Saturday, March 21, 2020

I’ve been complying quite happily with all the new rules and orders that have come about due to the virus. In fact, I’ve been enjoying myself every day. Self-isolation isn’t that difficult and I’m taking a more active role on Facebook; I usually lurk and like, rather than comment, on friends’ posts.

After talking to Kathryn last night (a health-care worker in a care home) and knowing how stressed she is I’m going to be a bit more serious about things. She is not alone in this fight and she is perhaps luckier than some as her children are older and day care isn’t an issue for her. Pat and I are also lucky that this comes at a time when we are retired; it would have been much more difficult if we had to decide whether or not to go to work and, perhaps, forego pay cheques. The workers on the front line are not only putting their own health at risk, but they will also be suffering from the stress. So to anyone who is considered an essential worker and those who are helping to keep us safe and fed during this time – thank you.

I finished up my block of the day in record time this morning. It was a 12″ block but it wasn’t very complicated. I can safely say that this was the first block of all that I have done that I could see making more of and turning it into a wall hanging or table topper.

This afternoon Pat and I both worked out in the yard; I wait until afternoon so it is a bit warmer but today it felt quite hot in the bed I was working in. I pulled out a lot of Creeping Jenny as it was smothering the plants I have been growing in the bed (because of the sun it gets) and I was surprised at how much the sedums and hens and chicks have spread. When it warms up a bit more (and I’ll be following friends who know such things) I want to plant some sunflowers in that bed.

We are doing fine for groceries. We used the last of the bread so I’m making more in the bread maker. Pat asked for cheese bread but the recipe called for cottage cheese and I ate the last of the container at lunch yesterday. Who knew that egg whites were a good substitute. I’m not sure I’ve ever made this recipe before but Pat says he’s sure it will be good so I’m going with that!

I finished my knitting project last night so I’ll start another shawl tonight.

Friday, March 20, 2020

Early this morning Pat suggested we go over to Texada as both of our Monday meetings were cancelled, or at least not happening face-to-face. That got me thinking of all the things – sewing things – I needed to pack. And all the books I might want and maybe my cross-stitch project and who knows what else.

Our sense of economy prevailed though and we decided to stay home until Monday when we, as seniors, can ride for free. My best laugh of the day came when Pat asked me if I had enough to do at home if we stayed a few more days!

It took me all morning but I got my Day Four block finished before lunch – a rather late lunch because there was also some Hall stuff to take care of. That work should ease off until we re-open the Hall. I think all the quilting events that were scheduled have now been cancelled, including our Tuesday bees (not that I had any plans to attend).

I’ve been doing a bit of work on another Splendid Sampler block. It requires some hand stitching so I’ll get at that and hope to have the block done before supper.

I keep thinking the hats I’m knitting will be finished but I had to start over on the third one because I ran out of yarn. I’ve started again and I am making a smaller size so I hope it works.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Deloise got me started thinking about a Covid-19 project – a project to work on while I’m social distancing (although it is becoming more like self-isolation). I have a pattern for a scrappy block that I thought would be “the one” but when I went to do some cutting for it I realized that the majority of fabric that I wanted to use was in a container at Gail’s.

Every morning I start my “work” day at my computer upstairs and every morning I flip over my Block-A-Day calendar. Today the lightbulbs went off and these blocks will be my Covid-19 project; I’ll never run out of blocks to make no matter how long this thing lasts.

I had some catching up to do though as I was already on Day 3 without having done Day 1 or 2. So I’m caught up now and ready to move forward. The blocks are all different sizes so at the end of the self-isolation it will be a Covid-19 Challenge figuring out how to put them all together.

I spent a lot of my day (again) in front of the computer dealing with Hall and Guild work. The cancellations are coming fast and furious and everything needs to be updated. The Guild’s Spring Retreat was cancelled; not a surprise but I’ll miss it. I’ll miss it if I have time – the Texada quilters have issued a Challenge to pick 3 UFO’s that you want to complete over the summer. Although I’m already enrolled in an online UFO Challenge I have plenty to go around. Tomorrow I’ll pick and photograph my three projects – I already know what they will be.

Covid-19 Blocks:

Day 1: Double Irish Cross

Day 2: Double Irish Patches

Day 3: Millstone

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

I was at my computer for most of the morning but, for a Wednesday, that isn’t unusual. I wrapped a couple of birthday packages for the mail; I have no idea when I’ll go to the post office but if I have to be out for something essential they are ready to go. I also have a library book in the waiting bag although all returns and fines are waived until May 1st.

Since I’m going to be spending a lot of time in my office/sewing room I took time to clear and vacuum the floor. There are still a few surfaces that need attention but that is a never-ending task.

This afternoon I worked out in the yard for awhile – I’m going to feel it tomorrow. I finished cutting down the daisies from last fall but I haven’t really tackled any weeds. I want to cut back the lavender before I start the next area of the yard.

I went out of the yard for about half an hour this afternoon. We have decided to close Cranberry Hall until mid-April so I had to put up some notices on the bulletin board outside. The closure meant another flurry of e-mails, and updates to Facebook and the website. I didn’t see anyone except through my windshield; I noticed fewer cars on the road though.

I’m almost through a ball of yarn with my knitting projects but the good news is that I won’t run out for a long time. Although I noticed that some of the bins of yarn that I moved downstairs are now buried behind the re-arranged furniture as we wait for our renovations to get started.