Dear fellow Prime Timers,
Just to introduce myself, I’m the oldest of the Prime Time Team and can usually be found in a pinny sorting cakes and washing up. Let no-one say I don’t know my place! Penny is having a very well earned break, but don’t worry, she’ll be back at the end of the holidays.
Well, what have you all been up to since lockdown? How are you all coping? Is there anything we can do to help? I expect, by now you are getting fed up with re-runs on television, jigsaws, and guilty feelings through not doing all the jobs you had set yourself to do whilst stuck indoors. For those among us that were going to sort out our wardrobes, you might like to know that a recent survey found that the average numbers of items in a woman’s wardrobe is 103, a quarter of which have not been worn in the last 12 months! No mention as to men’s I’m afraid. Perhaps one of the Prime Time gentlemen could do a count and let us know?!
It’s been a bit strange here with going from a husband working partly from home to one that has retired! No party, cakes or celebrations after 60 working years.I expect you have all found something similar- Birthdays ,anniversaries,holidays, all cancelled. And don’t get me started on missing seeing the family and cuddles from the grandchildren. Yet doesn’t God always provide rainbows? Mine have been walking down Salt Lane with no traffic, the absolute stillness in the air at the beginning of lockdown ( a wonderful time for prayer),the way all the flowers looked the best they have ever looked, and best of all the realisation of how many friends I have, sending cheery notes to see how I’ve been. I was actually fine as soon as I got food sorted ( you see how I prioritise) - which reminds me, if anyone is now having difficulty getting food, do let us know. I know a lot of deliveries are now stopping.
In the meantime; is your food staying fresh with a weekly shop? A few bits of help from Womans Weekly...
- Stop veg (eg carrots celery, cucumber) going limp by wrapping it in foil before putting in the fridge
- You can help bagged salads keep crunchy by adding a piece of kitchen roll to the bag.
- Put an apple into a bag of potatoes to stop them sprouting.
I asked my friends for any contributions for this letter, and I think you might like the following poem written by a lady who is in her eighties; a friend of my neighbour, Eva Smith. She also does loads of shoeboxes for the Samaritans Shoebox appeal. Impressive!
In the meantime, don’t forget Di’s PRIME TIME QUIZ for Covid Quizzers on 11th August, on Zoom. It was great fun last time, and the good part is that you can come bottom without anyone knowing... (or even cheat!) Further reminder next week.
Stay safe everyone.
With love and many blessings
Olwen Downhill
ODE BY AN OLDIE (80+)
In years to come, we’ll remember those days When life as we knew it had gone With folk ‘isolating’ or even ‘locked down’
Light through the darkness soon shone.
Each day was transformed by a wonderful sight Bright rainbows in windows appeared, Created by children- a gesture of thanks And the NHS were much cheered.
We waved to each other from inside our doors, Could not give a kiss or a hug And risk passing on the Covid-19 A contagious and virulent bug.
We walked, close to home, to keep ourselves fit, But distanced, two metres apart, We missed all our friends, and freedom and fun, And the normal things dear to the heart.
Grim news of the thousands fighting for life Made all of our families scared But neighbourliness and selfless acts Proved that the whole nation cared.
We compiled quite a list of things we required And kind folk searched the aisles for each one.
Another week’s needs were met by those deeds, And a long-lasting friendship begun.
At 8 o’clock Thursdays, we clapped the brave staff Who put their own lives on the line To tend all those patients who needed their skills- It could be your loved ones or mine.
The children missed school and familiar routine Their social life dipped down to nil.
Their mums and dads did sterling work
Their new home-school role to fulfil.
But inventiveness came to the fore
And some wonderful outcomes emerged.
The children found talents hidden before.
Fund-raising initiatives surged!
So when, in the future, we reminisce,
We’ll not dwell on the sorrow and pain
But recall once more the supreme acts of love That occurred again and again.
Laura Thompson 2020