The down time of Coronavirus National Emergency shut down. 2020

Well here it is, upon us all.   My husband and I had already decided to self quarantine 2 1/2 weeks earlier, as I had cold/flu already for too long this season, and we had concern about the information or lack of clarity of the information at that time.  Now it is global, and President has declared National Emergency so enough about that, now what to do during the next 3 months as we are shut in as my husband likes to say?

1)  Walking in fresh air.  First, we walk and likely every other day or daily at public park in our town where few people are out and walking.  Come spring and summer, that might well change to too many people to do the social distancing we would like.  Of course the people at the park may well want to do social distancing also, so might not be a problem.  And if the public park doesn't work, we have our 2 mile walk to the River and back. Today there is Snow for second day (March 2020) and news indicates the snow will be gone soon.

2) Writing. I thought blogging in my old blogs mght be a way to go.  Also, using the greeting cards from the time of my mother's death to send out to family and people.  Writing my and our memoirs. I have books to actually help a bit with that one, that I have ignored or not written in for years.  And I prefer to write, journal as that is my way of remembering, frequently do not refer back to former writing, although my memory is not working as well as it once did.

3) Crochet/Knitting.  Well for me that just goes with the time, whether coronavirus or not, as I have been crocheting for years.  Recently our church prayer shawl group suspended itself due to coronavirus, and I was ahead of that one, making prayer shawls anyway to bring when husband and I decided to suspend our self-quarantine. I have a couple of grandchildren though, and it might be timely to online instruct them in this fine business of knitting/crocheting, using yarn they maybe already have.

4)  Downsizing, Clean Up, House Redecorate.  So many of us have some kind of clean up or clear up to do, ie, garage, house, spring cleaning.  For myself, it is time to turn my winter clothing in my dressing room (a bedroom I confiscated to become a dressing room ...  lol)  to spring and summer clothing.  I have much downsizing to do just now, and probably while thrift stores are not receiving much or people aren't using, I can at least separate items out.  And well, I have not redone our home in couple years, so can think about how I might do it.  I am sure that different people's juices are flowing as people think about what they can do during this down time.

5)  Turn off the news, Facebook, media about the virus.  I know I am frightened and doing stress related constant watching the news or Facebook to learn what is going on, and I also know that I need some relax time out, as do many of us.

6) Staying in contact with loved ones, people. Part of my own reach out has more to do with my own anxiety yet staying in touch and contact helps and takes away some of the anxious feeling.  Recognizing I am among the fortunate to have a husband while many people are doing this shut down alone, I think it is more important than ever to do reach out and stay connected, in contact.  Even though Facebook is among popular media platforms, using it in productive ways right now might help some.   I like our walks, just saying hi to people seems to lift my spirits.

7)  Kids at home. That is no longer my expertise, as I said we are the elderly population, no kids at home.  Better that parents speak to this one, than me, yet already I am seeing ways to keep children busy while at home.  I wouldn't mind a letter or card or two from youngsters.

8)  Music.  It is, imo, a language of it's own and goes a long way to calming people.  Already I have found two places that symphonies are willing to livestream for Free their concerts.   My husband likes music and is an accomplished pianist.  Our home is filled frequently with music, the many playlists he has developed and the piano he plays himself to a) calm his own nerves and b) to serenade me (was the Memory Care Unit weekly, they have shut down for the interim).

9) Games, not Internet, not online, board games, cards.   We haven't done this one yet, hope to, expect to, hasn't really happened yet.  We both did this with our kids when they were kids.  Might be something we will pick up and do for this shut down period   Might be something for younger families, parents and children to do if they aren't already.

10)  Crafting.  I had plenty to do for a long while, in fact, purchased and collected.  Didn't seem to have the heart for it after my mother passed.  Or maybe getting along in years.  I don't really know.  Even as I type this, I don't seem to have inclination to pick the therapeutic manner of crafting.  Wondering aloud who I could gift the items I might create?  There is still next year. eh?  Nonetheless others with the fortitude and inspiration may want to think about it, also an idea for useful child helpers.

11)  Gardening.  Not really an issue for me, I like to play outside with the yard.  Lots of people do, and this would be the time to give that yard an thorough upkeep, planting, cleaning, while growing the newly planted vegetable garden and flower garden.  Happy days, plus fresh air, and also that quieting of mind time.

12)  Oil Painting, or any kind of painting.   I look forward to it warming up a bit where we live so I can get some time oil painting on the enclosed deck which also doubles as our reading area, breakfast area, painting studio, nap time.

Other thoughts for how people might use this coronavirus down time are  welcome. 

This blog seems somewhat organized...can I use it?

Reviewing my too many blogs at Blogger, this particular blog has photos of the Prayer Shawls I made two years ago as Christmas gifts. I so remember making and gifting them. I gave the more colorful ones to my families, gave the one that is all gray to my mother. My mother died that very next summer, I had tried to take her the shawl and a kaftan that I tore for her to wear during her time in Hospice House. I had taken her beloved dog, Sheila, to her, and mother was too annoyed to have anything to do with her dog. Understandable as she was not opening her eyes to see, her body in shutdown and she had just been transferred to Hospice House.

 She had preferred to have her death be at her home, however, my husband, who was lifting her, realized she would not cooperate with his efforts, and both of us were trying to get her to use toilet Hospice had brought for her to use, as her bathroom was many steps away from her bedside. Fruitless were our efforts. She was calling us Father and Mother by then, the Fentanyl was doing it's work on her. I thought as she saw us both as her own Father and Mother, she had reverted to her child years, and was no longer able to recognize us. With those incidents piling up, I did encourage Hospice Nurse and Social Worker to encourage her to Hospice House as we could no longer take appropriate care of her.

 The Prayer Shawl I had made for her, I kept, I keep it still, as it was among the last gifts I gave her. The photos of the prayer shawls at this blog are powerful triggers to remind me of what I did create and my mother leaving me in her passing. I cherish the prayer shawl I made for her, only regret is that I did not give her a more colorful one as I had made several, and they go under appreciated to this day. My mother would have cherished the prayer shawl I made for her, no matter what yarn colors I used in crocheting it. I miss my mother intensely for so so many reasons.

 As I was wandering through my many blogs, it seems to me that much history is written already, and I wanted to pick up with two new blogs, my diabetes 2 diagnosis, and journal my thoughts. I plan to work the diabetes blog, not so much the journal blog as this blog, even though I meant it to hold my crafting, it really doesn't serve well as crafting blog, there are so many of those out there on internet. I think I may use this particular blog as part of my history.

Holiday's are over - Prayer Shawls as gifts to family

We are knee deep in snow here - what's new - we have snow every winter.  This winter offers more snow that past two years, and sometimes it is absolutely stunning.  Other times is is several feet of snow.  We live on a hill, and not so easy with our small town car (Scion) to navigate up and down the hill so sometimes we are 'snowed in'.

Making good use of the holiday time, I was able to make eleven prayer shawls this season, using Lion's Brand Homespun yarn which makes the experience of wearing them warm and toasty, comforting.

Adding pictures of the different shawls.  Credit to Zooty Owl crochet pattern Cosmos Fields Shawl.  Used a portion of her pattern to create these different prayer shawls.  And of course, in no way does the colorful beauty match up to her original work.  As time saver, I used the core part of the pattern to create the shawls.

Epsom Salts Can Be My Friend

I have used Epsom Salts for a relaxing bath after body aches from yard work.   There are other good reasons to make a good friend of Epsom Salts.  Link here and here at Lifehack.

-- use with shampoo for hair washing to help strip some of the oils from your hair.  Rinse afterwards.

-- Foot Scrub.  Mix to make a Scrub with Salt, Olive Oil, Castile Soap. Scrub feet once or twice a week to remove dry skin

-- Wash Face Scrub,  adding Epsom Salts to Face Cream or  liquid soap,  Rinse clean afterwards.

-- Alleviate Headaches!   Taking an Epsom Salt bath has been touted as Headache Reliever, Having something to do with the Heat and Salt calming aggavated nerves.

-- Hangovers,  Bruises, Muscle Pains, Sleeping,  Remove a Splinter!,

-- Clean a Bathroom, Fertilize Fruits, Fortify Plants Get Rid of Garden Pests (Slugs!)

-- Weed Control, Greener Gras

Reasons to Save and Use Orange Peels

I want to give this a try, see if it does what it says it will do.  Read at Lifehacks this morning, and want to give this a try:

Whitens Teeth

Tinge on teeth, Orange Peels can remove it.  They contain compound called  d-limonene, which helps reduce teeth staining (even from smoking)   Here's how;

Rub inside of an orange peel (the white portion) over your teeth for 2-3 minutes, then rinse.  Do this twice a day until you've got those pearly whites!

Or

Mix some orange peel powder and some water to make a past.  Add dried leaves for bonus points.  Ue this paste on toothbrush and brush teeth.  Repeat twice a day for a few weeks.

Russian Beet Salad (Vinegrette) 
 
  



from Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog

Although the Russian name for this salad is Vinegrette it shouldn't be confused with the salad dressings called Vinaigrette. This was a traditional salad that we enjoyed growing up. It could be our version of potato salad. I'm sharing an easier version using canned beets but you can also cook and julienne your own beets. The photo is my sister Lana's.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (15oz.) julienne beets (partly drained)
• 2 cans (15oz.) kidney beans (drained well)
• 3/4 - 1 cup sauerkraut (drained and squeezed)
• 3 boiled potatoes
• 3 large kosher dill pickles, diced
• 1/4 onion, grated
• vegetable oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• pickle juice from the jarred dill pickles

Method:

1. Dice potatoes while warm then salt and coat with oil and chill.
2. Once the potatoes are chilled add the remaining ingredients and toss to combine, add enough pickle juice to taste.
3. Chill until ready to serve.
4. Serves 8-16  

Our family prefers using the Clausen Dill Pickles found in the refrigerator section. You will find some versions of this Russian salad using carrots and not kidney beans. This is the version our family has always enjoyed.

* My  Note to Self:  Short of the Beans, this looks to be Paleo ingredients, although I might prefer to use real beets.  Having canned goods on hand for power outages, ie, we had such for several days last winter, would be useful way to deal with food/cooking needs.  

Autumn Gems Button Scarf

Crocheted in a simple V stitch, it is easy and quick to work up too.  Two lovely buttons hold the scarf in place and it can be worn a variety of ways, making it very versatile.

Link to site of origin

Note *  See additional Free Patterns at Fiber Flux site.  Link. 

Note to self, projects from the free patterns that I might want to do this holiday season.  Several choices for flower, dishcloth, scarf, neck warmer projects.
-- Granny Gift Card Holder
-- Layered Ruffle Flower
-- One Round Flowers

Autumn Gems Button Scarf

By Jennifer Dickerson

Materials:

• 6.5 mm K crochet hook
• 1 ball Lion Brand Landscapes in "Tropics" (147 yards)
• 2 Buttons
• Tapestry Needle
• Scissors

Sizing:

• 5 inches wide
• 55 inches long

Abbreviations and Tutorial Links:

• Chain (ch)
• Double Crochet (dc)

Instructions:

Ch 18 

Row 1: Work a dc in the 4th chain from hook then ch 1. *Work a dc in the next ch. Skip a ch, and in the next chain, work (dc, ch 1) . Repeat from * to end.

Row 2: Ch 3 and turn. Work (dc, ch 1, dc) in each of the chain 1 spaces from the previous row (center of each "V"). At the end of the row, finish with a dc in the last space (turning chain space from previous row).

Repeat row 2 until scarf measures about 55 inches long (or desired length) and fasten off.

Finishing: Using a small piece of matching yarn and a tapestry needle, sew buttons to bottom edge of scarf equally spaced apart.  Weave in any ends that remain and you're finished!

Christmas 2014

Let's see, since posting a few years back, much has happened for us.  I don't think I want to write catch up history as I think that will show itself in future posts.   We are no longer in our big old Victorian style farmhouse; we have moved (downsized) to leasing a condo in a city across the state from where we lived in sweet little community of Bay Center, WA in Pacific County.   We are now living in city of Spokane, WA closer to my daughters and the family branch of my grandchildren.  I will write about those experiences and learning lessons (learning for me) at another time.  It has been a journey of the soul, so to speak.

It is now December 2014.  A year in the condo in Spokane.  In 2013 we were also in Spokane, sharing time between our home in Bay Center, WA and an apartment in Spokane, WA caring for two of my youngest grandchildren.  Going backwards in time to recapture the years of 2012 and 2011 .. essentially my husband retired from his career, and we found ourselves re-examining our choices in life regarding family, living location, community, aging into senior years, faith -- the whole gamut it seems as seen from retrospective viewpoint.  Certainly less clear as we walked together through those years.

I'm not sure where I'll take the direction of this blog, for now though, it can serve as a bit of thoughtful reflections along with the new or revived things we are doing in our more senior years.
  

It is Christmas time just now. And I'm happy to be sharing in Christmas spirit - past and present, listening to Christmas music, decorating the house (yes, our condo has a 'house' feel to it so I call it our house now), making Christmas gifts, participating in our Traditions - past and present - as the holidays unfold.  

This is the first year in many that we have brought out the Big Christmas tree, and all the decorations acquired over the decades going back to when my adult children were just youngsters.   Picture of the big tree in our condo (house) space.

p.s.  daughter, her husband, granddaughter stopped by to see our big tree, and took this composite photo to include my collections of nutcrackers which remain out all year long in their display cabinets.

         

Internet technology moved on without me, good for the technology!

Reviewing this blog, it is apparent that it has gone through stages as technology for online writing has shifted over the years.   I acknowledge that I am assuredly feeling left behind, and not sure I would have the skills to catch up, let alone keep even with technological advances.  I'm shifting down in my life span to what for me is a slower, more quiet way in my life and in my online activities.  Ahhh, for those early days when I was younger and felt I was on cutting edges of technology - those days came and went and kudos to all the young people who have left me and other's like me in the dust.  Kudos to the older people who have kept pace.

This blog then will be more like a place where I might do a show and tell of some of those creative things I might do that keep me busy, keep me going.  Kudos to all those tutorials out there that teach how to's;  kudos to the advances I've witnessed made in internet technology over the years since the early 1990s.   I'm not going to even attempt to keep up, just plod along at my own speed.  Does anyone even know where all this internet content is going to go after we are no longer of this world?

If I have any followers, likely they will be at the slow pace to which I have come, and if I don't have followers, that's fine too, kind of an online journal for me.  I won't be working to figure out how to drive people to my blog, how to develop content, and all those goodies that teach people how to better use today's internet services.   The older material on this blog, on any of my blogs is dated, outdated, out of internet trends, and for several years, I just didn't have the oomph to rework them to be more acceptable.  If you find a thing or two on this blog of interest to you, great.  If not, great too, it really is ....   let it serve as a bit of internet history in far things have come in the online world over the years.

Seasalt hair spray - diy

Seasalt Hairspray; Over 50, you betcha, and quickly moving to another milestone - moving into my 60's!   Never did I imagine that era of my life, and yet here I am.  Baby Boomers  60 years old abound!

Found a site today that addresses beauty tips and techniques for women 50 and over, and I wanted to collect a few of those tips specific to me, of course, not everyone else. If you want your own specific tips, give a visit to the tons of tips from Julyne at Beauty Over Age 50: Beauty Tips for Women Over Age 50 at about.com -- just off the beach waves;  make spray bottle with several tablespoons of sea salt and water.  Spritz damp hair, scrunch and let hair air dry.  Most hair having natural wave, the sea salt will enhance the wave.