Although we don’t have any firm dates, we have been told there is a light at the end of this #quarantine tunnel. I’m not sure that I believe it yet, but let’s hope in fact it’s true. I don’t think we’ll have a mass ‘open for business’ day, certain parts of the country are still in a pretty bad way. But let’s say, around the beginning or middle of May, we can start to resume at least some of the activities I know I took for granted. What will you do first? I plan to take a drive along the coast to listen to the waves and feel the sea breeze against my cheeks. I’m putting my little convertible top down, listening to some groovy tunes from the 70s (loudly), and enjoy being in a place I love. I thought I’d share a few of my favorite beach scenes–until I can get there in person and take more, enjoy!
View of Santa Barbara coastline from Hwy 154; Sunset in Laguna Niguel
Sunrise, north of Malibu on PCH; Sunset in Cambria
Central coast scene from PCH; Monterey coastal view
Sunset from Port Hueneme; Coastal inlet south of Carmel off PCH
What I’m most concerned about is will I be able to adapt to society once this lockdown is lifted? Thank goodness for social media and ATT, I’ve felt I’ve lived my life these past weeks/months (what day is it?) glued to my cell phone and tablet. Will we still wear masks? Will we ever shake hands with a person again? Will we ever stop talking about disease and invisible enemies and daily death counts/infections flashed on the TV screen? I can’t wait to go to a restaurant for a sit down dinner, dressing up in something other than yoga pants and tees–not so much for the food, but just to hear the sound of people talking and laughing around me, LOL. I have no idea when this will happen, or what new protocols or testing procedures will be needed before you can enter a facility–but I do know this–when the lockdown is lifted, I will be venturing out, and hope to be with family and friends that I’ve missed so much. It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
#AmEditing and working on #Promo materials!
What a treat to hand over the manuscript for the latest tale to my editor, Theresa Snyder! Double Trouble has left the building and I get to wait and see what the pronouncements will be! You can check out Theresa’s editing and proofing services here:
I’m very excited about my nanny in town character, Figgy McEwen. She’s a Scottish fireball that certainly has livened up the halls of Cherrywood in this tale. McEwen is my ancestral clan, so it has been fun researching some of that Scottish history. You just never know when the spirit will grab you when writing, but grab me, Figgy did!
Self-help from the most unlikely of sources this week from the #writers of Twitter…
Author S.S. Bazinet, Vampires Suck But You Don’t Have To, 5 STARS
No time like the present to take a bit of personal inventory in your life, to see what just might be sucking the life out of you spiritually and mentally! Author Bazinet’s witty, vampiresque, self help tutorial explores some very serious subjects that we all face in our lives at one time or another. The question is, are you a social vampire that feeds upon the weaknesses or generosity of others, using people for your own gain, or are you a victim, letting yourself by devoured mentally and spiritually?
The choice as it turns out, is yours, but the good news is that you don’t have to suck the life out of others to live your life, and you don’t have to be drained in order to be liked. Identifying the toxic behaviors is a key step, and ridding them from your life the next. This book gives you many helpful hints as to what to look for, and how to step away from the behaviors you no longer want in your life.
I found this book to be an uplifting read in these #quarantine times when I think all of us are reassessing our own behavior, dreaming of how we want to be and act when the lockdown is lifted, and figuring out what we need to do to get there. Its witticisms and charming narrative style make this an easy read that lifts you to recognize harmful habits and behaviors that ultimately confine your spirit. An insightful read for the times, highly recommended!
Next up in the #reading queue:
Oh Deer!
I am very proud of myself for finally getting around to constructing the 3-D deer head puzzle sculpture I bought in Savannah during our southern #roadtrip last January, B.P. (Before Pandemic). It took me a few tries and fumbles, but in the end I made it. My little #quarantine Hygge project–Rikkhe would approve!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. I’m posting this video sound bite made during our anniversary trip to Las Vegas last August. We were dining at the Paris Eiffel Tower restaurant and had seats overlooking the beautiful Bellagio fountains. I really enjoyed the view, but what I love most about this clip now is the sound of voices in the background, laughing and having fun…one day! Gemma and Rikkhe approve 🙂
Sound up!