Pandemic Truth

This is my father when he was a young reporter. Dad always sought the truth and checked his sources. Read more about him at https://rawdatafalloutfromthecoronavirus.blogspot.com/2020/05/pandemic-truth-marzec.html

My Memorial Day Wish

It amazes me that the human race has made it this far. Earth is not a stable environment with all the tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, mudslides, sinkholes, and fires. Our precarious situation is made even worse by war. Currently, we are at war with COVID-19. The nurses, doctors, and scientists are doing their best to save lives as well as figure out how to save everyone on the planet. They aren't using guns. They are taking the risk on the frontlines in an effort to beat this dreadful disease.

Meanwhile, the rest of us continue to argue with each other--despising each other and worse yet, blaming each other. It's the Democrats' fault. It's the Republicans' fault. It's the Liberals' fault. It's the Conservatives' fault.

"Wear masks," recommends the CDC. But there are those who won't wear a mask. There are those who believe wearing a mask is taking away their freedom.

Please. Why can't we get along? Why can't we have peace?

Patience

I saw this fisherman one day at the beach. He stood there for a long time. While I was there, he didn't catch anything, but he sure had a lot of patience.

I haven't gone fishing in a long time. When I was a youngster, I fished in the lake behind our house. My brother put the worm on the hook for me. It was exciting when I caught a fish, but most of the time fishing required quiet. I had to sit and wait, and wait. I was never fond of fishing.

Writing requires patience, too. Unlike fishing, writing is a nice, clean activity. However, it requires hours and hours of time. In addition, the odds of becoming rich are rather low. Then there are the rejections, the rewrites, and the marketing.

Marketing is the most annoying thing about writing for me. It's almost equivalent to putting a slimy worm on a hook, but to catch readers that's what a writer has to do. A writer has to be patient in marketing. It's an ongoing activity and the rewards aren't always immediately obvious. But just like that fisherman, you reel in the line, cast off again, and wait.

But in the meantime, you can write another book and that's the fun part. 😊

No Time for Books?

I know a lot of people who don't read books. Some are friends, some are relatives, and some are coworkers. Many of them have college degrees. I could list their names here but that would be mean and it still wouldn't make them pick up a book and read it. They all have a reason for not reading. They tell me they are too busy. They often read magazines, or the newspaper. But they never sit down with a book in their hands and read it from the beginning to the end. Never.

I think this is very sad. Those who don't read are missing out on some amazing adventures. But more importantly, they are wrong about the time needed to read a book. Reading does not have to take much time at all. There are millions of audio books--and you can borrow them at the library for nothing. You don't even have to visit the library, you can download them from the library's website and then add them to your iPod. You can listen to them while driving to work, exercising, or folding the laundry. Seriously, what else are you going to do while folding laundry? Listen to Lady Gaga?

For those who own a Kindle, there are books that are speech enabled. The Kindle can read the books to you. You can dust the living room or crochet an afghan while listening to the latest Janet Evanovich novel. Better yet, you can listen one of my novels.

Books are special. Every book allows the reader to enter into someone else's mind. Please get into a book soon. It really doesn't take any time at all.

Guest Post: COOKING UP A MYSTERY, by Gail Pallotta

 My guest today is Gail Pallotta, a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A 2013 Grace Awards finalist, she’s a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner and a TopShelf 2020 Book Awards Nominee. She’s published six books, poems, short stories and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. 

Gail's latest book is COOKING UP A MYSTERY! Here's the blurb:

Laney Eskridge worked to put her husband through dental school. Then he left with another woman. Laney is on edge from the emotional scars and her parents' deaths. Then she hears unexplained noises in her new tea house, and her anxiety is tripled. Add a budding romance with Eric—a guy with a fear of commitment—and it's all too much to handle. She cuts ties with Eric and plunges into making her business pay off.
When Eric discovers that Laney's in danger, he vows to protect her. But can he make a lasting promise? Will she trust him? . . .and when they overhear a threat that could cause national turmoil, will anyone believe them? There's more brewing than herbal tea in Cooking up a Mystery.

And now for the excerpt! 😉

Eric pointed at the picture of the man riding the huge tricycle. “Is that it?”

The sound of several pots clanking one right after the other drifted into the dining area. Did he not hear the racket? Laney opened her mouth to ask, but snapped it shut. The last thing she wanted to do was say she heard a commotion when there was none. Eric would think she had a bad psychological problem. She put her hand over her mouth. Did she? “Yes, but go ahead and eat your cookie.” She jumped at the sound of more bonks. She would’ve sworn someone ran into the trashcan in her kitchen, not out back. She gazed at Eric. He munched as though nothing distracted him. She had to ask. No! Thuds pounded the floor in the kitchen. Laney was sure of it. Eric had to have heard them. She opened her mouth.

“About the painting, I believe you said one of your customers gave it to you.”

Buy it at :

AMAZON!

BARNES & NOBLE

PELICAN BOOK GROUP

Social Media Links

Website - https://gailpallotta.com

Newsletter - https://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html

Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

Make a Wish

If you found a magic dandelion puff capable of granting one wish, what would you ask for? I know exactly what my request would be. I would ask for a vaccine for the coronavirus. Since magic dandelion puffs don't exist, prayer is a far better use of my time. I must be patient in order to remain safe.

Still, I've been busy while we're in lockdown. I've crocheted thirty-four little preemie hats--so far. I've made face masks. I watched Michael Moore's latest movie, Planet of the Humans, which is free on YouTube and which I think everyone should watch. I listened to the podcast of Radio Influenza--which is not very cheerful, but if you think things are bad now, you should listen to it. Back in 1918 people didn't even have pain relievers.

I am writing--or rather rewriting. I cook and do laundry and occasionally clean something--which often includes vacuuming up the potato chip crumbs hubby manages to drop under the futon. (Some things take a special talent.) I pulled out the watercolors and made a painting of a very fat robin. Hubby thought I should put a worm in its mouth but I didn't. Now and then I do exercises and I usually try to walk a bit as well, but that's not as interesting as it used to be since all the parks are closed. 😟

I cannot stop worrying, but I've gotten into a routine of sorts and find I am less anxious than I was at the beginning of all this. Keeping in touch with everyone has been a huge blessing. Video chats may not be the same as physically being with loved ones, but just seeing their faces is a comfort.

How are you doing?

Pandemic Fashion

That’s me with my homemade mask. Due to the coronavirus, everyone must wear a mask in public. It may help slow the spread of the virus—not that a double thickness of cotton will protect the wearer of such a mask from getting the disease. However, the mask might protect others from those who are contagious, but have not developed symptoms as yet.

But acquiring masks during a pandemic isn’t an easy task. Just assembling the raw materials for such an endeavor isn’t easy either.

I can crochet, I can paint, and I can write. But sewing is another matter. Read about my experience at:

https://rawdatafalloutfromthecoronavirus.blogspot.com/2020/04/virus-distractions-marzec.html

Let me know what you used for a mask.