Coronavirus – Page 5 – M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

Coronavirus #COV19 #Writing #WritersBlock #BeKind #Imagine #Create #BookMarketing

Photo by **Dominika Roseclay** from **Pexels**

Perhaps this is the time in which writers should be writing their hearts out.

Unless you work in the NHS, or are a key worker, most of us have more time on our hands. The material is there all around us. But, where to begin? How do we push past the fear and anxiety to begin? A good way is to try something new. Write in a different genre perhaps, or scribble down some humourous passages, (to help lift us out of a melancholic mind set.)

But if you are overwhelmed and unable to write don’t beat yourself up. That is okay too. Do what is best for you and for your mental health.

My News

Recently, I was thrilled to receive some new reviews which I’d love to share with you.

For the first book in the YA fantasy series Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone from author Darlene Foster:

Customer Review https://www.amazon.ca/gp/customer-reviews/RI1P10FUDTRXL/

Real teenage angst with a paranormal twist.

Reviewed in Canada on April 10, 2020

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

For someone who doesn’t usually read fantasy, this YA novel caught my interest. The teenage characters in the book are very real with typical issues such as lack of confidence, jealousy, confusion, parental disagreements, and volatile friendships. Amelina comes from a dysfunctional family with a paranormal twist. If she can figure out the curse, perhaps her family could be happy once more. In her quest, she meets a self-harming girl locked in a mirror, a heartthrob boy with a mean side, a cottage full of amazing crystals and an old woman with sage advice. I like that the story is based on a real clock, the Corpus Chronophage clock, in Cambridge, England. (Chronophage means time-eater). There is some time travel in the story, which I love. There’s a lot happening in this very descriptive book and not everything is explained. But that is because it is the first book in a series. I look forward to reading more about Amelina and her quirky friends.

And from Willow for my poetry, prose and photography collection Mr. Sagittarius:

willow willers 5.0 out of 5 stars A magical story told in poetry prose and photography Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2020 What a magical Web is woven here by author Marjorie Mallon. A tale of two brothers and a sister, botanical gardens, magical creatures and a bench under a Golden Willow Tree. This delightful mix can be either read in one go or enjoyed as momentary fix. I truly cannot recommend Mr Sagittarius enough there is something for everyone inside it’s pages. I shall say no more apart from urge you to read this book and be totally charmed by it.

What Am I Writing?

I have a confession to make. If I had to write the third book in my YA series The Curse of Time I would struggle. I’m living in such a scary reality that I just can’t think, or imagine a full length fantasy novel setting at the moment. Instead, I am writing about the big R word – reality. I’m writing the COV19 diaries on my blog. I’m not sure when I will publish the companion stories, flash fiction and poetry but I am glad that this is keeping me occupied. My experiences are serving as my plot: what is happening with COV19 – our day to day living, the moments that make me stop and wonder, pause and reflect, smile, or cry. Those moments are in abundance.

Photo by **Lisa Fotios** from **Pexels**

No one can cope with the continuous news on tap, the grim, factual accounts of the death toll, or the depth of human suffering we hear about. We are living this strange reality, day in and day out. Instead, I am writing true life experiences giving fictional characters a true and authentic voice. Of course, some of these stories, diaries, flash fiction and poetry pieces will be sad, but the majority will be uplifting, humorous, and hopeful, because that is what we need now and in the future.

We need hope, humour, and honour. To be kind to one another, to look out for each other. To thank those who are selfless: our NHS, and our key workers.This is their time; They are our heroes.

How is this virus impacting our creativity? What kind of stories will it bring?

What are your feelings about writing during the Coronavirus? Are you struggling to write? Or to read?

Please do visit the blogs below:

From Hugh Roberts:

https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2020/04/06/have-you-lost-your-desire-to-write/

From Anne Allen:

https://annerallen.com/2020/04/write-collective-grief/

https://annerallen.com/2020/04/social-media-executor/

Book Marketing tips:

Tim Grahl: https://booklaunch.com/book-marketing-covid19/

Before I go I’d like to suggest a short, uplifting read perfect for these times – my latest release is a positive solution to #boredom. A great, wee read! Enjoy.

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.

Some good news! My full colour paperback is now available in Amazon. Here’s my universal link for Mr. Sagitarrius which is available in paperback, kindle and free on kindle unlimited: Buying Link: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Coronavirus #EasterSunday #Fears #Family #Keepsafe #Grandparents #Grandma #Hospital #Anxiety #Worries

Easter weekend started off so well with the promise of sunshine, lovely food, Zumba in the garden and barrel loads of chocolate, and a new book review.

Saturday I received my first Canadian review for my YA fantasy The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone. I was thrilled and posted about it on my Facebook feed.

But, this is what happened around lunchtime Easter Sunday.

My mum hasn’t been too well and in the morning her face swelled up from her right cheek all the way up to her eye. I saw how bad it was whilst skyping with her at 1pm. (My mum and dad live in Edinburgh.) I mentioned I’d google her symptoms and get back to her with some advice.

Well, I did just that but when I tried to call her back her phone was engaged. I rang and rang. I called her on the landline and on her mobile – still no reply. My mum never keeps her mobile on! It turns out she had been calling the 111 number for 45 minutes. That doesn’t bode well if you are gasping for breath and needing urgent care. Eventually, she got through and was advised by the doctor to go to the Royal Infirmary Hospital.

At last I managed to talk to her just as she was about to leave the house in a taxi. My dad was throwing a nervous fit about her going to hospital at this time, so near the peak of COV19. Rightly so. But, as she has glaucoma, not going could mean she might go blind.

He was also upset that he didn’t go with her. My lovely dad even called himself a coward. Poor dad, he’s thirteen years older than my mum. At ninety one, he’s no coward. Far from it, I reassured him that he did the right thing staying at home. Bless him.

So, what next? I called my brother who like me was worried, and a little upset that mum had gone out gardening and been bitten by something… Instead of staying away from unnecessary chores. Normally, mum and dad have a paid gardener to do their garden upkeep, but with the Coronavirus…

On the way to the Royal Infirmary the taxi driver kept mum entertained. He was a very chatty guy, (as is my mum who loves nothing better than a good old natter,) but his speciality is: doom and gloom. Poor mum had to listen to his thoughts on deaths, suicides, and all manner of Coronavirus horrors. Not really what you need whilst on the way to hospital.

When the taxi driver arrived neither he, nor mum could find where she was meant to be going. Her destination for treatment wasn’t A & E, thank goodness. She had to go to another part of the hospital, another building, a fair step, so it’s just as well my dad didn’t go with her. He would definitely have slowed her down.

No one else was there Thank God – No CoV19 patients – which I was worried about. The first thing they asked her to do was to clean her hands with the hospital gel. Good to know. She saw the doctor straight away who checked the swelling on her cheek and prescribed her antibiotics. And she was out of there as fast as her 78 year old legs could take her.

I suspect in a weird kind of way it was a little adventure for her. Being cooped in day after day does strange things to your mental health. And mum loves to chat and go out. Now she’s home, as a precaution she’s washed all her clothes, taken off her shoes and coat and washed her hands.

Hospital is really not the place to be going at the moment. But I understand that she had to go. Sometimes there is no choice.

Phew, now I can relax a bit. Please God. Keep them safe and well.

All seemed calm until…

The evening… when my youngest remarked that she didn’t feel well. This kind of announcement pre-coronavirus would normally be met with a general look of concern and a “What’s wrong?” But nowadays the response is heightened to: sheer panic, searching looks and examining symptoms. It seems that she has a stomach ache – I reckon anxiety has brought this on – about life in general, her study /work worries, and sadness at not seeing her Grandma’s and Grandpa. Grandma’s going to hospital probably triggered this. But, nevertheless I will be keeping an eye on her. Worrying times.

How was your Easter Sunday? I hope it was okay?

There are no certainties in this strange world we are living in. All we can hope for is that we stay safe and well, care for each other, and let kindness prevail.

Stay safe, don’t go out unless you have to. And only go to the hospital if your doctor advises you that you must.

I discovered these posts on Levine Lowdown – about the political, economic, and mental health aspects of Coronavirus by Guest author Sam Zweck and The Positives of Coronavirus. Please do read:

https://thelevinelowdown.com/2020/04/13/the-cost-of-coronavirus-a-doomed-generation/

https://thelevinelowdown.com/2020/04/10/the-positives-of-coronavirus/

#Coronavirus #COV19 #Photography #Sunday Stills #FOTD #Uplifting #FloralPhotography

Flowers and nature are a panacea, a way to lift our spirits when we are living through difficult times.

Yellow is such an uplifting colour… I cropped my photo below to make it a square image for: Becky’s Square Tops.

Find out more about her square daily photography challenge here: Square Daily Photo Challenge

The theme for April Squares is ‘top‘. This caught my eye up above me in the Cambridge Botanical Garden glasshouses.

There is nothing I love more than a stroll in the Botanical Gardens. I count myself lucky to have a free pass from my work and I often wander there during my lunch break.

At the moment we are in lockdown in the UK so I am not venturing out much, apart from a walk in our local neighbourhood, or a trip to the supermarket to get groceries.

Thursday morning was a stressful one, I got up extra early so I could do a weekly food shop and be back in time to log on to my computer (as I am working from home.) My heart sunk when I saw the long queue snaking from the front of Tescos supermarket around the car park and then turning back on itself, a human chain of disgruntled shoppers. I added myself to the back of the queue and waited.

My shop took two hours – it would normally have taken no more than an hour.

What I couldn’t get my head around was the number of shoppers who came in twos.

Why would you do that during a pandemic?

My anxiety levels cranked up even more as the girl in front of me kept glancing back at me with this glare as if to say stay back. I was staying well away from her but her over zealous attitude only served to make me more anxious.

So, after my Easter shopping food trip complete with chocolate Easter eggs I need another treat, the chocolate alone will not suffice – I needed a floral treat.

Here’s one of my recent flower photos taken at the Botanical gardens in Cambridge. A purple one!

If you’d like to join in Terri’s fantastic photography challenges here’s the link:

Welcome to the Sunday Stills Photo Challenge!

April 5 Fantastic Florals #SundayStills via Terri Webster Schrandt

And you can also link to: Cee’s FOTD

Also I’m sharing some wonderful links about pandemic anxiety busters from talented photographer Cindy Knoke:

Pandemic Anxiety Busters~

Hope on the Horizon: Pandemic Anxiety Management II~

Anxiety Management During Pandemic Days~

While you’re in the mood why not pop over to Send Sunshine blog for some uplifting quotes and images: Uplifting Quotes Daily.

Before I go I thought I’d recommend my latest release to you: a book of poetry, prose and photography, with lots of photos of Cambridge Botanical Gardens. It’s fairly new and receiving 5 star reviews, perfect lockdown reading!

Available for free on kindle unlimited and to buy in kindle and paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Coronavirus #COV19 #Todolist #Subscribers #Mailchimp #Popups #Xenophobia #BorisJohnson #Weirdfoods #Worldwide #Stayin #Staysafe #Lockdown

I’ve been thinking about our PM Boris Johnson who was admitted to intensive care, but is now on the mend. Not a good experience for him, his family, his pregnant partner, or the UK, his ending up in the ICU. I don’t agree with his politics but that doesn’t stop me from wishing that he pulls through and gets better soon. Poor chap.

This is a horrible disease – we must do our best to protect ourselves from.

Become a pineapple with prickly layers to keep the virus out, put shades on and stay in!

This is my way of dealing with the stress of COV19, humour is my only way of coping. Whatever it takes to get through this…

I was shocked to see many xenophobic tweets in response to the news of Boris’s admission to intensive care – as if somehow China is personally responsible for his catching the illness and the severity of it. Get a grip. The bat didn’t grab his hand and force him to shake hands with his constituents, did it? It didn’t flap its wings and say Boris don’t rest, keep on working excessive hours for the sake of the country.

There is no point abusing China. No doubt after this is all over we will find out the truth, or as near as we can get to the truth in this media circus. Rather, let’s join together and try to help each other through this, as one human race with a common goal. Keeping well and helping each other so we can battle this disease and the economies of the world can flourish.

I’m all for togetherness, except apart… social distancing.

My meandering mind has been wondering about people and their strange eating habits. I don’t understand why anyone would want to eat bats. I’d rather eat a pineapple. Equally, I can’t comprehend our worldwide need to eat these strange foods either: Mosquito Eggs, Wood worm, Dung Beetle, Grasshoppers, Rattle Snake, Guinea Pig, (really?) Witchetty Grub, Midge Fly, Mopane worms, Edible Lavae and Pupae of Ants, Cobra Heart with Blood and Venom, Termites, Crocodiles, Locusts, Baby Mice Wine, Wasp Crackers, etc… The list goes on and on: https://whenonearth.net/101-strangest-foods-around-world/

We eat weird foods all over the world: Spam, Tongue, Sheep’s Head, Black Pudding, Haggis… Okay, haggis isn’t that bad… but tongue? Eeh, and spam? Eeh, and Sheep’s Head?

And liver, kidney, never been a fan!

No offence to the Phillipines but Soup No. 5 – Bull’s penis and testicles?

Perhaps from now on we should all take more care of what we eat? You’ve heard the saying you are what you eat!

Enough of this, seriously it’s time to… talk about productivity.

What bloggy jobs have I been doing in Lockdown?

I’m writing these diary type entries on my blog. Also, I’ve been writing short stories, flash fiction and poetry about the COV19. More about plans for those later.

I’ve updated my blog theme and I’m very happy with the results. Also, I’ve been working on creating a newsletter on my blog.

It’s not up yet and it won’t be until I’m happy it’s working properly. This has been on my to do list for forever but the last time I tried I gave up as I found it so hard to do.

Being in Lockdown has given me the time and determination to give it another go!

I discovered this WordPress link which is really helpful:

https://wordpress.com/support/mailchimp/

And I even managed to add my logo to the pop up form! That was quite tricky as I had to alter the size of the photo so it would fit. So a tip – if you decide to do this resize your photo first!

Also, if you don’t like the pop up idea you can add a sign up to blocks if you are using the Gutenberg (which I am also learning how to use in Lockdown.)

Mailchimp Block

If you are using the Block Editor, you can add a Mailchimp Block to a page or a post using these instructions.

Hope those words of wisdom help a little, and try not to eat anything wriggly please.

Stay safe and well. And Boris get well, the UK needs you.

And remember that Lockdown means Lockdown, don’t go out unless you really need to, follow the Government guidelines. Today, we received a letter from Boris stating the rules and precautions necessary to keep us safe.

There are so many people in our community whose life could be at risk if you do not do this.

Check out this post from Norm which highlights the need to think of others:

https://miscellaneousmusingsofamiddleagedmind.wordpress.com/2020/04/07/the-self-isolation-diaries-entry-1/

From Brigid Gallagher who is on the mend: https://watchingthedaisies.com/2020/04/08/a-list-of-supports-which-helped-me-navigate-the-virus/

So saddened by this: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/06/coronavirus-crisis-nhs-not-drained-migrants-sustained-died-frontline/

Available for free on kindle unlimited and to buy in kindle and paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Coronavirus #COV19 #Sunday #Family #Games #Baking #Anxiety #Cats

Yesterday, Sunday 6th April was a gorgeous sunny day in Cambridge. A day that might have tempted some to congregate. I hope not, but some of the UK public appear to be foolish. Not us, we spent the day at home in the house and garden enjoying the sunshine. Hubby managed to get some charcoal so we had a barbeque, and played card games.

That was unusual – as they were drinking games!

It was my youngest daughter’s idea. For example you pick a card and the number says you have to… say a rhyme, or name a city, or whatever else the game rules say and pass it on. If you run out of rhymes, etc, or are too slow, you have to take a sip of your drink! The drinks were very nice, gin and tonic with fruit!

It was fun, but we didn’t go overboard and drink too much. Just enough to relax us all.

Perhaps Lockdown has some positives – we are definitely spending more time together as a family, chatting more and sharing our thoughts.

But we will have to be careful not to drink and eat too much! Or, I for one will be putting on too much weight.

Also, another source of piling on the pounds – we made banana cake with chocolate chunks. Apparently, everyone is baking banana cake at the moment. It was quite a job getting the ingredients – I had to improvise somewhat. It turned out really well but we overdid it on the chocolate! If I made it again I’d use less chocolate, but youngest daughter doesn’t agree!

During the meal I glanced up at the blue sky and sad thoughts returned. How can the world be suffering in such a terrible way on such a beautiful day? My thoughts turned to those less fortunate than us who are living in cramped living conditions, without a garden, perhaps in difficult situations. I looked again, I couldn’t see a cloud in the sky, and no airplane trails either. The environment is benefiting, but people are dying.

I just wish the Scientists could find a cure but it will be a long time coming before a vaccine is ready. They are saying one year minimum, perhaps longer. It is good to hear that influencers, musicians, pop artists and the like are donating money. I hope this will help.

We packed the barbeque away and settled down for the evening. It was only 6.30pm.

What to do now?

Relax.

Watch TV, read a book, go for your daily safe walk, or chat, or spend time with our visiting cat who has decided to call during lockdown. Except, this cute ginger cat just wanted to snooze!

Another day of Lockdown. Hope you are all doing okay and staying safe.

Links:

Workshops for young girls during this time:

From J K Rowling: https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home

David Hockney shares exclusive art from Normandy: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52109901

A message from Chris Martin #TogetherAtHome from Coldplay:

A beautiful song “We’ll Rise Up: a song from the NHS to the public”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/apr/05/boris-johnson-admitted-to-hospital-with-coronavirus

From my friend Sherri: https://sherrimatthewsblog.com/2020/04/03/dispatches-from-lockdown-in-an-english-spring/

Available for free on kindle unlimited and to buy in kindle and paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

And 5 star review from Colleen Chesebro: February 2020 Books #AmReading

Early reviews: 5 stars from Ritu Bhathal https://butismileanyway.com/2020/02/29/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/

Coronavirus #Self-Care #Daughters #Nails #Beauty #Authors #Bloggers #Promos #Montreal #Travel #Dreams #Disturbing

Last year in May my daughters and I went to Montreal and treated ourselves to salon nail gels.

So, we thought as we’re in Lockdown why not do it this at home instead? We clubbed together to buy a gel nail set from Amazon complete with nail gel polish, base, and top coat.

Saturday 4th April we cheered ourselves up, by painting our nails.

It wasn’t quite salon luxury – I donned the necessary hygiene accessories: gloves, disinfectant wipes to clean, a fresh sheet of newspaper for each person, etc, and we were ready to go. (Don’t do this at home if anyone is ill – i.e. has a cough, sore throat or any symptoms of Coronavirus, or if you are at high risk of getting the virus, or have serious underlying health conditions.)

I pretended I was a professional! And we had a good laugh. We even joked with my hubby that he could have a go to but he declined.

When it came to my turn I chose a neon colour, I love jazzy nail shades. Inadvertently, I chose the same brightness of colour I had last year in Montreal, though the shade this time is more pink/red than pink/purple! My eldest daughter went for red and my youngest for a pink, plus she decided to paint one nail on each hand in glitter purple.

They turned out really well and took ages to do, so it’s a great way to spend time!

Poor hubby felt a bit left out. He disappeared in the garden with earphones to listen to music but when he saw our nails he said he thought they were very nice. And, he even said my longer hair, (which I normally get cut every 6 weeks,) suited me.

Later on I skyped mum and dad which really cheered me up too. My dad always says the nicest things – I think he thinks I’m perfect! Lol, so if I ever need a boost to my ego all I need is a five minute chat with him. Mum and dad are both staying fairly cheerful considering everything. Bless them.

Then…

A Frightening Dream

Last night I had the most frightening dream. I was on campus somewhere, (a mature student!) and these three young lads terrorised me, (one was only fifteen,) as I walked home one night, They taunted me with sexual innuendos and followed me all the way to my bus stop. Then they sat near me on the bus home. I was terrified that they were planning to get off at the same stop as me. By chance a friend of mine joined me on the bus, and they started chatting to her as if everything was normal. I asked her to move with me to the back of the bus, so I could tell her what happened without them hearing. She seemed a bit surprised by my request but did as I asked. As soon as we were seated I explained what had happened – how they had been suggestive, threatening and lewd. She was shocked to hear that. We were so relieved when they got off the bus before us.

If I was analysing this dream I’d say it shows the depth of my anxiety and uncertainty about life at the moment. We have no idea how long Lockdown will continue, how many people will become infected, or how many will die. It is so unsettling, upsetting and disturbing.

So, it’s even more important to focus on those things that will lift your mood and take your mind off the situation. Whatever makes you happy – whether it is pottering in the garden, drawing and painting, watching TV, reading a book, keeping fit, caring for your house plants, meditating, or painting your nails! Everything that makes you happy is so important right now.

Here are my Montreal inspired posts:

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2019/06/16/scrummy-food-tulips-and-cocktails-food-montreal-canada-holiday-tulips/

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2019/05/26/grafitti-murals-montreal-canada/

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2019/06/06/notre-dame-basilica-montreal-canada-travel-holiday/

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2019/06/11/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-131-synonymsonly/

Some links from my blogging and author friends:

A scam to be aware of via Hugh: https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2020/04/02/warning-covid-19-scam/

From my friend Ritu –

Marriage Unarranged Sale! #CoronavirusRead #BookSale

From Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch: https://keweenawnow.blogspot.com/2020/04/guest-article-keweenaw-joins-grassroots.html/

An article featuring a couple of bloggers/authors I follow: Darlene Foster, Debby Harris:Views of COVID 19 – Thailand, Mexico, Spain and Australia – https://traveltalesoflife.com/views-of-covid-19-thailand-mexico-spain-and-australia/

From Richard Dees who is in self isolation in Devon – all his daughters are in the nursing profession – one daughter is a midwife, another one is a nurse in ITU, (her husband is a consultant,) and daughter three is in her third year nursing training. Do pop over to his blog to say hello. He has some books on sale: https:///another-week-has-passed/

Natalie Ducey is offering a free download of her poetry: https://natalieducey.com/2020/04/04/the-hearts-lullaby-poetry-collection/

Last day of Anne Allen’s promo #booklovers Bargain! The Guernsey Novels Books 1-3 boxset only 99p/99c until 5/4/20 drama/love/mystery on a beautiful island https://books2read.com/TheGuernseyNovels1-3 @AnneAllen21 #guernseynovels

Stay safe, stay well, stay in!

Available for free on kindle unlimited and to buy in kindle and paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Coronavirus #COV19 #Birthdays #Cancellations #LifeonHold #Family #Mum #Daughters #Edinburgh

2nd April 2020 – It’s my mum’s birthday today, so Happy Birthday mum. I don’t know when I will see you next in person, (oh that makes me sad,) but we will keep on Skyping!

Me and Mum

Posing together

Two gals out

Shopping Trip

But much more – mother daughter

Friends, always best friends.

For me, birthdays separated from loved ones and the cancellation of The Edinburgh Festival, Fringe, and Book Festival have been oh so sad. BUT, there’s no point on dwelling on disappointments, we must all look to the future – beyond what is happening now.

I’d like to share with you some of my photos and poems about Edinburgh.

It calls me

This Scottish City

Beautiful

Lights twinkle

Edinburgh’s dark shadows

Perfect time and place

Your buildings

Adorned like parcels

Pink in blue

They twinkle

My home from home forever

The best gift of all

I see you

Bright castle hiding

Beyond trees

Magic night

Such a blue sky highlights you

Nestled on a hill.

And this one from 2017!

Tourist attraction

Make up Check,

Hat check

Time to beguile the tourists,

Hunt the illusion,

Where my legs should be

There’s air!

Find my pins when punters gone.

Some Coronavirus links:

D G Kaye author:

https://dgkayewriter.com/the-corona-diaries-observations-online-madness-quarantine-and-masks/

View at Medium.com

https://medium.com/@amcarter/i-had-no-immune-system-for-months-after-my-bone-marrow-transplant-1b097f16040c

https://rachelstruth.home.blog/2020/03/28/working-at-the-covid-19-frontlines-a-malaysian-teens-first-hand-experience/

https://girlvsworldblog.com/protect-your-mental-well-being/

We all have events that we were looking forward to – weddings to go to, concerts, birthday parties and the like, but the most important thing in our diary at the moment is TO STAY SAFE and WELL and to ensure THAT EVERYONE STAYS SAFE AND WELL TOO.

STAY AT HOME!

Hope you and yours are keeping well.

Much love,

Available for free on kindle unlimited and to buy in kindle and paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Coronavirus #Bloggers #Artists #Writers #Creatives #Isolation #AprilFool’sDay

Well, it’s April Fools Day and I reckon we’re the fools and we don’t need no jester. Instead the politicians and leaders of the world seem to be making a right ass of everything. I can’t help but think that if we had acted more decisively, and more quickly to Lockdown sooner, our situation in the UK would not be as grave as it is.

Anyway, I don’t want to make this a political rant. Instead, I’d like to talk about the impact of isolation.

The human race is not meant to be cooped up, or to spend long periods of time alone. Neither are we meant to go day after day without physical contact, a hug or a kiss.

We’re meant to be out skateboarding like Homer from the Simpsons, surfing the waves, chilling on a beach, or sipping coffee in our favourite cafe with our friends and family.

Instead, we are jumping over a Gorge everyday. Let’s just hope we make it to the other side of this Coronavirus.

During times like these we definitely need some humour to lift our spirits. Tik Tok to the rescue, some Jack Black Quarantine Dance.

@jackblack
Quarantine Dance #reallifeathome #distancedance #happyathome #boredathome ✂️ @taylor
♬ original sound – Jack Black

So, let’s spare a thought for those people who are currently in Lockdown isolation who are at the mercy of Jack Black’s quarantine dance day in and day out! Lol. Only joking. I love Jack Black.

I was chatting to my Malaysian blogger friend Tiffany yesterday about her beautiful bird paintings. These birds make her happy and grateful during this time. I casually asked her if she was with family, friends or alone during Lockdown. She said she was alone.

Please visit her blog to see her beautiful paintings of birds. As we can’t travel at the moment let us go virtually to Malaysia for a visit! http://www.bulanlifestyle.com/

Here she Day 3 of Lockdown on her YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=OTRH4-Y_SpE&feature=emb_logo

Her youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ-QuBQ_1Wwrhl2bqPTLcqA

She is doing a diary of her paintings during lockdown.

So do pop to her blog to say hello.

Some links:

Book Sales Surge as Readers Seek Escapism and Education: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52048582/

This could be why some get symptoms more severely than others: https://myhomefarm.co.uk/coronavirus-and-viral-load

https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/25142/20200328/101-year-old-spanish-flu-and-world-war-2-survivor-has-now-beat-covid-19-as-well.htm/

Do you have any friends, or family in Lockdown alone? Or do you know of any bloggers and writers in a similar position?

Oh, and whatever you do don’t forget to check out Jack Black’s Tick Tock Account: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackblack

Available for free on kindle unlimited and to buy in kindle and paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Coronavirus – #Treats, #Mood Enhancers #Fitness

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

Available in Kindle Unlimited, in kindle and in paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

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/

Coronavirus – Mental Health #apps #selfcare #mentalhealth

It’s a challenging time for everyone. So self care for family/flatmate/friends whatever grouping you find yourself in, is crucially important. Support each other, perhaps elect one person (or one might naturally be inclined to do so without prompting) to be the cheerful buddy to keep spirits up. If you are living alone connect to your friends, family and wider family via social networks particularly visual ones with face to face experiences such as Skype. You can still elect a buddy but a virtual one!

Top 10 apps like Skype: https://www.techlazy.com/apps-like-skype/

Limit your use of social media – keep informed but avoid too much scrutiny of sad reports which come up on your feed. Instead, focus on the positive, the humour, the real life stories of kindness and positivity you find.

For example there is this lovely Facebook group to share your children’s and your pictures of rainbows – Rainbow Trail: https://www.facebook.com/groups/681125849365623/

On A Personal Note

My hubby hasn’t been feeling too well this week and we’ve been wondering if he has the virus. It’s difficult to tell without a test. Our nerves are at breaking point, it’s been a very stressful time. Whilst keeping and eye on his illness my daughters and I have been extra careful, washing our hands, disinfecting like crazy because it is possible to have the Coronavirus mildly, or even to be asymptomatic. Hubby has been up and down but he seems on the mend, fingers crossed, so perhaps it was something else? We will still be vigilant.

I’ve recently started to work from home, as the UK like so many countries is in lock down. I’m shocked by the number of people who still continue to behave as if the virus is nothing to be feared, gathering together for barbeques, family gatherings and the like.

I know it’s nice to get together but seriously can’t you wait? We have to get to grips with this NOW before more people die, or get seriously ill.

Lecture over.

What have I been doing?

I have to say I haven’t felt like reading at all. I just don’t have the energy. But, my bookworm eldest daughter wasn’t having that! Bless her. She encouraged me to read some romance. She’s suggested My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick and Die For Me by Amy Plum. Hum… I went for the latter. Enjoying it… apart from the title!

On the plus side I’ve started writing a little – my current project/s are flash fiction about the virus plus a YA short story set in a post pandemic world. Very topical. It’s a romance which is a different genre for me. Perhaps, I needed a little romance to cheer me up! I’m really enjoying writing this, especially as I always struggle to write romance. A positive I may have cracked it!

Work wise I’ve been working Monday to Friday same hours as usual. So no change there, keeping busy until 6pm every evening.

My daughters and I have plans to exercise, so with that in mind we have ordered some gym stuff to work out at home, or in the garden. Yes, a yoga mat! I might not be perched on a cliff face but life does feel a bit like that at the moment.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

I hope you find these various mental health links, apps and learning possibilities useful:

https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-how-to-stop-the-anxiety-spiralling-out-of-control-133166/

https://woebot.io/how-it-works

https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/cove/

https://www.headspace.com/

https://www.futurelearn.com/

https://www.elefriends.org.uk/

Before I go I’d like to introduce you to a new found friend of mine:

Mr. Sagittarius.

My poetry, prose and photography collection released on February 16th. Perhaps you may like to treat yourself to a copy. I’d be thrilled if you do.

Mr. Sagittarius is available in kindle, full colour paperback and free in Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

A magical story expressed via poetry and prose with photographic images.

Buying link: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Keep safe. Let me know how you are coping during these scary and challenging times and do comment below if you’ve found some interesting resources too.

Much love and hugs, keep safe.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: