It's difficult to believe that just 5 weeks ago , Ian and I were having Sunday lunch at the Carriage Restuarant in between talks at Faversham Literary Festival before I headed off to the Lake District for my
annual sewing retreat. So much has changed.
At the Carriage, Nicky and Tania are doing a fantastic job
cooking meals for those who need them , and we're luckier than most. Ian was already working 3 days a week from home but now full time, not having to go into London which was our biggest worry tho' he's working longer hours answering peoples concerns.
I was lucky enough to squeeze in a haircut just before lockdown which should last me a while. Faversham has a real community spirit and open spaces to exercise in. There's several local food suppliers besides the supermarkets, and we've got a full small chest freezer ( batch cooking is something we've always done)
Like many creative people, in theory I have lots of time at home now to stitch and draw , and lots of projects I could be working on but as many people are finding, concentration and motivation are limited. This week I've spent a lot of time in phone calls with my MIL , finalising an online food order for them to delivered on Monday ( she's used to shopping almost daily ) .
Thank goodness for the internet and social media, I'm probably more in daily contact with people than I've ever been . Since January I've been posting daily black and white photographs( ' Small Reflections') with a group of around 150 people locally.
I used to meet once a month with sketching friends at the
'Hot Tin'. We all did the #30daysketchingchallenge and now we can't meet up physically, we're taking it in turns to set prompts which has been challenging and hugely entertaining. I'm already thinking of what ones I'll set.
' HotTinGirls'
' Luxury' ( Reading in the bath , with apologies to Bonnard)
'Temptation' ( looking at reference material when I should be doing something else)
Likewise the 'Drawing Tuesday' group, with museums closed and not able to meet up has gone virtual. Last week we were all drawing tablecloths.
On the Oast Quilters Facebook page we've been keeping in contact , posting photos of our studios, first quilts and having a drink together at 6.30 on a Friday ! ( the small circular depression on my SewEzi table is just the right size for a wine glass!) What do you call #trainstitching when you no longer travel?...
The 'Edgy Stitchers' group I belong to had met up at a members house at the beginning of March - most of what we discussed then like visiting exhibitions is irrelevant now. It was lovely to have a Zoom meeting with some of them , see their studios and sharing what we'd been up to, as well as our frustrations, I look forward to more of these virtual gatherings.
Being in contact with friends and family is so important , sharing helps to diminish the worries a little ( as does shared laughter)
Keep well, keep safe.