Emilie Richards's Blog, page 31
March 31, 2020
Face Masks? Something to Consider, Something to Make
Today’s post has only one thing to do with writing. These days I’m spending my mornings making face masks and not wrestling with my book in progress all day long. That was the writing part. You almost missed it.
Why Face Masks? Do they make sense?
Weeks ago when I heard that quilters were making face masks to pass on to medical personnel, my ears perked up. I have collected a lot of fabric over the years, and I’m bothered by the sheer waste of having it sitting in my sewing area–which is, unfortunately, easily visible in our bedroom.
I began to study whether it really made sense to make homemade face masks. At first the data wasn’t convincing. Not helpful. Not good enough. We have enough masks.
Now new information.
But lately? Headlines are changing. Consider this recent article from the Washington Post, where we learn that the CDC is considering requesting that we ALL wear masks in public. Or how about this one from The New York Times suggesting that all those face-mask-happy quilters weren’t just keeping themselves busy. They were doing a public service.
Because masks made sense to me from the beginning, even when the experts were shaking their heads and feuding, I began collecting patterns. Novelist Eileen Dreyer, a Facebook friend and a former ER nurse, started a Facebook Page with links and information. I downloaded patterns, watched videos, considered how best to get what I needed other than the fabric. I had the fabric. I can make masks until my sewing machine disintegrates and I will still have fabric.
Elastic or Substitute?
I found a source for elastic, these days more precious than gold. I bought several packs and paid the shipping fee. Immediately their supply disappeared. Until today I thought I’d never see my order, but moments ago I was informed it’s on the way.
In the meantime, because I was out of the house for the first time in weeks yesterday, I stopped by the Dollar Store. Remember when shopping trips were part of daily life? Yesterday I wandered the Dollar Store like the proverbial kid in a candy store, almost by myself. And I came home with five packages of narrow elastic headbands, each of which are the perfect size to make two ear loops for a mask. Be still my heart. I’ve included that link not so you can order, but so you can see exactly what I mean. Narrow elastic, okay? Not the Hilary Clinton fancy headbands. Narrow. More like ponytail elastics but larger.
So now I have no excuse. I have fabric. I have headbands.
If I can do this, anybody can do this….
This weekend I pulled fabric, choosing mostly batiks because it’s tightly woven. Quilters cotton is good, too, but the batiks feel stiff and impenetrable. I had located a smidgen of elastic I’d bought to make American Girl doll clothes for a granddaughter. My AG doll clothes never took off, but I still had the elastic.
On Saturday I washed, ironed, and tried desperately to make bias seam binding despite apparently being a bit dyslexic and unable to follow directions. And then on Sunday, after I’d made yards of that, it was time to boogie. I wanted to make children size masks for my grandsons. I had colorful frog fabric and a bit of elastic. Life was good.
Of course since I was finally ready, I couldn’t find the elastic! I knew I’d put it somewhere safe, as I so often do. With the same results.
The good news? After totally cleaning up my sewing area–which it desperately needed–an hour later I located the elastic in a drawer. And I managed, with more trouble than I can begin to convey, to make two cute little masks to mail the boys this week.
You don’t have to be perfect. Really.
In the meantime someone on Eileen’s Facebook page had made 19 this weekend. And then to add insult to injury, our paper featured a local quilt group who is making them by the dozens. Apparently one a minute? I don’t know. I shake my head.
So now, one mask a day.
This morning I started my every morning mask-making career. I made one for Proman (my husband). I found nonwoven interfacing in my stash, which helps block germs, so I added that. I used one of the hairbands (yay!) and after making the little mask sandwich incorrectly the first time, I tried again. Yep. Success.
He looks awful cute in it.
Now that I’m organized. Now that Alexa is cooperating and Michelle Obama is reading me her biography as I sew. Now that I have finally learned to put the interfacing on the back of the mask sandwich when I sew. Now that I have cornered the world supply of elastic and hairbands?
I’m set.
So that’s me. What about you?
If you’re interested? If you can’t find supplies for your family (my sons and daughters-in-law are now waiting for theirs)? If you want to help your medical community?
Here are some patterns for you to use. There will be better people to ask for help than me. But in a pinch, I’m here. And since I’ve made lots of mistakes already, I may be able to help you make fewer. Let me know.
Here are Youtube videos, the first three from the Fabric Patch (fabricpatch.net) in Washington State:
YouTube video explaining fabric and elastic substitutions to use.
And here’s one from the Missouri Quilt Company using bias.
And another using elastic from the Missouri Quilt Company–and the one I’m using right now.
Still more links:
General information page with links from eQuilter.com
JOANN Fabrics has been in the forefront of information and supplies
If for some reason these don’t meet your needs? Just type making face masks into Google. You’ll get all the help you can use.
Stay safe. Stay busy. Make masks!
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March 28, 2020
Sunday Inspiration: Courage Is Contagious!
“Fear is contagious. Fortunately, so is courage. Learning to become fearless will touch everyone around you, and best of all, you’ll find it’s a gift that keeps on giving.” ― Michelle Aguilar, author
How are you this week?
Life has been turned upside down for all of us. Some of us are suffering the inconveniences of being trapped in our homes for the foreseeable future, while others are suffering the loss of their jobs and financial safety net, and still others have lost a loved one or may be ill themselves.
This crisis shows how connected we are, both in terms of a contagious disease running rampant across the globe and the way we respond to this tragedy. Our fear is certainly contagious, jumping from person to person every time we hear more bad news. But courage and compassion are also contagious when we hear stories of those who have persevered and reached out to help others.
The doctors and nurses who are on the front lines of the pandemic and who are so vulnerable are the real heroes. But let’s not forget the courage of those who are shopping for and delivering food to the sick and elderly, and those who continue to work in nursing homes in spite of the risk. Then there are those who continue to hold tight — perhaps from a distance — to those they love.
That’s something we can all do.
May we hold tight to the stories of courage, compassion and love, and spread those stories from person to person to person. Communicable courage. Pass it on!
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March 25, 2020
Authors to Read When Times Are Tough
Last week my
Read Along With Emilie Richards Facebook Group
agreed that we needed a list of authors to read when times are tough.Yes, times are tough right now, more so for some of you than others. Depending on circumstances some of you aren’t reading at all, but some of you are finding that reading gives you much needed time to breathe deep and slow.
Need a break from reality?
In times of stress, I do NOT want stressful reading. I want a break from reality, a different world to escape to. I suspect many of you feel that way, too. Our Read Along group always gives recommendations, but at this difficult time in history we decided that having the names of authors we could count on right there in our files was a good idea.
Members had fun listing the authors they felt they could depend on. These authors give them hours of pleasure and a much needed vacation from worry.
Today with our group’s permission and no editing or revising from me, I’m sharing the names we came up with.
I haven’t read all these authors, but look forward to reading more. There are so many wonderful novelists out there, and just because they aren’t listed here doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be great choices to read.
If you’re interested in joining our group, click the link above, ask to join (be sure to answer the two fun questions, that we’ve instituted to weed out spammers) and enjoy not just these names, but the book recommendations that pop up every day.
Recommended Authors When Times Are Tough
Kristan Higgins
Karen White
Wendy Wax
Kristy Woodson Harvey
Mary Balogh
Mariah Stewart
Viola Shipman
Susan Wiggs
Fannie Flagg
Emilie Richards
Casey Daniels (Kylie Logan)
Shelley Costa (Stephanie Cole)
Serena B. Miller
Diane Chamberlain
Christine Nolfi
Denise Hunter
Sharon Sala
Colleen Coble
Robyn Carr
Jan Karon
Emily March
Carolyn Brown
Ashley Farley
Nora Roberts
Nancy Thayer
Inglath Cooper
Jill Shalvis
RaeAnne Thayne
Jodi Thomas
Cathy Lamb
Wendy Francis
Mary Kay Andrews
Lauraine Snelling
David Baldacci
Lee Child
Michael Connelly
Sheila Roberts
Cathy Kelly
Emily Giffin
Marie Bostwick
Elin Hildebrand
Debbie Macomber
Lisa Wingate
Shelley Nobel
Susan Mallory
Fern Michaels
Rachel Hauck
Rosanna Chiafalo
Jennifer Chiaverini
Catherine Ryan Hyde
Georgette Heyer
Jenny Colgan
Jeanne Ray
Jody Thomas
Lauraine Snelling
Mary Alice Monroe
Brenda Novak
Dorothea Benton Frank
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March 21, 2020
Sunday Inspiration: Daily Quarantine Questions?
Daily Quarantine Questions:
What Am I GRATEFUL for today?
Who Am I CHECKING IN ON or CONNECTING WITH today?
What expectations of “Normal” am I LETTING GO OF today?
How am I GETTING OUTSIDE today?
How am I MOVING MY BODY today?
What BEAUTY am I cultivating, creating, or inviting in today?
(Thanks to the Greater Good Science Center and Good Morning America who publicized this Post-It note from photographer Brooke Anderson that’s been shared many times.)
How is it with your spirit? Are you coping with the new normal of quarantine and isolation? Tearing your hair out yet? Getting grumpy or depressed?
For some people this can be an opportunity to enjoy some solitude and self-care, but for others who are working from home and home schooling, entertaining children or just trying to survive with no job or income. And for those who are sick or worried they’ve been exposed, it can be a very challenging time. My heart and my prayers go out to all of you.
No matter who you are, I encourage you to ask yourself the daily quarantine questions above, and perhaps those below as well:
What am I READING today? What better way to travel around the world and even to other planets and times and dimensions, when in quarantine. And what better way to connect with a diversity of people, places, and ideas.
How have I been INSPIRED today? We can stay connected with our religious communities on the web as well as find sources of inspiration in books, on the internet, and in nature. This can be a good time for prayer and meditation.
How can I PLAY today? Whether it’s board games or computer games or playing music or being playful with your mate, play keeps our imagination alive and brings us happiness. My fellow author and brainstormer Kylie Logan and her husband are taking turns suggesting one new activity a day to engage in together. Yesterday they colored. Play time!
How can I BE CREATIVE today? Is it time to write a poem or a story or a book? How about your memoir? Time to paint or learn a language — Proman and I are using the free app Duolingo to learn Spanish even though our cruise to Mexico has been canceled. Proman is teaching himself to play the piano with a small electric piano from Amazon and his iPad. He plays a pretty amazing version of My Heart Will Go On. Our grandson Liam took a virtual piano lesson with his teacher this week and his parents sent us a photo.
Do you have questions to add or suggestions?
Stay inspired.
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March 16, 2020
Saint Patrick’s Day Blessing
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
As the coronavirus radically changes the trajectory of our days, let us remember and be inspired by the resilience and courage of the Irish people who survived potato famines, economic disasters, and serious prejudice as new immigrants to this country.
May we celebrate all the good things in our lives on this Saint Patrick’s Day
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March 14, 2020
Sunday Inspiration: Twenty Second Meditations
Twenty second meditations. Can we accomplish anything important in such a short time?
We’ve all heard what we should do to keep from catching and/or passing along the coronavirus:
Stay away from others, especially if they’re sick,
Avoid large gatherings
Wash our hands on a regular basis
Not only wash them but WASH them, thoroughly and for at least twenty seconds.
Twenty seconds seems like a long time, doesn’t it? A lot longer than we imagined before the virus. What can we do while we’re waiting for soap and water time to end? Well, we can worry. We can remember all the things we’ve failed to accomplish, all the places we didn’t get to go, and the events we’ve had to forgo. Without working hard, we can double our anxiety and stress.
But there are better ways.
Why waste all that time simply washing when we could also be doing something inspirational to help get through these chaotic times? You say you never seem to have time for meditation or prayer? Well, now you have multiple twenty-second periods each day for just that. Twenty second meditations with lots of soap and water can wash away fear as well as dirt, germs and viruses.
Here are some suggestions. If you have more, let us know your ideas for additional twenty second meditations in a comment below.
Singing Amazing Grace takes about twenty-four seconds if I sing the first verse, and about thirty when recording artists sing it with accompaniment So speed it up a little or enjoy the extra cleanliness. It’s up to you. If you don’t know the words or tune, here’s the Judy Collins version.
Are you familiar with the doxology? Many of us who grew up in Protestant churches know this well. Here is a beautiful rendition if you’re not familiar with the tune.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
My own faith uses different words to the same tune (actually several different versions but the following is my favorite). This is my preferred hand washing song, because I think we need faith, hope, love, beauty, truth and good now more than ever:
From all that dwell below the skies
Let faith and hope with love arise
Let beauty, truth, and good be sung,
In every land by every tongue.
A favorite song of the Jewish tradition is Shalom Chaverim, which if sung slowly is almost exactly 20 seconds. Think of “farewell, good friends” as a reminder to protect each other and stay home for a little while. And if you’re washing hands with someone else, this makes a beautiful round. You might enjoy being at the sink for quite a while.
ENGLISH:
Farewell, good friends!
Farewell, good friends!
Shalom, shalom!
Till we meet again,
till we meet again,
shalom, shalom.
HEBREW:
Shalom, chaverim!
Shalom, chaverot!
Shalom, shalom!
Lehitraot,
lehitraot,
shalom, shalom.
שלום חברים
שלום חברות
שלום שלום
להתראות
להתראות
שלום שלום
Source: Glory to God: the Presbyterian Hymnal #540
Here’s a fun one. When I was a girl at summer camp I learned the Johnny Appleseed table grace. I always felt uplifted and happier afterwards–although I was too cool to admit it. The first verse is exactly 20 seconds:
Oh, the Lord is good to me,
And so I thank the Lord,
For giving me the things I need;
The sun and the rain and the apple seed.
The Lord is good to me,
And finally, if you are a Zen Buddhist, no song will be necessary. You will simply be mindful and present to the miracle of the moment, the pleasure of water caressing your skin.
We have plenty of time each day to worry about the future. But why not take time for twenty second meditations, whenever you wash your hands?
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March 10, 2020
Salvador Dali Visits Selby Gardens
I always enjoy wandering the gorgeous grounds with their wide variety of lush plants and spacious greenhouse filled with exquisitely presented exotic orchids and bromeliads. Orchids are of particular interest to Selby Gardens where the study and conservation of epiphytic plant groups is a mission. Sitting on Sarasota Bay Selby Gardens has postcard worthy views of sailboats, seabirds, and the Sarasota skyline.
This visit was especially enjoyable since a special exhibit of Salvador Dali’s art was on display, and in his honor the gardens were decorated with whimsical reminders of his creativity. In the greenhouse multiple plastic eggs hatched beautiful orchids and spooky eyeballs stared out from hanging vines and blooming flowers. In the garden a vine in the shape of a Dali mustache hung from the trees and other surprises kept popping up in the most unexpected places, such as an elephant tree and a piano in a pond.
Selby Gardens display was in partnership with the Dali Museum just north of us in St. Petersburg, a gallery filled with his imaginative art work, and if you’re in the area I highly recommend it.
If you’re not familiar with Salvador Dali, he was a well known surrealist artist in the late 20th century. Surrealism seeks to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind. Dali was infamous for painting melting clocks, a lobster phone and other dreamlike images. He was also known for his fantastic mustache.
In his words, “Surrealism … destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision.” There is no doubt that Dali’s other-worldly art unleashes the imagination in new and creative ways.
Dali’s art often makes me smile. He’s whimsical, imaginative and innovative, transporting me to places I would never have gone without him. I thank Selby Gardens for making my visit such a joyful experience.
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March 7, 2020
Sunday Inspiration: Happiness is…
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony“. -Mahatma Gandhi
Are you a happy person?
That’s a hard question to answer, isn’t it?
Happiness is elusive for many people, and when it’s most elusive, it’s usually because we assume it’s someone else’s responsibility to make us happy. And if they don’t then they are at fault, certainly not us.
Recently Greater Good Magazine had a wonderful blog titled “How Much of Your Happiness Is Under Your Control?” Did you know that studies show happiness is the product of 10% biology and genetics, 40% life circumstances, and 50% Intentional Activity — give or take? That 10% might be tough to change, and sometimes that 40% isn’t strictly under our control. But that 50%? That’s all ours.
So what’s the point? Well, happiness is not someone else’s responsibility. We have the power — barring exceptional circumstances — to create happiness for ourselves.
We can do that by making the following choices (and please do read the blog for details):
“Choose activities that fit our personality and interests…
Choose activities that are virtuous and meaningful, rather than obsessing about feeling good all the time…
Commit to and put effort into the process…
Add variety into our routine.”…
I would add a fifth choice and that is to follow Mahatma Gandhi’s advice by finding harmony in what we think, what we say, and what we do.
Hopefully, by doing these things the next time someone asks if we’re happy we can say with the utmost confidence, “Darn right!”
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March 3, 2020
What Sparks Joy?
So what sparks joy in your life?
OK, let’s start in your closet. That’s where Marie Kondo begins her tantalizing revolution, tangled up with the socks and undies.
Marie Kondo is of course the author of the tidying up books that have become amazingly popular. She teaches us how to organize our closets using a philosophy that helps us organize our lives.
Kondo’s mantra is “Discard everything that does not spark joy.” What could be more earth-shaking? Taken seriously, this philosophical nugget could turn our lives upside down.
Many disciples have reported spiritual transformations, in their zeal letting go not only of outdated polka dot dresses and painful stiletto heals but houses, husbands, and unhealthy lifestyles.
I’m a follower only in theory (I have read about the book not read it) but certainly not a zealot–and admittedly something of a pack rat. But Kondo has helped so many pack rats let go of unloved skirts, dresses, sweaters, and tops — with appropriate thanks — as well as being more appreciative of their life. it might be time for me to get serious.
Have you read Kondo? Do you find yourself looking for joy in small ways both inside and outside of your closet?
I always look for joy in my writing. Just as Kondo holds up each piece of clothing and asks if it brings her joy, I try to hold up each scene in my books and ask the same question. If the scene doesn’t bring me joy–or at least clarity–then how can I expect it to provide either to my readers? The joy comes not from feel-good scenes — a book can be difficult or gritty– but how well it’s written and how well the feeling is conveyed. Subjective, yes, but as the author, I have to first please myself.
Marie Kondo also teaches that, “Letting go is even more important than adding.” Editing and cutting? Nightmare words for novelists. Sometimes I feel like I’m cutting off an appendage when I cut precious words, but letting go of what doesn’t bring joy to my book makes it more satisfying, in the long run for me and for my readers. I can’t be a pack rat when it comes to words, but it’s a constant struggle.
So has Marie Kondo changed your life? Want to share just how?
(**I’m an Amazon Associate which means when you click on an Amazon link in my blogs, I receive a small percentage and the eternal gratitude of Jeff Bezos.)
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March 1, 2020
Sunday Inspiration: Words from Reinhold Niebuhr
“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope.
Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must he saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved by love.
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness.” Reinhold Niebuhr
Forgive me for being so spiritual this morning, but it is Sunday.
Niebuhr was a prominent Protestant theologian in the mid 20th century, but we don’t have to know his history or education or denomination to see that these heartfelt words are profound and inspirational.
In this chaotic time of fear and anger and polarization, isn’t it helpful to know that no matter what is happening around us, hope, faith, love, and forgiveness can make all the difference?
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