Marty

Good morning, everyone! Slightly cooler day here. currently around 10°C (50°F) with the predicted high to be only a degree more. Sun and clouds, but no rain forecast. Still, the slightly cooler weather may make garden work a little easier.

A couple of evenings ago, my builder rang, and then called round. Main reason was to collect some cash for the work done just before the lockdown, but also to discuss other things I want doing, as he plans to start doing a few jobs from a week on Monday. One of the jobs is to fit a gate on the laneway leading down the side of the house from the main road. As we were walking back from looking at that possible job, I suddenly realised we were walking side-by-side, less than the specified two metres apart, so I immediately slowed down and started singing the words to Don't Stand So Close To Me by The Police. That song has a certain resonance for me, as I was that young teacher in the 1970's and early 80's, and have several second level girls (and the occasional boy) who would try to get too close to me. But when I actually looked for the song on YouTube (to share with you all here) I also found this socially distanced covid-19 remix of the song with Sting, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots: I just loved the way the different members were using "instruments found at home while in quarantine" in the performance. I also thought Jimmy Fallon did a brilliant job capturing Sting's singing voice from the original version. And Sting may be a good bit older now, but by golly, he's still as sexy as (that word beginning with F)!! Instruments found at home:

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On my own profile page... under the Activity tab.

And we're only 15 replies short of 40,000 (14 now)

Seoul closes 2,100 nightclubs after last weekend's clubbing causes spike in infections https://www.thejournal.ie/seoul-gangnam-5095091-May2020/ From the same article: "In Germany, a fresh outbreak in slaughterhouses also illustrated the challenges authorities face as they seek to open up their economies." "President Donald Trump is pushing state governors to allow factories, restaurants and shops to reopen despite warnings that it might lead to a deadly spike in infections." "In Brazil, the country’s fifth-biggest city, Fortaleza, started a lockdown yesterday amid surging infections, even as President Jair Bolsonaro asked the Supreme Court to order states to roll back restrictions on business." "The latest tally today has found that the coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 275,000 people worldwide [...] with more than 85% of fatalities in Europe and the United States." It's not over yet, folks. And probably won't be for a long time to come.

Hey, Page! How's things in Pageland?

Hi, Albert! How are you today?

I know exactly what you mean, Gary. Hopefully the garden centres are re-opening here in Ireland a week on Monday (18th May). I want (see how I avoided saying need) a garden rake, hoe, replacement garden fork, wheelbarrow, and a lawnmower (and maybe some plants and seeds). I have friends who would be more than willing to get them for me. But chances are they wouldn't get exactly what I wanted. So I intend (while taking all sensible precautions) to go and pick the items for myself.

At the end of the day, it should be your decision, not theirs. But I understand why they would be concerned. But, as I do often tell children when they talk about needing things: make sure you know the difference between what you think you need and what you simply want.

But, but, but....

Size queen!

Cheers, Gary. Warmish day here, with sun and clouds. Currently about 16°C (61°F) with a high of 18 expected. Could be a little rain late afternoon.

Good morning, Gary! Hope all's well with you.

Happy Saturday, all you beautiful people! It's actually afternoon here now, but I've been having a bit of a lazy day so far. I might sow some flower seeds later...

It's Saturday here now, so yesterday was the 75th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) marking the end of WW2 in Europe... My sister, who lives in England, informed me via WhatsApp that the residents of her street were planning a "socially distanced" street party to celebrate VE day. I replied as follows: "Please don't use it as an excuse to celebrate or glorify war (as I'm sure you won't), and be careful how much wine you drink. " Well she does have a tendency to get very loud and boisterous after a few glasses of wine. She then tends to fall asleep in the chair after the third glass or so. So I really hope she's not asleep in the street at this moment, and no-one is prepared to carry her back into her house because of worries about social distancing...

Cheers, buddy I was talking to the 15 year old brother of the fine young man who I had suggested to his mother that I might kidnap. He (the younger brother) is actually quite keen to help me in the garden once the lockdown is lifted. He'd expect some cash in return, but not too much, and he does gardening for a few other people...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Like Albert said.

Here's my week 6 offering of my challenge to upload a new black and white photograph every week for 52 weeks. It's a picture of the upper garden taken this evening. I did clear all the roots off the path and took a couple of other shots, but the light was failing by that time.

It always saddens me that some countries don't have universal health care like the NHS in the UK. Individuals can choose to pay for private treatment if they wish, but the NHS is there for everyone, regardless of income or employment status. I'll say no more, as I would be crossing into topics that should only be discussed in The Pit.

Great news, Val! Now, as my mammy used to say, don't spend it all at once!

Wow! Thanks, Albert! It's years since I've heard any ELO (or Electric Light Orchestra, as they were known back in the day). I've at least one vinyl album of theirs hidden away somewhere (their second one, I think). Must dig it out sometime and see just how badly scratched it is...

It must have been before I started hanging round in here that Emi and Victor were regulars, as I recognise neither of their names, but thanks for updating the rest of the crew, @Caz Pedroso

Hey, Gary. Around 15°C (59°F) here, but it actually feels a good bit warmer. So much so that I'm taking a lot more rests whilst gardening than usual. It feels sort of muggy, which may explain why it feels warmer than it really is. Even the house martins were only flying at head height around the middle of the day, although they're back up above the roofs now. Next five days are promised reasonably dry, which just the possibility of an occasional shower, although the temperature may drop a degree or two. If this keeps up, we'll have the farmers complaining about a drought (but they love to complain, anyway).

It's probably the same chili...