Time on my Hands

The Corona Virus Pandemic took its toll on the social side of our lives, however, there were also some positive aspects of the quarantine.

-Maybe you cooked more

-Maybe you finished your first 1,000 piece puzzle

-Maybe you spent time playing some games with your family

-Maybe you cleaned out those old storage bins full of useless stuff

-Maybe you donated clothing so that others can enjoy the clothes that you haven't worn in years

-Maybe you sat down as a family to chat more

This photo is from our February, 2020 Hut Trip to one

of the many 10th Mtn Division Huts in Colorado.

A Hats That Heal fleece lined hat provided warmth

while ascending up to 13,000 ft in the middle of nowhere !!

Well... my pandemic time has been spent doing those same things PLUS knitting

(not shocking, right?).

The Corona Virus Pandemic will forever change our lives and there will be "new normals" to adapt to. Hugging won't go away forever, right?

--- I had plans to participate in a few summer outdoor markets and sell my hats and Myra bags

--- I had plans to attend the Colorado Casting for Recovery fly fishing retreats

--- I had plans to become a "river helper" and assistant fishing guide for the Casting for Recovery retreat

I have also spent some time getting to know

the Blue River up near Silverthorne, Colorado

Meet my catch of the day - Rainbow Trout !

Although its disappointing that plans have changed,

I have also embraced an exciting

NEW VENTURE...

I am in the early stages of employing women in India to become entrepreneurs and create financial freedom for themselves

Even though India's economy has undergone substantial transformation since it's independence in 1947, women continue to be treated quite differently than men in the workforce. Hierarchical practices and cultural rules tend to keep women confined to home, thus restricting their mobility and face seclusion. Many laws enacting protection and promotion of the interests of women have been passed, however they remain subject to repression.

My focus will be to help women create a viable handicraft that they can produce in their own time, at home and sell to the public, thus creating independence and prosperity for themselves and their family.

How is that going to work from half way around the world, you ask....These women need knitting supplies, yarn, and instruction. How do I keep a consistent design and quality of my hats? How do I ship these supplies to India? Who can help to locate and manage these women? Lots of questions.

I've spent a bunch of time gathering supplies for kits, so I knew each women interested, would be provided with everything thing they needed to create a hand-made knitted hat...knitting needles, scissors, stitch markers and even a personalized Hats That Heal bag to keep it all together.

I am currently in the process of creating a variety of instructional videos, which should resolve any quality issues. Knitting is not necessarily a common hobby for women in India...they are crafty & creative and make things with their hands, so it's likely that they will pick up knitting fairly quickly also.

I was all ready to ship my box of goodies off to India earlier this year, and then the Corona Virus hit and there were no shipments to India allowed. FedEx is now accepting shipments to India, so it's time to get the ball rolling again.

I have a friend partnering with me who also has a contact in India. Our India contact will gather a small group of women that are willing to give it a go. If it all works out, then I should be able to carry an inventory of hats to sell at next years summer festivals and maybe even some Christmas gift shows later this year.