ANOTHER NOTE DURING THE LOCK-DOWN

Tuesday, 2nd June.

WINTER has officially arrived here in Melbourne. Low temperatures, grey skies with very low clouds, and a slight drizzle of rain. Yesterday I decided it was necessary (indeed imperative) that I sort through my thicker warmer knitted garments, bringing them to the front of my wardrobe. As is usual, I found two or three sweaters and T- shirts I’d forgotten I had, and I had just been about ready to buy some more on-line. Now I don’t need to, so I’ve saved some money in the process of tidying up my wardrobe! I also found a few new summer tops I’d purchased last year, but hadn’t worn nor had I chosen to wear this year, so my girl- friend (and she knows who she is!!!!) is going to gain a few she and her daughter may like.

IT’S DURING THIS “SEASON” OF ISOLATION, that my thoughts readily go to women who live apart from their families, and more specifically those whose families are no longer close to them - in emotional terms. Growing older (and in turn “feeling old”), living alone, and being dismissed by the people they love, this Isolation has taken a battering on their feelings. Feelings of worth, of value, of importance. When one takes this Pandemic into account, those feelings sometimes become shattering.

* So it’s essential that women who are “alone”and more-so during this time of lock-down and restrictions insofar as not being able to meet up with friends and going to places outdoors as well as shopping (even if only window-shopping), take time to reflect just who they are exactly, and to recall all the things they have done in the past. Not only for themselves, but for others, too. To remember and get to know the person they’ve always been, and realise even if their family or certain friends no longer maintain any contact with them, that they are extremely important to themselves. Important enough to cope with the constant changes that are occurring around them, and to adapt to the best of their ability, especially taking into account the isolation.  It is imperative they continue to hold their heads high and to be grateful and proud of just who and what they are. They’ve got plenty of experience, and that life-experience is invaluable.

A couple of my friends this week during our telephone catch-up, mentioned this very subject. I know as one grows older, when friends drift away and families have their own responsibilities and no longer “have the time” for their elders, it is very easy to become the shy and unsure person they used to be when they were children. Too easy to be told one should focus on the here and now and not allow earlier feelings of unworthiness, of incapability to perform certain things, to be strong and always put others first, to come into a person’s daily thoughts. It comes down to how we feel about ourselves, and how comfortable we are in being who we are and what we are. Knowing we’ve always done (or tried to do) the best we could for others in the past. We’ve worked through many difficulties, physical as well as emotional, and we’re proud people!

And don’t forget, there are many other women out there who feel the same way, and it’s up to each of us to take their feelings into consideration, and to pick up the phone, or to write them a short letter just reminding them of THEIR importance too!

**  As with my readers, I am well aware that in 2020 and in these times of pandemic, there are women of all ages, who have no home, no roof over their heads, no money, no food, no blankets, no warm clothing. Women who through no fault of their own no longer have the advantages of even a small room. They’d love the opportunity of even having a telephone to ring their friends, if they have any, that is! What can we do to ease their suffering?  Older women cast out by society and having to overcome the risks involved in living in cars, or finding a spot to hide in.  I also think of the work our wonderful volunteers of all ages readily do in going beyond their personal safety boundaries caused by social distancing, every night to adminsiter their caring sharing to all the people out there living on the streets.   These people too deserve thanks and support (moral, prayer and/or small donations to worthy welfare agencies, whether financial or practical.)   

WOMEN HAVE TRAVELLED SOME INTERESTING, INCREDIBLE, DIFFICULT, EXCITING, FULFILLING JOURNEYS. We’ve accepted and taken full responsibility for our actions, our behaviours and our dreams (even when those have not met with approval by others or never come to fruition.)      Many of us have been trodden on, walked over, ignored, used and abused.

But as Helen Reddy sang:

I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore 

And I know too much to go back and pretend

‘Cause I’ve heard it all before 

And I’ve been done there on the floor 

No one’s ever gonna keep me down again.“

Oh yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain 

Yes, I’ve paid the price
 

But look how much I gained 

If I have to, I can do anything 

I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman.

You can bend but never break me 

‘Cause it only serves to make me 

More determined to achieve my final goal

And I’ll come back even stronger 

Not a novice any longer 

‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul.

I am woman watch me grow

See me standing toe to toe

As I spread my loving arms across the land

But I’m still an embryo

With a long, long way to go 

Until I make my brothers understand.

Oh yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain 

Yes, I’ve paid the price
 

But look how much I gained 

If I have to, I can face anything 

I am strong, I am invincible,

I am woman.

...oOo...

Friday, 5th June.

THIS TIME WE’RE LIVING IN AT PRESENT IS A TEST OF WILLS.

The will of an unseen and irresponsible virus, pitted against the will of determination and discipline of men and women and children. The pressures put upon our brothers and sisters (and children) is intense. Unemployment; how to pay the mort- gage; home tutoring; how to provide for the family; the uncertainty of the times.

And we come back the constant need for KINDNESS and A CARING HEART. For no one knows what this virus is, no one knows how it came into being, no one knows how long we will need to adapt knowing it’s around us, ready to strike. For there have been any epidemics even pandemics in earlier times, although the statistics of such events is really unknown for the simple reason the peoples of those times did not realise the importance of keeping figures or numbers and communications were nothing like we have today.

And here we are, we’ve followed the suggestions and instructions by our Health Departments to the best of our abilities. We’ve adapted to the restrictions and while other countries are coming “out” of similar restrictions, there’s still the concern that while this virus may be dormant (sleeping) in those places, it may nevertheless still be present.

So we have to be watchful, we have to be alert, we have to care for one another, we have to show kindness to one another. We also have to be personally careful, and to be aware of our own personal health and the responsibilities we have to ourselves.

Again this morning I’m sitting at my computer, and lifting my eyes I am confronted with a bright blue sky. Hmm. Nice and early and I can’t see anyone else around outside, although with the roads through the village,  residents are able to continue walking as their exercise each day. Time for a quick “scoot” around the village, to take in some fresh air, and to be refreshed, ready to get stuck into what tidying up I need to do around my room.

I’m an avid collector of documents and papers. Great lever-arch files containing all the “important” things, which in the scheme of things are perhaps not!  Yet I have to admit I’m never sure about these papers and documents - they seem to have a life of their own. I place them in neat piles ready to be filed away, only to find to my dismay that they “breed” overnight. Honestly, and I can’t keep up with them! So what I have to do is to maintain control of them. Go through them, sort them, throw out what I don’t really need, and then immediately file those I want to keep. Not put it off until later. So here goes ......

In the meantime, God Bless you one and all, without exception.

Rosemary 🌹🌹🌹 STAY SAFE, TAKE CARE EVERYONE.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY:

BE ON THE ALERT TO RECOGNISE YOUR PRIME AT WHATEVER TIME OF YOUR LIFE IT MAY OCCUR.    ........Miss Jean Brodie, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

AN ADDENDUM TO MY NEWSLETTER:

I’d finished up my newsletter, rugged myself up and took myself for a “scoot” around the village. It was 5 degrees. I sat in a small secluded spot, reading, when my eyes lifted to see a special little visitor. Because the surroundings were dark, this young Australian magpie had stopped in a tiny spot of sunshine. Only a few steps away from me, this little fellow (who knows it may have been a lass) absorbed the weak sunshine, and then came nearer to me. How does one talk to a magpie, without it flying madly away? Well, Dr Doolittle succeeded, and Rosemary did her best to pacify the little bird, and to make soft noises that would satisfy it, so it would not be frightened by a human, being so close.      

You see, my Great Aunt back in the 1940s had a pet magpie, and I was given lessons by her, as to how to allow them to approach her. So I did what Great-Aunt showed me. And I had a magical ten minutes with a beautiful magpie. There’s nothing quite like being permitted to go close to a native animal or bird. It’s like an invitation to share their space, and I can only use the word “magical”, for that’s what it is                                       ...... Rosemary

YET ANOTHER WEEK IN ISOLATION .....

 Hello dear friends,

The days are filled with great lumps of looking out of the window and not looking out of the window, it seems.  Yet when I find the clock nears lunch time (how does IT know, when I hadn’t given it a thought before hand?), I hop up from my chair in readiness to find something to snack on.

This morning I’ve tided my room, watched the news, then “Songs of Praise” on the ABC, read a few (well more than that if I’m honest!) chapters of my book, done a bit of work on the computer, read some great emails from my friends both here in Australia as well as overseas, made a phone call or two.  Then I wandered out of my room to check my garden patch which sits immediately outside my door but still within the building, in which I have a beautiful indoor plant that has gone wild and then wandered back in.   So when I checked my watch two minutes ago I realised it was “Lunch time” - hooray!  

It’s 12 degrees here - quite a nice temperature for us at this Season.  So I’ll warm up some beautiful pumpkin soup made by my friend Rosie (no, that’s not me, but my true friend Rosie!), and with a slice of toast, and a cup of Lemon & Ginger Tea for lunch, I’ll be ready for what the afternoon brings.   Even though I’m in “isolation”. 

Some people have all the fun, don’t they?   Me included.  For it’s how we look at things I’ve come to realise over the years that is very important to how we feel about ourselves.  Two sides of a coin was the old saying, and it sure is.  It’s either heads or tails, and quick frankly I rather the heads.   Lifting the head your eyes can take in the world around you.  Tails of course, you’re looking at the other end of things!   Don’t let me start on explaining my weird sense of humour, because I’ll confuse you even more.

Anyway, friends, it’s Sunday, and I decided to do a small “scoot” around the village.  That’s on my scooter, not jogging!   Coming home I stopped and looked up into the sky, where I saw a beautiful cloud tipped with the colours of the setting sun.  Turning the corner I espied a beautiful Autumn tree which because of it's placement, still has all its leaves.  Most of the other larger trees are now bare. 

Now, I’m taking things easy. About to sit in my favourite chair and my book (of course!).   Please take care, my friends. 

Rosemary  🌹 🌹 🌹 STAY SAFE, TAKE CARE EVERYONE.

MISSING HUGS?

Hello dear friends,

Should you wish to try a novel way of still retaining your social-distancing while at the same time gain the satisfaction and feeling of well-being, then here’s a great way of ensuring you don’t miss out without treating yourself to a “hug” or two.

(The following article is from National Seniors Australia newsletter received this week. Quoted verbatim.)

HUGS ARE OK ... REALLY!

While Australians are getting through the COVID-19 lockdown by using technology to hook up, panic buy and home school, Iceland's forestry service has come up with a novel way to overcome the people’s sense of isolation.

They have opened up their forests so people can hug the trees and in the words of a senior ranger “get the energy from [them].”

Top tips

And yes, some hugs are better than others.

"It's good to close your eyes while hugging a tree. I press my cheek against it and feel the warmth and currents flowing from the tree into me... it starts in your toes, runs up your legs and through your body into your brain. You get such a good relaxing feeling that are ready for a new day and new challenges," the Ranger says. 

Don't rush

They’re a thoughtful lot, these Icelanders. The Rangers have cut paths through the forest snow at Hallormsstadur so people can get close to the trees, and the paths are, of course, wide enough for people to keep the two-metre distance.

For us in Australia it might be good to check your tree first before leaning in for a hug to ensure there are no stinging ants, spiders or anything else that may detract from the experience.

EDITOR'S NOTE: So if you see people rushing through our streets to choose the tree they wish to hug, give a moments thought to the poor old trees. To have been ignored for hundreds of years, and now to be the subject of “love” and “hugs”. Well ..... just goes to show, how the world can change in the blink of an eye!

“COMPASS” - Last Sunday 17th May 2020, on the ABC

My friend Bill Crews and his Exodus Foundation at the Ashfield Uniting Church in Ashfield, New South Wales, was the subject of the Compass show last Sunday evening at 6.30 p.m.,, depicting how Exodus had adapted to the countless restrictions brought upon them by the Covid19 pandemic.

As with numerous other agencies and organisations, Exodus was faced with having to close down, thus putting thousands of homeless and poor Sydney citizens at risk, not only of no longer having meals, but also the risk of contracting the virus. Exodus is not just one or two people who are dispensing welfare; it has hundreds of people involved in one way or another. It is an organisation that protects the people who come into its sphere. Caring, sharing, giving, loving.

With social distancing and people having to isolate, the Ashfield church had to close its doors from their weekly services. So Bill took the service out-doors so that people wouldn’t miss out on their spiritual needs. Then the restrictions became stronger, and social distancing ultimately meant they could not provide the church service in the grounds. So Bill did what he always does. Thinks outside of the square. He began to send his parishioners emailed (those who have computers and emails) programmes for each Sunday’s service. And this included the You-tube “messages”.

As far as caring for the homeless and destitute, it looked as though the whole project would collapse. Exodus provides a shower; endeavours to give some of their “people” housing; somewhere where they can do such a simple thing as charge their phone. And that’s the only start of things.

Submissions were made to the government to have Exodus proclaimed an “essential service”. This was denied. At first. But Bill and his crew don’t give in that easily, and so a further submission was made, as restrictions became more severe.

They have a team of people who check each person’s temperature; provide meals; provide counselling. And the night-time Van that goes to Wooloomooloo 364 nights a year (the only exception being New Year’s Eve), takes hot meals to those people in that area. And it’s when the viewer sees the queues of people who all need a warm meal, that we who are fortunate in having warm clothes, a warm meal, in a warm room, realise just what life is like outside of our room. People who are cold, people who are hungry. People who have no money. People who have no home. People who are at risk - physically and emotionally. And then there’s the damned coronavirus to contend with.

That’s just a little of the story that was shown on the ABC last Sunday night. If you did not catch this on TV, then take a few minutes and watch it. It will open your eyes.

From Christine, Sydney, New South Wales

“Cafe’s are open and I see numbers of people shopping and wandering about munching fingers to mouth, and back to wandering and shopping. So suspect the next wave of virus will be created by folk who forget the necessity of personal hygiene. Until observing this I had not used sanitiser and gloves in my bag BUT instinct pushes me to begin now! Maybe it was just the supermarket but coughing and sneezing without plunging head into elbow seems forgotten .... we are a very strange species."

SYMPTOMS OF COVID 19

As my readers know from old, I’m very strong on sharing information - especially when it is important information. When speaking with some of my friends most of whom are in their 80s (although I’m proud to say I count many others in their early 50s and 60s as my loyal readers), there seems to be a bit of confusion as to the symptoms of this virulent disease. Here’s a rundown for you.

Most common symptoms 
* fever
* dry cough
* tiredness

Less common symptoms * aches and pains
* sore throat
* diarrhoea
* conjunctivitis
* headache
* loss of taste or smell
* a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms
* difficulty breathing or shortness of breath * chest pain or pressure
* loss of speech or movement

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. On average it takes 5-6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms o show, however it can take up to 14 days.

Fondest regards