
On Sunday my daughters and I were talking about ways to keep as positive as we can. I’m doing my best to keep our spirits up but it’s difficult. We are all feeling stressed and anxious, which is only natural. My youngest daughter is parted from her friends and boyfriend which is causing added stress. My eldest is coping a little better but of course she is also missing her friends too, as am I. Perhaps, it helps that she’s a bookworm and writer like myself, but, even with our beloved books and writing we’ve been showing signs of anxiety: a tight chest. We tried to alleviate our stresses by doing a mini gym session in the house with resistance bands, weight ball, yoga mat, etc. Hubby wasn’t too impressed by us leaping around the kitchen! I wish the weather had been better so we could have done our workout in the garden.
Keeping fit is vitally important for mental and physical fitness right now.
Also, there is the problem of everyone being cooped at home together, some of us working, some not. On Monday 30th (I hate Mondays!) I had to escape for a while, to get away from hubby’s grouchiness so I disappeared for a quick walk to our local country park during my lunch break. It was a brief walk but it did me so much good.

Hubby hasn’t been well (he is much better,) and the night before he hurt his already dodgy knee climbing the stairs. So, that was a stress too. I didn’t fancy the thought of taking anyone to A & E at the moment. Fortunately, it wasn’t too serious. No wonder hubby’s grouchy with all the stress of work, money worries, and fear of the family getting ill, plus us three witches leaping around his kitchen, etc.
He is a outnumbered. Shame we never had a son!
What have I been doing?
I’m continuing to work on a part fictional/part factual compilation of short stories, poetry and flash fiction about the Coronavirus. My work count for that now stands at around 6,000 words. I’ve been working from home, (usual hours) and also I’ve been cleaning the house, of course.
And… I’ve been keeping an eye out for helpful links for you all.
Here are some which you might find uplifting, or useful:
https://jennyinneverland.com/2020/03/30/things-to-treat-yourself-to-after-lockdown/
Date Ideas For Couples During Lockdown
Sir Chocolate has a YouTube Channel
https://www.boredpanda.com/free-online-lunch-doodles-sessions-for-kids-mo-willems/
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-10-university-art-classes-free-online/
Below, I’m included some information about my poetry, prose and photography collection. It is receiving 5 star reviews! Mr. Sagittarius is an uplifting read, suitable for these difficult times.
Take care, and stay in! Unless it is necessary to go out for food, or a daily walk.
And remember
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise ― Victor Hugo

Mr. Sagittarius is a collection of poetry, prose and photographic images inspired by the botanical gardens in Cambridge. Photography is in the genes! Both my uncle and grandfather were photographers. My grandfather A.G. Ingram was originally with the photography company Ingram, Gordon & Co in Haddington up until the mid thirties. Then he ventured on his own to form the Scottish Pictorial Press in Edinburgh supplying photos to the press. When war broke out Scottish Pictorial Press became defunct. After the war he started AG Ingram Ltd, Commercial Photographers, at 3 successive locations in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I’m thrilled to announce I am included amongst some wonderful poets in Colleen Chesebro’s poetry book store with my poetry, prose and photography collection Mr. Sagittarius: https://colleenchesebro.com/poetry-books-for-sale/
Early reviews: 5 stars from Ritu Bhathal https://butismileanyway.com/2020/02/29/february-2020-books-amreading/
And 5 star review from Colleen Chesebro: February 2020 Books #AmReading
Another 5 star review from Sally Cronin: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2020/03/04/smorgasbord-book-reviews-poetry-and-prose-mr-sagittarius-by-m-j-mallon/