I have renamed my inner voice Lady Louisa Chick. LLC is the impossibly smug sister of the always-socially-distant Mr Dombey in Dombey & Son. (I have yet to read this Dickens’ novel, but binge- watched an old BBC version this week, hence my introduction to Lady Louisa. The series is on Amazon Prime.)

It is Lady Louisa’s practice when faced with the newly post-partum and consumptive, to urge them to make an effort. Things would be all right, she strongly implies, if people would only give themselves a shake. In the novel, they never do.

‘If you would only make an effort’ I have trained my bustle-wearing, bonneted alter ego to beseech. This morning LLC’s entreaties encouraged me into foundation wear and made me put out the bin. I also changed the trash bag in the kitchen can. TBH, that is probably it for the day. I was almost tempted to make the bed until I got detained by an online article on the topic. Apparently unmade beds allow dust mites to disperse. Plus there is less risk of injury when sheets remain tousled. I am doing it — or rather not doing it–for YOU and to protect our harried health workers.

In the manner of all Victorian ladies, I am to spend the afternoon painting and corresponding with friends. If only there was a glass of Madeira in my future and a footman to present it.

Be safe. Be well. Watch period drama.

View from my window. Someone regularly grazes his horse on the traffic island. Other than that, there is not much going on.