...And So Here We Are...

 Yes, I'm still here. 

So after the  return of Rhaea to the breeder, I fell into a bit of a blue mood.   I knew it was the right thing to do for the pup especially, and also for us, but it was so. damn. hard.

How could something so long planned and prepared for, go so terribly wrong?

The unknown portion of the equation was Rhaea herself. Her personality and little terrier mind.  They are truly individuals and exert themselves into the mix.    I'm happy to report that she is doing very well and is quite at home with all the other dogs there and they let her know when she has overstepped and remind of her place at the bottom of the pack order.  Her best buddy she plays everyday with is Sparkle, a Staffordshire terrier.  In time she will go to a new home, but the new owners will have to have another dog for her to live with.  A  singleton lifestyle isn't for her.

Meanwhile, its been a bit quiet here as you can imagine. We took a week or so to gather, clean up and organize the puppy paraphernalia and have decided to sell it off.   We haven't given up on the whole idea of having a dog but when we do get one, it will  be an adult dog and so not all this stuff is useful.   

During this time period, I got word that my ex husband had died.   Our divorce was over  37 years ago so while I'm not feeling any loss, I do feel for my adult children who won't have closure on many issues. That door has been firmly closed.

I started to putter in the studio again but not with the old drive, but more from a sense of just keeping busy.  We wound on a new warp onto the Spring loom and I have one scarf completed and a second started.  I have decided that the pattern is neat but I'm not feeling the love for this painted warp and so its just something to weave off and get to something more exciting. 

On the Megado I have finally completed two scarves but it was a bit of a slog, no matter how much I loved the pattern or colours.  I haven't woven for two months and with the constant lifting of the legs I felt it in my muscles before too long.  I was out of weaving shape!   So I wove on it every day, and steadily longer repeats every day.    So now the scarves are done, fringes twisted and washed and pressed.  The reveal will have to wait a while until we get a rare (for this time of year) sunny day as every light on isn't enough to get a nice picture.   But I'll post as soon as I can....    Here's a look at the start of the second scarf:

A few days ago I was starting to feel a bit better, ordering Christmas gifts on line and working on Christmas cards when we got a phone call from my daughter and son in law in Colorado.   She has tested positive for Covid 19, complete with flu symptoms and a loss of smell and taste, and her hubby is okay for now but will be tested later this week.   Suddenly something that was happening to many others 'out there' just came home to roost.  Naturally as her mother, I'm filled with worry and dread.   When some people tell me not to worry I'm inwardly laughing at that statement.   Mothers never stop worrying about their children no matter their age.   My mother in law is 97 and still fusses over my husband sometimes...   

So we're staying home much more, being very careful when we go out and planning on a very quiet Christmas and winter season.   There will be more weaving, more show and tell as we close out this awful year.

If you have a love of tapestry weaving, then I can recommend this book which was just released. Not only is it full of useful information on how to do tapestry weaving, its also a beautiful book with gorgeous pictures.  It will become a classic very soon.   Either treat yourself or ask Santa for it. 

A quick note about  my Shortcuts page:   I had / have a shortcuts page to older posts on various topics to help newer readers find stuff here.  There were some broken links which I fixed and then republished the page. Now Blogger tells me its published but I can't see any tab at the top, and according to some readers, they can't see it either.    Its very frustrating and I have written to support about this issue but so far, no reply or fix.    I'm afraid you will have to use the little search box in the top lefthand corner until I can get this figured out....    Sorry about that!  😳

"May You Live in Interesting Times..."

I try to keep my blog to weaving with a dash of grand kids and only pinch of my personal life, but as the  subject line says, "these are interesting times".   Actually, its more like scary times with this Covid 19 sweeping the world.

This is a natural disaster. 

But the world has gone through and survived such pandemics before. It will pass, but it will take time.  It will take much patience.

Please check your local health authority web page for up to date information and advice and take them seriously.

Wash your hands...    soap and water, for 20-30 seconds,  is actually more effective than hand sanitizer.

My husband and I have cancelled all medical appointments, planned visits with friends and family and will be staying home in isolation for the duration.  We both have underlying health issues and so feel this is best for us.  We took care of much of our future business via phone calls and on line and  have arranged for grocery shopping on line with delivery to our front door.  Due to high demand I must shop on line at midnight and they are limiting certain items, but we are fortunate to have this option in 2020.

We are also very fortunate in Canada to have excellent healthcare system and very dedicated staff but there are limits to what they can do if the system is swamped by vast numbers of infected people.  This is why they want to flatten the curve so please self isolate and stay home.

As weavers and spinners, we have wonderful tools at hand and large stashes to play with.   I'll be weaving and enjoying the back patio when its warm enough to sit out there.   Hubby is planning to progress with his music lessons on line and get proficient with his ukulele and new guitar. He also has art supplies and will be dabbling in paints.    We have streaming services and internet so we are all still connected.  FaceTime means I can talk to the grandkids and  see how they are.

Grand daughter Madison had her 5th birthday party cancelled but she and her mother played with paints instead.

She and Grandad can compare their art via FaceTime !

Flattening the curve saves lives but it does extend the duration that we must self isolate.   Pace yourself and be prepared for  many weeks and possibly months.   You can still go outside and go for a walk..... just by yourself or with your housemate. We plan to go for a drive and maybe sit on a log by the ocean to get fresh air and connect..... but by ourselves.

The phone works and so call friends, email and see how everyone in your social circle is doing.  Call a neighbour to see how they are.  Stay connected.

An interesting side line to all this enforced isolation is that there are less cars, planes and people moving and so pollution levels have been dropping worldwide. They can actually see and monitor the drops in levels from satellites in space.  Venice's canals have cleared and they can see small fish in the waters.  The  yellow clouds above some cities in China have cleared up.   Maybe the planet will use the pause to heal?    It will at least demonstrate the real impact that we have on the Earth and make the climate change deniers think twice.

For those of you who must work, please do so from home if you can, and if you still report in, keep your distance.  Two meters or 6 feet of distance. Wear gloves if you have them  and always wash your hands!   Cough and sneeze into your 'chicken wing' (elbow).

We have been complaining about how modern life is too fast paced and so consider this  time to slow down and smell the spring flowers and reconnect with your spouse.   😊  🌷  😷



And now for some historical trivia ....

Kelowna is a city in south central British Columbia, Canada ..... but this flu spread around the world with the returning soldiers from WW1.

100+ years ago... Kelowna was experiencing the Spanish Flu pandemic.
Here is part of an article from the November 7th, 1918 Kelowna Record an a Public Service ad from the same edition.
"Dr. Knox has made some observations on the epidemic in general which might be useful. The vast majority of deaths are caused by pneumonia developing, and fully 50 per cent, of these are caused by going out too soon and returning to business before complete recovery. Many cases not serious in themselves have through carelessness of this kind developed a relapse and pneumonia. 

When a case occurs in a household put the patient to bed at once, phone the doctor, and he will give instructions as to the method of isolation, protection for the balance of the household and treatment. 

Children should not be allowed to play in groups in the street and parents must realize that to obtain the full benefit from the closing of the schools children must be kept at home. They should not be allowed downtown unless accompanied or sent on some specific errand. People in stores should be careful to sneeze or cough in a handkerchief and refrain from spitting on the floor or sidewalk. Hands should always be washed before eating. People suffering from colds or sore throats would be wise to remain home if possible until recovered.