Sewing face masks

Staying safe while painting

I like making things, something to keep my hands busy at night while watching Netflix. Living alone I miss human contact in these social-distancing days, so making face masks was a way to connect with people from a safe distance. Giving them to people in my building made me feel good, like I was saying “I care about you.” I could use up pretty colors of fabric I had on hand, but elastic is not so easy to find, with many in Iowa City making masks. I had to have another sewer smuggle in elastic to me, keeping six feet away while I wore my mask, like a contraband transaction.

I am staying in except for walking outside a bit, just the skateboarders and me on the empty streets. I’ve attended virtual Mass, watching the Sisters with their amazing voices sing, and keep in touch with family through a phone app. The people in the paintings I’m working on are becoming my imaginary friends.

On Easter Sunday my grandmother clock started chiming in to keep me company — she hadn’t chimed the hours since my move to Iowa City! The sound brought back memories of a favorite ISU study room with a wonderful clock in it.

Empty streets and sidewalks
except for skateboarders

Easter chimes and my resourceful T-square used for a TV antenna