Forwards and occasionally sidewards – everyday musings of life

Pulling the heavy covers over the garden furniture before the next downpour gave us both a fond moment of reflection, remembering all the warm summer afternoons we’ve enjoyed on the deck. We’re holding out hope for a few dry, crisp winter days where we can wrap up, sit outside, and still enjoy the garden.

Covering up the furniture wasn’t the only bit of cover-up work I engaged in today. Looking at my diary, I suddenly realised I had a couple of upcoming calls that required substantial pre-reading and preparation. My emergency speed-reading skills thankfully covered up my lack of advance prep. My cover wasn’t blown—unlike the garden furniture cover, which was now battling a sudden, full-scale squall that had appeared out of nowhere.

While the canvas straps fought valiantly to hold everything in place outside, I was engaged in my own personal tempest indoors, battling a series of increasingly infuriating password challenges. As my frustration levels peaked, I began to think I might need tie-down straps of my own.

Eventually, the storm passed. IT support successfully reset my password, my heart rate returned to normal, and the canvas cover relaxed its strained grip on the outdoor tables. A fleeting sense of normality returned.

Karen, as ever, remained completely unflustered throughout the chaos. Her focus was entirely consumed by sorting through the final remaining boxes of renovation ‘stuff’ destined for their ultimate resting place: the loft.

Watching the sorting process unfold, I sensed an impending charity shop run on the horizon—and, naturally, a trip to the local recycling centre for me. Domestic errands are very clearly defined in our house: trips to the tip are strictly ‘Blue jobs’, whereas charity shop drop-offs are predominantly ‘Pink jobs’, with the occasional blue tint when heavy lifting is involved.

With the storm cleared and the passwords sorted, I retrieved my car keys and prepared for recycling duty.