Walking back home from my walk I came through the town and was struck by a number of things.
Firstly the number of houses which had rainbows in their windows – all praising the NHS, carers and teachers plus all the people delivering, cleaning and working to keep us all safe. It was quite moving. Outside the school was a long row of rainbows attached to the railings. The name of the school was also spelt out in rainbows.
It felt like everyone had come together to recognise a whole bunch of people who are not normally lauded, whose pay is poor, who are considered low-skilled.
I hope when this is all over this society gets its priorities right and we stop giving inordinate amounts of money to the profiteers (like Rees-Mogg) and start giving more to the people who matter.
They need to review the immigration criteria too. It isn’t just rich people we want. We want the farm workers, drivers, old-folks’ carers, teachers, nurses, doctors, cleaners and caterers too!!
One day there will be a big rainbow at the end of this storm and it will herald a new beginning. I hope it heralds a more equal, fairer society where everybody matter!!
The second thing I noticed was a window with an amazing Easter display – eggs and bunnies – flowers and branches. It looked brilliant. Easter is the pagan celebration of natures rebirth!
That too is what we need. At the moment it feels like capitalism has come to a bit of a halt. Factories are no longer churning out stuff we don’t really need. Everywhere is much quieter. Nature is being reborn. The air feels fresher. The birds louder. The flowers brighter.
Maybe when this is done we’ll appreciate nature better and look after it more?
The third thing that struck me was a group of three workmen. They were digging up the pavement to lay internet cable. They were still working but it sounded like things might change. One was saying that if they were asked not to come in would they still be paid? I sensed real fear. These were men with families, mortgages and bills. How were they going to manage? Should they still be working?
This virus has created so many issues.
Today I am starting a final reread of my latest Sci-fi novel – Farm 703 – The human project. It’ll take me a few days of fine tuning.
My music is Buddy Holly. I’m playing it good and loud. I’ve had sixty years of Buddy and I’m not tired of it yet.
This morning we went for a walk alongside the beck, through the meadows and fields. It was beautiful. The sun was out, fish darting, birds singing, flowers shining, like stepping back in time to a slower, more peaceful age. I came straight back and wrote a poem.
We remain healthy though I’ve still got my sniffles. Who knows what the future holds? All ours appear OK. Right now we live in the moment. Planning ahead has been reduced to how we get a slot for a food delivery. Ho hum.
Now – it is back to work!
Stay safe everyone! Only another six months to go!!