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Evening on the Yuba
They flit and float
Wings aflutter.
In gathering darkness
Their bodies quiver.
They kiss the water
In an elusive dance.
And we watch the bats boogie
Above the river.
Barbara L. Steinberg
June 2, 2004
Rainbow Lodge
Soda Springs, CA
Another moment to be thankful for all the brilliance and resilience of small businesses throughout the U.S.A. In this case, California - our Golden State - home to family-owned and operated High Seas Trading Co. I was fortunate enough to meet this family-owned and -operated father and son duo some years ago at the Port of San Diego's Day at the Docks. I was already supporting Made in the U.S.A. and Made in California through many of my travels and online posts. I was thrilled to acquire High Seas Trading Co. California-branded shirts including Historic Highway 101 and California Missions.
When a random post brought their latest endeavor to my attention, I replied to owner Terrill Agnew and was so honored that he remembered our meeting. And thankful that I can return the honor by helping them promote their newest Made in the U.S.A./California project.
Here's what Terrill had to say about his company's jump to help make face masks during this crisis and providing employment:
March 25, 2020"And just like that, my shirt factory has shifted production, retooled, and is making much needed face masks for hospitals and clinics. We are all proud to be part of the effort in the Corona Virus fight to provide protective gear to doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, who in my eyes are the front line soldiers in this global crisis.
They are working hard under extreme stress to adapt daily to the new protocols that the pandemic has caused and to protect themselves and the most at risk patients and sadly are short critical gear. It’s unbelievable, worldwide demand has more surged a 1000% , if not more. All supplies and surpluses have been depleted and overseas suppliers have a Covid 19 crisis in their own countries and their respective governments are requiring them to supply their own needs.
On Saturday morning, head of my production said hospitals are making video pleas for face masks of high thread count tightly woven cotton which is material we use for our Aloha shirts. I told him to make a sample. Not kidding, within two hours of the sample, I get a call on the weekend from a good friend who procures for a hospital that desperately needs them and have been getting quotes of MID-MAY deliveries . I told him we had the sample already. We made production pattern and marker Sunday and were in production Monday with the first drop being made last night.
This is an emergency rush so we had to use the materials on hand which happen to be Hawaiian prints and fun, bright novelty designs. They actually love the idea to bring a little cheer to what has been an extremely stressful situation. The good news is the fabric is ideal, reusable, easily sterilized, and we can produce them at mass scale to meet their immediate and critical needs. Under CDC protocols when there is a shortage of specialized medical grade masks, this becomes an acceptable and a necessary alternative. There are very few N95 respirators available and they are being allocated and prioritized for the most critical front line doctors and nurses for high risk procedures.
Thursday we were a “non-essential” clothing manufacturer, a dinosaur from the once proud California garment industry. A factory that local and state governments had asked to shut down during this crisis, but are now a maker and supplier of critical medical supplies.
I’ll be honest, up until a few days ago, I had no idea on how bad the shortage was and have been brainstorming to how we can build capacity. We are finishing an urgent project this week and will continue to make as many as we can in anticipation of other calls as we have been receiving them. Many of you are in the medical industry and if you have a serious need, contact my business by text or phone 949-380-8641.
Calling home sewers!! If you want to be part of this effort please contact me and I will get you a pattern, cut pieces, and if necessary, elastic to make these. We just donated all our surplus cotton to volunteers that normally make quilts, but are now making face masks. You can make a difference!
Medical professionals, hospitals, and clinics are our first priority, but so is the safety of friends and neighbors. The people have seen them have asked to buy them. I know it’s hard to find masks of any kind anywhere. In the coming days we will have them available. We are going to make some cool designs because there is no rule that you can’t be hygienic and fashionable at the same time. Check online!
Cheers friends back to the factory."
When the crisis finally passes - and it will - what will we do? Will we return to our disconnected and self-centered ways? Lost in countless hours of social media. Over-scheduling our children. Retreating into our homes and never knowing our neighbors. Never reaching out to ask, "Do you need help?" Forgetting to stop and smell the roses or take the road less traveled.
There are many positives that have resulted from the crisis. In the past few weeks, I have seen more people out and about in the neighborhood. Walking, Running. Biking. Parents and children enjoying cherished moments exploring a nearby nature preserve. We've shared light conversation with neighbors across the fence. On a recent stroll, we met a new neighbor who shared a packet of tomato seeds. They are already planted and we're hoping for a bumper crop which we can share around the 'hood. We are living our lives as in days of old - the way our parents and grandparents lived. Well, for some of us even when we were kids in neighborhoods where you could get-up a game of kickball or hide-and-seek weekdays or weekends.
I am someone who stays in touch reaching out by phone more than by e-communication. But even I have been calling and talking to family and friends more than usual. Making sure that those who are alone know that I am thinking of them and making sure they aren't so alone!
And sheltering in place not realizing that there is a whole world out there who was already living this and coming to understand that. A good friend in Reno who suffers from a form bi-polar disorder said this to me when I asked if she was hunkered down, "As you know, I almost never leave the apartment. What people are shocked to have to give up, I had to give up long ago. I hope you are well, too." She is perfectly content and suffering far less than the rest of us complaining of the isolation. At the same time, showing her compassion and concern for me.
Every morning for many years I have meditated and asked a higher power - whoever that might be - to show us/me a better way. To be better human beings. To be loving. To be compassionate. To be forgiving. To be mindful. To keep all in harm's way safe. To heal one and all - especially the evil and greed of leaders who (since the dawn of time) have shown little concern for those they are entrusted to protect.
Yes, the world has been placed ever so gently in our hands. Let us not fail!