Beware Covid

On the 23^rd December 2021 I tested positive for covid after feeling unwell for three days. Everyone had been saying ‘Oh it’s just like a bad cold. Nothing to worry about.’ Then there were the conspiratorial theorists on Facebook saying it was all a con - politicians wanting to take away our freedom and our livelihoods. World domination of the masses. And Boris is in on it - he must be in cahoots with Russia and China. Oh and let’s not forget Trump. These people obviously have not contracted one of the more powerful variants of this virus, and presumably don’t know anyone who has. Yes, I have an underlying condition - only 67% lung function because of copd. Yet my oxygen levels have remained between 96 and 99% because I am basically more healthy than someone half my age. Want to know what’s most debilitating about this virus? It’s how it leaves you. I’m on Day 16 and I can do nothing. Even making a cup of tea is a major challenge. Not because I can’t breathe but because I have zero energy. They’re calling it ‘Long Covid’ but it looks very much like Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome. Imagine a world where half the population is suffering with this long-term condition. So, to those of you who are still spouting off that it’s just a bad cold - please STOP! 

You are putting yourself and others at risk.

A Lesson from the Universe.

 

A friend on Facebook posted this today. I ‘loved’ it of course - it is one of those wise truisms that we should all remember and actively put into practice.

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day so in the afternoon I went out for a walk up onto the moors, which I’m fortunate to have right on my doorstep. As I was returning home down a very steep hillside, I remembered an ex-boyfriend who had struggled to come down this way and had slipped. The relationship ended when he started treating me very badly. As I made my way down I was thinking bad thoughts about him, referring to him as The Fat Controller, and puzzled as to why I had ever found him attractive. Suddenly I felt something on my left arm. It was a huge bumble bee! I screamed and brushed it off but for a few seconds it seemed intent on landing again. As I was flailing my arms and running down the hill to escape it, I remembered this Facebook post.

Oh dear! Another test failed :(

Review of 'Witch' by Finbar Hawkins

I liked this book - it was fast moving and held my interest right to the last page. I loved that the chapters were interspersed with line drawings that added to the mystery and intrigue. I thought that Evie's character, with all her anger and inner conflict, was portrayed beautifully. And for someone who isn't overly keen on very long novels, this was just the right length. The author cuts straight to the chase, without un-necessary surplus or milking of events.
View all my Goodread reviews here:
"https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/54499536-joan-harthan"

My Other Half

I was having a conversation with a lady the other day and she used the phrase 'my other half'. I'd never given much thought to that term before - it's such an accepted part of our vocabulary - but that day it made me question my very existence.

Being alone, does that mean that I'm only half a person? Or is it her that's not whole?

I don't feel like half a person. I feel like a whole person and I live my life as a whole person - travelling the world on my own, going into bars alone etc. . .  So if I'm whole, that must mean she's not.

And as I look around - it does seem that single people are much stronger emotionally than those who always need 'another half' to accompany them through life.

So if you're single - rejoice. You are strong. You are complete within yourself. And if you're looking for love, don't look for your 'other half', look for someone who is as whole as you. #

Are you a writer? Do you struggle to find character names that aptly reflect the characters in your story? Check out this brilliant, completely free, random name generator for authors: http://random-name-generator.info/random/

Ministry of Justice guilty of making unsolicited telephone calls

BBC News today has announced that prisoners at Oakwood Prison in Wolverhampton are being paid to make unsolicited telephone calls, on behalf of insurance companies, to members of the public.

"They do not have access to private information such as addresses," the Ministry says, "and public security is not being compromised."

What about my right not to receive nuisance calls? That's being compromised but clearly the Ministry doesn't care about that!

I'm registered with the TPS yet I've had calls like this. Surely this means the Government is acting illegally?

Starbucks and the Iraq War

I've just received an email asking me to shun Starbucks because they've refused to supply free coffee to soldiers in Iraq. Starbucks says it doesn't support the war. Actually I don't go to Starbucks anyway, I much prefer Costa, but I reckon their decision will rocket them up the popularity stakes - goodness knows they're seriously out of favour at the moment with their tax avoidance schemes and all. The sender of the email seems to think that everyone should know about this dastardly Starbuck decision. Well I'm sorry but I don't support the war either, nor any war that was initiated by a capitalist manoeuvre to protect investments. Atrocities go on in other countries where the west has no financial interest - we don't try and bomb them out of existence. How can anyone condone going half way across the world to slaughter other human beings? Tell me, I need to know. I'm not against the soldiers, they only act under orders,  but we must remember that they signed up for the army lured by the possibility of combat and the acclaimed macho, heroic image. I know this isn't a politically correct view but come on, let's be truthful! Sgt Howard Wright probably initiated this circulating email because he's just pissed off that he can't get an endless supply of free coffee.