#wereallinthistogether

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High School Musical, We’re All in This Together

 

Pandemic Anxiety Busters~

Cindy Knoke, who in addition to being an exceptionally gifted photographer, is also a psychotherapist, has this fantastic three part series on Anxiety Management. So not only do you learn some invaluable “Pandemic Anxiety Busters,” but you are treated to more of her exquisite photos!

In the last two posts we started filling our anxiety busting toolbox and we are now down to our final three tools.*

Thank you to all the bloggers who added their own personal tools that work. They are most helpful and are incorporated into our toolbox. Choose any tool(s) that might work for you, and discard any/all that are not a good fit. Add more of your own resources that work. Adapt your toolbox to suit yourself. The most important thing, regardless of the specific tools, is to have tools in your awareness, to improve your mood, and ease your anxiety, when bad things happen.

Here is our toolbox:

ANXIETY TOOLBOX:

Self Talk Reframing (Cognitive Therapy)

Guided Imagination/Visualization

Exposure Management

Progressive Relaxation

Distraction in Action

Self Soothing

Second Voice

Spiritual Meditation/Prayer

Exercise, Diet & Good Health Practices

SECOND VOICE

Carl Jung emphasized the importance of paying attention to our inward…

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On the Lighter Side ~ Coronavirus Edition

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Coronavirus, Disney, Humor, On the Lighter Side

Family Fridays

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Family Fridays

Hi Everyone! I hope you’re all doing okay today. I’m going to be trying out a new feature on Fridays called Family Friday. I think of our WP community as an extended family and in this time of social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantines, I thought it might be helpful to give us a designated day to check in with one another. Each week I’ll be posting something that I hope will be positive, give you an update on what’s happening in my state of Alabama, and offer you the opportunity to share your own experiences and feelings via the comments section. To start things off, as of yesterday afternoon, Alabama has 501 cases of coronavirus cases out of 4,082 people tested, with one death. Thus far, there are only a few cases in my city. Because my husband and I both are in our 50s and have underlying health issues, we’re mostly relying on getting our groceries through delivery service and trying to stay in as much as possible except for daily walks. Things I’m doing to keep sane: 2-3 mile daily walks, chatting with my neighbors from the requisite 6 ft. apart, blogging, reading, binge watching Hulu, Netflix and Disney Plus, and trying to limit my news watching. So, that’s it for me. How are you all doing?

Coronavirus Update From New York City: March 26, 2020

Brendan lives in New York City, which as most of you know is the epicenter of the coronavirus here in the U.S. He’s going to be giving weekly updates (Thurs. evenings), on what’s happening in NYC, lending it a much more personal perspective than what you see on the news. If you can, please follow his fantastic blog and give him your support.

Blind Injustice

Last week, there seemed to be some reader interest in my update on how I’m doing, and how my city is doing, with the coronavirus. Given that fact, I will be continuing to post these weekly updates until the coronavirus settles down in New York City.

I, personally, am lucky economically. I heard that over three million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits. I am not one of them, and to the contrary, I am not losing any pay as a result of this crisis. Yes, there are certainly quirks involved with working from home (which I started doing last Monday), especially when your priorities compete with the priorities of other family members working or studying from home. Nevertheless, when I consider the fact that over three million of my fellow Americans are filing for unemployment benefits, I am lucky economically.

I am also lucky health-wise (so far). I’ve had…

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Music to Soothe Your Soul

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”Imagine”, Drs. Elvis Francois & William Robinson, John Lennon, Music to Soothe Your Soul

Drs. Elvis Francois and William Robinson are chief residents in Mayo Clinic’s orthopedic department. They’ve recorded other songs over the last few years, but their version of John Lennon’s Imagine is especially hopeful and comforting during this time of uncertainty.

 

What Lies Between Us, by John Marrs ~ 5.0 Stars

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Adult Fiction, Dysfunctional Families, Mental Illness, Mystery, Substance Abuse, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 15th, 2020

371 Pages

Synopsis: They say every house has its secrets and, the house Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past.

Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can’t ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price.

But there are many things about the past that Nina doesn’t know, and Maggie is going to keep it that way—even if it kills her.

Because in this house, the truth is more dangerous than lies.

I’ve been trying to stick with light, fluffy “escapist” fare lately, for obvious reasons. What Lies Between Us is definitely not that. No. This is more “WHAT. THE. HELL. DID. I. JUST. READ?” kind of book!

Everything, EVERYTHING works here. To say Maggie and Nina are complicated is a huge understatement. I went through the first part of the book thinking one was pure evil. Then, about the midway point, I changed my mind and was sure the other was the spawn of Satan. And then during the last few chapters my opinion changed yet again! Between these and the other jaw-dropping revelations, my head was spinning when I finished this three hours after I started.

Just like its characters, the storyline is dark, twisted, and deeply disturbing. Yes, what happens most likely would never occur in real life, but in a story like this, who cares! Marr keeps ratcheting up the suspense bit by bit until it almost becomes unbearable, and from chapter to chapter I didn’t know what was going to happen next. The only thing that was certain was that I wasn’t putting this down until I reached the end. Speaking of—what an ending! I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it in the last 24 hours since I finished!

What Lies Between Us is definitely going to be on my shortlist of favorite books of 2020. Unsurprisingly it’s already been snapped up by Hollywood (Renee Zellweger’s Big Picture Co/MGM TV production company). I’m already thinking Amy Adams as Nina, and Glenn Close or Meryl Streep as Maggie. I cannot recommend this nail biting thriller for readers who love dark, twisty mysteries and loads of family drama. It’s a memorable read which I guarantee will take up long term residency in your head after you’ve finished! Preorder this from your favorite retailer, or file a request at your library now. I guarantee this is going to be one of the most buzzed about books of the summer!

Everyday Heroes

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Everyday Heroes

 

Whimsical Wednesday ~ Social Distancing Edition

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“Safety Match”, ”Go Home!”, Juan Delcan, Max & Mel Brooks, Social Distancing, Whimsical Wednesday

 

 

Peace Talks, by Jim Butcher ~ Book Trailer!

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Book Trailer, Jim Butcher, Peace Talks

For all my fellow Dresden Files fans who are feverishly counting down to the July 14th release, here’s the exciting book trailer that was released a few hours ago. Make sure you watch it until the very end because there’s a huge surprise! Oh God! I can’t stand it!

Dresden Files #17, Battle Ground, is coming out September 29th! That’s right. Two books in TWO months! This almost, ALMOST makes up for the last six years!