Home again, after a month on the road

[dreamshark]

Actually got back on Tuesday evening, but just starting to feel recovered enough to do much more than unpack. The cross-country drive itself wasn't that bad (especially since Richard did most of the driving) but I haven't had a really good night's sleep for over 3 weeks due to a sciatica flareup. It is getting better, but way too slow. 

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Yesterday we had a little block party - simple but highly successful. I was distantly involved because I am the portion of the group block captainship that maintains the block map and email list. Three other neighbors did all the planning and execution and I just sent out an email. It was pretty informal - they just blocked off the street for a couple of hours with trash cans and caution tape. And one family actually rented a bouncy house for the kids, which was a big hit. The adults just sat in the shade and chatted and shared a few munchies. 

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Today's project was to start dismantling my mask-making studio and pack away most of the masks. We're at the odd point in pandemic abatement where you have no idea when you are expected to wear a mask, so I put a couple masks for each of us in each vehicle. Soon we won't need them at all, at least until the next big disease outbreak. I'm lovingly washing them by hand, 3 or 4 at a time, and packing them away. I have one more mask to make for a friend who needs it for flying, and then I guess I'm done. It's time to pack up all the bolts and scraps of fabric and stash it in the attic as part of cleaning up the room for use by Amber's family in 2 or 3 weeks. 

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Sad news in today's paper. Yesterday we learned that the venerable Edina Theater is closing down. Today it's the irreplaceable Uptown Theater. I can't help hoping that some white knight rides in at the last minute to save it. It seems impossible that the Uptown could be gone.

Comments

[pameladean]

I appreciate so much the two beautiful masks you gave me. They were some of the bright notes in a dreadful time.

I can't believe the news about the Uptown.

P.

[laramie]

Welcome back to Mpls! I'm glad your journey was completed safely. A block party sounds like a good way to celebrate.

I appreciate the lovely mask you gave me. If you find yourself reluctant to give up on sewing completely, your grandkids may appreciate stuffed animals...

[dreamshark]

I'm not so much giving up on sewing as I am trying to clear the room so the grandkids can sleep in it. I like having fabric and notions out so I can do little projects like putting pockets into things, but I need to pack it away for now. I'm glad you like the mask.

[dreamshark]

"They were some of the bright notes in a dreadful time."

What a sweet thing to say! I'm glad. It's come to my attention that the round elastic I used to string many of my masks turned out to be poor quality; stretched out and started breaking. If you need the strings replaced I can still do that.

[chasophonic]

This news may have come out while you were away. Made me think of Richard. Twisted Groove is being evicted.

[dreamshark]

Oh no! Richard will be devastated. Have they closed yet?

[chasophonic]

Don't remember for sure. Think they have until the end of June. They're looking to relocate.

[spiderplanet]

How did I just find that this store existed? Great stuff!

[spiderplanet]

I am going to continue to wear them in the grocery store and other public places. I really like that I haven't had a real cold or flu in over a year, just some stupid old-lady hot flashes that convinced me that I had COVID-19 in the middle of the night.

The first week of everyone having masks off at work, and me being the only person wearing a mask, it was a bit awkward. I'm used to it now, and maybe this year I won't get the awful "con crud" type thing that always happened in September when the students come back.