Saturday, March 28, 2020

Exploring Bellingham: Keeping Busy


Keeping busy and feeling productive is important for our mental health right now.

Television isn't always the best diversion with the airwaves focused on 24/7 news about the pandemic and stock market. To keep a positive perspective, having other interests is good.

We are self-isolating in Bellingham, so Wayne and I are doing city-folk things. We do watch a lot of news. In the evening, we stream movies and shows on Xfinity and Netflix.  I cook and Wayne does dishes. Spring cleaning is still on hold.

We go out walking, shop (mostly Fred Meyer pickup), read and play iPad Scrabble. I write blog posts of course, and I'm finishing the illustrations in this winter's Snowbird RV Adventure Journal.

Here's my workspace at the dining room table.

Using ink and watercolour pencil on a map illustration in my journal.

Here's a closeup of the journal page. While we travel, I do pencil sketches of illustrated maps that I can finish later at home. I pick images that tell a story about the places we have been and what we have seen.

A finished ink and watercolour map on my journal page.

Here's a closer view and a link to the post about White Tank Regional Park. It's in the Phoenix region of Arizona and we were in early February when the desert flowers were just starting.

A closeup of the illustrated journal map.

If you are interested in reading about our journey, here's a link to the our Snowbird RV Adventure. Having a journal helps me relive those great moments even though we can't be there in person right now.

What are you doing right now to keep busy and productive? How is the self-isolation or quarantine experience for you? -- Margy

18 comments :

  1. Glad you are getting through this hard time and keeping yourselves well occupied. Love the journal pages. have a great weekend, Valerie

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    1. Thanks for stopping by to comment. I just ordered watercolour paper for pickup at Fred Meyer next weekend so I can branch out with my drawing and colouring activities. - Margy

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  2. I like your snowbird. It is hard staying away from the grocery stores for me.

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    1. I do miss shopping, but I feel much safer right now using the pickup method. We did go to the drug store this week, but it was almost empty while we were there and I could get some items that aren't offered online for pickup at the market. - Margy

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    1. We are trying very hard like everyone else around the world. - Margy

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  4. Olá Margy
    Manter a mente ocupada faz um bem enorme, parabéns pela bela pintura. Abraços.

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  5. I'm new to paint party Friday, so that's where I'm visiting you from. Your drawings are superb. You inspire me to do an art journal.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and commenting. I don't share often but with more time indoors I might. I do two kinds of journals, one about float cabin living and one for our RV travels. I like adding the pictures for extra remembrances. - Margy

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  6. Nicely done. I haven't done a piece recently. Thanks for sharing yours!

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    1. I haven't either. This is the first time in months. I just ordered some watercolour paper for pickup at the store. Maybe that will inspire me to do more besides the remaining journal map entries. - Margy

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  7. wonderful journal page- and oh my you have such a tidy work/art space!

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    1. We share the table for eating so that makes my try to keep it neat. A dedicated space would be nice, but there doesn't seem to be a better spot in our small condo. - Margy

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  8. I have no problem keeping busy and staying home..I have been doing it for a year now that I have stopped working,,,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!! Sty safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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    1. We've been retired for fifteen years now, but we are always so busy out and about it has been a big and necessary change in our lives. -- Margy

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  9. Hi Margy ... it has been comforting, fascinating and somehow hopeful to read blog posts from all over the world, seeing how different people are dealing with all this. I really appreciate my blog friends even more than ever! .... we would be doing pretty much as you two are *if* we were hone in Oregon. But Florida is scary. This state has a governor who is doing too little too late and I think it’s going to be an awful mess sooner than later. We are taking a big chance and driving a new tiny pull trailer cross country to get home. It will be self isolating and social distancing all the way. Keeping an ear and eye on the news and routing away from hotspots as much as possible. Fingers and toes crossed. And looking on it all as an adventure (that we hope doesnt last too long). It will be good to get back home , a safer state to ride out the storm. Take care of yourselves and be well.

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    1. That is a brave choice to make that long trek. Having been full-time RVers gives you the experiences to do it quickly and safely. I'll be following your blog to see when you arrive home. - Margy

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Thanks for stopping by. Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. - Margy