#This&That&TheOtherThing – #Update – #GuestPosts

/ Marcia Meara

Happy Wodin’s Day, Everyone! Hope your week is moving along smoothly, and that good things are abundant in your life! Maybe you’re enjoying autumn weather already, and if so, I envy you. It was 94 degrees here yesterday, so summer has definitely overstayed its welcome. BUT … with a hurricane brewing in the Atlantic, it could definitely be worse, so I’m still feeling grateful. So far.

THIS

 The first thing I want to share today is that I went to my new audiologist yesterday for a WAY overdue hearing exam. I knew I needed new hearing aids, but really had no idea how much technology had advanced since my I got my last pair five or six years ago. What can I say? I’m amazed at the vast difference in the fine tuning for my individual hearing issues. AND … I learned something I’ve never known in all the years I’ve been using computers. The mouse makes an audible CLICK every time you “click” on something. Even before my hearing got truly bad, I never, EVER heard that noise. But because they can now adjust for specific hearing issues, including low-pitched or high-pitched sounds, as you might need, I now am very aware of things I’ve been missing out on for several decades. Wow!! Color me HAPPY!

  THAT

I definitely see at least some improvement in my Long COVID issues. My three symptoms (extreme fatigue, dizzy spells with tingling and numbness in my right leg, and brain fog) are decreasing in severity, and SEEM to be of shorter duration each time they visit. And I’ve had as many as five days in a row with NO visits, too.  Used to be only 2 or 3 before they showed up. Now they are farther apart and seem to be going away in a day or two, instead of 5 or 6 days at a time. SO … hurray! I may actually get past this stuff, and back to nothing more than the usual aches and pains of someone approaching eighty. Color me HAPPY TWICE!!

  THE OTHER THING

And last, I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed with setting up all my newly referred doctors and specialists (primary care, cardiologist, dermatologist, vision, audiologist, and more). That includes scheduling New Patient Visits for each, and being sure they were located reasonable distances from my home. At the same time, I’m taking care of several time-consuming but necessary house and yard jobs around here on days when I felt physically able to handle them. Urk.

So now, I want to apologize for not being able to visit all my favorite blogs in a timely manner, and falling down on my weekend #Twofer blogs, etc. I have had to accept that I can’t do as much as I used to do, at least not at the moment. (Hopefully, that’s just a temporary thing.) With that in mind, as CEO here at The Write Stuff, I’ve made an executive decision not to schedule any more guest posts this year, beyond the six I already have set up. I’ve also cancelled my December wildlife talks, and the like, though I HOPE by then, I’ll be ahead of the game, and can actually take December off for holiday things and a bit of fun, rather than still playing catch-up at a frantic pace.

I plan to resume regular #GuestDayTuesdays & #TenThings posts in January, and will put out a call for folks who’d like to visit us then. In the meantime, I do  have the six aforementioned guests lined up for you and trust me–you don’t want to miss any of these fun and entertaining posts!

9/20 #GuestDayTuesday: D. Wallace Peach /The Necromancer’s Daughter
2/28 #TenThingsYouMayNotKnowAboutMe: Mike Allegra 
10/4 #GuestDayTuesday: Jackie Lambert Writer’s Travelogue post Journaling Part 2
10/18 #GuestDayTuesday: Mike Allegra New Release post
11/15 #GuestDayTuesday: Jackie Lambert Writer’s Travelogue Series post

I know you ALL understand when Life doesn’t let you do everything you intended, but I’m really sure this is temporary.  I’ll still be posting once or twice a week or so, as I’m able, and I definitely plan to resume my normal schedule, guests and all, by January. I’ll still be checking in daily, posting when I can, and you can ALWAYS reach me via email.

That’s my plan, an’ I’m stickin’ TO it! (If the bridge don’t go, an’ the creek don’t rise, as they say in these parts. 😁)

And that’s it for today.
Have a great week, everyone!

45 thoughts on “#This&That&TheOtherThing – #Update – #GuestPosts”

  1. Thinking of you, my friend. I had a total down day on Monday, crawled around online on Tuesday, and started new meds Tuesday night. They’re knocking me out, lols 😂, but I’ll take the sleep 💤 over insomnia! So I totally get where you’re at.

    So pleased the long Covid seems to be easing … fingers crossed 🤞.Good luck with all those new appointments!

    Sending huge hugs and love across the pond 💕🙂💕

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    • Aw, thank you so much, Harmony! Yep, things look hopeful going forward, and I hope the same is true for you. Good luck with the new meds, but enjoy the sound sleep! Here’s to no more insomnia. And huge hugs and love coming your way from sunny Florida, too! Take care, my friend! 🤗💖🤗

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    • Thanks, MIchael! I appreciate your kind and optimistic thoughts. I’m determined to get through this and back to telling a few more stories before it’s time for me to hit the ol’ rocking chair. 😁Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! 😀 ❤

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  3. So glad you are finally seeing some days with NO COVID leftovers! That’s awesome. The life of any author is a juggling act and sometimes there are simply too many balls in the air to keep trying. No worries on cutting back. I always enjoy your posts! Hugs!

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    • Thanks so much for that, Jan! I’m glad you enjoy my posts, and I will do as much as I’m comfortable with over the next couple of months. Hopefully by January, I’ll be over this STOOPIT LC, and ready to get on with fun stuff again. And I know authors have to be good at juggling, so I figured everyone would understand. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! 😀 ❤

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    • I don’t mind running behind a bit, Jeanne, as we all seem to deal with from time to time. But being totally overwhelmed by this much stuff at once has really been a PAIN! I’m thinking taking some of the pressure off for a few weeks can only be a good thing for me, both physically and mentally. And I’m hoping that by January, I’ll be good to get back to something at least closer to my normal pace.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day! 😀 ❤

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    • Thanks, Debby! I’m happy with the current trend in that regard, too. Hopefully, things will continue in that direction, and I’ll be ready for more fun in the new year! I appreciate your stopping by, and hope you are having a wonderful day! 😀 ❤

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  7. Congrats on hearing the mouse click, Marcia! Yay! It’s amazing how rapidly technology makes improvements, and when used to make lives better, it’s truly a blessing. And I loved your little dance of happiness about your improving health as you seem to be recovering from covid, finally. And finally, I’m glad I’m still on the schedule, but also very glad that you’re honoring your needs and cutting back to a manageable schedule. There’s no point in wearing yourself out or creating unnecessary stress. Huge hugs my friend. Be well.

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    • Thanks so much, Diana! The COVID infection went away, but the stinkin’ Long COVID symptoms just keep coming around again and again. I’m SO over it!! But I do feel pretty happy that it seems to be dwindling. Yay!!

      And I’m DELIGHTED that I’ve already got you set up to go. (Hoping I finish reading your book in time to add my review to the post, but either way, I’m happy to help get the word out.) I’ve got the first four of the six guest posts listed all ready to go, and will be able to slot the last two in when I receive them. Easy-peasy. Mostly. 😁

      And yep, I figure if I slow down a bit, I can get everything under control more efficiently. It’s always easier to get healthy when you aren’t overtired, for sure.

      Thanks so much for stopping by today, and here’s to a great rest of the week! 😀 ❤

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    • Aw, thank YOU, Olga, for following TWS and taking the time to leave nice comments regularly, too. And yep, just as I was saying to Diana above, health issues are always more difficult to handle when you’re overtired, so I think slowing down a bit is going to speed up the process. Thanks for stopping by today! 😀 ❤

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    • Oooh, it’s really amazing how much better these new hearing aids work, Denise. My old ones were not only outdated, but they were very painful to wear, as both of my ears have surgical scarring and don’t react well to pressure. These are lighter, smaller, and I’ve had them on all day today with no pain. So far! That’s truly wonderful, in addition to how much better they work.

      And I really think some additional down time is going to speed up getting this miserable Long COVID to vacate the premises for good. That’s my clever plan, anyway. Will keep you posted as to how it’s going.

      Thanks so much for stopping by! 😀 ❤

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  10. I know how much you love doing your wildlife talks, so I know it has to hurt giving those up. First priority, however, is taking care of yourself. The rest of the stuff will wait for when you have time and can better manage them.

    I’ve come to the realization I may never be able to return to the same blog presence I had before, but if I can even manage half of that (or better), I’ll be happy.

    You take care of yourself, my Penderpal. {{BIG HUGS}} 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

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    • Thanks so much, Mae, for all of the above. I appreciate your encouragement, for sure. Yep, I hated cutting my wildlife talks down to 1 a month for the last half of this year, and now, I’m lopping off even more. But I think it will help greatly in the long run.

      I’ve missed seeing you online as often, too, but fully understand. As our lives change and expand, we have to make choices as to how we can fit everything in, and what we can do to best stay healthy and sane in the process.

      And I’ll take care of myself if YOU do the same! That way, we can continue to be Penderpals for a long time to come! 🤗💖🤗

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    • You’re welcome, Bette. Just didn’t want anyone to think I’d dropped off the face of the earth permanently, or anything. My time might be limited for a few weeks, but I’ll be here when I can, and hopefully back in the groove by January. Thanks for stopping by! 😀 ❤

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  13. YAY for new hearing aids and for stepping back from some of the blogging demands! You are an inspiration, Marcia, and I can’t imagine doing all that you do. Take care of yourself and don’t worry about the rest. Many of us are right there with you! 🤗❤️🤗

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    • Aw, shucks! *blushing and stammering, here* What a sweet thing to say, Gwen. I can’t imagine being anyone’s inspiration, but I do like to remind folks that the longer we continue to do the things we love doing, the better off we are, both physically and mentally. So I’m hoping to keep on truckin’ for a few more years yet, be it writing or sharing a bit about wildlife with local audiences. Both of those things make me feel younger and happier. (Along with meeting and enjoying so many wonderful online authors and bloggers, and local wildlife enthusiasts!)

      And the new hearing aids are continuing to astonish me, hour by hour. What a treat! And so far, they aren’t causing my scarred-up ears to throb in agony, either. Now THAT’S a real “Woohoo Moment!”

      I know you and most other bloggers and writers know exactly what being buried under a mountain of things you need to get done feels like, so I wasn’t too worried about throwing myself on your mercy for a few weeks. But it’s still good to hear that you understand. Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. It’s greatly appreciated! 😀 ❤

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    • Thanks, Priscilla! The new hearing aids are a marvel, for sure! And getting rid of this Long COVID will be a day for major celebration! Can’t wait for it to leave me the heck alone! (However, at my age & with some of my health issues, I’m lucky to have gone through TWO breakthrough bouts of actual COVID and survived, so I’m trying not to complain. (Too much. 😁)

      Thanks for stopping by today! I really appreciate it, and I hope the rest of your week is great! 😀 ❤

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    • I can’t wait to have you visit, Mike. Folks are gonna get a kick out of your #TenThings list on 9/28 for sure, and I’m looking forward to helping get the word out when Happy Capy is finally on the loose, too. I’ve already pre-ordered and hope I have it in hand before my little granddaughter comes to visit us again. 😊

      In the meantime, you just keep on making kids (and some of us grown-ups) smile with your wonderful stories! Be seeing you here soon! 😀

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  16. Like the others here, I’m delighted that you can hear the mouse clicks now! And that the Long Covid symptoms are easing. Most of all, I’m really happy with your new plan because I agree 100% that the more you take care of your health the quicker your body responds and gives you your life back! Keep pacing yourself, my lovely friend, and focus on building up your strength. ❤ ❤ ❤

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    • Thanks so much, Trish! I really appreciate your comments, and I know you are right. Sometimes you have to put aside what you WANT to do in favor of what you NEED to do, especially if your health is concerned. I’m going to be very careful going forward, and I promise I won’t overdo. With any luck at all, by the end of the year, I’ll be feeling much better. And it looks like I’ll be HEARING much better too, thanks to these new aids. Oh, and they’re rechargeable, too, which is quite a leap forward from the old ones. (They were a pain in the patoot to keep putting those tiny little batteries in every few days!)

      I really appreciate your stopping by today, Trish, and hope you are also taking good care of YOU, too. Between us, we have lots still to do in this world, so we need to be in good shape. (Or at least as good as it gets at MY age. 😂😂😂)

      Have a great rest of the week, my friend! 😀 ❤

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  17. Please – no need to apologize. My goodness, you and your blog are gifts, to be sure. Health and safety are THE most important things – everything else can wait. Good to hear that you and the disease which shall not be named is finally parting ways. 🙂

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    • Thanks, Sue. I’m just sad that I can’t do it ALL right now, but I know I’m making the best decision for now. I’ll be back in full force when I’m past a few of these obstacles, hopefully by year’s end. And that condition that shall go nameless IS easing a little each time. I’m sure of it! One day it will be HISTORY, and I will rejoice loud and long! Thanks for stopping by with such encouraging words, too! I appreciate it! 😀 ❤

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  18. Two excellent bits of information, Marcia. I am the youngest of four boys, and one of my brothers just got fitted with his first pair of hearing aids. He loves them and remarks about things he hadn’t heard also. When that day comes, I’m going to embrace it completely. Anything that improves our quality of life is a no-brainer to me.

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    • Oh, I definitely embraced it, Pete … once I realized that I actually had significant hearing loss. I’ve been wearing hearing aids for close to six years, and even that old, outdated pair was a game-changer for me. If you do find yourself in the same situation, you’ll be astonished out how much better life is when you can hear BIRDS singing again! Little things like that. And with these newest, state-of-the-art aids, I hear things I never even knew I was still missing out on, even with my OLD hearing aids. It’s fantastic! AND, they are much more comfortable than the old ones were, too.

      One thing to consider. As I’m sure you know, hearing loss doesn’t usually happen overnight, barring an accident of some sort. It sneaks up on you so gradually, you don’t even realize it half of the time. Tiny sounds fade away, and then louder ones, until finally you notice you’re asking folks to repeat themselves way too often. I wish I’d been aware of what was going on much, much sooner. I’d have done something about it long ago.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing with us today! 😀

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    • Don’t worry, Jackie. I’m not really beating myself up. It’s more that I’m SAD when I can’t do all the things I love doing. But that happens now and then, so instead, I’m going to do the best I can to get past these various obstacles, and on with my life again! I love blogging, and I won’t be able to stay away totally, but cutting back and not worrying about it will probably help me feel better physically and get caught up on these other necessary tasks.

      I’ll be keeping an eye on things, though, and you can always reach me via email if you need me. (That goes for everyone.)

      Thanks for your encouraging words and support! 🤗❤️🤗

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