WEEKLY UPDATES: NOT YET STIFLED BY THE ISOLATION…

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn weekly updates

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post and Stacking the Shelves, for weekly updates.

**Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

 

As Week Two of our Lockdown comes to an end, I realize that I am coping better than I could have imagined.  Being an introvert helps.  Plus finding great things to read and watch, along with my urge to rearrange my space.  All good.  My choices of books this week helped, as well, and I ended up reading three.  Which puts me right on target with my Goodreads Challenge.

I am still loving Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu, and the fact that new episodes show up regularly (Wednesdays).

Last night I found Season III of Ozark, a show that isn’t quite as fascinating now…but I’ll keep watching for a while.

Let’s grab some more coffee (and thankfully, I still have some!), and take a closer look at my week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Heaven Adjacent”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Inspiration!

Hump Day Reading:  WWW Post

Coffee Chat:  Week Two in Lockdown…

Bookish Friday:  “Follow Me”

Review:  And They Called It Camelot, by Stephanie Marie ThorntonReview:  Wallis in Love, by Andrew MortonReview:  Heaven Adjacent, by Catherine Ryan Hyde

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty mailbox!  But I did download two purchased e-books.

The Sea Glass Cottage, by RaeAnne Thayne

Follow Me, by Kathleen Barber

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CURRENTLY READING:

Been There, Married That, by Gigi Levangie

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And, since I’m following my whims lately, I think I’ll also pick up a book on my nightstand:   The Operator, by Gretchen Berg

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That was my week.  I feel very grateful to have all the books I could possibly read…now I just need other things that I can only get in the shops. Someday!  Stay indoors and stay safe!  Here is an apple tart I enjoyed a few weeks ago.

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59 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: NOT YET STIFLED BY THE ISOLATION…”

    1. Thanks, Kathryn, as I’ve been reading “Been There, Married That,” I was reminded of movies I enjoyed from the past…so I had to get on Amazon to order a DVD of a very old movie about Hollywood and how it changes people (Irreconcilable Differences, with Drew Barrymore as a little girl playing a child torn apart by her parents’ Hollywood divorce).

      And I ordered a Kristan HIggins book that I’ve somehow missed along the way (On Second Thought).

      Enjoy the week, and stay well and safe.

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. Being an introvert definitely helps, I agree. I don’t mind staying home all that much haha! And how awesome you were able to get through 3 books. My reading has been down but I’m still trying to relax.

    I’ve heard good things about Little Fires Everywhere.

    Take care this week and stay well.

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  5. Gayathri Lakshminarayanan

    I thought I was doing fine with the isolation. But of late the news and information dump is getting too much and overwhelming. I can’t wait for all these to ease up and getting with the normal life. Stay safe, Laurel.

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    1. Thanks, Gayathri, I’ve had to limit the news to those that are calm while giving facts. I always avoid videos or newscasts with Trump. He isn’t calm and doesn’t share facts, lol.

      Stay safe and well.

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  6. Trin Carl

    Omg, I had no idea they made ‘Little Fires Everywhere” this is second book that has been brought to my attention that is on screen, along with romance, ‘After’ which is on Netflix. Super steaming but pacing is fast.

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  7. So glad you are able to cope better than you feared… Thank goodness for all the home entertainment we now have – and books! I love the look of that apple tart – during the virus crisis, I’ve decided to give up my ‘no-sugar’ rule and have the occasional cake. Comfort food rocks when we need comfort! Have a safe, peaceful week, Laurel.

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    1. Thanks, Sarah, I’m a fan of comfort food! The meals brought to our apartments usually have something sweet, but in a small portion, so that works, lol.

      Let’s find comfort when we can, and stay safe and well.

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  8. Diane

    Glad to see that you are finding your groove Laurel. I feel I have as well, but, it still could use a bit of tweaking. The Operator is one I must read soon; it sounds perfect for the type of book I am craving. Have a good week.

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    1. Thanks, Diane, I’m so glad I stocked up on books in recent months. I was just trying to rebuild my bookshelves, but along the way, I created reading for a pandemic! Would that make a book title, lol?

      Enjoy your reading and stay well.

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  9. I’m starting to feel some cabin fever here… We’ve been in self containment since March 13th, so not that long. However, I’ve only left the house maybe five times since then, either to walk the dogs, or to get groceries.
    I do see my students though – but only through a screen. It feels weird, still.
    I hope you’ll have a wonderful week ahead, stay safe and healthy!

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    1. Thanks, Linda, and while I protested the isolation at first, I am realizing it is just what I needed. Ever since I moved into this residential place, ten months ago, I was fighting against the forced socialization. So I really needed a break!

      Reading, movie watching, etc….are keeping me somewhat sane. I do miss the outings. I could call Lyft and go to a shop or a restaurant…or to have my nails done. Mine will be claws by the time this is over. LOL.

      Stay safe!

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  10. I’m naturally an introvert too. Reading and watching TV are my favorite things to do and, of course, solo activities. Still, I’m finding all of this very difficult and surreal.

    I started the new season of Ozark, but wasn’t as addicted as I was for the first couple of seasons. I don’t know if it’s because I can’t concentrate right now or if it’s the show. I’ll keep watching though.

    Take care and stay safe.

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  12. Your lockdown is already coming to an end? I’m slightly envious. We’re just about to end week one of three! I don’t mind so much really as I’m also introverted but I like CHOOSING to stay at home rather than HAVING to stay home. That distinction seems to have a massive impact on my mental health… 😦

    I’m glad you’re isolation has worked out ok! Here’s to continuing to stay safe. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Nicci, and I think our lockdown will continue for a while. Yes, it would be better if we had a choice. I miss being able to shop in stores, but I’ve discovered that Amazon carries my favorite Dave’s bread!

      Stay safe.

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  13. Been There, Married That? Doesn’t that sound fun!

    We cleaned out our attic this week, and next week we hope to paint a hallway. It feels good to stay busy.

    We’ve had pretty good luck ordering things we need in the mail. We got everything we requested from the grocery store yesterday, except flour, sadly.

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  17. Glad to hear you are well and adjusting to these strange circumstances. I haven’t been able to concentrate on reading lately, but have found an outlet in cooking. Now that we’ve established a new routine, I hope to get back to reading and blogging this week. Just need to choose the right books… I think something lighter and not too taxing. Love the cover of Been There, Married That… looks like it has possibilities!

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  18. I’m glad you have such great books to read and are handling the social distancing well. It’s not weird for us either as we like to be home. But I’m probably getting too worked up over news. Yay for apple tart! I was thinking about making apple crisp soon. Today it’s 90 but it’s supposed to get back to 65-70 the rest of the week so I can make it then. I’m enjoying cooking more but our topsy-turvy schedule is making it harder to eat at regular times. Hopefully we will get a bit more routine this week.

    Stay safe and healthy and happy reading!

    Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post   

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  19. Literary Feline

    I am glad you are doing well under the circumstances, Laurel-Rain. I was joking with my husband that as an introvert, I miss having time to myself now that both he and my daughter are always home. At least I have my short commute to and from work, I suppose, although it isn’t much since I don’t live far from my office.

    I really want to read The Operator. I love that cover and it sounds like it will be good. I hope you are enjoying it.

    Take care and stay safe.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Wendy, I do enjoy the time reading and viewing. The meals get stranger each time. We fill out menus for what we want, and seldom do I get what I requested!

      I really hate that part, lol.

      Tonight I plan to watch more movies. Enjoy your week.

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    1. Thanks, AJ, I also have a huge TBR…and nowadays, I’m not afraid to stop reading something that doesn’t work for me! I did that today, in fact. Been There, Married That started off cute and funny and then turned weird. I kept reading for a while, but at 60%, I said “enough already!”

      I hope you have a good week and stay well.

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    1. Thanks, Cheryl, glad you can still work from home. I’m retired, so my reading and blogging are my work, lol.

      I wish I could go to the grocery store! Not liking how I can’t replace things I use or eat. Sigh.

      Have a great week!

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  22. I am glad you are doing better with the social distancing. I have Heaven Adjacent on my Audible shelf so I am glad to see you liked it a lot. I like the looks of The Operator.
    Enjoy your reading and continue to stay safe/healthy.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Martha, I think I’ll start The Operator today. I started off with one book that began cute and funny, and then turned weird. It was definitely a DNF.

      I hope you enjoy your week and your books. Stay well!

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    1. Thanks, Nise, these times are challenging. Stress is definitely a part of it…I’ll be feeling cozy and happy, even, until something unpleasant and out of my control happens…and than turns the whole day dark. Sigh.

      Stay well and safe.

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  24. I’ve been watching Little Fires Everywhere too! Ozark has come highly recommended, but I haven’t yet had the chance to check it out. Unfortunately, I can only watch my shows after the kids go to bed, so my viewing time is limited. Oh well! At least I have more reading time!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Melinda, I am glad that this is happening when I am in post-retirement! I know it would be so much harder when caring for the kids.

      Ozark’s third season is not really grabbing me, but I’ll probably keep watching for a while.

      Stay safe.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks for visiting, tbretc, it is good to get in the swing of things. I am discovering, however, that just when I think I have it all under control, something unpleasant can tip it all over!

      Hang in there.

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  26. Kathy Martin

    I am mostly staying at home. I am however still making quick trips to the grocery store a couple of times a week. I think a trip today is on my agenda. I have been enjoying audiobooks and my April review books. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  27. The anxiety of this waiting period is awful! It’s like waiting for the worst to happen. It hasn’t been quite one week since we were told we could work from home (public library staff) and I thought at first that would relieve some anxiety and stress for me because I was worried about working with other people (we were offering curbside pickup) even though the building was closed to the public. So it’s a little better for my personal mental health but I still spend too much time scrolling through Facebook and looking up the latest updates from the CDC. I keep wanting to buy books, but without being sure how long we’ll be able to get paid to work from home I’m trying not to spend money. I contented myself with requesting a bunch of ARCs from NetGalley, something I had stopped doing.

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    1. Thanks, Laurie, and it is definitely a difficult time. I feel as if my situation is better for me than if I were younger and still in my career. As a retired person with a couple of pensions, I am not frantic about money. Mostly my concerns are about getting enough supplies and finding others to shop for me.

      But this is not to say that I have no worries. I am definitely in that “vulnerable” group, a senior citizen. I have had health issues this year, but right now, I think I’m in a pretty good place, fortunately. But none of us can know what will happen. That’s always the hard part.

      Hang in there! Thanks for stopping by.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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