{"id":960,"date":"2021-05-12T17:59:02","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T17:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/?p=960"},"modified":"2021-05-14T16:20:43","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T16:20:43","slug":"covid-19-monologue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/?p=960","title":{"rendered":"Monologue by Sandra Anderson"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Monologue by Sandra Anderson. Read by Deirdre Davis by Pitlochry Festival Theatre\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?visual=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F1043194105&#038;show_artwork=true&#038;maxheight=1000&#038;maxwidth=1200\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture1-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture1-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-971\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture1-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture1-1-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture1-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture1-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture1-1.jpg 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is my time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>23 March 2020<\/strong>:- One hour\u2019s exercise daily \u2013 a walk, a run \u2013 no family visits, no gym, no golf, no choir, no writing groups and not allowed to travel more than 5 miles. I can practise my piano, daily, will try for at least an hour \u2013 surely manage Bob\u2019s tune by Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have to cancel holidays! Managing to pay off credit cards as not going anywhere, no fancy or even ordinary meals, no wee pub visits, only food shops open. Can\u2019t believe this is happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s like a ghost town. Shops and pubs boarded up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t feel safe, feel &nbsp;worried. No intentions of eating a carry out even if it was free. Lady in Monifieth died of Covid, bit close for comfort. Are shops safe? Wear a mask? Wash hands, use gel, keep apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fell badly whilst running and damaged ligaments, means no running for eight weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finished my autobiography, sunbathing, whilst resting ankle. Wrote about Lara, my dear departed dog and got a friend of my daughter\u2019s to illustrate book \u2013 looks great. What now though? Write StoryWorth and U3A weekly story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eating and drinking too much. Is 3 pm too early to put on jammies? 5 pm \u2013 is the bar open? Husband being experimental with cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No hairdresser \u2013 what colour is it now? Brown? Grey? White?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No dentist, for doctor a triage which means get past the receptionist and the nurse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Order from Amazon \u2013 but is it safe? Should I leave parcels and mail for three days, wash all shopping?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture6-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture6-1024x765.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture6-600x448.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture6-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture6-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture6.jpg 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>June<\/strong> &#8211; Golf course open \u2013 golfing Monday, Wednesday and Friday, fantastic. Car parks full as no car sharing allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>July \u2013 <\/strong>why are restaurants and pubs open but not hairdressers or gyms? A meal out was lovely BUT my hair?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pubs open but too busy, too dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>August \u2013 <\/strong>hairdresser \u2013 yippee &#8211; a blonde again instead of 40 shades of grey, keeping it long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture7.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture7-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-963\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture7-1024x765.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture7-600x448.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture7-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture7-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture7.jpg 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>September &#8211; <\/strong>Gym open \u2013 going Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, run up then run back, Sunday swim, must lose that half stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Relaxation &#8211; shower, jammies, tea, tv rubbish so watch Netflix, Prime Video, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Fridays and Saturdays, maybe on Sundays eat chocolate and drink wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trying to lose the added three extra pounds Monday to Friday then wallop it on at weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dresses languishing in the wardrobe; stilettos shiny and unloved on the shelves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Which jeans will I wear today? Waterproofs for the golf course; heavy coats, thick jumpers, comfortable walking shoes\/boots for walks. What happened to \u2018glamorous granny\u2019?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make-up?&nbsp; Never used to go out without it but now can\u2019t be bothered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hear of people with Covid \u2013 dying &#8211; losing sense of smell, ill, recovering then ill again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Friends of friends have the virus. Becoming real now as close friends are infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I \u2018m lucky. I\u2019m scared. What if? I\u2019m feeling blessed. Thinking about people less fortunate than me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pubs half open \u2013 meal \u2013 Scotch Egg scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture2-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture2.jpg 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Near <strong>Christmas<\/strong> \u2013 pubs and restaurants shut again \u2013 carry outs only \u2013 when will it change?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Send, hand deliver or no cards? What about the cards I get \u2013 the three day rule?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Presents for kids and grandkids \u2013 give money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Put up decorations, earliest ever, it\u2019s only November! Cheer us up, nice bright colourful lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>U3A zoom calls \u2013 hate looking at myself so switch to next page \u2013 don\u2019t do zoom folk singing as muted by host so stopped bothering as no-one can hear me and I can\u2019t hear them. Writing Group \u2013 chatty catch up \u2013 discuss writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zoom &#8211; Nethergate Writers \u2013 taken over Secretarial role to become more involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No Monifieth Singers and didn\u2019t do zoom AGM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Put on make-up for zoom calls? Depends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bubbles, inside v outside, route maps, tiers? Wear masks if moving. Stopped watching news as depressing and frightening. Too many complicated rules. Research what I need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vaccine \u2013 great. Why not the Oxford one \u2013 not had all the tests yet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People refusing vaccine? Why? They say not enough testing, must be confident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is the vaccine the answer? Hope so. I\u2019m for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture8.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture8-1024x563.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-965\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture8-1024x563.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture8-600x330.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture8-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture8-768x422.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Picture8.jpg 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">by Sandra Anderson<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In collaboration with the Pitlochry Festival Theatre Project and accepted by Aberdeen&#8217;s Elphinstone Institute: now&#8217;s your chance to experience Sandra Anderson&#8217;s emotive and compelling account of living through the lockdown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":961,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[85,13,84,15,88,87,83,86,21],"class_list":["post-960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-compelling","tag-covid19","tag-diary","tag-dundee","tag-emotive","tag-lockdown","tag-pitchlochry-festival-theatre","tag-realistic","tag-writing"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=960"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":987,"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/960\/revisions\/987"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nethergatewriters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}