Not my normal thread, but I though a timely "Discussion" at these abnormal times would be a general 'How are you coping' thread without the politics, we have plenty of discussion on that topic elsewhere on the forum. With the changes taking place in society all over the world, and right here in our own backyard I just want to catch up with all who regularly, and not so regularly post on OLO, young and old, male and female. Tips and ideas are most welcome.

To start off I'll give it a go;

I'm retired and living in Brisbane, having moved from Sydney about 18 month ago. What's new for us with the coronavirus. At the moment we don't know of any family or friends affected, which is good in itself.

What changed for us, not having the social visits with family and friends as we did just a few weeks ago, the wife is a very sociable person, she misses her contacts, but the phone is still working and so is 'Facebook'while Skype is great to take with her brother and sisters in NZ, and all the whanau around Aussie and NZ as well.

Still able to go out for our morning walks along the waterfront. Home tend to be eating a bit more, not good. I'm doing more gardening, the virus hasn't stopped the grass from growing. Shame the local liberty is closed, but still have plenty of books to read, and DVD's&music to watch/play. Stop off at the shops two or three times a week after our walk for groceries, been no problem.

Been heartened by the generosity of sprite from some people, the local caterer, his business gone, he gave away all of his stored supplies, gee gave us frozen pies and others bags of chicken, some gave him money in return, but he didn't ask for it. The wife"s local church (Anglican) are doing a great job with phone calls, formed a contact group. They are having a virtual service this Sunday at 8am.

I"ll leave it at that for now(350limit), KEEP WELL, KEEP SMILING.

Thanks, Paul, all the best to you and your lovely family too.

Joe

Was going good thinking well if worse comes to worse at least I have a back yard with plenty of rabbits due to the vacant paddock near us.

Wake up this morning and the Mixo is running through them. Not a great fan of rabbits but it is a miserable way to die, and they look anything but appetising now.

It did however give me pause to contemplate that if they knew where their pandemic came from, as in us human, they might well be thinking 'see how it feels ya bastards'.

Hi Joe and Steele,

Joe, I was actually thinking of you a day or two back, not seeing any post. Good if all is ok, not seen Is Mise or ALTRAV lately hope all is well with them.

Steele, we ate many a rabbit as a kid in the bush, back in the day when 40 traps (mini bear traps, shocking things) would yield 30 odd rabbits, 1/- a skin, dried on the paddock fence, the dogs ate well, the uncle drank well from the proceeds, and us kids got a couple of bob only each for a lot of effort. Gee, I got a bit nostalgic for rabbit a while back, local butch had them, but at $42 each I quickly lost that nostalgia, and got nostalgic for snags instead.

Going to give summer vegs a go in the cooler months, fingers crossed, any suggestions for around Brisbane near the warmer Bay region, would beans do ok? Will do some reg veg as well cabbage, caulies. Got a good crop of Roma tomato's, gave some away, but what to do with the rest of em'? Wife wants to do pickles, and jams, short on jars.

Hi runner, a message from the wife, she's believes the way to God/heaven is through Jesus, but she's thinks the back ups Ranginui and the Maori beliefs are of value and not in conflict with Christianity, and are helpful at these times. Her prayer table where she does her "korero" has as a centre piece 'A Prayer Book for Australia', but it has lots of other non-christian things as well. "T" has an interesting set of beliefs when it comes to religion.

I'm OK and well isolated but miss going to town for a yarn at the local library and the Men's Shed.
So far all friends and family are still well, there have been two cases in Inverell and two in Glen Innes.
I hope all OLOeans keep safe and well (Grammarly just corrected 'OLOeans' to 'Orleans'!!).
We've got lots of vegetables and fruit preserved, the chooks are laying and the place has some rabbits and hares and if things get really bad there are more than enough 'roos and the ever-multiplying wood ducks.

Saw this on another site,

Teacher: "Give me a sentence with 'contagious' in it.

Little Johnny: The man next door was painting his house with a 50mm brush and my dad said: "It'll take the contagious".

Paul1405

thanks for your kind sentiments and I sincerely wish and pray the best for everyone. Personally I am spending more time with my wife and grandkids as well as reading Scripture.

As for your wife I certainly wish her all the best Paul. I am certainly no expert on Maori beliefs or anything for that matter. I do have a fair bit of first hand knowledge of the aboriginals (not the urban ones) beliefs. What I am 100% convinced on is that Christ Jesus came to save sinners of whom I am as bad as any. I am also convinced that we are pretty much in the last of the last days. I am also convinced the bible tells the end from the beginning. As Jesus said narrow is the gate that leads to life and broad is the way to hell. I am also convinced that God is patient and not wanting any to perish.

It is obvious to me that unless something changed dramatically we are never going to agree on worldviews. Over the years I have asked myself why I even bother to put my views on olo. It has certainly helped me to question, clarify and even question my own beliefs. At the end of the day I believe Jesus Christ is who He said He was, that His words are 100% true (as hard as many are) and that's where my faith and hope should always be with or without Coronavirus.