I can’t decide whether to be glass half full or glass half empty this week.

Let’s consider the facts. First looking at the bleak side:

1. We have given up hope that the Scottish government will allow us to travel in March or April for the Orkney holiday we originally planned for January.
2. My wife Mandy and I have not received a vaccine invitation, but our younger son, Tin, who is just 31 years old, has. No idea why.
3. The sunny weather promised for this week has turned into low cold cloud. So much for spending time in the garden.
4. The backup disk for my PC has failed, and the new one does not work.
5. We bought 3 cubic metres of wood for the fire, and it will not burn.
6. The heating is not working in our boat.
7. My niece is going to have her first child in a few weeks, and we aren’t allowed to see her.
8. Having spent several days last week trying to sort out funding for my Dad’s care home, I still do not know whether the council will allow him to stay in the one where he is now.
9. The things I have been doing this week, such as painting and reading, are a waste of time.
10. I am really missing the people contact I used to get at work.

Reframing these in a more positive way:

1. We have rebooked Orkney for the whole of November. As with our original plan, this should be dark enough to catch the Aurora Borealis at least once.
2. Our son is super lucky to get the vaccine early, and for Mandy and I it should be just a few weeks away. So close!
3. Monday was a lovely day here and looking at the crocuses, spring is definitely coming.
4. There are many reasons to hate Amazon, but if something doesn’t work, they replace it without quibble.
5. I have 3 cubic metres of wood stacked neatly in my wood store, and by the autumn it will be perfectly seasoned.
6. Pierre, the best narrowboat mechanic in Scotland, has promised to fix my heating this week, so I may be able to get back there at the weekend.
7. All being well, the reopening of Scotland will allow me to travel up to Fife to see my niece and her new child very soon.
8. Wiltshire council have agreed to pay for a bed for my Dad, and if his current care home does not have a “council bed” available, we can pay a top up. He will not have to move.
9. The things I have been doing this week, such as painting and reading, are relaxing and good for my mental health. They are exactly the kinds of things I never had time for when I was at work.
10. I am not missing at all being on constant zoom meetings. My time is my own.

What do you think? Half full or half empty?