Monday, April 6: I want to go shopping. The last thing I bought was an iceberg lettuce and even that’s off the table because our neighbourhood greengrocer has closed. One day it’s open, with queues out the door, the next day the gates are shut and a blackboard sign announces temporary closure. We’re not sure what’s happened.
I don’t need anything much but I’d just like to get in my car, drive into the CBD, browse in some stores, walk down Barton St to Poppies, and inhale the scent of freshly printed books. Poppies helpfully sends emails in lockdown, recommending titles, relevant websites and various in-home entertainments. I’m loving how some retailers are staying connected with their clients. I’m not moaning, promise, I’m totally committed to staying home, helping to flatten the curve, and stop coronavirus from ravaging our beloved country. I just dream about breaking out.
In the meantime, I rediscover the vicarious pleasures of window-shopping and I swear I know almost every item in the large double windows of Smiths General Store, in Claudelands. Smiths sells an eclectic mix of homewares, vintage glassware, china and kitchen utensils, some garments and shoes, art. Many things. The window displays haven’t changed since lockdown but each day on my walk I pause and look in, and occasionally I notice something different. Today it is delicate blush-pink sherry glasses with fine stems. It’s a long time since I drank sherry, and I already have a collection of dusty “wedding present” sherry glasses. I don’t need the pink glasses but I want them. And I reckon there’s a pair of cool black sneakers that have my name on them when we get out of lockdown. Or maybe the pink ones? I’ll have another look tomorrow.
Missing: as above, the local businesses I know and love. The silent, shuttered shops in my suburb are sobering, a daily reminder of how retailers are hurting. It dampens any random late-night temptation to shop online and send New Zealand dollars overseas. I’m saving them for locals, in better times.
Thank you: for all the friendly messages about the blog. It started as a daily diary for my grandkids to maybe read in the future, an account of what their grandmother did when she was grounded in strange times. It’s a pleasure to widen the circle.
6 replies on “Day 17”
I’ve enjoyed catching up on your blog today Denise after Mum sent me the link. Very strange times and as always you have a lovely way of writing about them and capturing that. Stay well xx
And I’m thinking of all the pocketmoney I’m accruing while at home……… mmmmmm
You do NOT need sherry glasses Denise. Just the sherry.x
Having a shop window to browse has to be a bonus. We’ve done our daily circuit of Bastion Point and are still amazed to see the harbour with just one Waiheke ferry crossing it, and no other boats.
Loving your bubble of one Denise – it has inspired me to write my own. I finally have flour – a 10kg bag! Happy Easter.
Just caught up with your life in your bubble. Interesting to hear how others cope. You cook, I garden. Have taken to my garden with vengeance. Cutting back hedges, pulling out invasive plants, repainting garden ornaments and generally wearing my self out. But oh the satisfaction seeing what I have achieved. These are things long overdue, so lockdown has made me tackle all these one day jobs. No more excuses. Keep walking and cooking till we all can be released from our bubbles.