Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Round Up – 22nd – 28th March 2020

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.

Walter – Lost and Alone

Xenia – Beloved

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

Fantasy The Man Who Found Birds among the Stars, Part Seven: Fifth Island in the River: A Biographical Fiction by Lorinda J. Taylor

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