COFFEE CHAT: A DAY AT A TIME…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

As I sip a cup of coffee in my apartment today, I am savoring the coziness around me.  All that isolation led to changes in my surroundings, which resulted in this cozy feeling. We continue to eat in the dining room on alternate days, and oddly enough, that is okay with me.  I don’t crave the full dining room and numerous residents around me.  Funny how that worked out!

  • Almost every day I receive some kind of package…or even my groceries from the local market, compliments of Instacart on my iPhone.  Today will be another grocery day, and I have my list ready.
  • My reading has been enjoyable this week.  Two books read and reviewed so far, and one of them was an ARC for a book that will be released on 7/14/20:  What You Wish For, by Katherine Center, which I loved!
  • I also enjoyed reading The Half Sister, by Sandie Jones.
  • I am currently reading The Swap,which is really good so far, and my new Kindle cover makes reading more enjoyable.  So does the coffee.

  • Of course I miss family and friends…and outings.  But if I stick to my day at a time routines, I manage.  I hope the rest of you are staying safe!
  • Some days, however, I want to jump on a Magic Carpet and find a New Normal that almost resembles the old one.  Hang in there!

***

Enjoy your week, and stay safe!

***

COFFEE CHAT: A COZY BREAKFAST & A LITTLE WHINING…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

As I sit at my laptop, with my new breakfast tray behind me, I am feeling cozy and comfortable.  I have read and reviewed two enjoyable books so far this week.  My rearranging of my stuff is on pause for the moment, as I struggle with other issues.  Okay, something to whine about, but in a minute!  But first, here is my breakfast tray, a new one that arrived yesterday. Simple breakfast of oatmeal, juice, coffee, and French Toast.

  • I do love the rustic look of the tray, and while there were several colors, rusty red is a favorite of mine.
  • Books read and reviewed so far:  The Golden Cage, by Camilla Lackberg, a NetGalley ARC, release date – 7/7/20; and The House Guest, by Mark Edwards.
  • The problem I will share is about Facebook…and my Rainy Days and Mondays blog.  I have had that very blog since 2009, and pretty regularly link my posts on Facebook.  But when I tried to link my Hump Day (WWW post) this week, and then the review of The House Guest, FB removed the posts from my FB site and said the posts were reported as “abusive.”  Of course I am disputing this—because why now?  The content was bookish!  I’ve discovered that others have encountered this problem with FB.  So…what to do?
  • So far, I haven’t run into this issue with my other blogs, or even with my FB page for that blog.  Weird, right?
  • Now…I have laid it on the table.  Ideas?  Suggestions?  Stop going to Facebook?  LOL
  • I am excited about my new Kindle cover.  My old one was getting a little beat up, so this new one arrived yesterday.  What a great day of deliveries I had!

***

That was my week so far.  What was yours like?  Enjoy, stay safe, and watch your step on FB, LOL.

***

COFFEE CHAT: READING & RESHUFFLING…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

My Coffee Chat is late again this week, but I am eager to talk about what has been happening so far.  This morning I am waiting for my Instacart Order, which is turning into a regular event.  Goodies are headed my way from Save Mart!The dining room continues to serve better food on the days we eat there…which is still every other day.  I am adjusting.

  • I am currently reading The Guest List, by Lucy Foley; an enjoyable read so far, but as sometimes happens, I am easily distracted by other events.  Movies, rearranging my space (compulsively!), and enjoying the time in the dining room, socializing six feet apart.
  • I am also exercising regularly in the activity room.
  • This week I read and loved You Can’t Catch Me, by Catherine McKenzie.
  • On Netflix, I discovered a miniseries based on some books I have enjoyed: Tales of the City; books by Armistead Maupin.
  • I finally finished changing up my closet, with my cupboard moved into the entry way.  A new curtain covers the opening to my wardrobe space.

  • Have I finally finished fiddling around with my stuff?  Probably not, but I think I’ll be okay for a while.  I will add books to my bookshelf as they come in.

***

How are you handling the crazy world in which we now live?  Hopeful for the future, or taking things a day at a time?  Stay safe!

***

COFFEE CHAT: READING, PURGING, & LIVING IN THE MOMENT…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

I am a day late for my coffee chat, mostly because I have been reading. And rearranging stuff.  Loving my books this week!  Also, living in small spaces changes up how I do things.  Like clearing out drawers and shelves sooner rather than later because there isn’t room for everything!  I acquired more bins, and while they take up their own space, they can be stacked nicely, like these wicker ones under the bathroom sink.

  • My nightstand drawer was full of STUFF, so I spent some time this morning going through things…and yes, tossing some things out!  Do I really still need those brochures the doctors gave me for my surgery, done last November?
  • Of course, there is always the possibility that I might toss something that I will need later.  But fortunately, most things can be retrieved online.
  • I have also been organizing my photo files on my laptop…and what a task that has turned out to be!  Do I really need to save every photo of food and drinks?  LOL.
  • So far, I’ve read and loved two books this week, and I’m almost finished with the third, which is sooo good!  The Closer You Get, by Mary Torjussen.
  • I reviewed The Flatshare, by Beth O’Leary; and This Is How I Lied, by Heather Gudenkauf.  Loved them both!
  • I am also playing around with Bitmoji and creating new Bitmoji Me enjoying things, like wine.
  • I miss the purple in my hair, but salons are a thing of the past nowadays.  Who knows how long it will be for future salon visits?  And have you seen my nails lately?  LOL.
  • I am enjoying the alternating days in the dining room, and loving the space between tables…and realize that the Old Dining Room was a bit overcrowded and sometimes conflict-ridden.  Now we are peaceful and happy to be there.
  • Today is a day for meals in the apartment, with our food brought on trays; I enjoy those days, too.  Not having to go anywhere.  I will also order some groceries from Instacart, so I can have goodies for the weekend.  And food to supplement the still not-so-great meals they serve here.  Sigh.  One thing about going to the dining room, however; we can ask for substitute items there!

***

So…my plan for the weekend and the week ahead:  be more in the moment; stop complaining so much about things I cannot change; and enjoy my books!  What are your weekend plans?

***

COFFEE CHAT: A STAGGERING PLAN…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

It is way past time to gather for another coffee chat.  The weeks have been unfolding, while events around us are still uncertain.  As usual, when I feel everything is out of control, I hunker down in my space and do a little more movie watching…and some redecorating.  Yes, minor things, like a new corner cabinet in the entry way, and a few rearrangements there.

  • First I added the new shelf in the corner (left), and then rearranged the rest of the entry way:

 

 

 

 

  • I’ve been adding more books to my shelves, both read and unread.  Here is the latest look at my TBR Shelves (new books unread!):

  • I’ve been shelving more new books as I read them, and also adding the books that I bought to reread:

  • Next week, the residence will gradually be opening up the dining room for us in a staggered fashion, with social distancing.  Alternating days between the dining room and our apartment dining.  We’ll see how that goes.
  • This week, I enjoyed reading and reviewing A Good Marriage, by Kimberly McCreight; and today I started reading The Sea of Lost Girls, by Carol Goodman. I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far.
  • Yesterday I set up a little snack for myself in my apartment, with mini-quiches and a glass of wine.  The snack had been in my freezer, brought over on Mother’s Day by my daughter, so it seemed appropriate to take time now to enjoy it.

***

That was my week…what did yours look like?  Are you gradually experiencing the outside world?  Carefully, slowly?  Stay safe.

***

COFFEE CHAT: COMFORT READS & VIEWING…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted a Coffee Chat.  I’ve been sidetracked onto other events, both bookish, etc.  My Post-It notes reveal much about my viewing habits lately…and also the books I have pre-ordered.  My regular viewing now includes I Know This Much Is True, based on the Wally Lamb book.  New episodes come on Sunday nights.

  • I continue to love The Good Fight and Mrs. America.  Tonight I started watching a series that I have savored in the past:  Lipstick Jungle, which I found on Amazon Prime.  I used to have the boxed DVDs.  Sigh.  I am drawn to comfort reads and viewing lately.  Familiar books and series.  I have added more old favorite books to my shelves, too, like Anne Tyler’s The Clock Dance.
  • This week I have read and reviewed The Girl in White Gloves, by Kerri Maher; and Little Secrets, by Jennifer Hillier.
  • Today I started reading Jennifer Weiner’s memoir called Hungry Heart.  I’m really liking it so far.  I can add it to my list for the Nonfiction Reading Challenge for which I have already completed four of the six books I signed up to do.
  • My shelf is filling up!

  • Since we can’t leave our apartments, except for scheduled walks in the courtyard, I am keeping those packages coming from Amazon. This week I bought some new shams and pillowcases to cheer me up.  They make reading in bed more fun.

 

 

 

 

 

  • On Sunday, I enjoyed a cranberry juice mimosa.  My daughter sent over a bottle of Champagne, along with a bottle of wine, which I haven’t opened yet.

***

I am continuing to focus on a day at a time, and choosing comfort reads, viewing, and other activities.  How have the rest of you been staying safe and well?

***

COFFEE CHAT: READING, BLOGGING, ETC.

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

Another day of coffee and chatting!  I missed last week, because it has just been like that lately.  I have been reading, though, and even finding old and neglected books on my shelves to share.  Like Mrs., by Catilin Macy, which was on my shelves for two years!

Yesterday, I finished reading Something She’s Not Telling Us, by Darcey Bell, and it definitely distracted me from all the disease and disinformation that are plaguing us.

  • Today I posted my Books from the Backlog event at Carole’s Random Life of Books.  I found another neglected book from 2018!
  • Meanwhile, I’m reading another newer book:  Redhead by the Side of the Road, by Anne Tyler.
  • Yesterday I finished watching Little Fires Everywhere...and I wanted it to keep going!  But it’s done, unless they bring another season.  But that will take forever.  Nothing will be in production for a while!
  • Today would be the time to watch another episode of The Good Fight, but they have taken a break until the end of the month, when they plan to finish producing the season.
  • I find myself scrolling through titles on Hulu and Netflix and Amazon Prime.  Thankful for those sites!
  • Even soap operas are running out of episodes that are in the can!  Soon classic episodes will appear.
  • Meanwhile, meals are delivered, and I just got my breakfast:

  • I am missing outings and shopping, but I definitely don’t want those things to open up until this is over…if it ever is!

***

How are you handling your “sheltering in place,”  if you are still immersed in it?  Introverts like us do have an advantage, don’t we?

***

COFFEE CHAT: DISTRACTIONS…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

I overslept today!  Waking up at 6:30 felt good, though, and I had just enough time to wash up for breakfast.  Afterwards, I took a nice shower and watched the Season Four’s first episode of The Good Fight.  Loved it!  I always enjoy that show.

  • Yesterday, another episode came for Little Fires Everywhere, and we took a step back in the story to see what brought our characters to where their lives are today.
  • We have had rainy days this week, so I’ve been curled up with books and movies.  This week I’ve read and reviewed The Watergate Girl, by Jill Wine-Banks; and Cross Her Heart, by Melinda Leigh.
  • Now I am reading The Sea Glass Cottage, by RaeAnne Thayne.  I also hope to start my hardcover version of The Girl in White Gloves, by Kerri Maher.  I love finishing those hardcovers and paperbacks so I can add them to my shelf.  Whenever I add another book, I rearrange the shelves a little.

  • Yesterday I got another book in the mail, a hardcover version of a reread that I “lost” in my move:  The Jane Austen Book Club, by Karen Joy Fowler.

  • I also added the movie to my Amazon Prime Video queue.
  • Loading up my shelves, adding to my streaming queues, and blogging a lot…these are all activities that help distract me from the world in which we now live.  Here’s hoping that the social distancing will do its part in taking us beyond the nasty virus.

***

How are things in your corner of the world?  Staying healthy and safe, I hope.  Reading, blogging, having movie nights while “sheltering in place”?  Hang in there!

***

COFFEE CHAT: A DAY AT A TIME…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

We are in Week Three of our Lockdown, but I really want to stop counting the days and weeks.  Instead I want to take it all a day at a time, planning the books and movies I will read and view each day.  And realizing that now I can go outside in the courtyard at scheduled times.  I loved the feel of the spring air when I went out this week!

  • In this photo, below, you can almost see my apartment window on the left, behind the gazebo.  By the end of the month, roses will bloom.  My window view of those roses led to my pick of that specific apartment.  Plus it seemed larger than most studio units.

  • In this photo, we can enjoy the bright red of the spring flowers…

  • I have only finished reading and reviewing one book so far this week; I had wasted most of Sunday reading a book that I finally had to cast aside, frustrated, since I liked the beginning…and then it turned boring.  Sigh.
  • But The Operator, by Gretchen Berg, is a book I ordered in hardcover, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  As I finish reading/reviewing, I tuck those books away on my bookshelves. (See The Operator below, next to the decorative “jack”). I love admiring them all lined up, since I moved in here with only about ten books from my previous collection of hundreds.
  • I now have 54 books on this bookshelf…the one below only has 53, since The Operator had not yet been shelved…LOL

  • Here are my TBR books in the print format:  on a shelf in the entry way just for them, left, and on the nightstand, right…

  • As much as I love having some books in hardcover/paperback, just so I can admire them after I’ve read them…I’ve discovered that I read my e-books much faster.  Perhaps holding those hardcovers isn’t that easy these days!
  • Last night I started reading Follow Me, by Kathleen Barber, and so far so good.
  • Yesterday I received a new large bag of coffee grounds from Amazon.  Yay!  Love the smell and taste of new coffee.

***

Now I am ready for breakfast!  I have developed a system for making sure that I get the food I order.  I take a picture of the menu form I fill out, and check what I receive against the photo.  Accountability!  It’s working.

How is your week shaping up?

***

COFFEE CHAT: WEEK TWO IN LOCKDOWN…

Good morning!  Let’s gather around with our caffeinated beverages to chat about our weeks, our books, and our perspectives.  Join our host at Bookishly Boisterous to see what others are sharing.

Another week has passed, and while I am still enjoying the time for reading, movie watching, etc., I am frustrated by the inability to get my hands on things I need.  Supplies as simple as my Lactaid milk or tea bags.  The staff said they would send someone out to shop, but that was three days ago.  Meanwhile, my daughter brought over a few things.  We can’t see each other, of course; no visitors allowed here!

  • Amazon availability of items is not good right now.  Some things can be had in a few weeks.  I haven’t been able to get bottled water, or even the water purifying pitchers that are sold everywhere…until there is a supply shortage.
  • I am sure that my feeling of panic is connected to the poor management of everything, from the government to the facility where I live.  The meals they bring to the apartment are cold and not at all appetizing, with poor selections.  When I think of how much money I pay them every month, I feel angry.  It was bad enough before…and now it has gone to worse than bad.
  • I am trying to lose myself in my books, and finished And They Called It Camelot, by Stephanie Marie Thornton, which I loved!
  • I just finished a new episode of Little Fires Everywhere.  Apparently Hulu brings a new episode every Wednesday. 
  • A couple of nights ago, I watched a Margaret Atwood documentary on Hulu, which I really enjoyed.

  • I am loving the opportunity to continue rearranging my apartment.  Here is what I have done this week: A view of the desk/computer station on the left, and bookshelves on the right.

  • Another view of the shelves and the TV…

  • Changes in the entry way…

  • My obsessive/compulsive tendencies are out in full force, lol.
  • What to read next?  I am leaning toward Heaven Adjacent, by Catherine Ryan Hyde…
  • And now I am whining…does that make me an “entitled bitch”?  Or just a frustrated one?

***

How are the rest of you handling the pandemic/isolation?  Any special ways of dealing with things?  Hang in there, is what everyone keeps telling me.  That works.  Or maybe it doesn’t.

***
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