Day 38: Weekend Summary

I’ve been a bit quiet, I know. I’ve not felt much like anything save for drinking copious amounts of coffee and sleeping.

Level 5 is over (for now). Friday morning saw the majority of the population out in the streets to exercise between the 06h00 and 09h00. I’m not sure if the virus is on a sabbatical between those hours, or if it is the COVID-19 happy hour. Photos on social media show that the social distancing that we worked so hard to maintain literally walked, jogged and cycled right out the window.

Many people didn’t bother to wear mandatory face masks either. I think I am the youngest resident in our complex and I had mine on, for my short walk to the corner and back. My dog-walker neighbour had hers on too. Some of the other oldies here though are more stubborn than some donkeys I know. One resident, who I call Quasi hobbled down the road with his walking stick in one hand and a cigarette in the other. The mind boggles.

I made four-cheese ravioli, with butternut, broccoli, and courgettes in a cheese sauce for lunch.

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I think I am in the Sophia Loren phase of my life. In her case, it was spaghetti, in my case it is ravioli.

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I walked a bit further yesterday. My legs are a bit stiff today, but I’m happy. Those aches are a sign that the muscles worked. The fresh air also did me good. I spent the rest of the day nursing another headache.

This morning there was no walking. I woke up to the sound of the rain gently falling and snuggled under the blankets for (famous last words) just five more minutes. As a result, I missed a deadline for an article, but I have submitted it now at least. I think the likelihood of me having an afternoon snooze are out, because I have discovered Riverdale.

On the subject of articles, one new reader of my blog reported seeing Viagra advertisements. She found them disturbing. It is at this juncture that I must explain the reason. #ROAM is not only the home of my blog, but also my business. I am currently creating content for Captain Words, a significant amount of which is about erectile dysfunction drugs.

I suspect Google’s algorithm is thus using my most recent search history for the paid advertisements on my WordPress blog. If you find the ads distasteful or offensive, please close them and give Google the reason why you have. Maybe next time you visit, you will see something more suited to your tastes.

On the flipside, if you’re curious about ED drugs, I have gained quite an extensive knowledge the last three weeks.

Lucy the Lettuce sadly didn’t survive. I took too long to get her into soil. Knowing what I did wrong will help the next time I try to cultivate a lettuce. In the meantime, I am trying my hand at growing rocket from a bag of Checkers little gardens I found during a cupboard clear-out. I’m not sure if they’re still any good, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Meet Rachel the Rocket…

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On other news, I’ve not baked anything this week. My friends are all sharing the most amazing recipes on Facebook, so I will do something. I want to try my hand at an Amish Apple Bread, but instead of canned apples, I shall use fresh ones. Speaking of canned foods, I dreamed last night that baked beans cost R137 a tin. Speaking of dreams, the night before that I dreamed Elizabeth and I were travelling with an old lady we know from town. We were on our way in to get her sister in a station-wagon type car and had to ride past termite mounds – all of which had a snake within them. I often dream of snakes, but this was particularly disturbing. I woke up drenched in perspiration thus needing to launder the bedding.

Ah, laundry… not my favourite chore at the best of times, but even worse when I have to spend half the cycle mopping up the water that is running out the bottom of the washing machine. I will let my land people know because 99% of the furniture and appliances in The Cave are theirs.

Tomorrow some industries will return to work, even with only a third of their workforce. I am happy about this. It means the economy will slowly start up. The logic behind certain decisions and directives leaves a lot to be desired, but I try not to think about it because my mind will reason itself in circles and I will end up feeling worse for wear. I feel sad for many of my family and friends that are not able to work yet. I see many of them are playing the WhatsApp Stokvel and they are making money.

Shayla-Rae and her hubby are particularly on my mind. They have my precious Goddaughter, Lily-Rose to look after. I can’t believe the Little Madam turns three next month. It feels like just the other day that I was visiting her mum in hospital and holding her for the first time when she was only a few hours old.

I will still be working from home for the foreseeable future. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to remain in my safe space and do my job from the comfort of my home. I am also grateful for the saving on my fuel expense. It has allowed me to help The Toppie and The Bean with a few groceries and some electricity to ward off the notable winter chill.

It’s on that frosty note that I bid you all adieu and head to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee and a slice of toast.

Enjoy what’s left of this Sunday!