ADs seek spontaneous cake in 1984

[Mascotte]

New thread mash up title hope ok

"Thank you to whoever recommended The Choice. I downloaded the kindle version this evening and am already a third of the way through. Briefly explained the plot to DH, who thought it was quite a good idea but that's the point isn't it. Measures for our own good sound like a reasonable thing until it's forced, taken too far and used by people as a form of control over others. Timely indeed."

Yes Lockdownlard it is quite apt isn't it.

We all parent as we see fit, I would never dream of alerting another parent unless I thought there was a risk of harm (did it once and luckily they were grateful, the situation was serious). In our case that meant parenting twin boys in different ways as one went off the rails and one didn't.

I did become quite the sleuth though, especially as initially I was having to prove to my DH that DT2 was up to all sorts. Even he now admits that when my spidey senses start jangling he needs to listen!

@ProfessorRadcliffeEmerson. My parents are in the "old" category for covid but very young at heart. But this has aged them too in that they've lost confidence. It's horrible.

They have just messaged to say they went further afield on one of their walks this week, so that's something. I had a chat with them last weekend about the need to balance caution with getting out there. "Yes, it will seem busy when you go out, but the more you go, the less scarey it gets."

DM keeps pointing out that things are "illegal", like shielding DF sitting in a neighbour's garden. I asked if she thought the police were going to turn up and ask to see his medical records!

It's really sad to read about the effect covid has had on people's parents, health (non covid) and lives in general.

Read an article here yesterday and it said something in and around 900 smear tests were performed in April when it was 21,000 or so in April 2019.

Mask wearing seems to be increasing. I was in Aldi and Dunnes (Irish supermarket today). Lots of talk of going back to phase 2 if cases rise above 100 a day. I'm sticking my fingers in my ears and singing 'la la la' to try and avoid that talk.

Just done Tesco the elderly were wearing masks whereas they were presumably isolated at the beginning good to see them out and about much better for them imo. One couple spent five minutes mauling different makes of croissants I went to a different aisle then came back they were still dithering, in the end I reached across, the lady said "Excuse me!!!" I just smiled and kept going.

My parents are in their 70s. I don't see them as "old". They didn't see themselves as "old". Now they say things like, "when you're our age you've got to be careful." Well, yes, but in proportion to the risk, and not worrying about being in trouble for not following guidance to the letter.

Desperate as I am to see them I do wonder how stressful it will be when it happens. We like going out together but if it's going to be a day of DM tutting at other people for not socially distancing to her liking, or for hanging out in groups bigger than the allowed number, I can't do it. We won't be going for a browse round the shops either as she won't be able to hear through the mask.

I've painted a picture of miserable Victor Meldrew types, when actually, up until March, they were two quite awesome people who made the most of life.

I should be on an aeroplane on my way to New York right now . We’re going to Eastbourne for fish and chips for dinner, that’s just as good, right?

Afternoon all.
Trying to catch up.
Hospitals and GPS Messing people around is a disgrace. What do they think they are there for? I have been able to get my blood done at the local surgery and hosp have phoned back.about them do thats pretty good considering what other places are doing. A friend who lives in another area has the nurse come to the house for his injections. But a friend of my aunt (in thier 80s) was told they would drop off her vit B12 injection and she could do it herself!!!) A friend went and did it for her. Ffs!

Hope everyone enjoys thier hols and mini breaks. MrsF bugger off without him and have fun.

Work busy am knackered. Everything takes twice as long due to the hoops we have to jump through. Watching the mask parade is still an eye opener 😄 Still people with masks and gloves doing their shopping then into cafe still wearing it all! How are gloves going to help when you eat??? I mean they are all contaminated😲😲 Do you take them off to eat but that means touching all our germy cutlery and cups or do you keep them on and try not to get them too close to your face? It's a puzzlement.

Got some tonic water to try to decrease wine consumption. Spritzers are us now.😄

Ds2 has one of those skull neck thingys. Think i might borrow it for shopping. If i have to wear one might as well have fun doing it and see how many hard stares I get😉

I went to an actual shopping centre today for non-essential walking boot shopping, then a wander round the neighbouring nature reserve. I was surprised how busy it was. Not all the food places were open but those that were had queues. Only a couple of shops had queues - Hobbycraft had quite a long one. Hardly anyone had masks on though I did see one family all masked up in the reserve😔

@BarkandCheese
I've been to both Eastbourne & New York. Eastbourne wins hands-down...
...for the fish & chips.

New York has the edge on the nightlife there, but I think most places would be able to claim that over Cocoa-and-slippers-by-nineTown.

Could be worse, Bark. You could be in Skegness. Or dead from covid.

Got my masks.

And my glasses are photosensitive so go black when I'm outside if there is any hint of sun

Should be fun.

Actually, Bark, is Treasure Island still in existance at Eastbourne? It was the place to go when I was about 8 or 9.

We usually always went to Hastings because it was nearer. Eastbourne was a proper day out!

I know, it's no compensation for The Big Apple. I hope you get to go sometime.

IAintentDead
Arrgghh!!!!

Please wear it if you have to go the dentist, & see how confused they get!

@IAintentDead fucking brilliant!!

Bloody Jamie Oliver. Trying to make rainbow jelly he said leave first layer 20 minutes, then add second layer, after half an hour was still warm in fridge, gonna be at this for hours

Just checking in. I saw some lovely scenes on a drive today - pub gardens full of people and children out playing. It felt so weirdly normal for a moment but then equally not. I am making a real effort at the moment to get out somewhere every day just in case of any future local lockdowns. It's not always easy but it is making life feel better. I'm spending money where I can too to try and help local businesses.

That's fab @iaintentdead!

@justasking111

Bloody Jamie Oliver. Trying to make rainbow jelly he said leave first layer 20 minutes, then add second layer, after half an hour was still warm in fridge, gonna be at this for hours

Use cold water from the fridge after the jelly is dissolved or an ice cube or 2 in each layer as you make them speeds things up. Don't put them in the fridge until the ice cube has gone though.

You can put them in the freezer for 10 mins or so if still warm just stir it when you get it out again to make sure no ice crystals.

You've set me wanting multi coloured jelly now.

@IAintentDead Good on you, we need more people wearing masks like that! I know someone who has a skeleton hoodie that zips right over the head, with eye holes. I'll borrow it if the weather gets colder!

Here's something else we can do on MN: reply to threads that aren't about bloody Covid, especially fun threads. I know that many of us ADs are avoiding the rest of MN at the moment, but I am noticing that the light-hearted threads are hardly getting any replies; and Active Conversations is incredibly dull. I've tried to start a few fun threads myself, with replies in single figures. There was a really good lot of them a few days ago (e.g. weird family behaviours), and they have mostly dried up lately.

I gave myself a good shake and I've been out picking fruit in the garden all afternoon. Boxes and boxes of gooseberries, and I've pruned it right back as we need to move it within the garden. Red and white currants have gone bonkers this year as well, so that will be tomorrow's job.

Gooseberry jam, currant jelly here we come!

I love gooseberries but only when they are hard and sour. Really disappointed with the ones from the supermarket as they were soft and ripe

Oooh I love gooseberries. Send some this way please😄

I think I spent too long on my parents allotment when young sneakily eating the produce because I love all fruit unripe and sour and prefer uncooked veg.

Hello all !

Having deactivated Facebook twitter and Instagram and blocked everyone I know on what's app apart from my mum 🤣 This thread is now the only place I go on the internet. Ok admittedly I go on right move as well but that's dementor free