Random thoughts on the new normal and how it will affect our lives this year!
Yes, I feel normal but are we really? As commented by a
visitor to the Americas Cup on TV last week, it is hard to believe that where he
was from no one was out with anyone else but after several days he felt that the
NZ normal was great.
Watching coverage of the America’s Cup races and the crowds
along the waterfront, New Zealand vs Pakistan or West Indies cricket, walking
through Pukekura Park with thousands of others it really is hard to believe
that the rest of the world does not have the same normal as we do any longer? Are
we special or just lucky in that our distance, size of population and the fact
that we locked our country down early, has given rise to this near normal state
of affairs for our country. I attended a wedding with over 100 people and not a
mask in sight. I have been following friends who have been touring the country
this holiday break and they have been at cricket matches, dining in
restaurants, playing the tourist at beaches and other attractions with others
who are not in the bubble. I visited MOTAT last week and although not crowded
it was still an almost normal visit aside from the sanitizer and Covid app sign
in.
Even my online watching has become a bit isolated. Many regular blog writers, Facebook posters or instagrammers are all commenting on how the Covid state of affairs is affecting them. They are finding new hobbies, directions to take their creativity, waiting for numerous parcels to arrive with purchases because they cannot drive to the shop to choose a thread or fabric in person.
I am finding that my new normal for projects is looking at what I have and trying to use something up. I did this last year for the Peppermint Purple SAL. I used a piece of hardanger fabric and threads purchased in 2016 and 2000. The final item was made from material I already had except for the outside piece which I purchased especially. That fabric is now being used by my sister for her Japanese quilt.
Inside fabric and border fabrics were from the stash as was the wadding and calico.