It’s grisly. Cold, incessant rain and gales. Apparently it’s Storm Christoph. That temporary lake is getting bigger. Might need to name it at this rate.

2020 was supposed to be a really busy work year for the little organisation I work for. Our busiest ever. Then it all went pear shape. The biggest ever pear shape. From March absolutely nothing. Our work is centred round public events, things like cycle races, marches, outdoor concerts and festivals. Not ideally suited to a pandemic. So it was batten down the hatches until 2021.

So we find ourselves in the third week of 2021 and already it feels like batten down the hatches until 2022. Absolutely everything has been cancelled. You never know a few things might be able to pop-up towards the back end of the year but it’s not looking promising.

That’s the reality for many. Many business are struggling. Unable to trade. Just a quick drive will show closed pubs being sold as housing, cafes up for sale, ‘currently closed’ signs everywhere.

In the big scheme of things our little household are amongst the fortunate ones. We have some savings to fall back on. A few benefits still coming in. A small bit of furlough pay. We can survive. Many won’t be so fortunate.

So it looks like hardly any work this year. But that allows more time to focus on the new school at home gig. Maybe the permanent homeschooling gig. Part of me is starting to think in terms of weathering the lack of work storm for the next few years and just focusing on homeschooling. After that hopefully the working world will be much improved…

60 thoughts on “Weathering”

  2. Those of us who had a little saving to fall back on are truly blessed. I was furloughed during this pandemic. Here in the state’s unemployment isn’t very dependable. We also had a little nest egg, but that will only last for so long.

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  4. So much has closed. I needed to get pills for the dogs from our vet only to discover they went under too. It is so sad to see all the businesses that closed and I am hopeful for the people who are struggling to make ends meet. These are hard times that will hopefully be over sooner than later!

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  7. Probably the best way to look at it presently. Keep taking each day as it comes, making the most of this difficult season. Where there is hurt and struggle and closed doors, God has a way of bringing all things together for good, making new openings. And the good in your life right now may indeed be this gift of extra time to work with and be with your son. Continuing to pray all the best for you both as well as all who are coping with these things.

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  8. Yes, it looks rather grim here as well as far as work goes. I am so pleased that America finally has a reasonable man at the helm. That will help a bit. yes, the pandemic continues to rock the world. I think you are wise to focus on home schooling and investing in that lad of yours. Have you thought any more about writing that book I keep saying you should write? You have a talent, my friend, a wonderful talent. Thought I’d point out the obvious one more time – seeing as time is something we all seem to have more of these days.

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  9. I believe that things happen for a reason. I’m not religious so I won’t say “God’s Plan”, but a similar idea. In spite of your deprecation, you’ve got a good brain in your noggin, and you’ll do okay. Better than “okay”, you’ll do fantastic!

    I can’t imagine you trying to juggle work with all you have to do to keep Hawklad’s anxiety close to manageable. Focusing on Mr Cheeky and yourself is what’s needed during this time.

    Hmmm… a name for the lake…I’ll ponder a bit, maybe MY brain will give me something good. More coffee first though😉☕☕☕☕💌💌💌

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  10. What a leaden sky! You’re so right to focus on what you can do, and where you can make an impact though, Gary. The economic and social situation is dire here. Businesses which managed to weather the first wave are toppling now with the second, with lockdown and a 9pm – 5am curfew. Nor have any vaccines been actually ordered yet. This is Africa.

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      1. I read a report yesterday on vaccine development and roll out from Stellenbosch Uni (a respected institution). It seems the advice is to go ahead with what’s available. Although not designed to specifically attack the mutations, the vaccines provide the body with other defences, so there will be a degree of protection. Let’s hope so.

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  12. I am glad to hear that you have some savings to make it over these challenging times. It is very sad to see how many really great businesses are falling apart only because no one can use their offers. Who would have thought only a year ago…

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      1. Yes, I heard about it. Definitely! But in general, all the sports events, concerts, and other events that need to be cancelled leave a big hole. Not only that, there are also insurance companies that cannot that cannot sell insurances for those big events and all the business connected in any way. There is a long rat tale!

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