Coronavirus and life...

It has been sometime since I last made an attempt at this blog.  There were planned entries, of course, but all that has changed in the last few weeks.  What we thought 2020 might be like certainly got changed in a short time.  We have new vocabulary words,  such as social distancing and PPE, and perhaps new ways of being in the world...at home.  Life on the Homestead has been good; we are staying home and learning to enjoy the changing seasons.  Our gardening life is taking off.

And we are in awe and amazed by the creativity of people; my colleagues in the church, other "farm" folks and even family.  We are all learning during these days.  We are perhaps more resilient that we thought!  We can stay home...

There are many heroes of these COVID-19 days.  We hear about doctors and nurses on the front lines; but there are also hospital staff who clean, chaplains who must deal with more death than normal, secretaries who worry.  Then there are Moms and Dads at home; home with their children where they serve not only as parents, but also as teachers.  And there are funeral directors and other funeral home employees--they are sometimes referred to as "last responders."  And even for those of us thus far less affected, we are all suffering in our own way.

Last year, I wrote a piece about knitting purple hearts.  You can read it here https://eclecticepiscopalian.blogspot.com/2019/04/purple-hearts-brings-needed-time-to.html?spref=fb&m=1&fbclid=IwAR3ro8LVxFVRxuon6j383uTn7hPuIzlYYNFdmC_cOaA6wB5Sss_T23Dx0z0://    As this pandemic spread, I found that I couldn't concentrate enough to write, or read, or some days, I couldn't even pray.  But I could knit.  I pulled out my purple yarn, and began to knit purple hearts.  I knitted and knitted and knitted; and I am still knitting them.  Over the past few weeks, I have mailed out a few to those who have been at the forefront of this pandemic. 

It is likely that we have weeks and weeks to go in this venture; we have many things to learn yet, many letters to write, many purple hearts to send.  If you know someone deserving of a purple heart, let me know.

Stay safe. Wash your hands.  Be kind.  Find at least one thing each day for which you can give thanks.  Laugh. Pray. Look for Joy. 

We are well; the goats are great.  The hens are laying each day.  And for now, we are content at home even as we are missing being with our friends .  In good time, we will be together again.  Until then, I'll keep knitting!