How are you all doing? A tough week for every country as the virus takes its toll and family and friends around the world are being directly impacted.
We are officially on lock down here in Ireland from today until April 12th initially. No non-essential journeys unless to work, supermarket and medical appointments. All non-essential businesses such as hotels, cafes and restaurants, hair salons etc have been shut down for a couple of weeks now and I think that the current lock down has been timed over the Easter weekend to counteract any thoughts of heading off to the coast or other holiday destinations in the country. I went out early to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables and everyone was being very respectful of safe distances and I was in and out in 20 minutes, including waiting for the shop to open.
The shelves were all stocked including toilet paper, and it was good to see the check out staff behind perspex, so important to keep them safe. As much as I admire the health care staff, who are amazing, it is the men and women who are turning up to work in our essential services every day and putting themselves at risk that also should be shown absolute courtesy and gratitude.
Here we have around 4,500 living in the area during the off season, but from Easter through to September this usually swells by many thousands more staying in mobile homes along the coast. Unfortunately many of the small businesses rely on this summer trade and will no longer be viable after this virus has passed. When you look at issues such as this on this level it is easy to see how our world on a global scale is going to be changed, possibly for many years.
I do think that on the upside, the majority of people are going to be a lot more self-aware with regard to health, personal space and the way they travel going forward. Perhaps for some it will mean a completely different perspective on priorities and what they can live without.
Anyway I do hope you are staying safe and staying indoors and have access to all the food you need and support. And with that in mind, I have created a new theme for Posts from Your Archives, focused on the family and friends who play such an important role in our lives. I hope you will read the post below and participate.
There is no doubt that during this current health crisis that is on a global scale, with many of us in long term lock down, it is our family and friends that we will be turning to for support. Even if, as in my case, my family are hundreds of miles away in the UK and we are only in touch by email and Skype. The online connection we have with family and friends around the world is very important, and I would personally be lost without it. Social media is also key at this time for helping to maintain connection during the isolation, particularly for those living on their own.
In this new series, I would love you to share your posts from the archives about your family and friends, and that can of course include the very important fur and feather family that provide so much comfort.
It might be historical posts about your family who I am sure in the past have had to show their own fortitude during hard times and conflict. It could be a tribute to parents or grandparents or children or grandchildren. How a pet has brought you joy and connection. Stories of your life over the years and your friendships that have supported and motivated you. In prose or poetry.
Find out more: New Series – Posts from Your Archives April 2020 – #Family and #Friends
Now on with the other posts from the week, and as always, my thanks to all the guests who have contributed and regular contributors who add so much to the blog.
Another two stories from the collection.
Letters from America A Texas Menace and Realtors.
Doglovers – My Name is Danny – #Doglovers – Tales from Danny the Dog assisted by Andrew Joyce.
Double Etheree – The Night Sky
Double Etheree – The Night Sky
Smorgasbord Health Column – Food Therapy – The pungent defenders Onions and Garlic
Shall We Dance from The King and I
Romance – Sunset Beach (Blue Haven Book 2) by Jacquie Biggar
Sir Chocolate and the Ice cream Rainbow Fairies story and cookbook by Robbie and Michael Cheadle
#Thriller Booms and Busts by Geoff Le Pard
Mystery Eloise de Sousa, Afghanistan Patricia Furstenberg, Thriller Daniel Kemp
Memoir D.G. Kaye, Paranormal Roberta Eaton Cheadle, Romance Jeanine Lunsford
Mystery Stevie Turner, Fantasy Fiona Tarr, Memoir Pete Springer
short story Footprints by Jemima Pett
50 Tree Stories by Miriam Hurdle
Recipe – Oven Sheet Pan Crepes by The Frugal Hausfrau
#Marriage – After You Say “I Do” by Cheryl Oreglia
Book Review by Kevin Cooper – Fawn by Nash Summers
More funnies from D. G. Kaye and some new material from Sally
More funnies from D. G. Kaye and some new material from Sally
Smorgasbord Laughter Lines Extra…Keep Dancing
Thank you very much for dropping in during the week and leaving your comments, they are much enjoyed. I hope you will join me and my guests again next week and that you stay safe and well… hugs Sally
Thanks for checking in with us, Sally! All is well so far in my household. I’m settling in this afternoon to work on a new ekphrastic poem for a contest. I hope all is well with you and your family.
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Thanks Liz.. my sisters and brother are in the UK and under lock down now and sorry not to be closer but we keep in touch with video calls.. Everyone here is fine and we are locked in by choice… have no desire to go out at all.. hugs xx
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Sounds as if your family is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. Technology does help with staying connected.
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On the news last night, a nurse was appealing to our community for a safe place to stay after working 12-14 hour shifts. She lives in a 2-bedroom apartment with her husband and small children and is afraid of carrying the virus home to her family.
This is a grim reality many face and I would hope people step up to help.
Thanks for highlighting my new release this week, Sally.
Stay safe ❤
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I hope that she found somewhere Jacquie.. quite a few people have a granny annexe of a studio flat attached to a house.. she deserves everything people can give her..♥
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Great week, Sally. Thanks.
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Thanks John and for being such a multi-lingual supporter….hugs
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What a lovely and loving post. Like you, I’m in awe of all the caregivers, especially the nurses and doctors who are giving so much. Unlike you, locally the shelves remain pretty bare. Hugs from the U.S.
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Thanks Gwen.. stay safe and keep in touch..hugs ♥
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Thank you Sal, for keeping us informed and entertained. ❤
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And thanks for keeping the humour flowing Debby ♥
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That’s my pleasure Sal ❤
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♥
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You’re doing an excellent job of trying to keep things as normal as possible. It’s hard because so many other aspects of our lives are anything but normal right now. We’ve primarily stayed home for the last two weeks. I feel bad for everyone, but especially for those in the medical field that are risking their lives each day.
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I agree Pete they are on the frontline in every sense of the word. All we can do is our bit by staying home…xx
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I appreciate the update, Sally. It’s good to know what’s happening in other parts of the world. Here in Vancouver, Canada, we’ve been self-isolating for over a week now. My employer sent everyone home on March 18th, and our provincial health care providers put us on notice much earlier in the month that it would like come to this. So, I guess we’re as prepared as we can be. We’re tentatively supposed to return to work after Easter as well, but we’ll see how things play out over the next couple of week. We’re still seeing an upswing in new cases because self-isolation hasn’t been a full 14 days yet. Hoping for better things to come. Stay safe!!
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Thanks for sharing your situation Debra… It is a way to safe our lives, but I do think the world will be changed afterwards in many areas from travel to our priorities… especially for the young who will be facing a future of opportunity to do the right thing I hope. Stay safe too..hugs
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