It's...what? May 30th? Where did May go? For that matter, what happened to April and March?
I'm trying not to think about it too much, but time is slipping away, and here we are, still at home. I haven't gotten my hair cut. I haven't been inside a store for almost three months. I haven't had a hug from my 93-year-old dad or my beautiful grandchildren in forever. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss my life.
Numbers are climbing in my little town. We were down to two active cases a short time ago and now we are at twenty-two. I drove past my favorite Mexican food restaurant yesterday and saw all the people outside, in the warm sunshine, under the big oak tree, and I wanted to stop. But I didn't.
I will go on for now, with grocery pickup, and social distancing, and drive-by graduation celebrations, and watching the world go by from my front porch. I will repeat my mantra: This, too, will pass. This, too, will pass.
I liked everything I read last week. All of these were four-star reads for me. The links take you to the full reviews.
The Book of Forgotten Authors by Christopher Fowler
Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living by Krista Tippett
Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Afterlife by Julia Alvarez
Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Devotions by Mary Oliver
50 Ways to Draw Your Beautiful Ordinary Life: Practical Lessons in Pencil and Paper
A Bad Birdwatcher's Companion by Simon Barnes
Judy Blume...an actress who played a prominent Star Wars character...an American ballerina...a US rap star...Marie Lu...What do all of these people have in common? They all spoke Thursday night at BookExpo Children's Book and Author Dinner about their upcoming books, and I got to hear them speak without flying to New York City, without spending hundreds of dollars to attend a conference. There are some good things about the world we are experiencing.
Oh, this is fun: What Do Famous People's Bookshelves Reveal?
Good Thing #1: Mo Willems. Wisdom from a children's picture book author:
“Science is gonna get us out of this. But art is going to get us through this.”
Good Thing #2: Backyard birds. Woodpecker. Bluejay. Titmouse.
Good Thing #3: Online BookExpo. BookCon is online May 30th and 31st here.
How did your week go? Are you getting out more?
Did you join in BookExpo? BookCon?
I'm happy you found your way to the Sunday Salon. There are no requirements for linking up at Sunday Salon. Sunday Salon is simply a place for us to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. Sunday Salon is a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. I hope you will visit some blogs today, and that you will tell others about Sunday Salon.
Some of the things we often talk about at the Sunday Salon:
- What was your week like?
- Read any good books? Tell us about them.
- What other bookish things did you do?
- What else is going on in your life?
Other places where you may like to link up over the weekend are below. Click on the picture to visit the site.
My linkup for Sunday Salon is below.
Thank you for a very entertaining post. No I am not going anywhere not even grocery shopping (supermarket delivers for a small fee), fish vendor brings fish, another vendor brings yoghurt, butter and milk so we all set. Just went on one doctor's visit and that was enough. We are on complete lockdown tomorrow and again on the 4th and 5th of June. A nighttime curfew is in operation daily.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are able to have food brought to you during this time. I think about you and worry about you. I'm glad you are feeling safe.
DeleteThis too shall pass. We went out for the first time properly today and it was good too see friends but it was a bit tiring.
ReplyDeleteYour part of the world seems to be recovering nicely from this time. I'm happy to know that some are able to comfortably get out and see friends.
DeleteOnline book expo sounds fun. I agree that watching birds is soothing and a nice distraction (and probably good for our mental health).
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I feel safe to do so, I hope to visit a Wild Birds Unlimited store in the neighboring town. I may order online. Watching birds is a pleasure and a delight right now.
DeleteI note you read Afterlife. I recently read it also and found it very compelling.
ReplyDeleteThe ending was completely surprising.
DeleteLove the pictures of the birds! It's been interesting that I am noticing so much more about nature - the flowers, the birds, the squashed frogs and lizards in the roadway, and, yes, the snakes - as I am walking in the mornings. I could transition to the rec center and walk the track there, if I make a reservation online and wear a mask while walking (ick - damp cloth), but I'm thinking that I will just see if I can adjust to summer outside walking. Of course, that will be much more pleasant if I walk very early in the mornings, but I can do that. One good thing coming out of all this. I'll take it. LOL
ReplyDeleteI've been out in nature more, too. I agree with you, Kay. That is one good thing.
DeleteI can't even believe we are still going through this. I'm sorry to hear your town's virus cases are going up. It seems like many places are going up again. I do go shopping but not often and I'm in and out really fast. I haven't gone to get my hair cut yet, but people are getting it done so I'm thinking about it - just thinking. We ate out a couple of times, but we still are hesitant about eating inside restaurants. We'll do the outside ones, though, but mostly we stay home.
ReplyDeleteLove the bird pics! Hope you have a great week! Stay safe.
I live in a state known for its rebels, and many here hate being told what to do, even when it is in their own best interest.
DeleteI'm with you, staying at home as much as possible. Some stores are open, they can't be in a mall, must have their own outside entrance etc. Restaurants are only open for takeout.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has cut my hair several times. Salons are still closed.
Glad we are only opening up slowly but I still think it is too fast.
Your country is so much more careful than my own is.
DeleteI'm pretty much doing the same thing as you- no haircut, no shopping in stores, no visiting..I've been cutting my husband's hair and trimming my ends. I love the photos of the birds in your backyard. I've been taking long walks in parks and enjoying nature. I'm starting a book series called Seven Sisters- each one goes to a different country and my friend recommended it.. Will write about next week. I worked for a man who become a multi millionaire who dated Judy Blume as a teen and her family broke them up saying, "he'll never amount to anything".. funny he ended up building and owning huge malls when they were a new concept.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly never know how a teen will turn out, do you? I'll look for your reviews of the Seven Sisters.
DeleteI meant to tune in to some of the Book Expo and I forgot. I'm pretty much staying home too. We've had an uptick in cases in the state and in my county. The state number is starting to go down again but my county isn't dropping much.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that we have had no deaths in my town. The older people and the at-risk people seem to be staying as safe as possible.
DeleteI watched some of the bookcon yesterday. It was great to listen to them all chat books. I plan to do it again today.
ReplyDeleteThis year is going so fast and I miss so many people that I can't see. I am hoping they will find something to help get us back to normal before the end of the year.
Have a great week, Deb! Happy Reading! xx
Hearing thoughtful people speak is calming to me right now.
DeleteThe hardest thing is not being close with our families. I am so sorry - we feel your pain! I haven't hugged my mom since March, nor has Wyatt. We are not joining in either, and are sticking to social distancing and pick up only as well. :( Sometimes I think about buying one of those dinosaur costumes so I can go hug my mom! Or a beekeepers outfit. This too, shall pass. So right.
ReplyDeleteKeep finding the good things in your week and the light.
Haha! I'm imagining a you in a beekeeper outfit hugging your mom.
DeleteI will. I am finding great hope in my wonderful blogging community. Thank you, Erin!
Staying put it so hard. On Friday I actually made 5 deliveries for our library Friends group, porch drop off but I also had to take the money that was left out. It was weird to be out and about doing something in the 'new normal' way. I meant to watch some of the Book Expo but haven't had the time. I reading this while I gave Gage a picture to color for our home Sunday School, lol. When you have one kid you are the sole provider of entertainment. Becoming was one of my favorite books last year.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Obama is inspiring. I can't forget what I heard her say in an interview earlier this year: "When they go low, we go high. And that ain't always easy, y'all."
DeleteYes, know more than ever i'd like to hug family and understand how hard it is. I feel like May moved much quicker than April. I think we are settling into to work at home. Hope this week is a good one and you get those much needed hugs soon.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. I plan to at least see my family this week, even if it is from afar.
DeleteJudy Blume is one of my heroes, not only were her books important to me as a tween, she was the first author I ever sent a fan letter to, and she (well more likely an assistant) replied.
ReplyDeleteWe are in a very good position here in terms of the pandemic, but my husband has to be hospitalised and operated on midweek for the first time ever, and visitors are still not permitted so I’m finding it very hard even though I know it’s the right thing.
Wishing you a great reading week Deb, *hugs*
I will keep your husband in my thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine how difficult that must be.
DeleteOur city is opening back up. The restaurants are open and my daughter who is staying with us has been going out with her son and his father. I'm not happy about it because there's still a chance that she could bring the Coronavirus back home with her. Let's hope not because Ken and I have both said that neither of us will go in the hospital unless it's absolutely necessary.
ReplyDeleteSending prayers and good thoughts to you, Mary.
DeleteI feel the same, I really miss my family and friends as well. I feel like each week this is getting more difficult.
ReplyDeleteI'm careful as well and I don't go out if I don't need to.
What Do Famous People’s Bookshelves Reveal? is fun, thanks for sharing it!
Have a good week!
Gosh, I need some humor right now.
DeleteI need to read Becoming and would love your thoughts on Devotions. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Devotions very slowly. It's a book of beautiful poems.
DeleteThanks for keeping us organized here on your site. It has been quite a week hasn't it? I am so sad and angry. All tied up in one. My Sunday Salon post
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Anne. It's my community of bloggers and readers and writers who are keeping me sane right now.
DeleteI would love to go to my favorite Mexican restaurant, but I know it will be a while before they even let us leave this community. I signed up for a grocery app, which I'm loving, and Uber Eats. As you know from my blog posts, the dining room here is not very good.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy dreaming of the times in the future when we can go out again, although it may never be "normal" like it was.
Stay safe!
I think we will at least do delivery from my favorite Mexican food restaurant this week. I hope you can do a little of that, too.
DeleteI think we will at least do delivery from my favorite Mexican food restaurant this week. I hope you can do a little of that, too.
DeleteGreat that you're listening to Michelle Obama's story. I just listened to the former president give a speech about halting the violence in MN. Hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to look for that.
DeleteI followed a bookexpo session of Day 2 and then forgot about it for the rest of the week until I read your post. Yikes! I've wished every year that I could attend it and this year when I could, I didn't. I think I'm having Zoom overload at this point. I've had to listen to several conferences / sessions for work as well, so I guess I'm okay not having joined another Zoom conference, albeit sadly.
ReplyDeleteI'm missing our previous life at this point. It was bearable until couple of weeks back. I love working from home and being able to spend more time with my family. But I miss not being able to step out and having fun.
The conversations may be archived on FB. Maybe you can watch some later when you have more time. Zoom can be too much.
DeleteI participated in the online Book Group Speed Dating event that usually happens on the Friday at BookExpo. There are some great releases coming up this fall. I didn't even know that BookExpo was online. Work has kept me so busy.
ReplyDeleteI did, too. It was excellent, I thought. At the end of it, the people who put it together gave permission to share it with others, and I shared it with others in my book club.
DeleteI love your bird pictures! Look at the silly feathers on the top of the blue jay's head. LOL
ReplyDeleteI look for humor wherever I can find it right now.
DeleteGlad to see March, April and May disappear for this year. Welcome, June, and a new b eginning to the rest of the year!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to look at it.
DeleteI miss my dad so much. I talked to him yesterday and we made plans to have an outdoor (socially distant) gathering this week. Thank you, Vicki.
ReplyDeleteI've lost count of how many COVID cases we have in my little city. Well over 2000. We had over 175 new cases this past Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI am at the point where I think lunch with friends, outside, with distance might be okay. We gotta come out of our bubble at some point.
We do have to come out of our bubble. I'm going to start small, I think.
DeleteI think you are right. I'm going to slowly come out of the bubble. I just don't want it to pop in my face.
DeleteIf you find April and May let me know, because I seem to have lost them too. Salon's still aren't open in the UK. I was due my 6 weekly cut just as we went into lockdown so now it's abut 3 months since I last went. Other than hugging and kissing my parents it's the thing I'm looking forward to most.
ReplyDeleteOh, golly, me, too.
DeleteThis too will pass is definitely the mantra needed right now.
ReplyDeleteInteresting collection of books read - I read Becoming earlier on this month and also found it to be an inspirational story.
A lovely new week to you!
I am going to work on staying hopeful.
DeleteAw, your intro made me so sad!! But you're right- this too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteIt has become my mantra.
DeleteI totally missed Virtual Book Expo! Too busy with work. :( Afterlife is on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteNext year!
DeleteOh, Deb. My heart is so weary from everything that has happened this year. Our COVID numbers are rising in our little community, too. I knew they would once we went into Phase One of re-opening. We're still hunkering down, but the news of all the protests and the terrible situation for the Black community is breaking my heart. I'm grieving for our country and our democracy. I'm angry at the lack of leadership. I'm fearful for what lies ahead.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to read After Life and am glad it was a 4-star read for you. And how wonderful to be involved with Book Expo via Zoom! I love the bird photos and am always surprised how different blue jays look across this country. Ours are so dark blue and black, whereas the ones we saw in Nebraska had a lot more gray in their feathers.
Be well, my friend. I pray that all of this passes...
Thank you, Les.
DeleteSo hard to be still in lockdown. Wow from 2 up to 22. Disconcerting for sure. So hard missing your family. Take care and hang in there. Zoom Book Expo looks great.
ReplyDeleteI think we will visit my dad outdoors this week and keep our distance.
DeleteLove that quote from Mo Willems.. so true.. I know that art is definitely one of those things that is keeping me sane (along with reading, writing, gardening, and my camera!)
ReplyDeleteThose are some fun Zoom meetings!! and The Book of Forgotten Authors sounds good to me..
I need to write down that quote from Mo in my journal.
DeleteSo awesome that you were able to experience BookExpo that way. I've never made it out to New York because of all the expenses you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteMy family is mostly still hunkering down although the state is opening. I had to go back into work, but my work has been taking things slower than much of the state, in part because my county is behind much of the state.
We found a baby woodpecker in our backyard. It was adorable. We had to move it because the dogs were going at it, though, so I don't know if it made it.
Happy reading!
BookExpo was the best conference I ever attended in person, but it also was the most expensive. Online was great.
DeleteI watched a little of BookExpo but would like to go back & catch a bit more. I liked the article about checking out what's on people's bookshelves ... it's like when you're on a plane & you glance at what others are reading ... Oh you have to!
ReplyDelete