Centre is closed until further notice.
I ran 7 miles this morning, road, forest, road and am delighted that my pace is coming back at last. I think it is the 5k challenges that have woken up my fast twitch fibres, which have been in hibernation for so long. My pace got quicker mile on mile from 4 miles onward. mile 7 being 9.07 minute miling.
HS - no, not a nude pose although as a naturist, I'd have been willing. But I checked beforehand with the teacher and she just needed someone to sit clothed. I keep thinking our tv may eventually need replacing - but it's a Sony Bravia which had a good name for reliability, so fingers crossed. Yes, it was The Specials sang "Ghost Town". Our back garden is 25 yds deep and 10yds wide but even so, I wouldn't consider running up and down it. I suggested tongue-in-cheek to Margaret that if I could run up and down the back garden, down the side of the house, down the front drive and back up it .. then through the front door, down the hall, through the dining room and out of the conservatory door that might work instead
I've just installed Zoom on my laptop as it's our grand-daughter Georgia's birthday later this month. Margaret's DIL Sarah is going to schedule a videoconference for the extended family so we can have a virtual birthday party for her.
We've been without electric for the last 24 hours. It's on now, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow to post. I don't want to run out my battery in case it goes off again.
HS Great pics! Awesome 5k time.
Aquarius, great new on the knee. I hope the run went ok.
WtnMel, Great job on Margaret's hair, Sunday roast, and car washing. I wish I had your energy!
Hopefully, everything will be back to the new abnormal with electricity tomorrow. I won't have to cut my hair, I'm pulling it out!
Did a 45 min 'rolling hills' treadmill run this morning @ 5mph - had to slow down and walk for a couple of minutes after the steepest part (6% incline) but otherwise all okay - though Margaret remarked I seemed to be a bit 'creaky' afterwards (she's probably right!).
Haven't done a lot else since but just about to head outside into the garden on the hunt for thistles, dandelions and other weeds lurking in our flower beds.
The postie has just been (looking like something out of a sci fi film in his PPE gear), this must be Steve's hair clippers, I'm off to check.
WtnMel, A member of our running club is a plumber and he said that he was still working. He came round to see what the problem was. He advised that the reason it only overflowed during the night was due to the water cooling down and after a time the pressure would cause the water level to rise until it overflowed. He said that the reason it came out in one big gush is that once water starts to flow, it sucks the rest out. The solution was to replace the ballcock. He had to drive to Winchester to get one, as they were not delivering parts at present. He also told me to occasionally turn the tap controlling the water into the property on and off, as it becomes very stiff with the build up of limescale. Another tip, in case of emergency, was to go outside to the water meter and turn it off there. He used a screwdriver to open the flap, and showed me the yellow plastic tap. I can now sleep soundly, knowing that water is not going to flow through my ceiling.
I'd never heard of Zoom until a few days ago, but now it seems everyone is using it. Is it better than Skype which we used to use?
Well done for your rolling hills treadmill session this morning.
It's great weather for a spot of gardening.
Molly, bad news that your electricity went off for 24 hours before coming back on, but I hope that it has stayed on today.
Aquarius, your post popped in between the ones above as I was typing. I had inadvertently closed the page and when I reopened it, saw your post!
Great minds think alike regarding WtnMel posing in the nude for an art class😁
Thankfully I have had my overflow problem sorted out, see my post to WtnMel above for details.
Marion Ryan was popular in the era of Petula Clark and Alma Colgan. I can't remember any of her "hits!"
I'm glad to hear that your knee didn't seem to be giving you any problems. I've done a lot of running in the roads when I have seen pedestrians walking towards me. They have invariably thanked me, so it annoys me when ignorant people on facebook that can't spell or write a coherent sentence, say that running should be banned as the runners run straight at you breathing heavily👿
Very sensible updating your Wills. I made mine many years ago and happy to leave it as it is. I was also executor to my parents and had Power of Attorney too. I made arrangements a few years ago for my sister and daughter to have Lasting Power of Attorney for me.
That click and collect sounds like an absolute disaster. I don't blame you for deciding not to use it again. A good idea going for a short walk afterwards, making the most of the lovely weather. Hope you do manage a run tomorrow, and that your knee "behaves!"
I think did see something about the 10 minute a day challenge.
My posties are still going round in their usual gear and shorts. Good luck with the hair clippers.
I didn't run today as I went shopping. The stores seem to be replenishing their stocks quite well now, even plenty of toilet rolls.
I'm looking forward to running tomorrow and back in the forest.
Happily my electricity was back on yesterday morning. However, by then I was in the weeds with a work backlog. I think I'm caught up now.
HS, Excellent job on your pace. It really is encouraging to see hard work pay off. And, just to reiterate. Your photos were lovely. Thank you for posting them. It's funny. To you your village is home, but to me it is just different enough that it looks like a lovely postcard.
WtnMel, Great job on the 6% incline. That is a demanding workout. Good for you
I managed to get outside to work in the yard on Monday. Yay! I got all of the raised beds cleaned out and almost ready for the seedlings that should be arriving in the next couple of weeks, plus the seeds I have started in the house. However, I'm not sure that the dogs understood what 'preparing the beds' meant. I'll try and post pictures. Our lawn has finally begun to turn green, which means it's time to thatch, as well. I am soooo happy. However, we aren't at the stage of dandelion hunting, yet. When we get there, I suspect that I will be less happy.
Aquarius, Some poor soul seems to have over dipped into his liquor stores and made the poor decision to go for a joy ride. Unfortunately the joy ride ended with him crashing into a pole with all sort of wire and box thingies. And the pole ended up in the road. It was a mess. As a result we lost our electricity. Though it's unclear why we lost it for so long, or why the pole actually snapped-that's not supposed to happen.
I am really glad to hear that your knee injury doesn't involve the meniscus. What a relief that it didn't bother you on your run. I completely understand the frustration of trying to run outside and avoid people. At this point, unless I fancy darting into the road, it's become almost impossible and I am sticking with the treadmill. Of course, as the weather is finally improving, it's very frustrating to be running inside.
How did the clippers workout?
I managed 5 easy miles on the treadmill, yesterday, and plan to sit on the bike this morning. My legs are feeling a little tired from the yard work on Monday. So, tomorrow may be an easy run, as well.
I'm posting some pictures of my dog's understanding of the intent of Monday's yard work.
I hope everyone is staying mostly sane, somewhat happy, and only mildly stir crazy