It just seems as if I should be waking up soon, but the dream continues… I never thought this coronavirus would overtake our country and the world. I thought the cases would be caught and isolated and things would go on as they were.
How wrong could I be?
I think back to the gallery shows that I enjoyed and the community that shared the love of art and it has vanished. Artists are in their homes and lucky to be creating art in their own studios.
Star happily grazing
The opening in January in NorthCountryARTS’ 2nd Gloor Gallery in Glens Falls, New York, that showed the work of fiber artist and friend Kris Gregson Moss and my own Batik paintings was such a great time. I am grateful I had that chance to show my batik this year and mingle with artists I do not often see. Now shops and galleries are closed and I am glad to have my art in my Etsy shop.
I have to confess.
My husband and I are isolating at home with our three cats, Star the pony, and Vanilla the llama. I miss friends and yoga class, the gym, and my sessions with Kate Austin-Avon with her helpful guidance and enthusiasm, but after our days on the farm it is not such a huge adjustment for me and I do get to create my art.
Vanilla the llama
On the farm, we rarely went away and our routine became a ritual of caring for our animals day in and day out. We had a dairy farm and cows to milk twice a day. There was almost a monastic element to it with the bare necessities for ourselves.
The always important wheelbarrow
Clothing was worn to shreds and got covered with poop. Trips to anywhere were rare and Dick and I occasionally visited farm machinery repair shops for parts and maybe one or two times a month I made a trip to the grocery store. I liked to clean up before going, but still remember the day I had no choice but to go as-is and a little boy remarked to his mom, “Something stinks” — and it was me!
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- Jaka and I ride
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- Jaka as a little girl helping with calves
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- Carol & Dick
Jaka was a little girl when we married and she wanted to help from the first. She saw us working and always contributed what she could. We had so many good times with her. She learned to care for animals and showed her own Jersey calves and cows and later helped with harvests. Now she is a grown woman and has given us three beautiful grandchildren, but they live near Boston and are isolating as well, l so we have not seen them.
I feel a connection to people in the ages past, and the struggles humanity has gone through are so many. The past is full of violence, plagues, oppression and unspeakable things have rained down on humans and animals. Our problems with the virus are not new to the world, but they are to us. We have not seen anything like this before.
Rhubarb on the bank
We will rise again. All must sacrifice for now and we can go back to the earth, respect it, and hopefully, we can grow some of our own food. It reminds me of the Victory Gardens of old. I feel sadness for those who can not do this. So many are suffering tremendously.
So I go out to care for my animals, make our supper from scratch, plant more seeds for our small garden, and take in all the beauty around me. It feels like a trip back in time for me…
Magic in our lawn
So poignant, Carol! Thanks
Thank you Laura, I know many others feel this too.
Oh we had great days with nature and our horses Cynthia…
All those farm chores are good memories, and seeing tadpoles turn to frogs. What a delight!
Too bad we did not get to ride together back then.
Carol: As you and I have talked in the past….I understand exactly what you are saying. Although we had a little bit easier than you growing up, my mother and father both worked, we had a huge garden to take care of, and never lacked for love. All five girls did their fair share, whether it be cleaning out the chicken coop, gathering eggs, or weeding the garden, we had no choice. In this day and age I often dream just to “get away” and remember riding my mare bareback down the old Stagecoach Road in the woods…this is my happy place, just her and I plodding along looking at nature and enjoying each other in the solitude. All five of us grew up as tomboys on Randall Road and had many a mud fight in one of Pallatroni’s old sand pits…but we all laughed and went home tired and worn out. In the spring we gathered pollywogs to bring home & put in a bucket to hatch into frogs, as I’m sure you remember the peepers in the pond behind your house and Flanders. The good old days! Stay safe my friend, and know that your blogs are very interesting and heartfelt. Thank you for posting.
Oh we had great days with nature and our horses Cynthia…
All those farm chores are good memories, and seeing tadpoles turn to frogs. What a delight!
Too bad we did not get to ride together back then.
Amen my friend. The best memories.
Beautiful. Miss you
Thank you so much Deb!
Stay well and be glad for the spring light.
I’m new at your blog. I so enjoyed reading this. This year I’m getting more involved in the planting of our garden and enjoying it.
Thank you so much Dolores. The planting and seeing the garden growth speaks so much to us.
Wish you a lovely summer and stay well.