The magic date of 5 May looms close but will it really make any difference? All the soundings from the experts are really telling us that there will be little change. We must suck it up and keep going. We are COVID-19 tainted. We have a new normal. Our lives, our friendships and our leisure activities are paused.

There is no one to blame. But the whole world is suffering

Can we forgive the upheaval caused in our lives? There is no one to forgive. There is no one to blame. But the whole world is suffering.

My son Colm and his fiancé Elaine have postponed their wedding for a year. The decision came easy to them. It was just the right thing to do.

My other son Diarmuid is disappointed that Westlife have postponed their concerts. This is just one big pause in our lives.

Breeding starts

Here at home farming continues largely unchanged. My husband Tim was out changing fences the other day. He was walking briskly in the field when his foot disappeared down a concealed and unused rabbit burrow. He landed hard without having time to save himself. He broke a rib. It is an unpleasant and sore thing.

Cows need to be observed several times a day as well as keeping the tail paint topped up

Breeding began last Friday so he is out of the picture for at least the first round of AI. Colm is doing both herds. He says that he’s well up for it and we have backup. Cows need to be observed several times a day as well as keeping the tail paint topped up. Early in the morning is key when activity starts. The cattle dogs, Speedy and Bran, don’t like this season because they have to remain locked in while the men are observing the cows to avoid distracting the animals that are mounting others.

These early mornings are beautiful and the first movements of the cows are amazing against the sky line as they start the slow walk home for milking

These few weeks are critical to ensure the majority of cows calve in six weeks. These early mornings are beautiful and the first movements of the cows are amazing against the sky line as they start the slow walk home for milking. There is nothing like allowing them to do this themselves. It is kind to their feet and allows them to express the heat signs as they go. COVID-19 restrictions have me taking pictures again.

Cows leisurely walk to the milking parlor on the O'Leary farm.

While Tim is more confined, Colm is doing the morning milkings for Tim and Philip does the evening ones after work. I was walking past Colm in the dairy this morning. Greeting my son, I wanted to give him a big hug for all that he does. Instead I carry on maintaining my social distance. The new normal drains the life out of me!

Remote teaching

I don’t think there is a teacher in the country that is enjoying teaching from home. It is problematic and challenging. I am trying to make cookery videos and worksheets for my students. The family are enjoying the fruits of my labour and having a huge laugh as well.

I have to focus on my students who are more than likely bored at home to keep at it

“Hello boys and girls. My name is Katherine and I am your cookery teacher,” is my introduction. I have no idea why I’m finding this so hard. I have to make at least three false starts before I can get going.

My daughter Julie might be in the living room and Tim in the office and they are hearing my efforts. It is embarrassing. I have to focus on my students who are more than likely bored at home to keep at it.

On the bright side, I’m upskilling. I’ve learned to edit videos, use Zoom and Microsoft Teams for meetings. I got a notification from one group that we would be having our meeting via Teams. It sent me into a spin. Will they see me? How will I know they see me? Will I see them? Will I hear them? Will they hear me? Julie and Colm were laughing and decided that they didn’t want “the mother” to make a show of herself. They set up a three-way meeting with one of us in each room. It was great fun!

It’s very important to be prepared so that you can participate properly

“Mum, you are shouting. You don’t need to shout. Talk normally,” quipped Julie. Colm gave advice on positioning and on it went. It’s very important to be prepared so that you can participate properly. So, we are learning new skills and changing the face of working from home. I’m concentrating on make the most of this time.