By Caroline Clemmons
Hello, Dear Friends,
Our August theme is Sizzling Days, Sultry Nights. No, we're not responsible for the weather, which has been both sizzling and sultry in North Central Texas. I'm looking forward to fall and winter.
How has your summer been so far? Taking into account our unusual circumstances during the pandemic, mine has been pretty good. In many parts of the country school has started or will next week. In my mind, this marks the end of summer—even though officially summer ends on September 21.
Are you doing anything new to occupy time you would have gone out in previous summers? During our time at home, I’ve been signing up for webinars and participating in Zoom meetings. I want to keep learning, stretching the brain to keep my mind as sharp as possible. I’m grateful for the internet and the ability to learn and to keep up with friends through social media and email.
For those who don’t want a webinar, there are Ted Talks covering almost every subject. Hero and I have watched many of those. I’m amazed that some are even humorous as well as informative. I admit Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of my favorites because he explains complicated theories in terms everyone can understand.
For clean, down home humor, I watch Jeanne Robertson’s YouTube videos. Our daughters and I saw her performance in person a couple of years ago. Since she isn’t traveling to speak right now, she has a “back porch” discussion on YouTube. I’m not a fan of those, but the videos of her performances are fun. My favorite is her discussion of sending her husband to the store, which has become a classic. If her sort of humor is not for you. there are many other entertainers on YouTube. Dry Bar Cafe offers a variety of comics.
Reading has saved the sanity of multitudes. You can understand why we authors at Romance Gems (and elsewhere) love readers! We are readers as well as writers and I’ve been working in extra reading lately. I just finished The Secret Orphan, which I recommend. Yesterday I started Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, which was recommended by our librarian daughter. Probably it’s a young adult or new adult book, but it is fascinating and hard to put down and get to work. It's going to be a movie soon.
As you can see by the graphic below, our Comment to Win is back. If you want to enter, just leave a comment that includes your email (with spaces so spammers don’t grab it). You can enter every day.
Until next month, stay safe, be optimistic, and be kind.
I very much believe in life-long learning and you've provided some great ideas, Caroline, for keeping busy and learning at the same time! I sometimes forget about Ted Talks. I need to check those out more often. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteMy DD loves Ted Talks and I’ll need to check them out! Thanks for sharing all these lovely ideas, Caroline.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I have always believed there is still something to learn. I have been trying to do online workshops and webinars as much as I can, but with limited wifi, I can't do as many as I want. But reading, yeah, I do lots of that!!
ReplyDeleteI read voraciously and take webinars so that I can keep learning. You either grow or stagnate, and I don't want to stagnate. stephaniesuesansmith at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the ideas. Continuing to learn is like a lease on life, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteLife has so much to offer. Lately I've been safely seeing friends in person while I can. Who knows what fall and winter might bring.
ReplyDeleteI've been using this time at home to not just write, read, and declutter my house, but to also figure out how to have a social life in this new normal. Doing my best to stay off TV though so thanks for the tips on online learning.
ReplyDeleteGood pointers. Hadn't thought about this area but can definitely use some pointers in life. Thanks! I may just go for the fun.
ReplyDeleteSo many amazing ted talks.. always good to have a mantra for life long learning.
ReplyDeleteYou never stop learning. I read somewhere that adults learn 10 new things everyday. Children MANY more.
ReplyDeleteIf you were responsible for the weather I'd hold you to account for all of this horrible wind.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
My summer has been a little more boring than previous summers.
ReplyDeletedeborahdumm(at)yahoo.com)
always something to learn
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Good points,. You never stop learning.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at hotmail dot com
I totally agree, Caroline. It's important to keep learning. I remember my grandfather told me when I was a little girl, "Learn something new every day." That's good advice I've followed.
ReplyDelete