Renie Gile
Is anyone else going through a lot of self-discovery during the isolation forced by Covid19? I hadn’t thought about it until a few days ago, but I came to the realization that I need people, and if I cannot have people, I need projects – new projects – not like a dusting project, or scrub-the-kitchen-floor type of project, but a real project, one which when you finish it, it stays done. It is something you can delight in, take pride in, something you can use or something which makes your space more functional.
I think our daughter Annie realized it before I did. “Mom needs a project.”
Just to exemplify: Below you see three Covid19 projects.
Redone Table from Loft 
Painted Kids’ Table Turned Coffee Table 
New/Old China Cupboard
On the left is a table John removed from his loft. It had been used in the kitchen as an island, but with those pointed corners, I didn’t think it was the best idea. I could imagine if little ones were visiting and running into the kitchen those pointed corners would be quite hazardous. So it ended up in the loft against a wall. However John went on a simplify and eliminate mission, and I had to find a new use for that table. Now with a stripped and refinished top, and Annie Sloan Chalk paint in Cream applied to it’s legs, it’s found the perfect home.
The center photo is the round “kids'” table which in its original well-used state was scuffed and scratched and had its original stained wood finish. I decided it needed a fresh coat of turquoise paint matching the book case in the background and pulling the turquoise from the oriental rug.
On the right is the new/old find from the Salvation Army store on North Second Street. I was looking for a piece to display seasonal decorations and favorite finds which were listed in my Etsy Store: Just A Second on Main, and the very first place I went turned up this beauty. It is pictured cleaned up and with half of its wooden knobs replaced with my favorites – porcelain knobs. They were just setting it up when I claimed it. It’s now one of my favorite pieces. (See previous blog post for the whole story)
Another late afternoon, I looked at a corner of my office, home to the printer and multiple files, and I realized how dark the area is in the evening. I only noticed that when I was cleaning up and wondering what to do with the old industrial light fixture that was hanging around after I helped clear the garage space for our car. Then came the aha moment. Add a light to the corner! I went down the basement to look for a bracket and found an old rusty black one. John thought maybe it wouldn’t look so nice and started to say something, but thought better of it, after seeing the “don’t you dare” look on my face. I proceeded with my plan and could not be more pleased with the result.
Of course, all these projects are yet to be seen by anybody outside of our immediate household, because, no one can visit. But Spring will soon be here and the patio will again host friends and family who can peek in the window at all our Covid projects.
Hence when I was asked to do an upbeat article for our neighborhood newsletter for the upcoming April edition, I started thinking, and this is what occurred to me. Now, at least there are photos to share.
By the way, our Churchill’s Grove newsletter is another one of those projects which helps me survive the pandemic. It’s a creative outlet, and it lets me use my love of design and layout while I’m doing it. Need a newsletter, anyone?
Have you had any self-knowledge moments during the pandemic? Would you like to share them? Send them to Rufus Cadigan . He is always looking for newsletter content.
