Wednesday 1 April 2020

A Fool's Errand?

The blog is twelve years old this week - can you believe it? In my first post I wrote "Whether or not I am disciplined enough to maintain the thing remains to be seen" I am as surprised as anyone that it has lasted this long - and that 1500 people checked it out last Monday! I've kept to the same basic format - sharing God's everyday blessings in my life - with church, children, craft, family, food, friends, thrifty tips and life generally. 
But on April 1st I have been guilty of publishing spoof posts. There was "Faralla Sponge Oil" [Angela's April Fool] "Oslo Lap Fir" fencing, and Hardy's girlfriend Flora Polian...and others. 
This year, I just haven't got the heart for spoof April Fool posts - the world is full of enough 'fake news' as it is. A friend's kind message "Do you need any errands?" started me thinking about the expression "A Fool's Errand" - where does it come from?
There is a long tradition of teasing the new apprentice on their first day at work by sending them on a Fool's Errand. Older blokes [it does seem to have been a masculine habit] despatched the innocent boys down to the stores to collect some of these...

  • a can of striped paint
  • a box of holes
  • a packet of skyhooks
  • a left handed screwdriver
  • a tin of elbow grease
  • a verbal agreement form
  • a long weight
The phrase first started being recorded around 1700 - but before that the Tudor's referred to it as "A sleeveless errand" -the word sleeveless used to be used back then to mean futile or trifling. I've yet to ascertain where lack of sleeves and foolishness are connected! [Unless you look at those hapless teenage lads who will insist on going out in all weathers without putting on a proper coat.] 
We've technically got through the 14 days of self-isolation in The Manse today. I would like to run a few errands myself today. I have a small stack of parcels which need to get to the Post Office, and some fresh milk would be useful. 
A Wise Woman from the Yeast left a packet in the porch yesterday, so the Pastor will not be eating unleavened bread after all. Another friend deposited a beautiful bag of fresh fruit and veg - so I don't have to do any supermarket shop trips yet. I continue to produce meals from my pantry reserves. It was lovely to have an email from SueH saying that she made her husband a birthday cake with the mayo recipe and it turned out well! Glad to have been helpful there!
Health Report; Things are a little more complicated than I would have hoped. Despite displaying all the typical covid19 symptoms just after I did, Bob never really stopped working. By Sunday night he was unbelievably tired, and his temperature went up again. I went to the NHS Online site, and that was incredibly helpful. Having filled in the questionnaire, the doctor rang back. Bob is now fully 'off work' for a full week, because he is completely exhausted, and on meds to keep the temperature down.His breathing is OK. Our lovely Deacons have taken everything off his shoulders, and he is just sleeping most of the time. I'm really grateful for kind words, and the support of friends right now. If you are the praying type, then please would you pray for him?
Let us all hope that by the 1st of MAY we are beginning to see an improvement in the national situation...

25 comments:

  1. I don't pray, Ang, but send best wishes and hope that you and Bob get through this ok. Congratulations on the 12 years!

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  2. Thank you Sooze. Keep well and safe yourself

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  3. I'm sending lots of ((hugs)) from Suffolk and Positive vibes - Rest and get well Bob.
    Hope you too keep well so it doesn't come back again

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  4. I will pray for Bob (and nurse Angela) to get through this difficult period.

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    1. Thank you Nicky- I hope your family are well

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  5. And don't forget the Long Felt Want that they were sent for too.

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    1. Oh well done! I'd completely forgotten that one. Thanks for the reminder

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  6. Healing vibes to Bob and congrats on your milestone post. Jigsaw-ing is my new thing!!!Thanks so much Angela.Keep safe and keep well.xx

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    1. If I ever complete the current one, I shall post a picture. I'm not as motivated as usual though

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  7. Glad to hear you're better but sorry to hear about Bob. I hope he feels better soon. If you haven't been to the shops for a while you will notice a few changes!

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    1. So my kind friends tell me - grateful for fresh milk and cheese delivered this morning [and unexpected cake]

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  8. Oh, I do hope Bob will feel better, soon. May you both be well and fully recovered before long.

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    1. Thank you Bless. You keep well too - enjoy picking your own fresh oranges and getting your Vitamin C

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  9. Glad to see that you are feeling better but not such good news about Bob. No surprise that he soldiered on! You are an inspirational couple but need to look after yourselves and get fully well before returning to caring for others. Praying for you both.

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    1. Thanks Christine - we are learning to step back and rest. But it doesn't come easy to either of us, as you well know.

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  10. Your blog is a daily inspiration. You’ve given so much here through your writing, inspiration, advice and unswerving moral compass, thank you and the very best wishes for Bob’s recovery

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  11. Prayers and best wishes to both of you for a return to full health. If friends or neighbours could do those errands for you Angela I would recommend it - just to be on the safe side.
    I used to work for a bank and started off in a local branch. One fool's errand that used to be legendary was to send the "new boy or girl" over the road to another bank to "borrow" their General Ledger. Of course the person at the other bank knew what was going on and the joke would be revealed and everyone would have a good laugh when the newbie returned. However, this all ended one day when newbie A met up with newbie B and was given the General Ledger from the second bank! Everything and to be hastily returned and much embarrassment when both managers discovered what had been going on!

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    1. A great story! Yes, we are truly grateful to the friends who have been running errands for us. Our milk has arrived, and the person who brought it took my parcels to the PO for me.

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  12. Praying for you both.
    On the subject of Apri 1st.....do you remember the spaghetti programme of many years ago?!

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    1. Nobody believed Richard Dimbleby capable of playing such a joke on the British public!

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  13. Sending prayers for you both and everyone else affected. Hope you feling much better soon. x

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  14. Wishing you both all the best - and congrats on the 12 years - as I get older the years seem to fly by! Cheers

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  15. Thank you all for your kind words

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