The good news is that computer is finally here!
The bad news is that it’s just now got here. I am sorry, we are looking at Monday for Ryder.
I wanted to tell you about my Mom. She has been dead for over a decade now, but I still miss her.
My grandparents had a garden and they used to let me sell apples for them. I was very cute and I sold a lot. My mom found out and put a stop to this. It was not appropriate behavior. She told me people would look down on me because I sold things. I couldn’t understand it. We had extra apples. If I sold apples, we would get money. My eight year old brain had really hard time with the peculiarities of life in Soviet Russia. 🙂
Thirty some years later, behold, my empire of books which I shamelessly sell. Muhahahaha!
Since very early age, partially from selling apples, I discovered that I was a very good bargainer. I can and will haggle. My mother grew up in the planned economy of Soviet Union, where the cheese in the store by the house was $5 a kilo – I don’t remember the price of cheese, don’t hold me to it – and the price of cheese in the store on Voroshilovskii Prospect was $5, and the price of cheese at Central market on Budenovskii, 8 trolley stops away, was still $5. Someone somewhere decided that that’s what the cheese was worth in our city. End of story.
When Soviet Union collapsed, my mother would go to the market and come home green in the face, because she bought cucumbers for $1 a kilo and on the way out she saw them for 50 cents. It would cause her no end of grief. It wasn’t the fifty cents, it was that she felt like a complete failure. Can you imagine the anxiety of someone suddenly having to bargain shop after never before doing it in her entire life?
That’s when I learned that people have different pressure points.
Right now everyone is very stressed out.
We all have a reason to be stressed out. First, there is the plague. It’s killing people. In Texas, 54,509 people are sick. And that’s only those who bothered to get diagnosed. We are having basic goods shortages: toilet paper, cleaning supplies, meat. People are losing jobs. People have trouble paying their rent and mortgage. Kid 1’s boyfriend has been driving to Austin every three days looking for his unemployment check, which is not showing up. We’re not going to even go into politics right now.
This is some awful crap.
This situation affects everyone in different ways. For example, goods shortage doesn’t bother me one bit. The moment China went into lock down, a switch flipped in my brain that said, “We are going to go into lock down. We are going to have shortages. We are now in Russia.”
I can do Russia. I’ve stood in block-long lines to get sugar and toilet paper before. I have a frame of reference to handle this. My kids are the same because they grew up with me. When we couldn’t find the sensitive skin detergent for Gordon, Kid 1 made her own from ingredients. It smells nice and it’s cheap.
A friend of mine panicked. She has never dealt with shortages. She has never baked bread from scratch. I don’t think she has ever baked anything from scratch, actually. Every time she has to shop for something and the grocery store informs her that item is not available, she experiences spikes of anxiety. This is her own personal hell.
People have different pressure points.
I told you that shortages don’t bother me, right? You know what bothers me? Covid. I have enough education in biology to understand the magnitude of this and I have attacks of hypochondria. They are severe. It’s not fun. I worry about the kids, about Gordon, about friends across the country, about colleagues in New York, about Navajo Nation…
The friend I mentioned who has anxiety about food shortages? Doesn’t bother her at all. I will sit there and agonize because Kid 2 has to go to the bank in person and she is like, “I let the kids go to the neighbor’s yard to play.” I think she is crazy. But her anxiety makes her just as miserable as my anxiety makes me.
Another thing I worry about. Kid 1 is preparing to take her certification exams and she will have to look for a job. Almost everyone she knew from the previous courses who went on to get a job has been fired. They were the new hires and the first to be dumped. She worked so hard and now there are no prospects. Right now someone who is reading this might be in danger of getting evicted. Everyone has their own worries. Everyone’s worries make them miserable.
The point I am trying to make is that the times are grim. They might get grimmer for a little bit. Let’s try to cut each other a bit of extra slack. I know it’s hard because some days are pure shit and then you see a comment that was clearly written by an epic idiot.
But still, let’s try to be kind.
Chocolate is for closers.
The reason why you have coffee is because I ordered it from HEB delivery. I ordered the creamer you put into your coffee, too. I am going to make yummy banana bread. See if I will give you any.
I couldn’t find a chocolate is for closers meme. You always close the deal, baby.
Ahh, the power of banana bread.
I love you guys. ???? ???? ❤️ Thanks for the chuckle in this thread and for your very thoughtful post.
Ilona, I’m like you. I can deal with shortages, but Covid does my head in. We have been officially Covid free in my city (Canberra, Australia) for several weeks, schools are gradually reopening, non-essential shops too, as restrictions lift. I don’t care if there have been zero cases and a high testing regimen per 1000 of population, my daughter is not going to the mall. Even my husband thinks the same, and he has a higher risk threshold. We are waiting for the second wave to start and the next lockdown.
I’m educated enough to find COVID quite terrifying even though the impact from it has been fairly low in Brisbane, Australia. I still ended up being tested because I had an infected throat when I went to the doctor to get a repeat prescription. I had no other symptoms but better safe than sorry. Fortunately, the test came back negative. I’m also waiting for the second wave now that we’re opening more shops and larger numbers of people will able to get together. I’m very worried for rural areas like where my mother lives on the Atherton tablelands where there’s a high number of retirees and older people and medical services are limited.
Hi from an American Helen there aren’t many of us!!
Fab blog – in the UK restictions are being eased but for me way too early! I know folk have different worries but I am doing the best I can to stay safe – waiting for a second peak which will surely come. Stay safe all and stay kind x
It is a crazy time right now. My anexity was also due to covid. Not food or supplies. If my grandparents survived the Dustbowl in Kansas and the Blitz of Birmingham I can survive this. But covid scared the crap outta me. My dad only has 20% usage of his lungs. We were sure if he caught it, we’d say goodbye. But… He made it! He contracted Covid last month somehow. Considering he was on house lockdown since March. He passed it to my mom, and my kiddo, and probably me. (Only one still waiting on results) But He MADE IT! We do fear it caused more damage but he’s still with us and building cabinets and leveling the dishwasher. My mom is fully recovered, my daughter just can’t smell or taste, and I’m asymptomatic. And honestly I feel so much better. I’m not saying you shouldn’t worry but if he can survive I have hope this will end soon.
Banana bread with a cup of diced strawberries mixed in is my favorite. Blueberries are good too????
You put the strawberries in the banana bread before baking or after? So is the banana bread like the shortcake in strawberry shortcake? Sorry, I just never heard of fruit mixed in with banana bread before. I mean it makes sense since banana is fruit. And strawberries and bananas go together. ~ Martha
Hi – you put them in after you have mixed everything together stir in the diced strawberries, pour into your loaf pan and bake. It is always a hit with everyone who has tried it. 🙂 Instead of loaf bread you can scoop into muffin tins and bake for approx 20 minutes instead. Attached is my recipe – it is Vegan and adapted from the Farm Vegetarian Cookbook.
I have another vegan banana bread recipe, if you’re interested. While I’m not personally vegan, I do have to do dairy free and egg free, so that basically means vegan baking. If anyone is having trouble getting eggs, this could be a good option for them. I don’t use the nuts in the recipe, but do add a crumb topping. ????
https://theloopywhisk.com/2019/06/20/vegan-banana-bread/
Thanks! Now on my to try list ???? and Karen’s rhubarb suggestion.
I remember when I visited Leningrad, now known as saint Petersburg. Pensioners would set up on the side of the road or in parks selling things. Lots of pickled stuff and jams. I know we bought plenty of jam because sugar was tightly controlled. We put jam in every thing. And you have not appreciated hot tea until you nearly electrocute yourself heating it with live wires and a razor blade, a trick taught to us by our Russian friends. No microwaves or hotplates in student housing. I seriously wonder that we didn’t blow the whole elictrical grid or kill ourselves. I also was jumped on the street by a bunch of Russian grandma’s because they thought I had started to get frostbite. They were right. And I am to this day grateful for their kindness. I learned more in that one afternoon with those elderly women than I did in six months of classes.
I love the BDH. I’m still cooking from the post on fast & easy quarantine meals. Banana bread is a meh in our house, but the idea of strawberries have me a “hhmmm?” , and then I segued to (Aha!) chopped rhubarb, which gets a thumbs up around here.
Rhubarb in banana bread sounds wonderful! I’ll have to try it.
I’ve discovered over the years that any recipe calling for apples will be even better with half rhubarb, and also excellent with only rhubarb.
I’ve made this last week and it’s so good. I added some orange zest because it was there from something else I was making. Thanks for sharing this recipe as I’ll add it to my collection.
Thank you!
If you add fruit, make sure to reserve about 1/4 cup of flour or so. Mix the berries or cut fruit with flour first, so it’s coated and then mix into the batter. Otherwise the fruit will sink to the bottom. 🙂
Yes – thanks for mentioning as I forgot to! It works okay without in the banana bread since it is a thicker batter but it is more essential in muffins, cakes and cupcakes. ???? ????
Never thought of strawberries. i put diced apples in mine.
I’ll have to try that 🙂
Me too. Never thought of strawberries but I love them and it sounds good. Strawberry and banana yogurt why not strawberry and banana bread. Thanks!!!
It’s weird and terrible times we live in. I can deal with shortages – I have always made my own bread and had extra TP. I can even handle the horror of COVID – not well all days, but I genuinely believe that we are getting closer to a vaccine. Also we all know what we need to do to exist in urban groups. Social distance, wear masks, was our hands, and listen to the epidemiologists. What I can’t handle is the isolation, which is dreadful and constant because I live alone. However, I go out 1x/week for groceries and there I can’t handle the fact that the people who know they should be social distancing and wearing masks… aren’t. Which makes all the isolation and loneliness worse because it feels like a waste of effort. It occurred to me that privilege is me being able to drive across town and pay 1.5x more to shop at the stores where people are required to wear masks. Which makes me sad again because I am sure that there are people who are not as privileged as I am who can’t do that but are just as scared. At any rate, I’m rambling, but it’s awful. Some days I hate this country I was born in – especially American independence and pig headedness.
Sending intentions of love, peace, and grace today to whomever needs it.
I totally agree with you about this. I feel it, too. Very disappointed in so many of my compatriots.
We’re in NY, in Long Island and it’s been very scary here for a long time. We’re starting to reopen but my whole family has anxiety about being with people outside our family. I know this will pass with time. We’ve been making lots of banana bread – try the Bon Appetit Best Banana Bread recipe. Delicious. Stay well!!
Sending all good thoughts to the people of New York.
If you’ve added strawberries to banana bread, you’ve made tutti-frutti bread. I bet that tastes great!
My Eastern European switched turned on in January too. The first thing I added to my Big Stocking Grocery Delivery? Coffee ????. My entire family still has trauma about the communist chicory coffee replacement and soy salami .
Totally understandable. I’m a Chicago transplant to Florida and my first hurricane was Francis. Never got over it. In Jan/Feb, when I realized what was happening, the first thing I did was stock up on coffee and purchased a home water distiller. I may not be able to get fresh food, but I WILL have my coffee. ☕️
Thank you for your post. I LOVE your humor, and always get a chuckle from what you say or how you say it, even if the topic is as grim as the Coronavirus virus and the current situation. Thank you for the reminder that though we have different stressors, there is more than enough going on right now to stress everyone, and that we need to try to be as tolerant, understanding, and kind as possible. It is something I struggle with, but I try to simply not make any comment at all if I can’t find anything positive to say. I have only positive things to say about your books, and your comments on the blog.
I enjoy reading anything you write!! I am happy for you that you HAVE an “empire of books that I shamelessly sell”. You have this “empire” because of a combination of hard work and talent, and there shouldn’t be any shame in you being compensated for that.
I was so saddened to learn that someone you knew betrayed you by profiting off of YOUR work. It is bad enough when a complete stranger steals from us, but it is a real betrayal when someone we know does it! I am deeply sorry that happened to you, and I sincerely hope you never have to experience something like that again.
No worries about when you post the next installment of Ryder. You are kind enough to post it for us to read free of charge! I don’t understand how there is anything to complain about!!! Anyone with any sense should just be appreciative of what you kindly offer, and accept it with joy and thanks. If what you offer as a gift is not acceptable to someone for whatever reason, it would be good manners to simply choose not to read the snippets and NOT complain about it not being exactly what they want or when they want it. I thank you very much for ANY snippets you choose to share freely on this blog, and for when you are able to or choose to share them. I hope you and all your family stay healthy and happy through this pandemic. I hope the same for all the BDH and their families!
????
Good with chocolate chips in it too!
Chocolate chips? I’ll have to try that. Semi-sweet morsels . . ..
That’s the way I like mine too! Plus with a crumble topping. I usually make mine into muffins though. ????????????????
Yep. Chocolate chips are the best! Semisweet or dark or bitter!
I have worked on perfecting my banana bread the last couple of months & my posterior shows it. Good luck!
I completely relate to this – I grew up in Zimbabwe during hyperinflation – we had shortages of everything, fuel queues that stretched for kilometers, and no economic stability. My brothers and I now live in Australia, so when the shortages and panic buying hit, we just shrugged and got on with life because we knew how to get through it and this time we knew it would be temporary. We worry more about our parents and grandparents back in Zimbabwe because we know how unprepared the country is to face an epidemic. Hope the anxiety lessens soon, the crisis will end eventually but for now we just have to find ways to live with worry.
These are all real traumas! Thank you for sharing and putting things in a proper perspective (although as House Andrews says- everyone’s anxiety is legitimate and we all have different pressure points). The shortages don’t bother me because my mom grew up in Post WWII Italy, and my Dad during the Great Depression in the U.S. .. in fact my dad had bowed legs his whole life due to malnutrition as a child (he was quite a bit older than my mom… they both died over a decade ago). So while I was fortunate to not suffer shortages in my own 1970s childhood their experience created a household where food NEVER went to waste, and when we didn’t have something we either did without or figured work-arounds. What is driving ME crazy is my husband reading the conspiracy theories on Fox News, etc. which this otherwise sane man then trots out IN FRONT OF MY CHILDREN. aarrrrgh… similar to Ilona, I did my undergrad in Biology and (minor in chemistry) and the ant-science focus of certain factions in the US is my pressure point!! You (generic anti-science skeptic) may not LIKE what science says, and you may not like the inherent uncertainty built into the scientific process… please don’t politicize it!!!!!!
Great coincidence, I just made Nigel Slater‘s Black Banana Cake. It is delicious and has lots of chocolate in it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/black_banana_cake_52982
Infection numbers have really come down here in Switzerland and lockdown rules are slowly released. I feel a lot of unease when I am out and about because many people seem to think that it‘s all over and social distancing and hygiene measures are no longer necessary. I hope common sense will prevail!
Thanks for the giggles, I really appreciate them.
I really resonated with your worry paragraph. I thought that was My job..to worry for everyone out there while Im safe In here.
🙁
God bless you and your family ????
Banana bread with chocolate chips still warm from the oven topped with whipped cream. It’s a little slice of heaven.
I, like all your fans, love the worlds and characters you create. I get to travel, to be in this interactive fast paced exciting milieu, living the action but not experiencing the danger. What a gift you have! But, that being said, it is how you share beyond your stories to your own selves, your humanity! I so appreciate how you use your superpower- the power of wordsmiths, to do something beyond entertaining, being exciting & providing respite. You use your platform for good. I appreciate you naming this Covid hypochondria- it can be debilitating. It’s hard to talk yourself back, and faith is so essential, but you have to name it, bring it out so it can’t gain any secret shameful hold. Yes, it’s a fact and it’s scary AND we can take precautions, be smart, and most of all Love and care for each other- our small intimate circles and larger circles. What can I say, I think you rock as brilliant writers, but even more so for how you reach out to encourage and inspire so many!!????
Egadz! The isolation has the two of you communicating on your blog when you live in the same house! That’s too funny!
I did want to ask you, do you ever have a dream where you are a character in your books?
As someone that was homeless I see the points you are trying to get across. But trolls will always be trolls.
I love you! Thanks for being such a beautiful person!
I me I’m in New Zealand we have had no new cases for 8 days and only 28 dead. But the lockdown as the whole country. We are out now and we had church today . Me I’ve read and reread so many books. And not watched much TV or movies only one actually. And me a big baker I haven’t baked at all. So I loved lockdown me I can read all day
I love you guys.
Big hugs all around. We’ll all get through this.
Keep a positive profile. Your not a miracle worker but you always do your best, as for kid1 I wish her luck and say don’t let it get you even if you need the funds now because if it was meant to be it will happen no matter what and when it happen “Thanks” to the one you think helped you. As for you keep up the good work because your kids do remember what you have taught them even if they are not aware of it. Love and Care Tina
Haha, snort….
Banana bread is best with chocolate right in it – chips. And drizzled on top. Dark. You can have your coffee cake and eat it too.
Here you go.
Thank you! you make my day. Looking forward to next Ryder.
Sending you and everyone reaidng this a cupful of kindness. Here’s to better days ahead.
Lol you tell him, I make the muffin easier to hide a few for later.
We’ve been on lockdown in Scotland for a lifetime now. Phase one of the easing is happening but it’s hard to begin to go back to normal.
I made two banana loaves yesterday with choc chips, sultanas and prunes @it works, honest!). Two hours later they were both gone. There are three people in my house, one of whom is 6 and who isn’t allowed much sugar because it sends him into orbit……. Hurry up and end covid! I’m going to be like a house end before this is all over….. ????
I live in NYC. The epicenter of Covid. Near a hospital. There were days when all the ambulances racing to the hospital was all I heard. I was able to distinguish between the different ambulances. I said a prayer each time. Sometimes I couldn’t sleep.
I was suppose to start a new job middle of March. The job disappeared. I don’t know if I will get any job this year.
My grandmother Irish, ( looked like a Valkyrie) , seriously, she was 5.9 and wore size 10 shoe had just arrived in America in 1918. She was a teenager. She became the caregiver for friends. She cooked, took care of everyone and never got sick.
My mother was a small child during the depression. She told stories about the pandemic, ration cards and waiting in long lines for bread. Haggling for 1 day or 2 day food. I can’t haggle, I don’t have the gene.My grandfather and grandmother would open the closet and give out clothes to anyone who needed them. He was a doctor, and before he lost his money in 1929 depression was wealthy. Then my grandma would feed them and give them pennies,
So when Covid hit, I remembered the stories and it gave me strength. I bought a lot of supplies and cat food . Even simple things like salt and batteries and matches. Took out cash at bank just in case I had to evacuate.
I knew I would be OK.
But it has been very stressful and at times I just cried. I lost people.
Family.
Today , I am trying to see if I have enough money to last this year. If I can’t get a job.
Needs and wants are totally different this year.
Kindness, listening and patience are my new best friends.
Today, they announced that New York will open on June 8 th.
Your blog has been a light during the darkest day. Thank you.
I grew up on a modest family income. We always had /something/ to eat, but usually it was because of thrifty shopping and a LOT of planning. When I turned 11, I was put in charge of all things in the kitchen. I did the food budget, the meal planning, the shopping. I cooked the dinners and made the lunches. I learned pretty early on how to make sure I could scrape together a pantry-only meal, because we usually only got to grocery shop once per month. I got nervous about the food shortages…mostly because I’m used to fresh fruit and produce these days. That said, when we couldn’t buy bread, I knew how to make it. When the grocery stores stopped delivering, that was fine…my pantry was stocked out of a 30 year old habit. We made by for three weeks until an order could come through. What caused the stress hives for me was people’s general inability to grasp math. I’m a programmer. I took a lot of math at uni. I know how fast an exponential curve grows, and it terrifies me that everyone is running around like it’s no big deal. I hope that the models are wrong. I hope that things aren’t going to be as bad as I fear. But still…hives.
PS If kid1 is worried about hireability, tell her to start expanding the languages she knows. Python is always a good one, C# is quite common, as is Java. She can work on expanding her OS knowledge; Linux was written with a programming mentality. Learning bash commands are always helpful for data manipulation. Learn the ins and outs of a debugger. Being fast at finding problems is gold. If she gets bored of all that, there’s a whole world of computer security out there. I’d hire a security minded programmer over a regular one in a heartbeat. Have her create a git repo with projects she’s written. Shows a lot of drive and demonstrates how she solves problems. Good luck :). Feel free to pass along my email address if she has questions.
Well said, we all have that thresh point of stress. I stress about going to Texas this summer to see my family. I have been gone a year and want to just touch my kids and Father. I have started my dad reading your books and he has enjoyed them so much. Thank you for your humor, imagination and skillful writing.
(I wrote this before I read your posting. I think it still holds up pretty well. And yes, Covid is really scary.)
So if I’m looking at this correctly you are in a sweet spot. Per your release book page, you’ve gotten everything done that is owed to a publisher. You can take some time for yourselves and the house. Or start a new idea.
Ryder will be fine whenever it comes out. I personally want another Hugh and Elara book but that’s just me. If you don’t want to go to Florida just now, set up your own semi-beach by the pool. Pay your daughters to wait on you if you must. Or pay them to take the dogs and stay away, whatever works best.
Take a little time. No one wants a pandemic, but you are required to not be out and about excessively. Try to enjoy this summer.
What causes me anxiety is the wretched behavior of other people. Because of health issues I must wear a mask. In our brutal ruby red town stranger men under 30 will slide by me whispering smart ass communist snowflake etc while I wait in line to pay for gas. These same people pride themselves on behaviors like yelling loudly at nothing spitting coughing into their hands rubbing their hands on doors etc. Tonight was a protest with families young chldren strollers young male got drunk speeded thru the crowd trying to hit PEOPLE. I read the book Tribes. I understand conservative media internet winding vunerable people up. But I don’t know where I can go why am I under attack? I am stressed and very very angry.
I don’t understand people. We don’t have these sort of behaviours really in the UK but you still hear of workers on the so called front line being deliberately coughed and spat on and it makes me so angry. Just be nice!
Here’s a gif showing how we all feel about 2020:
https://tenor.com/view/2020-airplane-slap-shake-gif-16739669
I loved the 13, 666 and 2020 meme. I laughed quite a bit. Thank y’all for all of the perspectives. I haven’t been affected much at all.
Lol this made me laugh thanks
I love you guys. Thank you for making my world better!
I said it once, I’ll say it again. Can we please reset 2020? Even though COVID started in 2019, if we all went into 2020 respecting it, taking all measures like responsible people, we can redo 2020 and make it through this in a much better shape.
Good luck with the computer, wish you guys the best luck with the office setup.
I keep buying bananas because I want to make banana bread, but my husband keeps on eating them all before they get ripe enough to make bread.
Put your bananas straight into the freezer, hubby won’t eat them then, and then you cant put them into your baking no worries. And I don’t agree with the reset. We must learn from this, we must become better, kinder and more compassionate people. I live in Australia, and we are doing ok, but what I see on the news coming out of the U.S. right now makes me weep for you. Please can we come out of this a better place than before we went in?
Blue-banded octopus, red-backed spider, Sydney funnel web spiders, salt water crocs, brown snakes, death adders, taipans, EVERYTHING IN AUSTRALIA is trying to KILL you!
You forgot the drop bears.
I can sit and read. My husband is going stir crazy because he can’t see bands at his favorite venues. He listens to many online, but it is not the same.
My sister gave a book decades ago, How to live Cheap but Good. Still applicable.
Thanks for providing such great books.
May you and yours stay well…
May this computer be the best one that you have gotten and the installation go smoothly. We wait patiently for your next blog. It is always worth the wait!!
And the computer will work as it is supposed to, but just in case coz 2020, please make a back-up or 2 of everything…… .
I grew up inSerbia and we were used to all kinds of shortages as well. I already had covid 19 and I survived it on my feet so it doesn’t bother me. What truly scares me if I’m going to have a job after this. I’m alone in USA my whole family is in Europe and I can’t go back because I have pets. I don’t watch news anymore because they make me angry. I still don’t get depressed and I’m trying to be optimistic about future. We as humans have been through so much more many times before and we are still here. We will survive this and hopefully with our souls intact. We just need to retain our empathy
Hugs. Just remember you’re not alone. You have all of us virtually. ????
Thank you!
I live in Europe, in Slovakia. Thanks to Covid we had (and still having) quarantine, shopping clocks for older ppl, ppl getting fired from jobs, doctors cant do normal surgery, cuz everything is about Covid. As student and someone with autoimmune disease … It is hard. I am at home for more than two months. My family is shopping for me, cuz im scared.
I hope this will end and i will continue normal life (write diploma thesis, work, meet with friends, travel).
But, in this quarantine, i have ur books, i have school online clases to attend and it helps to stay sane. So, big Thank you from me and we can figth Covid! And we win!
That was a very kind post.
In regards to Covid – here in Berlin the numbers are right dow and we are slowly starting to re-emerge from our bunker lives. We even ate at a restaurant ( outdoors, very well spaced tables, staff in masks and hand sanitiser everywhere ). I‘ve been almost wanting to cry riding around the city and seeing things wake up. So far the figures are good and the scientists approving. I’ve gone off on a tangent, but I meant to say there will be the other side for most of us. Hang in there!
The shortages don’t bother me at all. I grew up off grid without running water and I keep extra food as my security blanket.
The disease itself doesn’t bother me. I’m am RN and I have friends currently working in the local big city hospital and know our actual situation.
But when dh “just happened” to be browsing eBay for 3 weeks and wiped out our savings this morning by buying a supercharger for his mustang that hasn’t been running for 9 years, that broke me.
The unsecure employment situation is my pressure point.
Oh my word. My bff would be getting the alibi-and-shovel phone call. Hope you make a tidy profit reselling that supercharger, with the nonfunctional mustang thrown in and all…
I’ll try to get the message across and if do it wrongly or won’t succeed pls don’t hold it against me cause I’m not native speaker. It is definitely hard times for everyone and their own problems and fears are most important for them and not less then someone’s else. But I’d like to put it in different perspective for everyone. Last year I was diagnosed with ALS. Long story short I’m dying. I am 35 years old, I always was really healthy person, no one know where the desease comes from and how to cure it and I have 7 year old baby girl who’s going to grow up without her mother and deal with trauma for a long time. To say I’m devastated is nothing. But what I’m really trying to say is that try to think not about what you’ve lost and how hard it gets but what you have right now. Your loved ones next to you, or sooner or later this will pass you’ll get another job or you have great friends who are willing to help out. Anything really. Sometimes behind stress we forget important things. As I said my problems are not more important then someone’s else and I hope I haven’t made a mess of things. I never really comment, but if my comment will help at least one person to make their burden to feel less, I’ll consider it success.
I am so sorry. I’m glad you’ve had time with your daughter during this super hard time. I hope there is a treatment that buys you more time or remission (if possible). Wishing you beautiful moments in every day and strength for the future.????
Oh my dear- Your post made me cry. I am so sorry for the hardships you are going through. I understand the pain you feel now for the loss your daughter will feel. It will be very hard for her but as long as she has other adults in her life who love her and are strong she WILL be OK –but that doesn’t lessen the pain and grief you feel now. I wish you comfort and peace and I thank you for taking the time (and courage) to write this personal message that reminds us to cherish what we have.
You are obviously a strong and caring person with a wonderful outlook on life. My heart goes out to you and your family, especially your daughter. I hope you are able to find treatment to control and minimize your disease and symptoms. I send reiki (healing energy) to people who need it each night. I will add you to my list. My heart aches for you.
Dear Darina,
Thank you for your courage in sharing your circumstances with us. I too cried when I read your message. It really put things in perspective. I’m sending you and your daughter virtual hugs.
With gratitude,
Deb
You are so brave. Much love and peace from me to you.
Hey Darina,
There’s hope for ALS. FYI, Dr. Terry Wahls healed herself of ALS. This is her website:
https://terrywahls.com/healing-als-lou-gehrigs-disease/
(her message is that people are not being told by their neurologists that there are things that can be done to slow, stop and reverse the progress of ALS).
And she also has a few great TED talks: https://terrywahls.com/tag/ted-talk/
and a book.
I wish you best of luck in your recovery!
Maya
Darina,
I wish you and your daughter awesome experiences and wonderful memories created together.
Here are two resources that suggest switching up your diet to increase antioxidant intake and decrease further exposure to BMAAs, in an attempt to slow the progression of ALS.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161101102618.htm
https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/als/
ALS is getting to be so common, my fingers are crossed that research scientists continue finding breakthroughs.
Thank you for sharing,
Kira
This is my first time responding to one of your post although I am ashamed to admit that it took this long to. I have been following your work for years, the blog for most of them. I have always found your words, both in your fiction work and on here, to be comforting. Not because it’s all sunshine and rainbows, but because you highlight how things are not perfect but we can adapt and we can survive.
Just at the start of COVID-19 I found myself looking for a new place to live, I found a place, and am now living with two new roommates. One who I have lived with before and has been coping with depression, the other has been a friend for years and has been battling her anxiety disorder. The current climate has been a huge pressure point for both of them, not so much for myself. This has been a great reminder to be patient, be kind, and be understanding. So thank you
Thanks for this post, Author Lords! Really puts things in perspective in a thoughtful way. We really do need to be more compassionate towards all of our neighbors right now and to ourselves. Thank you for the gentle reminder.
I think you missed their post saying to please not refer to them as AL. I can’t remember some suggested alternatives as House Andrews stuck in my head.
A wish for more compassion in ourselves, is always welcome (to me at least).
Thanks for the reminder! If I could edit my previous comment, I would. (@Moderator: Feel free to delete!)
Your words make everything better. It doesn’t even matter in which form they come, story or blog post or thoughts shared…
Thank you.
I was raised by depression era parents. My mom would have been 103 this year, but passed in 1995 and I still miss her and my dad all the time, but especially during these last weeks. I miss their wisdom and sense in a crisis. My mom was the calmest person in the room and there were eight of us kids running around. She didn’t drive so was stuck at home when I was young and before my brothers could drive. Nothing seemed to surprise her in the world. I try and remember her calm, his determination and both of there smarts. I pray I have a tenth of their grit to try to keep my own anxiety to a minimum. Thanks for your stories – both fiction and true – they help a great deal as well. 🙂
Ilona and Gordon flirting in comments is the best.
Yes!
I know it is easy to say, “Try not to worry so much!” But please try to find some calmness every day. Here’s a little fun drawing I found.
I empathize with you – my 20 year old daughter just finished aesthetics school (skin care). $16,000 tuition. Wow – there’s no job market for her now. She went back to work at the deli she worked at in high school. But at least she’s working. And healthy. I’m counting the blessings we have.
And I love that Gordon’s thumbnail is Milo Bloom! Bloom County forever! We all need a dandelion patch.
Lynn-
That says it all,hands down.
“Try to be kind” –you sure told them! (and me ???? ).
Our ” Nextdoor” which is a nationally run locally segmented social media has been experiencing getting really nasty to each other on the comments recently. I read the comments on it today, and wondered how people can be so vile to people in the same housing development. You nailed it, Ilona. These senior citizens are frustrated and they’re scared for all sorts of reasons. The reasons are all equal. I hope a little kindness will go a long way.
Congrats on the new computer. I’m absolutely agog at your many many talents. You need a super woman cape! Don’t worry about Ryder, just have as relaxing a weekend as you can, with all you have on your plate. We’ll wait. And wecan spend the time practicing kindness.
Can I take this as an opportunity to let off some steam? Yes? Here we go.. I love in a very small Canadian town. We were covid free for over three damn weeks in my province. A doctor in my town decided to travel to the epicenter of Montreal, come here, LIE about travelling…and Continue to treat patients. We are looking at over two hundred and fifty points of contact. Eight cases in two days, two of those being health care workers. Two also already in ICU. I thought that was devastating, heartbreaking etc. Boy was I wrong, the day after I find out. My mom has a hemorrhagic stroke, immediately shipped to.another city for brain surgery. She is in recovery now, but I can’t catch my breath. The sound of her struggling for her to slur out I love you to me on the phone before surgery….Will forever be burned into my mind. Because of said doctor, the hospital she is returning to tomorrow is a hotspot for this virus, I’ve been in contact with someone who had an appt.with this doctor, I cant go see my momma for at least two weeks.I don’t even know if she’ll still be alive…*deep breath* ” so yes, we are all dealing with our own hell right now. Regardless of my personal situation, I still think everyone is suffering. Even when it’s hard to be human, it’s easy to remember that we all are regardless.
Oh, man, I’m so very sorry. The great thing about virtual hugs is you can hold on as long and tight as you want. Sending lots of those. And prayers.
I heard about that from a friend in your area of Canada- she was infuriated too. That doctor’s actions were irresponsible and selfish, and those infections were preventable. I’m so sorry to hear about your mother, too. I know strokes are a special kind of hellish unknown but within that unknown comes some wonderful resiliency and capacity for recovery. Please take care of yourself!
Thank you both, truly. This is a very trying time for all of us, so I very much appreciate the kind words. It helps not feeling like I’m stuck in this very tiny word of panic and fear right now. I got to speak with my mom on the phone today, she doesn’t have many words but I made her giggle a few times and that means the world to me.
As for the doctor, yes, it is beyond infuriating. Not just how he has personally affected my life, but everyone else’s as well. The poor couple on ICU who may not make it, the small mom and pop shops that have to close again after being open for a day, the fear that everyone is feeling. Such a selfish act. For what it’s worth I heard today that he is suspended, and the rcmp are monitoring the couple in bad shape, because they will at charges.
Oh, no. I’m so sorry you can’t be with your mom at this time and so sorry she has to go back to an unsafe environment. I hate to think of a hospital in those terms. So much of my childhood & teenage year were spent with family members hospitalized that hospitals have always seemed pretty sacred to me. (Working in the hospital world for over 25 years mostly cured me of that). Prayers for her safe recovery.
So very sorry to read about your mother and covid 19 possible resurgence. I’m in Ontario and when my husband and I read about that doctor, we both said WTF?! Hope your mom recovers and that you can see her soon.
Life has certainly been interesting the last couple of months. I had a conversation with my neighbor yesterday. She said she’ll be watching tv and suddenly find herself crying for no reason. She’s 70ish, no children, one elderly brother, and health problems. We had an interesting chat about how the political issues and loneliness are affecting all of us.
Congrats on your new computer finally showing up and, hopefully, it will accept all the programs you need to install without “issues”.
Your sense of humor is great. Hang in there about the computer and all that you have to do to prep it for good function. Thank you for sharing about times in Russia. Helps adjust expectations. Stay safe but have fun with the family.
I’m sorry you’ve had to lock the comments recently. I would think that would be frustrating. I don’t think a parent ever really stops worrying about their kids. They just find new things to worry about. ((Hugs))
Good luck on loading the programs. I give that job to son #1 who is my IT genius.
Got laid off late March. Lucky for me, unemployment benefits kicked in right away. Banks also offered deferral for mortgage payment.
My co-worker asked how i am doing. Told him ask me again come September when the mortgage deferral is over and still no full time job available. I would be feeling the pinch then
Just wanted to say I’m sorry to hear that Jing. It must be so stressful but you seem to have a great attitude about it. I hope you find a job soon and/or mortgage deferral is extended.
Please don’t be sorry about Ryder being late, life happens! As you said now is a stressful time. I too, am stressed out health…. I like my parents rn and they are older. Makes me wonder how people willingly just go to restaurants and stuff like that not care, kinda crazy to me
If you want to know if you are a closer – there’s a test for that :). Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/2012/05/are-you-a-closer-take-the-test
I am working with Seniors in High School. Trying to get them to finish their Senior English Project – 7 different types of Writing/Synthesis Responses to Critical Lens Theory. Some of my students are MIA for the last 3 months; some have weird hours since their parents are half-way around the world. Some are worried about their parents’ jobs and some having problems with the extended quarantine. We have only 3 weeks left and everybody is under pressure to finish well this 2020 school year. I am like a prisoner making marks on my calendar until June 19 – Official last day for school, for all grades.
I, too, work with Seniors in High School. They are graduating next Friday. I have spent the last 2 months trying to keep them doing some school work (luckily mine is not a core class, so I could do lessons that were designed to help them cope). Some disappeared/popped up occasionally. Almost all are working– construction, food service, grocery stores, delivery– and some are frightened or stoic (the football player who is working construction told me, “there’s no masks, no social distancing… it is what it is.”) All are worried about their future and resentful to have lost the most fun part of their senior year. We are scrambling to provide them some fun/recognition and show our love. Some have stepped up– they banded together online and arranged (with parents’ help) a driving parade through neighborhoods and past previous schools in decorated cars. I’m so proud of them. However, our district decided, under pressure, to have a modified live graduation and some are choosing not to go out of fear for themselves and their families (some wouldn’t have gone either way).
I will miss this group. I hope they stay safe.
My best to all out there. Several stories brought me to tears. Yes, we all have pressure points.
I was fortunate to start a new job (was unemployed several months due to a RIF) on March 9. Out sick by 11th. Pretty sure now was COVID – but couldn’t get tested… Team was remote by 16th, was hiding how sick I was. New job, only at office briefly. Stressed, but couldn’t confirm, didnt want to cause panic
unnecessarily – everyone stressed enough.
Mom fell (states away). Kindness of stranger who circled back after they got gas, concern stuck with them as they saw fall in her driveway, Brain bleed, two hospitals, days in ICU. No one can visit bc of situation. Goes home with my brother. House hit by tornado 3 days later.
Two seniors. One had just gotten back to school, out over a year with multiple medical issues, including 2 types of anxiety. Finishing her senior year was the motivator. 800 spent on two prom dresses and all the periferals. They sit in 2 bags. All the big, important to them, moments are gone.
One has finished coursework, other still finishing…been challenge. She disappeared, didnt eat for weeks (got Ensures down). Thought we were going to have to hopitalize.
“Strong” twin in tears today (hate labels but best explaination). All the social situations and things in happening in Minneapolis and Atlanta sent her over the edge. Both girls super empathic / sensitive. World doesn’t make sense to them.
Gosh was that long. Thanks for listening. The BDH and House Andrews make the world a better place to be. Thanks everyone
go, Berkeley Breathed!!! I do miss me some Bloom County.
Do you know he has a Facebook group page where he occasionally posts new strips?
And he’s on Instagram, too! ????
I am glad that the computer made it safely to your house! Covid seems to be a hot spot for everyone. Thank you for sharing some of your family history. It was insightful, and I appreciate having a new angle to look at things.
Thank you for your time. What you, and your husband do is very helpful. It is a great distraction for me.
I do not think it is called hypochondria if the virus is real and the situation no-shit dangerous. You are right to be afraid, but your fear will keep you alive because you will avoid dangerous situations as much as possible and will be cautious if you cannot avoid them. While we were quite lucky here in Germany, I am a bit anxious now that restrictions are being lifted and some people become reckless.
And the jobs will come back, especially in IT.
And Ryder is welcome whenever it is finished. But thank you for taking the time to post this message and let us know you are alive, because not hearing from you is the one great fear for every member of the Horde. 😉
“…….because not hearing from you is the one great fear for every member of the Horde”
So true so true literally and figuratively, whether rain or shine, good times or bad …
+1
+1
+1
We dont mean to add pressure. You are just so open and sharing and we start to worry when House Andrews gets dark for a bit. Thanks for caring enough to keep us abreast of the situations there.
Best to all the family and 4 footed friends
+1
You have good news!! The computer arrived! And you shared your good news with us. Thank you! Good news should be celebrated, especially these days, when there is a serious shortage of good news.
And we can all use a good dose of kindness right now!!
I was let go from my job mid Feb. Unable to meet performance goals in a large part due to residual issues from a TBI. So I am now trying a career change (at 60) from engineering to medical coding.
I have my personal “totem mantra” that I try to live by, especially now
Be calm
Be accepting.
Don’t judge……
Good Luck in re-inventing yourself at 60. I just turned 69 and feel pretty useless. More so in the Covid issue. You must be positive .. eventually, this thing will lessen although the cost may be higher than it is already. I have adopted the neighbour’s pit bull doggy. She is helping me cope with isolation because here is something I can do and she needed help. We are both learning.
Take care and Hugs and Luck..Luck..Luck
Thank you for the reminder to be nice. The last several days have been hard, I forget that peoples trigger points are different.
Have fun setting up your new computer.
My husband and I are also stressed by COVID-19. We worry about our health, our daughter who is a surgeon, her spouse, our grandkids, our friends and family, my husband’s co-workers, people we see on the street and TV, etc. I worry about people who don’t take this terrible disease seriously. Where I live in AR the vast majority of people don’t wear masks or social distance. They just want a return to “normal”. I wish your daughter the best of luck in finding a job. I wish you and your family good health and safety. I don’t think you can realize how much I and the rest of your fans appreciate your stories and your willingness to share as you you create. It is something positive to look forward to In this frightening time. Skip a week or two of Ryder and get things set up how it makes you happy, take some time for yourselves and recharge. I can wait and I know your many fans can too.
Thank you authorlords, for keeping me sane. I have been off work for two months because I am high risk and my job is even riskier (psychotherapist in a prison, in the psychiatric day treatment unit). I am the Disneyland for all neighboring lung viruses and had pneumonia in February and two bouts of steroids while I have been off. I am very frightened by going back to work, but at least I have a job. I try to think of what Kate would do. It’s not like I have to fight a bitchy wolf for my job after all. It’s not magical hazmat. If I could stop crying when I think about going back, I might even believe I could do it. Thank you for Ryder; it keeps my mind from going scarier places.
Oh, yes what makes you stress! Let me count the ways!! Thank you for the insight and reminder !
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the post. Glad your new computer was delivered. Now the hard stuff starts —- loading all the software necessary for work. Hopefully that will go smoothly.
I am a biologist by training. You are correct to be concerned about covid-19. You are also correct to be Especially kind to others at time of uncertainty.
Everyone was different breaking points is true. The trash pickup was delayed by one day due to Monday being a holiday. They sent paper notices and text messages. One of my neighbors had a hysterical fit because trash pickup was not done on regularly scheduled day. She just hit her breaking point.
Thank you for Ryder whenever you get to it.
You are awesome, amazing and just all around freaking incredible. I love all your posts-real life and your writing. Thank you for sharing all of it.
The shopping drives me nuts but I hated shopping pre-Covid (unless it was for yarn or fabric). Making food from scratch or generally just making do with what there is doesn’t bother me. My anxiety is worrying about my family in NYC and knowing I probably won’t see them until next year.
Can I get you to share the detergent recipe? My hubs and kids all have extremely sensitive skin and the commercial brand is unscented but actually smells kind of like chemicals. ☹️
Also, feel free to share more recipes-so delicious. ☺️
Thank you for this post. We all need to be reminded about kindness and empathy.
About shortages they didn’t (and still don’t) bother me. I remember my mom telling me stories about having to stand in line for goods during WWII with ration stamps. When the virus started rampaging through the country and the shortage started, I thought to myself, “creative cooking”. Then I would see people at Walmart panicking over not seeing what they wanted.
About COVID-19: I’m taking a very practical view about it. Wash my hands, stay home when needed, stay far away from others, and treat it like the flu.
I have read a lot of sci. fi/fantasy series in my time, and the Kate Daniels series is my favorite…by far. So, I am greatly thankful for anything at all from that literary universe. Thank you, Ilona and Gordon.
My anxiety at the moment is Covid-19, too. The mayor of my city has declared that anyone outside must wear a mask. Simple. But, when I just go outside, I see a bunch of idiots still unmasked. Grrr…wear a mask.
Thanks for this. I find the more honest and authentic people are with their voice, the more engaged I become. Most authors, I just read their books and don’t really follow them in any way other than the next book release. I’m on your blog daily. You’re entertaining, witty and your unfailing focus on being kind is heartwarming. You and family bring good stuff into the world and I’m grateful for it, especially during this pandemic.
Thanks ????????
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
I am a recovered couponer, so I had a decent stash of most everything when this first started. I’ve been working this entire time (thankful for that) and had two coworkers diagnosed as positive. I’m not afraid for myself but I know at least 6 people from New York/New Jersey who passed away from this.
Many thanks to you and the Overdrive app for keeping me distracted.
Three cheers for Overdrive! I don’t think I could get through this without Overdrive.
I live in NYC, was laid off but the only thing stressing me is my 85 year old father. He lives alone in Calgary. I have tried to source everything for him online from Canadian sources because customs won’t let you send high demand items across the border. He has underlying health issues that are normally managed quite well. He misses going to the mall so even though we have talked about it countless times I know one day he will go. Sigh. I FaceTime with him every night though.
Glad you got your computer. YAY ????
My personal motto in life is don’t be paranoid but don’t be stupid. It has worked for me so far.
I am in Calgary, the deep SE. Send me an email to ladyrose30@hotmail.com and I can try to deliver some stuff on your behalf. I don’t have a lot of money (unemployed husband and reduced hours for me) but I can drop off some baking or such on your behalf.
Thank you so much for your very kind offer Colleen! That is so sweet of you but I managed to get everything to him (face masks from Etsy Canada, hand sanitizer from Rocky Mountain Soap, and some sanitizing wipes). He has help with his grocery shopping so he is okay. I hope things turn around soon and everyone gets their work hours back. Best wishes to you and your husband.
We are moving to Whitefish, MT this July- we will be very close to Calgary. The US-Canadian border will probably still be closed but we are happy to help out with your father in any way we can over the longer haul. Wishing you and him the best– stay strong. Aminaqd@gmail.com
Thank you Mina – that is so nice of you! The BDH is such a fantastic group of people. I managed to get him sorted. He’s in good shape for his age but he thinks he is still 30 sometimes so the hard part now is reminding him he is 85 with hypertension and heart issues which means he should not be going anywhere near a crowd. Whitefish MT is a beautiful area (I lived as a teenager near Sandpoint, Idaho). I hope you enjoy your new home. Best Wishes.
When first we had the virus lockdown I freaked. Had an actual panic attack. Ladted about a week then got on with life. When I go to the grocery I don’t breathe until I am safely home. I wonder if I ever will truly relax in public again. But I am lucky and I know it. I am grateful for all the little things like a growing lawn and weeds to pull. I also get upset so do not watch TV. Please be kind to yourselves because probably no one else will be kind to you
I knew the lockdown was coming so we went into hurricane mode (batteries, cash, water for some reason, groceries, propane) so that wasn’t too bad. But since we have been able to leave the house I have had trouble being in a grocery store wearing the mask. The longer I am there the more anxious I get until I have trouble shopping for what I need. Sometimes its just too many people that start closing in on me and sometimes its just being there. I thought that it was me overreacting so thank you for sharing your grocery store experience and Ilona for the “pressure point” talk. I used to shop to relax and get steps in air conditioning (Florida) now its a burden. Thank you so much for this blog. I check it too often perhaps.
It’s been a dumpster fire of a year so far. I went from doing fine, to barely coping, to enduring with excessive sugar intake. And still, I am intensely grateful, because I have not caught even a fifth of the hurt that so many millions of others have.
I have been re-reading Kate, because her world is so much more fun than this one. Just into Magic Triumphs now. At the same time, reading Ryder. And then my paperback copy of Iron and Magic arrived. The spine is printed upside down. I have never come across a book with the spine printed upside down. I have no idea how to properly shelve it and I don’t care, because it makes me laugh every single time I think about. I had a What Would Kate Do? moment, and after I decided that stabbing it with a sword wasn’t viable, I laid it down and piled the Hidden Legacy series on top so I can’t see that it’s backwards. Still makes me laugh.
You guys, with your evil empire of books, are a bright light in a grim world. Keep being you.
I have severe emphysema a bad cold or bad case of flu will knock me out as quick as this covid, been living like this a long time(years). I go thru periods of saying to hell with and just get on out there, but this covid is dangerous to my relatives and neighbors so no taking party breaks, but I bartended and drove a 18 wheeler and did 8 years in service and really did see the world, painted houses, wrote computer games (google me with the old Atari), worked as bookie. Worked in McDs and cooked in a couple of upscale restraunts and breakfast cooked at every chain in the country, and God forgive me I delivered papers and pizzas. 2 failed marriages, they both still talk to me, a child and grandchildren who don’t (I am, it turns out a libertard). I have loved often and been loved more than I ever deserved. How can I complain about having trouble getting a good jigsaw puzzle on Amazon? I would go on but the latest expansion to Elder Scrolls is awesome and I have to get back to Western Skyrim.
Thank you, Joe. I have a couple of health and life issues that tend to Get In My Way. I’m usually pretty good at practical perspective peptalks, but I’m getting a little threadbare around the edges lately. Your comment gave me a boost when I needed it, thank you. However you define a “good day,” I hope you have one today!
Thank you both for the blog post. I am so glad the computer came. It is a good reminder – – – kindness always counts!
Thank you for your insightful comments. I’ve had simular thoughts about how everyone is handling the stress differently. It was nice to hear someone else expressing the frustrations and need to respect others mindsets.
Thank you for this awesome post! I do not think I have ever laughed and hurt (emotionally) reading the same post. I so understand the stress, worry, fear, and anxiety. My daughter is working and my son is hiding in his room.
My mom died this past August and grief is horrible. I do wonder what she would be doing during this pandemic.
I love all your books. Thank you for creating a universe with characters that are so relatable.
Be safe and stay healthy.
I’m super high risk for COVID-19. My boss and her boss was fired. Money is super tight because my Husband is doing desk work since he may risk bringing it back home which really strains our finances. I work through the nights to turn work in and also work and watch the kids during the day with Red Bull to keep me awake. If D.C. workers are forced back I have to consider if it’s worth the risk health-wise to go back or quit. I’m late getting my bloodwork and MRIs because it’s too risky for me to go get them done so suffering and trying new prescriptions to hold me over. Times are hard and stressful right now. I don’t complain because at least I still have a job, I’m not sick or dying with COVID-19, and I don’t worry about my next meal.
My pressure point is when I see selfish people and/ or misinformed people. It really really boils my blood. They decide to stay ignorant and spread misinformation instead of listening to science. Or people who weaponize COVID-19 by spitting or coughing on others, etc. I just wish that everyone could be thoughtful of others and be kind. Everyone is on edge right now for whatever reason.
This is the only blog I actively follow. Because the posts are usually fun and the people who comment and read it all have something in common. Whether you started reading Ilona Andrews’ work from a long time ago or just recently we all love the way the books. I compare the works to the Lord of the Rings trilogy as there’s all the things I love, multiple supernatural races, magic, fantasy, comedy, action, drama, romance, fantastic world, amazing characters, storyline etc…
Which is why I’m so excited about Ryder is because I really love the KD world. It sucks me out of the real world and into this alternate reality where I forget anything else exists. All my worries, concerns, everything just melt away and I find myself an avid floating watcher of this amazing magical world with amazing characters. When I see other fans have debates about the characters or powers of a House, or get SUPER excited about a snippet it really makes me smile because I feel a kinship and we don’t find that weird!
So hello fellow fans~ Let’s hope for our new normal soon! In the meantime I’m super excited for Emerald Blaze and new Ryder installments and the unveiling of the series name and title. And wondering if I missed something as I thought I saw in a twitter comment from Ilona that nothing happens to Conlan. But glad to hear he’s okay! 🙂
I want to point out I think that it’s okay to complain. It’s hard for everyone and just because someone else has a different situation doesn’t lessen that it’s tough for you.
Stay safe everyone!
We (New Zealand) experienced panic buying just before we went into lockdown, was, for us, really crazy. A couple of weeks into lockdown everyone’s buying habits were back to normal. People are strange
Personally, I deal well with immediate emergencies, which include shortages. I can do without amenities or sleep, especially when I know it’s for a limited time. I do well with triage-this-and-deal-with-it-now. But I am terrified that what we are experiencing now may someday become the collapse of our society/economy as we know it, (for instance, the complete breakdown of the food supply chain). But as much as I love growing food plants, I don’t have illusions about whether I would survive if I didn’t have society backing me up. I don’t have the physical strength or energy to be a subsistence farmer. I spend too much time fantasizing about farm compounds where I could keep my loved ones safe from things like Covid-19 and grow food. But I can’t afford to buy a place and probably wouldn’t be able to use it effectively anyway.
You are right about people reacting to stress differently. I have been yelled at and if you know me; you’d know I would never have taken that well but I figure everyone needs a break now. I want to thank you for all the bread making tips and the edge burgers recipe. I live alone with my dog since my husband passed 8 years ago next week and most of my friends are either divorced or widowed so I was able to share what I cook and make with them. I love your books and have read every one of them. Thank you for sharing your gift. The 7 weeks I sat in the hospital watching my husband fight to live taught me how precious life is. Sounds like a cliche, right? Life is a journey and no one moment defines it all. Your kids will find their way somehow with the values you brought them up with. Be well.