"Yass Queen!"

This morning blog is written on the precipice of week nine, it feels a little chilly, it is a little cloudy outside and life is all beginning to feel a bit ‘meh.’

I have spoken to several friends this week all echoing the same sentiments, the phrase “I’m so over it” seems to ring true about now, except we are not, are we?

All the plans, events and celebrations in which we should be participating have been cancelled or postposed until normal life begins again and we are all too aware that actually, life is not going to be normal for a very long time.

I am angry with people who are blatantly flouting the rules, frustrated with the politicians constantly spouting confusing and conflicting advice. Politicians who have now been found breaking those rules instead of leading by example.

Forget the ‘The Seven Year Itch’ I think we have ‘The Nine Week Itch’ everything is feeling a little weary and we are beginning to get a little tetchy, with each other and life.

However, in between the cracks and weeds flowers bloom and life sends its smiles as well as tears, those moments that keep us going.

I am still jogging, the knee seems to be holding out since I have been warming and stretching although I felt a slight twinge in the other knee. I ordered another knee compression sleeve but I was unable to purchase a matching pair. This no doubt is due to increased incidents of ‘Joggers Knee’ during lockdown, such is the peril of us runners! (please note this is written very much tongue in cheek as I still look like as if I am in immense pain when jogging).

Although, one of those flowers through the cracks was a lady, an actual bonafide ‘runner’ who asked me if I was part of her running club? And I quote “There are a few of us out on a training route today” Well, even though I am putting this down to having two different colour and style knee compression sleeves which clearly make me look as if I’m some sort of running guru, it made me smile!

I just hope she didn’t hear me laughing as she sped off.

I also smiled on route when a pigeon frightened me, after it flew off in alarm as I disturbed him or her as I jogged past the outskirts of the field. This first made me screech aloud and then smile, I also smiled at my dancing butterfly companions.

I smiled at a message from a lovely ex-colleague and friend who reminded me of a happy memory, which then began another train of thought, a musical memory, a time of laughter and fun before the world turned upside down.

I smiled this week during a face time conversation, phone calls, text messages and Zoom quizzes, despite the sadness and confusion of life right now and of course the challenges we know are yet to come.

My family themed quiz this week was ‘Netflix’ it took me a little while to think of the character or celebrity I should emulate and in hindsight I think my choice was perfect.

I love watching ‘Queer Eye’ on Netflix, a group of guys who have all faced adversity in their lives who then in turn change others lives and help them to become a better version of themselves. One of the reasons I love watching this series is that they all radiate life and love and fun and they always, always, make me smile.

Johnathan Van Ness was the easiest for me to copy as I have the right colour and length of hair, I guess he is the most flamboyant of the fab five and creating this look was another flower in the crack that made me smile!

I am not sure why my tongue looks such a weird colour in comparison, maybe the red wine I was drinking during the quiz?

So, instead of blaming it on the boogie, I am blaming it on the Shiraz.

I checked my tongue this morning, it looks pink and normal, who knows!

Please keep looking for the flowers.

Take care,

Joy xxx