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Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch: 12/1/2020
Gads Theresa! 5 Best things this year? I will try:#1-The friendships that grew from Poll Tally
(especially the one with Steve and Thor(❁´◡`❁)
#2-The extra time I got this year to be with my daughter (although....umm never mind)
#3 Discovering I can let someone else do my grocery shopping and work with whatever shows up! Never going back to the grocery store again..LoL
#4 The Bounty from my summer garden
# 5 The On-line store I built for my Friends of The Library Group!
(should be opening this week!)
Joanne wrote: "Gads Theresa! 5 Best things this year? I will try:#1-The friendships that grew from Poll Tally
(especially the one with Steve and Thor(❁´◡`❁)
#2-The extra time I got this year to be with my dau..."
JoAnne - I almost made it top 10 then slapped myself and said 'get real'!
You did just fine...and I knew Steve and Thor figured high on the list. 😁
Best Five things this year... Well always, my husband, three sons, and my parents, and throw the dogs in there too. That's actually 8. But those are the most important souls in my life. My blessings always start there. But really-
1) Jaden applying to colleges
2) new puppy Rosie
3) Zoom - gratitude for friends and family, and increased and continued closeness, and most especially my fabulous five gabfest with my college friends on Saturday nights.
4) Taking hikes, walks, and bike rides outside - the few times I went to the beach
5) the blessings of Health, Times spent with family and friends.
and of course.... I feel like we are moving towards the light with Biden Harris 2020 and I feel very strongly about that.
Should probably add that since the pandemic began I have gone to services on Friday night 36 out of 38 weeks in a row, and for 36 weeks Monday nights straight I have attended a Faith and Calm class with a religious couple who are Lubovitcher. That hour is my weekly meditation and faith stone. I never miss, and it gives me peace of mind and soul. Grateful for both of those things.
Deeply miss my singing groups, but grateful my acapella group still meets once a month on Zoom to connect and chat.
Deeply grateful for my PBT community and friendships, support, and the experiences of books read and appreciated together. You have each and all enriched my life. Thank You.
1. Working from home2. More time at home with the cats.
3. Zoom meetups with PBT friends
4. A new activity: Silent Book Club via GR and Zoom
5. Do we need 5!? LOL!
ETA: #5. Friends who help me out with pickups, as I don't drive, so when trying to avoid public transit...
I have been so blessed this year despite how utterly tragic and chaotic it has been for so many others: 1. being employed AND getting a raise (and a bonus)
(truly grateful)
2. wonderful husband who cooks
3. amazing bookish friends, here and in real life
4. healthy family
5. ZOOM for book clubs when we can't be together!
@LibraryCin - what is a Silent Book Club? I am intrigued *^_^*
Love the positivity I am seeing here. Because as Meli so aptly put it, even though there is so much that is utterly tragic and chaotic about this year for all of us, there is light and good and positive. I have more time for friends and Zoom has been a wonderful tool both for work and for friendships. I have watched neighbors in NYC apartment buildings looking out for each other - not all that unique in truth but so lovely to see that even quarantine does not end how people look out for each other in this huge city. We were all forced to pull back, to simplify -- and that is not a bad thing at all.
I am so very fortunate and my husband and I have said multiple times that we are super happy and have almost enjoyed this time.1. I had the ability to take a 'break' and spend time with my family and doggies. I may have lost Kevin during this time but I had 5 months where I was at home and not working, to spend so, so much time with her.
2. I found my dream job!!! I took the break to focus on me... what did I want and what didn't I want in my next job... and I found it!! Yay!!
3. You guys! This post! I joined a couple of Zooms with you guys and enjoyed seeing you but I really like and look forward to Tuesdays and this post! I love reading about what is going on and connecting with everyone!
4. Because of the new job, and in a way the pandemic, I was able to get a new car!! Because of the demand for used cars that is going on right now, it was actually cheaper to purchase new rather than used! So my husband and I got a Subaru (our conversion to the PNW is now complete) with AWD! We'll now have something to drive during our winters! Finally!!!
5. Time with my husband! For a while, neither of us were working and so we spent a ton of time together. We had reading challenges, we've started doing puzzles, we've fallen in love with new shows together. Now that we are both working again, I feel an loss at not having him here and feeling like we are partnering on everything.
I could keep going... I now have a treadmill desk! (again... Thanks Amazon!!) I wish the walking challenge on FB was still going because this is going to make it so much easier to get my walking in!!
With in my little bubble, this has been a great year :)
@Charlotte-you made me grin, big and silly! I am so happy for you-you deserve all this!
In spite of the pandemic, this year has resulted in several good things for me. 1. Like others, my husband and I got to spend more time together because I wasn't being pulled in so many directions. I was forced to pull back and relax into honing my own skills and enjoying his company.
2. Learning to bake sourdough bread and really embracing my love of cooking - anything! I often made more than we could eat and shared with neighbors who were alone.
3. Thank goodness my husband and I are retired and don't have the worries about working, either in the public or at home. Plus not worrying about losing a job. Definitely made me feel blessed on one hand and so sorry for many on the other hand. Also on the jobs front - my kids are financially secure so that's a blessing.
4. The Poll Ballot Challenge and being on a wonderful team, making new friends there and here. Plus, I read more than most years and read or listened to many good books.
5. My health and my family's health, especially my mother who is 94 this month. No Covid among our family and friends in spite of the fact that my DIL is a supervisor for Intensive Care. I only wish we could be with that family so I could help, at least in the kitchen.
@BarbaraM - you can send care packages of your baking - bread and cookies and such travel well! I know, my sister priority mails me treats a couple times a year. She uses those 'disposable' plastic containers to contain the goodies and pretty much uses priority flat rate boxes. Brings such joy when I get one!
Joanne wrote: "@Charlotte-you made me grin, big and silly! I am so happy for you-you deserve all this!":) Thank you!!!!
I remember that people were happy when 2019 was ending because it felt like a bad year (forest fires, storms, etc.) and we were eager for 2020. Ah, well!Good things from this year:
1. My husband and me both being retired so not that impacted by shutdowns, job insecurity, etc.
2. Able to spend time with my daughter whose cancer treatment is currently working and she is feeling well. My son has a secure job no matter what (works for Apple.)
3. Much more involved with GR groups, including Zoom calls with 2 groups. Really appreciate my online friends and eagerly awaiting meet up with those in my area when possible.
4. Related to this, blew away my previous yearly totals of about 100 books per year. I am about 135 so far. Also shutdown forced me to actually read some books in my house for a change.
5. Living in an area where there are many pleasant places to walk nearby so that I could get outside a lot in the warmer weather, not many people around so no mask needed.
Lovely idea Theresa1. My fiance. Getting to spend more time with him is wonderful. He's still having heart issues but we'll get through it together. There's no one I'd rather be spending a lot of time at home with.
2. My pets. My dog especially likes me being around more. She spends most work days snoozing beside me.
3. Having a job and being able to do that job from home. I've been working from home since mid-February thanks to my shoulder surgery.
4. Not having an hour commute each way to work each day. Not dealing with traffic and saving lots of money by not buying much gas.
5. PBT and especially the Readers of the Purple Sage Team.
Great idea, Theresa :).I always have trouble limiting lists and choosing favourites, so not all of these will be in order (but the first is).
1. My family are all healthy and Covid-free.
2. Even though the winter was fairly quiet, my husband has had plenty of work (he is in an essential service and works alone, outside much of the year).
3. My eldest has been officially recognized as disabled by the federal government (I did mention this) now--this was hard for all of us to grasp since as a child she had a good prognosis, but prognoses are educated guesses--and we are moving in the right direction.
4. PBT, and my other GR friends, plus getting to really know the Jade Dragons--having a supportive team was a fun and a positive distraction.
5. Getting more time with my family without as much rushing around.
There are other things and I am sure I am missing some big ones, but these are a few--and now I have Mary Martin singing "My Favourite Things" in my head (and also on Youtube). My mother had that album and it was my favourite one as a child. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxOr...
Mary Martin was just brilliant, but I wasn't even born when she was performing this on Broadway. Here is one of the photos I used to look at while listening:
Meli wrote: "@LibraryCin - what is a Silent Book Club? I am intrigued *^_^*..."So, it's a Zoom thing. We all show up with whatever book we are reading at that time. We each speak of the book we are reading at the start. Then, we all mute and read for an hour on our own. Then we come back and say a little bit about what we read in that hour.
I think someone hosts one most days of the week (though all the weekday ones are at the same time). The Sat/Sun ones are at slightly different times, I think.
The GR group is here. You can see the meetings that are already set up under Events on the side.
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
And I thought of a #5. Friends who help me out with pickups, as I don't drive, so when trying to avoid public transit...
Five top things:1) All family is still healthy, including a niece and nephew both in college, another niece working in a school system, and a brother who works in a continuing care retirement community. No COVID so far.
2) ZOOM. Although this is a mixed blessing as I find I can get sucked into multiple meetings. Still... "meeting" all my PBT friends - FINALLY - is a definite highlight of the year.
3) A robust library system in my county which kept me supplied via curb-side pickup.
4) A husband I cherish, and vice versa. We are truly good friends who never run out of topics for conversation. A few years back we were having dinner at a restaurant and the waitress asked if we were newlyweds! I said, No, we've been married 25 years. She said, "You look so happy! And you're talking!" I realized that many of the couples in the place were eating in silence. Never a problem with us!
5) PBT and especially this year's Poll Ballot Tally game. The intensity took me by surprise, but My Stars it was a wonderful distraction from the pandemic, etc. I really think that game kept me happy all year!
I am really enjoying this, each and every post! They are gouching and funny and sincere. We all need this. Thanks for taking up my challenge!
LibraryCin wrote: "...So, it's a Zoom thing. We all show up with whatever book we are reading at that time. We each speak of the book we a..."Oh fun! I love that idea, thanks for sharing the link.
Another thing I thought of that I am so grateful for is what a good relationship I have with my husband.
We were quarantined in the house together for like 2-1/2 months, and continue to be kinda trapped in here when we are not working, so we talked a lot during the lock down about how great it is to be at this point in our lives and "stuck" together. I would think back to other times in my life and imagined quarantine in other scenarios and I can say definitively that it would not have been healthy for me. Or when I consider the people who maybe didn't really know their partner for whatever reason (busy lives, distractions, whatever) then get in quarantine and it is miserable!? I can't imagine... so that really is wonderful *^_^* I think we both realized how healthy and happy our relationship is and it's made us stronger as a couple.
@Meli-that is wonderful! It is so nice to hear about a young couple who are so secure in their relationship! I know it may be an odd thought, but I have thought about if the divorce rate will explode after this over...😏
Theresa wrote: "@BarbaraM - you can send care packages of your baking - bread and cookies and such travel well! I know, my sister priority mails me treats a couple times a year. She uses those 'disposable' plastic..."that is really nice of her! My friend got me started on baking sourdough (I've baked many yeast breads in the past) by sending me some of hers. When I saw that it cost $17 to send me a bread, and we live in the same state, I was horrified! That makes the bread golden. :-) I decided I had to do it myself. She sent me some starter and I did the research and asked her many questions. I love it! Plus, during the pandemic I've lost 20 lbs instead of gaining. I was afraid the bread would add to my weight but it didn't because I decided to really watch things. **Happy Dance!**
Robin P wrote: "I remember that people were happy when 2019 was ending because it felt like a bad year (forest fires, storms, etc.) and we were eager for 2020. Ah, well!I totally agree about the walking! I did a lot of that too since all my other exercise venues closed down.
Joanne wrote: "@Meli-that is wonderful! It is so nice to hear about a young couple who are so secure in their relationship! I know it may be an odd thought, but I have thought about if the divorce rate will explo..."Same! I can't imagine how many couples were out there who had never spent that much alone time together who ended up rethinking the relationship. Yikes! If it was another time and another partner that could've been me.
Meli wrote: "Joanne wrote: "@Meli-that is wonderful! It is so nice to hear about a young couple who are so secure in their relationship! I know it may be an odd thought, but I have thought about if the divorce ..."True, although some people have happy relationships but don't like to spend every minute together because they also like alone time. My husband loves to walk in the woods by himself as he loves the outdoors and being in nature, looking at plants (he used to make a hobby of identifying wildflowers, has a degree in forest management, loves to watch birds, etc). That's when I think being alone together too much in a house or apartment can be unhealthy. He, like one of my children, needs the outdoors to stay happy. This is also why he doesn't make piles of money in what he does do--he hates commuting to the big city where he can charge a lot more, and he hates the paperwork, etc, involved with having staff. He'd rather spend that time outside.
He spent his childhood outdoors...
But he is social and lovable.
My husband and I get along great but it has been odd being together so much. Since his retirement, he has several commitments each year where he is gone for about a week. I look forward to having all that time to myself. Also during the week in normal times, he has choir practices or meetings on several evenings and I have some meetings as well. Now any meetings we have are online. We have a very small house, one bathroom, one bedroom, one desktop computer, one TV. So sometimes it is tricky sharing everything. The funny thing is when we were first married (46 years ago!), I used to complain that he was gone too much and I didn't like being on my own. That has sure changed!
UGH! here's a kick in the pants-Someone got my debit card number and is traipsing the world-and I mean the world-Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden.... eating on my dime! How can people be so nasty!! Sorry I had to vent....
Meli wrote: "Joanne wrote: "@Meli-that is wonderful! It is so nice to hear about a young couple who are so secure in their relationship! I know it may be an odd thought, but I have thought about if the divorce ..."My husband and I have also wondered if the rate is going to increase. I know it's been seen some in celebrity couples.
Karin wrote: "True, although some people have happy relationships but don't like to spend every minute together because they also like alone time."We don't spend every minute together 🤣 Not at all...
I'm more wondering about couples that haven't had to spend much time alone and then they do suddenly, like a quarantine, and it's a shocker.
There can definitely be some avoidance in distracting yourselves which probably shocked some people into reality.
@Joanne - damn, that's cold! Not only are they stealing from you, but traveling in a pandemic no less * shakes head in disgust *
Joanne! What? Someone is traipsing the world in my name and on your dime?
Meli wrote: "Karin wrote: "True, although some people have happy relationships but don't like to spend every minute together because they also like alone time."We don't spend every minute together 🤣 Not at al..."
This is very true. My husband comes from a more stay at home sort of family and I have adjusted to that over the years, but it was a bit of a struggle at first with coronavirus, losing most of the social aspects of going out. He has is antique bottle club and I had various friends and activities, but most of my friends are not into zoom and long phone calls they way some are.
Amy wrote: "Joanne! What? Someone is traipsing the world in my name and on your dime?"I don't know if they have your name-but they sure as hell had my debit card numbers....
Joanne wrote: "UGH! here's a kick in the pants-Someone got my debit card number and is traipsing the world-and I mean the world-Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden.... eating on my dime! How can people be so nasty!! S..."
That happened to me once -- I sort of knew something wasn't right when a vendor swiped my card a year or so ago. I shrugged and thought I was being paranoid. WRONG! He was scamming and I was suddenly paying for things all over the world but especially in Asia. All within like an hour of my using the card - I got a call from Fraud Detection at my bank saying they had shut down my card and alerting me. I got a new card the next day and did not have to pay for any of the charges but still...I was pissed, especially because I did not follow instincts initially.
Sorry this happened! You shouldn't be liable for anything but it's still disturbing. I never use my debit card except to take out cash, but my husband and I have both had to change credit cards at various times because of questionable charges or attempted fraud. Now nobody has to sign for credit cards at a lot of stores, so it's not even a question of verifying a signature.In the US, stores and restaurants take your card from you to scan it. In Canada and Europe, they generally bring a swipe machine to your table and have you swipe it, so it never leaves you. Seems like we should do that here as well.
Joanne wrote: "UGH! here's a kick in the pants-Someone got my debit card number and is traipsing the world-and I mean the world-Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden.... eating on my dime! How can people be so nasty!! S..."
Oh, No! Hoping you caught it in time and the bank has frozen that card.
Robin P wrote: "Now nobody has to sign for credit cards at a lot of stores, so it's not even a question of verifying a signature..."This has always bugged me. Initially they came out with the chip and pin instead of the signature, which is good, but almost immediately after that was tap.
Tap!? Zero security there! I've always hated tap (though I will admit that I've been using it since COVID).
Oh no, JoAnne! What a pain! I hope your bank gets it all sorted quickly. In the meantime your card number seems to be racking up more miles than ‘Fly the PBT Skies’. Top 5 for this year? (apart from my family)
1. Living where I do. I’m always thankful for my lovely country. But while I miss the opportunity to travel to see people, I’ve never been happier to live in a small place with a functional, science-informed and humanitarian government, surrounded by a very large moat. At the moment (though it could all change tomorrow), I can hug my family and friends. I wear a mask on public transport but otherwise do not need one. I can go where I want without worrying about a 2m distance. I can attend ballet, theatre and orchestra concerts. I am deeply, deeply grateful.
2. Seeing the world through the eyes of a toddler again. Watching my wee granddaughter learn about life and language and imagination and the joy of books (she is a complete bookworm) is so fascinating, and so much fun.
3. Technology that allows me to work from my home bubble on occasion. It is nice to hide from the world sometimes but still be productive.
4. The sea. I’m sitting in my lounge looking out at the water, with the light fading. It’s pretty special.
5. Learning to look after my bees. They’re so interesting! Hoping for another good honey harvest - I have 3 hives now ...
Karin wrote: "Meli wrote: "Karin wrote: "True, although some people have happy relationships but don't like to spend every minute together because they also like alone time."We don't spend every minute togethe..."
Our activities are pretty separate too.
I have a few book clubs and friend groups that he doesn't join in with, and he is a music guy and shares that with his friend group.
We share a short part of our evening together comparing notes of the day and sharing dinner and then kinda gravitate to our own part of the house for our own personal time.
But we don't have kids and a decent size house for just us two, so it works out. That probably helps a lot to reduce stress. I really sympathized with people trying to work from home and juggle everything WITH kids during that / this time... my heart's out to you parents!
Kate wrote:In the meantime your card number seems to be racking up more miles than ‘Fly the PBT Skies’.You made laugh Kate~ I have already won the game, most likely-LoL
My little book market opened this morning and within 10 minutes I had sold 8 books!The Friends Reading Market online book store is open! Visit us for your holiday shopping. All proceeds benefit the Clarkston Independence District Library.
https://www.cidlibrary.org/readingmarket
I am so happy and proud!
Dear all,it is so nice to read each of your Top 5s.
It is such a good idea to focus on those aspects instead of ...!
So, here are mine (which just reflect my current Top 5, they keep changing :-)
1: my husband, who I feel so close to, even though he lives about 5 hours away and we only see each other every other weekend at the moment.
2: the fact that me and my family and in-law family haven't contracted covid and nobody has lost their jobs etc.
3: teaching literature to high schoolers, a few of which seem to really appreciate my fervour, right now I am teaching Shakespeare's Macbeth and even though many of them don't understand much, they are interested and open-minded. I really appreciate my AP English class.
4: my best friend (whom I've called my friend for 41 years and counting! and who lives about two hours away) who has started sending me a postcard every day a few days ago (and plans to do so until the 24th December) to cheer me up .
5: my nephew who sends me audio messages in which he plays the piano and then sends funny and crazy emojis and gifs.
Also... goodreads and this thread!
Once started, I could go on naming many more good things in my life!
Thank you for this idea, Theresa!
Joanne wrote: "My little book market opened this morning and within 10 minutes I had sold 8 books!The Friends Reading Market online book store is open! Visit us for your holiday shopping. All proceeds benefit t..."
That is quite an accomplishment!
Joanne wrote: "My little book market opened this morning and within 10 minutes I had sold 8 books!The Friends Reading Market online book store is open! Visit us for your holiday shopping. All proceeds benefit t..."
Congratulations Joanne. I'll be browsing the site. Sorry to hear about someone getting your debit card number.
Joanne wrote: "My little book market opened this morning and within 10 minutes I had sold 8 books!The Friends Reading Market online book store is open! Visit us for your holiday shopping. All proceeds benefit t..."
That is wonderful!
Miriam wrote: "Dear all,it is so nice to read each of your Top 5s.
It is such a good idea to focus on those aspects instead of ...!
So, here are mine (which just reflect my current Top 5, they keep changing :..."
You are welcome, Miriam!
Your mention of postcards....I have been periodically sending out waves of postcards to friends and family since starting quarantine and WFH, as I have a box full from trips and or purchased in museums. I often only put a couple of words on back, but not only have I consistently received delighted thank yous and even some reciprocal ones, I have really enjoyed planning when I send which images! For example I think all the Egypt ones with sand and palm trees go out in February when cold and snowy here.
My 5:My job- teaching is my passion
My family
My friends
More home cooked meals
More time for reading and Goodreads
Joanne - your market looks fabulous! You have so much to be proud of!
Joanne wrote: "My little book market opened this morning and within 10 minutes I had sold 8 books!The Friends Reading Market online book store is open! Visit us for your holiday shopping. All proceeds benefit t..."
Congratulations, your book market looks amazing!
Thanks all for the positive feed back on My little Book Market! Woke up this morning to find 10 more books purchased!
@Joanne, I too, peaked at your book market. What a great idea to bring it on-line! It must be so gratifying to see the books being purchased.Some years back, I worked in a medical clinic with very poor children. The staff had a book case for them where they could choose books to take home. One day, my 13 year old book-worm of a nephew brought in his collection of books to donate to the kids. He carefully put his books on the book shelves, including some Harry Potters. A day later when he came back to look, Danny found that most of the books had found homes. I remember how happy it made him.
This is also a month of reflection, top 'whatever' of the year, or 'worst' of the year, and of course, speculation on who or what will be Time's Person of the Year. As for that, is there seriously any doubt, any possible contender other than COVID-19 Virus??? NOTHING and NO ONE has had a larger global impact.
Being a month for reflection, I checked back, and my very first Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch was posted March 24, 2020. I never dreamed it would strike such a cord that 37 weeks later...36 posts as I missed the 3rd week of November ... here we still are, and it is still serving that initial function: Every week on Tuesday while we all globally experience the unprecedented, we will convene our Kaffeeklatsch. The talk is how our reading is impacted, troubleshooting, airing feelings about all this, funny stories, whatever.
This weekly Kaffeeklatsch is a safe place.
I have to say, this is one of my Top 5 'whatevers' for the year. Team Jade Dragons from Poll Tally is another. Finishing Proust and finally reading The Master and Margarita are also in top 5. Rounding it out has to be that I have a profession that allows me to continue to work while controlling my environment, and that my family and myself have stayed safe and healthy.
As for worst...well Global Pandemic pretty much sums that up. No book can compete...well maybe those Maisey Yates virgin trope cowboy romances are on there too!
Let's hear it...top 5 best...go!