Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
General Discussions
>
Random Thoughts
Happy, I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm glad it seems to be a mild form of the virus. I hope you and Mrs. Happy get well soon. Take care and stay safe. And best wishes for the coming year.
Good luck Happy.
My husband came down with it. He had a fever and didn’t seem to know me so I called 911. He was kept at a medical facility until his fever came down to 101. My granddaughter flew down from Salt Lake and took charge since I am handicapped and can’t help much. She stayed two weeks and went home after he got better. I thought I was calm but that first night I couldn’t sleep. I took a sleeping pill. Didn’t work. Then I took two over the counter sleep aids. Still didn’t work. So then after much thought I got up and took a tranquilizer. That worked. I was so strung out over thinking I might lose him that I was tied up tighter than a tick. I didn’t get sick. I have Oneg blood which for some reason doesn’t seem to be affected by Covid 19. Go figure.
Oh, Marilyn, I am so very sorry for the stress all this had caused you. You didn’t say, but is your husband home now??
Thanks, May. Yes, he’s home now. He was only gone most of the first day. They sent him home once his temp reached 101 and he was coherent. They needed his bed. Later, his temp reached 107 and so my granddaughter hauled him off again but by the time she got him to the hospital his temp was 101 again. Fortunately, she got to talk to the doctor who said as long as he maintained that temp he would be ok. He was sick about two weeks. He’s well now and up and about. I’m still a basket case, though.
I can imagine!! Sending healthy hugs!! 🤗
Thank you so much. I needed that. 😊
Marilyn wrote: "Thanks, May. Yes, he’s home now. He was only gone most of the first day. They sent him home once his temp reached 101 and he was coherent. They needed his bed. Later, his temp reached 107 and so my..."Whoa - that's scary!!! I'm glad things are looking up!!!! I'ld send hugs to, but the six foot rule and all that :)
I haven't had serious symptoms and those I have had are just about gone - just a bit of a runny nose left. I;m feeling good enough to take the dog for a short walk tonight. There shouldn't be anyone out on the streets at this time of night (about 9PM local), so I should be okay :)
Yes, it was scary. When the ambulance guys hauled him away I wasn’t sure I’d ever see him again. The 107 temp stunned me but my granddaughter got it down with cold rags while on the phone with ER. She was such a help to me. And to think I used to take care of her! My husband stayed down about two weeks (which for him was a record!) He still tires easily which he thinks he’s got hidden from me but, nevertheless, I know. This Covid stuff is the very devil.
Good luck, Marylin! But please be careful: we know of families where some members got Covid but others didn't, and it doesn't seem related to blood group. So keep on being careful and wearing a mask, just in case. Wishing you a healthy and happy new year!
Marilyn wrote: "Yes, it was scary. When the ambulance guys hauled him away I wasn’t sure I’d ever see him again. The 107 temp stunned me but my granddaughter got it down with cold rags while on the phone with ER. ..."Omg, you poor thing!
Bless her heart!
happy wrote: "I realize this is late, but I hope everyone is having a very Happy Holiday season, had a Merry Christmas and will have a very Happy and prosperous New Year!On a more personal not so happy note, W..."
oh, happy. My thoughts are with you. Good luck to you and your loved ones.
Marilyn wrote: "My husband came down with it. He had a fever and didn’t seem to know me so I called 911. He was kept at a medical facility until his fever came down to 101. My granddaughter flew down from Salt Lak..."And our Marilyn is in the thick of it too. Dear Marilyn, reading what you were going through with not sleeping and worrying if you were going to lose him, it was gut wrenching.
I hope he's recovering well.
Good luck to you and your loved ones too. We are all here for you. And for happy, and for any others amoung us here going through it.
i want to say Happy New Year to everyone ... but that's only because happy new year is what we traditionally say in January. It's not really a normal year is it? So, I guess instead of Happy New Year, I say to all our A&M members ...
Welcome to 2021! May it bring us happiness and peace and many good reads.
That’s a good way to say it differently and lends it with more feeling! 😊
happy wrote: "I realize this is late, but I hope everyone is having a very Happy Holiday season, had a Merry Christmas and will have a very Happy and prosperous New Year!On a more personal not so happy note, W..."
Can I add my best wishes to everyone in the group for 2021. Like Terri, I feel a bit iffy about using the traditional greeting of Happy New Year after everything 2020 threw at us. Can I also extend my sympathy to those like Happy, Simone and Marilyn who have either caught Covid or been too close to it for comfort. As a UK-based key worker, I have seen others who have suffered, although I have avoided it. It’s the sheer damned randomness of it that is so alarming.
So here’s hoping the new vaccines roll out successfully and make 2021 a much happier year. All the best to everyone.
Thanks, Jerry. Best of the new year to you and yours, too. 😊
Tnx Jerry, things are going well - As wishing everyone a Happy New Year - I'm just glad 2020 is over and I feel 2021 really can't be get much worse, so everyoneHappy New Year
I agree, the phrase “Happy New Year” doesn’t seem to speak to how I am feeling and what I wish to convey. Somehow, as much as we all relish well used words and a well written phrase, I stumble in my efforts to wish you all healthy, well and safe. May we all find ways to thrive in 2021!!
Covid is certainly making people re-evaluate community, I think, and what it means to us. Something like a pandemic or World Wars, or likesuch world wide event or disaster, makes you feel like we're not on all these seperate land masses with no connection. We're one giant community going through the same thing. Community doesn't end at the boundary of your town, city, neighbourhood etc ..That's how I feel anyway. :-)
On a lighter note, After a few years of being in drought or going into drought at this time of year, we've had so much glorious rain since November that our farm is lush and green. I can't tell you how good it felt to look out the window on Xmas Day and see green instead of brown. And to not have to worry about taking hay to cattle.It is awesome!
What a relief!!! A photo would be enjoyed!!Here’s to a healthy, thriving 2021!!
May wrote: "I agree, the phrase “Happy New Year” doesn’t seem to speak to how I am feeling and what I wish to convey. Somehow, as much as we all relish well used words and a well written phrase, I stumble in m..."I think you said it pretty well!!
Terri wrote: "Covid is certainly making people re-evaluate community, I think, and what it means to us. Something like a pandemic or World Wars, or likesuch world wide event or disaster, makes you feel like we'r..."It sure didn’t feel like community where I’m from! This past year has brought out the very ugliness of the world. And in the States, I’m from a part known as the Midwest, which it’s people have a reputation for their niceness! 😳
But I do understand and agree with what you’re saying, Terri.
Terri wrote: "On a lighter note, After a few years of being in drought or going into drought at this time of year, we've had so much glorious rain since November that our farm is lush and green. I can't tell you..."I saw your pictures on Facebook and was soooo happy for you!! I remember you commenting here in previous years about your laundry piling up because there wasn’t any water to do loads and many restrictions. So glad you, the animals, and the farm are doing well!!!
Sorry for everyone affected by the vile virus, and keep safe all! Have a better Year 2021! And I agree about evaluating certain things more! :)
Allie wrote: "...It sure didn’t feel like community where I’m from! This past year has brought out the very ugliness of the world. And in the States, I’m "That's a shame. Do you think the community showed extra strain due to a divisive election?
p.s I'm doing heaps of laundry today due to that same reason. haha! I feel it's finally safe to do multiple loads. So everything is getting a wash this weekend. All the bedding in spare rooms, throws, etc All the miscellaneous stuff I've been hanging back on all year.
Terri wrote: "Allie wrote: "...It sure didn’t feel like community where I’m from! This past year has brought out the very ugliness of the world. And in the States, I’m "That's a shame. Do you think the communi..."
Oh yeah, that was a huge part of it. Also the toilet paper and other hoarding issues. And I don’t know what your media was like but it was amped up here, basically fear-mongering. People were awful to other people in stores, even outside places. Neighbors snitching on neighbors. I work for a pool company and we fell under the “water” category of essential businesses when we were under lockdown. We got the cops called on us so many times. Nothing ever came of it but neighbors couldn’t mind their own business (I couldn't help thinking that’s how the Nazis gained power so quickly, everyone was so eager to rat everyone else out). One officer that came to our door said that the department was FLOODED with calls of people calling 911 to report that a kid was outside riding their bike. Children! Riding their bikes for something normal to do. In the fresh air 🙄 So no, our sense of community was not very strong here.
I'm really curious. Why was a pool company considered necessary services? :-D
Allie, we saw some of the mean & nasty behaviors you described. But our community, both our residential neighborhood & our small Town, was working hard to be supportive & helpful to each other. Mean & nasty was minimal. However, we are relieved to be moving on to a more promising 2021!!
It was tentative lol. But we treat/maintain a few indoor pools and spas used for medical purposes that you can’t just leave sitting there stagnant. Also, we had started outdoor resurface projects where we tore out the old pool so it’s technically just a huge open stone pit that if someone fell into, we’d be liable for. Those outdoor projects are what we got called on. But all the techs have to wear PPE’s and respirators when tearing out that old crap anyways, plus they drove in separate trucks so people needed to mind their own business!
Allie wrote: "Terri wrote: "Allie wrote: "...It sure didn’t feel like community where I’m from! This past year has brought out the very ugliness of the world. And in the States, I’m "That's a shame. Do you thi..."
There was some of the same behavior here re toilet paper and bleach, wipes, etc. but stores have enough now and folks are not being greedy. Stores have put limits though. During the complete lockdown I saw kids riding bikes but I never said anything to anyone. Big deal!
May wrote: "Allie, we saw some of the mean & nasty behaviors you described. But our community, both our residential neighborhood & our small Town, was working hard to be supportive & helpful to each other. Mea..."That’s wonderful! I’m glad to hear it :)
Jane wrote: "Allie wrote: "Terri wrote: "Allie wrote: "...It sure didn’t feel like community where I’m from! This past year has brought out the very ugliness of the world. And in the States, I’m "That's a sha..."
Since my state has been in another 2 month lockdown, stores are sparse on certain things again. But no where near it once was. The main thing I’ve seen missing are boxes of noodles/rice and sometimes my sister has a hard time finding baby wipes for my niece.
Local community in terms of local shops & neighbours have been grand around me, everyone looking out for each other..... the problem was the bigger stores (corporate) where they allowed a free for all whilst on the other hand saying they were helping the vulnerable..... were they as feck!! They did not prioritise the vulnerable at all & were more than happy to see their shelfs cleared of product thank you very much..... even shipping out extra freezers to some folk who bragged about having an extra freezer in the garage chock full...... whilst it was the local cornershop, market greengrocer & butcher who helped us out by picking & making deliveries to us in those first few months of lockdown! Local community was good as a whole, nationally not so good in the UK, too many doing their own thing & developing "workarounds" for the rules or jus blaming the government for EVERYTHING & ignoring the rules entirely instead of being part of the bigger community.
AND Yes Allie it wasn't only the US media, here in the UK the media fuelled a lot of the problems, they couldn't get enough of it....
The hoarding and the food and supplies shortages certainly were an eyeopener with this pandemic. Over here I don't think it is still going on. Most of the country is Covid free, with some recent outbreaks in the States of New South Wales and Victoria. As the outbreaks are not vast, I think the mad shopping and hoarding is not much of a thing anymore. But I bet if they tbreatened a lockdown again, like we had mid 2020, people would go nuts again,At least the stores have systems to put in place again if that happens. Such as limited people in stores at the one time, limits on multiple purchases.
I know you've all discussed the Goodreads Choice awards historical fiction list ... but ... I can't believe the book that won the category, won by so many votes over heavy hitters such as Hamnet and The Mirror & the Light . I'm sure the winner was deserving, I just mean, the actual voting data. I would've thought the top four or five would have been closer.In case anyone hasn't seen the voting numbers on the books, here's the link to the category. You can see each books voter numbers above the book.
https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...
Terri wrote: "I know you've all discussed the Goodreads Choice awards historical fiction list ... but ... I can't believe the book that won the category, won by so many votes over heavy hitters such as [book:Ham..."I think the whole things is a persistent annoyance. The general fiction winner had more votes than ratings (when the results came out). If people are voting for books they haven't read, it renders the whole process even more meaningless than it already was.
Terri wrote: "I know you've all discussed the Goodreads Choice awards historical fiction list ... but ... I can't believe the book that won the category, won by so many votes over heavy hitters such as Ham..."</i>I never even heard of [bookcover:The Vanishing Half. Maybe the author has a lot of followers who voted it in. I've seen it happen with one or two other authors that I actually like and who do have big followings. I certainly hope there's no election fraud going on!
All that being said, I found the selection of books available for voting on to be... depressing. Like all the big NY publishing companies were paying to get their books on the list, crowding out everyone else.
Was I just imagining that?
Terri wrote: "I know you've all discussed the Goodreads Choice awards historical fiction list ... but ... I can't believe the book that won the category, won by so many votes over heavy hitters such as [book:Ham..."I didn’t even know that was historical!
Goodreads is just a popularity game :/
Allie wrote: "Terri wrote: "I know you've all discussed the Goodreads Choice awards historical fiction list ... but ... I can't believe the book that won the category, won by so many votes over heavy hitters suc..."Agree! That´s why we always have to read the books that are on lists or in blogs... :P
Michaela wrote: "Allie wrote: "Terri wrote: "I know you've all discussed the Goodreads Choice awards historical fiction list ... but ... I can't believe the book that won the category, won by so many votes over hea..."Ditto!! I should think reading a book beforehand would be a given.
I personally wouldn't vote for something i hadn't read.
Back when the Goodreads Choice Award was a new thing, I used to vote for books I hadn't read and sounded interesting. There was never anything I had read in the categories and I wanted to be involved. I stopped that a long, long time ago. I mean, we're going back many, many years. Now, Im am the same as some of you. I'll only vote for books I've read. So, in other words I never vote anymore. lol. Because I haven't read any of the books nominated!
My conundrum also!! The best that list offers for book suggestions. But I trust our GR recommendations & review far and above anything on that list!! Just sayin’ 🤔
May wrote: "My conundrum also!! The best that list offers for book suggestions. But I trust our GR recommendations & review far and above anything on that list!! Just sayin’ 🤔"Or, if the library has the book I want to read, I trust their reviews: from library magazines. I put Goodreads and Library Thing the same; I trust their reviews.
The books listed on the GR Choice awards are books I’ve never heard before - or after.
Is anyone else getting friend requests from Russian bots again, or is it just me?
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
The Berry Pickers (other topics)Fortune's Child (other topics)
Hild (other topics)
Sharpe's Command (other topics)
Edenglassie (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Amanda Peters (other topics)Nicola Griffith (other topics)
Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
Allan Hands (other topics)
More...
Wishing you better soon, without any residual effects!!!
Truly wishing a healthy, happy 2021 for All!!