Tedbiker: Blog

Interesting times! I've begun a story set during the pandemic... Problem. We don't know yet what the future holds, do we? If things go the same way as previous pandemics, the infection will burn out and eventually become merely an inconvenience. But it seems that the more we learn about the disease, the worse it seems. Besides, the way it's managed, while fewer people are dying (at the moment) there's not much chance of immunity building in the community.
We don't know for sure what the origins are. Is it man made? Or is it something which has made the jump from the animal population? If the latter, why has it not happened before? All I'm saying is that it's going to be dangerous to predict in fiction a positive outcome. I hope I'm wrong. I really do.
A hundred years ago, 'Spanish Flu' killed 50million worldwide, about 10% of those infected, but our medical technology is much more sophisticated nowadays. Is that a good thing?
No-one wants to devalue any life, but we - Homo sapiens - have defied a fundamental rule of all life; strengthening the race by 'survival of the fittest'.
We defy the rule by insisting 'all life is sacred' (at least, all human life).
Arthur Hugh Clough paraphrased the Ten Commandments; the relevant one here being, "Thou shalt not kill: but need'st not strive officiously to keep alive."
I'm torn. Logic, versus emotion. 0ver twenty years as a nurse, though no longer in practice. For the first time since retiring, I wish I were back on the wards... but I'd be a hindrance rather than a help.
Take care. Keep safe. Help friends, family, those in need. Bother Darwin.
Ted

Readers of "I'm a Believer' will have noted some loose ends, not part of Rebecca and Joe's story. Of course it's all a 'never-ending story', but I need to resolve an issue or two. I will start posting 'Dulcie's New Challenge' in the morning GMT, which means it ought to be up about 13.00 here. Dulcie does have a new challenge; a new Diocesan job while remaining Rector of St Mary's. Incidentally, I'm intending to follow up on Helen, Geoff and Sharlene, but I can't seem to get it written at the moment!
I've also got an 8,800 word short which is a bit out of my usual line, but that will have to wait until Dulcie is (temporarily) settled.
Bless you all for reading and I hope you're keeping safe and well.
Personally, I'm looking forward to getting out on Oscar for my Advanced Rider course, though I'm beginning to wonder if I'm not getting a bit too old for it!
Ted

Hope everyone's coping with the lockdown. Here's a new episode in Dulcie's life, but the title refers to the Monkees' song! Six chapters, posting alternate days as usual.

I had forgotten - if I ever knew - the origin of the term, though I well remember using it. Thank you to those who replied to my blog, reminding me.
I suppose there may be some out there who don't remember the Goon Show, a radio programme from the fifties. You may like to go to Youtube and look for 'The Dreaded Lurgi.
The Goons were a precursor of the radio programme 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again', which in turn preceded the Monty Python Show.
We can all do with a little light-hearted humour, and a bit of clean silliness might fit the bill.
Ted

Well, that was what we called it back in paleolithic times. No, I haven't got the virus (so far). That should translate to more writing time, shouldn't it? No chance. Firstly, my muse is as erratic as usual these days. Then there's shopping (almost daily - my wife has some dietary intolerances and pre-prepared foods are mostly unacceptable), but mostly there's the Honey-do list. Things I've put off for months or years, I no longer have any real excuse.
Quite apart from that, I used to write quite a bit sitting in EPIC - the Endcliffe Park Independent Cafe. That's now closed for the duration, along with every other cafe and restaurant. Not only do I have to wait to get home for my morning cup of the elixir of life, I don't get to chat with the lovely staff, and sit and write.
The libraries are closed, too. Okay, for reading matter I'm well set with full shelves and SoL, but my session at our local library was as much social as work, 4.5 hours on a Friday morning.
Gatherings are off, too. No riding of Oscar, either.
But fear not, an episode of Dulcie is coming along... slowly.
Oh, and I'm in the process of learning my way round a MacBook.
Ted