I used to think I had a fair amount of patience...but lately I’ve hit my limit.  Like many of us, we’d like to consider that maybe the current world situation is one expansive April Fool’s Day prank...Mother Nature has sent out a nasty virus just to let us know that she’s a bigger power than we give her credit and after we learn our lesson and behave better as a planet, she’ll laugh and whisper “gotcha!”

Unfortunately, it’s not a prank...and just about everyone has been affected in one way or another.  Most of the US is in some form of stay at home order...travelling out only when necessary and staying clear of anyone else.  I count myself lucky – I don’t have a day job that I neither have to go to (praise be for all the first responders and classified “essential” services people) nor worry that I’m missing a paycheck.  I don’t have school age children at home either...and from what I’ve seen posted on social media, most parents have come to the realization of what daily miracles teachers perform and maybe, just maybe, this may translate into higher salaries for an occupation that is severely underpaid.

So, what have you been doing at home?  Those grand plans of cleaning out the studio, tackling that list of home repair projects or starting to write that novel that’s always been scratching in the back of brain?  No way...we’ve binge-watched “Broadchurch”, “Killing Eve” and “Next in Fashion”.  I tried a jigsaw puzzle and quickly remembered why I never liked them as a child.  I understand that hordes of people are baking homemade bread and has caused a shortage of yeast.  We are cooking elaborate evening meals thinking that we need to be rewarded for being hermits.  We did sign up to be dog foster parents (the local shelter staff need to minimize their time at the shelter but dogs still need care.)  Our temporary pet, Alice, a dachshund/spaniel breed, provides plenty of distraction and amusement.

I’ve been working on several art projects, in hopes that summer art shows will stay on schedule. (see my CALENDAR page for details)  Like many artists, I’ve beefed up my etsy shop. If you have an inkling for some art, I’ve added a collection of digital compositions that you can instantly download for immediate visual gratification – you can print it out at home, pin it up in your office, slap it on the fridge, use it as collage fodder – whatever works for you. 

Reaching out to others during this time means so much…I understand that letterwriting has increased recently…think about how great it would be to receive a handwritten note…

I have several designs of notecards and prints which would be perfect to send to a friend for a lively pick-me-up greeting...and to make it even more enticing, everything in my etsy shop is on sale at 20% off your order from April 1-30…no coupons nor codes needed.

There’s been no shortage of online workshops/tutorials/videos so that’s been a big plus – and many of them are available for free...Personally I am going to check out the free patterns and craft instructions at the Selvedge Magazine site...I’ve been playing with fabric lately and some of projects just might spur me on in a new direction.

Other than that, I don’t have any words of wisdom other than wash your hands and stay home...I’m trying hard to just focus on each day.  I started growing out my hair before all this virus shenanigans started and of course by now, my hair is driving me crazy...the Southern Man has an electric shaver...do I dare shave my head...I have thought about it...