Hello dear friends,
This “Isolation” newsletter is starting off a little bit differently this time. My lovely friend in New Zealand (who has a great grasp of the English language, and keeps me up to scratch), wrote to me at the weekend, in response to my most recent newsletter mentioning Regency politeness and behaviour, as well as her views on “Isolation”. I quote her letter below, verbatim:
From L of New Zealand:
“First of all, I LOVE this idea… (of Regency greetings, bowing and curtseying …)
Then, this is how I see Lockdown:
My son overworks constantly and I warned him he was heading for burnout. Now, working from home, he still does long hours but he can rest more because he doesn't have a 90 minute commuter rush-hour at either end of the day.
Why did it take a virus to make him see just how exhausted he was? His story mirrors that of many people: the mad rush, the treadmill, the rat race, call it what you will, modern life and the necessity to keep a roof over your families heads and food in their tummies is a hard taskmaster.
So devastating though this virus has been, for all the lives it has taken, let's hope it has made people realise life is precious and that being so, maybe it's saved a few who might have been pushed beyond their human capacity by stress and the inability to just STOP and look at our still wonderful world...and
just breathe……
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.”
………..
I would also encourage readers to visit this exquisite short video, made in New Zealand, on Youtube. The words are so beautiful and make us realise just what beauty we live with and that we are a part of. Please visit. …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKyekQ1njNQ&fbclid=IwAR33SOK4wws9qB-MvkWrVbo8n6-WFsXmS2XFcWhM3MOuvJHWDaP2fXh3Vms
……
Another clever quotation from my friend Judy of WA:
Please - just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lock down! Actually I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and all of us agreed that things are getting bad. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything and certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron calmed me down as she said everything will be fine - no situation is too pressing....
From Ruth of Victoria:
“Thank you for your lovely newsletter. Keep it up, it does not just help you, it helps many people.
As you mentioned the homeless, here is something you might like to have a look at. I received the attached newsletter from a friend who runs a charity for the homeless. https://bit.ly/avalonian-gazette-april-2020
She deserves a mention, and, maybe, some donations from people to help the homeless.
Personally I have been attacking my weeds, making myself very unpopular with them. Hasn’t stopped me from continuing. There are a lot more to get at.
I am lucky enough to be allowed out for shopping and exercise. The last is not just walking, but a lot of talking. Keeps the face muscles strong, and you can keep your distance.
Looking for the positive things in our lives helps too.. Making someone laugh is good for the soul, ours and theirs”
……
From my very dear friend Valerie Parv:
“Thank you for thinking of me on my birthday and sending good wishes … I was given some lovely gifts from organic hand wash liquid (very timely) to books and DVDs. Plus some gift cards which I can plan how to spend until we're free to go out and do so. Sometimes planning is half the enjoyment.
I haven't had to declutter or organise my office, having done so over the last year. I even joined in the national Garage Sale Trail last October which was a major decluttering exercise. In my small community, garage sale shopping is a "thing" where a group goes from one garage sale to another, ending up having coffee at McDonald's. Personally I don't dare to visit other people's garage sales for fear of finding something I simply must have. Books are the worst of course but fortunately I read most fiction on my Kindle. I only buy nonfiction in paper as I find them easier for reference.
Thank you for quoting in your newsletter my favourite psalm, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." When I lived in Canberra there were always hills you could see even from the bus stop or the shopping mall, and this verse was in the back of my mind while shopping or waiting for a bus. It's one of the pleasures I miss from Canberra, but we have glorious rural vistas, as I was reminded when Better Homes and Gardens visited recently and showcased some of the attractions. A tourist magazine mentioned that I live here, quite unexpectedly. I've had many accolades in my career but this is my first time as a tourist attraction.
When the lockdown started six weeks ago (six weeks!) I had so many writing plans, but sad to say I've written none of them. I'll include a link to the blog I posted yesterday, exploring the reasons, as I've found many creative friends in the same situation. I have kept busy, however, blogging and taking part in online writing activitities including a week-long WordFest in aid of rescue greyhounds. I also continue to mentor the current holder of the Valerie Parv Award organised by Romance Writers of Australia. Next year's award has just closed and I'll find out mid year who will be my new mentee, or minion, as past winners call themselves. Here's my blog link.
It does talk mainly to writers but can also apply to any creative goal we may have. (Note from the NoteBook©: The hints and strategies Valerie has put forward so easily fit into what we who are not “writers” can do, to take away the stress of “Isolation” …… Rosemary)
Thank you again for another thought-provoking newsletter. Your consideration for the homeless is commendable. I saw on a news program recently an interview with a homeless man for whom a long term place had been found with others staying in a motel, and he said he had become so used to having a proper place to live and bed to sleep in that he didn't know how he would cope going back to the streets. I only pray he doesn't have to.”
Recently Valerie talked writing with Sarah Williams
on her Write With Love Podcast
Look for Valerie's 'Desert Justice' in 'Her Hot Desert Fantasy' anthology on Amazon.com and Big W.
Outback Code, 3 books in one from Mira out now in stores, print and ebooks
From my dear pastors, G and M (from the Village here. We can not, at the moment, attend Chapel each week, but these two wonderful girls ensure we are not “grounded” without any contact from them.)
“So here we are another week stuck inside, feeling a little bit frustrated, bored, maybe even alone. So what can we do in order to help ourselves survive this unusual time we are living in.
What can we do with this time of solitude. Is there something we can learn from all this time we have on our hands at the moment, from the Scriptures?
- Solitude is a state of being alone without being lonely and can lead to self- awareness
- Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection, inner searching, growth or enjoyment of some kind.
- Solitude suggests peacefulness stemming from a state of inner richness, It is a means of enjoying the quiet, and whatever it brings that is satisfying, and from which we draw sustenance. It is something we cultivate
- Solitude is refreshing’ an opportunity to renew ourselves. In other words, it replenishes us
- Solitude gives us time to explore and know ourselves. It is the necessary counterpoint to intimacy, it is what allows us to have a self worthy of sharing. Solitude gives us a chance to regain perspective
- Solitude restores body and mine and Spirit. A time to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of lives around us.”
MAY I CLOSE THIS NEWSLETTER, WITH A MESSAGE FROM MY FRIEND BILL CREWS, OF THE EXODUS FOUNDATION IN SYDNEY:
Hi everyone
The homeless people we work with and love usually have three chronic illnesses. For them Coronavirus probably means death.
We do everything we can to protect them. That includes free flu shots and virus testing for everyone.
Here is the link to the 7-minute video showing how we do it. https://youtu.be/utNoA7i8vJk
God Bless, Bill
Fondest regards
Rosemary 🌹 🌹 🌹 STAY SAFE, TAKE CARE EVERYONE.
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