Around The Blogs With Chuckles

We all enjoy snooping and lurking on other people's blogs right? Why not share those entertaining things you found with other readers and bloggers too! Welcome to Around the Blogs with Chuckles, where I take time out to show you some of my favourite blog posts from the previous seven days and link you up so you can check them out. 

It is vital that we all stick together online at this time. Do what you can to show some love to other blogs, to books and authors and let us all know that you are staying safe and well. Hearing from our friends will make it easier to deal with whatever is coming in the next few months. Stay safe everyone.

This week...

1) Corona Con 
See the pile of books that Erica is adding to her TBR after this virtual event!
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-event-corona-con-april-2020/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=book-event-corona-con-april-2020 

2) Book Review-The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Mogsy's review.
https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/04/20/audiobook-review-the-southern-book-clubs-guide-to-slaying-vampires-by-grady-hendrix/ 

3) Book Review-Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton 
Erica's review.
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-review-hollow-kingdom/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=book-review-hollow-kingdom 

4) Why Am I Not Reading More?
Carole ponders why she is reading less in the pandemic.
https://carolesrandomlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/so-i-have-all-of-this-free-timewhy-am-i.html 

5) Retro Horror Review 
Barb takes a look at an old horror novel...dare you take a look?
http://bookertsfarm.blogspot.com/2020/04/retro-horror-vol-2-amityville-horror.html 

6) Book Review-Theme Music by T Marie Vandelly 
Bark's review.
http://barksbooknonsense.blogspot.com/2020/04/review-theme-music-by-t-marie-vandelly.html

7) Book Review-Burn Zone by Annabeth Albert
Karen's review-M/M romance.
http://www.fwiwreviews.net/2020/04/review-burn-zone-hotshots-1-by-annabeth.html#.XqLVf5nTXcs 

8) Book Review-The Library of the Unwritten by AJ Hackwith 
Carole's review.
https://carolesrandomlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/review-library-of-unwritten-by-aj.html 

9) Book Review-Boy In The Box by Marc E Fitch 
Erica's review.
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-review-boy-in-the-box/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=book-review-boy-in-the-box 

10) Book Review-One Perfect Summer by Brenda Novak 
Katherine's review.
http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot.com/2020/04/one-perfect-summer-fiction-review.html 

Top Ten Tuesday-Band Names

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/

NB: I don't follow or leave comments on blogs run by Google Plus, or DISQUS as I refuse to join something just to leave comments, and I won't allow them to follow new people, update my profile or post tweets 'on my behalf'. I won't comment on any blog that makes me sign in using another account. 

This week the topic is about book titles that make good band names.

1) Hopcross Jilly
It just sounds like an interesting name for a folk group or something similar. It's a graphic novel set in the Mercy Thompson world.

2) Planet Sasquatch
Definitely a rock/metal band, maybe with the band wearing Sasquatch masks or something and the roaring Sasquatch picture on the drum kit! The book is sci-fi of course.

3) Antarctic Ice Beasts
Yes, another rock/metal or maybe Indie group where everyone has long hair over their faces and wear snow suits for photo shoots! This is a Hunter Shea Yeti book.

4) Shark Station Nyet
I've loved this title since I read the series, the second in the Salechii shark series. It would be great for an Eastern European band!

5) Ashes In The Mouth
Part of a zombie series that I haven't read but what a great title!

6) Rage On The Rails
Part of another zombie series that I've yet to start. It has a Rage Against The Machine kind of vibe going here.

7) Nobody Loves A Bigfoot Like A Bigfoot Babe
I didn't like this book but I love the title. There could be dancing girls on the stage with Bigfoot T Shirts or even masks! The female fans could call themselves Bigfoot Babes and horrify feminists!

8) Mogadishu Of The Dead
I love the Arisen zombie series and this is the title of book two. I've always thought the title was catchy and fans could dress as zombies, like the band!

9) Fae Of Fortune
Definitely a girl band with everyone dressed as elves or something similar. This is a paranormal crime story.

10) Louisiana Saturday Night
This would be an ideal cajun, bluegrass, folk kind of band. The book is about voodoo sharks in the middle of a Louisiana flood.

Virus Days 5

TUESDAY
I was running about like an idiot when I got up this morning, getting ready for the food delivery from the supermarket. The guy arrived just after 9am and unpacked everything and my dad and I got the stuff into the kitchen to put away. That was so much easier than going to the supermarket where you have to get the stuff into your trolley, onto the conveyor belt, into the trolley in bags, into the car, out of the car and into the house then unpack in the kitchen and put away. My next booked delivery is ten days and we'll get stuff in for my uncle. If Aldi would do a delivery service, life would be sweet as they are much cheaper, but at least Asda can deliver so we'll make use of them. Maybe Aldi need to think about starting a proper delivery service. I've heard that receiving substitute items on these supermarket deliveries can be a real lottery but what we got was useable.

The same can't be said for Amazon. Have you noticed how dumb their recommendations can be? Based on the fact I'd looked at face masks, I was recommended a thong. I don't think THAT would give your face much protection from the virus! 

WEDNESDAY
We don't think my uncle has the virus. The issues with his breathing seem to have been caused by the pharmacy not sending inhalers in his last prescription and he was rationing the inhalers until the new ones arrived which was Monday. He is already feeling a bit better but has decided to stay home for a while until he feels a lot better. We supplied him with fresh meat, toilet roll and newspapers today which cheered him up. My dad drove over to his house to drop off the package and when he came home I nearly had a fit because my dad was wearing his mask upside down! That isn't going to help!!! 

Today I was trying to get more housework done which is becoming a problem as my right arm is painful when I try to lift or grip anything. Sore as it is, it isn't an emergency so I won't trouble the doctor with it but I am getting really frustrated at being tired and sore all the time. But at least it isn't the virus, which I'm grateful for. I cheered myself up with fresh chicken fillets in a chasseur sauce and mashed potato for dinner. It's one of my favourite meals. I also had some extra mature cheddar as a snack with cheesy biscuits!

THURSDAY
WHY am I finding it so hard to just get stuff done online? I'm sorry that I haven't been around much these last two weeks on my own blog. I've just struggled to get anything done. Hopefully I can start fresh this weekend as I have a few ideas for book related posts to get me back on track! I've also stopped watching SKY and BBC because these news outlets are getting on my nerves. The viewer's questions to the experts are the same every day. The Downing Street daily briefing is a waste of time as the same questions are asked every day-PPE, exit strategy and why can't we copy Germany. These questions have been answered a million times! I'm spending my mornings watching favourite films and the afternoons watching Gold Rush box sets with my dad. Also had a boiled egg and soldiers for lunch, and finger rolls with german hot dogs, tomato sauce and sour cream for dinner...YUM!

My next plan is to catch up with favourite cookery shows, game shows and reality TV. I have tons of stuff waiting to be watched so that will be perfect for nights where I'm not reading. I'm just about done with the Prisoner of Azkaban. I might try reading a few other things before going on to the Goblet of Fire.

FRIDAY
I watched the news this morning with some alarm, listening to Donald Trump sharing his ideas for virus treatments involving UV light blasting the skin and disinfectant injections! I was also alarmed to see the scale of the anti lockdown protests in the US. That lack of social distancing at these rallies could infect thousands. It's pretty worrying. We're still getting over 600 deaths a day and MPs and so called experts are still wanting to end lockdown! I'm not considering coming out of my hidey hole until at least autumn!

I haven't done enough posts this week to justify a roundup post so I'll add the little I did this week on to next week's posts and do a roundup post next weekend instead. I need to get back into my blogging routine but housework and stuff have been keeping me busy. Need to put more effort in!

I hope everyone is staying safe and my thoughts are with anyone currently suffering with the virus, health issues with loved ones and everyone who is under stress at this time.

The #Stayathome Diaries Tag

I saw this posted by the lovely Karen over at http://www.fwiwreviews.net/ and I decided to join in. Why not join in too?

1) Last thing you googled
The opening hours for the chemist near my uncle's house so we know what time to collect his prescription for him.

2) Last book you read
The last book I finished was 'Aftershock' by Jules Mountain but I'm currently re-reading The Prisoner of Azkaban. I love that book and the film!

3) Last film you watched
This morning I watched Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' for the first time in years. Imagine how scary a remake of this could be now with special effects!

4) Last thing you did before socially isolating
Did a small shop at the supermarket. That was before the queues and panic buying began, when we could still take a stroll round with the trolley and find everything we needed!
 
5) Couch potato or over achiever
I'm always a professional couch potato thank you very much! Even before the virus came, I was honing my veg out in front of the TV skills! During the day it is housework and blogging but at night it is relaxing with a book or watching TV! I don't feel the need to achieve anything...

6) Average number of hours you sleep at night
6-8 hours usually unless my insomnia pays a visit! Or restless leg. I bloody well hate that!!!

7) Last thing you ordered online
Snowdonia Black Bomber extra mature cheese! I love my cheese and this variety is really tasty-creamy, crumbly, brilliant on cheesy biscuits, especially with a cold beer while watching a favourite DVD box set. This new supply should see me through the summer. I also ordered a meat order at the same time-smoked tuna, salmon, smoked chicken breasts, smoked sausages. YUM! Oh and a new pair of slippers...

8) First thing you'll do when this is over
I fear that everyone will rush out to work, the shops, for leisure and another wave of virus will hit, so I'll be staying in lockdown for an extra three or four weeks until I'm sure things are returning to normal. I'm in no rush to go anywhere. There is a brilliant fish and chip shop down on the west cost that does great fritters, toasties and onion rings, and great ice cream. I look forward to a few trips there once it has quietened down after the initial rush. I will pig out soooo much!

9) Who would be your ideal quarantine companion
Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter. He can help me with the housework and cooking and go to the supermarket or shops for me! It'll leave me more time to watch TV, blog, read or lie in my bed every morning!

10) What are you most grateful for
That my entire family are for the moment virus free. If it stays that way I can put up with any amount of lockdown. 

Virus Days 4

THURSDAY
I'm TRYING not to get stressed out as it is taking a toll on my health at the moment. My uncle is 70 and has a chronic lung disorder because as a labourer he was exposed to asbestos. The doctor told him to self isolate as he is in the vulnerable group but he has been going out daily to the shops to get a newspaper, alcohol, and various food items. He doesn't wear a mask or gloves though he is washing his hands but we have no idea if he has caught the virus as he always has a hacking cough, and has breathing issues some days.

Today he said he needed urgent supplies. I'm ok with popping into our local shop which has strict contact and social distancing rules, wearing my mask and gloves, to get him essentials on days he isn't feeling great. But I was mad when all he wanted was cider. That is not an essential item and I just REFUSE to risk my health so he can guzzle alcohol!!! 

I planned for a pandemic-getting in masks and gloves, ensuring my cupboards, fridge and freezer were full etc so we wouldn't have to go out much, be safe indoors with all we needed and have spare for my uncle. But twice in a week, my dad was pulled from the house to get alcohol for my uncle. I'm so stressed. My efforts to keep us safe may have been useless.

FRIDAY
I'm getting so sick of the celebrities whining about their isolation woes. Ellen comparing her mansion to prison. Meghan whining that her mummy can't spend time with Archie (just like ALL Harry's family can't see Archie!!!). Singing celebs led by Wonder Woman doing an 'Imagine' rendition-seeing them singing 'imagine there's no heaven' when people are dying around the world, and 'imagine no possesions' when they are in their multi million mansions really got on my goat! Others whining about being so bored-well get out and volunteer then! A poor seven year old boy has lost his mum and gran to the virus with his dad critically ill. That is real tragedy, not these inflated egos being bored in their mansions and not getting the attention they want. These celebrities need to stop bloody bleating about their problems and get a dose of the real world. Ordinary people are suffering real hardship yet doing amazing things. 

SATURDAY
My dad and I are now in a total lockdown. My uncle called today. He has flu symptoms and lost his sense of smell. He thinks he might have the virus though there are no breathing issues other than the usual and he doesn't have a temperature. It could be a sinus infection. Maybe. He first felt unwell on Thursday. My stress level hit critical and all I can think of is that Easter trip to Aldi in the car last Saturday. OK so my dad was wearing gloves and a mask and I insisted my uncle wore a mask, then I cleaned the inside of the car where my uncle was sitting, but I can't stop fretting about it. 

Let's now assume that he does have it. Most of what I read suggests that the infected person can be contagious for three days before they show symptoms so if that were true, my uncle became contagious AFTER the Easter weekend, somewhere around Monday. However he might have caught it up to fourteen days before showing symptoms. If he was infectious last Saturday, a week has passed with no sign of my dad and I being ill but another seven days in the house might be a good idea to be sure. If we get through another week without being ill, I'd feel a lot better about the health of my dad. We'll be checking in several times daily with my uncle to see how he is and if he needs a doctor. 

The Hit Parade of Morons has to be Thursday's Clap for Carers debacle where the emergency services stood on a London Bridge to do their clapping, only to be swamped with a pile of members of the public, eager to be seen on social media clapping and getting self publicity, and instead causing a massive health hazard that could damage the very cause they are clapping to support! I used to work in the NHS and I support our essential workers every day from my home by following the rules. I don't need to stand outside every Thursday, showing off to everyone else that I care. Some people are genuine in their applause each week and follow it up by social distancing, isolating and only going out on essential business-I'm NOT having a go at these people. I have it in for the self obsessed covidiots who are doing it only to show how great and caring they are to get a few more likes online-like some of the idiots in this video.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1270597/UK-coronavirus-latest-Cressida-Dick-social-distancing-Westminster-Bridge-police  

A big shout out to former military hero Captain Tom Moore, 99 years old and who did 100 laps of his 25 metre garden to raise money for the NHS. He has now decided to keep doing the laps with his zimmer as long as the money keeps rolling in. His initial fundraising target was £1000. When his fundraising website crashed today, the total was over £21 000 000. This man is my hero in every way. 
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1269843/captain-tom-moore-knight-knightood-petition-coronavirus-news-captain-tom-moore-nhs

I'm going to have to sign off for now. I'm so stressed today that I can't concentrate. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, try to stay safe and look after yourselves.