Head’s too big

A former colleague shared a photo on Facebook of her cow last week, with the caption: “Someone needs to tell Norman his head is now too small for his body #covidkilos.”

I think we’re all looking a little like Norman after months in lockdown: stout and shaggy.

My hairdresser can’t fit me in until November 6, so I’m stuck with my unruly mop for another three weeks. She’s sending an emergency colour kit so DD can do my roots in the meantime.

As for the COVID kilos … I was admiring this amazing view with friends on Saturday morning, while eating date loaf fresh out of the oven. We noted that lockdown had restricted our pleasures, so we were finding it hard to cut out the treats.

I’d like to say I’m starting a health kick, since Sydney is coming out of lockdown today, but I’m not sure I can be trusted on that front. Abstinence is not one of my strengths.

Getting skinnier would be nice though, in theory. I can go back to the gym now, which is a scary prospect on so many levels.

I find myself not as excited about “freedom day” as I thought I would be. And not just because I don’t fancy working out while wearing a mask in a room full of strangers.

I’ve realised I quite liked having the kids at home.

Ellen Hill wrote an article at The Sydney Morning Herald that resonated with me, called “Lockdown should be the new normal”, which sounds disturbing, but is really just about the good stuff that’s come from it for families.

She writes that she’s enjoyed clinging to her “man-child a wee bit longer”.

“Pre-lockdown, our relationship with The Boy had become a collection of phantom experiences – a fleeting spectre in the hall, the click of a closing door, footsteps on the path, a bowl in the sink, undies on the clothesline, the rumble of a turbo in the driveway.

“In the past few months, the time he would normally spend cruising with mates or hanging with his girlfriend has been spent at home with us. The kitchen table has become our epicentre. There, we philosophise, strategise and dream. We squabble, chuckle and talk about stuff that otherwise would never be said.”

I get that … and so do our dogs, who are loving the constant company (and their new ALDI bed).

Ellen adds: “We’re not the only ones clinging to this temporary respite from life. The Australian Bureau of Statistics collected information from a panel of people from across Australia in the Household Impacts of COVID-19 Survey. Its June survey found that, among other things, 33 per cent wanted working from home to continue and enjoyed spending more time with family and friends.

“Other benefits to rank highly included slower pace of life (27 per cent) and spending more time at home (24 per cent). Those in family households with children (32 per cent) were more likely than those living alone (13 per cent) to want to continue spending more time at home.”

I understand where the panel is coming from. And I will miss the family time.

My 17-year-old is planning to catch up with friends from Greater Sydney today, and is catching a bus into the city to meet them.

I am thrilled to see him socialising again, but nervous about the bus trip and the interaction with other kids from all over Sydney.

However, life must return to some semblance of normal. We can’t hide from COVID forever, much as we’d like to.

Stay safe out there today.

PS I was commissioned to write a travel story about my amazing Kimberley cruise – very exciting! Click here to read it.

Song of the day: George Michael “Freedom”