Hello again, how’s it going?
Hello again,
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How’s it all going? I’m going to be honest, I had a bit of a wobble yesterday. I am one of the most ridiculously optimistic people I know, sure; I plan for all eventualities but I do so with a smile and a whistle. Well, not a whistle, I hate whistling, it really makes my brain itch.
Anyway, the day before I had done a six hour round drive to collect my eldest from university and I relaxed knowing Steve and the boys were at home with me. If anyone gets ill, I can take care of them.
We then decided it was time to close the bookshop. Not an easy decision as we haven’t been instructed to yet, but it just feels like the responsible thing to do. Although it is our mainstream of income as we head towards the tourist season.
Then, I don’t know why, but I suddenly started to fixate on the fact that I was a high-risk category. I use inhalers for allergies, instead of itching I get wheezy, and I just couldn’t shake off the fear. Even my optimistic brain was listening to this little fear demon and saying to me, “she might have a point”. Hopeless. So, I switched everything off and took myself and a book to bed. (The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths, as you asked)
This morning I am back to normal. But there’s no point in pretending that these are not alarming and disconcerting times. Financially, it’s going to be tight, and that’s going to last awhile. But we can manage. Plus, we are all fit and healthy.
So, in today’s newsletter I am going to share some of your replies to me, some tips for getting out of your own head, and some more great ideas for things to do.
First off, thank you for those that replied, and there were loads of you. A lot of you shared the newsletter, which is fabulous, really glad you found it useful. Carry on doing that or encourage people to sign up themselves.
I loved the lady that is watch rabbit gymnastics from out of her window. By the sound of it, there’s soon going to be a lot more than five out there. That is, if the coyote doesn’t get them first. A coyote! That made me jump. You all lead such different lives, from Canada I then read a reply from S. Africa. Thankfully, it’s not so bad down there yet, lets hope this means they have time to watch and learn. My newsletter goes out all around the world, so let’s see how far it goes. Anyone in Antarctica, the European Space Station? I’m in Cornwall. Where are you?
Today is Mothering Sunday in the UK. All our pubs and restaurants are closed, so I am anticipating a lot of frazzled husbands in the kitchen today. We started the day with a video chat, so that me, my brother and sister and mother could all chat. It was fabulous except my mike isn’t working, so Anna and John kept being rude about me. Horrible siblings 😀
Then my own children woke up, or at least Steve roused them from their bed and we all had bacon sarnies together and in a minute we are off to the beach. Happily in Cornwall, there are lots of isolated beaches to choose from. At the moment we are self distancing, not self isolating. Oh these terms we never bothered with before.
Anyway.
How to get out of your head.
If you are able to live your house, do that. Fresh air and exercise. Trite, but still perfectly fine medicine.
If you can’t, and you find your mind is having a meltdown, try some of these exercises.
Some people suggest “journaling” I suggest people learn that journal is not a verb, ‘journaling’ is an abomination. But by all means, keep a journal. Write your fears and worries down, articulate it and get it out of your system. Like how much you loathe the word ‘journaling’ 😀
Acts of kindness go a long way and always make you feel better, so why not write someone a letter? The postal service is still going strong here, bless their short wearing, cotton socked legs. Not everyone is good online. A letter would be a wonderful thing. Maybe you could add some of those works of art you tried earlier?
http://www.freemindfulness.org/links
https://www.mindful.org/category/covid-resources/
I found myself doing armchair exercises with the Green Goddess the other day. As a writer there are long periods of day and I found these exercises good fun. I’d like to clarify that “as a writer” makes me sound like I’m actually writing. What I am actually doing is watching Netflix and thinking about writing. or my laptop is open and I’m scrolling through Facebook. I really do need to focus.
Exercise
I’ve also been dancing (and falling over) with Oti Mabuse and singing with the Sofa Singers. Trust me, proper prolonged singing is hard work. Try it. Here are a few links.
Other Stuff
Radio Everywhere. Listen in to anywhere on the planet.
http://radio.garden/visit/truro/EyGDsuBG
I gave you a wodge load of links for free things to do in the last e-mail and here are a load more. (I know “wodge” is probably not a real word either, but I like this one.)
Trying to work from home?
Links for children
We’re on day two of having the boys home and it was fabulous for the first ten minutes. Since then it’s been pretty much what you would expect when you tell two teenage boys they can’t see their mates.
I’m not sure I have any suggestions for teenagers, other than alcohol. For you, of course. Or them. I’m not judging!
Yesterday I asked my youngest if he wanted to play a game, and he looked at me in horror and told me things weren’t that bad yet.
Home Ed Activities.
Here’s The Entire List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings
Visiting the Zoo (personal favourite) Loads here.
https://www.holidaypirates.com/travel-magazine/13-zoos-that-offer-live-streams-see-giraffes-koalas-pandas-tigers-penguins-more_35765?sc_src=email_1781336&sc_lid=131849624&sc_uid=E9XMkMdAJd&sc_llid=79845&sc_eh=90c96067707bdfbc1&utm_campaign=UK_2020_12_We_newsletter_all_all_20200318&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Read+more&fbclid=IwAR0KBY2f_xhQCXDG-sWNbPXakpkvtE6hYUwrk1Zr85RjsvGjuyMPfssGj5Q
PE with Joe
Right, that’s me done for another few days. Please e-mail me if you fancy it, let me know what you are up to, where you are. Have you enjoyed any of the links so far?
Finally, I’ve made two of my books free for a bit;
Dear Diary
https://books2read.com/u/mZKZNJ
A History of Mevagissey
https://books2read.com/u/4XogD1
And if you were able to leave a review for any of my books, that would be incredibly helpful.
Chat again soon, take care, try not to get down, and I’ll let you know if me and the boys survive Mother’s Day.
Thanks,
Liz
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Liz Hurley as well as being the owner of this blog, runs a bookshop in Cornwall, right by the sea and writes books. You can buy them in her shop (of course), Waterstones and other outlets, as well as Amazon.
When she’s not reading, she’s writing and when she’s not writing, she’s walking. And when she’s not doing any of that she’s binging on box sets and sleeping.
This website is for her fictional works. Her Cornish non-fiction titles and walking guides can be found at https://www.cornishwalks.com
