Wednesday
Yesterday sort of got highjacked, but in a good way, so I didn't get out to take any photos.
While emptying their mum's home, my cousins have found loads of old family photos but couldn't identify the people in some of them, so my sister volunteered my services. I don't quite understand her logic and why the fact that I've traced the family tree means that I know what any of the people looked like, but I actually ended up being able to put names to most of them.
It's opened up a sharing of information and we'll continue to share family stories and photos so they aren't lost ... we're part of the oldest generation in the family now so if we don't do it, it will be lost forever. H, my cousin, wants to put all the old stories and photos in a book so I will see if we can add the family tree as well. We'll keep sharing information and will meet as soon as these strange times are over. It's an exciting project.
Today, I'm hunting out all the old photos and trying to persuade my sister to do the same. The only thing in the diary is a delivery of top soil so I have to wait in for that. It's supposed to rain today and it feels rather chilly so I'm happy to have found a useful way to occupy my time at home that doesn't involve housework!
The new restrictions in the UK don't really change things for me. I was worried that they were going to order the vulnerable groups to shield again but that thankfully isn't the case for now. I feel rather ill at ease that these arrangements will be in force for the next six months and that there may be additional restrictions if it becomes necessary, but I am glad the government is responding quickly to the rapid increase in new cases.
It's not at all a comfortable situation, is it? Like you, I feel it is good that there's been a fast response and most relived that shielding is still a voluntary thing. Most people I know who had to shield are still being extremely careful anyway - they are not the danger and are well aware of the need for ongoing protection.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting thing to happen - finding the photos and hearing new stories about your family. I think a book is an excellent idea.
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I admit to being sceptical about how much difference closing the pubs and bars one hour earlier can make, but at least the govt has tried to do something. I'm sure there are more restrictions in the pipeline for all of us.
DeleteI thought of you when discussing family stories with my cousin. Having just lost her mum, she is very keen that all the wonderful stories don't get lost so I started writing some down last night.
How fortunate to have old family photos! And how nice that you were able to help identify most of the people in them! I guess your sister knew you'd be able to do so! A book with all the old photos and stories and family tree is a wonderful idea, I think.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that the new restrictions won't change a lot of things for you. I am continuing to shelter in place for as long as I can!
Checking with my sister last night, it's just as well she didn't help because she ended up really confused! It's going to be a fun project.
DeleteI'm still staying at home on my own for the majority of the time. I will continue to go out for a drive round or for a walk but don't intend to resume meeting people socially in person, so the new changes won't really make a difference to me at the moment. I'm not sure they've done enough though so am expecting more restrictions to announced before too long.
Old family photos are fun - like solving little mysteries one at a time when you can add information that makes them more relatable. I do hope the tightening of restrictions helps to flatten the curve in your area. Take care and stay well.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to live in one of the areas where the number of Covid cases has always been one of the lowest in the UK. They have been rising steadily though so it's time to do something to try to reduce the numbers.
DeleteI love old family photos and you're right, it involves a bit of detective work sometimes.
Sorting through the old photos must have been fun, a little side trip down memory lane. I've just started reading a book, when the main character knows she's dying, so writes out some family history, stories that will tell some truths to the only surviving family member. I find that to be a fascinating project, although it could be dangerous to tell when there's no one left to answer questions. Our PM is speaking tonight. Our Premiere says if in the next 28 days numbers don't stop rising, we'll be on more restrictions. He also said that if the hospitals weren't so backed up, he'd order MRI brain scans for the yahoos still partying in large groups because he doesn't think they have a brain! Harsh, true words.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why some people find it so hard to take this situation seriously. They are not being asked to adhere to the restrictions for ever but the way some are carrying on, they are leading us in to a situation where it could be months/years longer than it needs to be. I like your Premiere!
DeleteWhen I was talking to my cousin yesterday, I did wonder what family secrets would come to light. We'll have to be careful with all the information so that family still living are not hurt by anything that may be revealed.
It will be great to have got all the family history collated and recorded. Oh gosh I wonder what kinds of juicy things lie beneath the surface! I am sure all the aggro in our family has been well and truly aired, more than might be wise!!
ReplyDeleteI really hope the latest rules do some good. Our trajectory was entirely predictable, based on the French and Spanish graphs from three weeks ago. I wonder why they have waited till now, and I fear the latest measures won't be enough. I'm also starting to get a bit confused as to what is OK and what isn't. As long as they don't stop us socialising outside/in gardens I think I will be able to manage.
I don't know for sure that there are any secrets to discover, but you never know.
DeleteI don't think the latest rules do enough and have a feeling that much harder times are ahead of us. I think a lot of people are getting confused about what is permitted, so you're not alone on that.
I love old family photos! How sweet that y'all are cooperating to make sure these people don't become lost to time but remain a part of the family story :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely way of bringing us all together again, even if it is virtually at the moment.
DeleteObviously your sister was right that you were the correct person to ask about the photos. I love old family photos and could spend hours going through them
ReplyDeleteMy sister makes me laugh ... it's hard to believe we're related. Quite a few of the photos were of family we grew up with and one was of our brother. Never mind, she makes lovely cakes so we'll keep her!
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