Yep, in spite of the fact that I’ve not left my house in over 8 weeks, nor seen the face of a single friend, nor been able to do much writing thanks to COVID-Brain, I am definitely feeling lucky. I’m still HERE! As of today, at least, I still get another chance to do it all better! And that, my friends, is a daily miracle we often forget, and honestly, one I’m surprised to find myself enjoying: the miracle of life in all its guises. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. WOOOO and also HOOOO!!
To bring you up to date, I am no longer having any symptoms of this dreaded, miserably wretched, murderous virus we’re all sick of hearing about. I do have a greatly reduced energy level, but I’ve even seen some improvement in that area, too. I know the fatigue-related stuff can go on for an extended period, but I’ve learned how to go on, myself, right alongside it. In other words, it might slow me down, but it’s not going to stop me.
I do plan to return to blogging (and visiting the blogs of my friends) by October 1. I’m giving myself the rest of this month without any firm commitments as to the blog or my current WIP, just keeping the posting and writing flexible and simple for now. But come October 1, I want to get back to my regularly scheduled programming, as they say.
I will be putting out a call for those who’d like to take part in #GuestDayTuesdays to share promotions, new releases, and various other topics. I’ll be continuing with my new #GrannySays series, and will start back sharing weekly roundup posts from Story Empire and Sally Cronin’s Smorgasbord. I’m not going to continue with #FirstLineFriday for now, though that might return in the future. But I do want to run some special “events” now and then, such as #ExcerptWeek, and a few new things I’m going to fit in here and there.
I’m very much looking forward to resuming these features and adding some new ones, and to finishing my current WIP, Riverbend #4, Working title A Need to Burn, and just may share some excerpts from that, along the way.
And finally, I’d like to thank all of you for your support and encouragement over the last weeks. Our blogging and writing community is the absolute BEST, and I appreciate each and every one of you!
Stay tuned, my friends, and remember, “Life Finds a Way.” (Recognize that? Hmmm. Maybe a new series for this blog: “Who Said It?” That could be fun!)
Now go forth and live YOUR life! And be sure to stay Safe and Well! (It’s much more enjoyable that way.)
Your fighting spirit keeps you strong! I’m looking forward to your return. 🙂
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Thank you, Yvette. While I’m trying to post now and then, my usual blogging schedule is more than I want to commit to right now. BUT … it’s coming soon! Thanks for letting me know you’re looking forward to it. 😀 ❤
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Marcia, I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been so ill. Stay strong. I’m glad to hear you’re on the mend. Huge hugs coming your way. ❤
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Thanks, Colleen. Compared to some, I was truly lucky. We’d both been vaccinated and had only very mild symptoms, but still had to quarantine, of course. Mark’s symptoms were gone in 4 days. Mine lasted six more weeks. But MOSTLY, they’ve cleared up, so yep. I’m on the mend. And thanks so much for the hugs and for taking time to say hello! 😀 ❤
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Well, I need to stop by more often. Take care and glad to hear you will be back in the blogosphere. ❤
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I’m sure glad you’re feeling more “normal,” and getting back to normal life. I am still waiting on a second opinion on this nodule in my lung, but trying to live as normal a life as possible. Other than coughing and shortness of breath, my health is back to normal as well. “They” tell me the blood clot is dissolved by now and the blood thinner is just to prevent further clots.
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I’m so glad most of your good health has returned and I do hope and pray that clot is dissolved, and you’ll have NO MORE of them! Thanks for stopping by, Rae, and stay tuned for more to come around here after the 1st. (And a little bit of good stuff before then. We still have Then Things posts scheduled into December! 😀 ) ❤
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What a journey we’re all on! Your beautiful post reminds us that when life seems to be on hold, we can still be surprised by the miracles around us — the sunrise and sunset or a friendly phone call can brighten our day, our life. Certainly, you brighten mine, dear Marcia. 💗
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I’m so happy to know I brighten your day now and then, Gwen. That’s lovely! And yep, miracles around us continue to unfold, so paying attention to them is always a good idea. After all, every single sunrise we get to see means we have been given one more chance to do it all better, so I do love those! Stay safe and well, my friend, and THAT will brighten MY day! 😀 ❤
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Yay, you’re on the upswing! You’ll be back 100 percent soon, I’m sure!
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Thanks so much for that encouragement, Priscilla. That’s my goal, and the support of our wonderful blogging community keeps me focused on it. Lovely to have you stopping by today! 😀 ❤
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So glad to know you’re doing better and are symptom-free now! Keep up resting and rebuilding your strength, and you’ll be back up and running in no time.
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That’s my clever plan, Jeanne! 😀 Hopefully back to business as usual by the 1st, if all goes well. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and you stay safe and well, too! 😀 ❤
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Good luck with your modified but still quite full agenda, Marcia. As busy as I think I am, my production pales to yours. I have found my speed but all the bet to yours… I did enter a novel in the 3-day novel writing contest…a British Columbia thing, over 40 years old but apparently worldwide is contributors… For me, a once in a lifetime venture that produced a fun read I am told. We’ll see in 2022 whether it makes the shortlist…All the best…
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Oooh, that’s so exciting, Bill! I hope you make that short list, and more! And I hope you’ll consider doing a guest post on the experience when I’m back to doing them in a couple of weeks. Would love to have you! As for my agenda, I know I’m OCD about cramming every minute of every day full of stuff, and I doubt I’ll ever get back to my top speed again, but I do enjoy having fun and interesting things to do. Having said that, I need to focus a bit more over the next six months on finishing and publishing my latest WIP. Hopefully, I can keep the blog active at the same time. (We’ll see!) But I’m going to count everything I do manage to do as a big ol’ WIN, since I lucked out with only having a mild case of you-know-what. (Here’s hoping it never comes back again!)
Let’s hope 2022 sees a big turn around in many, many areas, and I can’t wait to see how you do in the competition. (See, I’ve never had the nerve to enter one at all, so you’re way ahead of me in that regard! Yay, you.) 🙂
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Hmmm … a lot of “hopes” in that reply to you, but I think I’ll leave them. One can never be TOO hopeful, right? 😁
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Happy to talk about the experience…at your leisure…or pleasure, rather.
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Hmmm … what is this “leisure” of which you speak???? 😀
Seriously, any time after I send out the call, you’ll be welcome to post on this or any other book/writing topic you wish. Looking forward to it! 😀
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Glad you’re feeling better!
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Thanks, Sharon. I can’t wait to get back to my usual pace! Workin’ on it! 😀 ❤
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Every day above ground is a good day.
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And a new beginning, also. 😀 ❤
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Glad you are still here and crazy, Marcia. 😁
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Thanks, John! Gonna try to keep on being BOTH of those! 😁😁😁
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😁
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I hope you are at 100 percent soon.
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Thanks so much! I hope so, too! 😀 ❤
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My best friend contracted the virus the first part of August, and she is still dealing with the fatigue part of it. So glad it is improving for you, Marcia.
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She and I are pretty close, time-wise. I developed my first symptoms July 29, and it would be interesting to compare notes on the fatigue issues. I have a bad feeling it will last a while longer yet, but at least it’s no longer like I have narcolepsy or something, almost falling asleep on my feet 3 or 4 times a day. So I’m grateful for that, for sure. Still moving at a snail’s pace, but at least I can stay awake most days, anyway. 😀 I hope your friend starts to see some improvement soon, Jan, and thanks for stopping by today! 🙂 ❤
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I am SO GLAD that you are doing better, but I still hate the fact that you have to deal with all of this. Take one hour at a time if you have to – and don’t worry about schedules! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Sue. I have finally accepted that I can only do so much right now, and I’m not going to risk a setback by pushing too hard, honest! 😀 If October 1 arrives and it’s still too much, I’ll just ease back into things a wee bit at a time. But I’m hopeful by then, I’ll really feel a difference. And thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate your kind words greatly! 😀 ❤
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So glad you’re feeling better. We’ll be here whenever you’re ready.
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Thanks so much, Craig. I do feel a good deal better, for sure, but will not push too hard if I feel like it’s too much. I’ll just ease into it as my energy level increases, which I hope will be happening more and more each day. And thanks for stopping by! 😀
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You’re approaching all this sensibly with reasonable goals, Marcia. The thing about bloggers—we’re like a fungus you can’t get rid of. 🤣 We’ll still be here when you’re back to snuff and dancing in the streets. Whew, glad I caught that auto-correct. (It wanted you to be dining in the streets.)🤣
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Hahahahaha. Thanks for the laugh, Pete! Oh, that stinkin’ autocorrect! (I turned mine off years ago). And as for the bloggers being like fungus, I’m okay with that. (As long as they don’t start turning into that particular group of fungi that people insist upon tossing into or onto everything they cook. Urk. NOT a fan, I’m afraid.)
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll soon be back to dancing … or dining, as the mood strikes me … in the streets. (I did say I was still crazy, right???) 😂😂😂
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Such a positive start to my day! Thanks, Marcia. It’s good to see you getting your strength back but don’t be in too much of a rush to get back to your old schedule. I know others who’ve been left with post-viral fatigue and it doesn’t seem to respond well to attempts to push through it. I have absolutely no doubt that you’ll win this particular battle! 😀 ❤
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Thanks, Trish. I’m feeling better and better. But don’t worry. If October 1 arrives, and I don’t think I’m quite ready for all I want to do, I’ll just move the goalpost a bit. (It’s not really cheating if you’re playing the game alone. 😉 ) Seriously, I am a person who likes to set specific goals to give me something to work toward. I’m also a person who doesn’t get too alarmed if I don’t quite reach them. 😂😂😂
I’ll be prudent, honest, and I appreciate that you care enough to show your concern, my friend! 😊💗
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Life sends us so many twists and turns, but as long as we continue to dance (and rest) on the road, we’ll be okay. I love your post and your message here, Marcia. How awful that you got the virus in spite of being vaccinated. How wonderful that you were vaccinated – one shivers at the thought of how much worse it could have been if you weren’t. I appreciate your honesty here in how you’re doing, the need to take your time and rest, and the positive attitude all the way through. TAKE care, my friend. ❤
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Thank you so much, Pam! Lovely words! And you are so right about the vaccine. I’m in a triple high risk group due to age and some health issues, and I can only imagine how dreadful it would have been had we caught this before we’d been able to get vaccinated. Mark was only sick 4 days, though he quarantined for ten, and was retested before returning to work. I’ve been dragging along for weeks, BUT, the symptoms have at no point been worse than a mild to moderate head cold. (Except for the fatigue, which nearly flattened me for the first 3 to 4 weeks).
I know I’d have been hospitalized without the vaccine, and I suspect I probably wouldn’t have pulled through. And I’m determined to do nothing that might set me back. But I do feel much better and believe that slowly getting back into my blogging and writing will be good for me, as long as I don’t overdo. I’ve missed it terribly.
Thanks so much for your kind words and concern, my friend! It’s appreciated more than you can imagine!
🤗💗
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Thanks for reminding us all of the daily miracle we too often take for granted.
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It’s easy to be so caught up with day to day life that we forget the biggest miracle of all, isn’t it? I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Geoff, and thanks so much for stopping by and taking a moment to let me know. Carpe diem!!! 😉😁
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