Friday, March 13, 2020

Crafting in a Time of Corona

The map is lighting up with red dots as people in an increasing number of world countries get the coughing sickness and while only a short while ago it seemed like a distant and exaggerated threat, in the last few days it has become distressingly real.
My international circle of acquaintances is speaking about how the virus affects their lives and suddenly we're chatting with one another much more than usual. Everyone agrees that we're in for several months of minimized contact with other people while the virus burns itself out. The internet will be our stand-in for postponed shows, nixed shopping trips with our friends, canceled club meetings and workshops.
In the last week, readers of my retrospective blog posts have increased by a whopping 784%! This flurry of activity has prompted me to come out of hiding and add my few cents worth with some fresh blog content. If I'm going to have a captive audience, I might as well make good use of it, haha! But seriously, this is not my only motive. If we help to entertain and inform one another, we will get through this challenge so much better.
I might not have been blogging for the last few months but I've been composing posts in my thoughts continuously and I've actually been working on some exciting things. Now seems like a good time to share them and help to cheer everyone up. You can look forward to random posts about miniatures, my life, teddy bear patterns, tarantulas, bicycles, and if it becomes necessary, possibly even a tasty recipe for the last few dry beans and teaspoon of apricot jam left in your cupboard after the apocalypse.
Whichever country you're in, there has never been a better time to stay at home and do crafts. Corona virus is a real and serious threat and every one of our lives is going to be affected by it. Even if we are fortunate enough not to get sick, we will suffer economic and social consequences.
Let's start by being considerate; avoid gathering in public unless it's necessary, and wash your hands!



22 comments:

  1. I agree with every word you posted. Let's be grateful for our hobby which will keep us occupied and cheerful. While we work, we can, those of us who enjoy music, listen and enjoy it.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Drora, in times of crisis, you want a crafter at your side! We know how to fix things and we're generally calm and pragmatic. I look forward to reading your posts over the coming weeks.

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  2. Totalmente de acuerdo Megan, estamos en un momento muy preocupante, ventajas y desventajas de la globalización , todo está unido . Cuidarse mucho y cumplir con las recomendaciones.Besos

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    1. Thank you Rosa! I'm all in favour of turning the planet into a global village but this crisis will hopefully be a reminder that we also need to make plans for the problems we create by moving around so much. Remember to buy a stock of extra food for your doggie in case there comes a time when you can't leave the house. At least yours doesn't eat as much as mine!

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  3. Love in the Time of Cholera/ Crafting in the Time of Corona
    Well said, Megan

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    1. You got it, Elizabeth! I was hoping I'm not the only one. I've already read your Land's End post twice, but I'm still busy looking at the pictures. Stunning work as always.

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  4. A great post! My mom always said, "There never was an ill wind that didn't blow some good." Well, with this virus it may be hard to find the good, but then, maybe not.

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    1. Mary, I've not read your lovely blog before. Thank you for posting a comment, it's a pleasure to discover your writing! A few years ago, a gear seized on our electric gate motor during a holiday and we couldn't find anyone to come and fix it for a few days. I said at the time that this is my idea of paradise - an excuse to stay at home and have some peace from the world. Although the Corona situation is very serious, I hope that it will teach more people to be content with their own company, a lesson we crafters learned a long time ago.

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  5. Yes, the thought of bunkering down and spend more time crafting is not all bad especially when we can still connect so easily.

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    1. Anna, I intend to make the absolute best of this time. Not that I would ever wish a plague on the world but I think it's time that people learn to be a little more self contained and happy at home.

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  6. Megan es una buena reflexión! Lo mejor ante esta situación,es pasarla lo mejor posible,no sirve entrar en pánico,ni volverse locos comprando comida que no va a faltar,es seguir las recomendaciones sanitarias y estar entretenidos,eso a nosotros nos va a resultar fácil,siempre tenemos algo entre manos!
    Y posteando,también ayudamos a los demás a estar entretenidos y dejar a un lado por un momento las preocupaciones.
    Esperando ver tus nuevas cosas y cuidaros mucho!!
    Besos.

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    1. Dear Pilar. I know that you are suffering with health issues. As the contagion in Spain gets worse, I hope that you will stay safe and be healthy. I'm eagerly watching the progress on your dollhouses; you've been so productive lately! I love the little grey horse, by the way.

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  7. I think anyone who isn't working outside the home, which almost by definition is the most 'vulnerable' group of seniors and people with poor health should simply hunker down. This not only (hopefully) will protect them but it will also stop them passing it on if they are already infected. I honestly think people fear 'cabin fever' whereas we mini folk positively embrace it. I have cancelled a couple of forward events and don't intend to go out (other than my garden!) unless it is absolutely necessary. First task ..... I need to make pictures and mirrors.... off I go....

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    1. Marilyn, I've loved your recent posts about dressing windows and hanging pictures, both things I haven't done much of in my dollhouses. You are right that many of the most vulnerable people already stay at home. I hope that their family and neighbours will assist them through the crisis. In future posts, I will be talking about people who have to go out, and what we can do to help them too.

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  8. Well said. I am a member of that vulnerable group of seniors. I and my miniaturist friends cannot meet at the senior living center, and are wise to not meet at all. But are any of us upset over the restrictions? No, now we have no choice but to devote more time to our hobby/passion.

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    1. Sherrill, fortunately you have a lovely dollhouse project to keep you busy through the crisis. Plus, you have lots of internet research to do for your chosen theme, so you should not be bored. Looking forward to your posts!

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  9. I fully agree with you, Megan!
    I've stayed at home since a week now, and now the institutes take more precautions, we should all stay at home as much as you can. The only thime I personally go outdoors, is for doing some needed groceries. But there are lots of stupid people, who are hoarding as much food and stuff, as they can get, in their shopping cart, as if they had to stay in their homes for ever, it's pure madness! The consequences are that the people, who work in education, our (now so very needed!!) health services, police and so on can't buy their food at evening, when they come in the supermarket after work. In times of need, like now, some people are sooo selfish that it makes me very angry! Let's think of each other and help each other, if possible.
    Stay safe and sound, Megan, take care!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Ilona, the stupid people make me laugh, but it also makes me furious. Unfortunately, at a time like this we will see how selfish society can be. I'm composing a post about what we can do to physically assist others. I will mention the hoarding syndrome in there.

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  10. I admire your spirit Megan because when there is nothing one can do about a situation we can still lift each other up! I have to confess tho that when I heard that all of our schools would be closed for at least six weeks my first instinct was to post on our community board that I would welcome all of the neighborhood kids over to come and make minis with me! Selfish, right?!? :O)
    I am so looking forward to your posts and participating in keeping our amazing little community calm and creative whatever may come. Hugs!

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    1. Yaaargh! Little kids are germ traps. You are such a caring and generous person Jodi. Just be sure to take their temperature at the door ;-) But sure, my thought on closing schools and stopping all unecessary gatherings (apart from being essential to stop the virus from spreading) is that the world can use a break. In the last few years it started feeling to me that people never stop rushing and personally, I've been very stressed because of the pace of life. Going to Germany last year helped a lot, my husband was wise to send me. This is also a reason I stopped blogging for a while, just too much pressure. I hope that many people will use the pandemic as an opportunity to rest, and to re-evaluate their attitude to life and society.

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  11. I too can only agree with you... it's frightening what kind of dynamic this got in just a few days. This noon Denmark closed the border to Germany and from Monday on all schools and kindergartens will be closed.

    Yes, we're lucky that we know well how to spend our time at home having fun... but let's still hope all of this will not last too long.

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Birgit, you are fortunate to live in one of the countries in the world which seems to be best equipped to cope with the pandemic. So far, Germany has had the fewest deaths, and people are behaving much better than elsewhere. Even though many people don't like her, you also have a chancellor who doesn't talk nonsense and lies, aren't you lucky?
      I always enjoy reading your posts so much; in the current situatiion they will be even more precious.

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