ISWG Monthly Blog Post February 2021

Well, here we are in February, once more in lockdown because of the coronavirus also known as COVID 19. For more than a year, this virus has controlled our lives. but instead of things getting better, they’re just getting worse. The three new, more infectious variants have everyone on edge, and despite the discovery of several viable vaccines, some of us who desperately want one have very little chance of getting one for some time to come. I want to beg and scream at the universe for a solution, but I think it will be at least another year before we see any sign of normalcy.

As bad as I feel for myself, I think the ones suffering most are the children and teens. At the moment, my grandchildren are doing online schooling again and have been for the last month because of the lockdown. Think for a minute about your high school years, and then look at their reality: –no sports, no clubs, no school dances, no group dates to the movies or the mall, no opportunities to apply for a part-time job because all non-essential retail stores are closed, restaurants are take out, curb-side pickup, or delivery only … and courses like cooking, hairdressing, carpentry, science, physical education, and art no longer have any hands-on activities. Semesters have become quadmesters for high school, with two instead of four courses a day for6 weeks. They sit at the computer for five hours each day, watching a teacher lecture or demonstrate the material with very little student interaction, and answer questions or do assignments the same way. Brutal! If they are lucky, they may get outside for some fresh air and exercise as long as the stay socially distant, masked, and solitary. If they see their friends, it’s through Facetime, Messenger, or Zoom. Even church services have become You Tube dates on Sunday mornings. This is supposed to be a time of discovery, of forming positive social habits, of growing as a person, but sadly it isn’t happening.

There are a lot of things I miss right now. I miss traveling, having coffee with friends, going out to dinner, going shopping for clothes, furniture and other non-essentials, getting my hair cut and colored, my nails manicured, and pedicures for my feet. I miss getting together with my children and grandchildren, as well as friends, but most of all, I miss hugs.

This month’s blog question is about blogs.

February 3 question – Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?

Blogging for me is a way of connecting with others that has become absolutely essential over the past year. Sometimes I use blog posts to generate interest in my writing, such as the small blogging group I belong to that posts a scene from a current work in progress each week. I’ve become very close to the other authors involved and even though we’ve never met, nor are we likely to because of the pandemic, I do consider them friends. I often blog to promote my work or the work of other authors who’ve become my friends. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to give someone a hand as they travel down the indie publishing road with me.

Sometimes, I blog to vent my frustration or express disappointment and occasionally I blog to share good news, especially in these days when good news is rare. Lastly, I blog because it gives me the sensation of sitting down and talking to people. It may be a one-sided conversation, but still, in its own way it fills the void COVID 19 has brought into my life.

So, how about you? What’s it like in your blogosphere?

You can see how others feel by following this link. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Have a great day. Stay healthy and safe, and I’ll see you in March!