Crocheted-edged handkerchiefs, a popular pastime of yesteryear.
Happy Hands Are Busy Hands
I wish I had the manual dexterity needed to crochet or knit. I recall during WWII how contented my next door neighbor was crocheting colorful borders on handkerchiefs. Bullets and bombs were flying in Europe and Asia, but all was calm on S Street S.E.
Mrs. Hulse had a few hundred designer hankies, that were quite lovely. My mother engaged in this popular handwork as well, but not on the same scale. Back then, woman carried one, or more, fancy handkerchiefs. Mama always included a few in her church-going purse in the event she had to deal with a moist brow or a case of the sniffles. I was a youngster, so I stuck with the time-honored “sleeve tissue,” that was always available and less scratchy on a runny nose.
Handwork for Hunkering
Those who engage in crafts and handwork say, with a sly grin, that this is the time they’ve been training for all their lives. Sadly, my digital pursuits are limited to a keyboard, though I once did some needlepoint, that involved just a one-color background.
My neighbor, Martha, has taken crocheting to a whole new level with this adorable 14 x 11-inch llama she made from a kit. I believe some handwork to mark our confinement during this unique time in world history is appropriate. We need a reminder of our resilience and stamina during hard times. I suggested that she name the crocheted llama Pandy or Elvirus to commemorate the Great Pandemic of 2020. 🙂
While working from home, Martha has taken up mask making, having turned out 75 so far, that she’s donated to state workers.
Grateful Hearts and Helping Hands
Like most of you, I’m paying a lot more attention to the food I eat. I think about those who grew it, harvested it, processed it, transported it, stocked the shelves, and waited on us at the grocery.
These workers are probably hurting more than most, yet doing a heroic job of keeping the food chain intact.
When Americans tire of canned tuna and ramen noodles and having to walk around a barricades of hoarded paper goods to get from room to room, I believe we will move from being just “survivalists” to being our “brother’s keeper.”
Because when it’s all said and done, the only way we make it through this health crisis is by looking out for each other.
[spacer height=”20px
Leave a Reply