Learning to Live Differently

Beautiful sparkles down by the lake one Sunday morning

before everything changed

with the arrival of the Covid-19/Coronavirus.

People were still taking public transport and mixing with friends in groups

Going out freely with my camera to capture some wild plum blossom

On my last day of freedom, I came home with two little pots of Primula

Before planting them on the balcony, 

I arranged some little flowers in my favourite circular vase.

Tulips came home with me too, the last ones before a strict lock-down

especially on people over 65 who are more at risk of catching the virus.

I'm not going to talk a lot about it here.

We all follow the news and know the devastating effects.

Switzerland is very hard hit and there are now over 8000 cases.

The more people stay at home, the less the virus will spread.

Asparagus has appeared in the shops

and that's a sure sign of spring!

Being confined in my home, I have a great deal of time to make delicious recipes,

read, do masses of crochet and choose uplifting films or comedies to watch on Netflix!

Here is my breakfast; French toast, cooked blueberries

 served with a spoonful of coconut yogurt.

I've been baking bread again too

This one is a gluten-free version and very delicious

Being confined to my home, I have set up a plan of exercises to remain supple

which I do twice a day.

I'm also fortunate enough to have a balcony

 and can take fresh air several times a day

or sit outside and read when the spring sunshine is warm enough!

The first day of spring this year will certainly be one that none of us will forget.

I have some tiny violas growing in three of my window-boxes

and can see them from each room of my apartment!

A new habit:

Ringing my Tingsha bells every evening at 9 pm, when lots of folk in my neighbourhood

go outside to shout and applaud for a few minutes.

It's to thank all the medical staff, doctors and nurses

who devote their lives to try and save as many people as possible from the Covid-19.

I also include everyone who is working to help us all survive:

the farmers who produce our food,

the delivery services which deliver it,

the postmen and women who sort and bring our mail,

the pharmacies which remain open

and the post-office workers,

and the men who pick up our dustbins twice a week.

There are so many devoted people out there.

They all deserve recognition and our appreciation.

The spring flowers are in bloom everywhere, even if I can't see them.

These Forget-me-nots were photographed before lock-down

exactly one week ago on Tuesday 17th of March.

A little sapling growing in the grass separating my building from the one in front.

So lovely to see everything come alive again.

The grass is dotted with primroses.

Do you remember the start of this blanket?  I have named it

"January Sunrise"

You can see the photo of that sunrise which I took from my balcony.

I started the project on January 1st this year and finished it six weeks later.

Here it is finished!

I have several crochet projects on the go and I'm trying out a new stitch for the first time

It's called: 'Corner to Corner' and is really fun to do

especially in this self-patterning yarn which makes it more interesting.

Not my usual colours, but very cheerful and Springlike!

Since no one can shake hands at the moment, I thought it might be a good idea

to practice a 'Windscreen-wiper wave'!

So hello to you all!

I hope you are staying safe and respecting the advice of the country and area you live in.

Another crochet project which I started in January

which had been momentarily put on one side:

This is called 'Spring Garden'

and I love using these lovely colours which make me think of spring flowers.

There are different sources for this particular pattern

and the one I am following is from Lullaby Lodge.

Isn't it beautiful?

I will be putting up more crochet flowers from the 2020 Flower Challenge in my next posting.

I hope you are well and adapting to this new and different way of living

We cannot change the course of events, but we can change how we approach them.

"You have power over your mind - not outside events.

Realize this and you will find strength."

Marcus Aurelius

Stay safe

Keep optimism shining in your heart

and only take one day at a time!