#Covid19 Experiences; My #Coronavirus Diaries - The Beginning

First, a quick note: this is going to be a very long post, and not the most cheerful of posts. A bit of venting and/or whining may occur. If you don't want to deal with any of that, I understand. If that's the case, feel free to avoid reading it, but please do come back tomorrow for my writing post, and in the future for cute pets, and other more pleasant topics. However, if you're interested in knowing how things are going as regards the virus situation in areas other than your own, and your mental health can handle it right now, read on.

So, I've decided to do a bit of a diary of personal experiences and my thoughts on them with the events during this Covid-19 situation. Some of what I think I know may be rumour and speculation, so take my facts in it with a grain of salt, as they say, and check them via more reliable sources. But I'll tell you what I observe, and chronicle my own experiences, thoughts, and opinions. Not every day as a rule, since I don't think I could handle doing it every day long-term, but I'll update you from time to time on what's going on in my area, how I'm being affected by it, and any thoughts I have on things I've read or been told. Like I said, it won't be a proper diary, because I won't usually be doing it every day. Although, having said that, I do have a day by day diary for the first couple of weeks. I can't promise it will be an exciting read, but maybe someone will find these entries interesting. If not now, then maybe if they stumble across them in later years. Maybe I can help some future historian with what things were like for people - or what they were like for this person anyhow - during the pandemic? In the meantime, it tells any of my family and friends who want to know what's going on where I am, and gives me a place to talk about it, which I think I need right now. At least, in these early days, while I wrap my head around it all. So maybe I'm doing this more for myself than anything? Either way, here it is.

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Monday March 16th 2020:
People are going crazy panic-buying things. Especially toilet roll. Personally, I'm just hoping they leave enough that there's food when the pickers are doing my shopping on Wednesday, so my Asda delivery arrives. I'm also hoping they leave enough for others to eat, have toilet roll, etc. What's wrong with people? Hording items, and fighting over them - not to mention the thing where someone took advantage of someone being blind to steal stuff from their trolley - is ridiculous. You'd swear it was the appocalypse, and these were the last supplies in the world. I think too many people have read/watched too many zombie appocalypse books/movies. Calm down, people!

***~~~***

Tuesday March 17th 2020:
I'm continuing to hear of hording of supplies all over the world, especially toilet paper. The toilet paper thing still baffles me. Perhaps those who don't understand the true nature of things are hearing the word "virus" and thinking of those kinds of stomach viruses that mean you'll be needing a lot of bathroom time? Either way, I wish the hording of items would stop. Not just toilet paper is being horded now, and shelves are being emptied too quickly by these horders. I wish they'd remember that other people need supplies too. I'm not scared of the virus, but the way people are behaving... That scares me. Fights over supplies and everything, and it's only the start of all this.

My Aunty Susan (Mam's sister) was told she has to go in to isolation. We're certain it's just a cold she has, but her health isn't great, and she's fast approaching 60 years old. so it's just a procaution. I hope it is just a cold. I'm not close with her, but she's family. Besides, too many lives have been lost with this thing already, and it's barely gotten started.

***~~~***

Wednesday March 18th 2020:
I thought I was doing well at not letting worries about Covid-19 get to me. Judging by my moment of gut-wrenching panic at the sight of the eMail update that tells me what will and won't be coming in my shopping order from Asda, which caused me to need to take some time to get my anxiety under control before I could even open it to see what was out of stock, since for a moment there I wasn't sure if I was going to throw up or pass out, I guess I'm not doing as well as I'd hoped I was. Thankfully though, it's not as bad as I feared. Only one thing is completely out of stock. A large amount of my stuff is being substituted though, but at least it's for versions of the same kind of stuff, and they're substitutes I can accept. Like I said, I got lucky. I even got some toilet paper.

Something similar happened with ordering pet food. Pets @ Home are out of almost everything, so I had to order from Amazon. I was able to get Artemis the usual tortoise pellets, but had to get a different brand of chinchilla mix for Mollie, and a different dry dog food for Lilie and Logan. At least I was able to get them stuff though, so they'll be good for a couple of months now. I also went on The Vegan Kind and ordered some extras of the dry herbs Mollie and Artemis can eat, so at least they'll have those to supplement their pellets if I start having trouble getting fresh stuff. I have a good supply of herbs already, but I'm getting low on many of them, so thought I'd top up now... Just in case. After all, between me using them regularly for my own food, and them having them, those little jars and packets of herbs don't last long, so I'll soon need to top up anyhow.

My Mam was advised to self-isolate. She's almost 60 (she'll be 60 at the end of the year) and has various health issues, including asthma, so they think it would be best. She was a bit upset about it until I pointed out she doesn't go out much anyhow, and can still do all the things she does at home. Soon afterwards I learned all asthmatics were being given the same warning. So I guess I'm self-isolating too. I don't go out much, so I'm not bothered by that.

The first deaths near me were reported today, right around the time Borris Johnson (the Prime Minister) did his speach about placing London on lockdown, and bringing in the military to enforce it. Borris Johnson seems to think this will be over in the next three months. I hope he's right, and the mob mentality of the general population doesn't cause too much damage in the meantime. Let's hope this isn't a repeat of the comment about the war being over by Christmas made at the start of one of the wars last century... I think it was WWII? Or was it WWI? Well, it was one of them, and I can't be bothered to look it up. Either way, I hope this isn't a repeat of that, with a promise of a quick resolution that can't be kept. After all, how can the government promise such a thing? Nobody really knows right now when this will come to an end, and what will happen between now and then. I only hope mass panic doesn't cause too much devostation, and the death toll doesn't rise much higher.

***~~~***

Thursday March 19th 2020:
I was going to put in another shopping order for next week, to top up supplies a bit, but can't get a delivery slot until April 9th. I've booked some shopping to come then anyhow. I should be OK until then with what I have in, even if we run out of bread and fresh produce, and can't get more between now and then. I went on The Vegan Kind and was able to order some nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and tortilla wraps, so that should help.

We have a couple of bottles of water on hand too. Water supply should be fine during all this, but I wanted to make sure we had some, just in case. Especially for the petkids. Artemis can't afford to become dehydrated. I mean, it wouldn't be good for the rest of us either, but it's incredibly dangerous - and can happen quite quickly - for a tortoise. Especially a young one like Artemis. I mean, what if something happens with our pipes, and the landlords can't get someone willing to risk coming out for a day or two? Need water for the petkids while we wait.

They say schools in the UK will be remaining closed until September. This doesn't matter to me personally, but there's a lot of mixed feelings about it from what I've seen. Some parents are glad to be able to have their kids close, while others are annoyed at not being able to send them off to school. If it was me, I'd be glad to have the excuse to have them close. I know I'm glad my petkids are right here with me. Although, I can understand how it must be difficult for those who have to continue to work during this, and now need to figure out what to do with their children while they do so. I think people have already started losing jobs over it.

A couple of people I know who are old enough to remember war time rationing are predicting a return to that. I think we're sort of there already, since shops have now started putting restrictions on how much of each item you can buy. People are cheating the system, of course, but it's an attempt to ration items. If this goes on long enough, it's entirely possible ration cards might be needed after all. Not to mention, certain items might be harder to get hold of in general with borders getting closed left and right, so varieties of items might suffer for it in many places too. Either way, if actual rationing like in the war does happen - as some of the older people fear it will - I hope they take different dietary needs in to consideration.

***~~~***

Friday March 20th 2020:
We were going to go out to Oscars for a meal to celebrate the Spring Equinox. A meal out and a walk along the seafront would have been a lovely way to celebrate. Under the circumstances though, we thought better of it. Kelly doesn't want me going out more than absolutely essential. I told him straight I'll be taking Logan for the odd short walk at least, since I won't have him stuck in the whole time this is going on, and he won't go with Kelly. Besides, I do need some fresh air and daylight too. Kelly reluctantly agreed, but I think only for Logan's sake, and possibly also just to shut me up. Anyway, we ordered Chinese instead of going out. Slightly less exposure for me, and gives an extra day of food, since my supplies will last that extra little bit longer. That was my excuse anyhow.

I know Easter isn't until April, but since it's the Spring Equinox we celebrate, we exchanged some goodies for it. We had five things: one from each other, and one from each of the petkids. Mine were a vegan chocolate egg, a vegan strawberry and white chocolate hamster, a vegan cream egg, some Easter lemon and lime vegan marshmallows, and a little vegan friendly chocolate bunny.

When I was checking on our friends, Lorna and Andy, and mentioned my inability to get a shopping order until April, they were going to add some stuff to their shopping for us (since they have a slot booked for next week that they reserved a few weeks ago). So much is gone though that everything I listed that would be good options for them to grab for us seems to be out of stock. Part of me is relieved, since I felt guilty accepting the offer, even as I did so. I mean, it was nice of them to think of it - and the extra supplies would have been welcome - but they were going to come out of self-isolation to bring it to us. So, I'm torn between being disappointed they won't be bringing us extra supplies, and glad I won't be the reason they break isolation (Lorna is in her 70s, and Andy is in his 50s... Andy's also asthmatic and has heart problems).

My Aunty Bev (Dad's brother's partner) is in Australia. She went there to visit family or something. My brother, Wayne, who has more to do with them than I do, told me at this point she's not sure if or when she'll be allowed to come home because of all the flight cancellations and border closures. I hope they let her come home, even if she has to spend time in total isolation for the first couple of weeks (I heard those being allowed to come home are being forced to isolate themselves completely for 14 days, just in case, even from their own family). Anyway, though I'm only finding out about this today, it's today she'll arrive back in the UK if she gets to come home OK.

I read that the number of confirmed cases of the virus in the UK is creeping close to 4000. Something like 177 of those have died. Eight of those are less than 50 miles from where I live. It's horrible to think of so many deaths happening so close together - made even worse by the knowledge the numbers are much higher elsewhere - but a relief to see the majority of people seem to be surviving. I hope the survival rate continues to be higher than the death toll. Someone said in one of the scientific papers I read that if a certain amount of people get it, the general population will build up an immunity to the virus. I hope that's the case, and that we don't lose too many more people before we start seeing signs of that.

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Saturday March 21st 2020:
Just since yesterday, the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK has gone past 5000, with 233 of those dying. Most of those who have died were already vulnerable (AKA old and not in the best of health) but that doesn't make it any less sad. Plus, it's "most" - the younger generations aren't immune. I'm pretty sure none of those new cases is near me, and don't know of anyone I'm related to or friends with who has died. Aunty Susan and my Mam are both fine, and everyone else seems to be too. I checked in with most of them personally, and they'd checked in with a lot of the others, or one of us had seen online activity recently from them. Although, there's a particular online friend I haven't spoken to recently who hasn't checked in... I hope he's OK.

I found out this morning that Borris Johnson announced yesterday that all bars and such should close for the duration. I can see the logic in this, but people aren't happy. It's got to be hardest on those who rely on those businesses for money to feed their families and pay their bills. Like the people from Oscars, who had a hard Winter because the storms were stopping a lot of people going out, and now they've had to close. I know because I spoke to Sarah from Oscars today. Wanted to make sure they were doing OK. Sarah says they're going to do a delivery service. Might have to make use of that option. I know it would help them financially, and it would help my stuff last a bit longer too.

The shops that are staying open - mainly food places - have restricted their opening hours, and made some of those hours spacifically for the elderly and disabled to do their shopping. They've also all imposed strict rules on limits of how many of each item you can buy. The shops and government are all urging - or you might even call it begging - people to shop sensibly, and pointing out that there would be plenty of food for everyone if people would stop being greedy and hording items. Nobody's listening. People are cheating the system by grabbing as much as they can, and then sending their partner, older teenage children, etc, to do the same, or going from shop to shop doing it in every one of them. Why are humans so greedy?

Pets @ Home sent out an eMail promising they were restocking, and informing us that they'd be setting up the same restrictions the people food shops are to avoid the same thing happening again. They also assured everyone they'd be staying open, no matter what, to ensure our pets are fed and such during these difficult times. They're suspending their pet care workshops and such (which they do to teach children about proper pet care) but that makes sense. At least getting pet supplies when what I have runs out will be an option, even if Pets @ Home admitted they can't guarantee the usual brands. I don't mind that though. As long as there's food and things available for the petkids, that's fine.

The reptile place we usually go to for some of Artemis' stuff has said something similar.

It's looking like that rationing is close after all. All that's left is for the government to issue us with some kind of card or something that prevents us cheating the system and getting more than what should be our ration. The way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't already talking about possibly doing that if people don't calm down. Part of me thinks they should, for the sake of those who are struggling to do even a basic shop already.

Events right up until September are being cancelled all over the place. It even looks like a lot of movie and TV show production and releases have been postponed for the foreseeable future... Maybe even all of the movie and TV show production for all I know. Kelly says the film industry is going to take quite a hit because of it, especially with cinemas now closed too. I'm inclined to agree with him.

Despite all the entertainments available to people from the comfort of their own homes - including authors who have put their books on sale or made them free, people who are doing new YouTube content from home spacifically to entertain the housebound, educational tours opening up online for free so you can check out museums from the comfort and relative safety of your own home, etc - people who aren't used to being made to stay home are already complaining of boredom. I'd seen some of it myself, and Dad mentioned it when I spoke to him today too. With all the things we have access to from home these days, not to mention the old forms of entertainment like reading, doing crafts, etc, it amazes me that people can be bored so quickly. Surely they can entertain themselves for a few weeks before boredom and cabin fever sets in? It's only been a few days, people! Not to mention, it strikes me as kind of odd, considering how much time people usually spend at home staring at tablets and computers. So, if they're doing it because they want to, they can do it all day, but if you tell them they have to, suddenly they don't want to any more... Is that how it works? People are strange!

Yes, Aunty Bev did make it back. Just in case you were wondering. She's home where she belongs now. She was lucky. Plenty of others still haven't made it home. Nobody I know, I don't think. But still.

***~~~***

Sunday March 22nd 2020:
Today is Mothers' Day in the UK, and everyone is being advised not to go visit their Mother, and only see her if they already live with her, for fear the Mothers will all end up sick - especially those who are of the older generation. I wasn't going to be visiting mine anyhow, even if it wasn't for this virus situation, because she's all the way in Wales, and I'm in the South-East of England, but I bet there are some who won't like that they can't, and others who will visit their Mother regardless.

Speaking of parents: they're predicting that being forced to be stuck in together will mean a bit of a baby boom in about nine months time. Well, yeah, I expect plenty of people will use that option to help with the boredom, especially since many of them are apparently already running out of other ways to pass the time. *wink*

Not that everyone is staying in. In fact, a rather large number of people are carrying on like nothing is happening. Despite pleas from the NHS and government for people to stay inside as much as possible, keeping outings to essential trips to do things, and stay at least 2m (that's roughly 6ft) apart, the beaches were full of people. I not only read about it on newsfeeds, but heard the people out there on the stretch of beach by us. I'm not saying people shouldn't go out at all. I mean, people do need some fresh air, of course. Dogs need to get walked too. But they weren't just taking a walk along the beach. They were out there messing about, having picnics because the seafront cafes have closed, etc. Quite a contrast from the people who are disinfecting doorknobs before they'll enter a building.

Maybe I'm being over sensative about it because of the way the NHS and government are acting? It's possible. But this is why I don't believe the prediction that this will be over in three months. How can it be when people are either panicking and going over-boared with disinfecting and hording things, or ignoring guidelines put in place to try and stop this thing spreading more than it already has. I think those in the latter group think they're safe, because they aren't in the at risk group. Well, guess what? That's not true. For example, children were meant to be safe, especially completely healthy ones, but tell that to the parents of the 12 year old girl in Georgia I read about through the international newsfeeds, who had no health issues before, but is now on a respirator in hospital, fighting for her life after ending up with the virus. We need to find a happy medium, people, and fast. Judging by the video I saw of his speach from today on the BBC YouTube channel, Borris Johnson certainly seems to feel the same.

We'll get through this, of course - the human race as a whole, I mean, since obviously a lot of people won't - but we'll do so quicker if people start acting sensibly. Yeah, a tall order for the human race, I know.

***~~~***

Monday March 23rd 2020:
The landlords came for the rent today. Many landlords are giving their tenants some rent-free time to help them deal with the changing situation, but apparently ours aren't among them. They didn't linger to chat like they usually do though. They just came to the door of the building to meet Kelly, grabbed the rent and left. Well, they did also bring cake. Not that I can have any, since they keep forgetting I'm vegan, and it contains eggs and dairy. The thought was there though, and I'm sure Kelly will enjoy it. I thanked them anyhow, because it's the polite thing to do.

My Mam had been struggling to get a shopping delivery slot, so I stayed up past midnight to snag her one as soon as the calender changed. It only shows a certain number of days in advance, so displays a day later each time a day goes by, if that makes sense. Anyway, we'd tried all the different shops for potential slots on the weekend, but kept missing them, so I stayed up to grab her one as soon as they became available. Even so, the first couple were already filling by people who had clearly had the same idea, so the earliest slot I could get her was late morning on April 13th. Luckily, she has plenty of food for herself and Izabel (her dog) at the moment, so shouldn't run out before then. I guess I'll have to do the same for both of us again in a couple of weeks, so I can get us slots for later in April (for when my stuff coming on April 9th, and hers on April 13th, runs out). Hopefully I can get it that we won't have to wait nearly a month - well, OK, a little over three weeks - before we can get more food next time. Also, hopefully this hording business has calmed down by the time our deliveries are due to come, and we get everything I ordered for us.

I got a call from the hospital this morning. Since the results of the biopsy they did on the lump they removed from my tongue a couple of weeks ago were fine, and I'm healing well, they have decided to discharge me without seeing me, because they're trying to stop non-essential hospital appointments while things are so bad with the virus situation. So I no longer have to go for my follow-up appointment in May. A silver lining to all this, if you ask me, since I got the results sooner, and didn't have to deal with the hastle of a hospital trip to find out what they were.

I called the vet to ask about Lilie and Logan's flea and worming stuff. After a bunch of questions that essentially boiled down to, "Do you have Covid-19, or have you come in contact with anyone who does?" I got approval for one of us to go fetch the stuff on Wednesday. They seemed relieved when I confirmed that we have the health care thing set up, which means we don't have to stay long enough to mess about with paying them, so they can just have the stuff ready for Kelly to grab, meet him at the door, hand it to him, and send him away.

I should have been organizing Logan's neuter about now too, but under the circumstances that's going to have to be postponed, since it's non-essential. I mean, it would be good to get it done, but it can wait. Hopefully things will improve soon, and we can get that done in the near future.

The number of confirmed deaths in the UK have reached 335, with more than 350,000 worldwide. In response to this - and the continued insistance of some people of ignoring social distancing rules - Borris Johnson has put the UK on lockdown. We're allowed to go out for essential errands, medical appointments, and if we have a job we absolutely have to go to. We're also allowed a short outing each day for exercise for ourselves, as well as to walk our dogs if we have them. But that's it, and we have to observe social distancing rules, and stay at least 2m apart, while doing this. We should aim to stay at least 2m away from anyone we don't actually live with. Oh, and all non-essential shops and businesses are to close immediately. He's placed us on lockdown for three weeks, and seems to be hoping he can lift it after that, since he says he'll review the situation at that point. I'm doubtful lockdown will only last that long though, since I bet plenty of people will ignore it.

***~~~***

Tuesday March 24th 2020:
I got a text message from the government telling me I had to stay home to help the NHS and save lives. Mam did too, so I was assuming everyone else also got one, except that's apparently not the case. I spoke to some people on the phone who say they didn't. We're working on the theory it was either only sent to people on benifits who are considered most vulnerable, or was sent to those of us falling in to that group first (if the latter, the others will get theirs soon). Seeing that they consider things serious enough to do something like that made me wish I could do what Artemis was doing at the time, and tuck myself up in my shell to sleep under a heat lamp. I wish I was a tortoise right now.

On a brighter note, I finally heard from that friend I was worried about, and he's OK. Quarantined at home, but OK. Also, my Aunty Susan's cold is much better. So, yes, it does look like that's all she had. Either that, or she had a very mild case of the virus. We're pretty sure it was just a cold though. We're hoping she'll be completely better soon, and I'm crossing my fingers that's the closest anyone I know comes to scares with getting this virus, whether family, friend, or neighbour.

***~~~***

Wednesday March 25th 2020:
It looks like that government text about staying home is being sent to everyone, because more people are getting it.

There were people doing something along the seafront today. Obviously council workmen or something similar. Not sure what they were doing, but they were being noisy about it. A fact that was even more obvious in the near silence of the street. Both before they came, and after they left, I was glad of the sounds of the seagulls and other birds, because without them it would have felt eerie. As it is, the odd vehicle that did go past seemed strange.

Kelly went to get Lilie and Logan's flea and worming stuff today. On his way back, he was able to grab some milk for himself (I still have some of my vegan milks) and a loaf of bread. I've never been so glad to see a loaf of bread before. The last of ours was almost gone, I wasn't able to get any yeast so I could make my own when it runs out, and I know bread is something people are struggling to find. We do have some wraps, but they won't help for long, so the bread is very welcome. I'm glad he was able to get himself some milk too, since the only vegan milk he'll drink is hazelnut, I only have one carton of that left, and it's tough to get hold of at the best of times.

It seems Prince Charles - next in line for the throne - has tested positive for the Coronavirus. I hear he's abdocated the throne in light of this diagnosis, and Prince William - next in line after Charles - is King Regent until all this is over, because Queen Elizabeth is so old they want to keep her isolated, since her chances of survival if she gets it are slim because of her age and her health not being 100% anyhow. I only heard that last part in rumours though... It may not be true. But I actually read the news about Prince Charles testing positive for Covid-19, and have no doubt it's the truth, because some of the sources I saw it on are generally reliable. I wonder if Prince Charles will be one of the people who get better?

I've been having trouble sleeping. More so than usual, I mean. I haven't had more than a bit of a nap in over a week. Not to mention, with everything plastered all over social media right now, I'm torn between wanting to check it regularly to make sure nobody I know is sick, and wanting to avoid it and hide away in books and movies while playing with the petkids until this is over. Except, I can't hide until it's over, because I can't avoid the world for that long. Besides, there's the whole need to check on people thing. I'd only end up even more anxious not knowing, especially since it could be a long time before this is over. Yeah, I know they say a few months at most, but I'm not convinced.

It's not the being shut in that bothers me. I love my space, and am perfectly content to be at home. I do feel sorry for Lilie and Logan with walks being restricted, but for myself, I don't mind a bit. It's also not because I'm scared about the virus. I'm not. I'm scared of how people are behaving, the fact many have shown what monsters the human race can be, and what the future will hold. But not the virus itself.

It's something more than that. It's that my heart aches for those pets cast aside and now in shelters, because owners they were devoted to got rid of them for fear they'd cause them to end up sick. It aches for the children who don't understand why they can't go to the park or out to play with their friends like they used to - especially those for whom those things, and school, were the only escape from abuse at home. It aches too for dogs like Lilie, missing long walks where we could linger on the beach or at the park, and not understanding why the few people we might see while out - if we do see any at all - keep their distance, and won't come and say, "Hi," to her like they've done on all her previous walks. And, for the first time in my life, I actually mean it deep down when I say I'm glad I never managed to have children, because the thought of the future they might have had terrifies me.

I know it's not all doom and gloom. There are those doing what they can to help. Doctors and nurses coming out of retirement to help care for the sick. People stepping forward to help with delivering food and medical supplies to people at home, so that more delivery slots are opening up (meaning I might be able to get one more easily when I try for a food delivery next) and so on. But far more people are showing way too much of the, "Every man for himself," attitude, and it makes me sad that so much of the human race was so quick to go down that path. Not to mention, it makes me fear for the future.

There will be a future; we'll get through this. The human race will always find a way. But I'm scared of what kind of future it will be, and what we'll have to go through to reach whatever our new "normal" will eventually become.

Shortly after I wrote the earlier part of today's entry,Kelly made me have some serious pet therapy. He took away both phones, and insisted I stay out of the computer room, thus cutting my contact with social media, various newspaper feeds, etc, for a while. I could have refused to do it, but I knew even at the time I needed it, so I spent a good 20 minutes or so - just an estimate, since I wasn't keeping track - simply lying on the bed cuddling with Lilie and Logan, and then spent an hour or so sprawled on the sofa being climbed on by Artemis. It helped. I think it did anyhow. I mean, I felt a bit better, and more like I could deal with all of this, afterwards. Gotta love pet therapy, and Kelly for knowing how much I needed some, especially since there's no way he could have known what I'd written in this entry at that point.

Part of me still feels like playing tortoise and hiding away until all of this is over, but it's a smaller part now.

***~~~***

Thursday March 26th 2020:
I finally slept a decent amount. Slept almost solidly for nearly eight hours. I actually woke up feeling relatively well rested for the first time in a couple of weeks. I think the exhaustion caught up with me. Either that, or the pet therapy session helped even more than I thought. I may also be starting to feel the benifits of writing this thing. Actually, I'm pretty sure it's all three of those combined.

According to the Facebook page for the local newspaper, the police are out in the street, enforcing the lockdown and the social distancing rules for those who have reason to be out during it. From what I've heard, it's the same elsewhere too, with drones and helicopters sometimes even getting in on the action by patroling areas from the sky.

I looked in to some of those extra food delivery slots. Apparently I waited too long. I was able to get my Mam one for a week earlier (she had a slot booked for April 13th, and now also has some stuff coming on April 8th) but since April 8th was the earliest available slot by this point, and mine is booked for April 9th anyhow, I left my own slot alone. I'll run out of some things before then, but I'll have stuff I can eat - even if I'll have to make do without a few ingredients, tweak a few recipes, etc, to compensate for the things that won't last that long, and will be using up my store cupboard staples. But I'll have food, which is all that matters. If only people would calm down, this wouldn't even be a worry, since officially there should be plenty of food for everyone. Hopefully things will improve before the 9th - at least as far as hording of stuff is concerned - and I'll be able to get everything that's in my order, and be good for a couple of weeks again.

Despite not having all that much of it, I used some of the bit of flour I have, and made myself some cake, because I wanted some, and Kelly had cake. Maybe not a great reason, but everyone needs a treat sometimes. I made a blackberry and lavender cake, because that seemed like a good idea, and I had everything I needed to make it (I had been planning to make a crumble with those blackberries, but never mind). It's very tasty, if I do say so myself.

It's Lilie's third birthday today. I brought her some new balls shortly before all this started getting really bad. Luckily I don't object to them being thrown indoors, because she certainly won't be playing with them on the beach, since we're on lockdown, so we can't have her out for long. Not to mention, we realized this morning that some of what those workers were doing out there was putting up barriers to stop people even gaining access to the beach. So we can't even take a short walk along the seafront any more. I hear they've done the same kind of thing to park entrances. With no garden, this means all our dogs can have is a walk around the block once a day, and we have to hope we don't see anyone when we're out (partially because of narrow streets, but especially because the dogs don't understand why people have gone from calling them adorable and practically begging us to say it's OK for them to come pet the dogs, to practically running in the opposite direction when they see us coming, and I hate to see their enthusiastic attempts at greeting the neighbours end in confusion and disappointment). Like I said, it's a good thing I don't mind balls being thrown indoors. In fact, quite often I'm the one throwing them, so... *shrugs*

We were going to get Oscars to bring us some food to celebrate Lilie's birthday, but I couldn't get an answer on their phone when I tried calling. I hope they're OK, and it doesn't either mean something happened to them, or mean they can't do the planned delivery thing after all, because of the full lockdown. I'd hate for them to be one of the businesses that won't be able to rise from the ashes once this is all over. Although, more than that, I'd hate for any of them to get sick and die. They've become friends in our eyes over the past couple of years.

There was a country-wide thing this evening to clap for the NHS. A lot of people did do it. Unfortunately, a lot of people also decided to take the oppertunity to use some of the fireworks they have left over from last year, and set those off too, upsetting a lot of already agitated and confused dogs - ours included, especially Logan, who doesn't like fireworks at the best of times. I love that so much support was shown for the NHS, and those people at the frontline, so to speak, trying to battle this virus. But I do wish people would show more consideration for the animals. It's hard enough for them not understanding all the routine changes, limitations on walks, and why their humans are so anxious. Poor things. Still, like I said, I did love hearing just how many people did go to doorsteps and windows, or in to their gardens, to show their support for the nurses and doctors who are the ones putting themselves at most risk in the war against this virus, as they've shown support for soldiers in the regular kinds of war.

As of today, more than 11,600 people (I think the number is 11,668) have tested positive for the Coronavirus in the UK. 578 of those have died. 39 of those cases where the person has died are in East Sussex, which is the part of England I'm in.

***~~~***

Friday March 27th 2020:
It seems the prime minister, Borris Johnson, has now tested positive for the virus. So has the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, apparently. Borris Johnson says both of their symptoms are mild, and insists he's going to keep leading the country - remotely, of course - while in isolation and trying to fight the virus himself. Unless he gets too sick, of course, since he might be one of the people who dies. Maybe not, if his symptoms are as mild as he claims. But we'll see. I wonder who will be our next Prime Minister if Borris Johnson dies?

I think I'm coping better today. I'm getting in plenty of pet therapy, and it's helping me keep my anxiety under control, even if just barely. The deaths, the uncertainty for the future, and how so many people are behaving during all of this... All those things are still getting to me, still keeping my anxiety bubbling right below the surface, and still making me feel a little like I want to hide in my shell like a frightened tortoise. But the petkids are helping me deal with it by being there to cuddle with, and by needing me to be there for them too.

***~~~***

Saturday March 28th 2020:
I basically just spent the day alternating between reading, watching YouTube videos, and talking to my brother, Carl, most of the time while also playing with the petkids - for example, I had Artemis climbing all over me while I was talking to Carl, and was playing with Lilie and Logan while listening to my audiobook - in an attempt to avoid thinking about the current situation. It was only partially successful. Any moments of distraction are welcome right now though, so I'm calling it a day well spent, even if a large part of mine and Carl's conversation was at least partially linked to the new situation we find ourselves in. Though we did also have an interesting conversation centred around food, in particular how changing the way you eat - such as excluding something from your diet, or making a point to cook from scratch - seems to make you more likely to be willing to experiment with cooking, and how that can make your opinion and tastes change when it comes to food.

Borris Johnson and Prince Charles are still alive, thought to have mild cases of the virus, and expected to make a full recovery. I think the same is true of Matt Hancock, though nobody's talking about him much. In fact, Borris Johnson is the one getting most of the attention. Even Prince Charles isn't getting much mention since the Prime Minister also got sick.

A new hospital is opening in London spacifically to treat patients with Covid-19. Or it might be an old hospital reopening. To be honest, I'm not 100% sure. They're saying it's going to be spacifically for patients with the virus though, and I think they said it was going to be called "The Nightingale Hospital" or something like that. That name is what makes me wonder if it's actually an old hospital reopening. It doesn't matter, as long as as many people as possible get care, and as many lives as possible can be saved. Too many have already been lost, despite the survival rate being higher than the death rate. I mean, the UK death toll reached 1,019 today.

***~~~***

Sunday March 29th 2020:
In an effort to focus on stuff that had nothing to do with the current worldwide situation, I devoted the day to DVD watching and pet therapy only. So, I spent a large chunk of the day lying on the sofa, watching DVDs, while Artemis climbed all over me, and Lilie and Logan alternated between playing together, coming to get some attention from me, and napping. There was a point where I was just curled up in the chair with Logan watching DVDs too.

Of course, I couldn't fully escape the reality of our current situation all day without totally avoiding the computer for the entire day - and besides, there's a part of me that needs to know what's going on - so did end up hearing a few things, like the fact that the death toll in the UK has increased rapidly again, reaching more than 1,200. On the other hand, the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 where people have recovered has reached more than 19,500. So, at least the survival rate remains much higher than the death rate, which is sort of comforting anyhow.

Also, some expert on diseases and things is saying three weeks lockdown won't be long enough, so the UK should stay on lockdown until June, which a lot of people weren't happy to hear about. I'm not sure if we're going to do that, but since the government has declared a state of emergency, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that was going to be the case. I actually suspect it was an effort to stop the panic getting worse that stopped them saying that length of time to start with, especially since those of us asked to self-isolate because of medical conditions like asthma were told to do so for 12 weeks. A time-frame which, as it happens, takes us in to June. Not to mention, three months was the time-frame Borris Johnson originally gave for this being over with, so I think they suspected they'd need to do longer than three weeks for the lockdown on those grounds too. After all, they didn't say it would only be for three weeks, but that they'd review the situation in three weeks.

Another thing that makes me suspect they planned to have us on lockdown longer than three weeks to start with is that I also heard that the government is considering sending out food care packages to the vulnerable, because of how panicked horders keep grabbing everything as fast as the shelves are restocked (despite all the restrictions set in place to try and stop this happening). If they do, I hope they take different dietary needs in to consideration. Not just because of vegans like myself, or vegetarians like our friends, Lorna and Andy, but also because of those with allergies, medical conditions like diabetes, etc.

***~~~***

Monday March 30th 2020:
The UK has been placed in emergency mode, putting procedures in place that haven't been used since WWII, and were originally not intended to be used during peacetime, which basically involve more of what they've been starting over the past couple of weeks with the lockdown, only with strict penalties - like large fines, and possibly even jail time - for anyone who fails to comply. Something they'd already been talking about bringing in to effect, since so many people are ignoring the rules of the lockdown. I'm torn between thinking the government's actions are a bit of an over-reaction, and thinking they should have done this sooner. On the one hand, we need to do something to get the situation under control. On the other hand, there's a lot of over-reaction when it comes to this virus situation, and the emergency status is only going to make the panic worse. To be honest, I don't envy the people in charge right now, and am glad I'm not the one who has to figure out what to do to get this situation under control.

There is some good news though: I did hear correctly, and care packages will be sent out to the vulnerable - in fact, they're already starting to send them out, according to what I heard this morning - containing things like toilet roll, personal hygiene products, food items like tinned fruits and vegetables, etc. Vulnerable people will also be contacted with details on how they can get in touch with a spacific department that's been set up to help them with any additional support they might need, especially those without family or friends they can rely on for help.

They're also going to work with airlines to get UK residents stuck abroad home. Though those people will be forced to observe a quarantine period when they first return to the country, I'm sure they'll be glad to be heading home at last.

The government is now admitting this thing won't be over in the couple of weeks they hoped. In fact, they're now saying it's more likely to be six months before we even start seeing a return to anything even resembling normality, and some reports say the adjustments we're going to have to make for this will change the way we do a lot of things in the future, including the way work is conducted (with a lot more people just working from home in future, for example).

***~~~***

That's as far as I'm going with the day by day journaling of this situation. I'll check in from time to time to let you know what the situation is where I am, and how I'm doing with all of this, but I don't plan to keep this day by day thing up. I just wanted to chronicle the beginning. Partly to show you what it was like where I am, and partly to help myself while I wrap my head around this situation, and the way people are behaving because of it. Because that's the thing that I'm really struggling with: the way people are behaving. There are those still ignoring the lockdown, as if it doesn't apply to them, and others taking it to the other extreme, hording items and hiding away like it's the apocalypse. We need to find a middle ground. Why is that so difficult for people to grasp? I thought human beings were intelligent creatures?

So, how were the past couple of weeks for you?

If you've been having a hard time dealing with it all too, remember: we'll get through this. Even if it takes a while.

Also, it's OK to not be OK.

#MondayMotivation - #Hygge #Quotes + Words Of #Wisdom 30-03-20

Sometimes you just need to step outside, get some fresh air, clear your head, and remind yourself of who you are and where you want to be.
~Unknown

It isn’t always a change of scenery needed to make life better. Sometimes it simply requires opening your eyes.
~Richelle E. Goodrich

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.
~Oprah Winfrey

Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.
~Mother Teresa

Life is a spell so exquisite that everything conspires to break it.
~?Emily Dickinson

Live out of your imagination, not your history.
~Stephen Covey

The beautiful thing about memories is making them.
~Sukh Sandhu

Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul.
~Alice Walker

In stillness lives wisdom. In quiet you'll find peace. In solitude you'll remember yourself.
~Robin Sharma

Life is the moment we are living right now.
~Paulo Coelho

Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.
~H. Jackson Brown Jr

Take a shower, wash off the day. Drink a glass of water. Make the room dark. Lie down & close your eyes. Notice the silence. Notice your heart. Still beating. Still fighting. You made it, after all. You made it, another day, you're doing just fine.
~Charlotte Eriksson

#Pet #Photo And Video: Lilie The #Westie Celebrates Turning 3

Hi everyone. This is Lilie the Westie.

Guess what?

I had one of those birthday things yesterday, and got more new balls!

Yeah, yeah, I know I have several already. But you can never have too many balls. I love balls!

Daddy also made me a special birthday dinner of fish cake and hamwich, which was very tasty. If you don't know: a hamwich is a nice and crispy toasted cheese and ham sandwich. I love them!

It was a great birthday, even though people are being weird and wouldn't say, "Hi," to me when I went walkies, which is very strange, because normally people always want to talk to and pet me, especially if I do my wiggle dance. I only got little walkies, and between that and nobody wanting to be my friend, I thought I maybe did something bad without meaning to. Mummy says I didn't though. She says it's because of something called, "Avirus," - at least, I think that's what she said - and that I'm a good girl. Then we did my birthday, and there were all those new balls, and that nice dinner Daddy made for me, so I guess either I didn't do anything bad, or at least Mummy and Daddy aren't mad at me for it. I'm happy about having a birthday though, and getting all those new balls, as well as my special birthday dinner.

Lots of licks,
Lilie

#AmReading + #AmWatching + #AmListening - Media Shares And #Reviews 26-03-20

I want a story to take me to a place that I’ve never been to before and make it come vividly alive for me.
~George R.R. Martin

Welcome to this week's weekly media shares and reviews post!

*Disclaimer: no matter what's being reviewed, all opinions in this post are entirely my own, and I reserve the right to have them, regardless of who may or may not share them. Feel free to express your own in the comments, but please respect my right - and the rights of other commenters - to have opinions that might differ from yours, and to express those opinions too.

Also, please remember that I read/watch/listen to things in a variety of genres, and for all ages, so you should make sure you check that the book/movie/show/song is suitable for the intended audience before reading/watching/listening to it, especially if children are involved. I take no responsibility for anything which may happen as a result of failing to do so.

If you want to know more about the book, or the author, click on whichever it is you want to learn more about, and it will take you to the appropriate page on Goodreads. Clicking on my rating should take you to my actual Goodreads review for the book in question. Please bear in mind that the format I've reviewed on Goodreads may not be the format I actually read.

Alternatively, if it's a movie or TV show you want to know more about, just click on the title to go to a page where you can find out more details about the movie or TV show in question; the title links will usually take you to a page on IMDB.

Unless otherwise stated, all music videos are via YouTube.

OK. Let's see what I've been reading, watching, and listening to, and which song I'm going to share this week, shall we? After all, that's the point of this post, and why you're here today, right?

• Reading:

This week I only read one book, because it was quite a long one. So, here's what I read, along with my book review.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm glad I decided to go with the audio version of this, because I dread to think how hard it would have been to read most of it with a screen reader of some kind. It took some getting used to even with the audio version... Enough that I very nearly deducted a star for it. However, since apart from the Scottish dialect taking a bit to get used to, I loved this book, I'm giving it the full five stars. The historical aspects were fascinating, and the characters were interesting. I look forward to the next book.

• Watching:

This week I watched more of "Game Of Thrones" season 3, as well as more "Redwall" episodes.

I also broke down and got Netflix, so have been watching "Fuller House" on that. I loved "Full House" so have been really wanting to watch this one. I'm enjoying it, but it's not as good as the original series was. The first half of the first episode especially wasn't great, since it felt like an info dumping session to make sure you knew who was who and what they'd been doing between the end of the original series and the start of this one. Still, like I said, I'm enjoying it. Although, despite the fact I'd give five stars to the original series, I only give this series four out of five stars.

• Listening:

This week I've been listening to very little again. But Kenny Rogers died, and it made me want to listen to some of his music. Not that I don't listen at other times, since I'm a fan of it, but still. Anyway, I'll be sharing one of his songs with you this week. So, here's Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton singing "We've Got Tonight" for your listening pleasure - enjoy!

#WriterWednesday: The #AuthorsGiveBack #Smashwords #eBook #Sale + Writerly #Quotes And Links + #WritersLife 25-03-20 - #AmWriting

As I mentioned in Sunday's post, Smashwords has launched an "Authors Give Back" sale to help readers and authors cope with Covid-19. It runs until April 20th 2020.

All my books are enrolled, with some at 60% off, and others at 30% off, making them all $2.00 or less, and a couple of them completely free.

So, if you're looking for something to read while stuck at home right now - especially if you have children, are a fan of children's stories yourself, or enjoy poetry - you might want to check out my books.

Since I enable all formats I can, my books are available in multiple formats, including - but not limited to - mobi for Kindle, and ePub (which works with most eReaders). In fact, there's even a html version, which works with your browser, and means if you can read this post, you can read my books.

This is exclusive to Smashwords, and codes should apply themselves automatically at checkout.

You can find my books by going to my Smashwords author page.

Anyhow, other than the details of the sale, there's not much to say as regards my writing this week. Not because there hasn't been any progress on getting that story ready to be let loose in to the big wide world, but because there's not much to say other than that I'm still working on edits and such. I'll be starting to focus on a new project soon, but just can't face it right now with the global situation and the anxiety it's causing. Editing is one thing. Writing is another. Anyway, I'll actually be giving you some details of this story soon, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, I hope your own writing is going well, and that you and your loved ones are doing OK. Stay safe!

Writing fiction is a solitary occupation but not really a lonely one. The writer’s head is mobbed with characters, images and language.
~Hilma Wolitzer

OK. Let's see what I've found to share with you this week.

The writing process, and writing life in general:

• When you learn writing gets lonely
• Tips for working at home, AKA how to survive being a shut-in writer
• You might be too worried about having the most 'original' idea
• Writing in a time of anxiety

The act of writing is an act of optimism. You would not take the trouble to do it if you felt it didn't matter.
~Edward Albee

Writers' block, and finding inspiration:

• 12 tips for writing when you feel like you've run out of good ideas
• Why every writer needs to make time for 'free thinking'

Random writing tips:

• Story elements: give them purpose
• 7 tips to writing cults in fantasy
• Why write wrong, #1
• Putting cliffhangers in a series

I live with the people I create and it has always made my essential loneliness less keen.
~Carson McCullers

Marketing:

• Book launching in the time of Covid-19

To any creators who feel guilty making art when the house is on fire, please remember: you make the doorways out.
~Victoria Schwab

This last link isn't actually writing related, but I wanted to share the silver lining from the Covid-19 cloud.

The Inside And Out #Book Tag - #AmReading

I got this tag from Cat over at The Strawberry Post. You can see her post for it here.

As usual, I'm not tagging anyone. But, if you want to play too, feel free to join in, either by posting your answers in the comments, or doing this on your own blog. If you do the latter, make sure to let me know, so I can come read your answers, since I'd love to know what they are. For now though, here are the questions, along with my own answers to them:

1  Inside flap/back of the book summaries: Too much info? Or not enough?

Somewhere in the middle. I'd kind of like to know what I'm committing to reading, but I hate spoilers, so don't want it too detailed.

2  New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback or Hardcover?

I've got nothing against physical books - books smell great, after all - but it has to be either audio book or eBook for me, unless it's in braille. Mostly I don't care which, unless I've got part of a series in one format or another. I only care that it's an accessable to me format as a rule, but I like to have a whole series in the same format whenever possible.

3  Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books; take notes, make comments, or do you keep your books clean, clean, clean?

Write in books? *looks shocked* Definitely not! I never even did that as a child, and I hate that people do that.

4  Does it matter to you whether the author is male or female when you’re deciding on a book? What if you’re unsure of the authors gender?

No. I don't care whether the author is male or female. An author's gender doesn't make any difference as to whether the book will be enjoyable or not - a woman and man are equally likely to write either a good or bad book - so why should it matter?

5  Ever read ahead? Or have you ever read the last page way before you got there?

Absolutely not! I hate spoilers.

6  Organised bookshelves or outrageous bookshelves?

At the moment mine are a bit of a mess, but I prefer my physical books - audio book and braille books - organized as a rule. Alphabetically. First by author's first name or initials, with their last name considered next if needs be, then by series (if applicable) and then by title. Oh, and if the title is "A" or "The" something - like "A Christmas Carol" or "The Witches" - then that is considered. The titles are "A Christmas Carol" and "The Witches" and not "Christmas Carol, A" and "Witches, The" - just so you know.

7  Have you ever bought a book based on the cover (alone)?

No. Not even when I could still see them. A cover might have caught my attention, but it wouldn't ever be the deciding factor. These days I don't even know what's on the covers of most of my books, and that fact doesn't bother me.

8  Take it outside to read, or stay in?

Either option works for me. I usually end up reading inside these days, but would be perfectly happy reading on the beach, in a park, in the garden, or whatever, and have done so several times in the past.

#MondayMotivation - #Quotes + Words Of #Wisdom 23-03-20

Will the lesson be learned? Will our appreciation of beauty be seen as a gift, the enjoyment of which should not be confined to an annual holiday? Will it become a part of our everyday lives? It is almost past belief that we ever chose to reject it.
~C.R. Milne

Life is like the ocean. It can be calm or still and rough or rigid, but in the end it’s always beautiful.
~Unknown

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
~William A. Ward

If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it.
~Jonathan Winters

Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.
~Anne Lamott

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever
~Jacques Cousteau

Do not lose hope, please believe that there are a thousand beautiful things waiting for you. Sunshine comes to all who feel rain.
~R. M. Drake

Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried but you’ve actually been planted.
~Christine Caine

Don't give up when dark times come. The more storms you face in life, the stronger you'll be. Hold on. Your greater is coming.
~Germany Kent

Deal with the world the way it is, not the way you wish it was.
~John Chambers

This is the world. Beautiful and terrible things happen. Don't be afraid.
~Frederick Buechner

Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows.
~Native American Proverb

The #AuthorsGiveBack #Smashwords #eBook #Sale

Smashwords has launched an "Authors Give Back" sale to help readers and authors cope with Covid-19. It runs until April 20th 2020.

All my books are enrolled, with some at 60% off, and others at 30% off, making them all $2.00 or less, and a couple of them completely free.

So, if you're looking for something to read while stuck at home right now - especially if you have children, are a fan of children's stories yourself, or enjoy poetry - you might want to check out my books.

Since I enable all formats I can, my books are available in multiple formats, including - but not limited to - mobi for Kindle, and ePub (which works with most eReaders). In fact, there's even a html version, which works with your browser, and means if you can read this post, you can read my books.

This is exclusive to Smashwords, and codes should apply themselves automatically at checkout.

You can find my books by going to my Smashwords author page.

If you want, you can also browse the sale catalogue to see what other authors have on sale, and grab yourself even more eBook bargains.

Pet #Videos: Lilie The #Westie And Logan the #Cavapoo At Play

Hi everyone. This is Lilie the Westie.

Guess what?

We got new piggy toys!













Well, to be honest, these were taken a few weeks ago, and the piggies aren't looking so great any more, because toys never last me long. I don't know why. Mummy says it's because I play so rough with them. I say they should make them better, because toys should be able to handle a bit of rough playtime. But never mind. We enjoy them while they last anyway, which Mummy says is the thing that matters most, even if she does also kind of wish they lasted longer around me. I kind of do too, especially when it's the piggies, because I love those honking piggy toys!

They do last a bit longer than they used to though, especially now I've gotten so good at taking out the bit that makes a noise without actually destroying the whole toy, which means there's a decent amount of toy left for me - and Logan, I guess - to play with afterwards, and Mummy doesn't have to throw the toy away immediately.

Anyway, I thought you'd like to see us having fun with our piggy toys.

Speaking of having fun with things...

Another thing I love to play with is the hoover. A lot of dogs think the hoover monster is scary. Not me. I think it's great fun, as you can see in this video of when I was playing with it while Mummy was trying to do whatever it is humans do with that thing. Hey, if she could play with it, why not me, right? Anyway, here's the video:







Lots of licks,
Lilie

#AmReading + #AmWatching + #AmListening - Media Shares And #Reviews 19-03-20

Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.
~Vera Nazarian

Welcome to this week's weekly media shares and reviews post!

*Disclaimer: no matter what's being reviewed, all opinions in this post are entirely my own, and I reserve the right to have them, regardless of who may or may not share them. Feel free to express your own in the comments, but please respect my right - and the rights of other commenters - to have opinions that might differ from yours, and to express those opinions too.

Also, please remember that I read/watch/listen to things in a variety of genres, and for all ages, so you should make sure you check that the book/movie/show/song is suitable for the intended audience before reading/watching/listening to it, especially if children are involved. I take no responsibility for anything which may happen as a result of failing to do so.

If you want to know more about the book, or the author, click on whichever it is you want to learn more about, and it will take you to the appropriate page on Goodreads. Clicking on my rating should take you to my actual Goodreads review for the book in question. Please bear in mind that the format I've reviewed on Goodreads may not be the format I actually read.

Alternatively, if it's a movie or TV show you want to know more about, just click on the title to go to a page where you can find out more details about the movie or TV show in question; the title links will usually take you to a page on IMDB.

Unless otherwise stated, all music videos are via YouTube.

OK. Let's see what I've been reading, watching, and listening to, and which song I'm going to share this week, shall we? After all, that's the point of this post, and why you're here today, right?

• Reading:

This week I read two books. So, here's what I read, along with my book reviews.

Survive by Vera Nazarian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could give this more than five stars, I totally would! I've been dying to read this one ever since finishing the other three books in the series, and can tell you it was well worth the wait. It's a long book, but needs to be; it's just the right length to tell the part of the story it needs to tell. I was torn between being desperate to know what happens, so wanting to keep reading until I was done, and wanting to take my time with it so I could spend as long as possible with the characters. The worldbuilding is incredible, the descriptions are beautiful, the characters are well-rounded (and it's great to see how they've developed as the series has progressed) and the plot moves at a perfect pace. The series as a whole is awesome, and this book is the perfect ending to it, even if part of me wishes there was more, just so I could spend more time in the world, and with the characters - especially Aeson.

The Law of Three and Other Relationships by Barbara G. Tarn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is another great collection of sweet stories by this author.

• Watching:

This week I watched the rest of "Game Of Thrones" season 2, and started season 3. I also watched more "Redwall" episodes.

• Listening:

This week I once again haven't really been listening to much. However, deciding on a song to share this week is easy, because I've had one that's been quite the earworm for me all week. The title of the song was mentioned in something I read towards the end of last week, and the song became so stuck in my mind afterwards that I've quite literally been singing snatches of it on and off all week (mostly in my head, but sometimes out loud). Not even listening to it in its entirety a couple of times got rid of the earworm. So, since it's been my constant companion for the past week, so I have to share it, here's "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley. Enjoy!

#WriterWednesday: Writerly #Quotes And Links + #WritersLife 18-03-20 - #AmWriting

The first thing that distinguishes a writer is that he is most alive when alone.
~Martin Amis

Between medical situations all being under control in my case (I have a slight cough that won't go away, but other than that the cold/flu thing has gone, and I'm healing well from the recent medical procedure by the look of it) and having a week where there weren't a lot of other things to deal with, I managed to start working on the first stage of editing of the story inspired by Lilie and Logan, as well as write another poem or two. So, it was a pretty good writing week for me, and I'm definitely on track for having this story ready in time to be publishing it in May as planned. If you're a writer as well, I hope your writing is going well too.

Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters.
~Neil Gaiman

OK. Let's see what I've found to share with you this week.

The writing process, and writing life in general:

• Novel writing: a little every day is enough
• You can't keep stopping and starting again
• You shouldn't worry about getting published if you haven't started writing
• Why perfectionism could be stifling you
• Why (only) reading books about writing won't make you a better writer
• 12 tips for writing when you're not calm and the world is burning

Commit yourself to the process, NOT the project. ...Invest yourself in the lifestyle...NOT in the particular piece of work
~F Conroy

Writers' block, and idea generation:

• What if writers' block is the best thing that ever happens to you?
• Kids, and the daunting world of writing
• 100 poetry prompts
• 10 tips for writing when you don't know what to write about

The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.
~William H. Gass

Characters:

• Homebody characters: there are wolves out there

Writing romance:

• Happily never after: writing romance when you're breaking up

Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences.
~Sylvia Plath

Random writing tips:

• Tips for writing action scenes
• Storytelling decisions: what's the right pace for your story?

There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.
~Frank Herbert

Marketing:

• Dual use of fiction meta-content, part 4: newsletters

Reviews:

• The dos and don'ts of handling book reviews

The business side of writing:

• Business musings: disruption
• Could the coronavirus impact writers? A few ways for writers to prepare for covid-19

I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.
~Anne Frank

#Tortoises, #Blogging, #Coronavirus, Medical Mutterings, And Questions For #Blind People

~Photo of Artemis just inside the tortoise cave, looking out towards the camera... Just because.

Let's talk blog posts:

For one thing, the changes to how I'm doing my Wednesday posts are being kept. It's easier for me, and the feedback I got from the changes was positive, so it sounds like it's a win-win situation. So, yeah... Definitely glad I did that.

The other thing is my Tuesday posts. My original plan for those had been random day to day life stuff, because that seemed to be working last year. But between low energy because of not feeling well, and already covering the other main areas of my life in other posts - writing, media, and pets - I don't always have much to say without stepping on the toes of another day's post, if you know what I mean. So, I started feeling like I was pushing myself to deliver what I promised on the Tuesdays by pretty much giving you a preview of the other posts, which was just more work for myself. Either that, or I'd be taking some of the stuff I could have posted from the petkids on Fridays, and then having to think hard to figure out what to post (or essentially just do pet photo round up posts) when the Friday posts needed to be done.

However, I didn't want to not do Tuesday posts, because... Well, those of you who have been around a while know how determined I am to stick to a posting schedule if I've got one, even when dealing with health issues. But, I promised myself - and several other people - I'd take the whole self care thing more seriously from now on.

So, though I'll sometimes do a random life catchup type post on a Tuesday, and some of my Tuesday posts will continue to over-lap with stuff that could work with the other days, you'll be seeing a bunch of quote and tag posts filling a lot of my Tuesday slots between now and the rest of the year. I set a bunch up when it was difficult to write because I wasn't feeling great and next door was doing some rather noisy renovation work (seriously, I swear they're gutting the place and rebuilding the entire inside, if you go by the noise). When noise makes hearing JAWS impossible, it's easier to stop constructing quote round up posts, or writing the answer to a question I have right in front of me, than it is to keep the thread of a story or poem I was trying to type, so it was an ideal task to do at the time, and will help me for the rest of the year.

I hope you understand. It seemed like the best thing for me to do, especially if I want to both take care of myself better, and keep to my five days a week posting schedule for the time being.

Let your heart guide you. It whispers so listen closely.
~Walt Disney

Anyway... Let's catch up with a few things that have been going on over the past few weeks.

First, let's address the elephant in every room at the moment: Covid-19, or the Coronavirus.

OK. So, a lot of people might disagree with me here. But, seriously people, stop panicking. Yes, it's bad. Yes, you need to be careful, and definitely self-isolate if you so much as suspect you have it. Also, yes, it would be a good idea to have a few days of non-perishable food items on hand, "Just in case." But those are actually things you should do as standard anyhow. Also, stop the panic-buying already. Especially the toilet paper thing. What's with that anyhow? Well, at least it makes more sense than the people I heard about who were stocking up on lettuce.

I mean, stocking up on a little extra canned food, pasta, etc. That's sensible. In fact, I believe you should keep a well-stocked store cupboard all the time anyhow. I even get the frantic buying of gloves, hand sanitizer, and masks. Although you want to be careful with relying on those things, since over-use of hand sanitizer can lead to alcahol poisoning, and unless you're using a proper gas mask, a mask is actually not going to help. Just saying. But what's with the toilet roll thing? A few extra rolls... Sure. But nobody needs that much. As it said in something I saw on Facebook: if you need that much toilet paper to survive a two week isolation, you should probably have been seeing a doctor a long time ago.

Look. Just wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water, just like your parents always told you to do anyhow, stay home if you're sick (especially if you regularly come in to contact with people on the high risk list) and shop sensibly, making sure you have a topped-up store cupboard, but not over-doing it. Like I said, things you should be doing anyway.

Bearing in mind, I say this as someone who is on that at risk list. Yes, I'm young enough that my age counts in my favour, since most of the 20% of cases where people who catch it die - yes, you read that right... In 80% of cases people recover, in case you missed that bit among all the rising numbers of the dead - are older people. However, I've got asthma, am prone to chest infections, and the issue I've had with my kidneys since birth makes me prone to infections anyhow. Not to mention, Kelly had pneumonia as a child, and has some lung scarring from that, so he's got to be careful too (he's also 13 years older than I am). So, please don't think we're not taking it seriously. We are. We just aren't panicking, because we don't see any need to, or that doing so would achieve anything.

In short, my point is, panicking isn't going to help anyone, and panic-buying is only going to mean other people will end up without essential items - like toilet paper, for example.

Also, to the person I read about via the Twitter feed of one of the newspapers, who took advantage of a blind shopper's lack of sight to steal their toilet roll from their shopping trolley: what's wrong with you? You're a real jerk, and the only reason I don't call you worse is because this is a family friendly blog. Be glad I wasn't that blind person. That was low, dude. Real low.

Right. Now I have that out of the way...

I gave in and took some medicine for my cold/flu thing. Managed to get rid of all but an annoying lingering cough, which I have most of the time through Winter anyhow, because asthma, so I'm not concerned about. I did this in the week leading up to my procedure at the hospital, since every time I'd thought the cold/flu thing was getting better, it came back worse, and I was hoping to have it actually go away before the procedure was done. Well, that mostly worked. Like I said, it's just that bit of a cough, which is mostly only at night anyhow, so it's fine.

Speaking of the procedure: it went smoothly, and I think I'm healing well.

As it turned out, I'd had our friends, Lorna and Andy, take me earlier than needed, because I hate being late for things. Between that and the fact the Coronavirus is making a lot of people cancel things, Lorna and I were actually waiting for Andy to come back to pick us up by the time my appointment time actually rolled around, since we were seen really early, and then the local anasthetic actually worked first time, which meant it only took about five minutes... Maybe ten, if you count the time it took for the consultant to read the consent form out, verify I was agreeing for Lorna to sign it on my behalf, check she knew what she was signing and was doing it of her own free will, and have her sign it.

Anyway, the procedure itself was fine. Recovering afterwards... Not so much.

The numbing effects were meant to last two hours. They lasted maybe half an hour. So they'd worn off before I had a chance to take some painkillers. Not to mention, eating even soft things like Weetabix, oatmeal, soup, and strawberry flavoured soya yogurts - the things my diet consisted of during the days afterwards - was unpleasant and incredibly painful. During the first 24 hours, I wouldn't have even eaten those things if I hadn't needed to in order to take Ibuprofen (the only painkiller I can take without some kind of allergic reaction). Even drinking wasn't comfortable, despite my making it a little easier on myself by using my travel bottle, which has a built in straw.

Let's just say, I'm very glad mouth wounds heal quickly.

I'm also very glad Kelly was willing to have toast with Logan for several days for me, so that Logan could still have his bit of toast, but I didn't have to try and eat toast. I seriously don't know how I'd have managed it without Kelly, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to eat it, and I didn't really want to be giving the whole piece of toast to Logan (even though he'd have thought it was fantastic if I did).

Anyhow, I have a follow-up appointment to make sure I've healed properly, but it's not until May. I'm not sure if they'd normally leave it that long, or if it's that non-emergency appointments are being scheduled quite a lot in advance because of the virus. But I go for my follow-up appointment on May 12th.

Before I end this, I'd like to share this post where a blind person answers some questions from sighted people. I'd also like to add that if you have any questions not covered in that post, you should feel free to ask. You can either ask me in the comments section of this post, on social media, or by eMail, or ask Holly in the comments section of the post I just linked to.

#MondayMotivation - #Quotes + Words Of #Wisdom 16-03-20

No mud, no lotus'.
~Buddha

Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine.
~Siddhārtha Gautama

Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.
~Vincent Van Gogh

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
~Marcel Proust

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
~Anthony J. D'Angelo

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.
~Vista M. Kelly

The reason why trees, flowers and animals are full of joy is because they are not busy comparing themselves with others.
~Unknown

If you only walk on sunny days you'll never reach your destination.
~Paulo Coelho

Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.
~David McCullough Jr.

The Forest will always be there... and anybody who is Friendly with Bears can find it.
~A.A. Milne

May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon restore you by night. May the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being. May you walk gently through the world & know its beauty all the days of your life.
~Apache Blessing

PetKid Pals: Raven

Hi everyone. This is Lilie the Westie.

You know what? I love making new friends! With that being the case, I'm delighted to tell you we have a new friend to meet today. Isn't that great? So, let's see who it is, shall we?

Hi friend! What’s your name? If you have an unusual name, or there’s an interesting story behind it, I’d love to hear about what your name means, or the story behind it, so please share if applicable.

I’m Raven. My name was chosen for me by the good folks at Castaway Critters, the rescue organization that took me from the streets when I was just a kitten. Before my mom got me, she was trying to come up with a name and she suggested “Raven” to my dad. He thought it was odd to name a cat after a bird, but when they came to pick me up and saw I was already named Raven they decided to keep it. The other names my mom was considering (before they met me )were Orb and Gypsy. I’m glad I got to keep Raven.

Raven is a great name, even if it means you're a cat named after a kind of bird. But, hey, I'm a dog named after a kind of flower, so who am I to judge? Anyway, we already discussed that you're a cat, but exactly what species and breed are you?

I’m a kitty cat, but I’m not sure what breed I am. Because I have a pointy face, a lot of people think I must be part Siamese. I like to talk a lot too, the way Siamese kitties do, so my mom tends to agree. I love “chatting” about anything and everything. My mom and I even have discussions.

Of course you do. Some dogs are very vocal and will chat with their humans too... I'm one of them. It's nice your Mom will talk back. Anyway, you said some people think you're part Siamese. Interesting. Also, Mummy loves Siamese cats. Anyway, can you describe your appearance for us? I've got a photo here, but please describe yourself too, for the benefit of those who can’t see the photo.

I’m a solid black kitty. The vet says I’m the perfect weight for my age (10 pounds…and I’ll be three in May). My eyes change color from green to gold and my fur is silky and smooth. Everyone who pets me remarks on how soft and silky I am. Mom is always telling me I’m very pretty.

Nice she remembers to give you compliments like that. I hear cats love that sort of thing. Mind you, so do dogs. I do anyhow. The thing where your eyes change colour is really cool. Also, I'm glad you're the perfect weight for your size and age. It's always good when the vet says that. Anyway, Raven, what sort of place do you live in? Who do you share it with?

I live in a nice house with two floors and a basement, so I have plenty of room to run around. I live with my mom and dad, who have added lots of extras for me. I have “scratchy posts” in nearly every room and I have a huge tree with multiple platforms in front of the French doors by the deck so I can see outside. I also have a smaller tree in the living room in front of the bow window, and I love looking out the patio doors in the family room. I have a window perch on the side of the house so I can see the little birds and the squirrels who play around the hedges. When the weather is warm, I have an enclosed catio so I can be with my two-leggeds when they’re outside on the covered patio. Dad says I’m seriously spoiled, but he doesn’t seem to mind and lets Mom spoil me even more.

Sounds like you have a great set-up there. You're one lucky kitty. So, with all the things your Dad lets your Mom provide for your enjoyment, what’s your favourite thing to do?

I have a chipmunk buddy. When the weather is warm, I spend all day running from the patio doors to the French doors, because Chippie runs back and forth from the covered patio to the deck. Sometimes, he’ll sit on the deck for a while so I can see him. Mom and Dad say he knows I’m there and that he’s playing with me. Dad even has a special sound he makes to alert me Chippie is there if I happen to be in another room. I also love sitting in the bow window and watching the birds, especially the little ones. When the weather is cold, I like to use my window perch especially at night and early morning. I sometimes see deer in the morning.

Oh, live nature shows... Nice! What about toys? Do you have a favourite toy? If yes, what is it?

I have a squeaky platypus. I’m on my third one because I wear them out. When I was little, I used to tear my toys apart, now they last longer, but I still go through them pretty often. Mom buys me lots of toys, but I carry my platypus everywhere. I frequently take it up into the master bedroom and leave it for Mom to find so she knows I love her. Since I can’t hunt outside (I’m a totally indoor cat) and catch “prizes” for her, I leave her my platypus.

That sounds great. Don't leave the platypus for my Mummy though, whatever you do. She says she's jealous of your squeaky platypus, so she might not give it back. I'm pretty sure she's joking, but let's not take the risk. Anyway, on the subject of favourite things, what’s your favourite food?

I get mostly dry food, but Mom gives me a little bit of wet canned food around 5:00 PM each day. My favorite is beef wellington. Mom thinks that’s funny because she doesn’t eat red meat. I also get a “snackie” every night. I LOVE my snackies! They come in tuna, salmon, and chicken but tuna is my favorite

Sounds tasty. I love the meat part of dinner best too, but think I'd rather the chicken "snackie" to the tuna one. But, hey, to each their own. Speaking of things you love though, what’s the one thing your human does that you love most?

My mom has long hair. Whenever I greet her, she bends over to rub my belly, and I love stretching up to stick my face in her hair. I love “nosing” her hair. I also love when Mom cups my face in her hand when I’m snuggling. I bury my nose and face in her hand and feel so secure!

That's so sweet! Sounds like you're a real cuddler. I bet it's not all nosing and cuddling though. It never is. So, come on, tell me, Raven, what’s the one thing your human does that you hate most?

Clipping my nails! If Mom catches me in the right mood, when I’m all mellow and snuggly, I don’t mind it so much, but otherwise, I just want it over with. And going to the vet? I HATE being put in that carrier-thingy and taken from my safe and snug home. Vet trips are scary!

I'm with you on the nail clipping, though I actually like the vet. Although, I don't have to be put in one of those carrier things, so maybe that helps? Since it's a scary topic for you though, let's talk about something else. For example, your human is a writer. Has she written anything about you? If yes, can you tell us about it? If no, do you think she will in the future?

Mom occasionally writes about me in her blog posts on From the Pen of Mae Clair. She posts photos of me too and shares pictures of me on her Instagram account. She hasn’t put me in any of her books, but she’s written a novella and a short read that feature cats. I think she uses me and some of the kitties she had before me as inspiration for those feline characters.

Being an inspiration is a great thing, and so is getting to be mentioned in blog posts. I'm sure everyone loves when she posts photos of you. Everyone loves pet photos! But what do you do while your human writes?

I love hanging out with Mom when she writes. When I was a little kitten, she used to have a round bed on the corner of her desk for me. Now that I’m older, she makes a special bed for me by pulling out a side desk drawers and layering a fluffy blanket on top (I have my own special blanket). I curl up and stay there for hours as she writes.

It's great you have a special spot you can curl up in to be near her while she writes, and sounds like you've got her well trained. Good for you! Anyway, Raven, we should probably end this. You likely have a nap to get to, after all. But, before we say, "Goodbye," though, is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?

Just that I’m a rescue kitty. I’m not a pedigree, and I was born on “the streets.” If it hadn’t been for the kind people at Castaway Critters who set traps, I might have been a feral who never found a furever home. I’m also a black kitty, and we often get passed over when it comes to adoption. Odd as it sounds, a lot of folks still hold superstitions about black kitties. That was something Mom addressed in her short novella Food for Poe. I like that story because a black kitty is the hero. I am so thankful Mom and Dad adopted me, and I hope all the other homeless kitties out there find homes. Mom is very fond of a quote that I also love—
“Adopting one cat won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one cat.”

That's a fantastic quote, and I'm glad you found such a great home, and didn't have to stay on the streets or anything. It's sad that so many animals don't get to be so lucky. Anyway, thanks for coming over for a visit today, Raven.

Many thanks to Tori and Lilie for letting me tell my tale today!

You're very welcome. Thanks for visiting, and sharing your story with us. We loved getting to know you. I love friends!

***~~~***

Book Links:
Hodes Hill Series
Universal Purchase Links
Cusp of Night | End of Day | Eventide
Point Pleasant Series
Universal Purchase Links
A Thousand Yesteryears | A Cold Tomorrow | A Desolate Hour
Standalone Novels
Universal Purchase Links
Myth and Magic
Twelfth Sun
Weathering Rock
Eclipse Lake (Amazon Only)
Novellas
Amazon Only
Food for Poe
Solstice Island

Social Media Links:
Amazon| BookBub| Newsletter Sign-Up
Website | Blog| Twitter| Goodreads| All Social Media

FOOD FOR POE

When a blizzard strands Quinn Easterly at a handsome stranger's house on Christmas Eve, she doesn't realize her newly adopted cat, Poe, is the catalyst responsible for bringing them together.

Breck Lansing gave up on relationships after his wife, unable to cope with their daughter’s illness, left him. But the pretty blonde he rescues from a snowstorm has him rethinking his stance—especially when Quinn’s arrival coincides with a dramatic change in Sophie’s health.

Unfortunately, that change also attracts something only whispered about in folklore. Together, Quinn and Breck must defeat a sinister creature intent on claiming the ultimate payment.

Warning: A clever black cat, Christmas magic and paranormal trouble

Buy Link for FOOD FOR POE: Amazon

***~~~***

I hope you enjoyed meeting Raven, and learning about her and her human, Mae. If so, don't forget to show them how much by sharing this post around, leaving a comment, or both. I'm sure it would make them very happy. I know it would make me happy.

By the way, we're always eager to make new friends, and looking for guests. It doesn't matter to us if you're furry, feathered, scaled, or whatever, we want to hear from you. So, if you're a bird, cat, chinchilla, degu, dog, fish, gerbil, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, rat, tortoise, or other non-human creature, you share your home with a human calling themselves a writer - yes, blogging counts - and you'd like to be our guest, please get in touch. To find out how, go to the "PetKid Pals" page (which used to be the "Friends Of Furkid Friday" page, but we recently changed it) where you can not only find out how to get your turn in the spotlight, but can also meet all the PetKid Pals we've had as guests in the past. Don't forget to tell your friends to get in touch so we can get to know them too!

In the meantime, thanks for visiting.

Lots of licks,
Lilie