There’s a couple living in a ground floor flat across the street that has been power washing the same spots on the communal 3m by 3m communal concrete space outside their building for about two hours. They don’t own a car, the driveway was fully power washed about 90 minutes ago, they just want to look like they have a valid reason for being outside in the sun. The chap in the building opposite me in the corresponding first floor flat has created a precarious and removeable platform to push out his window and claim an unstable couple feet of private outdoor space to sit out on. We’re losing the plot now.

You keep me going. I haven’t stood outside pretending to powerwash or endangered my life through DIY balconeys yet, but the time is close at hand.

This week's cards, preventing misadventure

u/dirtytightsdelano sent me my first chocolate egg after I mentioned that I had never received one! Whichver Cadbury courier she used also printed her message of sneaky giving on the back of the gloriously purple Dairy Milk card. Though, lets me honest, I didn’t really care about the card. I ate that chocolatey bastard and the accompanying eggs in a grand total of about twenty minutes and it was wonderful.

Saying high from the far west (Cornwall that is), u/sunfireninety9 has been busy in the garden and will probably be enjoying her pea plants very soon! The lovely black and white snaps on the postcard of Fowey, show a landscape I miss from walking the South West Coast Path which, for any hikers out there, is a wonderful one worth doing.

A gorgeous and atmospheric postcard of a painting by Canadian artist Lawren S. Harris came from u/sureguson who grew up with numerous Harris prints up the staircase wall of her childhood memories. The staircase wall of my childhood home had a large, rough, fresco style artpiece of a quiet middle eastern street in terracotta tones. I used to sit and touch the lines cut in to create the image for ages. It was given from my grandfather to my mother when she turned 21, and then she gave it to me when I turned 21. It’s now behind me as I type this. I’m now intrigued as to the legacy of the art that adorned the staircase wall of the childhood homes of others because it seems they have a grip.

u/UDontEvnKno reassures that, like the waxing and waning of the moon, all this is a phase. Even if it’s a messed up phase – more of a blip – like a blood moon! Her message speaking of looking forward to being able to visit her parents again with her nine month old son is heartwrenching. After a long time of difficulty, now having her new son to celebrate, and her parents cannot share in this special time as his first year progresses. Hopefully though they miss out on this time, there will plenty of other memories to be made. I hope the new mama has the support and the help that you need xxx

u/DazeyFerry sent me one of her very first homemade cards a while ago (probably only six weeks but it feels like six years!). I am incredibly glad she continued making cards because this week I received two more! Whilst the first was vintage and elegent, these mixed media cards are colourful, upbeat and a textural joy. I wish I could give you smart Netflix suggestions but, in times of stress, my brain turns to actual mash and I can only process the most trashy and ridiculous shows like Love is Blind and, on Amazon Prime, the entire back catalogue of Catfish. There is my shameful confession of the day. (x2)

A calligraphic masterpiece of an envelope carefully contained a card from u/wabisabi_sf. The envelope is absolutely being kept along with the card and, I like to think, caused much jealousy amongst the neighbours that share my building. Thank you for your kind wishes of better health – I’ve been able to access a more reassuring amount of resources now and am more stable right now, and I’m grateful so much for the kindness of others.

u/reclusive_rabbit sent a rabbit and cat adorned card. It was great to ‘meet’ her and her doggos on an RAoC videochat. I’m humbled that, despite her current struggles, she still takes the time to reach out to others. The sincerity and sweetness of this community will never cease to astound me.

Thank you all.