Hello there! I hope you are doing well, wherever in the world you are. We are still in lockdown here in the UK. I've had 6 weeks of homeschooling while homeworking and am no longer feeling so frazzled. It's become the new normal, which is weird in itself. I begin emails by asking about the recipient's health - I did this to an extent previously, but I am doing it a lot more now. I feel like Mr Darcy whenever he is struggling for conversation, hoping people's families are in good health left, right and centre.
You would think that lockdown would be a fantastic opportunity to read but I haven't found that due to the aforementioned homeschooling/homeworking! One thing that I've always found helpful to de-stress is spending time in nature and the weather has been very helpful in that regard; we've had an amazing spell of good weather and so I've tried to make sure I get myself and the kids out every day for a walk.
I've had physical energy, which means that there are jobs done around the house which I never thought I'd get to, but I have been feeling quite mentally drained, which makes it hard for me to read, or at least to read anything new, particularly if I plan to review, as I always want to give a review book my full attention. I hope now things are starting to feel more normal that it will be easier to find the mental focus I need to be able to lose myself in a book.
I have a few reviews to share with you of books I read a little while ago and I'll share the first of those with you in my next post.
I hope you have been managing to read during this period. I'd love to know if you have read anything fantastic recently that you'd recommend. If you haven't been able to read, I hope that at least you are safe and well. Let me know in the comments :)
All is well. Wishing you the best.
ReplyDeletedenise
Glad you are ok, Denise :)
DeleteHi from Australia! We are in good health, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had as much time to read either with homeschooling and working from home, but i did manage to read The Mysteries of Pemberley by Amy D'Orazio, and loved it! Couldn't put it down! Highly recommend!
Hi Claire! I really fancy reading that one. I am not sure whether I read it online at one point, or if it's one that she didn't put on the forums. I don't have much time to read the forums these days, but she is one author that I read online when I saw that they had posted a story.
DeleteHomeschooling and homeworking is tiring isn't it! I don't know about you but I am feeling it physically too. Although my job is sedentary, working in an office building means I move more than I do at home. I am feeling quite stiff!
Hi Ceri,
ReplyDeleteGreetings from the Emerald Isle.
Isn’t the world we now find ourselves an odd and oft times scary one?
I’m glad to have the comfort of books to pass the days.
Alas,I’m not reading any Austenesque books but I’ve definitely enjoyed my fair share of police procedurals and other crime related books.
Continued good health to you and yours.
Mary. 🍀
Thanks Mary. I've been struggling with my reading. I was just managing to settle back down to it, and then the mention of lockdown being lifted came about and my concentration shattered again! Glad you are able to read :)
DeleteGreetings from Greece!
ReplyDeleteWho expected we’ll live through a pandemic-almost-global lockdown?
I’m so glad I’m not alone in my failed expectations and plans. After finishing a work project during the lockdown, I thought it’d be “vacations at last!” with reading, writing and everything I longed to do but didn’t have time to do it. I realized that reading and writing are parts of my everyday life so all this period that was certainly not “normal” they suffered, too. No writing (at all!) and one third of the reading I usually do.
So, I’ve read a few Austen-related books and a few originals but nothing I can wholeheartedly recommend. I’m afraid it’s my mental state that doesn’t allow me to enjoy them 100% so I’ll refrain from any reviews.
Sending all the positive energy!
Alexandra
I know just where you are coming from, Alexandra, it's hard to enjoy anything normally at the moment.
DeleteSo glad you and your family are doing well in your new normal and got some beautiful days to go out. We're doing good here in my central Great Lakes region of the US. I'm able to read a little though, like you, I can't focus as well. Doing our best, right? :)
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your reviews, Ceri!
Yes, let's keep doing our best Sophia!
DeleteWe've been hit by that polar vortex...snow flurries yesterday. I still went out for a walk although I don't walk in the rain. We had a lot of that on Friday. Being a grandmother I am not homeschooling but I am missing seeing my grandchildren as even birthday celebrations are canceled. Did view present opening via Zoom...also church service and Bible Study that way.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mothers' Day to all who are celebrating such this Sunday. Hope all are well and safe.
It must be so hard for the grandparents. My neighbours have a young baby and they told me over the fence that their parents are desperate to see their grandson. My kids have visibly grown and they grow much slower than a little one! Hopefully it will all have been worth it :)
DeleteHappy Mother's Day to all the mothers. I haven't done a blessed thing. You'd think my house would be spotless but that is not the case. I think the dust bunnies have sub-let part of their space. Man, this is frustrating. I read twice as many books by this time last year. I am a full-time caregiver now and that has my full attention. Then I have to occasionally get supplies that I call... hunting and gathering. I start with the first store and keep going until I find all on my shopping list. Sometimes it is as many as 3-4 stores. Whew! I am too old for that. The picture you put at the top of this post is simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us. I heard you guys were having a spot of good weather. Like Sheila said, we are having a burst of winter weather. Here in the mid-south we call it blackberry winter. We like to name our winters according to what is blooming at the time. The previous one was dogwood winter. We are easily amused. Blessings, everyone. Stay safe and healthy and soon we will look back on this. Again, Happy Mother's Day to all who have an impact on children whether you have your own or not.
ReplyDeleteDo you know, Jeanne, I always thought that my house wasn't spotless due to lack of time but since being on lockdown I have discovered that housework is just dull and unsatisfying, because it is so constant! That being said, I have had the satisfaction of cleaning some things I never get to so there is that. Stay safe!
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