bookreeader

We have now been living in "isolation" for eleventyfour days, and the new reality is becoming normalcy. Somehow, going into week 5 is easier, and more difficult than the first. Yes, schools, restaurants, theaters and businesses are closed, and I hope that those who are out of work due to the closings are managing, and that we will be so happy when the "Pause" ends that we will be eating out, supporting museums and theaters, shopping and spending in celebration. Let's start those wish lists now, and start making plans to reconnect with all of the people we are missing! W hile we cannot gather together, nor even meet face to face with many of our loved ones, we have the luxury of the Internet to keep us informed, entertained and in touch. I cannot imagine a time when the world was in crisis, and news took days, weeks, months to reach people. Can you imagine being in quarantine in "the old days", not knowing what is going on in the world, or the neigh...

As of today we have spent more than two weeks in our homes. It has been weeks since schools were closed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, businesses were shuttered and people were told not to congregate, not to attend Mass or gather in groups of more than 10. Amazing people have jumped into action, making sure that students have meals, elders are secure, and we have plenty of museums, books and games online to keep us from going stir-crazy.   Oddly enough, this forced isolation seems to be having a positive effect on some people: I see more neighbors out walking than ever before, always keeping a safe six-foot distance, but waving and smiling despite the crisis. Spring cleaning seems to be the activity of choice, as homebound adults see this as a chance to catch up on housework, and take some control over germs that might be invading.  People are using up their stored-up food and supplies in favor of going into germy and often ill-stocked stores.  Companies are offering ...

It has been a week since we have been asked to stay home, restrict travel, and shelter I place.  Schools, libraries and many businesses are closed, even doctors are restricting visits with patients in the hopes of slowing the advance of the Corona virus. And I was born for this! Since I retired, I treasure the days on which I can stay home, all day, and not have to put on real shoes. Don’t get me wrong: I love subbing, and teaching classes at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library (the best public library around!), I look forward to visits with friends, and even enjoy shopping from time to time.  But, given the choice, I would stay home. I am a child of parents of the Great Depression, so I can stretch a pantry of food for weeeeeks.  I can do without, and make things to substitute for what we cannot buy. So the shortages at stores do not scare me.  Heck- I would be able to avoid stores for a month and live off the stuff I’ve stockpiled when it was on sale, just...

The idea of blogging, or otherwise creating a journal, has been tickling my mind for some time. I like the idea of recording thoughts and reactions -and of keeping them safe and together online, but I struggled with starting, and with making them public. I  currently read some very articulate (Connie) and some very clever bloggers (Meghan) and I doubt that my musings will be in the same league as theirs, or will ever find an audience. However, certain recent events and this imposed isolation have convinced me that the benefits of putting thoughts to screen might be positive, and maybe even enjoyable. I have decided to try to write regularly, for my own satisfaction and growth, regardless of whether it is read, so  I am setting some guidelines and rules to start, knowing full well that these will change, grow and become redundant: This is not a competition, and I don’t look for comparisons, judgement or criticisms of any of the posts Topics will be random, may be persona...

Once again, I have had the fabulous good luck to be chosen by Tryazon to try a goft box from Rituals USA - this time a Ritual of Dao small gift set. I have to say right from the start,  Rituals Cosmetics  has the most beautiful gift sets! Before I even opened the box, I read this calming phrase, and I knew that I was in for a treat! This Ritual of Dao set has everything one would need to turn a shower into a luxurious spa!  From shampoo, to shower foam, silkening shower oil and rich body cream, all are infused with a clean, relaxing fragrance that lasts.  I love the foaming shower gel; it dispenses as a gel, and a little bit foams up into a delightfully fragrant foam that cleans without drying.       Winter dryness won't stand a chance with the shower oil and body cream at hand - both leave the skin soft, supple and smooth, but without any lingering greasiness or stickiness.       And the reusable gift...

Thanks to  Tryazon , I had the chance to try-a-box - and enjoy this fabulous  Rituals Cosmetics  bath set!  I just love the rose and sweet almond scent, the silky-smooth foaming shower gel, amazing body scrub and softening body cream. This is like a spa treatment in a box!  I think this  # ritualsusa  gift set would be perfect for house guests, tired moms and special friends who need a little pampering.  Check out  # tryazon  if you'd like to get the chance to try out amazing products like this!  # shareyourslowdown

We hosted our Penless Memory Crafting Party as a workshop at the public Library this week. We advertised it in the local newspaper, on calendars in the library, and through posts on Facebook and Twitter. It was such fun helping people get started with the Penless Memory app, and the best part was that each participant had different ideas about how they would use the stickers! Penless is a great app that allows us to link a photo or short video to a cute, colorful QR code. The recipient of the code just scans it (just point a smartphone camera at it!) to see the photo or video. It's so easy that youngsters and oldsters who are not tech-savvy can handle it, there is nothing to log into, and the recipient doesn't need to have the app to see the photos. It is great on gifts or greeting cards, but the possibilities for using these great stickers is endless! And it's SO easy!! Although we were never all together at the same time, over the course of two hours, six people came ...