Last week I celebrated my second pandemic birthday. Not gonna lie, it bummed me out. There are a variety of reasons and some are too painful to recount so I'll just focus on the obvious kick in the crotch which is TWO BIRTHDAYS during a pandemic feels just plain mean.
In a pity party of epic proportions, more like a pity rave if I'm being honest, I had a nice big sulk. But then being the eternal optimist that I am, I decided to look back at the past year and pick out the five things I discovered that made it suck less. And I took a moment to appreciate that I likely never would have discovered these things had it not been for the quarantine. Then I had some cake.
Here's my list:
1. Jodi Taylor, is the author of the bestselling Chronicles of St Mary's series, the story of a bunch of disaster-prone historians who investigate major historical events in contemporary time. Do NOT call it time travel!
Seriously, when the entire world was spinning out of orbit, a friend recommended this series to me and it was the ONLY thing I could read. Irreverent, smart, full of history, and shenanigans, it is by far one of my favorite series of books. Thank you, Jodi!
2. Sundresses. I've never spent an entire summer in Phoenix - not since moving here twenty plus years ago. I always head back east or to Nova Scotia. But not last year because...pandemic. Now I don't know if you all know this or not, but it gets really friggin' hot in AZ in the summer. Thus, I discovered sundresses because I needed as little fabric to touch my skin as humanly possible when the thermometer hit 115! Mercy!
4. Bubble water. I have no idea why - boredom? - but once lockdown hit we went on a bubble water bender of epic proportions. We tried every brand from Aha to La Croix to Zevia. We stopped drinking it a few months ago and then the other day, I bought a Perrier. Hub had a sip and he looked at me and said, "This tastes like pandemic to me." Indeed. The association has been made and therefore can never be put asunder. Still, sampling the brands did get us through some very long months. So, yay, bubble water!
5. Ted Lasso. In a world that has been caught in a spin cycle of negativity, this show has been the unicorn burping glitter bombs that we all need. A midwestern American Football coach goes to England to manage a premier soccer league. It is the most kindness inspiring show I've seen in forever and it's hilarious. I can't recommend it highly enough!
So, that's it. That's my list. What discoveries have gotten you through the past year? Do share because I'm looking for more things to enjoy as we enter the home stretch (Please, Lord).
Well, I have grave doubts about coming up with five things, but perhaps one or two . . .
ReplyDeleteZoom . . . who’d have thought I could be sitting at home and, at the same time, participating in an author program?
Peanut Butter Cookie Brownies . . . who knew what an awesome dessert cookies on top of brownies would make?
Video phone calls . . . well, maybe my phone could always do that, but it’s new to me . . . and what a treat to see a sweet grandbaby smiling and dancing around while she tells you about her new princess dress . . . .
It’s amazing what necessity will get us to do! I have never had a peanut butter cookie brownie! I will rectify this immediately!
DeleteLove your list, Jenn. Five things? Some of these are in the nature of stop and smell the roses, but that wouldn't have happened without the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteBaking - That should really be the anthem of the pandemic, don't you think? Flour has now become readily available, but for a while there... Writing - When I COVID lost my job I moved full-time and full speed ahead back to my first love. Now I'm creating stories on a daily basis. It's lovely having multiple worlds to inhabit. Winter - That sounds strange, but we've returned to Maine where winter is kind of a big thing. It's delightful to sit in front of the fire while snow changes the landscape. Cooking big - I always worked full-time and did 99.9% of the cooking. Quick and easy were my watch words but I collected recipes that required time and effort. Now those recipes are showing up on the dinner table on a regular basis. Exhaling - Time has slowed. This has been a joy and a curse, but more a joy. As the pace of life slowed, the important things came to the fore and it became easier to distinguish what to water in the garden.
I love this! Appreciating the space you’re in and what you can do with it - fabulous!
DeleteI'm with Joan on video calls. I have a bi-weekly standing date to chat with my boys over video. What a treat. And I have breakfast over video every few weeks with my favorite three-year-old and read to her. Video events. I've appeared at bookstores and libraries it would have been a lot harder to manage without zoom, and have similarly attended other author events. No-knead sourdough - I got my sourdough mojp back when my son discovered the super-wet dough that you stretch and fold. SO yummy.
ReplyDeleteAnd then some discoveries relating to temporarily having one hand that really have nothing to with pandemic except my two hand surgeries happened during it. I am now an expert at gripping things with my left elbow, including jars to be unscrewed. And curly elastic shoelaces! What a brilliant invention. Paired with an eighteen-inch shoe horn, I can put my tennies on all by myself.
To clarify, "with my left elbow" should really be in the crook of my left elbow.
DeleteEdith - you’re a force of nature! I love it!
DeleteHooray for Zoom, Edith. I have chatted with people all over the world and every Sunday the family Zooms together. Regular Zooms with friends. It’s amazing how seeing someone just makes such a difference
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ReplyDelete1 Virtual events with mystery fiction authors
ReplyDeleteMy reading mojo has been zapped due to long-hauler COVID and cataracts but I can still cheer on/support this wonderful community by watching them on Zoom, Crowdcast, FB Live etc. Book launches, virtual conferences, panels, award ceremonies are fun to watch. Watching the Reds online c/o Poisoned Pen Bookstore and chatting with friends online during the events have been fun too.
HANK: you deserve a special thank you for co-creating/hosting FIRST CHAPTER FUN and THE BACK ROOM. With FCF, you and Hannah have elevated the virtual event experience and truly have created a wonderful online community. I look forward to FCF every Tuesday and Thursday. And the BACK ROOM is a unique virtual event that allows us readers to participate on another level.
2. Baking/cooking
Sure. I made most of my meals before the pandemic, but I used to have some breaks from cooking when I travelled (sigh) several times a year. And while I do like supporting local eateries, I have had to become more wary about where/what I can eat because of my worsening food allergies.
3. Milk Street Cooking/FOOD52
Milk Street's global cuisine is my new fave recipe find (thanks DEBS). I signed up in January for a 12-week trial for $1 US. I have tried dozens of recipes from their daily emails, extensive website archive, the 2 magazine issues and from their cookbooks loaned from my local library. I love watching/listening to Christopher Kimball and Sara Moulton again (I saw them on PBS ages ago) and have just renewed my annual subscription last week. FOOD52 also has "genius" recipes that have been huge successes and I get daily emails from them too.
4. Growing my edible balcony garden from seed and doubling my previous harvests to use in #2
I have been growing herbs at home for 20 years. Most years, I bought seedlings from the farmers market/garden centres. But the first pandemic lockdown last year forced them to stay closed until late May/early June. So I started growing herbs, leafy greens, root veggies from seed for the first time last summer. The pink oyster mushroom kit was a fun experiment I added in late December and it is still producing mushrooms for me to eat. And with the addition of grow lights, I was able to keep growing my own herbs/veggies all winter long for the first time. So the 2021 edible balcony garden season has started in mid-March, two months earlier than in 2020.
5. NEW Star Trek
Most of you don't know that I have been a huge Star Trek fan for over 40 years. I watched the original series (TOS) in syndication in the 1970s, and every series and movie since. So 2020/2021 has been wonderful for Trek fans with the release of 3 NEW Star Trek TV shows/seasons of Star Trek Picard, Lower Decks and Discovery Season 3. And there is more new Star Trek coming in 2021/2022.
Oh my goodness! Thank you thank you thank you! Knowing you is such a joy.
DeleteGrace - you are one of the most interesting people I know! Grow lights! Star Trek! Author supporter - seriously, you rock! And I agree about Hank’s virtual projects - simply amazing!!!!
DeleteJENN and HANK: Awwww, thanks!
DeleteSince Ontario is in its THIRD LOCKDOWN starting today for 28 days, I will definitely online here and at FCF, cooking up a storm and expanding my balcony gardening in April.
Grace, we are big Star Trek fans, too. But we have not bought into the CBS TV that you need to watch all of their new programs. I, for one, am watching so little TV, it just doesn't make sense.
DeleteJUDY: Star Trek is NOT on CBS All Access in Canada because we have different licensing rules.
DeleteInstead it's on CRAVE TV which also includes HBO and Showtime. I started with the 30-day free trial to watch Picard. I gave up cable TV and Netflix years ago. I only stream local and national news online, and Star Trek was one of the few shows I watched, new ones and old series for comfort. CRAVE has other shows such as Killing Eve, Cardinal and movies that made it worth to pay the $6.99/month fee, which is also half the price of Netflix.
Five things, wow.
ReplyDelete1. The birth of my first great grandchild in December certainly tops my list. The daily photos and videos keep me smiling, sometimes thru tears.
2. Also in December I celebrated my 80th birthday. Julie, with an enormous amount of help from Catriona McPherson, gave me a card shower, and those cards are still on the buffet, can't beat to put them away. Thank you JRW for all the love you sent me.
3. Eleven months ago, as did Lucy Roberta and Lori Rader-Day, we welcomed a pandemic puppy into our lives. Sergeant Pepper is a miniature poodle, and he's brought us so much joy. Word to the wise: a pandemic is absolutely the best time to get a new puppy. Since we had to stay home anyway, keeping a watchful eye on him resulted in a nicely potty trained and every other kind of trained baby in no time at all. He was welcomed by his big sister, Penny Lane, and polydactyl kitty, Eliot. His newest accomplishment is dropping toys over the back of the couch for Julie to retrieve, over and over and over again.
4. The vaccine! Need I say more?
5. And the icing on the cake was having The newest Dandy Gilver dedicated to Julie and me. This is a first, and it was/is one of the biggest thrills of my life.
6. Can I have six? Because of my enforced home bound status -- fractured ankle -- I find myself reading even more than before, chewing thru a book every couple of days. I've found new authors and revisited old ones. I've read everything from best sellers to classics. And reread. If it weren't for books and the amazing people who write them, I'm not sure how I would have got through 2020, and 2020.2 that we're all experiencing at present. Thank you, all of you,, so very much.
Ann - what a fabulous list! I am a poodle lover and, as a Beatle freak, I have to say “Well done” on the names! Sorry about the ankle but how thrilling about the book dedication!
DeleteI had some small moments and big ones too during this pandemic. 1) What I learned, having lived with depression most of my life, is that I really want to live. Go beyond just getting through each day (hello, pandemic!), to creating a fuller life. 2) How much my family and friends mean to me. The thought that they might become a Covid statistic was almost crippling in the beginning. 3) How much joy and fun the cats (PK, Munch, Missy and especially Jimmy C) and dog (Nemo) give us every single day. 4) Recognizing the faces of those who take care of us every day--the grocery clerks, the doctor's receptionists, the clerks at the counter in the gas station--really seeing them as we interact, no matter how briefly. 5) How widespread community can become through modern technology--the upside of social media. Long live the Reds' community!
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely. Awww. Xxxx
DeleteFlora - your list is so poignant and powerful. Thank you for sharing it with us. There were so many unexpected heroes this past year and so many unnecessary losses. Let’s hope we all come out more appreciative of each other.
DeleteFlora, what a lovely list. You make our day better every day just by being here.
DeleteHug to you, Flora. I wrestle that bear too, and you explain it beautifully.
DeleteThank you all so much. And Gigi, speaking of 'bears', did you see the video clip of the mama bear wrangling four cubs across the road in Connecticut? It will make you smile, for sure. Bears! In Connecticut!
Delete1. Crime Fiction Family - love them so much as it helped me deal with being diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic and having to handle it alone because of COVID
ReplyDelete2. Virtual events - a godsend; a savior as I miss attending author conventions and these events allowed me to see, hear and *be* with the authors
3. Working from home - with my mobility issues, not having to deal with climbing subway stairs
4. Appreciation of the written words in a book - having lost my reading mojo, it is slowly coming back
5. You guys!
YOU!!! 🥰
DeleteDru - you’re a cornerstone in the mystery world. We’d be lost without you. Now go kick cancer’s bootie. We’re with you!
DeleteHappy Birthday Jenn! I will have my second pandemic birthday in May but unlike last year I will be fully vaccinated and will get to spend a couple days with my younger daughter whom I haven’t seen in a year and a half.
ReplyDeleteI am very thankful for Zoom because it made it possible to see and talk to my beloved niece during her last year of life.
Acorn TV and Britbox have been a big part of this year. Lots of escapism.
I didn’t bake as much as I thought I would. Probably because I wasn’t around people to share it with.
Facebook has helped because I get to keep up with you lovely writers.
Ebooks and the ability to borrow books online is awesome.
On the whole I am ready to be back in the world. Although it was nice to have a break in some ways.
Happy early Birthday to you!, Ann! I know what you mean - in some ways slowing down was a nice break - but it went on a bit too long.
DeleteI’ve been a Britbox binder too. Every old comedy and mystery!
DeleteHappy Birthday! My husband just celebrated his second pandemic birthday and without a functioning oven, making his upside down cake in the countertop air oven was difficult.
ReplyDeleteOur kids gave us Netflix for Christmas, which involved a firestick hookup. I added Acorn and we're enjoying an international medley of crime drama, including Finnish noir.
I've had time to learn new recipes, with some excellent results.
I added an air bike and rowing machine to the basement, and now have a 30 second commute to the basement instead of the village rec center.
I've been able to attend zoom author events and get to know the Buckeye Crime Writers and Midwest MWA members at their monthly meetings, which beats a 2 hour drive each way to Columbus.
I love your commute to “the gym”! LOL. Hub and I have been watching all the Brit mysteries - so good!
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ReplyDeleteSo many things. I was just thinking about this! Lunch with my husband every day… What a pleasure. I actually cooked dinner every night myself, and was kind of proud of myself. I realized I don’t need so many clothes. I became good friends with the birds in our backyard. And I love love love Ted Lasso. I am so glad to hear you mention it, because I keep telling people and no one will believe me.
ReplyDeleteOK, already about Ted Lasso. I've flicked past it countless times. Now I'll give it a proper try.
DeleteYes!!! By the third episode I was so INVESTED. Truly, a brilliant show.
DeleteOkay, we MUST watch this. As soon as we finish Schitt's Creek...
DeleteHappy birthday, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteI've had to think about your question pretty hard, but here goes:
1. The chance to experience working from home, which I have come to both appreciate and enjoy
2. Working from home has eliminated many trying tasks from my weekdays, including ironing my work clothes, making lunches, leaving the house in the dark and cold to catch a bus to work
3. Working from home has given me the chance to watch the birds from the living room window -- seeing them swoop in to feed has been a joy
4. Having my partner say that she enjoys having me work from home; how lovely of her
5. Diving deeper into my collage-art-making as a creative escape and expression
It's not been all bad, though I look forward to the freedom of face-to-face socializing when that becomes possible.
Yes, I so miss seeing people in person!
DeleteJenn, thank you so much again for all of the positive things you bring into this world, the things you notice.
ReplyDelete1. JRW, the kindest, most caring, loving community that one could ever hope to find. A place to develop friendships, to find new authors and to get your brain cells moving early every day. One million thank yous to authors and bloggers. Debs, thank you over and over for inviting me here.
2. Hank. All of you know what she has done during this pandemic. She joined Hannah Mary so that First Chapter Fun could continue, and it is a blessing to readers and authors. Hank co-created The Back Room. She has interviewed dozens of authors on Zoom events all over the country for libraries and Independent bookstores. When does she rest? We love you, Hank.
3. Books and authors. I have read and loved so many JRW authored books! I have read your friends' books. I have been reading so much that I've given up watching TV while cooking in favor of Audible, then reading more after dinner until bedtime. Special thanks to the authors who make me laugh out loud. I never thought I'd cozy up to cozies, but I have.
4. Irwin. We met in June, 1979 and have been together ever since. But who thought that together would mean every minute. Holy mackeral! And yet, here we are, still being nice, respectful, loving and giving one another some space in the endless togetherness of the pandemic. (You could write some more romances, Jenn. I find them very helpful.)
5. Zoom and Facebook Messenger and Skype. Here are places to meet with family and friends and to watch events and participate in meetings, to meet authors and see their faces.
JUDY: I agree that connecting with the JRW Reds and readers is the best. And as for Hank, I only highlighted FCF and the Back Room, but I have also watched her do dozens of interviews throughout the year. HANK: I promise I am not stalking you, but you're everywhere, and we love you for it!
DeleteWhat GRACE said, Hank: it's true. You are everywhere and readers appreciate it :)
DeleteThank you, Judy! I will endeavor to pen more romances :) And, yes, Hank is amazing!!!
DeleteOhhhh! I am bursting into tears. Thank you. Oh I am not quite sure what to say. But—thank you. Xxxxxxxx
DeleteHappy Birthday, Jenn! So sorry about the double pandemic dates. I have just had two pandemic birthdays also and would hope for next year which will be a big one for me so I would like to be able to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteFive things that have gotten me through:
First, my husband who is retired but does enjoy going out to plays, concerts,, the Botanical Garden, and dinner with friends. He has been so good and calm and has taken over our entertainment, finding myriad good programs to stream and plays and concerts on line. He has also cheerfully accepted all of my food offerings.
Secondly, Zoom which has kept us in contact with our families. We Zoom every Saturday with his siblings and every Sunday with mine. As well I Zoom with a small group of docent close friends one or two days a week and another group another day. The Education Department at the High Museum has figured out how to train us through Zoom also.
Thirdly, Books. Thank you JRW for continuing to write and for all of your recommendations. I keep myself cheered up or at least involved in another world through books. My Book Group has been able to meet through Zoom also.
Thanks to the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library for figuring out how to let us check out and return books in a sage and hands-free manner as well as offering E books.
Fourthly, TV and the internet. I know, I know, some of it is dreadful but I do love some of HGTV. Home Town is just so sweet and appealing and PBS's Escape to the Château is amazingly audacious. Especially during the political campaign, it was a life-saver.
Finally, friends. I have had some who have called out of the blue just to check in with us. Also some have emailed from afar to do the same and others have messaged through Facebook. So far no one has fallen through the cracks.
I love your list and must second your observation about libraries - they have been amazing!!!
DeleteWhat a great idea for a blog post, Jenn. I think we all probably need to slow down and focus on the good things from time to time. For me, the list goes like this:
ReplyDelete1. Working from home. I have, frankly, loved this year at home, and am currently looking for ways to encourage my boss to keep letting us work from home, even if the pandemic is conquered.
2. Slowing down. Working from home has allowed me to slow down. No frantic commute twice a day. No cramming burdensome chores into the few weekend hours I have. No grabbing food on the go because I only have 30 minutes to eat, and it happens at 3:30 p.m. It's been heaven.
3. Naps. I learned a while back that exhaustion is not just an excuse for rock stars to go into rehab. It's a real thing, and it was kicking my butt at work. Being home has allowed me to unplug the phone and take a nap any time I find that I can't keep my eyes open. Bliss!
4. Books. I've gotten the chance to discover so many new books this year. New-to-me authors, including Paige Shelton, Amy Pershing, and Maggie Robinson, have filled many pleasant hours. They've also filled many square feet of my kitchen, so I'm going to have to do something about that, soon.
5. My silly pack of animals. My four dogs and three cats have become my co-workers this past year, and I love them all. Each has his or her own quirks, and so much intelligence about how the world, and their quirky human co-worker, works! We've reconnected in ways that my hectic pre-pandemic schedule didn't really allow.
I know there are more things that got me through and made 2020 a good year, not a disaster, but that's a decent start.
That's an excellent list. And I'm with you on the furry co-workers. Two dogs and three cats here and they make every day interesting and funny.
DeleteJenn, what a great post today. I think most of us are starting to take stock of our year, with the end--hopefully--in sight. Doordash and Instacart have been lifesavers this last year. As has our dear Trader Joe's. Seeing friendly faces--even in masks--once a week has helped keep me sane. The dogs and cats, such a daily joy. I have enjoyed every day with my hubby, even during The Freeze. Actually, especially during that. He was amazing in dealing with all the problems and emergencies.
ReplyDeleteAudio books in the bath before bed every night. Seriously. Looking forward to that has gotten me through many a day. Lately I'm working my way through the Ben Aaronovitch books. The narrator is so fabulous.
And lately we have been watching our way through Schitt's Creek, which we absolutely love. It is so funny and sweet and I know I'm going to miss it terribly when we've watched the last episodes.
On, and I'm binging on Great British Bakers. And being grateful that none of those goodies are actually available around my house!
DEBS: I am probably the rare Canadian who has never watched Schitt's Creek. The only TV comedy I recently watched was THE BIG BANG THEORY. I identified with the science nerd/research comedy so well from my own experiences in climate change research/academia. But since so many friends have been raving about binge-watching it online, I may give it a try some day.
DeleteGRACE: I'm the second Canadian not-yet-to-have-watched Schitt's Creek. I have tried but not yet been able to get into it...
DeleteI LOVE GBBO!!! So gooood.
DeleteFive things? HMMMMM... This is somewhat difficult for me because other than having 8 extra hours a day when I was laid off for 2 1/2 months, not much about my daily creature of habit routines changed.
ReplyDeleteBut let's give it a shot.
1. Writing productivity - Sorry, still no mystery novel on the horizon but I found that with all the time on my hands I was able to turn out a hell of a lot more articles and reviews over the past year plus.
2. My writing being recognized after a fashion - Finding that pull quotes I've written for book reviews being used in trade ads, press releases, online order sites, social media and on or in the actual books themselves is sure to brighten anyone's day.
3. READING - I've been able to read a lot more. Not just novels either.
4. Music - Whether listening to it or writing about it, there's been a lot of music to keep me occupied. And being at home has led me to develop some relationships with music PR people which has led to FREE MUSIC!!!
5. TV Rewatches - I've been able to do a lot of watching or re-watching of various TV shows. I have loved having the time to do this. Just this week I finished re-watching the first 17 seasons of NCIS on DVD. Plus started watching Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery and I'm going back to my Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes complete series DVD set to work on that as well. Plus all the other shows like Babylon 5, Farscape, Quantum Leap, Tru Calling, Coach, Frasier and Cheers.
But honestly, this is stuff I'd be doing anyway. I just have more time to do it now.
Just saying, Jay wrote the best pull quote EVER for my Country Store Mysteries: “Fearless and forthright protagonist…crafted to maximize intrigue…hefty serving of heart…Robbie Jordan kicks as much butt as Jack Reacher…with way better food!”
DeleteAwww you say the darnedest things Edith! :D
DeleteI'm delighted that your reviews are getting recognized, Jay! So well deserved! And I love your list of shows. Right there with you for every one. Also, I started watching Resident Alien on your recommendation - unexpectedly multi-layered - I'm loving it!
DeleteJenn,
DeleteResident Alien has become my favorite show on TV right now. I'm talking about it a lot on the message board for a podcast I listen to. It's just so well done. They get the mix of drama, comedy and science fiction done perfectly. Did you see the "Welcome Aliens" episode yet?
Shalom Reds and readers.
ReplyDelete1. I started working part time this past year; so it’s harder for me to participate in this blog. However, every afternoon, I try to sit down and read here what everyone is up to. 2. I am so pleased to have found a part time job five minutes walking distance from my home. 3. I have fallen in love with the podcast and the blogosphere. 4. The vaccine. (I go for my second shot this coming week and will exhale. 5. My church had just christened a new wing which allows for all sorts of social distancing, but I still participate only virtually. We can only look forward to see if that changes for me after getting my second Covid-19 vaccine shot. 6. This Monday, my friend Dave and I, will watch college basketball. We’ve had this date for almost thirty years, so it will be good to hang out and spend time with him. I am rooting for Gonzaga, just because I like the sound of their name, but will be happy, no matter.
.
That's wonderful, David. My best friend is from Sweden and she picked Gonzaga for the same reason. LOL.
DeleteI LOVE working from home. I'm going to be disappointed when we have to go back to the office.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE being able to make a grocery run before work (again with the working from home). In and out quickly. Hardly anyone in the store. And I don't have to do that after work so I have more time to read, watch TV, do whatever else FUN is on my agenda for that evening.
On nice days (like we had this last week), I can open my windows and enjoy it. When you are working in an office, you have no clue what the weather is like outside. Especially since there often aren't windows near you.
Are you picking up on a pattern. Working from home is awesome! But I know you already did that, so it's not something new for you. I also live by myself. I suspect if I were trying to work with others around it might not be nearly as pleasant for me.
Yeah, the working from home thing with Hub and Hooligans in the house has had its challenges, but mostly I'm grateful we had the unexpected time together.
DeleteThis was very needed, as I have been a bit jealous that I haven’t been able to enjoy the things other have in the past year. I’m still going into the workplace, and I don’t Zoom much with friends and family because I’m on it 6-7 hours of day at work and I’m sick of it! But there is still much to be grateful for:
ReplyDelete1. My husband, who retired last January and promptly had all of his fun taken away, but has been so supportive of me as work has been so tough.
2. Not going out - I’m an introvert, my husband is an extrovert, so that aspect has suited me pretty well. And staying in has freed up time for more
3. TV! I finally had time to watch Broadchurch! And Sex Education, Big Mouth, Santa Clarita Diet, Dead to Me, Devs, After Life, Doom Patrol, Ozark, Hunters, Resident Alien. And Bosch is keeping me connected to the parts of LA I don’t see anymore. Just watched an episode filmed at El Compadre and saw my favorite server in the background. Soon.
I love your list of shows! Love Ozark, Dead to Me, and really loved Sex Education - so good!!!
DeleteBroadchurch, Brilliant. Xx
DeleteI love reading everyone's five things that made the pandemic suck less. Jenn, I don't know how I've missed Jodi Taylor's books, but I will be trying to fit those into my reading. And, Ted Lasso, I'll be watching it, too. Thanks. So, here are five things for me.
ReplyDelete1. My reading was so off, and I'm still fighting somewhat of a lapse, but it's better. But, I had a series, like you, Jenn, that I discovered, and I found great comfort in its reading. It was Annette Dashofy's Zoe Chambers series. I read the ten books that are out so far, and Zoe and Pete helped me a lot.
2. Schitt's Creek. I watched all the seasons of this amazing show, and I'm even rewatching it. I can understand why it's won so many awards. Daniel Levy is a comedic genius, and the whole cast is brilliant.
3. Virtual author and convention events. I've gotten to visit virtually with favorite authors and learned of new authors. I am so grateful to all those who make these events happen, including, of course, Hank, who not only has the fabulous First Chapter Fun and Back Room, but who has been the interviewer on so many other author events.
4. Friends in the crime/mystery community. Jungle Reds has and is a touchstone for me to connect to the Jungle Reds authors and other guest authors. This blog does so much more than connect me to books though. It's a well of human kindness and understanding that never runs dry. Also, I now do virtual chats and regular phone calls with dear friends in the community who I used to just see at conventions. We now talk on a regular basis. And, I am part of a small chat group with mostly mystery/crime people but also a couple who aren't. We also have a Brit in the group, and she is amazing. I started the small group right before the election last November, and it has grown into close friendships that we all cherish.
5. Last, but certainly not least, is the calls with my family, keeping them near even though I couldn't see them. My eleven-year-old granddaughter Izzy and I do video chats, and we always talk about what we're reading during them. I have to include phone calls with old friends here, too, as they are the family of my youth and adulthood, too. I recently reconnected with my friend Phoebe, with whom I spent most of my childhood playing, making mudpies when we were really young and moving on to Barbies and exchanging letters in college.
Oh, I can't believe I left out one of the things that helped me so much. It's the bird watching I do of the birds in my yard. We put food out for them, and we have lots of cardinals and sparrows and robins. There are also doves and a brown nutthatcher and a couple of phoebe birds (the phoebes are out front). I've seen some mockingbirds, too. I used to see bluejays around, but I haven't spotted any of those in quite a while. There are the grackles, too, which I don't like.
DeleteYes, Kathy, the grandchildren help a lot. We are also loving bird-watching. We've always done it, but I've connected with Audubon, and am now even move invested in observing my feathered friends. On a short hike with one of my vaccinated gal pals, we saw 3 different pairs of woodpeckers, including a pair of pileated woodpeckers. Very, very special!
DeleteI almost forgot, Kathy, I also zipped through all of Annette's books last Spring and Summer and you are so correct. I just loved them.
DeleteLove your list, Kathy! Annette's books are fabulous!
DeleteAh, my time zone and laziness get me here so late.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Jenn! I hope you had a particularly good time, in spite of the Covidemic. I love Jodi Taylor’s books! I just finished her The Long and the Short Of It , a collection of short stories set throughout the series. Five things:
1. Books, of course. I’m an introvert, some might say a hermit, and reading gets me through my days and evenings. I read mystery, science fiction, fantasy, biography/autobiography, books about books and writers (currently Private Investigations edited by Victoria Zackheim), and whatever else grabs my eye, though not horror. I have many, many books at hand. I often read series and my current three favorites are Jodi Taylor’s CHRONICLES OF ST. MARY’S, Christopher Fowler’s PECULIAR CRIMES UNIT books featuring Bryant & May, which are full of really wonderful characters, and Allen Steel’s COYOTE series of SF novels.
2. I have a good library system, and can access three counties’ holdings, so I can usually find what I’m looking for, though I love buying books as well.
3. My garden, especially now that it’s warming up some. The Crocuses and Daffodils are/have bloomed, the trees are budding out, the Rhododendrons are getting buds and one has color, there’s even new growth on the Lavender bushes! I try to spend an hour or more in the garden every day, if only to observe.
4. Blogs. I don’t do other social media, no Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or any of the rest, but I do read a couple dozen blogs each morning, including this one, and enjoy them immensely.
5. The Internet. I read, research, communicate, shop and get entertainment through that cable coming out of the wall and the network at home, on my iMac, iPad and laptop. Sometimes I think our world might be better if it was as simple as it was when I was growing up in the Fifties in Southern California, but I do love most of the tech, if not the media platforms, of today.
And...my wife and I got our second shots Thursday, which is a great relief. Not that we’ll go running about now or anything, having no place we want to go, but it’s great to be protected!
YAY!!!! Another Jodi Taylor fan. I am going to check out the other two authors you mentioned, too. My garden has kept me happy as well. There is something about nature that just steadies me. Excellent list, Rick!
DeleteJust ordered Jodi Taylor! Xxxx
ReplyDeleteYAY!!!
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