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| Save the Date for grand daughter's graduation - now postponed |
I'm thinking about the 2020 graduates today. Our grand daughter is one of them and its still up in the air whether or not there will be a graduation ceremony. At first we didn't think so ... but now, they're setting the date for early June.
Personally, I'm not sure this is a good idea, but then no one asked me. I'm just a worried grandma. Yes, they will probably wear masks and do social distancing. More than likely, they will disinfect everything and limit numbers. But these are teenagers who will get swept up in the moment and all caution will be forgotten. I'm sorry, but to me a celebration isn't worth the risk of even one child's life.
We won't be attending. This is partially due to the fact that we're not traveling these days (it's a 5 hour drive), but also because DH has just finished his radiation treatment... and his immune system may not be up to par. Grand daughter understands this. We already sent her a graduation letter and the first of a few gifts.
I feel that all the birthdays, anniversaries, and graduation celebrations that are being missed due to the Pandemic can be revisited later this year or next. For now caution and safety is a priority.
But I do think the 2020 graduates of all ages will forever be remembered as the Pandemic graduates. And the college graduates will be the ones who will bear the front of the new normal in the job market. Starting out in the job hunt when unemployment is at an all time high will be a challenge. I imagine online and computer work (possibly from home) as well as more opportunities in research may be available. And how the economy survives will play a big part in their lives.
I'm told that some high school graduates may choose to take a year off... to wait it out and see how things go. Others may go ahead with their college plans not knowing if their classes will be online or in person. This is unknown territory... college life (as we knew it) will probably not be the same. Only time will tell.
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On another note:
I'm not a seamstress and the only sewing I ever do is a little machine quilting. But out of necessity I have been trying my hand at making facial masks for family and a few friends.
Fabric availability is not a problem (as I have plenty that I use for quilting), but finding elastic was an issue. Everywhere was out of stock. I ended up cutting elastic off of some of DH's mowing masks at first. Then a friend offered to send me some.
I tried several patterns - some workable, some not so much. But I finally found 2 that I could do... one with pleats and one just gathered. But for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to do the 'cone-shaped' masks.
Then this past week our son and his wife in Hawaii sent us 3 masks in a Mother's Day card! 2 were the cone-shaped ones in 2 sizes. After examining them and doing a little more research, I finally figured it out. Here is my first attempt at making a cone mask!
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| finally!! |
Hugs,
Rian
I feel the same. Sitting here with my coffee and reading posts from my dear virtual friends is very satisfying. Maybe not as much as having had my morning workout and visit to the gym, but you can't have everything these days. I'm just happy to be connected. :-)
ReplyDeleteI know... even though I'm pretty much a home-body, I do enjoy communicating with friends and family. And probably do it a little more these days than I used to.
DeleteI think it's too early for in-person ceremonies, but a lot of students at the secondary and post-secondary level are missing out this year. I work at our local university and they will have in-person ceremonies at a later date this year, or perhaps next, for those who have graduated this past academic year. Not the same, but the safer choice, IMO. So much is still up in the air. One thing is definite, universities in Canada (and presumably world-wide) will see a huge, huge hit financially, as so many other institutions and businesses will. For us, it remains to be seen how this plays out, not only for the students, but also for the staff, job-wise.
ReplyDeleteBTW, of all the masks I've purchased, I like the cone ones the best, so congrats for figuring out the pattern!
Definitely the safer choice IMO also, Kim. And it's true, no one knows how this is all going to play out.
DeleteAnd I also agree about the face masks. The cone ones are so much more comfortable to wear. You have more room to breathe. However, the others I could add a pouch and a filter (hypo-allergenic VC bag insert or coffee filter), but I've yet to figure out how to add a filter in the cone ones.
I also made a number of masks but then ran out of fabric scraps So now I am done with that. On a tip from another blogger I found that strips of an unused t-shirt work well as replacement for elastic. I do think we might all need a wardrobe of masks for some time to come.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right, Olga. We may be needing masks for some time.
DeleteI made a few pleated ones, but gave up on the elastic. I think what I had was too wide and I found it kept slipping off my ears. So I went with bias tape so I can tie the mask on. It works pretty well.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your granddaughter. I'm sure it isn't what she would want but hopefully a celebration later in the year will be made special - particularly if more family and friends are able to attend.
Take care and stay well!
If the elastic is too wide, it doesn't stay behind your ears. When I wear a mask, my ears stick out and I look like a leprechaun!
Deletei feel so bad for this years graduates. no prom, no spring sports, no graduation...it must be difficult!!
ReplyDeleteit's nice that you are making masks, i think i mentioned, i love your sewing machine!!!
It may be hard for them, but they're young and will adapt. Life will probably be a little different for them after this Pandemic.
DeleteThis sewing machine is old and doesn't do some of the fancy stuff... but then I'm old and don't do any fancy sewing anyway.
Congrats to your granddaughter and I hope she finally gets to celebrate 12 years of attention to learning. Good work on the masks. I have home made, allergy masks and even was mystery gifted two N95 ones. The latter are really uncomfortable.
ReplyDeletePatti, the gathered kind with a filter pouch are the easiest to make. But the cone shaped cotton ones really are the most comfortable. I've not even thought about the N95 ones since they are mostly for first responders, but I have heard that they were not comfortable.
DeleteBravo to you and all who are using their skills and scraps to create masks for friends and neighbors. Some from our church are also making masks for the homeless in our area. And those sewing angels I know personally all have a store of leftover fabric that is resulting in masks ranging from lovely to comical. All are useful and just might be creating new fashion trends.
ReplyDeleteTrue, I made some masks with cat fabric for grand daughter and have had 2 requests for more...
DeleteMasks may indeed be a new ‘necessary ‘ fashion trend.
We had two kids graduate into the 2008 Great Recession which was pretty terrible. This seems very similar. Hopefully it won't last as long -- and the Pandemic Grads will not be crippled, but will just build stronger characters.
ReplyDeleteI hope that is true. But the 2020 Pandemic graduates are possibly facing more than economic difficulties...
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