We’re all in this together–and we’ve got a page to prove it!
Update: Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Most of us are now living under shelter in place orders for at least the next month. For me, that’s meant a lot of one of one time with my spouse, more walks with my dog, and more cooking. How about you?
And for those of you who are at home with kids, I thought you’d enjoy this video my sister sent me! It cracked me up!
https://www.tiktok.com/@mitchell/video/6809009687313353989
Social distancing can be lonely and the news is downright terrifying. And while we strongly suggest you read romance and seek joy in every place you can, we also believe that community is comforting.
So we’ve created a page for support and discussion to help our readers get through this stressful time. If you need a friend–or a hundred–or a place to vent and share suggestions, this page is the place for you. We want it to feel like a virtual hug. (And no arguing. This is place for support and connection only.)
Stay safe and know we’re all here for you.
Here’s the link: https://allaboutromance.com/how-are-you-feeling-were-all-in-this-together-lets-chat/
Just a random brighten the day kind of thing: I have been following the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam on and off for a couple of years now. Right now, the eagle family has two eaglets that recently hatched- very cute. There are both live videos and highlights of the day here: https://dickpritchettrealestate.com/eagle-feed.html.
I just watched, with Dr. Feelgood, Romancing the Stone and, whew, did I love it. It is the perfect movie for romance novel lovers!
My mom wants to go shopping on friday. So I’m making a list like I’m a dear daughter of a cowboy. on a trip to the nearest big city.
Otherwise, re-reading a matt ruff book has been keeping me cheered up. I plan to try reading something once I’m done with that book, but I’m not sure what. Dogs are very cheerful since I gave them little walks today.
Also my lad dog knocked over my water bottle, then groomed it.
One thing I am doing during this time is working on my marriage. My husband and I are both at home together and, for the past three weeks, it’s been just us. 24/7. We haven’t spent this much alone time together since our honeymoon.
So, we’ve been trying to be better partners. We are each watching a show the other wants to–I picked The Expanse, he picked Scrubs. We are deliberately flirting more, etc…. We ask each other how the other is faring and try and not offer advice, only support.
It’s been pretty life affirming. #silverlining
So. Much. Joy.
https://youtu.be/F5pgG1M_h_U
and in the annals of ‘it could be worse…’
Last week I thought maybe I was getting an ear infection. Long story short, I ended up with a double inner/outer ear infection & A FUNGAL infection in my left ear! (clean those ear buds – that’s where my doctor thinks I got it). After 2 shots in my bottom, a line-up of 5 daily medications + 2 different kinds of ear drops, my ears are returned to normal size and feeling better. Yesterday morning I slipped in the shower and fell. Bruised my toes, tailbone and head when I cracked it on the wall.
Silver-Linings: I have insurance. I have a car. Urgent Care was open and I was the only one there. I’m on the mend. I woke up today & finally felt like a human again.
So…if you’re having a bad day, maybe my nightmare can be your ‘better her than me.’
OMG I SOUND LIKE A HOT MESS. :)
I am so sorry! I slipped and fell on wet tile on the patio last year and landed on my back and got a concussion. It was the worst injury I’ve ever experienced. I heard/felt the cracking of my spine and shoulder. Take your recovery very slow. I have a collection of hot water bottles, ice packs and heating pads in all shapes and sizes. And I could not have come out of it as well as I did without my acupuncturist. It took me six months to get back to normal and even now if I stand too long or wear stupid shoes I start to hunch. On the ear front I have to wear swim ear plugs when I shower, swim or surf because my ears are water traps. It is so annoying to have ear problems. :(
Take care of your lovely body, it’s the only one you have! :)
Yikes! That sounds awful. I’m so glad you are OK!
It was, and I am. Can finally laugh about it today!
I have some co-morbidity factors in addition to my age, so my husband (working from home and still with a job, thank God) and my daughters are getting all the groceries and running all the errands (slathering themselves in sanitizer as they do). The youngest two are taking their final college classes (they’re set to graduate in May) on Zoom. My oldest works with mentally-disabled adults. Her job is deemed essential and she has to carry a paper with her in case she’s questioned by law enforcement (this hasn’t happened yet). I do try to get my walk around the neighborhood (carefully observing social distancing) every day. It’s 1-1/2 miles and takes me about 45 minutes (I’m not power walking!) and is a nice way to get some fresh air and a bit of sunshine. We’re continuing to watch our assortment of British mystery dvds. Last night we watched A POCKETFUL OF RYE with the wonderful Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. Stay safe everyone!
Coursera.org has a lot of free and interesting courses online. My daughter who is working at home is taking a Russian history class. I am trying to decide which one to take so if you have any interest check it out!
Oh good one Connie! I’m going to check it out now!
I signed up for the Scribd deal! And then promptly set a reminder for when to cancel it so I don’t get charged!
My sister has a MasterClass membership and shared it out with our family. I’ve done photography and make-up with Bobbi Brown. Some of it isn’t very relevant to me and/or I already knew it, but they are interesting. I’m doing wine next.
I’m also using this time to get through my NetGalley books and posting reviews. I AM THE WORST AT GIVING FEEDBACK and my hovering at 75% rating is a reflection of it! So, I have a couple of books I am reviewing for us here, and then I’m focusing on breaking down that mountain of NG TBR’s.
I am also cooking! A lot. I have a universal membership to the America’s Test Kitchen family & I love to watch the channel via my LGTV channel line-up (there are lot’s of great cooking channels on there BTW). I make a lot of their recipes (last night’s stuffed lamb pita sandwiches with greek roasted potatoes were delicious). I had to make some adjustments (like, getting ground lamb was impossible), and I didn’t have a some of the fresh herbs, but the dinner turned out great. I also subscribe to Milk Street and I could probably front a small cook book library if I so desired. I love cook books! And cooking.
I have a Zoom with my middle school core team (I teach 6/7/8), every morning at 8, and today we all had to chat a word of the day. Mine was a cheat – silver-lining – but some of the others included: Mindfulness, Peace, Purpose, Kindness, and Perseverance. I thought it was a wonderful prompt to end our meeting.
I’m happy to have my usually on-the-road husband home with me and my boys. I’m happy to have this wonderful community of romance readers to virtually talk to. And I’m happy Dabney posted this query.
Stay safe, keep your distance & LET’S FLATTEN THE CURVE.
My husband and I never realized we were elderly until now. Actually my husband is 80 but plays singles tennis and works full-time. Fortunately he is able to work at home. We live in New York City and are grateful for all the food delivery services we have and two of our local restaurants are doing takeout and delivery. Our kids and grandkids live in the area and we keep in contact by FaceTime IM’s etc. every Friday night we have cocktails with our friends who live in the suburbs via Zoom. We consider ourselves as very lucky people. Checking in with AAR A couple times a day cheers me up. One of my husbands young partners girlfriend is an OR nurse at a major New York hospital so we have first-hand information on the nightmare that is going on. There was a great op ed in the New York Times last week by Jennifer Senior on being married and at home during the coronavirus. I don’t know how to attach but you can Google it it’s a great read. Be safe and healthy everyone!
Here’s the link:
https://nyti.ms/3aZkMZy
I saw a few different places posting that Scribd is giving away a free month (with no strings attached, no credit card down) of ebooks and audiobooks.
I didn’t want to just post a link here in case it’s not OK to do so (it’s not an affiliate link or anything I just saw it on Facebook and the web) but if you google Scribd and free you should find it no problem. If anyone’s local library doesn’t stock many ebooks or audiobooks it may be a good option for some new reading. I haven’t checked it out yet as I always have a huge backlog but I may. It looks like really new books such as Jessica Simpson’s autobiography are included if anyone is looking for some escapist reading.
Take care everyone!
Hug to all romance ladies!
Stay well, stay safe, and keep your spirits up – sweet (or spicy) books, spring sunshine and birds, loved ones – whatever makes you feel good, make sure you put some of it into your days, every day!
Returning your virtual hug. :)
As for spicy books, I just want to remind writers and aspiring writers at AAR that quarantines are a great excuse to knuckle down for some storytelling as well as story reading. For those interested, I just read an update on the “Erato” erotica anthology. They are short on F/M historical flash fiction stories. So if anybody has a steamy Regency scene up to 2,000 words- or any time period for that matter- I’d like to encourage you to go for it! Here is the link: https://newsmutproject.tumblr.com/post/190662885494/call-for-submissions-erato-flash-fiction. The update about needing historical fiction is on a different page, but I didn’t want to clutter this post with links.
Happy writing, everyone!
One of our local grocery chains “is reserving the first hour of each day – from 6 AM to 7 AM – for shopping by seniors aged 60 and above, and for those who are most at risk of COVID-19”.
I’m over 60. I probably should not be totally laughing and rolling my eyes at this, should I? Should I?
I think that’s smart. Every small step we take to break the chain is a plus. My husband is 66 and, I have to say, I’m happy he is only at work–very carefully seeing patients–and at home.