Currently Reading: Grown Ups. I'm just starting so haven't yet formed an opinion, but so far the first 50 pages are drawing me in. I've also read a couple of books that are centred on people moving far away & taking up a new life style. One of the books, Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes, was the sequel to her book, Under the Tuscan Sun, of which a movie was made of.
Currently Feeling Socially Awkward: we were invited to a party of some of Mr Man's business acquaintances. It would be at someone's home, in their back garden, with access to the bathrooms inside the house. Mr Man & I felt really awkward turning the invitation down but we are not prepared at this time to socialize with a large group of people - we don't know where these 15-20 people have been or who they are socializing with - not one of them are in our social (small) bubble & I doubt any of them are really in each other's social bubble. The host of the party was not very receptive to our reasons for not wanting to attend. Thankfully Mr Man & I are both in agreement to not attending. I want to shout - COVID is still around - it loves attending parties where drinking & loud talking abound! OK OK , everyone do you, I'll do me ...
Currently Enjoying: Niagara region's finest - peaches. So juicy & oh so tasty. I think I ate a dozen in two afternoons. I cannot wait to pick up another dozen this Wednesday at the outdoor, socially distancing farmer's market. Oh yes & the corn on the cob is ready as are the field tomatoes!!! So blessed to live in an abundantly rich farming community.
Currently Marveling At: my healthy glow, having spent the last 10 afternoons pool side. My friend that I cat/house/plant sit for, went to her cottage & left me full access to her pool & gardens. It was bliss, it was like a vacation for us.
I developed a routine of taking all the pool noodles & wrapping myself in them so I could just drift & hang in the water & just watch the light dance in the water.
"Light is time thinking about itself." Octavio Paz
Is the chateau restoration 'Escape to the Chateau' by any chance with Angel and Dick Strawbridge? What a project to take on, especially with two small children!
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you on the social event you declined (I mentioned something similar in my post on Sunday) I think we have to accept that there will be people who don't see our point of view and have the strength to decline invitations where we know we aren't comfortable. Today we are going to a pub lunch with my sister and her husband which will be lovely. They have kept themselves very safe (my brother in law is over 70 and has had prostate cancer in the past so they haven't mixed outside of the family at all) and we will be in a pub which is following all the rules, plus it's a nice sunny day so hopefully we will be sitting outside. I am more than comfortable with that!
Your description of of how you spend your time at your friend's house sounds idyllic!
Escape to the Chateau with Angel & Dick was one of the chateau series, the other series showed about 15 other Brits taking on French Chateaus. I follow a French Chateau restoration, it's been amazing, so much history.
DeleteI'm with you on the socialising thing. I've turned down a few invites to meet up because I want to restrict who I choose to mix with - I felt really brave inviting my nephew and his family inside at the weekend. Too many people are, in my opinion, becoming complacent and I worry that we will all pay for this during the winter months.
ReplyDeleteI've had a few single friend meet ups but only with people that I know take this COVID seriously. The work party had invitees that are still traveling for work. I don't want to draw lines with people, but the long term affects are just starting to show up & I mean things other than death, but damage to lungs, heart, liver ... I'm not ready to risk for a few hours of bad food & forced conversation.
DeleteWhat a lovely reward for house sitting. You could really think yourself abroad on holiday whilst staying local. A win win situation. Hubby and I have "what's next?" conversations all the time. One of ours ended in using a passport!! We'll have to wait and see :0)
ReplyDeleteIt's the first time in all the years that I have house sit. I feel very blessed & thankful for the access to pool & garden. Ah yes I remember the Texas adventure!
DeleteMy favorite relocation story was A Year in Provence, loved John Thaw in the PBS adaptation. And yes, I am with you, I was one of a very small minority wearing a mask at yesterday's church meeting - and honestly, I felt a little awkward due to peer pressure, but will be relieved over the next few days that I took precautions. We are not yet attending services because so few are willing to wear masks, but I was not going to shirk my obligation to take minutes at the meeting. We watched the service online before I drove up to church for the meeting.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen A Year in Provence, so thanks for the recommendation. Our Bishop has not authorized us to go back to church in person services, she says maybe end of September but masks will be mandatory along with other precautions. I'm in no hurry to return, online services are fine.
DeleteI agree with you and Deb - you must do what is right for you and Mr Man.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on not giving the stink eye to non mask people ... but I do have concern for those still thinking this is a hoax or government control schemes.
DeleteWow, today is really a hot one, and your access to a pool sounds wonderful! No, I wouldn't go to a party like that either, although we are socializing with two people at a time outside on occasion. I figure I'd better see my friends now because once we go inside all visiting will be off the tables. I'm wishing for a cottage by a lake for a week, but I doubt that's possible to find now. I figure that would be a lot safer than any travel.
ReplyDeleteI just heard tonight that my friend may need to go back to her cottage & she has asked if I'm available to house/plant/pool sit. Of course I am! Mr Man is now worried I'll be requesting (nagging) for a pool of my own!
DeleteGreat pool photo. Reminds me of that famous Leonardo drawing! Glad you had a good break. We missed you!
ReplyDeleteWell done for sticking to your guns re. irresponsible gatherings. Such unnecessary stress!
Thanks, Mr Man took that photo. It was a wonderful break & I may get more pool/garden sitting next week. I am most thankful for kind friends.
DeleteJust finished "Bella Tuscany" and am waiting for "Every Day in Tuscany" by the same author from the library. I love that she inserts recipes every few chapters. Also loved your "staycation" - how I have been spending my afternoons, too!
ReplyDeleteI'm half way through Bella Tuscany. I like books that include recipes or what they are eating & stories around the growing of items. Pool side is fast becoming a favourite for me.
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