2021 - Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets!

[Dale]

Diana wrote: "Getting books sorted for my street library this morning and the unit shook.
Yep - fires, floods, pandemic and now an earthquake."

Heard about that. Glad you are okay Diana.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I was just reading about it and there were three quakes which were felt far and wide! Hard to believe how far it was felt!!

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "I have just received an email from my library that they'll be starting a Click & Collect service from the 27th September! Yay!"

My closest library is doing it too, but unfortunately I'm not allowed to use it as my suburb ist still (just inside) in an LGA of concern (even though we have no cases and 90% have had at least one vaccination).

[Carolyn]

Diana wrote: "Getting books sorted for my street library this morning and the unit shook.
Yep - fires, floods, pandemic and now an earthquake."

Could you feel the earthquakes where you are Diana? I hope there's not too much damage to buildings.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just received an email from my library that they'll be starting a Click & Collect service from the 27th September! Yay!"

My closest library is doing it too, but unfortunately..."

Hope you can go there soon Carolyn! I've just seen how we have had 45 new cases in the HNE Health area in the last 24 hours, and that's our highest yet! Doesn't look good for us getting out of lockdown :(

[Diana]

Carolyn wrote: "Diana wrote: "Getting books sorted for my street library this morning and the unit shook.
Yep - fires, floods, pandemic and now an earthquake."

Could you feel the earthquakes where you are Diana?..."

Yes, I was in my front room and everything shook and it sounded like there was someone walking around on my roof. It was scary and it scared my cat too. To be honest I thought it was the builders next door doing damage as they have already damaged our fence. And yes, as construction workers they also got Covid.

[Carolyn]

That sounds really scary Diana! In Australia, we usually have no idea what's happening when there's an earthquake.

I remember when the Newcastle earthquake happened in 1989, I was at work in Sydney and had no idea why the building was shaking (I thought there might have been an explosion), but a young guy from China who was working with us immediately took off and ran out of the building like a shot because he knew exactly what had happened.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "That sounds really scary Diana! In Australia, we usually have no idea what's happening when there's an earthquake.

I remember when the Newcastle earthquake happened in 1989, I was at work in Sydn..."

Yes we are glad not to have been here for that, but there was a smaller one in the late nineties which we felt. It was a terrifying experience!

[Krystal]

Diana wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Diana wrote: "Getting books sorted for my street library this morning and the unit shook.
Yep - fires, floods, pandemic and now an earthquake."

Could you feel the earthquakes wher..."

I was at work and definitely thought it was construction happening upstairs. An earthquake is a bit unexpected! However I was pleased to see when I got home that none of my book stacks had toppled lol. I was concerned about bent pages! XD

[Jeni]

Hi everyone! It's been a little bit since I've been on here, sorry. I was struggling with some health problems that have lead me to having plenty of time on my hands to read and start participating again.

[Dale]

Jennifer wrote: "Hi everyone! It's been a little bit since I've been on here, sorry. I was struggling with some health problems that have lead me to having plenty of time on my hands to read and start participating..."

Welcome back Jennifer Hope your health sues have improved,

[Jeni]

Dale wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Hi everyone! It's been a little bit since I've been on here, sorry. I was struggling with some health problems that have lead me to having plenty of time on my hands to read and st..."

Thank you! I am slowly on the mend. Slowly isn't a bad thing, it's forcing me to slow down- kind of like an extended vacation.

[Dale]

Jennifer wrote: "Dale wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Hi everyone! It's been a little bit since I've been on here, sorry. I was struggling with some health problems that have lead me to having plenty of time on my hands t..."

Hope you continue to do well,

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jennifer wrote: "Hi everyone! It's been a little bit since I've been on here, sorry. I was struggling with some health problems that have lead me to having plenty of time on my hands to read and start participating..."

Welcome back Jennifer. Take care and stay safe :)

[Jeni]

Thanks for the welcome back!

[Diana]

Just did my weekly walk with a friend. We have been sampling all the coffee ☕️ places a suburb over and had coffee with oat milk today. Very creamy flavour and very nice.

[Diana]

Another crazy recommendation

Because you are reading Escape to the Chateau try Hannibal (Hannibal Lechter #3)

[Andrea]

Diana wrote: "Another crazy recommendation

Because you are reading Escape to the Chateau try Hannibal (Hannibal Lechter #3)"

OMG 🤣🤣🤣

[Diana]

Thought you would all appreciate this.

My great niece, Poppy started school this year. She is 6 and reading well past her age. The last two nights my niece has caught Poppy reading by a nightlight after she has been put to bed. She is currently reading the Ella Diaries Excellent Collection

[Marianne]

Fans of Amy Stewart's Kopp Sisters series might like to see this interview with Amy and her audiobook narrator, Christina Moore. She does such a great read, I'm really sad my library doesn't have these on any of the audiobook platforms.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?mc_cid=01...

[Krystal]

Diana wrote: "Thought you would all appreciate this.

My great niece, Poppy started school this year. She is 6 and reading well past her age. The last two nights my niece has caught Poppy reading by a nightlight..."

Ah that's so cute! I fondly remember the naughtiness of reading under the covers when I was supposed to be sleeping!

[Carolyn]

It's lovely to know that kids today still love to sneak a book into bed to read instead of a screen! Sounds like Poppy's going to have a lifelong love of reading !

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Yes I also remember doing the same thing - never realising of course that the glow from my torch shone through the covers!! Those were the days!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thomas wrote: "OK, Guys. I have an unusual request here.
..."

Thomas could you please ask this question in your Author thread - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks :)

[Sarah]

How's everyone going in NSW and Victoria? I'm thinking of you all often, seeing those numbers each day...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fed up Sarah - but we're all in the same boat. Unfortunately in our area - Hunter New England LGA - the numbers are accellerating alarmingly! Today's total of 93 is way higher than we've had in the past. The day before was 65 and that was bad enough!!

[Krystal]

I stopped looking at numbers last year - it's just depressing when we have no control over what we can and can't do anyway! I just take it one day at a time.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I understand that Krystal. We look at the numbers each day - NSW case numbers, how many deaths, and number in our LGA - to see if things are improving. And for NSW they are, finally. I don't like being FULLY in the dark ;)

[Helen]

It is just so sad for Victoria and NSW the numbers state wide are dropping in NSW and the vaccine rates are growing whish is good hopefully we will have some restrictions lifted next Monday here in NSW and I am off to visit one of my daughters and grandsons yay it has been a while since we have caught up and then the following week we hopefully will be able to visit another daughter up your way Brenda fingers crossed

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Helen wrote: "It is just so sad for Victoria and NSW the numbers state wide are dropping in NSW and the vaccine rates are growing whish is good hopefully we will have some restrictions lifted next Monday here in..."

I hope you can Helen. We'll be doing the same but continuing to be VERY cautious!

[Thomas]

Brenda wrote: "Thomas wrote: "OK, Guys. I have an unusual request here.
..."

Thomas could you please ask this question in your Author thread - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"

OK. Will do. Thanks, Brenda.

[Carolyn]

I agree Brenda, I think we’ll need to be very cautious for a while yet. 70% vaccination still means that 30% aren’t fully vaccinated and can still catch the virus it, become very ill and also spread it.
.
It’s great that we’re finally opening up again in NSW after 14 weeks and can see family and friends again but we still need to keep wearing masks in public places and avoiding crowds, while enjoying the freedom.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes it's a positive thing. I just hope the cases don't skyrocket - but imagine they will! My daughter is just trying to work out if they'll send their two boys back to preschool. They can start again on the 18th October. Such a hard decision...

[Helen]

I agree with cautious we won't be rushing to too many places yet

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

No we can't afford to unfortunately.

[Sharon]

Sarah wrote: "How's everyone going in NSW and Victoria? I'm thinking of you all often, seeing those numbers each day..."

Thanks for thinking of us, Sarah. I’m in Victoria and like everyone else I’m well and truly over it. Like many I haven’t been able to work which means no income. But as much as I’m frustrated and fed up I’m also very saddened by the amount of people who are dying from this awful virus and my heart also goes out to those who are in hospital and their poor families. Such a tough times for everyone. 😢

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It sure is Sharon - and yet there are still anti-vaxxers out there :(

[Diana]

I’m excited because I worked on campus today. We have had to cordone off the library collection but we are available for year 12s to print their folios and practice exams. I weeded part of the non fiction and got staff reservations out.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Diana!

[Diana]

Well the joy of working on campus was short lived. There was a Covid case and I have to isolate til I find out if I was a close contact.
Good luck to everyone in NSW with opening up. My sister is reopening her shop so I sent her flowers.

[Helen]

That is not good Diana, fingers crossed you are OK

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Diana wrote: "Well the joy of working on campus was short lived. There was a Covid case and I have to isolate til I find out if I was a close contact.
Good luck to everyone in NSW with opening up. My sister is r..."

Hubby and I are being cautious and apart from visiting our kids, will act as if we're still under lockdown. I'm afraid (as are many others) that cases will sky rocket. Our doctor told us this morning that the Hunter is still a red zone and advises staying home if possible. I hope your sister's shop goes well, and that you are negative too.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I went food shopping this morning and had to laugh. Every hairdresser I passed had at least twenty people queued up waiting for their turn to go in. In this strange Covid world toilet paper and haircuts are the things we want the most.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! I'll be waiting awhile for my hair cut :)

[Em__Jay]

I also did a small grocery shop this morning. Hairdressers, nail salons and eyebrow salons all had lines out the door.

And then there's me who used YouTube to learn how to cut and layer my own hair successfully during the first lockdown. :-D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Good on you Em! I also cut my own hair in the last lockdown - but didn't go on YouTube. ;)

[Helen]

I am visiting my daughter and grandsons woohoo

[Diana]

Well unofficially I know I am not a close contact so just waiting for the school to give us the go ahead to go back on site.
I will also be cautious once we have a bit more freedom. I have been very strict about what I do and will only try to catch up with family and a friend who is my regular walking partner.
I had short hair last year. This year my hair is nearly all grown out and hitting my shoulders. I'm not in any hurry to get it cut.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Helen wrote: "I am visiting my daughter and grandsons woohoo"

Enjoy Helen :)

[Carolyn]

My son's one of the ones queueing up for a haircut in Sydney today. He's starting a new job next week and his new boss contacted him to send in a photo for his ID card. He reckons' there's no way he wants to start the first day of his new job looking like a caveman or be stuck with covid hair forever on his ID! He has really thick hair so I see his point.