A friend called by today to return a book I lent her recently, The Binding by Bridget Collins, such an intriguing tale which had captured H’s imagination as it did mine. It is so lovely to see a real person at the door, especially another Book Lover, and to exchange both some chat and another couple of books. 
One of my American Blogger friends, Nancy, posted the following poem and so much of it rang true for me and maybe for you too. Just to say, my friend, Ute, is feeling much better so thank you for keeping her in your hearts.
COVID IS RAGING . . . MY LIFE IS A MESS
I LIVE IN PAJAMAS AND DON’T HAVE TO DRESSI’M IN ISOLATION, JUST STAYING AT HOME
AND WOULD GIVE MY LAST DOLLAR TO BE FREE TO ROAMI’M SERIOUSLY AT RISK (OR THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY)
TELLING ME TO STAY IN AND NOT GO OUT EACH DAYIN MY HEAD I’M SO YOUNG THOUGH MY LICENSE REVEALS
I’M A 70-PLUS SENIOR (BUT THAT’S NOT HOW IT FEELS!)WHEN I RUN OUT OF FOOD AND DELIVERIES ARE LATE
I HAVE TO BUY GROCERIES BETWEEN 7 AND 8SO EARLY MORNING I HEAD OUT TO RESTOCK
AND DISCOVER A LINE WINDING ‘ROUND THE BLOCKSOCIAL DISTANCING SENIORS ALL 6 FEET APART
MAKE ME WONDER WHEN I BECAME AN OLD FARTMY LATEST NEW OUTFIT IS GLOVES AND A MASK
AND I’M STARTING TO WONDER IF I’M UP TO THIS TASKI WASH ALL MY GROCERIES ALL FRUIT, MEAT AND VEG
WILL THIS ADDITIONAL PRECAUTION TIP ME OVER THE EDGE?MY BEAUTIFUL BROWN HAIR HAS WIDE ROOTS OF GREY
NO HAIRDRESSERS AROUND TO HELP WASH THEM AWAYI’VE BEEN TALKING TO MYSELF & ANSWERING BACK
IS IT MONDAY OR FRIDAY? I’VE REALLY LOST TRACKI’VE STOPPED KEEPING HOUSE
IT’S WEEKS SINCE I’VE DUSTED
AND I KNOW WITHOUT VISITORS
I’LL NEVER GET BUSTEDI FACETIME FRIENDS OR GROUP CHAT ON ZOOM
AND TRY TO PRETEND WE’RE ALL IN THE SAME ROOMTHANK GOD LIQUOR STORES ARE CONSIDERED ‘ESSENTIAL’
WITHOUT DAILY DRINKS THIS WOULD DRIVE US ALL MENTALEVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT IS GOOD TO REFLECT
ON WHAT THIS ALL MEANS AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECTIT’S A TIME TO BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT WE’VE GOT
LIKE A WARM HOUSE AND FOOD THAT OTHERS HAVE NOTTHE BOTTOM LINE HERE
BY THE TIME THIS ALL ENDS
IS THAT WE’LL GET THROUGH IT
WITH OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Ark
February 8, 2021 at 4:56 pm
Feel happy when you get to read your book later.
That’s me.
mybeautfulthings
February 8, 2021 at 6:08 pm
That’s me too! 🙂
Ark
February 8, 2021 at 6:29 pm
I have just started reading Ancestral Vices by Tom Sharpe, so I will be turning in shortly!
utesmile
February 7, 2021 at 2:59 pm
I always wanted to live in a bookshop, I could get totally lost in one. I love that poem, it is so totally appropriate. i feel so the same.
mybeautfulthings
February 8, 2021 at 6:02 pm
I had the same dream! I wanted to own a bookshop where I also served cake and scones that I had baked for my fellow book lovers! The covid poem really touched a nerve in many of us. So glad that you are on the mend. 🙂
Heyjude
February 8, 2021 at 6:41 pm
Haha, I too fancied owning a bookshop with a coffee and cake counter, some sofas for people to sit and read, and have book clubs and writing groups.
mybeautfulthings
February 8, 2021 at 7:01 pm
Exactly! All of the above! 🙂
Heyjude
February 8, 2021 at 7:47 pm
Closest I came to it was working in my dad’s newsagency when I was a teenager 😂
utesmile
February 8, 2021 at 7:32 pm
You know many bookshops now do serve coffee and cake. I think it is a good idea to do it as it goes well together and is fun to choose books an have a cake. I would have loved to come to your bookshop! 🙂
mybeautfulthings
February 9, 2021 at 8:13 am
I would have welcomed you in with open arms and your favourite cake! 🙂
Heyjude
February 7, 2021 at 1:36 am
I love books but have found it difficult to read this last year, no concentration. In fact on a few occasions (rare for me) I have actually not been able to finish a book. I thank goodness that the libraries are on the whole, open for collection. And that poem is fabulous. I’m not 70+ but everything else rings true!
mybeautfulthings
February 8, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Actually, I have been the same. I have mentioned some books I have read on here but they are the few that have truly grabbed me as I have found myself very restless, wanting to be doing rather than sitting, much as I love reading in normal times. I taught English literature for many, many years! 🙂
nrhatch
February 6, 2021 at 9:05 pm
I love books and can relate to your Book Lovers Thoughts!
I read The Binding after hearing about it on your blog ~ memories are so integral to our lives.
Glad you had a chance to share the COVID poem.
mybeautfulthings
February 8, 2021 at 5:57 pm
Thank you, yes the moment was right to share the poem and it has been liked ! 🙂
Vanessa Carpenter
February 6, 2021 at 7:25 pm
Lovely to follow your blogs Sally. Hope you and your family are doing OK. Can’t wait for the choir to be able to sing together. Take care xx
mybeautfulthings
February 8, 2021 at 5:54 pm
Thank you. It’s love to know that you are following along. Into, am longing for the day when we can sing together again. Stay safe. xx
Vanessa Carpenter
February 6, 2021 at 7:23 pm
Lovely to follow your blogs Sally. Hope you and your family are OK. Can’t wait till we can meet again as a choir.
Stay safe. Love Vanessa xxx