Out of the Blue

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I decided on the title for this post for the Wicked Wednesday prompt Blue because it’s the name of a record I own. Written and recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra in 1977 it was one of their most successful albums. It has the bonus of being a double album and now that I have a new shelf for my vinyl records in the living room, I can play it once again. My favourite track from the album is Mr Blue Sky. Which is fitting for this post.

In many ways my life is unchanged from a month ago. I was already doing what little work I do from home. We don’t need to buy a lot of things at the supermarket since there are only the two of us here, so not finding things wasn’t a big problem. Often we buy products other than food online so have no great need to go shopping more generally. But we do eat out a lot and we do go to social events. We also travel. After a long winter being at home, seeing few people, we were ready to emerge. Into the blue if you will.

On Monday March 16th we went to a lunch time concert in London. A fabulous hour of music, a tenor and a pianist. Little did we know that by that evening life would change. Now we don’t know when we can again attend any kind of gathering, much less eat in a restaurant. Or drink in a pub.

The weather though decided to play games with us. After the longest of wet and miserable winters the sun came out. Over several days the air warmed and we were able to go outside in lighter clothes. Finally last week we sat on our balcony enjoying a late afternoon gin and tonic. Sadly the weather has returned to dull and cool, though this may change at the weekend. The forecast looks promising.

The key thing though is that on the balcony we noticed that the sky is clearer and was bluer than before. There are just no aircraft flying overhead. There is little traffic and few people around. Everything looks and feels fresher. Also, events have made it necessary to appreciate different things. It now seems unlikely we’ll be able to go on holiday this year. Certainly for the foreseeable future. All our planned trips are now cancelled. But that means I can grow plants in the garden. Flowers, but also some herbs and perhaps tomatoes. We can also carry on with some decorating and decluttering.

When I go out for a walk I am taking care to listen to the birds and other sounds. The absence of traffic helps with this. I am looking at the plants, the blossom on the trees. At the sky and the clouds. I am trying to appreciate the good things that around me. Soon I should be a little busier, but for now I at least have time to think and be.

When the sun shines, as I hope it does again this year, I will be looking up at Mr Blue Sky. It feels that Out of the Blue, something terrible is offering new thoughts and feelings.