Just last week I was so excited to get three new things out… and then as it did for all of us, priorities suddenly changed! There’s no news flashes here and no brilliant ideas… I just thought I’d give you an update on what’s happening in my world and invite you to share what’s happening in yours. We’re going to need the human contact! If you’re sick of hearing about COVID, this post isn’t for you. But I’m interspersing the post with unrelated, but beautiful photos of this and that, because that’s what I usually do and normalcy is a friend right now.
I understand that a lot of this is hysteria, and that most of us aren’t going to die. That being said, #flattenthecurve makes total sense to me…. if we don’t slow the spread to keep this manageable for health care providers, it’s going to turn into tragedy for many people.
So…. I did all the things I need to do for those closest to me. Business has pretty much stopped. There was no need to run out and raid stores for TP and hand sanitizer because the wonderful Mr. SFO has always believed in stocking up. (Me, after one of his frequent BJs trips: You spent $40 on paper towels!!??)
My mom is 87 and, while in good health, is our biggest concern. She is moving this week into a gorgeous new condo which we have been looking forward to for weeks but now is a huge, ill-timed, inconvenience. We have her on lockdown with plenty of bleach wipes and hand sanitizer.
I drove down to NY (from Boston) and back in one day to retrieve our daughter. Initially resistant, I think being stuck in a tiny apartment with three other people was less attractive in the end than coming here, even though that tiny apartment is now referred to as “home.” In the manner of youth, she is most concerned with the social justice aspect of all of this which makes me want to hug her, even though we aren’t supposed to for two weeks.
Now that the most urgent things are in place, my thoughts have moved on to those not in my inner circle. While I completely agree with social distancing right now, this is gonna kill our already fragile brick ‘n mortar quilt-y world. And all but one of my family can work from home. My heart goes out to those who now must stay home with kids and have no assurance of a paycheck.
Some of my close friends have asked me if I am poised to make money on this… everyone will be sitting home sewing right? Maybe people will “binge stitch” the entire Cloud Club series. But everyone is so distracted, and I’ve been so absent, business is a trickle. It seems to me so ridiculous and self-serving to send out an email trying to sell something right now— I am still getting plenty of these emails from my favorite retailers, most of whom do not mention the news, and they feel hollow and disconnected from reality.
So what’s the strategy? We can’t all sit here and watch the death toll rise every day or worry because our throat feels scratchy. We’re thinking “Pay it Forward.” The design at the top of this post is free and we hope it gives you a smile. (Link below.) And we’re going to start another four week free stitch-a-long in the near future to give us all something to mark the weeks by. Stitches of the Sea will be out this month– a koi pond, and the Cottages of the Month will continue on. Other than that, I’m not sure what I have the heart for– the thought occurred that by working on a stock of Christmas designs, I could project myself into the future, when all of this is over!
Our very best to you– we’d love to hear from you below– share your story and know that we’re all listening–that’s all we have for now!
One Stitch at a Time 
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