As new case numbers rise here in Montevideo ( 184 nationally with about half in the city) the situation is rather worrying compared to just a few months ago. That’s more reason than ever for seniors like ourselves to keep safely occupied at home. More than ever I am grateful that I am passionate about a couple of activities that take up lots of time – reading books and making textile art in fabric+thread.
Mike spends quite a bit of time reading, too, but also in tending the garden. And, as he’s doing as I write, he often lights the BBQ to cook something at the same time. as he’s moving hoses, filling the humming bird feeders, weeding and snipping, or raking fertiliser around. A few years ago I was very ill for several months and out of necessity he took over the kitchen, and though recoverd, I’ve never fully regained control of it, with the division of labour gradually settling around a 50-50 balance. During this pandemic, though, Mike’s gradually taken over more of the catering again, and this is actually fine with me, as it gives me more time for my art and the various things I write.
My ‘pandemic treat’, Stitch Club workshops, continue. They’ve become fortnightly instead of weekly, though, in response to feedback the organisers asked us to give. There’s now more time available for people like myself to explore a topic at more depth rather than whipping though a project by week’s end in time to focus on another completely different one. I’ve listened to all the tutors’ worshop videos and downloaded all the class materials for the future, just in case I feel the need to do them in the future. I haven’t done every workshop project, only the ones that really grab me, as I am spending quite a bit of time stitching on my own projects using the raw edge hand applique I’ve been developing in the past year.
Once I’ve worked through the design phase and made all relevant decisions, I then stitch along, by hand or machine, listening to a recorded book or books, until I reach the end of the project. This one will need several more lengthy audio books! I’m currently learning more about the operational skills of a successful burglar in The Burglar, a thriller by Thomas Perry. Interestingly, this year I’ve finished very few of the paper or kindle format books I started, but that’s OK. I think it’s far more important that we each do what feels best to help ourselves cope with this pandemic.
So that’s it for today – it’s warm and breezy outside, I have some hand sewing to take out onto the patio with me, and as we get to lunchtime on this saturday, I will be ready for a glass of white wine. Cheers!