“Every cloud has a silver lining. However, it is down to each individual as to how they turn “Negativity” into “Positivity.”

As I am over 65 years of age, Senior Citizens like me were told to stay at home. So for 13 whole weeks I didn’t venture out. So what can one do to pass the time? Reading, TV, cooking? Three things I tried my hand at. But, and I say but, how long does one keep on cooking, reading or watching TV before boredom starts creeping in?Children and their extended families also adhered to the social distancing measures. Initially, even staying outside the door when they came to visit myself and my wife, or brought something which we had requested.

Therefore as I was reading the book “Sigar tal-Frott” (Fruit Trees) by Peter A. Caruana, I realised that I now had the opportunity to spend time looking after my back garden, which includes fruit trees as well the various vegetables.Priorities

The first thing was to tackle the weeds, which took some time – time which I now had. Then started the planting of vegetables – potatoes, garlic, onions, carrots, tomatoes and cherry tomatoes on sticks, broad beans, peas, marrows, green peppers, aubergines, cauliflowers, string beans, cabbages, cucumbers, and different varieties of pumpkin. I also planted basil, marjoram, parsley and celery.

I took great care to nurture their growth – with water, and at times insecticide spraying. Weeds were removed almost as soon as they appeared.The final satisfaction for me was to gather the produce when it matured and apart from being able to supply us at home, I was also able to distribute it among my children.

I have a small wooden shed in the garden where I store the tractor and hand tools – there is also a chair for when I want a rest and break – with a smoke and cup of tea before I start again.

These actions of ploughing and planting have all taken time, but my, oh my, what satisfaction one gets when seeing the produce and gathering the end crop.So thanks to Covid 19 and it’s restrictions, I managed to turn home confinement into something positive and also indirectly, economically beneficial, as instead of buying I had grown my own produce.

Fruit Trees

Years ago, in order to make use of all the space available in the garden, I had installed canopies along the sides for growing table grapes. Thank God, each and every year I am graced with heavy vines full of grapes, both white and black.This year though I had time to really take care of them. I spray them regularly against all kinds of blight and flies. A friend of mine has also given me advice on how to remove any leaves which were obstructing the sun. I have now done this for the first time and it appears that the system works.

Apart from having the grape canopies, some years ago I also planted various species of fruit trees around the garden. Different types of oranges, mandarin, lemon, prune, pomegranates, plums, sweet almond, meddlers, pears, nectarines, figs (different types) and of course prickly pears, red, white and yellow.After some years trees do die, the empty space being left bare for several long months and after burning the remaining stumps, new trees can then be planted in their place.

New Tree Planting

So with time at hand, my thoughts turned to the type of trees I would like in the future to add to those already planted. After consulting with professional agricultural personnel, I decided on buying and planting 2 additional apple trees, 2 plums with 2 bitter almond cuttings to implant, for the Comino type of plums that my Grandfather had in his fields in Qala.A friend also provided me with 6 almond plants, which eventually will mature into the desired fruit trees. Interesting to know that these fruit trees have their seasonal months, so one can plan to have fruit all the year round.

Therefore by staying at home because of Covid-19, I turned this into an opportunity which my family and I will be enjoying, as is said “The Fruit of Seeds that one Plants” now and also in the future.Computer, News/Comments

Each and every morning the first thing I do is hear Mass by Fr. Louis Mallia, which I find refreshing and down to earth. His simple stories are very original, instructive and meaningful in substance. His cookery suggestions are also welcomed and enjoyed by many. Well done Fr. Mallia.

I believe that both the church and TV stations should continue with the televised Morning Mass as many senior citizens feel comfortable hearing Mass from the comfort of their homes. It will be a pity if these are terminated – At least that’s my opinion.

Following the Mass I open the computer to read the news online. I find that, as almost everyone knows, these all are so biased on one side or another – sometimes too much.But what really bothers me are the hateful, spiteful and baseless accusations by way of comments posted left, right and centre against those of a different opinion.

The blame for this I put squarely on the respective newspaper editors, who prior to publication are supposed to moderate each comment.

These hate comments should be held awaiting moderation and then removed (not published) by the newspapers.

What good or positive intentions can the general public enjoy from hateful accusations and comments? Politicians, immigrants, Police, Governmental Institutions and senior employees are the targets. These, one must add, come from some who are trying to portray themselves as whiter than Saints, which they definitely are not.

We Gozitans and Maltese proudly proclaim to the outside world that we follow the Catholic religion, based on love, generosity and help.

Let us all continue with this generous system.”

Lino DeBono

Photographs by the author

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