Posted in Books, ebooks

how i met your author

Let me tell you the story of how i met your author (maybe your most favourite ever author). Over 5 decades ago I learned to read. I realized then, I would never be alone again. With me always: friends, family, and unfailing boon companions.

I think in these “interesting” times we’re feeling a distinct lack of “freedom”. Some of that feeling is perspective, maybe a smidgen of self-pity. I’m not going to ramble on (shock!) about positivity, but from my observations, the people that have weathered this storm relatively well, at least stayed in the boat, have kept busy and kept away from negativity and whining. 

Some of the ways I’ve kept busy: started a “group”, “Chronic Not Hopeless” (CNH) of people with common interests having get togethers – sharing, laughing, chatting, ; binge-watching/catching up (“Stumpton”, “Shadow and Bone”, “Perfect Harmony”, “The Irregulars”, “Nightflyers”, “Miss Scarlet and the Duke”, “Coroner”; “Guilt”; “State of Mind”, “Doc Martin”, and more); yoga/Tai Chi/Qigong, dancing; walking; reflecting; connecting; webinars; Zoom stuff; virtual appointments; organizing/decluttering (I’m moving and thought, this is a good chance to unclutter me too); playing board games/card games,/video games; writing though not yet published, despite having written a lot about publishing, i.e.

 – oh and blogging (very, very slow blogging, let’s call it,um, turtle blogging) – I’ve started a ton of blogs but each time, the words just disappear into the ether, struggling to empty my brain (here goes); and yes, of course, reading, so much reading. 

I think the best day for indie authors will be when they’re just called, “authors”, not indie, just what they are, authors. Many indie authors and authors of smaller publishing companies or self-publishing are just as good, if not better, than authors tethered to giant publishing houses.

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” ~Haruki Murakami

In all transparency, I have connections, in one form or another, with most of the authors I’m going to tell you about. That’s not as unusual as it may seem. Some I know, or their family, or friends. Many are fellow bloggers. Also, these authors are accessible, they enjoy interacting with their readers all the time, not just during a book tour.

Looking for some summer reading? Any season is reading season…

Also, blogger/author, Teagan Riordan Geneviene       https://teagansbooks.com/ https://yadadarcyyada.com/2015/10/03/sweet-dreams-are-made-of-this/   https://yadadarcyyada.com/2018/07/15/see-you-again/ 

Inspiration jumped out at me from the pages of local London (Ontario Canada) Author/Artist/Model, Kathleen Elizabeth Sumpton   https://www.kathleensumpton.com/   Not only is her work authentic (I know, I used the “a” word, it’s over-used, yes, but some people are the genuine deal). Reading Sumpton’s 4 books a thought popped into my head that wouldn’t be ignored or banished, why did I stop writing poetry, it was my first love before prose, what stopped me? I don’t remember (or maybe I don’t want to remember), but this reading experience made me realize I’d been holding back, filtering. I know, a lot of you are thinking, you filter yourself? Yes, I do. I couldn’t tell you which book or poem I liked best, they all had their unique moments, they were all unrestrained, powerful, and a variety of emotions seeped through the pages. That’s what I love about reading, you never know how it’s going to make you feel, what you’ll learn, when you’ll be inspired, as with their books – books not only take you from this world, they also deliver you back, usually with gifts in tow.

Sally Cronin is not only a prolific and talented author and blogger https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/, she’s a tireless supporter and promoter of other authors and bloggers. What would we do without her, I don’t ever want to think about finding out.

Speaking of witches (were we?), do you yearn for safe passage to walk invisible, through Bronte country, then, now and in between? Then have I got an author for you. I must warn you, Karen Perkin’s books/ebooks/audio books, well, they’re simply addictive, aren’t they? So be warned, you need to have your tea steeped and ready (or other beverage of choice, what’s in your cup is your business), a comfy chair, and maybe a haunted chocolate biscuit or three. You will be enchanted.        https://www.karenperkinsauthor.com/                    https://www.karenperkinsauthor.com/blog                                            https://www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshireghosts/  Are you ready for intriguing glimpses of history/herstory through riveting supernatural journeys? Let the threads of the past tug at us, connect us, flinging us into the gloaming, where, strangely, we’ll wish to revisit. 

I could go on and on, but you get the point, there’s endless stories waiting to be told, endless stories waiting for you to unfold. Read some of them. Tell your own.

Posted in kindness

Chronic Not Hopeless

Here I am again, back, I’m a rubber ball that keeps bouncing back to you…
What’s happened since I’ve been here last?
What hasn’t, but what else is new?

Too many snowstorms.
Too much time filling out forms.
In the real world and not real and perceived dramas.
In and out of various Self-Isolation fashions and pajamas.

The latest thing? “Bridgerton” on Netflix.
Anachronistic version of “The Ton” for your Lockdown kicks.

Elections.
Insurrections.
Vaccines.
Still traveling fiends.

Reddit blows the top
off greedy hedge funds, pop,
with AMC, Blackberry, and Gamestop!
Poor little Wall Street traders
Sad little corporate raiders

Bernie lookin’ cozy
wearing sweaters now mittens
Joe’s cheeks were rosy
with memes all aglow
Amanda, Gaga and JLo,
Kindness can stay, the rest has to go.

New phone. Who dis?
What else did I miss?

“The Queen’s Gambit”.
Always knew chess was “lit”.
New season of “The Expanse”
I think space needs more plants.Christmas was merry, despite (you know)…
finally, 2020 was hindsight (hope 2021 isn’t a new foe).

 “Chronic Not Hopeless”
trying to have some fun, not make a mess,
I guess?!?

I’m knackered, the world is going “all to pot”, and I’m gobsmacked
anyway, clearly time off was way too Britbox-packed.

When the laundry dings
When the doorbell rings
When I’m feeling sad,
I simply watch/read my favourite stuff,
And I don’t feel so rough
(let’s be honest, there’s usually tea
and chocolate involved as well).


Oh and in case you missed it,
there’s still a pandemic,
yup, more than a bit.
So Stay Home
(preferably under a dome?)
and join us on Zoom
for free, we’d love to see you,
and you and you…
there’s always plenty of room.

DM me…double mask me?
When’s it gonna get to three?

OK, my rhymin’s a little loose
It’s true I ain’t no Dr. Seuss
I’m a Canadian, what do I know?
We adopted a Chilean penguin
and my best friend’s a moose.

Remember when I just threw in, “Chronic Not Hopeless” (see above), CNH is a volunteer “powered” weekly get together for people with Chronic Conditions, all are welcome. From anywhere, cause it’s on Zoom, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. Whether you’re from: Canada, America, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, The North Pole, Spain, Japan, Sweden, Brazil, South Africa, Chile, Mexico – anywhere in the world! Anywhere in the Galaxy. Anywhere in the Universe. Free (though we accept donations, gratefully). Safe.

I know, I know, there are a billion “groups” out there, but this isn’t really a group.

Not a support group.
Not an organization.
Not a club.
Not a hangout.
So I’ve told you what it isn’t, so what is it?

It’s a bunch of friends and just-haven’t-met-you-yet-friends
getting together to: chat, laugh, share, learn, connect, etc. Feel comfortable, stay in bed, on the couch, bad hair day, who cares? You want to do crafts, go for it. Want to drink and/or eat: coffee, iced coffee, hot cocoa, kombucha, pizza, pasta, beer, wine (be careful when drinking and Zooming – common sense and Stay-At-Home), sushi, soup, tea, water, juice, salads, cookies, cake, chocolate…well, whatever you want, or not.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is cor103.gif

We’re going to distract ourselves from our chronic conditions.
We’re going to share resources, tips, tricks, life hacks about
anything and everything. And we’re going to laugh.
I can guarantee that. 😂

All that and more, in a drama-free zone.
A place where you can get away from the everyday.
You wanna go where everybody knows, or tries to remember,
your name…where you’ll be glad you came.

Zoom version of pet therapy, maybe with your pets.
🐶🐱🐭🐰🐧🐦🦄🐍🐋🦧🐢🦎🐠🦖🦨🐹🐷
You’ll hear stories, maybe share yours

(your choice if you do or don’t, whatever
makes you feel comfortable).
No pressure.
No drama.
No whining.
We’re not hopeless.

We’re not helpless.
We’re still us.
We’re not our chronic conditions, we’re you and me and more,
who just happen to have one or more chronic conditions.

Stay tuned for announcements about FREE online activities, blog posts, Tweets, updates, resources, and so much more. Please follow this, our brand new “Chronic Not Hopeless” page https://chronicnothopeless.ca . Let’s make 2021 better together!🌠😀

Please join us. Mondays (usually). Monday February 1st, 2021 1pm ET. Monday February 8th, 2021 1pm ET. Tuesday February 16th, 2021 1pm ET (Monday is a holiday here in Canada, Family Day). Monday February 22nd, 2021 1pm ET. Just email: chronicnothopeless@yahoo.com to get a link or DM me on Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1875955569247115…

Our Facebook group where giggles come to live:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1875955569247115…

Twitter, Twitter where we glitter @NotJustChronic

You can go here: https://chronicnothopeless.ca

Donate (big or small, we gratefully accept them all):

Ko-fi.com/chronicnothopeless

E-Transfers for E-xpenses: chronicnothopeless@yahoo.com

“Chronic Not Hopeless” Bylaws (Enforceable Only By You)

  • Be Kind. Be Respectful.

  • Have fun. Laughter is healing.

  • Be discreet with information shared by others.

  • Remember, “agree to disagree”.

  • Share or don’t share. Camera on or off. Leave when you wish without need of explanations – we understand. Be comfortable.

  • Be present. Be pleasant.

  • Be aware of “hot button” topics, including but not limited to: politics, race, religion, The Great Pumpkin, etc.

  • Keep in mind, “Chronic Not Hopeless” is “powered” by volunteers with Chronic Conditions,. We will make missteaks, er, mistakes. We’ll forget things. Our entire life is a Mount Everest-style learning curve. We hope that even at our worst we always try to give you our best.

 

  • Feel free to contribute to “Chronic Not Hopeless” in any way you feel comfortable doing so. That could mean: sharing Facebook posts, Pinning on Pinterest, website pages or blog posts, Retweeting on Twitter, etc.

  • And/or donating via Ko-fi, Paypal, e-transfer to chronicnothopeless@yahoo.com , cash, etc., to pay for expenses CNH incurs such as: Zoom Pro so we can have online activities, the cost of the website, admin costs, etc. This is purely not-for-profit, run by chronically ill volunteers, grassroots community get together – we’re an open book(s).

  • Also, you can write blog posts, help with social media, contribute in any way your skills, energy, and heart can do. It could mean telling family, friends, professionals, co-workers, – well, anyone and everyone about “Chronic Not Hopeless – any and all help is greatly appreciated.

  • “Chronic Not Hopeless” is here for fun, for connecting, for helping – a drama-free zone. We gratefully accept and appreciate any donations – big or small, we love them all! Ko-fi.com/chronicnothopeless chronicnothopeless@yahoo.com We’re not hopeless. We’re not helpless. We’re still us.

Disclaimer for “Chronic Not Hopeless”:
Please consult your physician if you have medical questions, before you start any exercise regime, any new medication, supplement, etc. and if you are feeling concerned about your physical, emotional and/or mental health.
“Chronic Not Hopeless” is a community get together, not a substitute or source for medical advice. Any medical information found here is opinion and not endorsed by “Chronic Not Hopeless”.
If you are feeling uncomfortable, please let us know and/or feel free to leave. We are here to help, not harm.

So you’ve heard this before, “I’m back”, but my heart was always here with you, I just couldn’t get my body to co-operate.

All I can do is keep trying. Thank you kindly for being here when I bounce back in. So Merry Christmas, Season’s Greetings, Happy New Year, thank you for the birthday wishes, Happy Groundhog Day! https://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/02/02/groundhog-day/

Happy Valentine’s Day   https://yadadarcyyada.com/2016/02/14/who-loves-ya-baby/      https://yadadarcyyada.com/2018/02/07/after-all-tomorrow-is-another-day/     https://yadadarcyyada.com/2018/01/29/death-by-demographics/   https://yadadarcyyada.com/2016/01/29/always-on-my-mind-blog-party/     

As always, thank you for letting me empty my brain onto this blog and thank you for being gentle with that poor old thing. My brain thanks you for your support and your constant kindness.