WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUTUBE?

If you aren't already one of the billions (yes, billions) who engage with something-or-other on YouTube, you likely will be soon. And a lot of it is free!

I occasionally looked up something that had a YouTube video and watched it. Some of my favorites were musicians performing their own work: Simon & Garfunkel--Leonard Cohen--Judy Collins--Peter, Paul & Mary, to name a few. Then I found references to orchestras or choral groups offering large works--the video of the Sydney Orchestra and Chorus performing Handel's Messiah was one of the highlights of my previous Christmas season.

Another entertainment was watching episodes of old TV shows--but they didn't quite make it to my favorites list this time around, so I abandoned those for documentary kinds of stories: the making of a recording or how a particular song came to be written.

Before long I was looking for other stuff--quilting and knitting sites (I'm always up for learning new techniques--and for me, a video is ideal: I can watch and work along with the presenter, then start the whole thing again; or just pause until I catch up).

My current faves are art tutorials: watercolor (pencil, paint), pastel; making greeting cards; trying mixed media ideas. 

The above image shows autumn leaves illustrated by Shadya Campbell, a Canadian artist, whose YouTube channel has hundreds (literally!) of tutorials. I like her style and her tutorials are very easy to follow. And she's a neat person to "visit" with.

Why the big interest, you ask? Thank you for that excellent question. Here's how it is for me:

#1--I can learn at home - no driving in bad weather to another venue, or trying to find out if the event has been cancelled.

#2--I can learn at my own speed. If the presenter loses me (or rather, if I get lost from what's going on), I can stop and catch up, or simply watch the whole thing again.

#3--I can stick my toe in the water to test the temperature without diving in over my head. Art supplies, for example, can be pricey; but I have tons of stuff from previous years of experimentation. And I know about discount suppliers and educational suppliers (offering student-grade paints, which are great for learning how the stuff works). Currently I'm choosing tutes that fit in with my closet-ful of stuff.

#4--I can set my own schedule. Part of that's due to being retired. But part is also due to life having shifted to the slow lane during COVID's appearance in our midst. Hardly anybody expects me to provide anything at a given time. Not even I expect it!

#5--I can try anything at all without anybody knowing about it--and if I'm a total failure, who's to know except me? (And whoever I tell in my blog.)

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One very important part of YouTube for me has been the live streaming or recording of church services. My own congregation's services are available, along with worship from many other places. I've "worshiped" in Venice, Florida; Canterbury, UK; National Cathedral in Washington, DC; and other churches locally. All from my own home.

My friends and I joke about going to church in our pj's and taking our commuter cups of coffee or tea with us. And yet, the sense of community can be discerned, both by knowing others are there "with us," or are yoked with the clergy and laity who bring the service into our homes.

This part of YouTube is the most successful way I've been able to survive the isolation of COVID. Yes, I write emails, produce my blog on a weekly basis, write longhand letters to family, type letters that are emailed to friends who expect more than a "Hi! How are you?" email. I text, even phone people once in a while. And I occasionally get to meet with friends in person, but we're all vigilant about contact, masks, and social distancing.

It all helps keep me sane (more or less, depending on who's looking).

So I recommend YouTube as a place to start if you're looking up anything DIY, from removing stains in clothing to building birdhouses, to changing oil in your car, to--well, you name it. Just type your subject into your search engine and see what comes up. YouTube is likely to be near the top of the list of sites you can check out. If you're not looking for DIY advice, shop around for an old episode of Carol Burnett or Dick Van Dyke. Might help you laugh that day.

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Until next time, keep learning, keep growing, look up things you don't know, and be happy.

Also, stay safe, be kind, and if you're up here in the north country, stay warm!