Tag: Covid-19

unraveled wednesday | 8.19.20 …

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… These are – with the exception of Begin Again by Eddie Glaude – two of the books I bought last Saturday at Barnes & Noble; the other is Roller Skates which had to be ordered and has now arrived. I guess I’ll make a quick trip tomorrow afternoon to pick it up. Roller Skates is a children’s book- one of my childhood faves – set in NYC. I enjoyed fantasizing about skating up n’ down the streets of NYC… Just thought a little trio back in time might be a pleasant antidote during these times of Covid -19.

… I am slowly reviving two knitting projects : the second sock is on the needles and I decided to do both toes at the same time. The other, Diamonds are Forever afghan, is going to receive some TLC beginning next week.

… I think I need a new chair for my computer – one that allows me to adjust the height for sitting when I’m at the “stand-up” – counter height computer desk as well as the “sit down” positions. Counter intuitive? Does such exist? Google search in order…

… I’m not really happy with the new block editor  Word Press launched …I  resisted using  during the trial period- guess it’s just my mind rebelling…perhaps in due time I’ll change my mind. Always hard to teach an old horse new tricks . <smile>

Joining Kat and friends. Gotta have a quick dinner…have a Zoom session at 7 PM, EST.

Cheers~

 

sometimes …

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  IMG_1078      monday morphs into tuesday… I had the best intentions, plans and ideas yesterday to post … and somehow for some reason, some way, the day got away from me … as it did over the weekend. Perhaps because I was on Zoom, more than off, it seems – I hasten to add, not a complaint, just a fact. I am grateful for Zoom and other similar technologies; not only are we  able to keep in touch with family,  we’re also enabled to:
  1. connect with friends , including those who perhaps we’ve only met online via our blogs and other social media;
  2. learn new techniques in areas of our own personal interests, etc.
IMG_1064      saturday -the 15th- afternoon, I went to Barnes & Noble and managed to spend more than enough on books to keep me company for a bit…more on them tomorrow.  t’ws my first visit to a bookstore since February! I also stopped at a local office supply  – filled with back to school supplies. In normal times, the inventory would be pretty much decimated. I bought the little guys each their own composition notebook, designed specifically for their ages: 6 and 2 3/4. I know that through the balance of 2020, Chris (6 years) will be doing first grade virtually and Elias, of course, will want to do everything his big bro’ (idol) does. I felt a tinge of sadness as I looked at all the school supplies – memories of back-to-school from my childhood, my nieces, flooded over and floored me as the reality of these times stopped me cold. [deep sigh].   IMG_1088      yesterday it rained off -n-on and then of course stormed – just as Norman was putting the trash out for tuesday’s collection. why not? fortunately, tv reception wasn’t affected so we were able to watch the Democratic National Convention.   IMG_1113      today was nearly perfect – low 80s ! Unheard of in the middle of August in these parts. I do not complain!  Cheers~     PS. A reminder: next Tuesday, August 25 is the monthly one little word linkup on this blog!  

Random thoughts …

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~Fri 7 Aug – 7:36 PM EST~

… last week (as I took my late afternoon walk , alone and slowly, for my aching back pain was then and at times, still attention-gripping), Friday’s sky was indeed a study. I wished I had watercolors and brush to stop and play; instead, I gave thanks for my iPhone camera. I wished also to lay down on the grass and look up at the sky. Ha! Who am I kidding ? I’d probably still be there, unable to get up… still the thought appeals …

… today, the sky poured earlier.  As I pen this post, it appears that the rain is over – an invitation for a walk…

… the grass in the back yard, is overdue for a cut – I can see the blades waving, caressed (?) by a gentle breeze. Our lawn care guy had to postpone the scheduled “cut;” his dad tested positive for Covid-19 …

… leaving you with this link (from the Smithsonian ) to a very different window on the world during these times of Covid-19 … Enjoy!

…and now, I’m off for the walk before the next round of rain comes!

Cheers~

 

mindful monday | 8.3.20 …

Published on by Honoré15 Comments

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~saturday’s sky; looks a lot like today’s~

8:30 am: This morning, my candle burns brightly; its fragrance fills the air. Birds and squirrels have been very busy foraging for food. The ever-changing sky is currently blue, dotted with clouds and the sun shines. It is cooler, by a tad – but nonetheless, cooler and most welcomed. During this time of Covid-19, I write often in my journal how eerily quiet it is with no traffic. It is still so.

  • Normally on Mondays – well for 12 consecutive sessions within a quarter, at 8:30 am, EST time, I’m logging onto Jamie Ridler’s Mindful Mondays hour long weekly planning session.
  • Mindful Monday, currently on hiatus, is an opportunity to rejoice in and celebrate our wild and precious lives. Held over Zoom,  – mais oui – participants from over the world gather to:
    1. celebrate our previous week
    2. ponder and plan our upcoming week.

Looking at my planner, this week is basically free of appointments: Wednesday, I get my crown. Perhaps I’ll make an appointment with my hair dresser; perhaps not. Hmm, let me see: what else? Of course, the necessary trip to the grocery store. And my fave noontime break: Daily Pages. Those 30 minutes of creative play are so satisfying. Fun + Done!

Last week, I spent several days döstädning  (decluttering) and organizing my craft studio. Progress is evident but the job’s still incomplete; I shall continue. I look up out the window, at the sky and see a strange thing flying – a drone, perhaps? Nah, a helicopter most likely. Whatever, it’s now out of sight.

It is time to refresh my tea, to continue with planning this week, the 32nd of 2020. Wonder what else is in store? Have a good Monday.*

Cheers~

*After I wrote that sentence, I attempted to stand up and was greeted with a shooting pain in my lower back! Too much döstädning?  I may be going to the doctor instead of the hairdresser…

july’s new moon | 7.20.20 …

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Today, the hottest day so far this season, is also the new moon.  According to my zodiac sign – Scorpio – travel and books are on my mind . Yep, I have to agree. I’d hoped to be traveling to Sisters OR, early Fall and I’ve two books  – both vying for my time and attention – nearly finished, just in time for tomorrow’s Recent Reads Zoom gathering. I have at least one Zoom session every day this week! To say Zoom has been a lifeline is an understatement. I’d planned to post earlier today but got sidetracked by another project I am resurrecting, starting today.  My plan is to share more about it later this week.

I hope you have a cool(er) week than what we’re having right now- our prospects don’t look too good. Fortunately, we have AC!!! and I’ve plenty of activities to keep me occupied.

Visit this site if you’d like to read your horoscope for July’s New Moon in Cancer … and stay cool.

Cheers~

PS. The moon face is from a Sunrise greeting card  I found in my stash- NA as best I can tell.

3 on thursday |7.16.20…

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1:  last week I wrote that Norman and I were tested for Covid-19. we hadn’t been exposed nor exhibited any symptoms; we chose to do the test because the site was literally next door, in walking distance  – tho’ only drive-up testing, available. today, we received the results – negative and told to continue:  practicing  social distancing, washing hands (and groceries!) and wearing a mask!

2:  the neighborhood park I walk to/through most days on my #Walk20in20 is always so lovely; gradually, more people are social distancing (? ) these beautiful summer days. sadly, the pool didn’t open this season.

3: a little Unraveled Wednesday too: yesterday – July 15 – was the 100th day of #the100dayproject2020; I posted my log cabin 9patch lap robe finish (@honorel). my next project – socks – still where they were several weeks ago. hmm, I think I got stuck cause I only have one set of dbl pointed needles in the needed size… perhaps I’ll resume the Diamonds’ afghan… ah, choices. needless to say, resume quilting remains on my someday maybe list…

Joining Carole for this week’s take on 3 on Thurs.

testing …

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Today, 2:15 pm: Just about an hour ago, Norman and I were tested for Covid-19. Walgreen’s Drug Store is opening 700 sites across the country … and we’re lucky enough to have one as a next-door neighbor – in fact, I understand, the only site in Washington DC, so far. It is a drive-through only site.

The test itself was easy enough to conduct: we each received a packet with 4 Q- tips, were given verbal instructions on what to do: use the same Q-tip to swab inside both nostrils and deposit [it] in a small fluid-filled vial. Contact with the testers was minimal:

  • everyone had on masks and conversation/directions conducted with windows closed, i.e, rolled up; 
  • ID: insurance cards/driver’s license were held up to the windows – the worker entered the information on the forms;
  • we were asked if we’d had any flu-like symptoms in the past 7-10 days;
  • we each swabbed our own nostrils and deposited the cotton swab in a small vial – filled with a liquid – maybe water ???-  that we put into a plastic bag and dropped into a receptacle;
  • and then we drove off.

Results from this totally painless test are expected in about 5 days …

A quiet  – though still very hot – weekend on tap… I’m looking forward to reading, finishing my #100dayproject, staying cool —temps forecast low 90s for the next 9 days. It’s July. Why should I expect anything different?

Whatever’s on your agenda, do have a safe and good weekend.

Cheers~

 

unraveled wednesday |7.8.20…

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In early April, I started a noon time practice : Daily Pages, led by rukristin of the Awesome Ladies Project. We meet via Zoom and have a virtual creative party for about 20-45 minutes… each of us makes some type of art page in a journal of our choice on a technique/topic of our choosing. We can choose to share or not! No pressure. Just a lovely way to spend time during Covid-19, +++

Over the past two months, I’ve shared about 6 of my pages on this blog. The photo above shows the pages I made yesterday and today; the top half also features the little art zine booklet by Malaka Gharib that appeared in npr’s Jan 7 Life Kit (and also shared by Bonny on her blog, Highly Reasonable). I find that I really enjoy this noontime break and have at least 3-5 pages in various stages of make… No pressure. No illusions. Just fun!

Today, I went to the dentist and my hygienist inquired about my quilting. I admitted I’ve not really done any quilting. I’m not sure why – other than I’ve just not been so inclined or inspired or both.  In fact, I’ve barely stitched anything – other than mask making – since I finished Kayla’s quilt (pictured above in the lower photo) when she graduated high school June 2019!  Funny that she asked that question for just earlier this morning, before my appointment, I began again – for the first time-  a book from my personal library: Why We Quilt: Contemporary Makers Speak Out about the Power of Art, Activism, Community and Creativity by Thomas Knauer,  Storey Publishing, ©2019. Perhaps I was feeling the desire to resume quilting. I suppose time will tell.

I find it interesting that on the one hand I’m buoyed by a new creative practice and on the other, rather out of sorts with an older one … for both have in common creating something new and whole out of pieces.

Joining Kat and friends for Unraveled Wednesday.

 

unraveled wednesday | 7.1.20 …

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~1 july 2020 Daily Page~

Starting my third month of  creating Daily Pages in 3.25 x 5.5 pocket-sized FieldBooks. I find that I am very much enjoying this mid -day break (held via Zoom, 5 days a week)… a chance to stretch, express my creativity, play around with paper, glue, paints, color, design, stickers, etc with no required outcome beyond F-U-N!  Plus, the added bonus of using a BIG LOT of my scrappy supplies. When I started this activity, I had no idea I’d take to it so wholeheartedly or that it would be such a welcome diversion to Covid-19 times. And for that, I am extremely grateful.

Knitting on the log cabin-9patch continues, tho’ with some difficulty. As I join rows, I’m stressing my hand so I’m taking 1-2 days off in between the row joins. I may just stitch, rather than knit, the one last row of join. I’ve been knitting during the 4  – 5 pm hour most days. My next project: a second sock to knit, including the toe of the first sock. I thought I’d knit the 2nd and then do the toes on both at the same time…

Walking and Reading the past few days accompanied by the audio version of Louise Penny’s Bury Your Dead; I’m about 1/3rd through. It’s been too hot to go out every day…and that has slowed my audio reading to a crawl. I’ve four books – print- in the queue that I am starting this week…keeping track in a new planner…more to come, later.

Looks like it’s time to publish this and go downstairs for the 4 pm knitting hour.  Joining Kat and Friends for another Unraveled Wednesday

Have a great week.

Cheers~