I’ve been thinking about the way different people have worked their way through ‘Lockdown’, that is Lockdown Number 1, Lockdown Number 2 and Tier 3. For Catherine, my aunt, this has not been easy. She hadn’t finished going through the grieving process, her husband having died in October 2019 and suddenly she was faced being on her own. The clubs she had joined, for company, closed down; the trips out with her daughter, to remember ‘special places’, were not possible. She has, however, taken her own route through the pandemic.

I have talked about the fact that Catherine doesn’t have a computer or iPad, she doesn’t have a fancy phone that can take and receive pictures. I had hoped that she would encompass improved technology. But I think I was wrong. It was my own personal convenience that I was talking about. She had her own way of dealing with things, as she always has.

Having invited her to write a ‘Diary’ for the Virtual Tea Towel Museum, she did the first ‘episode’ and then another and then another……. The last one was Number 35. She has a lot of ‘followers’, people who enjoy hearing about the every day life of someone living in Essex, everything from getting a new Garden Waste Bin to birds in the garden, from Tesco/Sainsbury delivery order to key workers, from Brussel Sprouts in the freezer to learning to bake new cakes.

Each ‘Diary’ Catherine writes is accompanied by a message on the back of an envelope. Writing is therapy for Catherine, as for many people, but it provides a ‘routine’ that isn’t there for those of us using a computer. She hand-writes between 8 and 10 pages every week, has to ensure that she has a stamp, walks to the Post Box to post it and sends messages to the Post Man and my cat.

“Dear Barbara,

Please could you buy your regular, delightful and friendly Postman some sweets from me to thank him for delivering my letters to you. He is a Key Worker who has helped us through the year, to keep in touch

Love Catherine, Tilly, Tinker, Blackie and Rupert.“

Catherine enclosed some money and off I went to buy the Postman a present and a card. However, when the present was wrapped and the card written, I put a note on the door asking the Postman to knock, which he did. Sadly, this was not the regular Postman. I had a long chat with the man on the doorstep who was a ‘Christmas Worker’, while the regular man was delivering parcels. He said he would put a note on the notice board at the delivery office. For two weeks the parcel sat on my desk. I had decided that it was going to be after Christmas when he got it; better late than never. Today, Christmas Eve, the regular Postman knocked on the door; I explained the situation and the man was in tears, touched by an act of kindness from someone he didn’t know.

A week after Catherine’s note to get a present for the Postman, came a note for Isabella (the cat).

“This is the last Quiz, Isabella, for you to answer as you are so clever, and you are so photogenic. You need to be on Tea Towels, Stamps, Posters, Billboards and star in your own film, with Tilly as producer, Tinker as Director (who knows her way to the kitchen by heart), Blackie as gaffer and Rupert as Key Grip (whatever that means)”.

Inside the envelope was a ‘Christmas Riddle’ Quiz which Isabella and Liz did together. They were very successful but there was no money prize. This was a useful exercise for the two of them at this very difficult time. Thank you Catherine.

The Tea Towel of Choice for today was the one that Catherine recently bought for me, randomly. I love it and feels appropriate for this weird time. Happy Christmas Everyone!

Rebecca (or @mmmmthinking) is someone I’ve ‘met’ on Twitter. Rebecca likes tea towels which is always a good start. In response to my request for pictures of tea towels, Rebecca said

“2019 well washed Christmas Day tea towel”. There was a lovely picture. I asked her if I could use it in the Museum. “Yes please and sorry for the delay. I had to get the iron out”. This was rapidly followed by “2020, in an effort to shop local I couldn’t get a Christmas one. I could have purchased online from Ulster Weavers but that defeated the purpose. Ah well, there’s (hopefully) always next year. Merry Christmas”, a picture of a different tea towel, but folded in half.

“Could you do a full frontal picture?” I asked

“In any other situation that would be rude” was her response but a ‘full frontal’ soon arrived, of a beautiful display of colourful cats. This woman was not only good at choosing tea towels but also at taking photos of them. “I keep getting my shadow in it, I thought. I LOVE tea towels!!”. This was going well so the obvious question was “With your skills, would you like to be a Guest Tea Towel? ……. Immortalised in a Museum!”

“I’m working on it as we speak”. That’s my sort of person and here is Rebecca’s Tea Towel Story…

“So after a rummage in the hot press, this is really my favourite Tea Towel. Created for the Primary School, that my sister-in-law taught at, in order to raise funds. It is made up of some very funny self-portraits. My niece, Alice, and nephew Andrew are in there. Alice got married in 2019 and still has the same curly hair. Every time I use it I think of all those children, grown up and, hopefully, happy. And the Tea Towel is going strong.”. Alice is second down on the right and that is great curly hair!

Rebecca ended with “Thank you so much for the opportunity.  I was surprised by my choice but it’s got such love behind it.”  And that is what makes Tea Towels so interesting, the love behind the.  Thank you Rebecca

What a beautiful name, Auriol. I’ve never heard of it before, but stems from the Roman word meaning ‘gold’ or ‘golden’. I first met Auriol about 25 years ago but have never known what her name was. To me, she has always been ‘Fee’s Mum’, Fee being a very good friend of mine and a wonderful supporter of the Virtual Tea Towel Museum (even though she rarely uses a tea towel herself).

I was WhatsApping Fee on a video call while she was visiting her mother. We had three-way conversation, which as usual led to a discussion about tea towels. “Would you like to be a Guest Tea Towel 2020?” I asked. I’ve never been one to miss an opportunity. Fee was very enthusiastic about this, even though we weren’t taking about her tea towels. Auriol agreed. Did I think she would do it? Not sure. But within 10 minutes of the end of our conversation, I received a picture of Auriol’s favourite tea towel and a recording of her story. Let this be a lesson to everyone. If you want to be a Guest Tea Towel, just record it and I can transcribe it. Here is Auriol’s Tea Towel Story:

“This tea towel came from ‘Les Saveurs de Le Cuisine’ (meaning the flavours of the kitchen) which is a Coffee Shop in Dartmouth where they have the most wonderful French Coffee and a delightful patisserie including all sorts of different coloured meringues. It is an absolute pleasure to go there but you can’t eat all the cakes but you can buy little miniatures and take ten home to enjoy them.

Dartmouth is where Peta lived (Peta was Auriol’s daughter and Fee’s sister). I used to go there quite often and take Peta with me. We would indulge in ‘naughty cakes’. Since Peta died I think I have only been there once. When Lockdown is finished I think that will be one of the first places I’ll go to and have lunch with a big glass of wine”

Thank you Auriol for a picture of a lovely tea towel, with a story. Thanks to Fee for good interviewing skills, maybe you’d like to interview some other people!

“25 November: Tilly was 13 today. I know you like your dates in order, Barbara”. This was at the top of the page, out of sync because Catherine’s last Diary ended on 26 November 2020. Had no problem choosing a tea towel for today. This is one that arrived in the post about a week ago. There was no message with it. I couldn’t work out if it was a Christmas present (because I had already received a Christmas card from Catherine). Then I felt guilty because I had opened it, and it wasn’t in Christmas paper. I have a lot of friends who don’t use wrapping paper. So then I couldn’t ask her because she would know that I had opened it before Christmas. Life is so complicated. Two days later I got a text saying “Did you get the tea towel?”. All that anxt for no reason. By this time, the weather was bad and I couldn’t photograph it. I managed to do it on Saturday and promised myself that this is the tea towel I would use for the next Diary! It’s a great tea towel. Thank you!!

26 November 2020

Said ‘hello’ to three people I don’t know this morning, on my way to catch the 9am post. It was quite bracing, the weather. Still I’ve had my exercise. Not a lot done today. Still watching too much TV, especially Christmas movies. I had some surprises today: Gary put ‘The Mail’ through the door, a Christmas card from Brian (my first and already stuck on the glass door), Heating Allowance letter arrived and the best surprise was that Barbara was back on her phone. I have really missed her texts. All is right with the world now.

I had three dreams in the night: one was about Bruce, travelling on a train with a small black case. I was with him, with no case. Don’t know where we were going. In the second dream, Amanda and I went fruit picking with an old family friend (Jim Ward); we were picking apples; it was a beautiful sunny day, the grass was so green. The third dream was about ‘The Barefoot Contessa’ (I watch her programmes on the Food Channel) and she had made me a bland meal, which I thought was odd as the Americans use a lot of salt. A ‘pinch’ to us is a ‘tablespoon’ to them. When I woke up, I was thinking about Trade Winds, I don’t know where. (I wish someone would interpret Catherine’s dreams; they could be interesting).

27 November 2020

Booked a hairdresser’ s appointment for 11 December. The slot in my diary for 27th is blank. Can’t remember what I did, or ate! (There’s a lot of that about these days. Days just seem the same).

28 November 2020

Up early, going into town today to put my prescription in. I saw a friend on the bus who works at ‘The Range’. She said they had been very busy. People were buying bedding, cushions, rugs and lamps. All seems odd to me. Although I admit I’m looking for a new bottom fitted sheet. Wilko have three on the shelf: mustard, burnt orange and a greeny grey. Can’t imagine going to bed in them. They don’t match them the quilt, wallpaper or nightie. Instead I bought a box of biscuits, a present for someone, and a paper. Then I went home. At 4.30pm Amanda picked me up. I was going to her home for a takeaway curry and a Zoom with Barbara and Liz which I was really looking forward to. I had asked Barbara to show me some tea towels, as I only see them in black and white. (Catherine hasn’t got a devise where she can read her Diary, with tea towel, on. Her daughter, Amanda, prints it out but only in black and white) I wanted to see, in particular, the Robin, Pomegranate (brilliant colour), the cat one in Chinlon and the National Gallery. Interesting. For someone who knows where all her tea towels are, she couldn’t find the latest one, the Ladies in Corsets. Anyway, I enjoyed catching up with Barbara and Liz; it’s the next best thing to seeing them ‘live’. One day we will get to the ‘Flying Horse’ to share a meal.

29 November 2020

Usual chores, watching TV. I walked to the local shop for two pints of milk. I retrieved Christine’s paper from her letterbox (Saturday’s Daily Telegraph). Christine is in hospital after another fall. I was surprised her neighbours hadn’t pushed it right through. I’ve attempted the small crossword and that’s about all. Did some washing, watched more TV and had an early night for a change.

30 November 2020

Up early. Tinker sitting on my bedside table, waiting for breakfast. I’m sure Tilly sends her in first to get me up, which, of course, works. Decided to go to town to post a tea towel to Barbara (see above). It has to be weighed. Waited half an hour in a queue, 20 minutes was outside, security man was only letting four people in at a time. The time soon went as someone was chatting to me. Popped into ‘Wilko’, to check on the fitted sheet situation, still the same three colours! Can’t understand why the shelves are so empty. In the afternoon, watched three good Christmas movies. If I got tearful at the end, I’d class it as excellent. I do find, if it snows in them, I think it is superimposed as it seems not to settle on them. I know snow is wet but the rate it comes down, they should be smothered in it!

1 December 2020

Up even earlier, 5am, heating on. It’s chilly, got Blackie in, fed everybody including the birds. Two teas, writing Diary, listening to Steve Allen on LBC. I’m trying to avoid ‘also’ in my writing as I’m being picked up on it (by Amanda!!!) but I might have to resort to it.

Also I am descaling the kettle. The water here is so hard, it furs up fast and I’m de-tannining my mug, as it gets brown so quickly. It’s 7.30am, I’m going back to bed, getting really tired.

I slept for two hours, I arose at 9.45am. After I was dressed, I did some long-awaited dusting, hoovered all downstairs. In the garden I did manual labour, trying to get rid of all the leaves, not very successfully. Attempted to de-poo the rockery where Blackie performs but the mud was rock-hard from the frost, though I did get rid of some of it.

My lovely Jasmine bush has been flowering for two weeks, bright yellow flowers. My everlasting begonia is still in flower though I think the frost will get it soon. Restful afternoon and evening. I’m charging my torch, phone and Bruce’s phone. After my shower, I’m having Day 1 of my Advent Calendar, a miniature bottle of Chardonnay by Waters Edge, looking forward to it.

2 December 2020

Day 2 is a Merlot from Chile. Woke up at 6am. Last night I kept Blackie in as it was so cold, left the light on for him so he wouldn’t be frightened. Also kept the heating on. What a difference it makes to the house, especially by the front door. I have a new close-fitting front door, new cladding and yet it is still very chilly out there.

Tier 2 starts today. Amanda is back to teaching ‘Spinning’ on Wednesday and Friday at 6.30am

Highlights of today: Delivery 12-1, recycling collection and a walk to the post box to send this letter and Amanda’s cat’s Christmas card. Life is so busy!!!!

I wish I drank alcohol these days because I think that Advent Calendar sounds great!!

“I have really missed your text, Barbara. I hope you and your phone are back to normal soon” was the message on the back of today’s envelope. When my phone ‘died’, although I can text people with the iPad, but only if they have a ‘smart’ phone; sadly, Catherine hasn’t got one so we were out of contact for two weeks. All back to normal now.

18 November 2020

Tomorrow we will have been in Lockdown for two weeks. It’s going really slow. Amanda and Wade came today with a big bag of cat litter, cat food, a print off (of the latest Diary) and a huge box. On the box was printed ‘Wine down to Christmas’, an Advent Calendar Box with 24 miniature bottles of wine in it!!

Delivery Day today. Shock to my system, in it was a bag of frozen Brussel sprouts. Amanda said they were for Christmas but that’s not for five weeks. I texted Barbara about them and she said I should give them back to Amanda and stand firm!! I’m a weak-willed person and Amanda has one of her father’s traits – bossiness! One good thing in her favour, in the delivery was a bottle of gin, and some tonic. So I had one to get over the shock.

I attempted Lentil Soup today and surprised myself how good it was. I’m getting to be a good cook (and I’m blowing my own trumpet). Bob, the repair man, came and finished the porch. It looks really nice.

19 November 2020

Amanda and Wade took me to Van Hague’s Garden Centre; they have a lovely Christmas display. I bought two hanging ornaments for my tree, a robin and a dog with a Christmas hat, an ornament of Santa with a reindeer, dove and Santa is reading a book. This sits on my bookcase with my Snow Globe. I also bought a kitchen timer so I won’t have to burn anything, ever again. In a display unit they had a beautiful carousel, all lit up, the horses going round and round. When Amanda was three years old, Bruce and I took her to the seaside. Amanda and I went on the carousel on the pier, just me and her on a horse. I’ve been on one in France and Lincoln but I don’t know if I could get on one now! I enjoyed my morning there, it was refreshing to get out somewhere different.

21 November 2020

Decided to go up to town to the Post Office; I had a package to be weighed, also a card for Italy. No good sending to Italy on 2nd class; it will never get there. No queue, straight in and out. I wasn’t up there long. I was glad to get home, though surprised at how many people are coming into town, as there is hardly anything open. I got bored one night and wrote all my Christmas cards and I posted them on Saturday!

We’re now into the third week (of Lockdown Number 2). I don’t know what happened to me this Tuesday but I hoovered (the living room carpet was in shock), mowed the front and back lawns. The grass was so long, plus thousands of leaves, it filled half my garden bin. I washed the water bowl for the birds and refilled it. At the Garden Centre I bought a big bag of peanuts and treated the birds to some fresh ones.

Last week another of Bruce’s clocks stopped. Another one I have killed. I was really missing the chimes and swinging pendulum. So yesterday, I opened the glass door and pushed one of the hands hard, all of a sudden it started up. So pleased it’s going again. I made another fruit loaf, a dietary one again, till the butter goes on it.

23 November 2020

Went for a walk to the local shop, bought a paper, milk and bread. A bit of fresh air blows the cobwebs away. Cod treat for Tinker and Blackie today; it gets eaten up in a flash. Getting to be an expert at buying, and replacing, light bulbs. Managed to change the one in the living room and also the one in my bedside lamp.

26 November 2020

Up at 6am, switched the heating on; it’s getting really chilly. Fed Tilly and Tinker, got Blackie in to feed him. I heard the birds twittering so I fed them; it was dodgy going out in the garden in the dark. Now having tea and listening to Steve Allen on LBC. I don’t mind him in small doses but I don’t understand his humour. We’re going into the fourth week of Lockdown. Should know what Tier we are going into. I wonder what’s in store for us. I’ve never known a month go so slow.

P.S: Spinach balls are finished

P.P.S: With reference to the Brussel sprouts, there are 100 in a bag to get through.

On 28 November, Catherine and I ‘zoomed’. She told me exactly what tea towel I should use with this Diary and I can’t remember!! However, she had requested to ‘see’, via Zoom, the tea towel of the national gallery which she really liked. So I will use that one!

“I have put a surprise recipe in the envelope for you to try, Barbara. The end is nigh, only three spinach balls left! Hooray! Thank you Postal Workers” was today’s message on the back of the envelope from Catherine. The recipe was Halloumi Burgers with Courgette and Onions. She knows how much I dislike Halloumi; there is an evil streak to my Aunt!! So today’s tea towel has to be the present from her daughter, Amanda, who has also tried to tempt me with Halloumi (they will never succeed!!!)

7 November 2020

“Cladding looks great, now waiting for the roofer to finish the smaller roof. Saturday evening Amanda came round and we had a Takeaway Chinese, my first, I think, since last year. Yes, it was delicious. Amanda stayed for a couple of hours, but had to get back to her cats, as Wade was working this Saturday. The fireworks have been horrendous this week. I was more frightened than the cats were. The ‘bomb’ ones are so loud. It was lovely seeing Amanda, plus I got some sausages they don’t like, some potatoes and, of course, a big box of cat food!

8 November 2020

Sunday, a quiet day, after giving Tilly, Tinker and Blackie their breakfast, I actually went back to bed for a couple of hours and watched ‘Blue Bloods’, love this series.

9 November 2020

Today, delivery day, Amanda had put a joint of beef in it. I can’t remember when I last bought a joint. Cats are in for a treat, they have cod fillets. I cooked a batch of mince meat for the freezer, dry-fried it on the lowest heat and promptly forgot all about it. Thank goodness for Tinker’s nose; she was incessantly sniffing the air. It wasn’t burnt, though they say that if you dry-fry for a very long time, it tastes better. These days you have to put a lot of flavourings in, for it to taste of anything!

I put the wrong wheelie bin out. Never done that before. Managed to change them in the nick of time. Watched Question Time, Matt Hancock was on, talking about the vaccine. I have no confidence in this man at all. Someone suggested he and Members of Parliament test the vaccine first but he declined, not in the age group to receive it first. I would want them to test it first, to make sure it’s ok.

10 November 2020

I seem to be back into baking. So far, I have made two honey and fruit loaf cakes. It’s dietary as there is no sugar or fat in it. Of course, when you slice it and smother it with butter, it’s no longer dietary! And I also made pastry for a meat pie, can’t remember when I last did that. Days are different now. I still do the usual things, cat trays, feeding myself and the cats. Amanda has been phoning twice a day, also a couple of people have phoned but I seem to have lost the art of conversation, that’s unusual for me! (Lockdown Number 2 does seem to be different this time. I think it’s because we have lost those things we love so much, twice now).

Watching a lot of television, even more than before, Christmas films at least twice a day. I did watch the documentary ‘The Frank Gardner Story’, how his life had changed after he was shot in Saudi Arabia. The other documentary I watched was ‘Inventing the Impossible, the Big Fix’, making lives easier for people who were severely disabled. A group of young people who are into electronics and who are enthusiastic about their work. They helped a youngster steer a boat with his eyes. It was amazing.

11 November 2020

Desperate time for Tinker this morning. She had her nose under her mat, pushing it along, looking for any old bits of food she had missed! I keep telling her she’s on a diet. I managed to let the hoover motivate me into hoovering. I did upstairs, looks ok, dust is still waiting to be dusted. We’ll get there. I have three more weeks till I can go out properly. It’s been a long week.

12 November 2020

Amanda’s Pilates Classes are doing very well on Zoom, very pleased for her. It’s lucky I haven’t got Zoom or else I’d be doing it! Amanda picked up my medication from Boots and has managed to get me some kitchen scissors from a supermarket, desperate for some. My old ones have had it. Also I would like a ‘timer’ as I keep forgetting I have stuff on the hob.

14 November 2020

I went down the shop and got my newspaper, came back, and I took couple of magazines down to Christine’s, posted them through the letterbox. Two walks in one day. Must be a record. Phone call from Wade. Roofer not coming as it’s raining. Might be this afternoon or Monday. I heard a noise outside and it was the man to do the roof. At that time it had stopped raining. I made him some tea and he got on with the job. Looking out of the bathroom window, the roof is really nice and smart.

At 1pm, Tinker and I decided to go for a nap, not feeling that well this week, a rest would do me good. Would like to say that Tinker takes up most of the bed. We had Lucozade and Fruit Pastilles, in case we felt peckish. At some point I must have fallen asleep. The phone rang, it was Christopher, so nice to hear from him. Broke up the afternoon.

I got Mr Sheen out of the cupboard and dusted the bookcase. My bookcase is my pride and joy, loads of cat ornaments on it, photo of Amanda and her dad, books of course and a snow globe that Amanda gave me years ago, a Santa scene and the tune ‘Santa’s coming to town”

15 November 2020

Out in the garden, sticking some plastic on the greenhouse with tape. The wind was suddenly so fierce, couldn’t wait to get back in the house. Then it just stopped. Very weird.

17 November 2020

Having breakfast and watching another Christmas movie, one I haven’t seen. They seem to repeat them all at weekends. Amanda phoned. She and Wade are going for a long walk around Harlow. They went via Sainsbury and bought Tilly 58 tins of cat food.

I had a funny dream last night. I was in a car going to my own funeral, Christopher was driving. Amanda was in the back seat. I was in the middle in my dressing gown, next to my coffin which was covered in hay. We were going to a field near Chelmsford, then I woke up. I told Amanda and she said I wouldn’t be going in my dressing gown anyway. I wonder what I will be wearing then!!!

PS: The joint of beef was delicious, just how I remembered it. Tinker, Tilly and Blackie enjoyed the last remnants of it. They are entitled to a treat now and again.

Thanks Catherine for today’s Diary. I know Lockdown Number 2 is difficult but Christmas movies do help!!

“I hope one day that I can stop talking so fast, faster than I can write” was today’s message on the back of the envelope

30 October 2020

I made an eye test appointment in Boots to see if I need new glasses after my eye laser treatment.  The earliest appointment is 25 January 2021!!  Just in case we’re having a Lockdown, I managed to get a present for Amanda and a couple of cards for her and Wade.  At least I’ve achieved something this year.

31 October 2020

I was going to sweep the leaves off my footpath and lawn but they forecast more winds on Sunday.  I thought ‘what’s the point?’.  Amanda and Wade came round and brought a big bag of litter and 43 tins of cat food and my print-offs (of this Diary: 27 and 30).  I really enjoy reading them and seeing which tea towel Barbara has chosen and it’s neat, good punctuation (not like mine!).  I like Barbara’s comments between paragraphs.  Some of it is funnier than what I write, even though I’ve written it, if that makes sense.  I’m not sure that it does makes sense.  With regard to punctuation, I type precisely what Catherine has hand-written!  It’s her punctuation!  I have realised that I talk an awful lot about cat food, but the cats are the pinnacle of my life.

1 November 2020

Fireworks again tonight, loud and frightening, especially for Tilly and Tinker.  Last night I put a Katherine Jenkins CD on, to soothe the nerves.  Tonight I thought they may like a bit of Vivaldi – The Four Seasons.

My neighbour has decided he wants to put his car on his front garden as the parking here is so bad.  That meant he had to cut three of my plants that are leaning on his side.  When I saw him, he offered to uproot two and give the hydrangea a cut and I told him to put them in my Brown (garden waste) Bin.  Then he started to dig up his path.

3 November 2020

Yesterday, I hopefully went up the town for the last time.  I wanted some sweets for the Wheelie Bin Men.  They deserve it.  They are still collecting through the Lockdowns.  I took a short cut past the Civic Centre, as I turned the corner, I couldn’t believe it, they were queueing for Asda.  As I got nearer, I realised the ‘people’ were mannequins in the ‘Next’ shop window.  They looked so life-like.  Perhaps I do need new glasses.  Now I understand why Catherine texted me, asking if I had a tea towel with mannequins on it.  I said that the nearest thing I had was one from a museum about corsets.  She asked if the next time we Zoomed she could see it.  That is the picture at the top of this Blog!  I bought my purchases and went towards the tills.  In front of me were three people with very full trolleys.  20 minutes later it was my turn, put my bits on the conveyer belt then the man behind me put his stuff on.  The girl at the till told him to put it back in his basket and to wait until I had been served.  I said to her ‘well done for telling him’.  She replied that she was fed up of people not social distancing.

It was the Tuesday Club today for the last time.  I am going to miss it.  We played a game like Bingo called ‘Hoy’.  It’s to do with playing cards, not that we touched them.  We had a laminated sheet that had nine cards on and when Jenny called a card, if you had it, you put a coin on it.  When all nine were called you shouted “Here”.  It was good fun.  So surprising what you can’t touch; we brought our own coins.  I raided the money box.  And yes, I won a game, prize £2.50.

Before the Club, took my rubbish to the bins, then moved them round ready for Wednesday collection.  I couldn’t move the Brown Bin, looked inside, foraged around and found 20 lumps of concrete, camouflaged by stacks of fallen leaves.  Couldn’t believe he would do this to me.  Had to pull out the leaves and plants to get the concrete out.  Did half the bin before I went to the Club and the other half when I got home.  I had to tip the bin onto the grass because it is so deep and I have shrunk (Know the feeling!!).  I put all the concrete back on his footpath.  I told Amanda and she said Wade would have helped tip it up, which was kind, but I like to attempt to do it on my own.  I put a note through my neighbour’s letter box, telling him my bin was for garden plants, not his concrete.  He didn’t apologise and I haven’t seen him.  So much for neighbours!!

Still fireworks.  I played Mario Lanza CD for Tilly and Tinker and I did a duet with Mario – ‘You’ll never walk alone’.  The bathroom has good acoustics.

4 November 2020

Very last time in town this morning.  Met Wendy for coffee.  Last time I will see her, till whenever.  Bought cat treats for my Grandcats: Lyric, Phoebe, Molly, Rocky, Oreo, Liquorice and Bella.  Wrap them up for Christmas so they will have a present to open.  It was packed in town, couldn’t wait to get home.  Waited ages for a bus though.

5 November 2020

Repair Man, Bob, is here to repair my porch with new cladding, rearrange a pipe and repair the porch roof so no water can come in.  They are here for two days.  Did a good job blocking the cats in my bedroom.  On their side is a big metal box against the door; on the landing side is a hoover and a big linen box.  Every hour I check to see if they are alright, a crack in the door lets me see them.

Fireworks have been going for three hours.  The noise is horrendous.  I put the ‘Bishop’s Wife’ film on for the cats to watch and hopefully dull the bangs.  After that, I’m playing a Dolly Parton CD, our favourite.

November seems to be going slowly.  I want to write and send my cards but it’s too early.  I asked Amanda if I was normal to be excited about Christmas.  She said ‘Yes’.  I feel I want to put the decorations up but have none.  I looked in the shops on Wednesday but couldn’t find any.

I think your neighbour is horrible.  He shouldn’t be filling your bin with his rubbish.  But I am not surprised about your desire to send Christmas cards early.  In my memory they have always arrived well before the end of November!!!!

Today is the first day of Lockdown No 2 in England. Does it feel different from being in Tier 3? Does it feel different from Lockdown No 1? Yes and Yes. Being in Tier 3 felt a bit like being looked down on by people who lived in Tier 1, like we were paying the price for flouting the rules, like we were ‘scum’ and that we were isolated. In Nottingham we didn’t really have any connection with other Tier 3 areas like Liverpool or Manchester because we had the hardest level of restrictions. We were no longer ‘in it together’.

Lockdown No 2 does feel different, in that we have learnt a bit more about looking after ourselves, what works and what doesn’t. Yesterday, I went into a local gift shop because I needed to buy a present for a new born baby. It was 4.30pm, the shop was unusually staying open until 7pm. As I made my purchase, I said to the woman behind the Perspex screen “Good luck for the next four weeks”. She replied, through tears, “Thank you so much for supporting us”. Lockdown No 2 is different because we all of us, in very many different ways, know what is coming up And it is a bit scary because the ‘Virus’ likes cold weather.

Then this morning I opened up my Instagram Account and saw this from Emma Ball. I love it and asked her if I could use it in “We’re all in this together”, in the Virtual Tea Towel Museum, as a record of this very strange time. I think it is a good start. As Christmas is approaching, we could all be looking up our local independent shops, and small online stores, to see if we can get what we want from online shopping or the ‘click and collect’ method and help to keep them going. If Sainsbury’s, with it’s huge profits and magnificent salaries for it’s CEO, can announce on the first day of Lockdown No 2 that it is making thousands of people redundant, then let’s support the locals and, as Emma Ball suggests, be kind to each other. Here is her post:

At the top is my Emma Ball tea towel from Sidmouth, from one of my earliest Tea Towel Blogs and one of my favourite places. Soon I’ll be back out there! Thank you to Emma Ball for cheering me up on this cold and frosty morning.

Catherine had asked whether she should continue to write her Diary for the Virtual Tea Towel Museum. I said she ought to because life has not been ‘normal’ for many of us, especially those of us who moved into Tier 3. However, that is all academic now, because this was a debate we had before the second National Lockdown. “16, 14 and now just 9 left to eat. They even stick to my sieve when I drain them. Giving them a break (a wide one), on to broccoli now”. Catherine was, of course, talking about Brussel Sprouts, a note on the back of the envelope!

Once you have read Catherine’s 31st Diary, you will understand why I have chosen this tea towel. She talks about miserable weather, a dour day etc so “Would you like an Adventure now?” seems like a good question.

20 October 2020

Storm Barbara hovered over Harlow, bringing me lots of rain and strong winds, took a while to blow away. Then I donned a coat and posted my last Diary, with Isabella’s quiz (Isabella being my cat). Have you done it yet, Isabella? I’ve not heard. I have been thinking a lot about you, Isabella, and your plight in earlier life of being in a shed with 86 other cats. I know you have a loving home with Barbara and Liz and I hope the other cats have too. They say we are a nation of animal lovers, but are we? So far, so good on the lazered eye. Just need to go to the optician’s to see if I need new glasses. She will be able to see if the treatment has worked.

21 October 2020

4am and I heard a familiar sound. Someone being sick; my guess was Tilly. Got up and checked around, nothing to see so went back to bed.

7.30am and I spotted, by my airer, two long blobs of fur balls. horrible. Amanda said ‘she is only cleaning herself’. Yes, but she doesn’t have to lick so much fur off her body!!

23 October 2020

I was having my extractor fan in the bathroom repaired. So I put Tilly and Tinker in my bedroom, shut the door as best I could, put my hand through the small gap and pushed the litter tray up against it. On the outside I put my linen basket against the door. ‘Safe as houses’ I thought. I went downstairs for a cup of tea, sat drinking it and who strolls in the living room but Tinker. Quick nip upstairs and Tilly is just looking at me. I then herded them both into the main bedroom with ‘Bruce’. This door does shut. After Kevin and his team went, I nipped upstairs to let them out but couldn’t open the door. Tilly and Tinker had clawed at the carpet and pulled it up their side. Eventually managed to edge myself in and then attempted to re-thread the carpet under the door. These cats are devious! Amanda said I could stay in the bedroom with them; that’s a big think.

26 October 2020

Today, I got up early, my porch was being repaired. I had organised, in my mind, how I would keep the cats in my bedroom better. Unfortunately I can’t shut the door tight. As I was thinking, the phone rang. It was Amanda; porch repair postponed to 5/6 November. Tilly and Tinker, you are reprieved. They may be reprieved for longer if National Lockdown prevents it from happening.

27 October 2020

Club Day. Walked again as it had stopped raining. On the way, I popped into Poundland. I had a dream last night about Mr Kipling’s Bakewell Tarts, so I thought I’d best get some. Out of luck, none there so I chose my next favourite, Mini Battenburgs. Then I spotted Fruit Pastilles, which I have before I go to sleep (not choked yet). Then I saw Mini Milky Ways, for when I need a chocolate intake! Sue’s dog, Eddie, has been off-colour so I bought him some treats to cheer him up. And that is all the shopping I bought!

Arrived at the Club. Eight of us today, allowed two people at a table, still a metre apart. Jenny, who runs it, provides the tea or coffee, cakes and biscuits, all wrapped up of course. We were handed a Halloween Word Search. Mary completed hers in about an hour, not me, had to take mine home to complete. Jenny comes round to each table and has a chat to us (fully masked of course). Took a taxi home because it was pouring with rain. I got the bins ready for collection tomorrow. Not much in the garden bin, too wet to mow the lawns but I do have more leaves on the grass than what’s on the trees!

28 October 2020

Up at 6.30am to put the bins at the end of the path (why don’t you put them at the end of the path the night before? Save having to get up early!!). Then fed the hovering cats, back to bed for another hour. Quiet day, not much happening. What with the miserable weather and the Coronavirus Gloom, a dour day, as if time had stopped. Highlight of the Day: a quick walk to post Isabella’s Word Search, as the collection is 9am. Carried on walking to the shop and bought a paper. I like the Crosswords although can’t do Cryptic Crosswords, also bought two magazines. Just hoovered the top half of the stairs, even hoovered the teddies and my clown who sits there. Amanda doesn’t like my clown; in the past, she has turned his face to the wall. At least the vacuum cleaner has made it upstairs. Time is slow again this evening. Goodnight.

As the tea towel says, do you want an adventure?

The Post People were very busy last week. Three letters from Catherine, and three essays on the back of the envelopes. The first envelope arrived with a quiz in it but with no explanation. Silly me, I forgot to look on the back of the envelope for the explanation “Word Quiz enclosed, forgot to tell you. You have the same time to complete it as us (2 hours at the Club). This one is so easy, you could stand on your heads and do it. We managed (Mary and me) 56 words and I’m sure you will do better”. I am glad Catherine has confidence in Liz and me. We managed 67 words over breakfast.

The following day, another envelope arrived, with a quiz and no explanation. Back of the envelope again. “Isabella, you could do this puzzle sitting on your haunches. You have 10 to 15 minutes to do it in. If you can’t hold a pen, you will have to ask Liz or Barbara to help you. Happy hunting!” Isabella, of course, is the cat!!

The third letter arrived yesterday. A proper letter, on lined paper, with neat hand-writing. On the back of the envelope it says (and I did wonder if there was actually anything in the letter since there was so much on the envelope): “I can read my letter, several times sometimes, before it makes sense. Sometimes it doesn’t. I’m sure you will sort me out, Barbara. After all, it’s not everyone who has a ‘storm’ named after them. On the news, it says that the Royal Mail are collecting parcels from the house. Do you think, one day, they might collect letters as well. Thank you to the Postal Workers for collecting and delivering my letter. I’ve run out of space now. Well, nothing left to say. I do have something else to say. The dustmen (unusual word) have taken my empty bin right to the front door. Thank you.”

Update: Isabella is rubbish at doing quizzes!

19 October 2020

“First, I am going back to 12 October. It was a year since my husband Bruce, and Amanda’s Dad, passed away. I wasn’t sure what I would be doing that day but Amanda phoned and said she and Wade were on their way to pick me up and take me out. Our destination was Finchingfield. Bruce and I used to visit there. It has a village green, tea shop, antique shop and ducks. We had our lunch out, that was lovely, then we went to the pond. Amanda had duck pelletts. I loved feeding the ducks, loads everywhere. The ducks were skimming across the pond, mouths open as if to say ‘we’re coming, save some for us’. I said ‘come on then!’. I enjoyed my day with Amanda and Wade. It was a lovely surprise. Thank you.

I’m a bit into sport, watched the French Open a couple of weeks ago. I watched the highlights of the golf at Wentworth, must have been boring as I sank into a deep sleep. As I woke up I saw an apparition of Amanda, dressed in black with a white strip round her waist. Her hair was on top of her head in a bun. I looked for Wade, couldn’t see him, then I wondered how she got in the house. Then Amanda was gone (No, I hadn’t been drinking). It felt very weird. (It sounds very weird).

The following day, I couldn’t remember how to use the tin opener. The ring-pull on Tilly’s cat food tin had come off. It took me four hours to realise you put the opener on top of the tin and not the side to open it! Going down hill slowly!!

Saturday, decided to have Toad in the Hole, made the batter, put it in the oven then realised I hadn’t put an egg in the batter mix. I quickly beat an egg up, took the dish out of the oven and vigorously swirled the egg in, dish back in the oven and it turned out delicious!

Sunday, Amanda and I ‘zoomed’ into Barbara and Liz’s living room. Liz turned the computer round so we could see their lovely plates, jugs, mugs and dresser. It’s homely and we saw Isabella curled up in her chair. Amanda and I both said ‘Aaaah’. I know Barbara doesn’t like to talk about herself in my Diary but, both of us enjoying talking and laughing with Barbara and Liz. It’s like having a dose of medicine to cheer us up, also we put the world to rights. At Amanda’s I had a chicken roast dinner, and, shock horror, on my plate were two and a half b—–y Brussel Sprouts, which I ate first to get rid of them! I also texted Christopher asking him how he was, and blow me down with a feather duster, he phoned me. He said he would phone for a change. Anyway, I found out that he had pulled a ligament in his leg, and I’m sure, Barbara, that you are waiting in anticipation to know. Well, he was bouncing over-zealously (his words not mine) on his trampoline. Another month it will be much better. Christopher, I suggest you give up trampoline. It’s not doing you any good. Not on the phone long as it was Zoom Time with his grandchildren.

I’ve had a good week and weekend. Monday I return to normality. It was Club Day. I walked both ways. Instead of a metre apart, we sat two metres apart which meant one person per table. Had to raise my voice to be heard! There was eight of us but with this extra spacing we can only have 12 at the most. I’m sending Isabella the quiz. I’m sure you will both help her. It’s easy again, only 10-15 minutes.

Off to bed now; it’s gone 12am. My last words to the cats, Amanda and Christine and anyone else who’s listening are “Night night. God Bless. See you in the morning, the Lord be willing”

Late getting up for the bins, forgot to write the time to get up on my forehead. It’s foolproof if you haven’t got an alarm clock. I haven’t got round to buying one yet. See you anon”.

Catherine has chosen the tea towel to be associated with this Diary entry: one of Finchingfield, because, of course, I have one of Finchingfield. I believe Essex is in Tier 2 now. Keep safe! And Liz and I really enjoyed meeting up with Catherine and Amanda on Zoom, a little normality in an abnormal world, although I would have liked the Chicken Roast Dinner, including sprouts!

Nothing on the back of the envelope, what will the Postal People think? What do I think? But still using the larger writing paper with, lines on both sides and very neat hand-writing. Text: “Apparently, we (Essex) are moving to Tier 2 at the weekend”. I expect there will be more about this in the next Diary.

“Re: the back of my last envelope, I have decided that I will eat spinach. I did two lumps with cabbage, carrots and a stock cube, really nice with the chicken and roast potatoes. I counted the ‘lumps’, I have 18 left. I divided them into two bags, hoping they didn’t look too many. Ha Ha, who was I kidding?

When people go shopping, do they look where their food comes from? Most of our chicken comes from Poland. Do we not have English chickens? You can’t beat our strawberries and asparagus, and Scottish raspberries. I like fruit from South Africa and Italian tomatoes. I could go on, but best not.

At long last, I have an appointment for eye laser treatment on 15 October, fingers crossed. In Epping I bought a fat ball feeder so the birds are set up for winter now (forgot to tell you that in my last Diary). Watching the news, in Italy Police go on the buses and check people are wearing a face mask, if not they are fined. People here don’t always wear a mask on the buses or in the shopping centre, large signs telling you which way to walk but they are mostly ignored. Last ‘feeds’ done. Must pick up the saucers as I have discovered Tinker finishes Tilly’s food up and Tilly leaves bits on her saucer.

Bed early as I have to be up early. Flu injection day. I asked Amanda to give me a ‘wake up’ call. Booked taxi for 8.45am, can’t rely on the buses that time of the morning, also have to wear a face mask in the vehicle now. Arrived at Boots early, filled in the form. I was asked if I was allergic to chicken or eggs (which I’m not), injection done, given a four-page leaflet about the vaccine and the side effects, five minute sit down to check I’m ok. After meeting Wendy for coffee, went home and as expected my arm became really painful, especially in the night. It woke me up!

Saturday, Amanda and Wade came round bringing a bag of litter, two more big boxes of cat food, it’s taking over my living room!! Amanda liked the socks and would like another pair. Re our text message: I actually brought ‘Mr Sheen’ halfway down the stairs and polished my ‘Whatnots’ shelves and Bruces Clay Pigeon medals, shock to the system. His brother (Mr Sheen’s brother) is still in my bedroom, waiting in anticipation to be used. Would also like to say that I have three WD40s. Bruce was a great believer in the stuff. In the shed are two bottles of Meths. No idea what he wanted that for!!

Shock, horror, when Lindy came for a cup of tea yesterday, she was greeted with a really flattened mouse on top of my wheelie bin and a dead bird in the front garden. Though squeamish herself, she volunteered to dispose of them for me. So it was spade and dustpan requested. Never seen such a flat mouse and it was greyish. Are they that colour as well? Also yesterday I had two doves in the garden, eating out of the same bowl, along with Robins. I think of them as my mystical birds. For the last three days I have had a Robin singing outside my windows. I believe Bruce is close by. It is a year today that Bruce passed away and it doesn’t feel real.

I had a second letter, within two days, from the eye unit. Still have an appointment on the same day but the time has changed from 3pm to 1.30pm. Seems a waste of postage. Why not ring up?

Stay safe”

Today’s choice of a tea towel is the Robin since Catherine has referred to the Robin as her mystical bird, around for the anniversary of Bruce’s death. Catherine, I hope you like this tea towel, designed by Clare Baird.

It seems like a long time since I received the last ‘Catherine’s Diary’. It’s funny how you get a weird sense of time during this Coronavirus Pandemic; time passes slowly, times passes very quickly, you have no idea how long it is to Christmas. Catherine has had a bit of a difficult time recently but today it arrived, with the message on the back of the envelope:

“I was thinking I don’t need to do a ‘Round Robin’ letter this year, as I’m already doing one but look forward to your one, Barbara.  Also spinach going the same way as Brussels.  Don’t like frozen spinach, can’t waste it, got to try and eat it.  Thinking I will have some today, but knowing full well I won’t.  Thank you Postal People for collecting my letter and sending it to Nottingham.”  (These messages seem to get longer, soon they will be longer than the Diary.  I do think that Catherine is right, she’s done her bit for keeping in touch with family).  I am delighted that Catherine has got some new writing paper; new paper has inspired very neat hand-writing.  But no dates today!  So to the story:

“This is the third draft, can’t seem to get into writing but after texting Barbara this morning, have a bit more oomph!

I got up at the unearthly time of 6.30am, dustbin day, had to get the bins to the front of the path, then fed breakfast to my three ‘priorities’.  I didn’t want to stay up as it makes the day extra long, so went back to bed and as I laid there I thought of P.E. at school.  I’ve got a vivid imagination (it’s got me through life) and I thought I could never be a World Champion Gymnast.  Like Barbara I didn’t like our P.E. teacher, or P.E., especially as she made me go first, doing handstands and somersaults.  I hate being upside down!  I think this all came about because I am watching so much tennis, and the players are so athletic.  I don’t normally watch so much tennis but it’s been excellent and I cam always say that ‘I’m watching it for Christine’ who is in hospital again.  She loves her tennis and has been known to watch it to the wee small hours of the day.  I’ve kept your pronouncing of the French equivalent of the tennis scores as I hear a tinge of Beatrice’s voice in your voice, Barbara.  (Strangers reading this will have no idea what Catherine meant by this reference to the French Open.  Catherine texted me and asked what the French for 15, 30, 40 and deuce was.  I replied.  A couple of days later she texts me and asks me to ring her and leave a voicemail.  She promised not to answer the phone.  She wanted me to say 15, 30, 40 and deuce in French.  I am the last person to ask this of because I have a terrible French, and any other foreign, accent and I hate speaking in foreign languages because I am so self-conscious.  Anyway, for my Aunt, I did this.  It felt really weird.  Little did I know I would sound like my mother, Beatrice.  Hope that explains things).  The male umpires are much clearer than the female ones.

It is a bright sunny day here today, and dry!  The dark evenings are drawing in fast.  I’ve still loads of ‘snipping’ to do.  I want to keep mowing the grass, got to keep my garden bin full.  Blackie and I are in training, as I want him to have his last meal indoors.  I still don’t like going to the greenhouse and also it should stop the foxes popping by for food, and the fireworks will be around soon.

Last week was ‘Vet Day’ for Tilly and Tinker.  Amanda was taking me there.  What a trial getting them in the carriers.  I blocked the room off but they were packed tightly in the cat stand.  It was a waiting game to see who moved first.  Tilly started to move first, I went to get her but she escaped my clutches and hid behind the settee so I pulled it out.  Then she wedged herself between the wall and the cabinet, my chance was here, got hold of her stomach and managed to to pick her up, shoved her in the cat basket.  Relief.  One to go, rest for 5 minutes.  Tinker was a bit easier but her nails were stuck in the carpet, got my hands on her bulge and somehow managed to dislodge her nails, up in the air, legs out wide, got her in the carrier.  Silence reigned.

Arrived at the vets.  My favourite vet, Mrs Parrish, is on duty.  She says that Tilly has a wonky tooth.  It should fall out when she eats her food.  Tinker, on the other hand, who has been on a ‘no biscuit and less food’ regime has put on 70gms so the vet said to put her down to one and a half sachets.  It’s going to be hard.  This cat adores her food, she even eats old dried bits of food, if she can find them!  Amanda said start the new diet from November, do it gradual, won’t be such a shock to her system.  Overall check was fine, their nails cut, flea capsule on their necks, plus yearly injections, all ship-shape.  Home, out of the cages and they escaped upstairs, didn’t see them all day!

Monday was out to Epping with Wendy, a ride on the bus, not many people on them now.  Amanda wanted some warm socks.  There is a shop called ‘Fatface’ (Never heard of it before).  I bought a couple of pairs.  If they are ok I can get some more.  Popped into ‘Marks’ (M&S); it only does a small amount of clothes, the rest is food.  I bought salad items and ham, just fancied something light for a change.

At 3pm, tea and Victoria Sponge at Vivienne and Michael’s, passed a couple of hours.  When I leave, they always say if I need them, day or night, please ring, which I find comforting.  Tuesday afternoon is ‘Club Day’.  I actually walked again, 25 minutes it took.  The only thing I don’t like is that I have to go through an underpass which is quite dark, even in day light.  This may sound silly but I took my purse and keys out of my handbag and put them in my pockets and clipped the pockets shut.  I remember years ago, Bruce’s Mum had the straps of her handbag cut with scissors while she walked home, and they got away with her bag.  Arrived at the Club.  We are now down to six.  It was 12, two weeks ago.  We had refreshments and did a ‘Cake Quiz’.  I only got 15 questions right but it was fun.  I have sent Liz the quiz, the world’s greatest cake maker.  Managed to walk home again but did have an afternoon nap.  I was tired from all that walking.  Amanda texted ‘Excellent’ when I told her!  Off now to post this letter.  Thank you Barbara for our Text Talk this morning, you got me motivated to write again.  Cheerio for now!”

Another challenge.  Which tea towel to choose for this Diary entry?  I thought to myself “which is my newest tea towel?” And then remembered that Amanda, my cousin and Catherine’s daughter, had recently sent me a present, a new tea towel from the National Gallery which hadn’t had an outing yet.  Catherine probably hasn’t seen it so this is the one that I will use.  Thank you Amanda!

The combination of the World of Tea Towels and the World of Social Media can introduce you to some interesting, and fascinating, people across the world. I love it. Beth often reads my Tea Towel Blogs. She read Rocky the Robin on 28 September 2020 and told me about her Puffin Tea Towel. I don’t know how I have the cheek but I asked Beth to send me a photo because I hadn’t seen that one. She sent me one, then another because she thought it was a better photo. This is a great tea towel and I asked Beth if she would like to be a Guest Tea Towel. She accepted the challenge and then sent a third photo. This is her story:

“Tea towels aren’t terribly common in the US. That’s not to say that you can’t find them here, but not as easily as you can in the UK. We seem to gravitate toward the more utilitarian dish towel. Not very pretty, but certainly functional. Some years back, I discovered Scotland-themed tea towels for sale on Etsy.com [my love of all things Scottish is legendary amongst my friends] and decided they would make great throw pillows. What a super way to display these wonderful pictures! I didn’t really think that plan through though. I managed to make six or eight pillows before I realized that they were overrunning my home. As much as I loved my vintage piper-turned-pillow-tea-towel, or my map of Scotland made entirely of town and village names [also now a pillow], I just didn’t have any more room for them. Sigh. So, I began buying them with a view toward actually using them every day in my kitchen. Now I certainly don’t have even a fraction of the number of towels in the Virtual Tea Towel Museum, but I can’t seem to pass up a striking or pretty towel of a Scottish nature.

I love Scotland so much, I save my vacation time for two years at a stretch, and use that time for a month-long vacation there. That may sound extravagant, but it doesn’t make much sense to take a shorter vacation there when you are traveling from California. My older body is no longer tolerant of long stretches on an airplane, and it takes me longer each trip to recover. My most recent trip there was scheduled for this past May. I normally like to vacation there in September, but it has been a long-time dream of mine to see puffins. After doing a bit of research, I found that puffins have left their nesting grounds each year by sometime in August, so I was never able to see them during past visits. This year’s vacation was planned especially to see the puffins. And then life proved that all my plans meant nothing in the grand scheme of things when COVID-19 came along.

I think I was Googling puffins when I came across the picture of Clare Baird’s colorful puffin. I fell in love immediately, not only with the puffin artwork, but Clare’s work in general. Her style is at once both realistic and whimsical. It wasn’t a difficult decision at all to add this beautiful towel to my expanding collection. Every time I look at it, I am reminded that with any luck, I will be able to see a puffin in real life, hopefully in May of 2021. Until then, the towel will have to suffice.”

What a great story. I have found that there are many places I would like to revisit but don’t have the time or energy to do so and a tea towel suffices. Thank you Beth for sharing the story and I do hope you get there in time for the puffins. Try Isle of May, Lunga, Orkney or if you go just south of the border to the Farne Islands. I’m off to see if the Puffin is on Clare’s website!!

Oh no, Catherine has reverted to writing paper that is lined on one side and unlined on the back. I hate that, and it’s smaller than the double sided lined paper. I know it’s good not to waste things but I find it very annoying. I hope that is the last of it! But it is good to still get the diary, mustn’t put her off. Today’s message on the back of the envelope says “The usual suspects, crossings out, inserted words, not much to say on the envelope, unusual for me. Must be getting boring in my old age! Thank you Postal Workers and Wheelie Bin Men who always say ‘Good Morning’ to me and ask how I am”

15 September 2020

It’s really hot outside today. Took a walk around the block, passing the post box to post the Diary, then down to the shop and treated myself to a paper. I was sweltering by the time I got home. I did manage to do some cutting of the clematis. It’s a slow job, still lots to do. For lunch, I tried Linda McCartney sausage rolls, quite nice, though making your own tastes a lot nicer. I used to make them years ago, along with mince pies and lots of jars of pickled onions! (Must run in the family; pickling onions is one of the few things that I learnt to do in relation to food. Mum taught me).

16 September 2020

On a roll today. Made some Rock Cakes in my newly repaired oven and they came out looking like rocks instead of flat moulds. Quiet day though I did washing, hoovering and the usual conveyor belt of cat feeding. Mowed the lawn yesterday and now the leaves are falling and some are changing to a lovely dark red colour. Autumn is coming.

18 September 2020

Amanda was taking me to Felixstowe today but we hit a major traffic jam on A12, and even the diverted traffic was slow. The cause of the traffic standstill was, at 5am, an oil spillage and possibly an accident. I was looking forward to going knee-deep in the sea to revitalise the body and mind; sea water is good for the soul, perhaps it was not to be. We stopped off on the way home at Freeport, a Designer Clothes Village that happened to have a ‘Pets at Home’ shop. I bought liquid cat treats for Blackie, fat balls for the birds and for Tilly and Tinker, two luminescent catnip fish. So far they are enjoying playing with them, how long for, I don’t know. We went to Costa and had a coffee. While we were sitting there, Amanda mentioned that my favourite saying was “How lovely”. I didn’t realise I said it so much, I must be addicted to it. Ah well, it gives Amanda and Wade a laugh! I texted Barbara and checked that ‘lovely’ was an adjective and then asked for other adjectives that mean ‘lovely’, though it is hard to change to another word. Still it turned out to be a nice day, weather was good and I enjoyed the ride. (My over-used word in Blogging is ‘clearly’ and in speech is ‘absolutely’. We all have these quirks! I did wonder why you wanted to know other adjectives that meant ‘lovely’. Now I know.)

19 September 2020

Up early, had a lift to town. I was determined to buy some cards; three birthday cards and I also wanted to buy some Christmas cards. I have to make more of an effort this year. I bought one box and the Assistant said that you get the second half price. I thought “That’s a good bargain”. On the way home, I thought to myself ‘do I know 40 people‽’. Checked my address book and there isn’t 40 people in the book. Amanda said they will keep to next year.

20 September 2020

Sunday, lucky day, the cats let me lay in until 9am. Quiet day, no food delivery, freezer full up, stores of bleach, kitchen roll and cleaning stuff etc. I’m well in advance. This afternoon, I watched the film ‘Downton Abbey’. Though the series won’t be back, I’m already missing the repeats. I enjoyed the film and will watch it again. I also charged my torch which takes a good ten hours and also did Bruce’s phone. Though it’s not used, it seems to need charging fortnightly. I wonder if it is because it’s an old phone‽

Made a mistake today and cooked cod in milk for Blackie and Tinker too early. I told Tinker she’d had her lunch and wasn’t due for another meal until 5pm. She kept walking backwards and forwards into the kitchen with her nose in the air; it was unbearable to watch. Blackie turned up at 3.30pm. I gave in and fed them their cod. Didn’t see Tinker for the rest of the day; she must have been ‘fit to burst’.

21 September 2020

They are doing a ‘trial run’ of opening one of the clubs I go to, today. I took a taxi there, sanitiser on the wall inside, mask must be kept on till we sit down, well apart, of course. Mary came; she had befriended me when I first came to the club after Bruce passed away. It was great seeing her again. Also I gave her a Christmas card in case I didn’t see her again! 39 to go!! Only 12 people turned up; perhaps people are still scared to come out. I enjoyed the morning, and the coffeee and biscuits. I walked home via Poundland and bought four ‘Simple’ shampoos and Mr Kipling apple pies. Just found out from Amanda that the mileage I did was 3 to 4 miles.

22 September 2020

Last year, in October, I reported to the Council that the street lamp outside my house had so much foliage around it that it made my footpath very dark. Yesterday afternoon, the Council Men arrived to cut all the foliage away from the lamp. I was so excited, it made my day. I said to them afterwards “Alleluia, I see the light!”. Last night, my footpath was lit up. But I still will not be opening the front door at night!

I’ve no idea which tea towel to match with this Diary; basically, I can’t remember which ones I used already. I will have to go into the archives of cats: this is Amber the cat that lived at the Glenturret Distillery in Scotland. Catherine, do you think you could write about a Robin or the Underground because I’ve got some great new tea towels?

“I once got ticked off by a friend for not dotting the ‘i’s.  When I read back my letter, to see if it makes sense, for the 100th time, I miss out quite a few.  Thank you Postal People” says the note on the back of the envelope.  I wonder what I will find.  Catherine is on her 26th Diary: where are we at‽ 

10 September 2020

Woken up at 7am by Tilly and Tinker, marching up and down the carpet and making strange noises (probably saying ‘Get up Lazy Bones, we’re hungry’!!).  I went mad today.  I have all day to do things, but for some reason I felt I had to do it all at once.  Change the black sack food caddy bag, do recycling, feed and water the birds, clean cat trays and brushing the stairs down and then have breakfast.  In between, Amanda phoned.  She had had a bad dream; she dreamt she had a house party for a thousand people and couldn’t get rid of them, so resorted to pouring the alcohol down the sink.  Gosh, what a waste!  I’m now relaxing with Jeremy Vine; all that work is very tiring.

11 September 2020

Up early again.  Cooker Repair Man coming.  The slot I was given is 8.40am to 12.40pm.  Panic this morning.  I was snipping plants in the front garden, though I keep the front door open I always take the front door keys with me.  I didn’t realise till I sat on the settee, after finishing the snipping, that I couldn’t find the keys.  Flew outside and I found them on the lawn, heart was pounding with relief, obviously I hadn’t put them in my pocket properly.

11.40am: Repair Man arrived.  New element required, tested the oven out and it heated up beautifully.  When I opened the oven door, it heated the whole kitchen up.  I’ve decided to just use it for baking cakes, as I can’t seem to get it right in my portable oven, and just use the portable one for day to day items.

12 September 2020

I must have been having a bad dream.  I woke up at 1.45am and I thought I had a stone in my mouth, went to the bathroom and dropped it straight into the bin, went back to the bedroom and I realised I had no teeth in my mouth; the stone turned out to be my teeth!  So I fished them out of the bin, cleaned them and restuck them with thick adhesive.  Don’t know what I was dreaming about, bit nervous of going to sleep tonight.

On a more cheery note, Amanda, her friend Jennette, with Jennette’s mother and I went to ‘The Fox’ for lunch.  All the tables were well apart, not many people there.  We had a lovely meal and good company.  It was great to go out.  Now I am watching ‘The Last Night of The Proms’.  It was brilliant and I didn’t miss the audience.  I sang at the top of my voice, especially ‘Jerusalem’, and did stand up for ‘God Save The Queen’.  Though I would have liked some company, when I started singing Tinker did a hasty retreat!!!  All the London landmarks were lit up in red, white and blue.  A sight to behold.

13 September 2020

Late afternoon, I decided to get the bucket out of the cupboard under the sink, ready for watering the garden, hot weather for two days.  What greeted me was another leak, lots of water.  It was dripping from the pipe which goes into the washing machine I don’t use.  Mopped it up, as best I could.  I got the ice bucket under it; it’s just the right height.  I judged four hours before it needing changing again.  I phoned Amanda and told her.  Wade phoned back and asked about the speed of the drip.  I said “not too bad, it can wait till tomorrow, see you then”.  I went to bed at 11pm.

14 September 2020

Woke up at 3.10am, went and checked the water level.  Got there just in time; water in ice bucket about to overflow.  It filled my bucket halfway and the drips were getting faster.  I did go back to bed but couldn’t sleep properly, kept getting up to check water levels.  Wade and Amanda came around just after 8am.  Wade did a ‘screwdriver job’ on the pipe and stopped the drip, hooray.  Wade also repaired my light socket on the landing.  Now I have a bright light.  Looking forward to a good night’s sleep tonight.  At some point, I have a plumber coming.

On a more cheery note, Amanda bought with her four boxes of cat food, 44 sachets in each box.  To accommodate all this cat food, Tinker and I decided we should change some furniture around and the living room looks tidier.

On an extra cheery note, the hedgehogs are back in the garden.  Good night.

15 September 2020

A water drip-free night!!  Tip for the week: to get any tannin out of mugs, cups and tea spoons, Steradent Tablets in water work a treat.

Tea Towel of Choice today is ‘Use Water Wisely’ since Catherine’s Diary has been about leaks and drips.