A quick shot here because I just had some really important feedback. As much as a little cheering up by post is a nice gesture, our Italian friends do point out that a) postal services are delayed, and b) they are also over-worked because of food delivery etc. That’s a consideration I had not taken into account, but I definitely do not want to clog up the postal service with non-essential deliveries. So I think it probably is better to leave the “letter-bombing with love” for now and postpone it til later. We can always send our solidarity by tweet and e-mail. The reality of the situation had probably not quite sunk in with me yesterday, so I’ll have to send an advance ‘apology’ to three Italian fan sisters to whom I have already sent a letter. I’m sure they are not going to bring the postal service to breaking point, and of course it was all meant well. But yeah, well-meaning is not always doing the best thing. So, hang in there, my lovely Italian friends. We’re with you in thoughts.
For today’s entertainment, I am embedding a video of mine. Did somebody recently comment on my Flat Richie video that I had a soothing voice? Hehe, well, watch this at bedtime, it’ll send you to sleep… What you will be seeing is a happy mail to a less affected place, so I got it in there last week. Linda60 had a birthday at the beginning of the year, and I made her something. Warning – video contains reference to Uncle Vanya play 😉. I know it has become a bit of a sad prompt at this point. So avoid video if you feel triggered by mention of UV. 🤗
Yep, this was meant to be a note book to jot down memories of a “springtime of love”. It was not to be… However, maybe it can serve as a diary for other thoughts. I have made one of those junk journals for myself, too, and since mid-March it has become my chronicle of these strange times. (I’ll show you a glimpse of it another time.) For any of you crafters out there – try making a junk journal yourself! It’s great fun and very easy to do. And well, we have the time now…
Guylty Pleasure 
This is simply beautiful! Simply. Beautiful! I honestly believe there will be other Springtimes of Love. I do.
Hugs to our Italian sisters who have been hit so hard by this. As long as we have internet, we are really connected. Virtual hugs to you!!!!
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You are right – there will be other springtimes of love. We’ll just have to be patient.
We are connected indeed. And I am gladder than ever that we have the internet.
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Right now, the internet is keeping me sane. Also keeping me in work. I’m very lucky. A LOT of music teachers over here are loading their internet and video lesson and then as soon as it’s done, are being let go until school lets back in. none of the classroom teachers are being let go. Just the ‘specials’. it’s really sad.
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That’s just so unfair – and I don’t get it, anyway. If there wasn’t a pandemic right now, then the schools would have to pay the teachers. And since schools are not profit-making entities, that means that they have a budget and a fund from which they assign money to pay the teachers. All that has not changed by the current situation. So why “skimp” and sack teachers? Grossly unfair.
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That’s the difference between a public and private school. Public schools are paid through taxes. Connection teachers are still considered expendable. If there’s a budget cut, the music teacher is always cut first.
Private schools are paid through tuition of those who attend. They get little to no tax dollars. They are the ones being hit the hardest right now. I guess my question is – are parents still paying tuition? If so, why are we picking on just the Connection teachers?
Do you know what I love? My system’s kids are 100% FREE breakfast and lunch. All of them. The system knew going in that this stay at home thing would cause a financial burden on parents so our cafeteria workers are still going in in the mornings and cooking breakfast and lunch and volunteers, along with First Responders are delivering meals to our kids. They are heroes!!!
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Ah, I forgot about the private school sector. Still, it’s an a..hole move imo. At least over here they have brought in emergency unemployment benefits for anyone affected by closures. Even students who have lost their student jobs, can apply.
Fantastic initiative by your school with regards to continuing to feed the students. I have heard many stories like that from many countries – or rather: I have heard that the school closures are affecting young children that way. Hooray for the volunteers and first responders to keep it going!
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Everyone is being told to apply for unemployment here (It’s sky-rocketed. After being at record lows, it’s now at record highs.) our government finally managed to meet at the table for the first time in several decades and passed a stimulus bill, where most Americans affected by this will get some added help. Right now, I’m not affected, but who knows. It was announced a few hours ago our governor has closed schools through the 24th – so 2 weeks longer than we originally anticipated. Several schools have closed schools permanently until next year.
Either or, I now have new ‘assignments’ to work on at school. 😦
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Wow, schools closing until next year? Oh, next *school* year. (goodness, I was thinking of January 2021 😂) The whole situation is unprecedented. It’s like war times (in Germany) when children basically went feral while there was no school. I really hope that we are all through the worst bit by the end of May the latest.
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At my system, we are comng up with ways to connect. Phone calls, a car parade. The school and county Facebook have become colorful shout-out boards.
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My daughter has been on Xoom or something like that, playing games together with 10 of her school friends. Thank cod for technology!
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Zoom? A lot of the schools here are using it for classroom teaching. I understand it’s way cool.
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Ooops – Zoom it is.
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That’s really lovely, Guylty – intricate and intriguing, you’d always be discovering little new delights. It wasn’t me who mentioned your soothing voice, but I’d happily listen to audiobooks recorded by you. Maybe you should call up Audible and give it a go. 🙂
Sending love and support to all our friends in Italy, and everyone else who is having a difficult time. xx
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Hehe, an audio book with a mishmash Irish-German accent. Who knows, it could be a best seller 😂
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Very, very elegant. You have great taste. I’m fumbling around two junk journals for my nieces, with some of the nice things you sent me last time. And I’m learning to make some cute embellishment. A very soothing task.
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Aw, thanks Lurkerella. And what a great idea to make a couple of journals for your nieces. It will keep both you and them occupied.
The embellishments always take me the most time. I already have a big stash of them but I find that I make new ones with new themes for every journal. Not very efficient in terms of planning 😉 Stay safe!
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Beautiful journal and I’m always happy to see that wallpaper. 😁
I wish I had the energy to do anything at all rn. 😞
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Hehe, I should’ve mentioned that there is a piece of you in the journal. I still have a stash of those wallpapers – I can make a few more journals, hooray.
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Gorgeous and so creative!
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Aw, thank you xx
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Just one word: Beautiful!! The whole design, the illustrated book pages, etc., etc. are so lovely, i love it and I would definitely buy this one…
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Such fun to make these journals. And even when I am using the same images in different journals, they each turn out differently.
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This is so lovely & I enjoyed every page. I’m especially fond of botanical prints in any form and you have gathered them together in such a creative way. Add to this the gorgeous Dr Astrov (and the handsome Chekhov) and no kidding -this is balm for the disappointment of missing out on the play. Thanks so much for sharing this video.
Sending out love and support to our Italian friends and everyone worldwide who has been affected by this health crisis.
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The botanical theme is always gorgeous, I agree. Antique prints of trees and flowers are just so beautiful – so much more than any photo.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video and are not too put out by the appearance of Dr Astrov on the pages. He fits the botanical theme so well…
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Very beautiful!!
Love to our Italian friends we are with you.
Been told that post workers don’t have any protection gear, no ability to keep distance apart, having to work to get deliveries made. Maybe we can do something online, sharing crafting or what people are doing to keep busy, pics of what we’ve discovered in and around our homes, something that made us laugh, what we can keep each other connected while keeping everyone safe. Sorry if wrong to post here. Please delete if wrong to post.
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It is absolutely NOT wrong to post here. You are very welcome, Tishi! And hearing that the postal workers do not have adequate safety gear makes me angry. And also is another reason that I better step back from my initial plan of sending lots of letters. I don’t want anyone endangered.
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Il faut envelopper le courrier dans 2 protections, c’est à dire ajouter un suremballage pour ne pas mettre en danger la personne qui recevra le dit courrier. Ainsi le sachant, la personne se débarrasse de l’enveloppe de surface avec d’infinies précautions, pour ensuite accéder au courrier et en profiter pleinement.
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Good point. Well, I thought about it too late, and the items are already on their way. Here’s hoping that the journey is so long that they won’t catch any traces of virus along the way.
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That’s beautiful, Guylty!
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😊 Thank you!
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Really a lovely journal you have put together. And I agree, you do have a soothing voice and such a unique accent. Maybe you could read us some calming bedtime stories!
I don’t have any free time yet, but at least since I started working at home on Monday, I don’t have any commute time. Stay healthy!
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Hehe, calming stories… I was more thinking of some sexy fan fiction 😉
Glad to know you are working from home now. And such good timing that you were able to take your lovely weekend break last month! Just imagine – everything is being postponed and cancelled now, everywhere.
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I might prefer my sexy fan fiction read by a man… preferably by a certain deep-voiced Brit!
But yeah, I’m really glad I had my getaway while I could.
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Hehe, I would hate RA to read my one and only piece of fan fic. I’d squirm and cringe 😂
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Lol. You have a piece of fan fic? Is it posted somewhere? (Well of course you have lots of fan fic in your *ooof*lets!)
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Written a long time ago as a serial together with others. On tumblr. I don’t even know myself where it is now. Better left forgotten!
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I saw your most recent *ooof* and you raise some interesting questions about what they are thinking and seeing from behind the curtain. But no inspiration for an *ooof*let?
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That is such a good idea. There are certain ideas in my head right now. Although I am thinking more of a shrine than fan fic…
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What a gorgeous journal! And I love the way you set up the reveal – candle, little plant and a mug of tea(?) Very elegant 😊
Does anybody else see the similarity between Richard, with his Astrov hair and beard, and Chekhov?
Take care and keep well everybody.
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Hehe, yes, I styled my “set” a little bit – just to make it feel a little more homely and cosy. That was a cup of (very milky) tea in my favourite mug (“Mrs Richard Armitage”) on its “I’m all heart” coaster.
Oh, there is definitely a bit of a similarity between RA and Chekhov. When I saw the play on the first night, I actually had the impression that they had cut his “mane” even more in a Chekhov-style, than in the theatre stills that were taken prior to premiere. Personally, I love that kind of full, wavy hairstyle. He rocks it very well.
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