The Library

[ANNIE]

The Library Our library  is open 24/7; the welcome mat is always out. Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

I have put away Cold Burn and do not recommend it!  It’s not worth wasting your time.  Boring!!!

Hello Julie!  I have cousins who live in Champaign and Urbana. My grandparents lived near there also until they moved to Indianapolis.  My grandma and my mother had the 1918 pandemic flu and almost died from it.  My mother was 6 years old and suffered the rest of her life with asthma. She died at 82 years! Amazing lady!

Karen or Dana, I am in assisted living and we are still eating in our dining room sitting 2 diners to a table.  I walk inside in the hallways when it’s cold outside.  Yesterday it was 73 degrees outside and I walked the hill outside.  We are surrounded by a state forrest so when I walk outside I can listen to the birds and we are half a mile from the road.  Lots of privacy in here!  I love Villas in Columbus Ohio. 

PatH, I asked your sister, Joan join us here!  Sure hope she does.

Looks like we are going through the flu pandemic together.  Sharing our stories just like we have always done since 1997.  That’s 23 years my precious friends. It’s added a whole new layer to my life. 

Hope you all feel the same way! 🤓❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏

[PatH]

Yes, Annie, SeniorLearn added a layer to my life too.  I made so many friends, read so many books, learned so much.  It's surprising how often something comes my way and I think "I learned that on SeniorLearn."

Take care, all.

[Dana]

Karen I think you can't have got to the bit where he describes the Pul Mela, festival I guess,on the Ganges....compared to that, Holi is chicken feed.....

I was never with senior net, Annie..

[BarbStAubrey]

Great to see your posts Karen - there is a benefit to all that sun seems the virus does not live or live as long in the hot sun - the ultra violet rays last I read is what kills the virus

Did you or you Dana see the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that takes place in India - group of English elders retire in this hotel and how they each handle their retirement in this new location with a young man, if I remember the son of the owner, anyhow he is the feature of the hotel - I believe there was a squeal since the character played by Judi Dench marries another retiree, if I remember I think it was the character played by Bill Nighy.

Annie who would have believed we would all be here for so many years - we read lots of great books over those years haven't we and still have the memory of some of the get-to-gathers - Chicago and the closing of the Blackstone is still a wild and later funny episode we carry with us. 

Pat it sounds like regardless which coast you hunker down in they both have a lot going on.

Just heard from Cody, one of my grands who was going to visit - we chatted and chatted - actually he sees taking his classes online will be easier and he saves that big drive and the search for a parking space - he is pleased with his choice to save money and is looking forward to the switch to T Tech - he may stay one more semester to get some of the basics for his business classes done - he has it worked out to do a double major, Engineering and Business - he really wants to have his own business one day - we were looking at all the benefits the changes brought on at this point - lots of folks who prefer to go on and on, 'the sky is falling' that act more like broncing horses fighting the saddle - such wasted energy all over something new...

Life goes on - bluebonnets are out - would prefer a sunny day to take a ride and enjoy the fields of blue - good friend's mare lost her new born foal yesterday and she is still looking for someone who needs a nursing mare - neighbors kicked in and are having brought to the workers at the two local grocery stores, dinner for HEB and breakfast for the night crew at Randall's to thank them for taking care of us in this neighborhood and thank goodness the city put off voting on the change in zoning laws that many of us were up in arms over - the streets are empty being washed down with all the rain and flocks of birds keep flying in on their way north.

[nlhome]

Julie, welcome. You said Litchfield? We used to go from SW Wisconsin down through that area, stopped there a couple of times on our way to SE Georgia. We liked to get off the Interstate whenever we could. Illinois from those Interstate highways is boring.

Our libraries are closed, although many are doing "book bags" where we can go to the online catalogs and pick out materials we want. A staff member will put the materials in a bag and deliver to the car in the parking lot at a pre-arranged time. This is much like the restaurants are doing. Food for the mind. I have "The Other Einstein" waiting on my table to read, but I am still catching up on mail and local newspapers from our week away.

We had a sunny day, finally, so even though it was only 39 degrees, we sat out on our south-facing deck this afternoon with our neighbor, one in each corner, and had glasses of wine and some conversation. Social distancing is not so hard for my husband and me, but for others new to retirement or inactivity, it's hard to be so locked down. I still have more projects on my list than energy to do them. Our 5-year-old granddaughter has asked me to write down all the stories I have been telling her and her sister at bedtime. Those are "grandma when she was little" and "my mom when she was little" stories. So that is what is up next for me, after I finish the minutes of our library board and foundation meetings.

[jelizondo]

Julie, welcome. You said Litchfield? We used to go from SW Wisconsin down through that area, stopped there a couple of times on our way to SE Georgia. We liked to get off the Interstate whenever we could. Illinois from those Interstate highways is boring.

Our libraries are closed, although many are doing "book bags" where we can go to the online catalogs and pick out materials we want. A staff member will put the materials in a bag and deliver to the car in the parking lot at a pre-arranged time. This is much like the restaurants are doing. Food for the mind. I have "The Other Einstein" waiting on my table to read, but I am still catching up on mail and local newspapers from our week away.

We had a sunny day, finally, so even though it was only 39 degrees, we sat out on our south-facing deck this afternoon with our neighbor, one in each corner, and had glasses of wine and some conversation. Social distancing is not so hard for my husband and me, but for others new to retirement or inactivity, it's hard to be so locked down. I still have more projects on my list than energy to do them. Our 5-year-old granddaughter has asked me to write down all the stories I have been telling her and her sister at bedtime. Those are "grandma when she was little" and "my mom when she was little" stories. So that is what is up next for me, after I finish the minutes of our library board and foundation meetings.

Thank you!!  I am enjoying this site.  Yes, Litchfield, IL!  It is a small world isn't it?  As I meet new people seems to get smaller and smaller!    We (Litchfield that is!) have a museum now that is right off of Old Route 66 that is very interesting.  If you ever get the chance, stop by and check it out!  We have people from all over the world stopping by to check it out!

Hello All, I am so glad to have found all of you.  I look forward to making new friends and discussing interesting books.  Latin class starts back tomorrow!  Yay, I miss it.  It's a fun class and I am learning so much!  Talk later!  Goodnight friends! Julie

[nlhome]

Julie, we did specifically get on and off to do that old route 66. Went on one piece that I wish I could remember, with a town square and the nicest coffee shop. Guess that if we ever get back to normal days, we should take investigate further.

RosemaryKaye, it is so good to see you back here.

[rosemarykaye]

Thanks so much nlhome, it is so good to be back. I don't know what happened in between, the time just slipped away - every month I'd think 'I must check back in to seniorlearn' and then another few months would pass.

This is a terrible time for many, but for those of us who are lucky enough to be (so far) healthy there are silver linings to be found, I am reading far more, I am avoiding social media, and I am getting out in nature (on very solitary, or just with husband, walks) and today we had a fabulous walk from here to Drumoak, past woodlands, fields, and some amazing properties that i had no idea were there, so we played that usual game of 'one day we will move to a house like that, with a summer house, a turret, a bell tower', or whatever...  And we saw a red kite soaring above some tall Scots pines - the only other time I ever saw one was, I think, on Islay or Skye. Beautiful birds.  Passed a very few other walkers and cyclists, but we all kept our distance and just said hello as we moved along. We are so lucky to be in one of the most beautiful, and less populated, parts of the UK.

Keep safe!

Rosemary

[ANNIE]

Jane!  I think I might have done something right because here I am posting to you! Hope this continues. I did submit the problem to the moderator. 

[ANNIE]

See here I am!
Barbara, did you get my message about “The Other Einstein “?

[Jonathan]

Nice to have you back, Rosemary. And aren't you lucky to be in Aberdeenshire. What an Arcadia!!

It's a chilly spring day here in Toronto. How nice to look out this morning and see two robins on my lawn. It didn't take them long to get here, Barb. Thanks for letting us know they were on their way.

Moll Flanders is fascinating. Life certainly was a challenge for this woman three hundred years ago. The poor soul.
 

[ANNIE]

And here I am!!
Hi Jonathan!  Have been having a phone problem.  But it’s fine now!

[jane]

Yes, Annie, you’re posting fine.  I get those Moderator reports, so all is good.

Jane

[PatH]

that's great, Annie.  Glad you fought your way back.

[bellamarie]

Jonathan, 

Moll Flanders is fascinating. Life certainly was a challenge for this woman three hundred years ago. The poor soul.

How much would you say is of her own selfish making?  She changes husbands like I wash my hands to prevent the Corona virus. Thought this was interesting:  Does Moll end up in prison!!  Oh my, I can't wait to see, and if so, could it be for bigamy.

Was Moll Flanders based on a true story?
Moll Flanders is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722. It purports to be the true account of the life of the eponymous Moll, detailing her exploits from birth until old age. ... The novel is based partially on the life of Moll King, a London criminal whom Defoe met while visiting Newgate Prison.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+many+husbands+did+Moll+Flanders+have&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS722US722&oq=how+many+husbands+did+Moll+Flanders+have+&aqs=chrome..69i57.11132j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[BarbStAubrey]

Bellamarie, remembering reading Moll I was always glad she had her looks so she could nab a husband - it was either that or prostitution and switching husbands was one step closer to respectability in my mind even when I first read of her exploits in High School where as prostitution seemed like courting an early death. Without a family to turn too regardless how poor a family was, she had no one at her back did she. I thought the only way to get through the book considering all she was up against was to make it a comedy - sorta like a comedy of errors - where as to get caught up in her circumstances with few ways to fix them at that time in history would be a depressing read wouldn't it.

Walking past fields and trees - wow - that must have been a very long walk Rosemary more like a hike... Dreaming of and imagining the future is so nice - you have to wonder the outcome of all this - will we see another cultural shift and maybe cities will loose some of their appeal. The next few years will be interesting to watch won't they.

Annie always something with the phones and computers isn't it - I've admiration for you to use a hand devise - one of the biggest objections I had was the size of them - you could not slip them in the top pocket of a shirt or shirtjacket and if they did fit into you pants pocket they always fell out - but now that I am no longer working the Computer is right here and I only have the cell for emergencies when I go out - and so no longer am I up on all the technology as you seem to be - bravo.

Jonathan I remember seeing a map showing the flight of most birds and I think your influx of Spring birds come up east of us - more through Mississippi and Alabama and actually across the ocean where as most flyways through Texas and western Louisiana appear to go north - but nice to hear that the Robins are starting their Spring and Summer cycle in your backyard. I always liked on a rainy day seeing a colorful migrating bird sitting on a large tree branch I leave near the back of the yard that helps make the yard look more woodsy. I've a couple of Chinaberry trees back there that most people hate and see them as invaders - I like them with their purple flowers in Spring and big clusters of large yellow berries in fall - they were supposed to ward off malaria - probably an 'old wives' tale but they make me smile.

I cannot believe - have you ever marveled at the thoughtfulness of you children and grandchildren - just marveled that it is happening when the history of our family could bring about anything but and has for some family members - anyhow I shared how the other day Cody calls just to chat - he is the shy one and yet we were on the phone for an hour - earlier in the week Cooper called - he is a manger now with Fed Ex and just transferred to Dallas - he was telling me all about his apartment, and the move,  and the funds that Fed Ex provided and the new table he purchased - and then I just got off the phone from Paul, their Dad and my son - here he and Sally Gale are going to put together and Fed Ex to me a box of essentials after I shared how I've tried to order online a delivery for three days but I am not as fast and so I keep missing the delivery time slots. I am in awe at the thoughtfulness - brings me to tears.

Looks like this is going to get worse before it gets better - 5 deaths in the Austin area and 300 plus cases - so now all restaurants are completely closed - no more coming by to pickup dinner at your favorite restaurant which is probably why my inability to nab a delivery time. When I could not get through yesterday after two days I did go down to the HEB - I was shocked - empty shelves and empty shelves - the only thing that was full was the fresh produce -  even the frozen food cases were empty - deli closed - bakery completely empty - some cheese and the processed lunch meats had plenty as well as the wine and beer section and there were some boxes of detergent and the Kosher food area did have some frozen soups and black and whites - this is a huge store and there was left enough food that would fit in a 7/11 if that - I was shocked and wish I had presence of mind to pick up more produce - but all I thought of was what I needed - well I won't starve and now with Paul and Sally sending me a box I will be just fine.

At first I was not sure how seriously to take this but it sounds like preparations are going forward to handle thousands more then we ever dreamed - at this point it really does not matter where it started and maybe the finger pointing will stop as we could be faced with something that may end up being as devastating as the 1918/19 influenza epidemic

Can't seem to settle down to reading today - and nothing on TV - looks like I will be on Amazon Prime movies this evening - for now Medici is streaming in Denis Matsuev playing Rachmaninov - tra la...   

[rosemarykaye]

Hi Barb,

Yes it was a long walk - I did 18,000 paces!  but it was a fine one.

That is so good that your family are sending you provisions. I took two bags of things to my mother at the weekend - did not go in, as she lives in sheltered housing and the last thing I would want to do is pass anything on by accident. She does have her meals provided, thank goodness, she just wanted some a newspaper, toothpaste, fruit and things like that. I couldn't get all of her list locally so my daughter found the rest in a big supermarket in Dundee and we collected it from her on our way down. Luckily I had taken a lot of books to Mum a few weeks ago, and also several DVDs.

I have no idea what 'black and whites' are - please enlighten me!  Our larger supermarkets sometimes have a small Kosher section, but it is still quite unusual, especially on the east coast of Scotland where there are very few practising Jewish families. We tend instead to have a large section of Polish foods and there are also some Polish grocery stores. But up here on Deeside, where I am at present, we have a small Co-Op and a Spar and that is that - however, the staff are so lovely and the shelves so diligently stocked that we are certainly not going to starve.

As I probably mentioned already, I have recorded Monarch of the Glen, which the Drama channel is repeating right from the very first episode 20 years ago, and which I had never seen even though I know the area around where it was filmed quite well.  It is very 'soapy' but fun, and easy to watch, which is what I need just now. I am amazed at the number of people who seem to want to read dystopian books and watch stuff like Contagion. I want pure escapism!

Keep well Barb,

Rosemary x

[rosemarykaye]

I read Moll Flanders many years ago and can't recall too much about it, but from what you are all saying it sounds like an early version of Vanity Fair - would you agree?  I love Becky Sharpe.

[Frybabe]

I picked up an odd Scifi novel called Reaper's Run by David Vandyke. It is part of the Plague Wars series. Anyway, I say odd because the "devastating" virus is one that heals and gives everyone a sense of well-being, eliminating, although it isn't mentioned in the novel (so far), most if not all of the Seven Deadly Sins. Of course governments and other entities are not happy about losing the ability to lord it over the populous with fear, greed, etc., so they are busy trying to wipe out anyone showing signs of having contracted the virus. It is a novel approach to apocalyptic virus stories.

I have never had the urge to read Moll Flanders, nor have I watched the movies. It sounds as if I haven't missed anything that would interest me. Your discussion of it, however, is interesting. I did not know that it was supposedly based on a real person. 

[BarbStAubrey]

Rosemary black and whites are a cookie - large (4 to 5 inch diameter) round thick and soft, cake like with sugar icing on top, an even half covered in white icing and the other half chocolate icing - one of the few really sugar sweet Jewish deserts - most Jewish deserts that I know use honey and do not have icing. Tra la - found a photo

frybabe forgot about the seven deadly sins - so much of my concept of sin has changed - still feel confused about coming to terms with do not kill - that is OK at times - so that nearly every sin seems to be a two edged sword of good and bad. So much of science fiction over the years becomes true life and so I guess that includes deadly viruses.

Finally our local PBS is no longer fund raising and so we are back to programing - tonight includes Shakespeare and Hathaway- a bit of fun - don't like this Death in Paradise series as much - the new detective to me is still George Sunday and I keep waiting for him to fly or zap himself - to another part of the Island where one of the criminals is located.

haha just emailed my list of groceries to Sally Gale - cannot believe I'm shopping for everyday groceries 150 miles away - I guess it is no different than the Amazon pantry where you fill a box by weight.

When talking this morning I remembered as a kid having Scarlett Fever and back then the county came by and put a large yellow sign on the front door saying Quarantined so that no one - even family members could not come and go - I remembered my father sneaking in every Sunday - he brought groceries and spent time with Mom - she always had a big breakfast waiting for him - he used to walk through the Swedish farm that was adjacent to our next door neighbor, Mrs Thys who was a good friend with Mom - he would hug the back of her house and then cross the stretch between her house and ours then quickly scoot in the back door before anyone could see him and then wait till it was turning dark to leave so he could go to work. It was nice to hear his voice and after a couple of weeks he would poke his head through the doorway to say hi - I was in the sun room that was a closed in porch along the front of the house - Timely the Christmas before I received a radio - small, red, and while recuperating I listened to baseball games.  I was 6 and my sister was not quite 4 - evidently we were quarantined when I had whooping cough but I was only 6 months old - for other things like measles and mumps, everyone got them and no quarantine.   

Where has the time gone - goodness between phone calls, emails and Senior Learn been in this chair for nearly 4 hours - I'm off.

[haboyer]

My latest reading seems to be Russian skewed! All have been wonderful.

Pravda Ha Ha by Rory MacLean
Young Heros of the Soviet Union by Alex Halberstadt

And William Dalrymple is always a good read...City of Djinns/ A Year in Delhi especially

[PatH]

Welcome, Haboyer, thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't heard of some of them.  Come in and chat anytime.

[nlhome]

We have robins. We have had a couple of warmer (in the 40's) days, and today finally it was a bit dried out, so we could prune apple trees and cut brush and haul it away. Tomorrow our state starts a firmer "Stay in Place" instruction, still have take-out food and can go places, just not groups or unnecessary trips, and "unnecessary" employers must close. Not sure of the definition, but this will be easier on us than on working people. Our neighbors are having a hard time of it, but they are willing to do our shopping for us, and we can chat in the back yards, not too close. So far our governor has not shut down the April primary, so we are doing absentee ballots. We have local races and a state supreme court justice that I want to vote for. Right now reading is on the back burner. I've spent a lot of time on the phone with kids who worry about us. We do have a son and his wife who are living in Germany while he works there. So far they have income and insurance, so are fine where they are. I noticed when we visited that their landlady had left a whole long shelf of books in their living room, some really good and current mysteries, so I told my daughter-in-law she should start reading - many of them were in English. She's not a big reader, so it will be interesting to see if she can get caught up in one of them. They cannot go out much at all, are limited to 2 people together so she says she needs to wait outside the small shops until there are no customers before she can go in.

[Jonathan]

 

I have City of Djinns. Been meaning to read it for years. But first another book in the same category: Living on the Wind, Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds, by Scott Weidensaul. I find Moll Flanders absorbing. I see it as a cautionary tale. I'm reminded of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Moll has so many regrets. Does so much penance. So many serious reflections on her life. She's such a victim of circumstance.

[bellamarie]

Welcome haboyer! I am not familiar with your titles and authors, but Russian novels sound intriguing.

Oh Jonathan, I have to giggle reading this....

Moll has so many regrets. Does so much penance. So many serious reflections on her life. She's such a victim of circumstance.

I'm not sure where you are in the book, but I am just over half way through and Moll has become greedy, and gives into the temptation of the devil, as she says.  She has stopped doing penance, and has stopped even feeling guilty of the crimes she is committing. Which I assume will be her downfall.

Barb, 

remembering reading Moll I was always glad she had her looks so she could nab a husband - it was either that or prostitution and switching husbands was one step closer to respectability in my mind

I, much like Moll, sees her changing husbands/men without ever marrying some, or divorcing a few, as close to being a mistress, or prostitute as you can come.  I mean she does take their money, gifts and steals from them.  I take issue with the author mentioning the children she has given birth to, but not really giving clear explanation as to where they all actually are. We are told where four are, but she had two sons with the last husband, and it says she left the one with the woman to care for, yet there is no mention about the second one. 

Like scripture says, Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Moll's beauty has indeed faded with age, and she has decided to resort to thievery, since her looks no longer attracts men.

Rosemarykaye,  I have never read Vanity Fair, so I wouldn't know how Moll Flanders compares to it.

Frybabe, No, you are not missing out on anything, having not read Moll Flanders.  While I'm glad I am reading it, I must say she is a very frustrating character.

nlhome, We have had Robins for about two weeks now.  Our bird feeders have dozens of different types of birds, but one thing I've learned, is the Robins don't eat birdseed. They prefer to forage for their food in lawns and open areas. But water is essential for them to drink and bathe in, so they frequent my covered pool.

It's so nice to hear all of you mention how your family is keeping in touch, and watching out for each other.  My son managed to let our two grandkids, Zak & Zoey, face time me and my hubby today.  Oh what joy it was to see their sweet faces, and talk to them about how they are coping with this virus. Zak is going to be twelve in April and tells me he does all his school work the teacher provides for them on the internet.  Zoey who is nine, has gotten into watching movies her Dad watched as a child, and is reading a lot of chapter books.  She isn't as diligent as Zak, in doing her school work at home.  But, from what we are hearing, it may very well be they will not be returning to their schools for the rest of the school year, so I'm not sure how the school board will proceed in completing grade cards, and advancing them to the next grade level.  Our granddaughter Avery is a Senior and I just feel so bad that she and her classmates were not able to experience all the "lasts" that occur before graduating.  We are hoping the schools will allow them to receive their diplomas, and not require certain credits to be fulfilled.  This virus has surely turned our world upside down.  I'm sure you are all hearing there have been some positive results in the few drugs used of malaria, that is giving much hope to fight this virus.  I have begun sewing surgical masks to donate to the area hospitals, due to the shortage.  I have a friend who is a nurse, so when I am finished with the masks, I will place them in a plastic bag, and put them on my porch, for her to pick up and take to the hospital to distribute them.  I have enough material and supplies to make at least six dozen masks.  If I can order material online and have it delivered, I will make more.  All elastic is out of stock everywhere, even online, due to people making these masks, so I saw where you could use elastic headbands.  Our Dollar Tree had only five packs, of five, so I had my hubby buy all of them. When I run out, I will make cloth ties.

You all stay safe and healthy.

[rosemarykaye]

Wow Bellamarie, that is such good work, well done!

Last night we were suddenly hit with a whole raft of new regulations for a lockdown. While I entirely get why these had to be imposed (especially given the idiotic behaviour of certain sections of the public) I think we had expected 24 hours' notice, as they were given in France.  As it turned out, my youngest daughter was still in Dundee, where she is at university. The art department had closed for face-to-face teaching some time ago, but she and her best friend thought they would just stay on in their flat. When things got worse they wanted to leave, and I certainly wanted her home, but my husband wanted to wait till the weekend to drive to fetch her as he is working from home (and takes that much more seriously than the rest of us slackers...) - once we had heard the new rules last night I was beside myself as I thought he would not be able to reach her, but he left before 6 this morning and in fact had no trouble. (Luckily it's only about an hour from Aberdeen to Dundee then an hour and a half from Dundee to Edinburgh - it would have been so much worse if she had still been in London).

So now she and her older sister are in Edinburgh and husband and I are on Deeside, which is all fine. Well maybe not 'fine' but the best we can hope for in the circumstances. We all have somewhere to live, enough food, enough money, etc so I think we are really richly blessed. I am following the Daily Faith Sharing videos of Father James Martin, whom I find such a good and sensitive speaker.

So now I can go back to my books and DVDs in peace, but first I am going to do some gardening - I have pieris, buddleia and lavender to plant, and everything is now starting to spring into life. Blackbirds, robins, blue tits all visiting, and I might if I am lucky see the heron resident on the river.

Take care,

Rosemary

[rosemarykaye]

I was just wondering if you had maybe already chatted about Negroland by Margo Jefferson, which I read recently? I found it very interesting.

[PatH]

Good for you, Bellamarrie, to sew masks for the health care providers instead of to hoard.

Rosemarykaye, I'm so glad you got all your family settled as well as possible.

I don't think anyone's even mentioned Negroland here, certainly not had a conversation about it.  It sounds fascinating.

[rosemarykaye]

Thanks Pat, yes very relieved to have both the girls in Edinburgh, if not up here with me. London in particular is not a good place for anyone to be just now.


Negroland is indeed fascinating. I think I may have left my copy in Edinburgh by mistake, but I would definitely recommend it. It gives a whole new angle on the lives of people of colour.

Best wishes, Rosemary

[BarbStAubrey]

For those who read David Foster Wallace or wanted to know more about him the Ransom Center at UT had a symposium and here is part of that symposium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAfuZRryjHk

[Jonathan]

Just back from the shopping mall, very popular with seniors as a social venue. Hardly anyone there and most shops were closed. Luckily, the hardware store was open, so I got the candles (the last on the shelf), the batteries and the furnace filters I wanted, exchanged a few words with a senior, who, I got the impression, just had to talk to someone, and came home after stopping  for more provisions at the grocery store. I've bottled a lot of water just in case (I couldn't survive without my cuppa....)

You're right about Moll, Bellamarie, it's a constant refrain: 'The devil made me do it.'  She also says a lot about necessity driving her to her stealing ways. Poverty is the root of much evil. She is determined to be a survivor. Not to get caught....not to get hanged for picking someone's pocket. Criminal law was a harsh business in England then. Establishing far away penal colonies was easy with the worldwide empire.

[bellamarie]

Rosemarykaye,  I'm so glad your daughter got situated.  It can be so worrisome as a parent when we can't be with our child, no matter what age they are. 

Jonathan, you are brave to go to a mall at a time like this.  Our state is on lock down, we can only go out for groceries or medicine.  My son is considered an "essential worker" so I worry about him going into his stores each day.  He gets the first mask I completed. 

I have a nurse friend who works in the hospital, who saw I was making these masks, and this is a message she sent me: 

Not trying to be a pain but I have a question. I go back to work thurs and they are trying to make us reuse the mask we have which are disposable and that is very nasty to me. Is there any chance I could pick one up from u tomorrow? Wasn’t sure if u had any done or not. Thanks

My niece who works in an elder care center sent this: 

"Are you making these to donate/sell? My job is currently looking for some masks!"


I accomplished five masks yesterday, and my eyes had to have a rest.  I hope to get ten done today.  The need is real! 

Ya'll stay safe, stay healthy and STAY HOME!!!





Please feel free to resize.

[BarbStAubrey]

Bellamaire it looks like you are using cotton broadcloth - looks like you are folding it and then pleating it - are you lining them? And the elastic - how many inches also how many inches across the mask and how many inches of cloth before it is folded an pleated - I guess an inch dimension with directions.

[PatH]

Bellamarie, I love the material you're using.  Just because we're in crisis, we mustn't forget we have hearts.

[bellamarie]

Barb, Here is a tutorial for how to make them.  You are to use 100% tight woven cotton, and 100% cotton thread.  I did not have any interface or flannel, so I only made them 2 layers.  It does NOT require the 3rd layer, but some people are using it.  It is not folded.  If you watch the tutorial you will see they are two separate pieces of cloth.  VERY easy to make.  The cloth is 9 X 6 inches and you can use elastic for the ears, or make cloth ties.  The elastic strips are 7", but that is seeming a bit large, so I am going to go 6" instead.  Lots of different tutorials out there.
https://youtu.be/4FB--BOyTiU

PatH., Yes, I loved the material, and thought those in the hospitals will feel a little special while going through this crisis.

[Jonathan]

God bless you, Bellamarie. Keeping  yourself busy, and doing so much good. And if you should save one life...it would make you a saint.




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[ANNIE]

I have been trying to post here for three days and asking the moderator for help and I just got my reply button back!  Thank you so much! 👩‍⚖️ moderator!! You are the best! 

[ANNIE]

I have enjoyed reading all your posts but just ended up ROFLOL at the making safe face masks that correctly made for health care providers with pictures that Bellamarie  put up here! Fantastic Bella! I really am a SeniorLearn learner!🤓🤣🙏💕 Thanks so much!

[BarbStAubrey]

ah of course - thanks Bellamarie - everything is on Youtube - called a few places and evidently the hospitals and the two homes for elders I called do not need masks - you'll never guess what is out in this area - rice - with so many from Louisiana chased here by Katrina rice is basic to their cooking and both homes for the elderly said they needed rice but then I have not been able to get any rice for two weeks now - looks like we have our priorities

Glad you got in Annie

[PatH]

Rice is out here too, Barb.  I think it's a pretty universal staple.