Today is our last day in self isolation. Hurrah! We are all well, it’s a lovely spring morning and I can hear a wood pigeon cooing outside as I write this. Tomorrow Adam and I are going to celebrate our newfound freedom with a run along the towpath which stretches from our village to the nearby town of Moira. It will be my first run for almost three weeks so I’m not sure how much I’ll enjoy it. But the joy of getting outside should outweigh any aching limbs.
The girls have adjusted well to home schooling at the kitchen table. Fionnuala and I have helped out with their various questions the best we can. I’m still rubbish at maths but I did have some fun learning the various instruments that can be found in an orchestra. Yesterday I discovered what an erhu was. Every day is a learning day even at my age. Rebecca is baking today for Home Economics while Hannah was focusing on Religious Education yesterday.
Fionnuala joked yesterday I was so bored I had started cleaning. I’m doing my bit to keep on top of the household chores and whoever thought dusting could be so therapeutic. The penny has finally dropped as to the difference between cleaning and tidying up, a point Fionnuala has been trying to hammer into my head for many years now. It’s important though we keep on top of this important aspect of home life more so now than ever.
We ordered some hair clippers which arrived yesterday so Adam cut my hair. I must say he did a good job although I had my doubts at the halfway point when I resembled Friar Tuck. Fionnuala did an equally good job on his, before taking several inches off Rebecca’s purple locks. Even Charlie got a good brushing and will be bathed later today. A task he hates and normally ends up with Rebecca and myself more wet than he is. That dog sure hates water.
I’m working hard on the latest edit of my new novel, ‘The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles: A New Jerusalem.’ Presently, I’m averaging 8-10 chapters a day which I normally focus on in the afternoons. I’m pleased with how it’s progressing and also delighted that my first book, ‘Skelly’s Square,’ continues to sell on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. I’m nearing 50 five star reviews in both North America and Europe, which I’m told is pretty good for a previously unknown Irish writer.
As you can see we are doing our best to avoid the news but it’s hard not to; we tune in every afternoon to hear the latest government briefing. Our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, have both tested positive for coronavirus and are currently in self isolation with mild symptoms. There have been 22 deaths now in Northern Ireland and over 1,400 across the United Kingdom as a whole. We are still nowhere near our peak.
Thank goodness for box sets. Last night Fionnuala and I started on ‘How To Get Away With Murder.’ There are 84 episodes in total and we are planning to watch two an evening, which should take us well into May. I’m also currently watching Season 8 of ‘Homeland’ and Season 2 of a British thriller called ‘Liar.’ I really miss live sports though so have been watching old clips being posted by Ulster Rugby, Manchester United and the Washington Redskins. Back in the days when the ‘Skins had winning seasons!
I hope you are all keeping safe and staying at home unless you absolutely have to go out. Remember that WordPress is a community so if you are feeling lonely or fed up, then please feel free to drop a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. The pandemic is bringing out the best and the worst in people. Let’s ensure our blogging community represents the former, as opposed to the latter. Talk to you all tomorrow.
Black Thoughts 
I agree with you Stephen that the coronavirus is bringing out the best and the worst in people. Wow! I didn’t realise you had had to self isolate. Had you been near someone who had it? Scary times indeed x
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My wife and daughter were showing symptoms but are much better kid, thank you.
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Oh I am so glad they are okay now. What a terrible worry for you. Thank God they are alright, much love to you all Steohen x
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Thank you very much.
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It’s good knowing people are keeping their chins up in all this. I just started Homeland, and am in season 2. Wow, what a suspenseful show! I only get 1 a night. Thanks for the insight into your lives.
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You’re welcome. Hope you make Season 8
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The US is saying to STAY HOME until the end of April at least. One state has told it’s residents June 1! No end in sight here. 😦
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I think it’s the same everywhere. I’m hopeful the worst will be behind us by the summer.
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Totally different times in the states. Glad to hear your quarantine is lifting and that you’re looking forward to a run. I’m surprised at how much my exercise has been curtailed by the change in routine. I can still get out and have a great place to run locally. No gym, no pool and am not having great results with my bicycle in the basement. But, we are healthy and content. An increase in local testing shows that the virus is in our area. My work has been deemed essential and with that comes a comfortable discipline. However there is also the stress of 300 people going out into the world and then back into the same building each day. Stay healthy and safe.
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You too Denny. I hope your employers have put in place safe social distancing measures for yourself and your colleagues.
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I had given up on blogging for a couple of months, but one good thing about all of this is it’s freed up some time for me to do it again. I hope you and your family stay well. Good job on the haircuts. I was just wondering what we are going to do over here about our mops. 😆
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Thank you. Yes, the barber did well lol. I hope you and your family are keeping safe.
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You must be desperate if you’re watching the Redskins! 😂
Jeremiah is very excited because he will FINALLY have a chance to cut his and Benjamin’s hair – something I have always refused to allow him to try. My husband has many great ideas, but they rarely work; for the sake of him being in management I have tried to keep his hair safe from these ideas. Now, though, it looks like he’s going to be getting that Flowbee (or whatever it’s called!) and attempting hair cuts. At least with this quarantine I will have several more weeks before I have to acknowledge his presence in public.
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Ha Ha! HTTR! I hope the shearing went well. I’m sure Jeremiah did a good job 😊
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Well, he hasn’t acquired them yet!
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I’m happy to hear your self isolation is over. Are businesses open, or just essential ones? As many mentioned above, the US is asking people to stay at home. I am soooooooooooo thankful that we are (at this time) able to go out on the sidewalk & trails. I hope that doesn’t change 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
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FREEDOM! 🙂
As much as I preach trying to keep this virus in perspective though, I’d still be a little cautious in terms of social distancing. China had to close it’s theaters back down a week after re-opening them.
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I have a dog too. He got a bath yesterday. I have been working on editing my book too. 🙂
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I am glad you all are allowed out. We in the U.S. are still told to stay in. They are setting up a testing site across the lake from my neighborhood. Pray for my family and the community.
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I’m impressed that you are able to write that many chapters every day. I’d say you’re doing very well for a new author! It took me years to build up to regular monthly sales, and I don’t have fifty reviews on any one of my books. I haven’t been very disciplined in a strict writing schedule, but having just finished book #5 (meaning all the editing after all the writing!!), I found I averaged 2-3k words a day which is only a few chapters. I have a writing Facebook group called Real Time Writers if you’d ever like to join us. We encourage each other, share what we’re learning or our progress and IF we offer tips, we can share our book releases too. I’m in Florida, USA Best wishes for your writing and health!
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What kind of a dog is Charlie?? I always had labs & they loved the water. I never heard of a dog who hated water. Gee, even my cats love water. LOL
I slept nearly the entire day yesterday. This move has totally exhausted me. Today I will get back to the task of unpacking & putting things away.
Glad to hear you’re doing well. Love to the whole family.
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He’s a border terrier. Yes, he won’t even put a paw in the sea when we’re on the beach. He hates cats, though. Thank you and stay safe 🙂
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Glad to hear your quarantine has lifted and it seems you made the best of your time at home. Take care and stay safe.
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Thank you and the same to you 🙂
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Most welcome!
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Yay for going outside! I’m so glad you all are well. I miss you on Twitter, Stephen. I just can’t do social media right now. I can barely do the news. I can do WP, though so I’ll look for your post tomorrow. Great news about your book.
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Thank you Kat. Hopefully will see you back on Twitter soon 🙂
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