Anyone had to spend days alone without anyone to talk to?

[Hanna3]

Hi all, apart from here and a brief visit to church last night (to make it feel Christmassy and to just be with people) I've had day after day for weeks now with nobody at all to talk to. This time of year especially it's really depressing. Old friends that live far away are gradually losing contact with me - I ring them but they don't ring me. I understand they're busy with their live elsewhere but still it's hard when you're lonely. I'm going to a Christmas Eve service at the local church tomorrow night to at least be with people for a little while... but otherwise all day I'm alone, just me and the dog. Sometimes I strike up a conversation on BB but then the other person disappears and that's the end of that...

How are people meant to cope with prolonged periods of social isolation? I read, I watch DVDs, normally I'd go for long walks with the dog but thick smoke from bushfires and intense hot weather have stopped that. I go to a café alone sometimes. Any ideas/help?

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Hanna, Paws, and everyone ..🤗..

I like hearing that you are making some friends at the dog park...and being able to chat to the other ladies as you watch your little fur babies play together....Sounds really a happy place for you...

I wish I was brave enough to go to the aquatic centre in the bigger town...I haven’t been swimming in many many years...except in my bath tub, 😂😂...How I wish I could join the ladies water aerobics class in the evenings....As much as I would like to....I just don’t see myself able to do so....

I agree that trees do make a huge difference to the cooling of our homes...My back yard really needs some trees in it..all I have is a small orange tree, that hasn’t grown much in the six years I’ve planted it....

My home is like an oven on slow cooking through the summer months...I do have block outs all around my windows, but it still gets so hot...and the tap water... yucky so warm...

Its so hot at work, now the new orders are to keep the front doors open...the air conditioning doesn’t keep the shop cool with the door open...Hanna, Yes our fitting rooms are open, and we have a few chairs scattered around our shop, so elderly people can sit down and have a rest if they need to...

The ladies that work out in the shop are I hope mostly happy to our customers...I know I am and so is Betty*...not sure about the ladies on the other days though...It’s a shame that those ladies are scarey, and serious...They are supposed to be working their to help people and make them feel wanted and appreciated for shopping at Vinnies...

I got a cutting from a Loquat tree and a Mulberry Tree...I do hope they grow...They are two of my favourite fruits...

Hoping you’re all having good days..,sending furry pet hugs to everyone....and all our gorgeous pets.🧸🤗🤗.

Grandy..

[Hanna3]

Hi Grandy,

So nice to hear from you! I found the first time at the aquatic centre hard, after that it gets easier as it's more familiar. I can understand why you would find it difficult. Yesterday was the first time after about 18 months due to covid - I did walk around and get familiar with where the steps to the pools were, and I tried the warm gentle exercise pool so I would be familiar with that - but yes it's hard the first time on your own. It felt nice last night with lots of people there exercising and enjoying themselves, and I did ask a group of ladies doing aqua aerobics about it, they looked like they were enjoying themselves!

I stayed too long today and little Sam is over tired and looks exhausted. He was the first dog there today, so he got to do the meet-and-greet at the gate when the other dogs turned up, which was very exciting for him - he didn't really know what to do. They seem to be nice ladies now I have managed to break into the group a bit. I wish there was something like that in your town for you - mostly they are alone, a couple are married, and everyone goes for the company really.

Yes I think it's strange with the op shop here, the other op shop has change rooms and chairs. I suspect it is the ladies at the other shop, they are anything but friendly, I find them very cold and aloof, and it's silly nobody can try anything on. They have lots of books for sale but nowhere you can sit to browse through them, so I tried the other shop where you can sit down comfortably, it's much nicer and the staff seem friendly. Perhaps the ladies at the other one only recruit other rather unpleasant women who are like them!

Funnily enough I was homesick today, I think it's the hot weather, I detest it this hot. I put the aircon in the lounge on for Sam for an hour late today to let him rest. It's a shame you don't have any trees to give you shade.

One of the ladies has given me the name of another groomer to try, they all agreed not to take Sam back to the one in O town, poor little guy, I feel terrible that I didn't realise earlier how he must have been hurting and/or frightening him. If only our pets could speak...

Big hugs from us here! (I wish the reply button came up underneath the post I'm replying to, as now I can't find your post and can't remember what else you talked about, I'll have to take a look and come back, sorry Grandy! oxxoxoxoxo

[Hanna3]

Hi paws

I just wrote a reply to you and it all got eaten by gremlins I'm sorry. I will write again tomorrow I'm sorry! I think I'm too tired to do it again tonight!

Yes terribly hot here!!!! 🐕💝

[Hanna3]

Hi Paws, waves to everyone,

I wrote a reply last night and then it disappeared! A perfect day today, just glorious. Not too hot, warm with a breeze and blue sky. Had two lovely walks with Sam, shopped, and had another swim. Now I am tired out!

One of the ladies at the park recommended a groomer, she sounds nice on the phone, I explained the problem and he is booked in with her. She is in this town. So that's a relief. One of the ladies wanted me to do a U3A course she is doing, but I want to keep swimming regularly, so maybe next term. I didn't go today as Sam and I were both tired from yesterday, and i went swimming. Yesterday we must have had about 15 little dogs running around, it was fun to watch them all. A few men who work shifts also came by with their dogs. We all sit around under the trees in the shade (it's next to the river so there is usually a nice breeze) and chat and watch the doggies. It was nice.

I hope you and Woofa are keeping OK, any news of your relative in the city? Are you reading anything good? I'm reading the Amy Witting books - I for Isobel and Isobel on the Way to the Corner Store - old Australian classics. She was a superb writer and didn't get published until very late in life.

Sending hugs ! oxoxoxo

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna,

Sorry I haven't been here for a few days... I've not been in a good head space the last few days & have spent almost all the time in bed... I did check in to bb whenever I did surface from bed for a short while but wasn't really up to chatting.

We have had a few cool days in a row here which is really nice... we even had a bit of rain yesterday... it is relaxing listening to the gentle rain on my tin roof... though deafening when the rain picks up...

I hope it has cooled down where you are... have you been to the new groomer yet?...

Most of the outdoor swimming pools in the smaller towns hereabouts are having problems getting lifeguards to fill their regular summer opening hours & they have been closed more than open this summer... there is an indoor pool in the big town where I go to the chemist etc... but most of it's opening times are booked out by various groups & there are only small/short windows for ordinary folk to have a swim... if I lived in big town I might be brave enough to venture to the pool for a swim... but I haven't been swimming for over 30 years & the drive back home after I think would undo any relaxation it might offer.

How is music going now you are back?... Have the recent covid rule changes eased what restrictions have been in place there?

Belly rubs for Mr Sam

Hugs

Paws

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Hanna, Paws, Katy and everyone...🤗.

Hanna, I think that a groomer who lives in your town is a good idea to try for little Sam....With the groomer living and working in town she has to try to uphold a good reputation...I do hope she is kind and gentle and that Sam is comfortable with her...

Watching 15 little dogs running around and playing would be tiring in itself, but so much funny moments to capture in your mind and heart to look back on....

Thank you for your suggestions...I might ring up and find out what hours and days the local swimming centre hold their water aerobic’s class and just be a spectator for a while and see if I think I would feel comfortable enough to join in one day...

I wished the rain they predicted for today comes as well as through the week....the paddocks are looking brown again...makes me sad for the stock that graze on it all day...

I hope everyone’s fur babies are managing this heat...and hope your all mentally and physically doing well...

Hugs everyone 🤗.

Grandy..

[Hanna3]

Hi Grandy,

I am so sorry, I didn't see your post until now! For some reason the thread hasn't been highlighted to let me know there was a new post here!

Yes several people I have spoken to have used the groomer here and they say she is very nice, so that is reassuring. Did you get the huge thunderstorm the other night? - I thought little Sam was going to jump out of his skin!

I think going along and just watch the aqua aerobics is a great idea - maybe you could do what I did the first time to the pool centre, and check where the entrances are, the change rooms, the different pools, get a class timetable from the people at the entrance when you come in - and watch the aqua aerobics and see if you can maybe even say hi to any of the women/instructors, and then if you decide to join, you are a bit familiar with the place. It worked for me and made me feel much more comfortable!

I had to run errands today and just took little Sam to the dog park for a little while, by then the breeze was getting quite chilly. There does seem to be some gossip about other people who go to the park that I don't know, so I know to be a bit careful what I tell people here! These towns!!!

I have lost my sunhat, and silly me because it's been overcast/windy/rainy, I am not sure just when/where I lost it.. I must have put it down somewhere and left without it.. so now I have to try and buy another one - it's not a good time of year to look for a sunhat!!!

I hope you and your furs are doing OK there. It sounds as if your son is improving and what a relief for you! After all that scare and worry... I am so glad!

I did meet a lovely lady here from the Ukraine, her mother is still there, imagine how worried she must be about her mother..

I didn't get to the pool today, time ran away from me... never mind, little Sam had a good play this afternoon. One of the bigger dogs scares him a bit, so I put him on my lap - I think when the little dogs sit on someone's lap and look down on the other dogs on the ground, they feel a bit superior!!!

Sending hugs your way oxoxoxoxo

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna,

You might have better luck if you try one of the op shops for a new sun hat... I've always thought stores must lose a lot of possible sales with how they change their stock to the next season before the current one is finished... my chemist still has sun hats so you might find yours does too, but they are pricey...

When is Sam booked in with his new groomer?...

Has the weather cooled down with all the storms or is it just making things humid?... I hope you are not getting those massive downpours which are causing so much flash flooding... the totals they have been mentioning on the news are scary...

I have been pondering a solution to your bee problem... given your neighbour won't do anything... one thing you could try that might help... buy some wasp dust from the hardware store... then put out a saucer with some sugar water in the centre dimple bit & cover the rest with the dust... that way they will pick up the dust on their bodies & take it back to the nest... you would need to keep refreshing it... but hopefully that will be enough to kill the nest...

Pats to Sam

Hugs

Paws

[Hanna3]

Hi Paws,

I got another hat at one of those two dollar shops and it's actually rather nice! I'd have to look up when Sam is booked into the groomer, another week or two I think. No heavy rain here just muggy and overcast, not particularly nice, a bit dreary.

I'm watching what is happening overseas, it's just dreadful.

Thanks for your thoughts re the bees, but I wouldn't want to kill bees, they are too precious... the tree that attracted them has finished blossoming, I'm hoping they will roam somewhere else for food for a while..

I hope Woofa is improving on the pain meds. Are you having your dinner with your relatives this weekend? I hope you all enjoy it!

Big hugs oxoxoxoxoxo

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna, wave to all,

I hope you managed to get into the dentist... how are you today?...

I was thinking re the bees that if they are actively attacking you & Sam then they are probably African Bees which are a recent incomer & a declared invasive pest as they drive out & kill native bees & honey bees... therefore you would be doing our bees a good turn to get rid of them.

The news from Ukraine is awful...

Hugs

Paws