Spring Thoughts and Contest Kickoff by Nancy Fraser #RomanceGems

Spring is my favorite season of the year. It's a time of renewal, of both body and spirit. The winter clothes are shed in favor of a good pair of walking shoes, a lightweight jacket, and...if your spring is like mine...an umbrella.

This year things will be different. Yet, the promise of spring and of renewal, gives me hope that we can overcome our current obstacles and once again enjoy the peace of mind we so desperately need.

I've spent the past few months in solitude. January and February were by choice, as I hibernated to avoid the winter flu. Little did I know how my hibernation was going to become not a choice but a necessity. And, like many others, I found myself struggling to accept that I couldn't just pick up and go whenever I wanted.

I had no trouble occupying my time and my mind when I was running the show. Reading, my own writing, everything fell neatly into place. Once staying inside was out of my hands, those same fun pasttimes grew increasingly tedious. As the days and weeks closed in, I knew I had to find new hobbies. New outlets for my restlessness. And find them I did.

Here are some of the things I'm doing to keep busy:

Every day, I make a phone call to a complete stranger at one of our two local nursing homes. I first spoke with the resident managers and asked them if they were willing to compile a list of names of those who had few or no relatives. Both were eager to comply and gave their lists to their main switchboards. I call each day at a set time, the person answering the phone gives me the name of the resident I'll be speaking with and a little bit about the person. Then, she connects me. And, for ten to fifteen minutes, I'm lifted out of my own bout of seclusion self-pity and into another person's life. It's amazing.

Last week, I cleaned out my two linen closets. Having traveled a lot over the past few years for both writing and pleasure, I had a lifetime supply of hotel soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. I boxed those all up and dropped them off at the womens' shelter near me. I have to say, I've become an expert at dead-drops!

I've also started an indoor herb garden using...of all things...toilet paper tubes to hold the growing plants in place.

I've got five different herbs, some green onions, and garlic started.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to grow actual toilet paper.

I just finished a book trailer for an author friend and next week I'm going to turn in the revisions to my very first cookbook. I know that if I don't keep busy, I'll go crazy, so I'm looking for other ideas. I'd love to hear from all of you about what you're doing to pass the time in self-isolation.

I'm also participating in this month's Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. You'll find a hidden egg somewhere on one of the following sites:

My Website ~ My Facebook Author Page ~ My Twitter Page

Once you've located the egg, just come back to the Rafflecopter form below and enter the information requested on Egg Hunt task. While you're there, also complete the other tasks for even more points!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The complete information about this month drawing can be found on our Monthly Giveaway page.

Until next month, stay happy, stay healthy, and stay well read!

Nancy