Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Priorities

I was in Costco, last week, because it is my source for almond milk, chicken stock, Swiss cheese and batteries. I think we needed some of each. I was fascinated by the people with carts full of toilet paper and bottled water. I wondered what that was about.

Yesterday I saw an article in Macleans magazine, explaining the reasoning (sort of). I also found this humourous take from the Times-Colonist in Victoria.

Basically the articles talk about how contagious fear can be. If you see everybody else buying TP, you figure you must do it too. Fortunately, I don't feel a need to hoard TP. I already have over 100 rolls in my basement! When ever my favourite brand is on sale, I buy three packages, because I have three bathrooms. Since we are empty nesters, we don't go through as much as we used to, so it piles up. I don't ever buy bottled water, so that isn't a problem.

However, I got thinking of what I really need, if I were to have to stay in my house for 14 days. I have a bit of expertise in this area, because I spent many months housebound due to a medical condition, so I will share with you what I have learned.

1. Books: I read a lot, and at the time I was house bound, books were hard to come by. Now, I can get e-books for free from my local library. They even have express read e-books for many popular titles that you can borrow for just 7 days. In two weeks I could probably make my way through most of the books nominated for Canada Reads. Of course, I have about 130 free or nearly free books in my Kindle account that I haven't read yet.  "The Gown" by Jennifer Robson is currently $2.99 CAD. The book is about the making of Queen Elizabeth's wedding gown.

2. Cooking: I am stocking my pantry with staples, so I can try some recipes that I have been meaning to cook. I bought a vegetarian cookbook last year, and I haven't begun to try all the recipes. The internet is also a wonderful source of inspiration. Last week, I made these really good oatmeal peanut butter cookies. 

3. Sewing: Well, I know my stash will probably exceed my ability to use it, so fabric isn't a problem. I have a list of projects that I want to make, so having uninterrupted time to work on them sounds like heaven. I ordered more zippers, last week and they should be here today. However, if you are lacking in hardware and want to make some cute little wallets from fat quarters or scraps, might I suggest this tutorial. 

4. Knitting: I have lots of yarn, enough to see me through most emergencies. I am going to start looking at patterns I have saved in my Ravelry account and matching them to some of my yarn. Then I can check and make sure I have to right needles.

5. Movies: I highly recommend "Harriet" if you haven't seen it. It is just out on CD and from streaming services.

It is estimated that 30 rolls of toilet paper will last the average family about a month. I hope my suggestions will allow you to relax and think about what you might need, to enjoy being told to stay home for two weeks.

Now, the pictures from my dining room paradise.



The hibiscus has four flowers open today.


The amaryllis has started to bloom.

Relax and enjoy the flowers!


4 comments:

  1. Ah yes, toilet paper......same thing is happening here......I don't know if you heard about a bloke being tasered by police over a toilet paper fight in Australia. It happened right here in our town. Silly people. Your flowers are much nicer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm still trying to figure out WHY people need that much TP. I have four packages of 30, like you, because they were on sale a few weeks back. We are two older people who would be okay being isolated for weeks. I have my books and knitting and himself has his TV and NetFlix. We ALWAYS have about a three month supply of food in the freezer and pantry. Living at the back end of nowhere, we always want to be prepared come winter.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The toilet paper situation here is stable as our supplies do not come from China but from our neighbouring countries. Still we had a short period when people triggered by the Hong Kong shortage, went out and bought out all available stock which of course made more people nervous. Fortunately that didn't last long. Over here we have stay home notice, quarantine notice and leave of absence for close contacts of infected patients. Since we live in a densely populated country, there's a real fear we could get served one of these days. I haven't bought more than our usual amount of supplies because if we get served, there'll be people who'll send stuff to our door. I'm sure of that.

    ReplyDelete
  4. We have stocked up some staple foods, then the necessary batiks got their turn today, a lot of blues, greens, and a new bag pattern , then last week I shopped locally for interfacing, freezer paper and visoflex or what was similar. I think people are scared that they may have to be isolated, and toilet paper is a real necessity. As well, we now have milk powder, some soup mixes, rice, and juice all stored away. I cannot make my own hand sanitiser as all stores apart from one that is at least one hour away have sold out of "isopropyl alcohol" so the tunes that last for 30 seconds or more have been getting a good revival here. Your hibiscus, one so similar was a gift to my Mum and Dad on a wedding anniversary many years ago.Your photo brings back some lovely memories.

    ReplyDelete