1 February 2021

February


...February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step

And so now we are in February. Here in the northern hemisphere the days are lengthening and lightening. As I write, the sky above is blue and the sun is shining down with bright hope for the future.

Last night I left a chicken carcass on our lawn as is my habit whenever we have had a roast chicken dinner. Usually, it is gone by the morning as if by magic - taken away by grateful urban foxes. However, when I opened the curtains this morning the ravaged chicken had a mischief or gulp of magpies around it. They are such clever, opportunistic birds.

More than nine million British people have received their first anti-COVID inoculation. At this rate I will be in line for my first jab by the end of this month. I cannot wait and I will march to the vaccination venue with my sleeve rolled up singing a happy song. I shall have no qualms at all and I urge any doubters out there to forget all the anti-vaxx nonsense. Wise up! Get the jab when it is your turn! It's not just a jab for you, it's for your fellow citizens too.

After I have had my shower, I hope to go somewhere for a walk. I  prefer to take long walks in unfamiliar territory but nowadays I have to travel twenty miles or more to find such a location. This desire is partly linked with my keen photographic contributions to  the geograph website. If you explore that site you will see thousands of lovely pictures from all across The British Isles. It is quite a treasure chest.

We spoke with our son Ian via "Facetime" yesterday afternoon. He lives down in London so of course we have not seen him in ages. He is very keen to get up here to  meet his brand new little niece. He looked and sounded good and his life seems all the better because he has a steady girlfriend now - Sarah. One day they may be the lead characters in a romantic novel - "Love in Lockdown". It has been a very  strange time in which to forge a new relationship but in spite of COVID, life must go on. As February reminds us - love trumps everything.

And with this thought in mind, it's now time for that shower methinks.

30 comments:

  1. I wonder how long it will be before someone can use the word 'trumps'in a sentence without making me shiver.

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    1. Half an hour after the children had eaten their beans, the play room was filled with the sounds and smells of their trumps.

      (In England a "trump" is another name for a fart).

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    2. Very suddenly that name seems to suit that odiferous family. Thank you for that.

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    3. "Odiferous" is a good word. I do not think I have ever used it in my writing.

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  2. A romantic post today YP. Something to brighten up the winter days.
    I must admit to being a little confused about the vaccine. I read that it does not necessariky prevent you from catching and passing on the virus but is designed to lessen the severity of the symptoms. Whatever the case, I can't wait for my turn. Hope your turn comes soon.

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    1. Is it possible to put money on who will get the vaccine first? I will bet you a tenner that I get it before you JayCee!

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    2. That's because I am soooo young

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    3. I bet you still have to show I.D. when buying your weekly crate of wine from the supermarket.

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  3. Love in Lockdown sounds like the new Emma Corrin movie (Emma plays Princess Diana in The Crown TV series) and is a wee bit cheesy.
    Love in the Time of Cholesterol is tempting fate.

    As your virtual editor I would suggest ... Love in the Time of Urban Foxes.
    Hugh Grant will jump at a chance to play ye, Yorky. Hugh is fox mad.
    It would be sad to see you trading in Clint for a sleek black Mercedes convertible, but you can borrow mine any time ye like.
    Just don't be smoking the weed when you're driving, man.

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    1. For fox sake, I will not have Hugh Grant playing me. I'll have Sid James - if he is still alive of course. You can be Prince Charles because of your lugs.

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    2. A computer-generated Sid James is a cracker. A virtual Dave Allen, whom I was once said to resemble, can play me. May your goddess go with thee.

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    3. Have you also got a missing finger John?

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    4. The level crossing is closed, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.
      That's an accurate self-descriptor.
      All my digits are present and I recommend the coffee vlogs of James Hoffmann on YouTube.
      If you must drink Instant get Little's: Hazelnut or Vanilla.

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  4. What a very cool website! I know that there is surely a special appreciation there for your photos. I randomly clicked away and found a lovely shot (not being sarcastic) of "free range pigs" near the Scottish border.
    What good news about Ian and his new love.
    And Mr. Moon and I will be getting our second shot on Thursday. I hear it can be much more difficult in terms of reactions. Oh well. As you say- we do it for others as much or more for ourselves.

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    1. At your tender ages you have done well to get to this position on the vaccine hit list. In England the first priorities have been those aged 80+, residents in care homes, staff in care homes, people with longterm life threatening conditions, those aged 75+ and those aged 70+.

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  5. Hope you found a good place to walk! Believe me, I can relate with feeling unenthusiastic about the same old, well-trodden paths.

    I've become leery about putting food out for the foxes because unfortunately we've seen evidence that it also attracts rodent visitors. I still put a bit out now and again, but it's rare and usually only when I have the garden camera cued up.

    Glad to hear Ian is doing well and life is moving on for SOMEONE.

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    1. I got to walk just west of the city. I have written about Stanage Edge before and that's where I went. Just three miles away.

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  6. I reported on my vaccine last week so beat you to it, though it doesnt stop you getting covid or passing it on, as Jaycee said. Hopefully once everyone has had it we can relax a bit. I'd advise Ian to stay away for a good while and not mix households. In fact I am surprised you have been brave enough to mix households with Frances and the wee baby, given that Shirley is a nurse and more exposed to the virus.

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    1. We are in a "support bubble" - officially permitted in relation to new born babies. I know that Ian and his new girlfriend have broken the rules but love must find a way. In the way they are both living their lives, they are very careful with almost no other social contacts

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  7. My jab's booked. Won't be able to behave any differently afterwards.

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  8. Good story about Ian. I never thought that lock down could be a challenge for romance.

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    1. Well it is. To make it happen some rules have to be broken.

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  9. American Pie. I prefer a good old meat and potato 🥧.

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  10. Anonymous9:45 pm

    By the end of our lockdown I had thoroughly explored our local area and I was tiring of it. Now I can go further afield on public transport.

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    1. I see in your profile that your work involved/involves "transport". Were you an airline pilot or a train driver?

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  11. Here in Germany, May is generally dubbed the month of love; February is usually the time when - in those areas where it is a big thing - carnival dominates everything. Not so this year, of course.
    Good to know Ian is well. I hope you and Shirley will get to meet him and Sarah soon.
    The vaccine rollout is still chaotic over here. I know exaclty one (1) person who has had her jabs, and that was only possible because her son pulled some strings - that shouldn't be how it is determined who gets their jabs first.

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    1. Your parents should have definitely had their jabs by now.

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  12. A chicken carcass would surely be dangerous for a fox because the bones splinter. I was told as a child never to give them to animals for that reason. Rats would certainly enjoy it though. Spare a though for those who play Bridge (unfortunately I no longer do) where trumps are uttered constantly.

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