On Becoming a Hermit, Sort of ... Day 26-27

Days 26-27
(Saturday, 11th and Sunday 12th April 2020)

Global statistics on COVID-19 as at 10:30 this morning (according to Saturday’s Guardian) are Confirmed cases now at 1.699 million. Recovered: 341,836. Deaths: 102,799.

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock reminds us that each one of those has a name and each number has a family whose lives will be changed for ever.

Now, speaking of loved ones, a warning. I’m going to have another rant.!

We’re getting reports from other parts of the city that, regardless of government advice and now even warnings of police fines for flouting the instruction to stay home, there are people going out in their cars and visiting other people. It occurs to me that these are people, who can only be amongst those, who sit, perhaps uncomfortably, somewhere between, on the one hand, not being able to cope with their fear and, on the other, a kind of misguided optimism that persuades them they are neither carrying infection nor are they going to catch it. They might even be well educated and knowledgable people, who think they know better. 

The following three paragraphs contain a lot of pointed second person singular. If you are, therefore, someone who is carefully following the advice on social distancing and self isolation, then this is not for you. I concede that it is also probably the case that those, who are refusing to follow that advice, will not be likely to read this. So, this is perhaps for posterity, but at least makes me feel better. Here goes ...

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU..!!  DO YOU NOT GET IT..?!! IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND IT, THEN PERHAPS YOU SHOULD THINK MORE CAREFULLY ABOUT TRUSTING AND FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF THOSE WHO DO UNDERSTAND IT.

Perhaps it is because you don’t understand that, RIGHT NOW, in this present moment, this moment, your future is nothing, if not uncertain; a future which is measured by probabilities and, ergo, RISK, you actually DO NOT KNOW whether or not you are infected or whether or not you might come into contact with someone, a door handle, a perfectly innocent object that may hold the Corona virus on its surface, and therefore present a risk, not only to yourself becoming infected, but also to the outside world; of changing the future for someone other than yourself, some poor innocent life or the life of a family member or of a friendship group, that will be changed forever or maybe lost forever.

Before I move on to more cheerful things, perhaps this is a good time to refer you back to my blog on Day 3. It contains a chart of how many people a careless flouting of self isolation advice can affect in a short time. It is frighteningly stark. 

And, having sounded off like a bible thumping 17th Century preacher from his pulpit, let’s move on.

Today is Sunday. Easter Day. A day when churches and cathedrals would normally be filled with people being communal, being grateful for the sacrifice of others and being thankful for what we have. Given the courageous work of those who are fighting in the new front line, the latter day trenches - that is the NHS and caring services, not forgetting transport drivers, deliverers of food and sustenance for the nation and so many more, who are out there whilst we sit in our isolation - we do are a great deal to be grateful for. I feel this sincerely now. Speaking of gratitude, here’s a new poem. 

Saturday's choice of music from Clemency Burton-Hill's "Year of Wonder" is Tres piezas, Op.6 1: 'Cuyana' by Alberto Ginastera. Of Ginastera, Clemency says "No matter how many times I hear ... (this composition) ... I never know what's coming next - in the best possible way. I love how the composer takes us on a meandering melodic journey and just at the moment when you feel you know exactly where you are, he picks you up and deposits you somewhere else, somewhere completely unexpected." I love this, but add the a caveat that sometimes it is nice to be able to anticipate where a piece of music is going; a sort of comfort thin, I suppose.

For today: Clemency chooses something more melancholy, not that there is anything wrong with melancholy. Richard Strauss completed this dramatic, emotionally charged piece of music in 1945, towards the end of the Second World War On the contrary, I believe the value of having ones mood altered in this direction has the value of enabling reflection; of helping one to be less impatient, less anxious about what we’re having to go without at the moment, what we’ve been through and how we might resolve to make things different in the future. Metamorphosen for Twenty Three Strings by Richard Strauss. It is much longer (twenty five minutes or more) Than the normal length of pieces in the “Year of Wonder” In her final note she writes: “It is a singularly moving musical response to the senselessness of war - any war.”

And in the time it has taken me to complete this blog since starting yesterday morning, another one hundred thousand people around the world have become confirmed cases of infection ... and another 5,000 have died. Each one has a name. Each one a loss to their family and friends.

• Stay at Home.
• Protect the NHS.
• Save Lives.

However you may be affected by anything I've written about, do leave me a comment below or, if you prefer not to, talk to a loved one, a friend or someone you trust. 

On Becoming a Hermit, Sort of ... Day 25

Day 25
(Friday, 10th April 2020)

'What to do' 
This is, apparently, a well know meme in Sri Lanka. It is not an expression of hopelessness. It may not even be  resignation, but rather a way of saying: "hey, things happen, there's nothing we can do about it, so let's get on and do what we can". This is more an attitude that prefers a positive approach to life that doesn't allow the negative emotions of hopelessness and fear to affect one's outlook; more a case of making hope and fortitude rule over fear. 

A performance poet, called Prince EA, has recently posted on social media on the subject of what he calls 'the F-Virus'. That is Fear, that spreads more rapidly than even the Corona virus. It is more catching and destructive of calm and level headed thinking than almost anything else.

There will be some big and challenging downs before we experience some ups. In all our attempts to get COVID-19 under control, whether 'we' be those of us, who are simply complying with the instruction to 'Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives' or those medical researchers and scientists, who are working flat out to find a vaccine, even a treatment for it, in the immortal words of Samuel Beckett: "Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." and if necessary (from his novella, 'Worstward Ho') "No choice but stand. Somehow up and stand. Somehow stand."

What to do.

Ah, yes, what to do. Another Tai Chi session done this morning plus a little more of the 'form'. We're making progress. On with the day. B gardening again (in the front with Taz tied up and observing). Me in the back mowing the lawn ... whoops! did I say 'lawn'. Hmm, more like the lanyard hills and hard work, even with a hover mower! 

It's a time to try new things (maybe) or perhaps get some things done that have been procrastinated over for far too long (definitely me)! Like pick up my guitar, which I haven't done for at least two if not more years. Learn three new songs for Hallmark of Harmony and maybe take a look in on what our Gareth Malone is doing with his Great British Home Chorus.

Getting on for one thousand deaths from Corona Virus each day for the last two days. Over 8,000 overall in the UK so far.

Did ten minutes on the guitar, until finger tips, softened through lack of use, became sore. More tomorrow. And a bit of 'You Are My Sunshine' with our Gareth. More tomorrow, maybe, but I also have a Hallmark of Harmony 'Horizon' rehearsal too so, need to be careful I'm not sitting all day in from of my 'poota!

Today's choice of music from Clemency Burton-Hill's "Year of Wonder" is Concerto No.7 in F major for three pianos, K.242 ('Lodron') 1: Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.


However you may be affected by anything I've written about, do leave me a comment below or, if you prefer not to, talk to a loved one, a friend or someone you trust. 

On Becoming a Hermit. sort of ... Day 24

Day 24

(Thursday, 9th April 2020)

B has finished setting up the App on her phone that enables her now to operate as a registered volunteer in the massive new National Volunteer force, helping the NHS by fielding calls from people at home in need of help, to collect prescriptions, ferry people to hospital (presumably for other than COVID-19 related appointments), or just, as B has done, to be an ear on the phone to listen to their woes. Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand volunteers have registered, which is three times the number the NHS were aiming to achieve. Just so phenomenal how many good and willing people there are out there, when it comes to a crisis. And we surely are in one right now.

I have not registered for two reasons. I am not as qualified as B in counselling stressed people. I am over 70, which means I'm not allowed to deliver prescriptions and ferry people. Instead, I am in a support role to field our Guide Dogs puppy and our own dog as well as any other distractions when B is on a call. So that is sort of three reasons. Anyway, keep calm and carry on.

I finished painting and treating the garden gates, but for some further repairs on one of them at some point. So, onto the next job.


Today's choice of music from Clemency Burton-Hill's "Year of Wonder" is En la Macarenita Traditional, arranged by Bob Chilcott. Clemency is at pains to point out that this song has nothing to do with the pop hit of the 90's, so don't waste your time "dusting off your 'Macarena' moves", she says. 

However you may be affected by anything I've written about, do leave me a comment below or, if you prefer not to, talk to a loved one, a friend or someone you trust. 

On Becoming a Hermit, Sort of ... Day 23

Day 23
(Wednesday, 8th April 2020)

Today started in the usual way, up at 7am, feed and water the dogs (Meggie and Taz) and hens (we now have three, with no names, except 'the Old Girl' plus Newby 1 and Newby 2). Morning brew ... that’s tea by the way, not the name of a hen! 

Speaking of hens, following the arrival of the two new girls, there seems to have developed a new pecking order. Newby One Kanobi has struck up a respectful relationship with the Old Girl, but Newby Two D2 is being bullied by the Old Girl. Also Newby One seems (we think) to be laying, albeit small eggs, but, we surmise, Newby Two isn’t yet. 

This morning was our weekly Tai Chi online meeting with David Lipka and around ten others. The class comprises mainly of old hands from the class we used to attend until three years ago, when we started ballroom dancing on the same morning that Tai Chi was held. Anyway, an hour and a half later, we really felt like we'd had a session. It may look slow, but it really works the whole body in a very effective way, particularly those ageing joints. Felt good afterwards, although B felt a little more weary than me, but still found the energy to do some more gardening. We are both be careful with our backs.

The timing of our supermarket shop was almost perfect, arriving as it did just about at the end of the Tai Chi session. Waitrose, bless them, had yesterday changed what I'd ordered on the weekend on their new 'Click and Collect' offering to a delivery to our door, because I am on their priority list (because I am over 70!). We'd placed the order because we were running out of things and still had over two weeks to wait for delivery of the order we placed over a month ago! However, some stock has been replenished.

The only other task of note was that I continued with the preparation and repainting of the gates to the lower garden. It is always a source of satisfaction to make things a bit tidier and look a bit better, particularly in the garden.

Today's choice of music from Clemency Burton-Hill's "Year of Wonder" is Le Printemps - Spring. Op.18 by Darius Milhaud. Clemency wrote of this chap that, whilst he was quite prolific in his production of music, he was not what you’d expect of a super creative; not the tortured needy soul that is so often associated with such an individual. In fact, it was said that society in general held him in a certain suspicion, because he was so convivial and, dare I say, ‘normal’. The variety and uniqueness of human personality is, as ever, a source of wonder and hope for me.

In fact I’d like to add my own choice of music for the day, as well. Frank Ticheli’s “Earth Song”, whilst it is sonically particularly beautifully sung by my favourite Octet, Voces8, the lyrics are so very appropriate to now. I give them to you here ...

"Sing, Be, Live, See.
This dark stormy hour,
The wind, it stirs.
The scorched earth
cries out in vain:
O war and power,
You blind and blur,
The torn heart
cries out in pain.
But music and singing
Have been my refuge,
And music and singing
Shall be my light.
A light of song
Shining Strong: Allelulia!
Through darkness, pain, and strife, I'll
Sing, Be, Live, See...
Peace."

However you may be affected by anything I've written about, do leave me a comment below or, if you prefer not to, talk to a loved one, a friend or someone you trust. 

On Becoming a Hermit, Sort of ... Day 22

Day 22
(Tuesday, 7th April 2020)

This series of blog posts is about my, about our experiences, B and I, of living in voluntary isolation and social distancing. As such, I have therefore talked, sometimes rather boringly, about our daily routines with the occasional commentary on the state of things out there, what our politicians are saying and doing, the escalating statistics of the Corona virus pandemic. Each day, however, other thoughts pass through my mind that have been doing so for years, regardless of current circumstances. Only right now they seem to be coming into sharper focus and, somehow, appear to have been raised to a different level of consciousness. I think that I shouldn’t ignore these thoughts. They are part of this whole thing, this process, this time.

I have been listening to a series of podcasts on BBC Sounds, since it was introduced a couple of years ago. I used to listen to them on the Podcasts App, but it all seems to be transferring over to this one new App. iPlayer Radio is no more. ‘A Point of Veiw’ is a one such podcast. It comprises of monologues by well know writers, broadcasters and commentators, such as Will Self, Michael Morpurgo, Tom Shakespeare, Rebecca Scott, John Gray, Sarah Dunant. They are constrained to nine minutes in length and are, therefore, quite dense, with less waffle and are inclined to hit the mark pretty quickly. Good fodder for those with busy lives ... well, for a few of us then!  This morning. I was about to listen to the next one by Sarah Dunant. Before listening to her talk, I couldn’t help noticing her profile picture at the head of the prologue, of a young woman of maybe 40-ish. Then I noticed one or two other signs like a trace of crow’s feet, the high necked polo type collar.

We are all human. We are all growing older, every day. We will all become old one day and we will all die one day. But I cannot help but notice how different people, particularly ‘personalities’ and ‘celebrities’ appear to cope with growing older; how many different devices are used to appear young. I know even I, as one who always vowed never to try and disguise my baldness, for one thing, don’t think I have ever tried, consciously to disguise my age - although, having said that, I believe the half-face profile photo used in my social media avatar must be 15 years old, if it’s a day. But I regard that much more as a logo, a kind of recognisable ‘corporate’ image, than as a portrait. 

In the case of the prompt for this commentary, Sarah Dunant’s profile photo made her look twenty of thirty years younger than she actually is - she is a mere six months younger than the seventy-year old writer of this blog!

I then tried to put things in perspective. In the current phase of my life, I have developed a whole new battery of friends in various friendship groups, mainly associated with my musical adventures, mostly singing, but also making music by one means or another as well as other volunteering activities. These groups range in age from their twenties up to and well above my own age. The activity of singing, in itself, helps me feel young and positive in my outlook, because it is such an engaging activity as well as being a well recognised therapy. But I keep telling myself that my younger friends and colleagues are, sooner or later going to begin to drop me from any budding projects, not simply because I am ‘old’, they are way too nice to do that, but because I will become slower and less able to keep up the pace and, in that respect, I think (nay hope) that I will have the good grace to withdraw rather than become an embarrassment. So I ask myself, how will that make me feel? How will I respond to that? Will I resign myself to the fact or will I go out and buy some ‘young’ clothes, change my language usage to more urban dictionary, words like ‘cool’ - which for some reason I can’t explain I already do use - and other words, that currently pass me by. I don’t know the answer to those questions. But I do know that I am conscious of it. So I resolve to take it as it comes. I’ll try not to go one way or the other ... either try to dress and look and sound ‘young’ or go to the other extreme, positively invert and become deliberately older, maybe older than I (hope that I might) feel.

So much food for thought. No doubt brought about by the undoubted threat that the current pandemic poses to all of us. Making us more conscious than ever of our vulnerability, frailty, fragility ... mortality.

In the mean time, another online conference rehearsal with Hallmark of Harmony this evening has helped to lift the spirits and genuinely helped to make progress on our latest new song for the forty-two of us who attended. Te new song is Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in The Dark”. And a reminder of one of the highlights of our last year as UK Champion Barbershop Chorus ... at The annual convention of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers last October, LABBS 2019. And a decision hot off the press from Hallmark's Exec is that we shall simply carry forward this years plans (our two major events now cancelled) into 2021. We shall effectively be British Champions for one more year, but it's a shame that we cannot compete in May 2021 as planned. We will instead return to compete at BABS in 2022.

And so to today's choice of music from Clemency Burton-Hill's "Year of Wonder". From a composer, whose music I love, it is 'Walking the Dog' from Shall We Dance (one of the several iconic Hollywood Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers classics) by George Gershwin.

However you may be affected by anything I've written about, do leave me a comment below or, if you prefer not to, talk to a loved one, a friend or someone you trust.