Thursday, April 02, 2020

Not too bad a day, although weak on exercise. I got the recycling sorted and tidied and put out for collection. I had a good lunch. I received two more deliveries, including the gochugaru red pepper; surely the scarf kit will be here soon. Now that I’ve got the gochugaru, I need a delivery slot at a grocery store that might have Chinese leaves (=Napa cabbage). Not so easy. I’ve got a cabbage here already – I suspect a Korean grandmother would roll up her sleeves and use that.

The other delivery was cider, and required a signature. But we don’t do that in these troubled times. He stood well back from the door and asked me my date of birth. I had to repeat it. He clearly didn’t believe that time went as far back as 1933.

One of the columnists in the Times this morning included some Seclusion Tips from a military man. They ran along the lines we had been talking about here. Here are two good ones: Take time and pride in what would normally be menial tasks. And, Clean something to a degree you wouldn’t normally, every day.

I doubt if I’ll do either. But I keep circling back to Shandy’s idea of knitting a series of quick things, such as Coronavirus Hats for All. I’ve got quite a bit of madtosh DK in my extensive stash, and the world is full of wonderful hat patterns.

And I’ve reached row 12 of the Cameron Shawl borders – 7 is the final pattern row. There are some blanks at the end. My best course would surely be to finish this piece before flinging myself into the scarf, if I have the strength of character.

I am beginning to have an uneasy feeling (are some lace experts among you laughing up their sleeves?) that a lace chart can’t just be knit upside down, as a Fair Isle chart could be. At least, not in all cases. The only way to establish the truth would be with some swatching. It might be interesting.

COVID-19

I am beginning to worry about finance, as many others must be doing. How many LYS’s will be able to keep going? And what about me? How secure are my pensions and welcome bits of dividend income, as the world totters?


12 comments:

  1. I used to follow a blog - can't remember whose - where there a couple of mantras which have stuck with me. Not that I follow them all the time. One was "Get dressed to shoes" and another was to start the day by "Shining your sink" meaning that all washing-up was cleared.
    Not so easy to do these things if you are feeling low though.

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    1. Yes, Fly Lady. Was “make your bed” on the list too?

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    2. Yes! I followed her for a short while just to get my act together. But she's too energetic and organising for me!

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    3. Too bossy for me!

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    4. And not everyone wears shoes inside the home.

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  2. There are lace patterns which cannot be knitted upside down but you might also invent something entirely new!

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  3. Jean, how is your daughter doing? I hope the antibiotics are doing the trick. Today, I received an email message from our dental group, who said that they were still seeing patients with emergencies like infections, a broken tooth, or who are in pain. First, they'll have a telephone consult, and if required they'll see the patient (while waiving the consult fee and reducing the fee for a visit deemed necessary.) I felt such a rush of gratitude towards them--even though I have no problems at the moment. Long ago I had a bad dental abscess, and it was excruciating. It would have been terrible indeed if my dentist couldn't help at that time.

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  4. I just love reading your writing. You’re an inspiration Jean. ��

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  5. I like those seclusion tips. Definitely something to keep in mind.
    I do hope Helen can be seen by a dentist. Surely this sort of thing can't be left to fester?

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  6. Kate Davies is doing a hat pattern for £1. I got an email about it but possibly also available on Ravelry. It's a nice hat.

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  7. I might try "Clean something to a degree you wouldn’t normally, every day." Should be fairly easy - I'd be spoiled for choice ;)

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