We Make-Do, We Mend



Dusk sky, outline of house in background, foreground is a campfire

Words On Changing The World



Friday 24th April 2020:
In the midst of a batch of glorious days in which Mr and me are outside dusk till past dawn, and fall asleep in reclining chairs as the stars gain sway and Venus looks as though she is disappearing down our chimney. Our hands are scrubbed, stained in mud and green.

One morning I had got up early, run to the river, had a swim, run back home, showered, breakfasted, all before work. Another morning Mr and I got up early and did all of our Tae Kwon-Do patterns out on the grass. Then yoga stretches, then breakfast, all before work. Tech troubles we deal with slowly, in small bursts, to mitigate frustration.
We are mostly making lockdown look good, but ache to be with family and friends. People are being bereaved. There is fear in the background. I worry for disadvantaged strangers as well as my own circle; dream of land to share.
A levelling should come of this.

Last night on a whim I picked some red sorrel and dyed an old vest in my soap pan. Not sure what I’m doing or how it will turn out - what does that remind you of?
These are experimental times.
Pictures of baking adorn every social media outlet - triumphal sourdough, epically flat meringues - it is the having a go that is holding on to sanity, that is waking us up.
Celebrity status dissolved in the acid of its own pointless privilege. (Can't help thinking this is healthier for everyone involved.)
The truth poking through: who is it who keeps you alive? Why have we not been grateful before now?
Why aren’t people who have enough money to sort out every problem in the world sorting out the problems?

How To Shun A Billionaire:
We celebrate our ordinary lives.
We live as small-scale and local as possible. The revolution is a farmers’ market. It’s a pot of herbs on your windowsill. We make-do, we mend. We learn baking, sewing, gardening. Pickles. Jams. We check on our neighbours, friends, family. Cultivate green spaces, accessible re-wilding. Ask each other for help because it turns out most of us care.


Graphic reads 'When in doubt, celebrate.'

Comments

Making do and mending makes a heap of sense to me.
And how I hope that when the current crisis is over that we DON'T return to normal.
Geo. said…
Dear Lisa, indeed these are "experimental times", and "A leveling should come of this". Your posts have always had a stabilizing influence on me and this one is no exception. My gratitude and best wishes to you and yours.
Lisa Southard said…
I'm ready for a different and healthier normal too :-)
Lisa Southard said…
Hugs from afar by return xx My aim is to un-upset the apple cart, by putting responsibly sourced affordable produce onto it; a social revolution with plenty of time for tea and cake, and garden spaces for all. I know you are in :-)
I love this post. My mixer and food processor, typically hidden away on the top shelves, have been moved to more accessible positions because they are getting used so often these days. We're going to try growing some things, too, this summer, and we've broken out the art supplies, as well. The time to explore and experiment has been a silver lining.
Lisa Southard said…
Yes! I've just started making a rag rug which I've been wanting to do for years :-) Happy making and baking!
Such an upbeat post in the midst of insanity! I agree with you wholeheartedly about the silver linings to be found from the changes we're all undergoing now. In my own family, after living rather chaotic busy work lives, our daughter and son-in-law have been cooped up together for more than a month now... an loving it. This is the most time they've been able to spend together in a long time... and yes, their vegetable garden is going to be larger than ever this year.

Take care, dear lady.
I thought I already responded to this, but maybe I didn't... (Maybe I'm just old and forgetful?)

I'm thinking that some of the changes that aren't taking place because of the pandemic are for the good. The learning to be do-ers, rather than depending on someone else to do things for us. (There was actually an article in our newspaper about a woman and her family who were having to "learn" how to clean their own home after their decades' long housekeeper can no longer come to their house. (!) ) People who haven't cooked or gardened are learning to get 'er done, and people who can sew are making masks to donate to others. And society, as a whole, is learning to appreciate the people who deserve appreciation... like teachers and healthcare workers. I hope those good things last long after the virus has been conquered.

Take care, sweetie.
Lisa Southard said…
Susan, it's me that's been dottery here - blogger changed the comments process and I didn't have time to understand it till now, lols! But I got two comments from you so it's a win for me :-) A big YAY for all makers and key workers and may this realisation hold xxx

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