I’ve decided to treat this as kind of a holiday, since it’s Holy Week, even though there are no physical church services. We’ve got some online things tonight and tomorrow night and then on Sunday morning. For the first time in ages, I won’t have to get to church before 7:30 in the morning and then sing for three services. I’ve already done my singing, which is going to be edited into a choir.

We had a really nice morning here, so I had breakfast on my patio. I found a tiny jar of Devonshire clotted cream in the fridge (I’d bought it a while ago but never got around to using it), so I had a nice cream tea for breakfast, with scones, cream, strawberry jam, and tea. I know a cream tea is usually more of an afternoon thing, but it’s a delightful breakfast. It was nice just sitting outside, listening to the birds singing, watching the little lizards play among my plants. I’m doing research reading right now, so I may work outside today, as long as the weather permits (we’re supposed to get some rain later).

My survival strategy in lockdown seems to be to find little pleasures in everyday life, to turn routine things into events — like a cream tea for breakfast on the patio, or a movie night, or a reading afternoon. Last night was spa night, using my facial sauna and a clay masque and some skin treatments.

Since I have my sewing machine out for making a mask, I may see what else I can make with the material and patterns I have (which isn’t much), or else just practice sewing straight seams and controlling the machine. If I get really desperate, I suppose I could dig up something I don’t wear anymore from the donation bag, take it apart, and put it back together.

Not that I’m bored. I’m just trying to look for more constructive uses of my time so I don’t fall into the Internet sinkhole. It helps to stay active rather than mindlessly clicking or watching. I’m finding writing difficult, so I’m doing writing-adjacent things, and then maybe I’ll find myself inspired to write once I get my mind settled down.