This is keeping me sane

[jillydabrat]

I am teaching myself to paint to stop myself from worrying about the madness that is life right now. What are you doing to keep your brain or body active?

[ksos]

That's wonderful! I'm doing much of the same as I can -- painting, embroidery, making soft toys for my grandchildren. When I'm doing that, I'm not thinking about the world -- and what a relief! Thanks for sharing this. Keep painting!

Kim

[jillydabrat in reply to ksos]

Thanks Kim, I am concentrating on dogs which are my passion. While I am doing this I am locking out what is happening to everyone. Appreciate the lovely comment.

[jillydabrat in reply to ksos]

Do you have any pictures to share?

[clubdino]

Wow! That's amazing. I got a pet snake. And I have busied myself with setting up his terrarium and learning as much as I can about him through YouTube videos.

[jillydabrat in reply to clubdino]

Snake! You are braver than me. YouTube is wonderful. I have learnt so many new crochet stitches this last couple of weeks. I am making blankets for the neonatal unit and for one of my mums carers who is expecting her first baby.

[clubdino in reply to jillydabrat]

He's only a baby right now so no thicker than a worm but very friendly. I love YouTube...anything you could ever hope to learn about is waiting there for you to discover. That is awesome that you are making baby blankets. 👶

[Sweetlucy in reply to clubdino]

Love utube. My washing machine wasn't pumping out water, watched a video and fixed it.

[jillydabrat in reply to Sweetlucy]

well done you x

[Anag in reply to Sweetlucy]

Amazing! Well done!

[Tico in reply to clubdino]

Hello Mel, As your snake got a partner? If so, make sure you make them stick to the 2 metres apart rule!🤣 Seriously, how are you coping with all this? tina.🤗

[clubdino in reply to Tico]

Hey Tina! He's a loner. 😄 The terrarium is his kingdom. I am doing ok. I'm currently on a 3 week leave of absence from work but will have to return soon as Amazon is considered essential work. I am higher risk due to my sky high hypertension that pops out of nowhere. I'm on 2 meds for it and it is still not controlled. Supposedly hypertension is a major risk factor for coronavirus. Lucky for me I was paying attention to the news in January and when I heard about the coronavirus I ordered some masks. I will wear those and gloves when I return to work. I have enjoyed my time off immensely though as I am a hermit. How about you? How's it going in your area? Are you still able to spend time with your grandkids? XX

[Tico in reply to clubdino]

I was until I received the NHS vunerable letter and we went into lockdown, absolutely gutted that days out with the grandkids are temporary suspended. We had plans for days out with my grandson due to start the easter holidays. Also my daughter as had to put her driving lessons on hold just as her instructor told her she was nearly test ready! When she restarts driving again their will be a 3 month backlog of driving tests and to top that off its her birthday on the 9th April. I'm doing bits and bobs around the house but did have a slight worry when i realised I had been around a neighbour with Covid19 but touch wood i'm fine.🤞 How's the pain you were suffering,I know you said painkillers no longer working?and whats the situation near you regarding going out?

[clubdino in reply to Tico]

I'm sorry about you not getting to spend time with your grandkids. 😢They aren't giving out letters in America. My state issued a "stay at home" order today but it means nothing to me as I still have to work. Supposedly 3 people in my Amazon building have coronavirus but Amazon is keeping it a secret, of course. I know coronavirus is in my city as people have tested positive here. Wow...so you actually talked to somebody with coronavirus? I will keep my fingers crossed for you too. Right before I left work a few weeks ago my pain was becoming unmanageable. I asked my doctor if I could double my dose of pain meds even though I am suspicious it is causing my hair loss and she said ok.

My pain level has been good recently but I'm not sure how much of that is due to the fact that I'm not working. My fevers and fatigue on the other hand are horrible. I had an appt with a new hematologist scheduled a few weeks from now and it got rescheduled for 3 months from now bc of Covid. They offered a telephone consult but I am hard of hearing so that's a no-go for me. Well listening to me right now you would think I was an 80 year old woman...instead of 42. You know what's weird though...my blue body parts have completely gone away POOF! I dealt with it for years and it just suddenly stops...makes me wonder what was causing it all along. Do you have Netflix? I have been binge watching Breaking Bad which has been awesome.

Don't worry...things will turn return to normal eventually and one day we can tell our grandkids our stories about the Big Rona days! 😄

[Tico in reply to clubdino]

No Netflix but i've been binge watching old episodes of law and order. My friends son from around the corner from me as just left me homemade lamb curry and brown rice on my doorstep not long ago, they know I have funny sleeping habits and sometimes i'm awake at funny times,its gone midnight here in uk. I'm lucky they do not go to bed until around 4am because of work. I have a few people I can call on if need be but i'm well stocked all year around, good job too. Well i'm im going to stick my food in the microwave to heat up and then enjoy. Please keep safe and look after yourself and keep in touch via the forum, don't be a stranger as they say! Atb,tina.🤗

[Anag in reply to Tico]

I’m also April 9th! 😁

Everyone I know is celebration bdays on internet. Also my friend and her mom who just turned 80. They performed for her. We can’t visit my mother-in-law and she’s 94. That bothers my 16 yr old daughter most. We don’t know how long we’ll have her. It is emotionally tough on many in this situation.

[Aime]

Hi Jill, brilliant painting, you've got talent. I'm baking, cooking, working (by video link of course) to help kids get the best out of meetings - mainly related to kids in care, getting my good recipes together, reading, Facetime with grandkids, etc.

All the best, kindest regards Aime xx😻😻

[jillydabrat in reply to Aime]

Thank you Aime, I have always wanted to learn to paint so what better time than now. You do wonderful work

[mhos61]

That’s lovely Jill, very talented.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Jilly, what an amazing painting, well done, and what a lovely thing to be doing with the blankets as well, really such a lovely thing you are doing. Maz x

[hunter5582]

Great pic. Looks like your have a real talent for this.

I have been practicing Qigong on my own since the gym is closed and we are practicing distancing, so not even doing private instruction. Going on nice long walks around the neighborhood and down into the Wildlife Management Area adjacent to where I live. Also doing some workouts with weights at home. Fortunately I also have an area where I can still practice my marksmanship, so been out doing that a bit too. Was able to shoot a 9/16 inch five shot group at 100 yards (1.43cm at 91.4m) - so very happy with that. Might surprise some to find out how Zen long-range shooting is. Very calming - lowers my heart rate and BP. Requires total concentration, control of your entire body, gross and fine motor control, breath control. and an awareness of your environment (temperature, barometric pressure, wind). Also been working on a firearm I built (.458 SOCOM). My next project - I am going to learn to knit. My sister was going to teach me before all this mess started. Guess we will have to do it over the Internet. Have also been experimenting with different bread recipes since I like to bake. Have to make small loaves since I live alone and not eating with friends as usual.

I am looking forward to a return to normalcy. The weather is turning and it is time to fire up my wood-fired pizza oven. Our cabin down by the Shenandoah River needs to be de-winterized and Spring-Cleaned. Really looking forward to hanging out at the river with friends and family. Spring Turkey Season is coming up, so maybe I will give that a try. Can do that and still be socially distanced if things drag on that long.

Hope everyone finds ways to maintain their Zen and keep a good quality of life despite the challenges. All the best to all of you and stay well!

[jillydabrat in reply to hunter5582]

Blimey hunter, how do you fit all that in??? Good on you for learning to knit. If you need help just ask. Youtube has easy tutorials to follow and once you get the basic stitches they can show you all new stitches as well. It's very easy and sooooo relaxing. I have to have a project in my hands every hour I am awake. I only kicked myself to start painting last month and have now done 4 dog portraits. I sent one of my friends springer spaniel and she absolutely loved it. I don't have much confidence regarding my painting so I was very nervous about gifting it but, happily, she was over the moon with it. I painted two portraits of my springer who I lost 3 years ago but who I miss every single day. It was very hard to paint her but also soothing as well. Hard to describe.

I have to ask, and excuse my ignorance, but what is Qigong? Is it along the lines of Tai Chi?

I am jealous of your cabin on the river. I lived on the side of a lake in a cabin when I lived in Canada and God how I miss it.

Hope you are all keeping safe, take care

Jill

[hunter5582 in reply to jillydabrat]

Well with time on our hands we do need to keep busy. I have a wide variety of interests and do VERY poorly when too idle. Makes me buggy to not be ding anything.

My sister knits constantly. She taught my son how to do it. Figure I might as well join in on the family activity. I like making things. Likely should get the grinder so I can sharpen my old wood lathe tools and start turning wood again too. When I was up in Canada in Consecon, I had a lesson on blowing glass. That was WAY cool. (Actually way HOT).

Tai Chi (Tai Qi Quan) is one of the Qigong forms. It includes both moving and still forms. The Eight Pieces of Brocade, the Six Healing Sounds, Seated Eight Brocades, Da Jaw, Tai Ji Qi Gong are all various Qigong forms. There are a lot more forms. When used for healing, it is actually called Nei Gong. There are a wide variety of benefits to Qigong. Specific forms and movements have specific purposes. Very helpful for stress/anxiety management by the way. Something we could all use at this point. There are some specific forms that are particularly good for this.

Always a pleasure to hear from you. Please stay happy and well.

[Stevesmum42 in reply to hunter5582]

Yet again hunter, great post.

I started a Tai Chi class, which I absolutely loved, then when I broke a bone had to stop, I have a great book which is illustrated and easy to follow, bit like a child’s level....suits me.....so easy to follow. Needs to be ....for me to absorb ... Watching people practicing who have done it for some time, is just so beautiful I think it radiates serenity. Love it.

All ages, all levels can join it’s not a competition .

Whatever we are all doing can only be good for our mental and emotional well being.

Regards Sandy

Stay safe all of you.x

[hunter5582 in reply to Stevesmum42]

Do be sure to check out some of the other Qigong Forms. There are many that can be done seated as well as some that are done standing, but with minimal movement of the lower body. The practice of Nei Gong can be quite helpful in healing. I am very fortunate to have a skilled Sifu who has studied in the monasteries in China well as extensively here in the States. Finding a teacher who understands the application of Qigong for healing is very important if you want to use it this way. No matter what, it is good for the body and promotes mindfulness.

All the best. Stay peaceful and well.

[piggie50 in reply to Stevesmum42]

Oh Sandy, you’ve just reminded me.... I started Tai Chi about 5 years ago and bought a dvd at the class. I must fish it out and try to make myself do it every day.

Thank you xx

[Stevesmum42 in reply to piggie50]

Me too Judy.

Keep safe

Sandy xx

[Scrollernut]

Wish I had ability to paint to learn!! I’m crocheting an Afghan for my grandson, love to acrylic pour, raking leaves, bible study, love to read, getting in contact with people I haven’t in a long time, deep cleaning, amazing what can be accomplished, can teach dog new tricks....

[jillydabrat in reply to Scrollernut]

Exactly! My husband bought me the paint box years ago and it's opened up a whole new experience for me now. Unfortunately my hands are taking the brunt of a life time of knitting and crocheting but I will keep going until I really can't do it anymore. I have my afghan I crocheted over 25 years ago in my airing cupboard. I did so many of the same pattern for all my family. Keep your mind active even if the rest of you gives up lol

[Stevesmum42]

Hi Jilly .

Just picked up your post with your dog painting.

That’s so good .....he has such personality, not easy to get into any picture I would think, what an interesting boy/girl he is. You should be incredibly proud of your self.👏.

I wonder what other talents will be uncovered in this enforced isolation.

Thank you for sharing. Keep em coming

Love Sandy xx

[jillydabrat]

Thanks Sandy, enjoying every minute of it. Nothing relaxes me more. Really appreciate your comment. Hope you and yours are all well xx

[Cja1956]

I sell insurance and work from home, anyway. I'm helping people who have, unfortunately, lost their insurance through their job, find new insurance. My partner and I take a walk everyday and I feel I'm building up my stamina. But I still have anxiety because my son lives in New York, which has about 66,000 confirmed cases and my mom is confined to her apartment in elder living facility close to me and a very pregnant niece who can't have her husband with her in the delivery room. Otherwise, all is well. Lol

Hope everyone stays safe and healthy.

Cindy

[Anag]

I got my guitar out after 4 years and I’m preparing to perform (play and sing) some new songs for our church’s internet Easter celebrations!! I’m also cleaning, organizing, cooking beautiful meals and being extra thankful for everything and everyone that I have! Love your fabulous painting! I’m a huge dog fan!