WEEKLY UPDATES: MOVING ALONG…

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.

 

This past week was pretty good, with three books read and reviewed.  I wrote seven blog posts, and one of them was my monthly wrap-up that spotlighted the great books of July…and shouted out that I read fourteen of them!  I hadn’t read that many since January.

It is Saturday morning, and as I sip my coffee and wait for the breakfast tray, I am grateful not to feel rushed to finish that fourth book by day’s end. 

I am still in lockdown, but I enjoyed a video chat with my granddaughter Fiona yesterday.  I am sad for her, though, as her jobs are in companies that are locked down…and yesterday the unemployment ran out!  However, she has a good attitude, and a safe place to stay in the meantime.

It is a good thing that I like hanging out in my apartment, and since we have “no place to go,” I dress up in my favorite things just for myself…and the staff. LOL.

Let’s grab some more coffee and look at last week’s events:

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “The Night Swim”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Anticipation…

Enjoying Bookish Moments…

I Found Another Neglected Book!

Coffee Chat:  Books, Blogging, Etc.

Bookish Friday:  “Just Between Us”

July Was a Good Reading Month…

Review:  The Request, by David BellReview:  The Night Swim, by Megan Goldin – (NG-8/4/20)Review:  Friends & Strangers, by J. Courtney Sullivan

***

INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty physical mailbox!  I did download two e-books.

His & Hers, by Alice Feeney

The End of Her, by Shari Lapena

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CURRENTLY READING:  Until I Find You, by Rea Frey (NG – 8/11/20), my final August review book:

Celebrated author Rea Frey brings you her most explosive, emotional, taut domestic drama yet about the powerful bond between mothers and children…and how far one woman will go to bring her son home.

***

Then I hope to read a few more books on my shelves, including some neglected ones.  Well, I can imagine this happening, anyway.

***

That was my week.  What did yours look like?  Here is yesterday’s breakfast tray: French toast, coffee, oatmeal, and the ever-present (lately) mimosa.  I had ordered a six-pack of Champagne splits a week ago, and finished the last one in the pack and didn’t order more.  Yet.

***

63 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: MOVING ALONG…”

  2. Susan

    I like French toast, nice! I don’t think I’d do half as well as you’re doing in lockdown. I’ve been self-isolating in the OC … but I’ve needed my solitary walks just to get out. On Monday I finish my 14 days of solitude and can go visit my folks. It’s been long but worth it. Enjoy your week & books.

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    1. I haven’t seen any family or friends since March 11. It feels like forever! But video chat helps…it’s better than texting or phone calling.

      Enjoy your walks…we don’t get those, either, except a few scheduled moments. And those are all off this weekend, as they are working on the courtyard.

      Enjoy your visit with your folks, Susan.

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  5. My week was a nice one too in spite of a nasty cough which has been hanging on since February. I have a telephone visit scheduled with my Family Doctor on Moday, and I’m going to take the initiative and ask him to arrange a chest/lung x-ray to see what’s going on in there. I have felt really crummy today (Saturday), but it may have been from the excessive sugar in the apple fritters I picked up for breakfast. They were good, but with the thunderstorms and rain today, the combination made me sluggish and feeling icky.
    I have gotten some good reading done this week, plus a little work on my course for this fall. Mt Better Half and I got out for a little retail therapy and lunch at Panera Bread yesterday, so I could have just overdone.
    Hope you have a good Sunday and a great week ahead.

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    1. Oh, I love Panera Bread…the last time I was there was on the way back from Oakland after my surgery…in November!

      I hope your cough clears up.

      I just opened a bottle of red wine tonight, using a fancy corkscrew that I got from Amazon. I’m loving it!

      Enjoy your books and your week, Rae.

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  6. Oh I’m sorry to hear about Fiona. I hope everything works out okay. I know there’s lots of questions abut what people are going to do when unemployment runs out like that. I wish government would get their act together and take care of people in a situation like this.

    I’m kind of excited about a new Shari Lapena book!

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  7. The french toast looks so yummy! I haven’t had a mimosa in ages. I am quite jealous.

    As scary and socially oppressive as these times have been, I am appreciating how important small luxuries have become. It’s made me more aware of how much a walk around the block or a book with a hot breakfast comforts me. Perhaps, in some weird way, we will come out of this as happier people with what we have.

    It looks like you’ve had a rather productive week! I wish you another happy week of reading and mimosas!

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    1. Thanks, Lori, and i like the idea that we could come out of this horrific time more appreciative and happier. I think hard times can strengthen us, and offer the opportunity for more grateful living.

      Meanwhile, the little luxuries do feel so good…and it all became possible when I discovered Instacart, an app for my iPhone. Grocery deliveries that include those little Champagne splits for mimosas. My six pack is empty, now, so I’ll wait a while before ordering more. It is probably best to spread the joy and not become too used to the little goodies.

      Enjoy your week and your books; I am loving mine so far. Stay safe.

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  8. You are just so positive and you have been on “home detention” for so long now. I thought of you today as I was listening on our radio to an interview with Donald Trump’s niece. Strange family for sure! Love that you dress up.

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    1. Thanks for the visit and the kind words, Kathryn. When we first locked down in March, I thought it would be a brief time, but as the days went by and the news became more horrific, it was obvious we were in for a long haul. What can we do except deal with each day at a time and find comfort in reading and little treats? LOL.

      Whenever I think of Trump, I cringe…and every day he says something even more asinine than the day before, so it is important to tune him out. Reading his niece’s book helped give me perspective and hope. Not for him to change, of course, but that we could defeat him!

      Enjoy your week and your books. Stay safe.

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  9. Ooo a mimosa for breakfast – You do know how to live-up lockdown. Also looks like you have had a good week of reading and blogging. But I am sorry to hear about your granddaughter – I hope she able to sort out her work situation soon. Take care and happy reading. 😃

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    1. Thanks, Jessica, I wish I could fix everything for my granddaughter! When we were able to see each other and spend time together, I took her out for little treats, etc. Nowadays a video chat is all we can do, but I did enjoy seeing her face and hearing her laugh.

      The Champagne splits are gone for now, and I will try not to order more just yet. Spread the little luxuries around a bit. Learn to appreciate good coffee and good books.

      Enjoy your week, and stay safe.

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  10. That’s a long time to be so isolated, Laurel – and thank goodness for video chats. I know I would have gone crazy without them during our lockdown period. I hope Fiona is okay – it is becoming an issue here for folks here. There are a steady stream of closures and job losses, sadly:(.

    Your brekkie tray looks very inviting! And I’m glad you had such a good reading week – I hope the coming one is a peaceful, healthy one littered with lots of good books…

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    1. Thanks, Sarah, if we had known how long this lockdown would go on, I don’t think we could have handled it. But now we are used to the isolation, mostly because of books and movies and shows. If we lost the Internet, though, I might have to scream. LOL.

      Enjoy your books and your time walking and gardening. Stay safe.

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  11. Mareli Thalwitzer

    I’ll watch out for your review on Until I find you. My type of read. I’ve also listed Just between us on my TBR list. Hope you will have wonderful reading week. You always read such wonderful books!

    Here’s my The Sunday Post

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    1. I totally agree, Mary, THANK GOODNESS FOR BOOKS! The thought alone made me recall times when despots burned books, and I can imagine the current “despot in chief” doing just that…but despite what he thinks, he can’t do anything he pleases. Yet.

      Hang in there, and I hope to love His and Hers. Enjoy your books.

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  13. Gayathri Lakshminarayanan

    I am sorry to hear about Fiona’s unemployment. I think it is great that you are still dressing up for yourself. I have not worn anything other than PJs these days.

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    1. I would be wearing only PJs, except that staff members come in all the time and they also bring the food. LOL. I just ordered some new PJs, that will arrive on Tuesday, so that may change how I dress some of the days.

      I can’t believe how our government has failed us, both with the virus and with unemployment. When jobs are shut down, there are no other choices! Don’t they get that?

      When the election comes, I hope we toss that piece of garbage despot out…LOL.

      Enjoy your week and your books, Gayathri..

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  15. Literary Feline

    I am glad you had a chance to video chat with Fiona. I am sending her positive thoughts during this time. I feel for so many who are in her situation right now. Both of your incoming books sound good. I have enjoyed Lapena in the past and am curious about her new book. I hope you have a great week, Laurel-Rain. Take care.

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    1. Thanks, Wendy, I miss Fiona so much, and especially at a time when I can’t do much for her. The video chats cheer me up, and I hope they make her feel better, too.

      I do enjoy Lapena’s books, so I am eager to dive into this one.

      Enjoy your week and your August!

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  18. I’m sorry to hear about Fiona’s job situation. This whole pandemic thing still feels so surreal with everything that everyone is going through. You have a great list of books to keep you busy. I want to read them all. Enjoy! Have a great week and stay safe.

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    1. Surreal is exactly how it feels, especially when we think back just a few months ago when we had no clue what was ahead.

      Books will help, and also getting some of the soaps back on the air.

      Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne.

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    1. Thanks, Marg, I first had Champagne splits in Mimi’s, a favorite restaurant. You order a mimosa and they bring the little bottle from the six-pack so you can add a little Champagne with your juice. Fun! I miss those times, so that’s why I try to recreate them here in my apartment now and then.

      Enjoy your week.

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    1. Thanks, Shelleyrae, our government has failed big time since this all began! Those tiny checks they sent months ago, and the unemployment that lasted about a minute…not good! His answer: open up the economy quickly (so everyone can get sick and die!)

      I probably sound bitter, but I can’t wait until that monster is voted out!

      Enjoy your week!

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  24. I’ve taken to ordering a little surprise now and then in my groceries and one of the things I like to order are little bottles of champagne.

    You certainly did have a great week. Three great reads. And a wonderful month. That’s a lot of good books. I hope August is equally wonderful.

    I am sorry to hear about your granddaughter. I’m glad she has a safe place to stay. I hope things work out for her soon job-wise.

    Have a good week!

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  29. Oh no! I hope your granddaughter is able to work again soon! At least she has a safe place to stay. My husband and I feel so blessed that his job is secure, at least for the next 3 months.

    We had a very similar breakfast Sunday morning. French toast made from homemade cinnamon raisin sourdough bread and mimosas! I love a good brunch! Enjoy your week!

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    1. Yummy breakfasts are my favorite things these days, Jen. I hope you have many more, too.

      I am also hoping things get better for my granddaughter…and for everyone who is out of work because of the Pandemic.

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  30. I think I would have a hard time not being allowed out for all these months.
    I miss church gathering but am glad we can participate on facebook. I have missed going to funerals for some of our elderly church family though.
    I hope that things work out for your granddaughter without too much delay and worry for her.
    Three five star reads in one week is always good! And well done on 14 books in July.
    Your breakfast looks pretty good.
    Have a good week and Happy Reading!

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    1. The five star reads were the best part of the week. I was fairly comfortable with the isolation for the most part, having books and movies to enjoy, but in the past few days, my anxiety has increased and I’m finding it more difficult. Some of the challenge has been that staff seems more aloof, or perhaps I’m paranoid. But it is understandable that they would have difficulty with it all, too.

      I have to do what I can to fight the malaise that seems to linger longer every day.

      Hang in there, Martha, and enjoy your week.

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  31. *Flora*

    3 5 star reviews last week. That’s a great reading week, Laurel-Rain. I wish you wouldn’t post those photos of your trays – reading your post always make me peckish! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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