Social Distancing in Arizona

It’s interesting how much our life has NOT changed since we’ve been self isolating. This is a typical day now:
Up between 6:00 and 7:00, a bit earlier than before for some reason (our minds won’t let us relax as much, I suspect.) We surf the Web, eat breakfast, and relax until 9:00 am. Then Auggie gets walked, showers are taken, we exercise and take a walk, and do little chores until mid day. A fair amount of my time goes into food preparation which is not much of a chore for me. After lunch Bob pulls out his workshop onto the driveway which is covered so he can work despite strong sun or rain. I’ve been sitting on the deck more now that the temperatures are so perfect and set up my loom or marudai to create something pretty. Neighbors walk by and chit chat, staying six feet away. There’s no pressure to finish a task quickly. Sometimes I read or connect with friends and family by phone.

In the evening we eat dinner, maybe watch a little TV (Bob enjoys war movies so he watches those in the bedroom) or I’ll read my book. We’re in bed by 10:00.

I find this to be a pretty productive time. Bob has made me some new tools to play with:

A simplified version of the Better Loom that I’m using for inkle weaving and may use in my weaving classes. I’m using one of my Handywoman Miniature Backstrap Heddles for making my sheds.

A special heddle frame that I’m using for Baltic weaving. I made string heddles for it that have a combination of regular string heddles and pattern slots that are 1 5/8” long. This allows me to easily add any number of border threads and pattern threads. Details are on my Ravelry project page. A real game changer! Now I just have to figure how to make them easily and inexpensively so that my weaving students can use them.

In the meantime, I really like the ribbon I’m weaving using 10/2 cotton and just 5 pattern threads.

I’ve been using my Schacht old style RH loom to make a fluffy blanket.

I braided a cord on my marudai, half is which was a round spiral braid and for the other half I switched patterns to make a square spiral braid. Just because I can! An interesting experiment.

Hoping you are all safe and healthy, dear reader.