How are all of you doing right now? How are you feeling?

I’ll start:

• I am anxious and trying to keep my level of worry at a manageable level–a challenge, for sure. I am worried most for my friends who are in the medical field and on the front lines of this. They are a husband/wife team, a doctor and nurse at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, working with children with cancer–another vulnerable group besides the older population. These little ones have compromised immune systems, and are vulnerable to something of the likes of COVID-19. My friends reiterate what our surgeon general bluntly said this morning: please stay home so we can flatten the curve and not overwhelm the healthcare system. 
•  I am quarantining alone with no family nearby (and I’ve got this and I’ll be fine), but sometimes the anxiety gets to me. But I have been creative with FaceTime, etc., art journaling, making masks (more on that in a later post), walking Clarence to visit the horses nearby, and it all *so* helps. If you are quarantining alone, email me–pokey@craftingalifellc.com, and let’s communicate!

• I am worried for all of us who run small businesses or are independent contractors. This is an overwhelming punch to the gut and it’s hard to breathe. We don’t know how this is going to play out in the upcoming weeks/months, and I have 1) cancelled all retreats for the foreseeable future at my place, but 2) extended the deadline for teacher applications for Craft Napa 2021 with a new receive-by date of April 30th, 2020. I am totally planning on hosting Craft Napa 2021. We all need something to look forward to, right? I am going to meet with the hotel soon (once they are back in business, they are closed for now) to discuss the contract and particulars. I think it is fair to say we all want some extra cushion and safety measures in place for this next round.

   

  In the meantime… One thing I thought to do while we all do our best to stay home: I thought it would be fun to do an Instagram LIVE from my art barn to share what I am making, and then invite someone who is watching into the video/ split the screen to show what they are making and interview them. Do you want to play? I hope so…this could be a fun way to connect and share what we are making right now. I am going to try doing this tomorrow (March 24th) at 1:00 PM Pacific. This will be through my own account on Instagram–Pokey Bolton. 

So let me know how you are feeling and what you are doing in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you!

A picture of Clarence a couple of days ago visiting Fellow, a very sweet horse in my neighborhood:

Until my next post, be gentle with yourselves, and stay well,

~ Pokey