Ten things of Thankful April 18th 2020

18th April 2020

Today I'm joining the blog hop  for ten things of thankful.

Hearing the latest figures for people who've died of the coronavirus in the UK reaching over fifteen thousand and still being in Lockdown, now for another three weeks at least, I thought I'd try and look at life with a more positive  view.

We've still got six days of total isolation in the house because we've had some symptoms.








So, my ten things:
I am grateful that I am feeling much better and I am now clear of  symptoms, so I look forward to Friday  and getting out and going on a long walk. I find it hard to be motivated to do anything productive.
I am thankful that my husband seems to be recovering now from his operation. I find the tension that built up in my shoulders slowly releasing
I am thankful that we live near the sea and my  walk will be along the coast. I've taken for granted this  wonderful natural resource we have so near us. I will make up for that by breathing the sea air deep into my lungs as the music of  waves soothes my soul. I am looking forward to it so much.
I am thankful that we have enough food in the cupboard and when we don't we have family to help us fill it again. I am particularly grateful to a son who shopped for us and delivered everything we needed four days ago. There were a few things we forgot, like peas. We have got peas in the freezer, but we won't be eating them. I used them as an ice pack when my husband was burning up.
I am thankful for my writer friends who are meeting  up on Zoom weekly to talk about the writing we've been doing . We share our writing by email first so we can  read it beforehand, then come together to discuss it. I find these impromptu workshops both inspirational and encouraging. In fact that's the reason I'm now writing on my blog.
I am thankful for my garden with the beautiful statue of Our Lady which I ponder on more than normal at this weird time.

I am thankful for so many good memories of camper trips. When all this is over we'll be off again, maybe to Cornwall for a few weeks. So many adventures to look forward to as we discover new places and people.
But before we go anywhere we'll catch up with all the family . So lots of visiting, seeing grandchildren. Can't wait.
I am thankful and also immensely proud of all my children and grandchildren -  everyone unique, caring and loving.
I am thankful for the churches who are live streaming masses everyday, keeping us close. We are finding it comforting and grounding and sometimes we get a really good homily to keep us going throughout the day. We have "been to" Canada, Ireland, London, Walsingham and many more places.

Well, that's it for this post.

I pray for all those who've died with Covid 19 and those who will die in the coming weeks , and also for all their families who suffer so much at this time.

Silence

9th March 2020

Just a few words today.

We should be in The Holy Land, but Bethlehem is on 30 day lock down because of the corona virus.

We went out on Thursday and were in the air when the lock down was put into effect. Our pilgrimage agents took the decision , for our safety , to fly us home the next day. We spent a night in Tel Aviv , had a couple of hours whizzing around Jerusalem where we were blessed to be able to go to the Church of The Holy Sepulchre, before rushing back to the airport. 

We intend to go back.

Silence

She will not be known

 by that name anymore,

Philomena.

They gave her that name.

She was five.

Her parents dead.

She was taken to 

the convent in Eniscothy.

They never  broke her will, 

though,

she sweated 

in the the laundry,

every day,

though,

they gave her

weak broth for food,

though,

 she was allowed,

 no conversation, 

or any time for 

childlike activities

Deep inside s

he clung to hope

of new beginnings,

a better life.

The secret silence,

loud as thunder.

the silence,

that separated,

the silence,

a tight chain,

cramped

around her soul.

Now, 

today,

Marie, will shatter 

that silence.

This thought,

before she speaks,

before her family 

knows, 

reacts, 

this thought itself, 

releases the tension,

the fetters fall, 

her lungs fill,

air, freedom, promise.

After supper, 

husband, children,

banter,

who's turn  the 

washing up?

She calls them,

sits them down,

spills it out,

tears fall, 

bathe the hurt .

For long moments,

no one speaks, 

then they hug her,

say, everything's ok,

we're here.

She says,

my name is Marie.

They nod

Getting it Right - or Not!

Getting it Right - or Not !

The strawberries were on offer today.
Right I thought, a treat on the way.
I pondered whether one punnet or two
And true to form thought we'll make do.
After all we have to have  cream
It has to be double - a lovely thick stream.
And then the meringue, I just couldn't resist,
Makings of a sweet that shouldn't be missed.

So imagine my surprise and dismay
When I said, after dinner at the table today,
I've got a special treat for you now
Strawberries, cream and  meringue-wow!
One said "what're you giving everyone else"
But the joke back fired against himself
As two of the party declined the treat
Said they'd  had enough with all the meat.

Well, I'm glad I never opted for two.
One was plenty without making do

Gerry's- A review

Day 30: 30th April, 30th Poem

The prompt for today was to write a review. So I thought I'd try these few words about a little cafe in Ramsgate

Gerry's

Tucked away in

Pretty courtyard-

(Featuring unique
Brick sofa,  

Tate Gallery

Style)-

Unobtrusive,

Nestled in the corner

No hint of its unusual

Quirky, atmosphere-

Gerry's.

On the menu

Music, artwork,

Books 

Conversation

As well as

Teas, coffees

Homemade cakes

Scones and 

Soup of the day, with

Personal service

Gerry's

Soup of the day

Tomato and Basil

Steaming, rich 

Served with thick

Brown bread and 

Butter - lots

Secret taste of

Mediterranean

A haven, hidden

In Ramsgate

Gerry's