Spring in Covid 19 lock-down

Spring is well on the way to Summer and we lucky people who live in or near the countryside can see the plants, both wild and cultivated, produce leaves and flowers. There are still some ground frosts but another two weeks should see the end of those. The fields get greener by the day and the lambs are growing fat and more sheep-like the cows are grazing on the rich spring pasture and producing lots of milk. Thankfully most of it seems to be getting to the dairy and supplies are reaching the shops.  The strong Easterly wind we’ve had over the last month has kept temperatures down but the soil has dried up after the wettest winter I can remember, and plants may soon get an April shower after not having rain for over a month now. Just think how the Golf Club must look, sadly there’s no-one there to enjoy the sight.  Perhaps soon we’ll be able to get out and about and enjoy the things we all miss most, different for everyone but I ...

 think most of all the company and the chat with friendly like-minded colleagues. 
I hope everyone is well, both in body and spirit and that our ability to lose ourselves in painting has come to our aid at the time of isolation.
Perhaps some of us have been forced to learn new skills, especially on the computer.  I’d never heard of Zoom before lock-down, now I do a Zoom Pilates class twice a week. Lots of people have taken to baking and as a result we have a flour shortage.  I know that within our group we have many bakers and I’m sure they are putting their knowledge and skills to good use.  What about those Acrylic paints I’ve never been able to use properly, or the oils that remain in their tubes?  New skills for me, old hat to many of you!  Sadly, I think I will have time to dabble in the acrylic and oils before we meet as Vis Art again.
When will this be over? No-one can say but I hope that the scientists soon find a vaccine that works to give long-term immunity, a test you can buy over to counter to let you know if you have the virus and a treatment to alleviate the symptoms so that no-one has to go into a coma and on to ventilator.  Most of all I’d like to see the awful death tally reduced to zero. Then perhaps, all those people on waiting lists for operations or treatments could be seen and get back to a pain-free life.
I hope we’ll be able to meet again in September for our normal Autumn term but until then keep well and let’s all try to produce a folder of “Covid 19” work to show each other in September.
Barbara