I just couldn’t get into a book this weekend. How about you? Are you finding something that is a distraction? I am reading a book, and I’ll have a review on Wednesday of Rebecca Serle’s latest novel In Five Years. It’s about a woman who has her life all planned out, at least for the next five years, but on the night she gets engaged, she wakes up five years in the future with a man she doesn’t know. An hour later, she’s back in her planned life. But, what about her unplanned future?
Tomorrow, author Edith Maxwell will be here with a guest post talking about writing and surviving in a time of quarantine. A timely post.
What are you doing for distraction? Music and movies. I watched an online show from Ireland with one of the singers from Celtic Thunder, Emmet Cahill. I watched my favorite western, a black-and-white movie from 1951 called “Westward the Women”. My father-in-law and I used to watch it together. And, I watched part of “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”. I really only like the first and the last in that series, but I’ll start watching either one of those movies at any part.
And, then last night I watched something online that was really unusual. It was on YouTube, “The Rose O’Donnell Show LIVE!” with all kind of Broadway actors as a fundraiser for The Actors Fund. You all know how much I love Broadway, so this was sad as well as fun.
I spent hours on the phone, so much more than I usually do because I usually hate talking on the phone. But, I talked to my Mom several times. I also enjoyed talking with friends in Virginia, Arizona and Wisconsin. It’s a time to reach out and talk to people. In fact, we need to.
So, what are you doing for distractions right now?
Well, we got home on Saturday from Florida, so it took some time to unpack the car, put everything away, go to the store and stock up on food so we can stay in as much as possible, Jackie to get her hair done, etc. We did make a start to catch up on some shows we missed while we were away, or that have started recently – HOMELAND, MY BRILLIANT FRIEND, LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER, etc. Looks like we will have plenty of time to catch up.
Jackie finished THE RISE OF MAGICKS, third in the latest Nora Roberts trilogy, and is finally getting to the first Sarah MacLean book, and I finally started the new Peter Robinson. I am avoiding the news on television as much as possible, but I can't stop myself from reading about it online, especially as we have subscriptions to the NY Times and Washington Post (both of which, by the way, have made their coronavirus coverage free to everyone).
Jackie's lucky she could get her hair done. Many of us missed that opportunity. We'll see what mine looks like eventually.
You're right, Jeff. I check our local news in the morning, and again around noon and 5, and that's it. Flicked on for the weather & any state/local news, and then off again. But, like you, I at least check the headlines in those papers.
Glad you're both home. Stay safe & healthy!
Hi Lesa,
Funnily enough I am having no trouble reading, even though I am as anxious as the next person, especially about my children. I am reading quite undemanding stuff – about to finish Rebecca Shaw's The Village Newcomers (Shaw wrote several series, this one is all set in the fictional village of Turnham Malpas – I haven't read many yet and I think there are at least 15, so plenty to go!) Other things i have lined up are some British Crime Library mysteries, 'A Step so Grave' (a Catriona McPherson Dandy Gilver novel), two Ian Rankin Inspector Rebus books, some Jenny Colgan romances and Donna Leon's 'Unto Us A Son Is Given' – one of her Inspector Brunetti books, all set in Venice where she lives.
Yesterday we managed to go on a lovely long walk from the house (so no 'unnecessary driving') passing fields, woods, some beautiful houses…and easily managing 'social distancing' as there was hardly anyone else out, and anyone we did pass stayed well away, we all just called out 'Hallo!'. The highlight for me was seeing a red kite soaring above the trees.
I will feel happier, though, when my husband has collected my youngest daughter from university tomorrow. My other daughter has already left London and is living in our house in Edinburgh.I worry a lot about my son, who is an ambulance person in the Highlands, but he is very chilled about it all – says the biggest problem for them is all the people driving their camper vans up to the area to 'escape' the cities. Some are even driving up there just to fill up their vans with groceries then head back down again – how bad is that, when these communities have limited numbers of shops and their own population to feed?
So, back to the reading – and reviewing. I am about to write something about Marian Keyes' The Mystery of Mercy Close, which I read as part of Reading Ireland Month but which also fitted rather well with my own project to read books with place names in the title.
I haven't watched much TV or any films yet, but I have plenty of DVDs and recorded stuff to work through.
Not watching the news except for the occasional catch up – our First Minister here in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, is doing a daily update and that is enough for me, I trust her completely (whereas the Westminster politicians are, IMO, just showing us all their weaknesses at the moment).
I've also been doing some gardening – it's a bit cold and cloudy today, but I still might pop out soon to plant the last of the shrubs we bought a couple of weeks ago. Everything is bursting into life in the garden, which is encouraging.
Keep well Lesa – you are such a valued lifeline for us all.x
Rosemary! That last line about a valued lifeline really fits my feelings about your description of your weekend. You are a beautiful writer. You managed to talk about work, family worries, politics, and you did it without a lot of stress and strain. Thank you for such a well-written description. Maybe I should do Distractions every Monday so you can write to us. Thank you.
There is always "the basement project." This is an ongoing affair. We moved five times in five years awhile back. Some boxes passed hand-to-hand unopened and landed in the basement. Many were labeled with vague titles such as "Laurie Miscellaneous," "Cat Items," "NY Giants Paraphernalia." The labels are all in my handwriting, so there is no one else to blame. I am trying to write two pages every day…then, down to the basement! After a few hours there I come upstairs for air. Other distractions: ironing the cloth napkins from Thanksgiving dinner, monitoring the neighbors' comings and goings and gazing at Charles, our outdoor cat, as he snoozes in the sun. Stay well, dear. We need you!
Oh do Lesa, that would be fun! Though I'd have to come up with new material every week…. It might turn into The News From Nothing-Much-Is-Happening…. – very Garrison Keillor, though sadly not nearly as entertaining 🙂
Ah, Laurie. I have 2 spare bedrooms, and I haven't even looked at the boxes there. I admire you for tackling the basement project. I admire you even more for writing! We need our authors, even though you all are suffering right now. Thank you for what you do.
Well, that's okay, Rosemary. I liked your comments about waving to others out walking. And, the news from your son. Your First Minister is so much better than our politics, so I enjoyed reading that as well. I'll start posting Distractions on Monday. So, remember this! You have a week to think of your compilation for next Monday!
Well there's a challenge! That'll make the weekend more interesting (or it had better!)
By the way I also hate talking on the phone, but spent most of yesterday evening chatting to my Mum and each of my daughters. These are different times indeed.
They are different times. I talk a lot with my Mom anyways, but I've done every more lately. She's really the only one I like to talk with. But, I really need to talk with my sisters this week as well. Hugs, Rosemary!
The most disturbing thing I saw today (Rosemary and Lesa), was an article showing people packed into the London Underground as if nothing was amiss, as well as people in Skegness eating fish & chips, and people in the parks in London. Sadly, these people (and Boris) are in for an abrupt, sad awakening. You just want to shake them like Cher in MOONSTRUCK and yell, "Snap out of it!"
Believe me, the New York subways are empty, six people spread out in a car, and the buses are deserted. I don't get it.
I don't get it either, Jeff. And, today, one of our Admin Team at work said she wasn't feeling good. She picked up her daughter a week ago at college, where people had it.
I hope when this all gets over, whenever that is, that my biggest concern is that I didn't get my hair cut. I hope everyone stays healthy, and no one ends up in the hospital, or worse.
I'm working from home, and we just had a 45 minute text conversation between Admin. Fortunately, I still have all of you. Take care of yourselves.
I’ve been reading some short cozy mysteries on my kindle since they don’t require a lot of concentration. On nice days we’ve been working on mulching the garden since we had a truckload of mulch delivered a couple of weeks ago. We’ve also been doing our Zumba classes over Zoom since our instructor is doing them for us.
I was laughing about the hairdresser comment and applaud Jackie for being able to get her hair tended to. Mine, I'm sorry to say, is going to be a bit shaggy. My hairdresser has closed her single person shop for the time being and she sent out an email yesterday that ended with 'DON'T CUT YOUR BANGS!!' – ha!! I'll try not to.
As to other things, I'm having difficulty concentrating on print books right now, but I'm doing OK with audiobooks. And I'm walking in the neighborhood a lot – waving to neighbors and shouting hellos. I've also spent more time on the phone checking on friends and family. Our daughter has had few minutes every day or so to call us as she is on her way to work at the hospital. I'm trying not worry too much about her. She has be there to help her L&D patients with those babies that come whether there is a virus or not.
Take care all of you! Stay safe, sensible about your outings, and breathe a little fresh air if you can. It's great for the anxiety. 🙂
Good for you, Sandy! Fresh air and exercise. I'm afraid the only fresh air I'm getting most days is when I walk to the mailbox. Until it warms up some, I'm not crazy about our weather. And, I think we're getting rain again tomorrow. Our sunshine is nice, but it's still cold out.
Kay, That's funny – Don't cut your bangs. There might be quite a few of us with lousy haircuts or who look shaggy. I'll be a shaggy one because mine looks thick and shaggy if I don't get it cut at 4 weeks. And, I haven't had hair longer than my shoulders since I was about 4.
Here's good wishes for your daughter. Can't stop those babies, can you? And, I wonder about the number of babies in 8 1/2 to 9 months.
So interesting to read that other people are having trouble concentrating as I thought it was only me. I managed to get to Barnes & Noble again on Saturday – about 3 people in the store – and I bought some more books and also two mystery magazines. Our state is shutting down starting tonight so have been working to get my office in order. My brother-in-law is a doctor in the Bronx so am very anxious about him and my brother is a kidney transplant receiver so it's hard for me not to worry. I know everyone has their concerns. Stay safe.
The behaviour of some of our citizens is a national embarrassment Jeff. I can assure you that everyone around here (Deeside, Northern Scotland) is observing social distancing.
Re the tube, I think that it is not always people's fault – there are still far too many employers telling their workers that if they don't come in they won't get paid. People are scared of getting ill but also scared of having no money to feed their families. My daughter left London on Saturday, prior to that she had had to go into work (in a school) and the only way she could get there was by public transport. She is now working from home in Edinburgh, as we are very lucky to have a house there and I wanted her to self quarantine for a while in case she was bringing the bugs with her. She is fine so far.
Like I said, my son is a frontline NHS worker in the Highlands and I cannot bear the thought of him and his colleagues being exposed to so much risk and stress because of these selfish people. There is an appalling man, Ron Liddle, who I think writes for the Spectator. When our First Minister and some of her colleagues urged people not to indulge in 'isolation tourism' by coming up in their RVs to the more remote areas of Scotland, he published an article saying we were being racist, anti-English (I am English myself!) and generally evil. He urged all English people to boycott Scotland in future – well we would all be glad if people like him did just that, but what horrible things to say. Our FM said what she said because our rural communities cannot support all these extra people, some of whom are probably bringing the virus with them. Even if they are not, they are going to overwhelm the small shops and other facilities in the Highlands and Islands. There is ONE big hospital in the Highlands – many of the islands have none – and there is a high proportion of older people in the area, so their needs are likely to be greater to start with. I just can't get over how anyone could be so pig-headed.
Everyone in the village here is being very careful. There aren't that many people to start with, and I have just been into the Co-Op for milk – thought i'd go late when it is quiet, which it was – the few people in there were all keeping their distance.
And all that congregating at seaside resorts last weekend was disgraceful. I'm sorry to say it is the same people who think Brexit was a good idea and that the 'British spirit' is all we need. They are dreadful. Most other people in the UK are furious about their wanton disregard for other people's safety.
Apologies for the rant, but I am just so sorry that the rest of the world can see what idiots some British people are. We are not all like that, in fact most of us aren't. Please forgive us.
Keep safe.
Indiana shuts down on Wednesday, Donna. You take care of yourself, and keep in contact with your family members by phone and email. It won't stop the worrying, but I do feel a little bit better when I talk to them.
Rosemary, Rant away. Some of us need to. And, I know exactly what you mean because those students on the beaches in Florida don't represent the majority of us. And, unfortunately, our president saying the governors and states are going too far doesn't help, either. I'm not sure the man is mentally competent, but his party wouldn't vote to impeach him.
There are stupid people in every country. It just seems as if they've taken over right now – in Britain, in the U.S., in Australia. And, its their antics and those of their supporters that seem to get all the press. Fortunately, the majority of people really are kind to each other. It just doesn't feel as if the people with their hearts in the right place voted in recent elections.
You take care, Rosemary.
I gave this a try. Just wasn't a book for me
I'm about halfway through. I'm not crazy about the voice, Kaye, which means I just might have to skip to the end to see who she ends up with.
Thanks Lesa, and I know we are in agreement about your president (and no doubt the London government). I am so lucky to live in Scotland and have a sane First Minister and so many other really good politicians – unfortunately their hands are often tied by the idiots in Westminster – if only we had won independence the first time round, things could be so different.
Anyway, it’s late here now. You take care too, and keep in touch. We will get through this. X
We will, Rosemary. Good night!
Rosemary, just let me say that Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities, along with Paris and New Orleans. We first visited there in 1972 and have been back many times over the years. If the weather was better (for me), I could definitely live there.
Thanks Jeff – if you come again let me know – we could meet up for tea!
Hi, Lesa & all,
I've been reading this week. I had a stockpile of books (just counted & there are about 75, plus 50 on my Kindle). Why, so many? For a long time our library was difficult to use because of parking problems while they added on so I was buying books. (A lot recommended by you) But then the addition was completed (it's beautiful) & I resumed putting books on hold at the library and then reading them as they came in. So now the library is closed but I'll not run of reading material anytime soon. However, you wanted ideas for distraction & here's mine: I've been doing jigsaw puzzles! Hadn't done one in years but a character in one of the books I read was elderly (like me, I'm 80) and doing one. So now I'm addicted.
I grew up in Kentucky not far from where you live, Lesa, about 45 miles south of Evansville. After sojourns in Wisconsin, Arizona, & California I've been back in Kentucky (Frankfort) for over 4 years. I do want to add that Kentuckians are in love with our governor and how he's handling this crisis. Everyday we're observing "Afternoons with Andy" when he gives his daily press conference. He's informative, answers questions, encouraging & most of all calm. He's young (only 42) and only been in office since December but has really risen to the challenge.
Thinking of, and praying for, all of those who are ill, quarantined, hospitilazied, or just self-isolating (like I am). As Andy says: "We'll get through this."
Sally,
You don't know how much I needed to read your post right now. I'm watching our governor's speech at the moment. He's doing a remarkable job as well, but even so, it's a scary time. And, I had to go into work today, the last day before we shut down. I wasn't at all comfortable going in, and I'm actually glad we can't go in anymore.
And, thank you. I'm glad some of my book suggestions helped you while your library was closed, and even now. I am finishing a book today, and I think I know what my next one will be. I just want to be able to get back into reading, which has always been my escape.
Thank you.
I'm having trouble concentrating, too. I discovered that the Hoopla video app from my library has the first season of MY LIFE IS MURDER, an Australian crime drama I've heard good things about, so I just started watching that. I'm enjoying it. It's very lighthearted and the actors are terrific. Also, we've started working in our garden.
I'll remember that, Susan, and I may have to look for My Life is Murder. Thank you.
I rarely have more than one book going at a time, unless possibly a novel and a short story anthology/collection. But now I have FOUR going, and it’s slow progress on each. THE CASE OF CABIN 13 by Sam McCarver, THREE WORLDS TO CONQUER by Poul Anderson, a huge collection of The Thinking Machine stories by Jacques Futrelle, and I’m just starting TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT by Ernest Hemingway. Oh, and when nothing else I’m rereading a few old graphic novels in the FABLES series.
This has thrown us all out of our patterns, Rick. I always liked The Thinking Machine stories, but I'm sure you can only read a few of those at a time. Stay safe.