What about those masks?

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog post, about the masks that my dad asked me to make, but I didn’t finish, because I got on a facebook stalker rant.

Will I wear a face mask? I suppose I will, if the situation warrants it. One crafter got an earful from an Instagram blaster (those people who live only to post negativity on strangers’ feeds) saying she shouldn’t be trying to sell her cloth face masks. Why the heck not?

This is a soapbox for another day, but this goes back to the age old opinion that if you know how to sew, you ought to be willing to do it for free for those who don’t.

No. You don’t have to. I don’t go to a lawn service and ask them to mow my yard for free, because they have equipment and know how to mow so well. I don’t walk into a store and ask for everything to be free, because obviously, the store is great at procuring goods.

If it is on your heart and in your mission to sew face masks (yes, yes, yes…they are not medical grade, never will be, and yes, yes, yes… they are really to protect others from your spit, not so much the other way around and yes yes yes yes…your BEST defense against this Covid19 virus, is washing hands with soap and water while you sing the alphabet song and keeping your distance. Okay… disclaimers present) where was I? If you want to make hundreds and donate them, do.

But, here’s where I get my hackles up. When some negative, ignorant person, sitting behind a screen tells someone they shouldn’t get compensated during a crisis? Again, I say…why the heck not? It’s their time, they bought the fabric and elastic, and they have bills to pay too.

That’s my soapbox for April 7. If you want to sew and donate, do. But, if you want to sew and sell, be proud of that. You should be compensated for your time and materials. If someone says you shouldn’t, that’s their perspective.

I will say, from a marketing perspective, don’t overstock your etsy shop with masks. This time will pass. And unlike the memes that say we will all be changed after this, I don’t agree. I think those who take something from it, and decide to change, will. Others, once the crisis is over, will gradually go back to the same way they lived before. It’s always a choice.

My last soapbox on this will “air” tomorrow. It’s regarding the meme telling quilters that finally, they are using that stash. Oh, it’s a good thing I’m all alone here on my blog. And I don’t swear. Not out loud.

Your friend,
Anne Dovel

You don’t need to be on the front line of every battle

You don’t have to be on the front line of every battle. 

Friends who sew, I’m speaking of mask making specifically here. Although, I remind myself of this every time a good cause comes along. 

This month it’s masks. A few months ago, it was bags and pouches for baby animals. Then, there are baby quilts for hospitals, state patrol, fire departments, animal rescue. The list goes on. Meal trains, nursing home caroling, babysitting, painting shutters, and on and on. All good causes. 

But, you can’t do them all, and be effective where you are needed most. I can’t remember when it was, but I found myself spinning like  a top. 

In some ways it was energizing. In some ways, it was an ego booster because people would comment they didn’t know how I did it all. In reality, I was mentally and physically exhausted enough that I was forgetting things...appointments, meetings, birthdays. 

Before I run out of space, here. My encouragement to you, if you are seeing thousands of masks being sewn and you don’t have the energy or passion for it. It’s okay. You don’t have to be on the front line of every battle. 

What can happen when you jump to the front line for every thing, you run out of energy, you get burned out and then when a front line come along that is non-negotiable, will you be able to be there? 
At Christmas, my mom was in the hospital for 7 days. My siblings and I came up with a rotating schedule, so someone could always be there. She was home on Christmas Day, but when I got back to my home, with my adult boys and hubs, I told him. I love you. Merry Christmas. I didn’t make cookies or prepare a huge meal. I had been on the front line that needed me most, and now it was time for me to sit and knit and be calm. 

Yesterday, I made 2 masks for my folks. They asked. They would do anything for me. 
Choose your front lines. Don’t feel guilty. For some, making masks is keeping their hands busy, so they don’t worry as much. For others, it’s because they feel guilty. 
Do what you love and help out where you can. But, be mindful of how many front lines you are on, and where are you needed most? If you have been thrown into schooling your kids at home, and working or having others in the household suddenly working from home, you have your front line. It’s not as glorious, I know. It’s never as glorious. Posting a picture of your child finally getting their math done, and you trying to stay patient about it, doesn’t make a colorful picture. But, it’s your front line and it’s important. 

Your friend,
Anne Dovel

How I really feel about angry stalkers on facebook

I figure I’m the only one reading this, so I feel a little safer voicing my opinions. And even though I sometimes keep things to myself and just listen to others, I do have opinions, just like everyone else. Opinions and perspectives; we all have them. And a phrase that I turn to frequently, when arguments arise, is “everyone is always right from their own perspective.” That helps me slow down enough to at least consider that their perspective has merit. I’m still right from my perspective, of course.

So, this thing about the masks. I’ve made 2, for my parents who asked me for them. It appears that Nebraska will start asking people to wear them when they go out.

You would not think something so simple would cause such anger and controversy, but I think there are some people who are simply on Instagram to comment on all mask pictures that homemade masks are not medical grade. Honestly, why people think it’s okay to blast a complete stranger, from their keyboard.

I posted something on Facebook recently; a link to the American Heart Association. And within 10 minutes, someone I’ve never spoken to or with, wanted to voice her opinion and “put me in my place.” Thank you, stranger, for your perspective. And that’s how you diffuse an otherwise, harmful back and forth. I just thanked her for her perspective. And then, in my own house, I told my hubs about the incident. Because it is almost an “incident.” There was anger in her reply to my link and to my perspective.

And after that, I decided, if I ever post on Facebook again, I’ll keep it fun and snarky, as usual. Because people, I’ve found, don’t want me to post anything serious, or even thoughtful. They want to laugh, and that’s not all bad.

I do know brands that post in order to get a rise out of people, intentionally, because they know that people will get in a debate, on their post, and friends, that makes the mystical Facebook algorithms talk to each other and say, hey, there is engagement here. Let’s show this account more often. You don’t think they would do that intentionally, do you? Create a post that they know will cause debate? Yes. They will.

I don’t, however. I don’t like anger and discord as part of my brand, especially from strangers who have never engaged with me personally, or with my business. Be off with you. Go spread your “I am always right and you never will be” on your own page, instead of stalking mine only to comment when it suits your agenda.

And that, friends who are not reading this because I haven’t posted about it, is how I really feel.

Now, let’s go sew!
Your friend,
Anne Dovel

Facebook fast day 5

Today was a momentous day. I went to Facebook to tune into church, but didn’t get drawn into any scrolling. I listened to our church service on Facebook live, shared it as a watch party.

This is not the first time I’ve done some sort of facebook fast. I worked with a business mentor years ago, and she challenged me to stop being available “24/7” and in order to make a break with that habit, she told me I needed to take 72 hours off.

The first 24 hours was the most difficult, because my habit was so strong to check for emails, messages, likes, and posts. Once I settled down, I picked up an old knitting project, found books I had wanted to look through, picked up a journal and by the end of 72 hours, I had gotten to the point where I thought it would be nice to just wait a couple more hours to open up my computer and phone.

What I’m saying is, I know the drill. And each time I challenge myself in this way, it’s easier. And, I learn more about myself.

Since we have church at home now, I’ve been making sourdough waffles on Sunday. Today, I used most of my Einkorn sourdough excess and some all purpose. Einkorn makes really good pancakes and waffles, but has been a little tricky so far, in the bread department.

Today, I also made a quick trip to the garden to bury some compost, finished 4 more six-inch star blocks for a quilt that might have the most pieces that I’ve ever cut for a single quilt, and little bunny got one ear.

Tomorrow is Day 6, already!

Until tomorrow,
Anne Dovel

Day 4 on my FAcebook Fast

It’s the morning of day 4, so technically, this day has only begun.

But, Day 3, was stellar. I found myself automatically tapping the home screen of my phone where my Facebook app used to sit. If you didn’t read my helpful tips in an earlier post, I moved the Facebook app to the last screen on my phone. I didn’t remove it completely, because this is an experiment. And, I have business to attend to.

However, most of my time on Facebook, I’m discovering, is more boredom scrolling and looking to see if anyone liked my last post. And do I really need that kind of validation? I noticed also, last week, that if I post any of my more serious thoughts, only a few people like it. If I post something snarky or funny, people love it. I guess there is plenty of serious on Facebook and my followers don’t follow me for that.

Productivity speaking, I sat a lot yesterday, by the fire. I picked up my first sock from sock knitting class, which we can’t go to right now because of social distancing, and after some careful reading, I was able to finish the toe on the first sock! Then, I took a break, made a floppy hat from the Taproot Magazine, called Sunny Day Hat, and came back to the knitting to figure out the heel. I think I did, but it was getting late and I put it aside.

Speaking of the hat, I used fabric that I won on Instagram! A lot of giveaways happen on Instagram and I’ve won several to date. My niece won 2 Starbucks gift cards last week! It seems to be a great way to build a following, and I always enjoy supporting those shops and winning things from time to time!

And, also Instagram related, I received a tiny piece of textile art from Karen Pleass today. Oh my goodness, I do love Karen’s textile art. Getting real mail, even when it’s something I ordered, is so much fun. I kind of miss the pre-social media days and having a pen pal; Sending off a letter and being surprised when one arrived in my mailbox.

It’s Saturday, and I have fed my sourdough and I think I might try my hand at sourdough bagels today! I’ll include a link if I post a picture on Instagram later. Whether it’s instagram worth or not, I post it!

Your friend,
Anne Dovel

No Facebook? I’m doing okay

Day 3

Yep. I’m really vested now, in this no Facebook posting for 30 days. I’ve made it 2 full days and entering day 3. Hence, Day 3.

What’s going on since Day 1? Well, for starters, I baked 2 batches of sourdough bread yesterday, plus, a sourdough chocolate cake. Can I tell you something, just between you and me? Because, let’s face it, blogging isn’t what it used to be and to be really honest, it’s probably just me and me.

Anyway, the sourdough chocolate cake, is fantastic. Almost, “how did I ever live without it?” fantastic. But, let’s get something straight here. Just because it’s sourdough, doesn’t make cake a health food. I want to believe that it’s easier to digest, however, at least the flour portion of it. I used my discard (which is a misnomer because I never discard my sourdough discard…I don’t have to) but to make it clear to sourdough lovers, I used my all purpose sourdough (almost 2 years old now) and my whole grain einka sourdough, which is not quite mature enough to fully leaven a loaf. Perfect use of immature starter.

You’ll find the recipe I used on the King Arthur website. Use your little googling fingers for that. I didn’t add espresso powder, because I didn’t have any. And, I skipped the frosting altogether. For years, when I made cake for my boys, I threw a few dark chocolate chips on top, before putting in the oven to bake. You get a little bit of gooey melted chocolate in each bite without frosting. Maybe that’s why none of my boys are really frosting fans.

I did make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and cold brew coffee with a splash of cream, for my son and hubs. And, if I calculate correctly, that still made it a reasonable treat for our quarantine days, at less than 300 calories per piece. Some of us, ahem, didn’t stop at one piece.

Besides, baking, yesterday was also cleaning day and my lovely friend, who cleans for me out here in the sticks, once every 6 weeks or so, came out and spiffed up my house from top to bottom!

I don’t care who you are, sourdough cake plus a clean house in one day. That’s a good day, even if the temperature is plummeting and snow is in the forecast.

Keeping a good attitude, because the forecast is only up from here!

Your friend,
Anne Dovel

(why not post a picture right here? Because, I already posted it on Instagram, and in a few ways, I can be really lazy, like figuring out how to post pictures on my blog, kind of lazy. I did see right away how to link, so let’s do that!)

How to Break Up with Facebook

Day 2

It’s not easy, leaving something you’ve been a part of for a decade or more. And in truth, I haven’t LEFT Facebook. I’m just taking a break; challenging myself for my 55th birthday month.

I got up on day 1, and looked for my Facebook button, which I cleverly moved to the last screen on my phone and iPad, so I wouldn’t just tap it without thinking.

“Where is it? Oh, yeah…I moved it because I’m not posting on Facebook this month…birthday challenge, remember?”

Talking to myself is nothing new, so don’t be concerned.

In my previous post, I mentioned the alternate route. Cold turkey doesn’t really work well for me. I knew I had to have something to rewire my subconscious need to check Facebook or post something, then check back numerous times for replies, to reply to.

I read several blog posts about how other people did when they left or took a break from Facebook. One thing became clear right away. Facebook doesn’t make it easy. I mean, they can delete your existence on the platform and give you no forwarding address. But, if you try to delete your pages, they ask you, “Are you sure?” You say, “yes, I am. Delete. Delete.” Then, they say they will delete, and you get a message saying, “In 30 days, your account will be gone for good…we’ll give you a chance to rethink this.” Basically, that’s what they do.

So, I didn’t delete my pages, because that’s not my goal with this challenge anyway.

Here’s what I did to make it less alarming for my friends who expect to find me active on Facebook.

1. I made an announcement. You can find it <here>.

2. I mentioned how they could contact me. And where I would be posting and doing live videos. That would be <here>, on Instagram.

3. I left Facebook messenger on my home screen, because that’s where many of my coach team, business, friends and family find it easy to communicate with me.

4. I started this blog again. Because it’s my “alternate habit” to replace posting on Facebook.

What would you like to know about this experience? Leave it in the comments below and I’ll consider posting about it on a later date. And visit me on Instagram!

Blessings to you today.

Your friend,

Anne Dovel