I wanted a record of things I’d achieved, experiences I’d had, things I was grateful for during the 2020 Lockdown. Here’s the results of my musings.
Plenty of Zoom meetings, some of them with family, some with girlfriends, some with my yoga friends some on my own. I remember I dressed up, it was the first Saturday of the Lockdown and I invited friends to join me, nobody came. I still enjoyed myself dancing around drinking sparkling water. That was when Zoom parties were still a novelty.
I knitted 3 pairs of finger-less gloves, I haven’t sewn them up yet.
I used my 60-year-old Singer sewing machine for the first time to take the hem up on my kaftan, bought in Dubai 3 years ago, 6 inches too long. Don’t look too closely at the stitching but it works and it’s now wearable.
In the early weeks when Zoom was new to many people I ran free training sessions on how to use Zoom. I worked with fitness instructors, artists and Jazz musicians. Now of course everyone is running successful Zoom meetings including my Baptist Minister Sister-in-law. She uses Zoom for all her church services.
I was given a mixing desk and professional microphone so I could broadcast my Preloved Chica Time Capsule show live from my home studio.
I ran a Marathon in May for Papworth Trust, 10 runs, 2.6 miles each, raising almost £200 just by adding a Facebook DONATE button to one of my posts. I think people were keen to support worthy causes. During the Lockdown, I’ve added 3 Facebook Donate buttons and raised hundreds of £s
With co-presenter Stephen Spencer we broadcasted 27 Corona Virus update ICR radio shows, 2 each week for 14 weeks supporting people in the community with the latest updates and local news
2 very special men came into my life.
I tuned into Dr. Laurie Santos’ Happiness Lab and discovered her key take away was if you can help others you will feel better.
Greeting people I meet whilst out running with a huge smile and a Good Morning has made such a difference and if you’ve read the poem Smile, you’ll know smiling is contagious
I’ve now completed the 8-mile circuit around Alton Water 5 times, mostly on Sundays with my son, Jake who’s following Stu Mittleman’s Slow Burn Running technique.
I’ve had the chance to practice the Stoic Reframe technique when my computer hard-drive crashed and died. You say to yourself, “we’ll at least its not……” There are so many things I could fill in the blank with. I’m so grateful for good health.
I discovered Monty Don’s Gardeners World, the most relaxing TV show out there. From those gardens, I’ve found a new love for roses, especially Damask roses which smell like Turkish Delight.
During the Lockdown I received 2 bouquets of deep red roses which stayed fresh for over 2 weeks
I arranged a Zoom meeting with neighbours to watch the One World Together At Home. They were eating piping hot Nachos with melted cheese. I made a comment saying how lovely they looked, the next thing my lovely neighbour brings me a bowl of hot nachos to my doorstep.
I had a refund for my trip to Japan, now rescheduled for Easter 2021
A fox has made 3 visits to my garden and on one occasion at 8 am, the fox walked up my side lane and strutted down the main road outside my house, bold as brass. I think we’re all witnessing a new kind of bolder nature
Street “parties” with 2 groups of neighbours, every week providing structure and consistency to my Lockdown weeks
The online yoga classes from Ekhart Yoga, especially the 7 Chakra workouts. I’ve completed the entire 8-part playlist this week creating my a home-based retreat.
A bottle of Don Pappa rum from the Philippines which I drink neat, with no mixers, no ice. The flavours are incredible, a wonderful gift from Ryan.
Ryan also sent me 12 bottles of super wine from The Fugitive Motel in London, a very enterprising company delivering wine to individuals to prevent stock going out of date. The wine was delicious!
I completed a piece of art inspired by Grayson Perry’s Artclub. I had 5 previous attempts at making something I could hang on my wall and the very last piece of work turned into something magical that is now framed and hanging on my wall.
I made a batch of Kimchi with my son. It’s a very therapeutic thing to do as you have to squeeze the vegetables with salt until they become soft. The kitchen smelled so lovely too and Kimchi, fermented vegetables is so good for you.
I joined Joanne’s Beltane festival live from her Glastonbury garden via Zoom. The bonfire had its own camera and went the fire was lit, it exploded into flames, very impressive to see. There were 8 of us on the Zoom call, all raising a glass to the Summer months
Sometimes running 2.6 miles just before our live Corona Virus Update shows, cutting it fine but feeling energised and full of endorphins before going live at 11.00 am.
Visiting the allotment and seeing how the gourds were growing. Many of the courgettes have become marrows but the perennial Goji Berry bush, native to the Tibetan mountains continues to thrive and produce sweet red berries for another year.
Tidied up my garden shed, it’s easier to find things now, including my garden seats! Thank you, Tony, for all your help.
I went stargazing at Dunwich Heath, a beautiful new moon night sky with shiny stars. I lay on a blanket and watched several shooting stars fly across the sky.
Getting pulled over by the Police and breathalysed on my way back from stargazing, of course I tested negative. Thank goodness I didn’t bring a hip flask!
Making time to condition my hair with my blend of olive oil, avocado and egg. I left the concoction on for an hour in the sun, my hair was rock hard, fortunately, it washed off and my hair was very soft and shiny for a few days
I loved watching the National Theatre’s YouTube live video performance of A Street Car Named Desire, starring Gillian Anderson. It was 3 hours long so I watched it over 2 days. It really did feel like a theatre experience.
I organised a garden party for my birthday and invited a select group of just 12 people. I booked Matt White from the Emulsions to do an acoustic set, it was truly wonderful. I made cards for all my guests so that they could have a physical memento to take home as well as the wonderful memories of the evening.
I took a yoga balance workshop with Andrew Wrenn and as I wobbled on my mat I couldn’t stop laughing out loud at myself. I’ve never laughed in a yoga class before.
Made a guest appearance on 2 radio shows, Rendlesham Community Radio and Felixstowe Radio, I was very pleased to be asked to talk about my passion for secondhand clothes
My son bought me a make-over and photoshoot for my birthday. I felt very special and loved the photos that were taken.
I picked up the first Emperor book by Conn Iggulden in a telephone box in Holbrook over Easter, read it and loved the book so much I had to buy the other 4 books in the series. I love reading about the life of Julius Caesar, the battle tactics, and political intrigue. I’m completely wrapped up in Roman History which has been a wonderful escapism
I’ve found a free meditation training course from Google, called Search Inside Yourself, and would love to teach others to learn the basic skills of meditation, perhaps my next vocation.
I wore a pair of false eyelashes for the first time in my life, thanks to my birthday makeup artist. I managed to keep the lashes on for the entire day. I did have to ask a friend to pull them off before bed. Ouch!
I’d love to hear about your Lockdown experiences, do leave your comments below
#MyPrelovedLife : 10/7/20