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

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

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

https://mjmallon.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

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April 5, 2020 22

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.

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March 28, 2020 26

COLLEEN’S WEEKLY #POETRY CHALLENGE 41 – #HAIKU #TANKA #HAIBUN: MUSIC & ART

I couldn’t have asked for better prompt words – music and art.

Both feature as a wonderful source of inspiration in my writing. In our family, there’s always music playing – my husband is a keen guitarist and loves to strum away whenever he can. He serenades me at night in our garden…. Our next door neighbours get cranky about this! We are lucky to have a room dedicated to music with many guitars and an electronic piano too.

Creativity, Photography and Art inspire my writing to such a degree that I have decided to collaborate with one or perhaps two artists/friends to showcase the character/s, and crystal cottage that feature in my book The Curse of Time – Book 1 – Bloodstone which I intend to release late this summer. More about that to come…

One of my artist friends Catherine S. Walker had her first open studies event last weekend. My friend Timea and I had a lovely time visiting her and viewing all of her awesome art. I’d love for Catherine to create a stunning art piece of the crystal cottage that features in my book…

Take a look at Catherine’s awesome artist page on Facebook: Artist Page: Catherine S. Walker, scroll down her facebook page to see her Acrylic and Watercolour paintings and line drawings: trees, rocks, flowers and landscapes. And detailed buildings too…

So, my Tanka this week… is especially for Catherine, wishing her much success. We spent the day enjoying her art, sitting in her garden, and blowing bubbles!

My good friend Timea looked so wonderfully elegant in these photos…

Bye for now, time for a celebratory cocktail… No bubbles, just a parasol!

My social media links:

Facebook: Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon
Twitter: @curseof_time

Instagram

Facebook

Tumblr

Fellow Administrators of our Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club #ABRSC on Facebook, myself, my good friends Colleen Chesebro and Debby Gies. Click on Colleen’s and Debby’s photos to be directed to their awesome blogs. These ladies rock!

https://mjmallon.com

https://colleenchesebro.com/

http://dgkayewriter.com/

https://colleenchesebro.com/2017/07/11/colleens-weekly-poetry-challenge-41-haiku-tanka-haibun-music-art/#comment-43822

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July 12, 2017 14

HELP!!!! Please Share:Wattpad: The Curse of Time Prologue

Hi all,

I have some exciting news for you!!!

I have shared my Prologue of my manuscript on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/237280069-the-curse-of-time-prologue

Second piece of news is I’ve decided to change the title. For ages I’ve been thinking of The Crystal Cottage, Krystallos…. but after much thought and some feedback from friends, family, and my blogging buddies, I’ve decided on – The Curse of Time..

The prologue is a recent development, so I would appreciate it if I could get some feedback – prologues tend to be a bit of a pain in the ***. Comments, positive critiquing, are welcomed so I can make this beginning to the story the best it can be. With that in mind, I’m doing a gentle ask here – if you could please share this post on social media, and reblog. This request is doing the rounds on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Google+ and might even make it to the photographic shores of Instagram!!

I would be so grateful. You can count on lots of shout outs, hugs, and Easter eggs in return. I promise.

Thanks so much,

Happy Easter Sunday…. love ya!!

Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

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March 27, 2016 19

World Naked Bike Ride Cambridge !!!!

Found this on Facebook. My first reaction – it kind of amused me so thought I’d share!!! Apparently this has been happening every June since 2006! Really, I’ve never ever seen it.

The last time we had a bike event in Cambridge it was the Tour de France, which was chock-a-block with lycra. This is a bit different!

Anyway, if you want to support this event for environmental reasons, and of course your love of biking, give it a go, just be aware that the expression saddle sore is going to take on a whole new dimension! Still, there’s always the option to go partially clothed, I know which half, I’d opt for.

Thank goodness they’re holding this event in June, a naked bike ride sure isn’t an activity for the winter! Ugh, that just sends shivers down my spine.

http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/

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June 13, 2015 16