Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Covid and a new bookmark...

Covid - I guess we thought ourselves very blessed not to have succumbed to it over the past two and half years, but last week it took hold in our family, just as it has in millions of other families across the globe at one time or another. 

Ross and the three children tested positive first, and that same day Blossom and I tested negative. The next day, however, we both tested positive. Hubby still tests negative and is not sick at all, praise God.

Ross, Blossom and I were hit hard, and I have to admit that the pain which courses through the whole body is indescribable, something we were not prepared for. But the hardest thing was hearing of our two youngest grandchildren, Rafaella (4) and Charlie (1) who were very ill indeed for many days, and it got scary, but they are definitely on the mend now. Cully May had good days and bad days, but overall she was the least affected. 

Ross is almost recovered but with lingering pain still a bother, whilst Blossom and I are still struggling with muscle and joint pain, fatigue, sore throats, loss of appetite, and a diminished sense of smell...but I think we've peaked and are now on the road to recovery. 

This is why I haven't blogged. The effort to do anything was minimal, and even now, as I attempt to do basic things like bake pumpkin to make a healing soup, or even make the bed, fatigue hits and I need to sit for ages and rest. 

I know that many of you have suffered far more than us with Covid, some of you losing loved ones. My heart goes out to you. Having now experienced this nasty virus myself, more than ever I hope to never think lightly of it, or imagine it's not a horrid thing to be infected with...for it IS horrid, it IS nasty, and it CAN make people of any age very sick. 

If you have any symptoms at all, isolate, get tested (more than once if the first test is negative), and don't risk other people's lives by going out and about when you know you're coming down with something. 


It's almost a week late, but I'm sure you'll forgive me...the July "Books & Roses" bookmark is ready for you. I made this a few weeks ago, but hadn't taken the photos until this morning. 


I love the message, don't you? How often have you needed to close the cover on your book, but your mind is wishing "just one more chapter please?". As a child this was a common response when Nana called me to the dinner table, and Blossom was the same. 

Across the top I did a tiny row of crochet using DMC Perle 12 thread.


I used a saucer to trace the rounded edge at the top, then left the top open, just sewing the sides and bottom with a 1/4" seam before turning right side out.
A row of blanket stitch across the curve gave me an anchor for the crochet edging. 



Use the link below to download the free pattern.


If you've missed the previous six bookmark patterns you will find them HERE

Not one who can just sit, even when sick, I have dabbled with more crochet, a bit of hand sewing, and listening to audio books this past week or so. I hope to get further along with them in days to come and will show you photos in the next blog post. The crochet blanket for Cully May's 6th birthday next month is completed, and an 'almost' discarded blanket with only a few rows begun from 2019 has been resurrected and is coming along nicely. 

I pray you are doing well, wherever you are, but do ask that we stand together in prayer for all those affected yet again by the endless flooding in NSW. Four floods in a year...devastating. Last night hubby and I prayed and then gave thanks to God for all we have, which suddenly seemed so much in comparison to those tens of thousands souls who have had to be evacuated from their homes in the midst of a wet and very cold winter. 

God bless, stay well, stay safe, count your blessings...
hugs


34 comments:

Lorrie said...

Dear Jennifer,
I am so sorry to read that your family has had Covid. One of our daughters and her husband and 10 year old are still recovering from a bout of the same virus. There are some worrisome symptoms that are underreported and it's not a virus to take lightly. I'm glad you are on the mend. Take good care to fully recover and rest.
There are so many areas of concern across our broken world - floods, wars, and so much anger. I pray for God's Holy Spirit to move in people's hearts and lives and for them to rest in Him. May God have mercy on us all.

C Reeder PhxAz said...

Prayers being said for everyone mentioned in this post. Thank you for keeping us posted.

Joanne said...

Hi Jennifer,
What a difficult week you all have had. I hope you can all get better with no signs of long Covid.
Thank you for sharing todays post.
When I was almost finished reading a really good book and I saw the last part of the book was getting thin, fewer pages, sometimes I had to decide should I just finish the book or take my time. Would there be another book just as good ?

Thatnks for the beautiful photos today :)
hugs, take caare,
Joanne

Fiona said...

Hope you all feel heaps better soon... thanks for the bookmark... still hoping to make some!
Hugz

Lin said...

Sorry to hear that you have all been so unwell, sending love and best wishes for complete recovery soon. Pretty bookmark, such a lovely way to finish the top edge. xx

julieQ said...

I am grateful that you are OK. I have taken care of many in the hospital who have died. What a lovely bookmark!

Donna P. said...

Glad to hear you are on the mend. Dh and I are getting over it...again. Yes, a second time with it. Sigh.
Your bookmark is darling - thank you for sharing with us.
Love and prayers

Eldapacheco said...

Comecei te acompanhar pelo Instagram por causas dos bordados e mensagens,mas tbm tivemos COVID e perdemos um cunhado e amigos,mas continuamos com nossa fé firmada em Deus o criador de tudo e controlador do mundo.vamos continuar em oração por vcs e por todos.
Elda pacheco -Rio de janeiro-Brasil

ButterZ said...

Glad you are improving. Thanks for this lovely pattern. I think this is my favourite so far. I might make it for my mother in law.

Belinda said...

Jennifer,

So sorry to hear about the sicknesses in your family and glad you are feeling better. It went through our whole family and it was terrible. With God's healing prayers for each of you. Take care. Belinda

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear that everyone in the family appears to be on the road to recovery, yes it is scary to get Covid, not knowing how you or those you love will be affected. My husband & I got the virus this past May, with the worst symptom being so terribly tired, just unable to do the lightest of tasks without being overcome with fatigue. I'm so hoping that none of your family has any lasting long term problems with this virus. Take care & get rest, it will to keep getting better! - Diane from northern Minnesota, USA

Morning's Minion said...

Lingering fatigue and altered sense of taste and smell--for months now--were the biggest effects for me. My husband was far more seriously ill. Its a strange and frightening illness which seems to have no end in sight.
Be kind to yourselves as you continue to recover.

Susan said...

Sorry to hear you all caught the Covid virus. Thanking God, you are all on the mend. Fortunately, my husband and I have not caught it. We wear masks everywhere even though it is not required. I will pray for your familie's continued recovery and complete healing. Also for all those affected by the floods.

Thank you for this wonderful bookmark.

Elizabeth said...

So very sorry to hear you all have been so ill!! Tis indeed a most nasty bug. We had it twice...once before any meds came out and then this past Dec/Jan. Unfortunately, Hubby was hospitalized 2 times...the 2nd time they tried to kill him with neglect. Then our son, on the opposite coast came and got us before we might need to use those awful medicals again. We still don't have much energy and struggle just to get the most necessary things done. But we hope eventually all will be ok.

Allie said...

Praying, praying, and praying some more! Covid is not a picnic, for sure. Thank you for the gorgeous bookmark, dear heart! Love you!

Remembrances said...

I am praying for yours and your family's full recovery with no after effects. I love the bookmark as it is exactly what I tell myself when I look at the clock while I am reading. Take care of yourself and may God bless!

sandi s said...

I am so glad you and your family are on the mend. I am still very careful and wear my mask outside my house. There are still many people getting sick here in the states. Take care. Hugs,

Anonymous said...

So happy to hear that you are all on the way to recovery. Just keep taking it easy and get a lot of rest.
Carol O

gail said...

Praying for you and your family, Jennifer. May you all feel well again really soon. Down here we’ve had the flu, which lasted 4 weeks. So very debilitating. Blessings 🙋🏼‍♀️💕

Suzan said...

I am so very sorry that you have been so ill. Covid is not a minor illness for many. With God's grace I hope that you can continue to heal and feel better very soon.

Elvira said...

Espero que os recupereis todos, cuidarse mucho
Besos

Anonymous said...

I am so thankful you and your family are on the mend. It really make you feel awful. Prayers for continued healing.

Dots said...

Hi Jennifer, God be thanked that your family is recovering from that nasty virus! I am told it affects everyone differently. Happy to hear you all are coming out of it! We just never know what we will encounter in this world. Covid is deadly for some people. So glad you and your family are getting well again.
The bookmarks are very nice. I like real books. So bookmarks are just nice to have.
Be well, Jennifer.

Winifred said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you have all been so poorly but glad to hear you're on the mend now. It certainly is a nasty virus. It's odd how it affects some people so badly regardless of their age yet others even the elderly have no symptoms at all.

The virus has mutated again here & seems to affect some people more severely now, it's also spreading faster but unfortunately they've more or less stopped all the preventative measures to stop it spreading & are just ignoring it. So few are wearing facemasks & they are not isolating when they do catch it which seems mad to me.

I love your bookmark, t's so pretty thank you.

I hope your health continues to improve & your family's too. Take care of yourself & get plenty of rest. God bless x.

Anonymous said...

Awe Jennifer, yes not nice at all praying you will all feel well v soon. I got a tonic x a few weeks, zell oxygen, it really helped! I bought on line!, Thank you for your lovely email. Lots of love Mary-Lou 😊

Tammy said...

Dearest Jennifer, I am so sorry to hear that you all have had COVID except for Mr. E. Its a big blessing that he has not so you all have at least 1 fully functional person to be able to help you all. How scary that the little ones have had it too. Poor things. Poor all of you. Goodness . My lettuce I have planted is ready to start picking. It looks delicious. Tomorrow I shall pick the first of it. Today I had to pick my fresh Roma tomatoes. As the birds are pecking into them as they start to ripen. And have ruined so many of them. I have delicata squash that came up volunteer from the compost. Yippee for free produce. I am praying you and your family are fully recovered very soon.
Love Tammy Lyons

Susie said...

I'm so sorry to hear your news - rest up and take care. It's a doosy. Took me a month to feel back to 100% but have some 'new issues' that have developed and dr thinks it is triggered by the covid. I had CMV years ago which triggered coealic disease so I'm not surprised. Four out of five of us have had it at different times. Amazingly not spreading through the home (mask wearing and isolation is the key) but contracting at various places. My eldest asthmatic daughter is the only one free thus far. She is in Year 12 and has been wearing a mask at school all year. She did get the flu when one of us had covid and three pcr and three rat tests were all negative, this was at the start of the flu season so wasn't aware it was going to be so bad. He entire year level had to go back to remote learning as they had 150 students away. Crazy.

K Reeves said...

Praying for your recovery, Jennifer. We have been spared, and now with the current research coming out, very thankful we never took the vaccine, though getting the virus is still a scary thought, with DH’s health issues. God is faithful, and He is good. This morning I read 2 Corinthians 4, and while it’s not my idea of a good time, we are not to be shaken by the nastiness that comes our way. I struggle with that, having had a season last winter that frankly shook me to the point of breaking, but God knows my weakness and my limit, and I must remind myself that He was there and He did provide, as He is doing for your family right this moment. Take care my friend and keep looking up. Your faith has been such a help to me during dark days, know you are a living letter of Christ to us all.
.



Createology said...

I am so sorry your family has been so sick with Covid. My prayers are with your family to return to wellness. Rest and build up your strength. Lovely bookmark. I love reading books.

Christine M said...

Sorry to hear that you have all been unwell. Hopefully everyone will be feeling better soon. Sending you hugs, xxx

gracie said...

So very sorry that all of you have been ill. My mom passed from Covid as did a friend....rest and be well soon.

Ingrid said...

Hola Jennifer
Espero que tu familia y tú ya se estén sintiendo mejor. Tómate todo el tiempo que necesites para recobrarte. Es increíble cómo esta enfermedad le ha dado la vuelta al mundo y que todos nos veamos cubiertos por sus oleadas. Eso ha hecho que los humanos nos acerquemos más y seamos más empáticos.
Recibe un fuerte abrazo desde Venezuela ❤️🌹

Anonymous said...

Very thankful for the COVID vaccines. Feel better soon!

Anonymous said...

We are coming into a time where man's " solutions" are many times nothing but trickery of the devil. We have ignored God for too long. God is long suffering toward us but He is also not mocked. Praying for world wide repentance & revival.