Life in the Slow Lane

Contemplating life, faith, words, and memories

Offline for Awhile — December 26, 2020

Offline for Awhile

Offline for awhile may leave a somewhat indefinite timeframe in the minds of my readers. To be honest, I simply need a break from the online world. This break begins today and ends when I feel ready to open my hands and put them on the keyboard. 

I hope that each of you had a joyous Christmas. Let’s look forward together to 2021, and a possible end to the pandemic as the vaccine makes its way to each of us. The past year has been hard on everyone, and sometimes that sense of oppression by uncontrollable forces requires us to hibernate for a time. 

Remember how important self-care is, and practice it as you see fit.


 

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Looking Back on 2019 — January 22, 2020

Looking Back on 2019

Yes, I’m a bit late in looking back on 2019. But I found it difficult to put into words my feelings about the last year and the three previous ones.

 
Before talking about 2019, I want to thank my followers and readers for their patience. My on again off again presence during the last four years can’t have been easy to follow. You have been faithful in spite of my erratic posting and communication and for that I am grateful.
 
As I typed this post title, I shuddered a bit as I thought about the year 2019 and what preceded it. It’s difficult to believe I’ve been in and out of blogging for almost four years. Additionally, I set my memoir manuscript aside in September 2018. I’ve not touched it since.
 
Progress in my mobility has encouraged me. My walking has improved thanks to the use of trekking poles rather than a cane or walker. Pain levels are down, thanks to a new pain management doctor. To my delight, a loss of nine pounds, despite my inability to engage in aerobic exercise, has lifted me up. All positives at the end of 2019.
 
These changes near the beginning of a new decade have infused me with a desire to begin writing again. I’ve been reading several books on nonfiction essay writing. I find I love this area of nonfiction storytelling. Current plans don’t include revisiting my current memoir manuscript any time soon. I have a couple of projects in mind which I’d like to try first.
 
As for the blog, posts will appear weekly on Wednesday. At the moment, I am uncertain when I will begin sending out my newsletter again. When its circulation is on the horizon, I will post about it here. 

Featured Image Attribution: Schwoaze from Pixabay

Quiet Times — October 14, 2019

Quiet Times

     Silence is more musical than any song.
~~
Christina Rosetti

The last week resulted in quiet times here on the blog and at home. A week of blank days on my calendar awaited me. I had grand plans.

With physical therapy appointments scheduled now every other week, I had no reason to go there. And there were no doctor appointments to keep. 

My plans included establishing an at-home physical therapy schedule as two weeks between appointments is a good bit of downtime. I also hoped to move my “office” supplies and writing tools back to the corner of my workroom. And we had lunch dates planned with two couples. I was excited by these prospects.

What I thought were allergies last weekend turned into a nasty cold by Tuesday morning. From then until now, this monster destroyed my plans. We did get in one lunch date on Monday. I hope that couple doesn’t get my cold germs!

But there is always a silver lining, isn’t there?

Ah, the quiet times of a slow and unburdened week. I’ve sipped tea while reading and jotting down notes. My handy yellow highlighter waits by my chair. Read an entire Elizabeth George Inspector Lynley mystery, plus started a Dinty Moore book on writing the personal essay (good stuff!). In the background, I’ve listened to classical music. 

I’ve stolen naps here and there from bed to recliner with a cozy tuxedo kitty on my lap or by my side. Somehow Maggie has just the magic to help one sleep easy.

I’ve simply allowed myself to be soothed by the need not to be hurried to get here, go there, and turn around to do the same thing tomorrow. Even though my plans were dispelled and I was feeling unhealthy, it was ever so nice.

Summer Reading Ends…For Now — August 12, 2019

Summer Reading Ends…For Now

In my last post, I dedicated a week to catch up on my TBR pile. And maybe I’d add a second week. Both weeks were still not enough to shorten my reading stack. But I did get a lot of reading done.

Prior to my reading staycation, I had checked out Tracy Chevalier‘s The Last Runaway from my local library. I decided to finish it before I started anything on my TBR pile. It was worth the time finishing it and avoiding a late fee!

Among those books read from my TBR pile is Light from Distant Stars by Shawn Smucker. You can read my review here and here. This is a must-read in my opinion.

Next, I read Marian Beaman‘s memoir, Mennonite Daughter: The Story of a Plain Girl. A review will be posted soon on Goodreads, and here as soon as the memoir is published.

A Portland publisher offered ARCs of This Particular Happiness: A Childless Love Story, a memoir by Jackie Shannon Hollis. I was fortunate enough to receive one and read it during my summer reading R&R. Once given the OK I’ll be posting a review here, Goodreads, and Amazon.

I also started a new book from Karen Eisenbrey, Wizard Girl (Daughter of Magic Book 2). Karen is a talented writer and musician. I’ll review her book on Goodreads and Amazon when I’ve finished reading it.

Sprinkled throughout my two reading weeks were some other books. They included:

And there’s always room for a writing book or two, such as:

Happy reading!

Summer Reading — July 26, 2019

Summer Reading

I have made a spur of the moment, joyous, and lovely decision!

Beginning tomorrow, I am taking at least next week to do nothing other than reading some books that are piling higher and higher by the day. In fact, I may get brave and take the next week to do the same.

Here’s what’s waiting for me:

If our weather stays as nice as it is, you may find me on the back porch swing with a glass of iced tea and a couple of kitties.

See you in a page-turning while!

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