Pandemic Perspective

This is mostly a social opinion piece, with only a little model-railroad-related content.  Even so, please read on; I promise to not be too controversial. In fact, I hope it will help some folks out there manage stress and anxiety during a difficult season.

One phrase I've heard again and again since mid-March when the self-confinement and protective isolation began is, "...with all this extra time...".  With all this extra time, I've gotten so much _____ done (insert long-overdue project of your choice in the blank).  No doubt, there are more than a few folks who, due to being furloughed or outright fired now have "extra" time on their hands.  I feel for anyone who is watching their savings dwindle away (if they had any!) with few prospects of a job waiting for them in the near future.  Maybe they're just putting an optimistic spin on what is really a rotten situation by crowing about all the spare time they have and how productive they've been.

A similar narrative has come from the modeling community, both plastic addicts and train buffs alike.  One popular meme image showed a room full of kits, a stash of shame as it has been proudly named, with the caption, "We've prepared for this day!" or some-such.  There is a popular opinion floating around that introverts who would typically prefer to be at home working a puzzle or reading instead of socializing, now have permission to blissfully engage in whatever hobby or pursuit they please without fear of scorn.  They are, in fact, the perverse victors in this time of suffering as they hunker down in a hobby room to practice their craft far from the dangers of the viral world swirling outside.

I only wish this was the case in our house*.  For the loner, or the empty-nester, this may be the case, but if you're a stay-at-home-parent, (pun intended) then you likely have had less time than you may have had before.  That has been the case for our household.  We are fortunate in many ways - still able to work safely, with access to grocery delivery or pickup, a garden producing fresh produce and four eggs a day from our backyard flock.  Our income has not been diminished except for some discretionary funds from a side job I had.  But the time I would've gained there has been lost to other responsibilities I'm fortunate to have.  My kids learned how to 'Zoom' to finish the school year, and my wife's job moved online.  I'm still chief cook and bottle washer.

I've learned something very important about myself in this time; as an introvert who gains energy from time spent alone, it is not enough to just 'isolate' in a garage or hobby room or closet.  There is a real need to know that I can pursue my creative pastime without having to let the dogs out or bring them in because they're barking at a neighbor, or answer the phone, or deal with the kids, or any number of interruptions.  I need to know I can have this time free and clear of any other responsibilities.  This is part of the escape factor of the hobby and I know it is important to so many creators out there.

The puzzle in the images above was worked over the span of a few days.  At 1500 pieces it was just a smidge too large to fit on our card table, so the family agreed to work it on the kitchen table where we eat our meals.  A waterproof tablecloth covered the pieces during the assembly and came off after the dishes were cleared so that work could continue.  I know I'm blessed to have a wife and kids who can all sit down and eat at the same table, every night, and who even enjoy working a puzzle with dear old Dad.  We're blessed to have our health in this time, good food to eat, and a house to live in.

But I'm most thankful for being able to sequester away in our bedroom at a little table we've put there where I can file some detail parts or sketch a track plan or paint figures.  I'm especially thankful for my wife that will keep track of the dogs and the kids and the phone while I'm recharging my introvert batteries in that time.  I hope you, dear reader, have the opportunity to recharge and be refreshed in this time.  If you're an introvert, or if you live with one, maybe this post will help.

*I do have the shameful stash of kits, my home hobby shop, and one of the first things I did after the self-isolation lockdown began was to sort my era-appropriate kits into full kits and rebuilds so that I can build or rebuild one when the mood strikes and the time is available.  But I'm not counting on being able to build them all in some grand quarantine 24-hour speed paint build.  I'll be lucky to get one finished, if I manage to start it at all.