Yum yum!

 It´s that time of year again...persimmons...my favourite fruit!

Still masked

It has been nearly a week now since it was no longer compulsory to wear masks in public open-air places yet today when I was out and about I noticed that up to 95% of the people in the street were masked (including me!). I thought I´d be the only one and that I was probably being over-cautious but I guess not. Considering how much trouble there has been elsewhere with anti-mask protests I´m surprised more people haven´t discarded theirs given the chance.

No thanks

 

A while ago I had reason to change my bank for one nearer home. When I opened my new account I stated specifically that I did not want a credit card. I have never liked credit cards, I resent paying an annual fee for the privilege of spending my money. Call me old-fashioned but if I can´t afford a large purchase I will usually save up for it, and I use a debit card for payments. I have had credit cards in the past, I must admit, but always cleared them every month, it was just for convenience. I can understand how they may be important for others, though, it is a personal choice.

However...my new bank is really unhappy that I am cardless and keeps sending me messages several times a week. Apparently I will be happier, more fulfilled, stress free and full of the joys of Spring if I accept a credit card...their insistence only makes me wonder how much of their profit relies on charges and interest for said cards.

Photo by Thalia Karr

A thoughtful gift

I received a present today from my friend who died a week ago. Maria Helena´s daughter said her mother had enjoyed our weekly handicraft meetings so much that she had wanted to leave a little gift for each member of the group as a memento and thank you. We each received a goodie bag with a ball of wool, knitting needles and a crochet hook to remind us of our activities together, and also some individual gifts. Mine contained a brooch and a lovely woolen shawl.

Apparently she had been preparing these presents for a while then left them ready with her daughter to distribute at the appropriate time. I was very touched at this thoughtful gesture, and glad to know we had given her so much pleasure.

Carnival

Today is Ash Wednesday, the third and final day of Carnival here in Brazil. For the second year running the famous parades have been cancelled, causing loss of revenue to a large number of people and businesses. These parades are a wonderful spectacle and are professionally organised and run and people come from all over to watch them.

When I was young, in the 60´s, I seem to remember Carnival being quite different, you actually took part instead of just watching.. There were loads of street parades, every district appeared to have one but they were smaller, amateur affairs. There were also loads of parties everywhere, from clubs to restaurants to homes. You would go out dancing, come home at dawn, sleep for the day then be off out again. After three days of this you needed Ash Wednesday to recover! Costumes were worn and confetti and streamers were everywhere. People carried squeezie bottles containing sangue do diabo (devil´s blood) with which they squirted you, it was a bright red liquid which became colourless as it dried, and lança perfume ( a sort of perfumed ether) in aerosols which were also squirted. If this got in your eyes it was very painful and people wore special little transparent masks to protect themselves. Both these substances were eventually banned but still appeared for a number of years. 

I think we used to enjoy Carnival more then, nowadays there appear to be far less parties and people seem to regard it more as an extra long weekend rather than an opportunity to dance the night away.

Ah, those were the days!

Photo by Matheus Frade on Unsplash

Another loss

Last week we suffered another loss from our little group, again very sad news. This time it wasn´t Covid, she was very elderly and I understand it was her heart. Maria Helena was an excellent knitter, sewer, crocheter and cook, she had all the old-fashioned homemaker accomplishments. Despite her age she was bright as a button and loved discussing the latest world events.

I remember so well how kind she was to me a couple of years ago after two surgeries I had. When I was home from hospital she would pop round to bring me home-made treats, always refusing to come in as she didn´t want to disturb me. R.I.P. Maria Helena.

Masks

I´ve just heard on the news that masks will continue to be compulsory here until March 31st. This rule has been in place since the beginning of the pandemic and I am glad to say the vast majority comply without any trouble. If you are walking down the street, entering a shop or restaurant or any other business, even your own building, you have to wear a mask until you have closed your front door behind you.

Since most establishments have security guards it would be easy to enforce this rule, but I have never seen anyone objecting to wearing a mask or trying to enter a building without one. I must admit I find this most reassuring, being in the 'age risk' bracket myself. I know they are a pain...they´re hot, get damp with perspiration, make your ears stick out and fog up your glasses...but what the heck, it´s worth it. I´ve even got used to wearing one on the treadmill.

When we are eventually able to go out maskless I know it will feel very strange indeed. The other day I was at the pottery studio and temporarily removed my mask to blow my nose. A fellow potter started laughing and said "I´ve known you for nearly two years and this is the first time I´ve seen your face"!

 Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash