I have to do some second hand boasting.

[sarge43]

My husband just completed 300 masks. He buys the material (gets a discount from the fabric shop) and a pack of XXX large T-shirts for the lining. He's has it down to 10 in 2 hours.

He takes them to the local medical center, an annex of the local hospital. It has Checkpoint Charlies at every entrance. Anyone who doesn't have one gets one of his. When customers head out, they return them into a container at the checkpoint. They're then washed, autoclaved and back in business.

Just a reminder not all old white guys watch Faux Noose, complain and insult. I am very proud of mine.

[Phoenix61]

1. Sounds like you got a keeper.

I’ve noticed the good ones are rarely tossed back.

[sarge43]

3. Coming up on forty years, I think we're good to go.

He can be a PITA, but then so can I.

[NNadir]

14. Those of us who have long marriages filled with love are in a special heaven.

It sounds as you, like I, appreciate that.

[sarge43]

19. I had to wait for awhile until Mister Right fell into my web; I'm glad I did.

I got lucky.

[NNadir]

41. I know exactly what you mean.

I had all these intense but unsatisfactory romances before meeting my future wife, which I don't actually regret, as awful as they may have been, because when she came along, I knew exactly how special she was.

After decades, I still struggle to be worthy of her, which is strange in a way, because she seems not to understand exactly how wonderful she is. She hates being praised.

Still...

Before her, I often wondered whether life was worth living, and after her, I never doubted what a privilege it is to be alive.

[sarge43]

50. Yup. The real deal never brags nor boosts.

We have to do it for them.

[a kennedy]

2. Good for him....AND you...

[sarge43]

4. Thank you. I'll let him know he got an attaboy. n/t

[a kennedy]

5. and forgot to say a HUGE thank you to you both......

mostly him tho......

[sarge43]

6. Thanks. It's 95% him.

I just wash all the material and encourage

2-4-6-8
Who do we appreciated!!

[onecaliberal]

7. Thank you. 💕

[sarge43]

8. Thank you.

As I told him, if we all do a little something positive, it could make a big difference.

[onecaliberal]

9. The masks literally save lives. He is saving lives.

[sarge43]

10. I told him that.

If one of his mask saved one life, he's done his duty.

As said, I'm very proud of him.

[onecaliberal]

15. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💕💕💕

[SWBTATTReg]

11. Wow. A true hero, I knew that they were around. Thank god for folks like you and your husband,

for restoring our faith in humanity. True heroes, both of you.

[sarge43]

23. Thank you.

The real heroes are on the front lines in the hospitals. In a small way he's helping them. That's more than enough.

[SWBTATTReg]

52. Absolutely!! In a way, w/ our government failing us during these critical moments, heroes are...

popping up all over the Country, and I guarantee you that rump is certainly not one of them.

Take care and be safe.

[sarge43]

53. Trump and heroism can't exist in the same time/space continumm.

He's bully, a coward and a sadist.

Heroes are all around us.

You and your peeps take care and stay safe, too. Better days are coming.

[central scrutinizer]

12. I just completed my 150th mask

Basically following the procedure in the video. But I don’t have any interfacing and don’t do the fancy top stitching. My wife did lots of sewing and I have a steamer trunk full of remnants that I’m using. Plus some old twin bed size sheets that I have no use for. Giving them to family and friends and an agency that is collecting resources for the homeless.

[link:http://

|

[onecaliberal]

16. Thank you! 💕💕

[sarge43]

17. Excellent. Thank you.

[Dem2theMax]

13. You are both saving lives.

[sarge43]

24. Thank you. We like to think so. n/t

[central scrutinizer]

59. Another old white guy

Doing what I can

[sarge43]

66. That's all we can and should do. n/t

[George II]

18. That's not second hand boasting - YOU probably have something to do with what he's doing, too.....

That's a great thing to do. No doubt when this is over he'll be responsible for saving a life or two or many.

You should both be very proud!

[sarge43]

21. Sometimes he starts brooding that he's not making any difference.

I give him a Come to Jesus briefing and get him back on track.

Thank you. I am proud of him. That's good enough for me.

[Traildogbob]

20. No cape needed

And not made up by Marvel. Real life, real man. Does he wear tights with an Emblem? If a God were to send some one to represent, it would be him, not a trump, any of em. Thank you does not cover the gratitude deserved. ❤️👏✌🏽🙏🏿🤚🏻

[sarge43]

22. Wow. Thank you.

No, he just wears his "Bee Keeper: Smoke 'em if you got 'em" T-shirt and ratty old bermuda shorts. One doesn't dress for success in New Hampshire.

A thank you is more than good enough.

[Traildogbob]

25. Your story

Truly moved me and gave me hope I have been thinking has gone. Thank you both. Makes me again believe there is a reason I served this country and returns the pride I had that I did. Hero’s in raggedly Bermuda shirts.

[sarge43]

28. We both served. I think "What's the mission, sir" mode is still in place. Hard habit to break.

Last edited Wed Jul 1, 2020, 06:13 PM - Edit history (1)

I'll be double damn if I'll let creeps like Trump and his lackeys make me lose faith in my country.

Yes, we have a lot blood on our ledger and much to answer for when the evaluation comes due, but...
we've freed and fed millions; we created the internet and gave it for free to world; we've created stunning works of art and music; we were the first write "We the People"; we've sent mankind's music, words and photo album to the stars.

I love this country and it's worth for fighting for.

[Traildogbob]

32. Thank you

Needed that. Joined during draft era. 324 draft number, no right to vote. It took until HW Middle East before we got any show of appreciation. Was great to finally be respected, and proud to wear service hats and shirts. You two are inspiring.

[Karadeniz]

26. I'm proud to sort of know him!❤

[sarge43]

29. Thank you. I'll let him know he has virtual friend

Last edited Wed Jul 1, 2020, 06:58 PM - Edit history (1)

That will mean a lot.

[niyad]

27. Would you please give that marvelous man hugs from all of us, and know that we are hugging you

as well. Thank you both for all that you are doing.

Be safe and wel.

[sarge43]

30. I sure will

Your words will mean the world to him. Thank you.

[NBachers]

31. This more than offsets the Straight Outta Applebees couple. Really, there's way more of us.

[sarge43]

40. Yes, there are and that gives me hope. n/t

[japple]

33. My husband was much better at sewing than I. He made puffy coats for the kids back

in the 1980s from Frostline kits. My Dad was also good at the sewing machine, though most of his work was limited to parachutes and machine repair. My Mom was extraordinary. She was also a Sarge--WAC in WWII, and could sew ANYTHING. She made tailored suits, all of our clothes, and even upholstered cushions for my brother's 1969 van!


Bless your husband for his very important work on the front.

Edit this post to add: My Mom's family farmed cotton in N. Georgia. They also made tufted bedspreads in the 40s & 50s. They lived near Hwy 41--called Peacock Alley because of the peacock-patterned bedspreads made by families nearby and sold to tourists on the way from northern states to/from Florida.

[sarge43]

36. That's how Jim got started - rigging chutes.

He did sky diving back in the Neolithic and decided it was a good idea to pack and repair his own. So he scored a Master Rigger Cert. I on the other might manage a straight line on a machine, but more than that would be a rat's nest.

Your Mom was a true pioneer. She cleared some of the path for those of us who followed.

Jim made several Frostline jackets. So sorry they went out of business.

[japple]

43. Let's hear it for Frostline!!!! Bob made vests and jackets with embroidered initials for

the kids, my sister, himself and me. My sister still has hers (and is still the same size as in 1980) and every winter, she pulls it out, looks heavenward and says "Thank you, Bob, for making this vest for me." We were all sorry that Frostline wasn't able to stay in business.

I still have his sewing machine and used it to make quite a few masks. It's a 1950's model Singer straight stitch. I couldn't handle anything else. I mostly use it for making cat and dog beds and mending.

Tx for your comments about Mom. She was very proud of her service (as is her family) and has a veteran's grave stone, though we had to go thru hell & high water just to get it.

Happy 4th to you and yours.

[sarge43]

46. With care (cleaned and oiled) a 50's Singer is good onto the 22nd century.

Cherish it.

Your Mom had every right to be proud. She had true grit. Some of the stories I heard from WAC vets made my hair stand on end.

Frontline was quality. (RIP)

Happy 4th backatcha and stay safe.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

67. Old Singers will last forever.

The all steel ones. My mom had a Featherweight (model 221A) that she taught me to sew on. Then she got a beige Slant-O-Matic circa 1956. Built in zigzag, drop in bobbin. That's the one I use. I think they started making them plastic in the 70s.

[sarge43]

69. They were built like tanks and just as hard to stop.

Jim's using a Singer 301A, circa 1958.

[Niagara]

34. Thank you for sharing this inspiring piece.

I would absolutely be boasting too if I had what you had.




Off topic, when my parents brought me home as a newborn, they had a German Shepard named Sarge. He wouldn't let anyone near me, not even my own parents. Whenever I see your handle, I always think about that sweet and precious dog.

[sarge43]

39. Thank you

German Shepards take serve and protect seriously.

[lillypaddle]

35. Yeah, but does he fart a lot?

Just kidding! He's a keeper AND a winner.

[sarge43]

37. Some, but so do I. We're at that age. It evens out. Sharing is caring.

Yes he is.

Thank you.

[Solly Mack]

38. Thank you both.

[sarge43]

42. Thank you, Solly Mack. n/t

[Heartstrings]

44. Good man! Thank him, please! nt

[sarge43]

47. I sure will. Thank you. n/t

[AllaN01Bear]

45. jolly good show . most eggscllent.

i too resemble the last few lines of your post . i dont watch faux noize at all as i cant afford cable tv .

[sarge43]

48. You're very wise.

Last edited Wed Jul 1, 2020, 07:19 PM - Edit history (1)

It's the same as going to the geek show at a fourth rate carnie.

You can't believe what you're watching and you feel shabby or enraged afterward.

Jim never watched it. I told him "Don't. You'll hate yourself otherwise." Unfortunately he was trapped in a garage while his beater was inspected. They had FN on the waiting room TV. When he came home, he said, "You were right. Fox News is a shop vacc. It sucks and blows."

[MLAA]

49. Now you have yourself a real man!!!! I am proud of him also!

You chose very, very well!!!! 💖💖💕💕

[sarge43]

51. Yeah, he's a keeper.

Thank you.

[Trueblue Texan]

54. Here's to your considerate hubby and my thanks to both of you!

[Scarsdale]

55. +1.

You two sound perfect for each other. Lucky you found each other. Keep up the good work. Tell your hubby THANKS for everything he does.

[sarge43]

65. Thank you both n/t

[warmfeet]

56. That brought a tear to my eyes.

We all need to help each other. You are quite correct to be proud, in my opinion.

[sarge43]

62. Thank you.

Like the man said, divided we fall; united we stand.

[trof]

57. Geezers RULE!

And I am one!

[sarge43]

61. Yes indeed.

Just because there's snow on the roof doesn't mean the furnace isn't working. If we can't kick 'em in the butt, we can hit 'em with the cane.

[herding cats]

58. Yay on him!

He sounds alike a definite keeper. Lucky you!

[sarge43]

60. He is and I lucked out. Thank you. n/t

[KY_EnviroGuy]

63. Now that's community love and spirit!

Exactly what we're massively short of in America today.

Our complements to you and hubs and please: both of you be safe.

KY...........

[sarge43]

64. Thank you.

We're being careful. We both want very badly to be at our polling place 3 Nov. We have issues.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

68. Very cool!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[sarge43]

70. Thank you. n/t

[calimary]

71. Wow! WUNNNNNNNNNNNNderful!

A personally handmade mask is more than simply a smart way to prevent the spread of the virus. It's a physical manifestation of compassion and generosity and ingenuity, and genuine care.

A woman in our Indivisible group makes masks and refuses to take any money for them. She gives them away. And she'll explain it's a great way to use up old fabric scraps as well. They're beautifully made. And she'll ask about the recipient(s) - what they like and what they do, so she can pick fabric with appropriate designs or prints on it. Mine has peace signs all over it.

Angels among us - like your husband, sarge43! Some of them are extremely creative!

[sarge43]

78. I never thought of them that way.

A physical symbol of what truly matters in this bleak time - giving a damn for each other. I'll pass that on.

Virtual hugs and deepest thanks to that lovely woman.

[Lars39]

72. So proud of him!

And you, too, for supporting his sewing habit!
I am so stealing that Checkpoint Charlies description!

Any details you can give as to pattern used, what kind of ties, etc?

[sarge43]

80. Posting the You Tube video that got him started.

He tweek it a little and added some of his own flare.

If you're interested, I can post some of the tools and techniques he uses.

They aren't armed at our Checkpoint Charlies, but they have the Hairy Eyeball of Death at the ready.

[Lars39]

81. I found some videos that shows how to make the pleats faster!

I've been making the axe mask, but I may try the pleated again after watching these videos.

I'm interested in how he makes his version, too.

[sarge43]

82. He has it down to just eyeballing them. After 300, pretty much muscle memory now

He holds the pleats in place while he sews them with Wonder Clips - small clothes pins

[Lars39]

83. Those Wonder Clips are great!

May he always have a sharp needle and endless bobbin.

[sarge43]

84. May the tension always stay stable.

[panader0]

73. Very cool Mr. Sarge43. And you too Mrs. Sarge43.

[sarge43]

79. Thank you

Do what we can.

[JudyM]

74. Fantastic!

Community leadership. Full participation in standing up for what’s right.

Would be great if you could post a pic to showcase them

[sarge43]

77. Wish I could post a picture

However, this old dog never learned that trick.

He is going to frame one.

[bluboid]

75. He sounds like...

an amazing man & a beautiful soul!

[sarge43]

76. Thank you

A good soul and very talented.