Month: January 2023

I’m a writer and this is scary stuff.

I’ve seen a number of discussions among fellow writers about the new artificial intelligence aps, and most of the comments have been, shall we say, negative. Not really understanding the whole gist, I decided to try it out for myself. So, the way this ap works is, you ask a question and it generates a response. I asked it, what are ways to avoid or overcome cabin fever in the winter, and this is what it said:

Winter cabin fever is a common condition that is caused by being cooped up inside for long periods of time due to cold weather. Here are a few ways to overcome cabin fever during the winter months:

1. Get outside: Even if it’s cold, it’s important to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. Going for a walk, run or hike can help to boost your mood and energy levels.
2. Stay active: Try to stay physically active during the winter months. You can try indoor activities such as yoga, home workout, dancing, or even take an online class.
3. Stay connected: Social isolation can worsen cabin fever. Reach out to friends, family, or co-workers by phone, email, or video chat. Join a virtual book club, or game night, or start a conversation in a social media group.
4. Indoor hobbies: Take up a new hobby or revisit an old one. Consider painting, knitting, reading, writing, or puzzles.
5. Get organized: Use the extra time indoors to declutter and reorganize your home, it can give you a sense of accomplishment and improve your mood.
6. Light therapy: During the shorter days of winter, you may not be getting enough natural light. Try using a lightbox or going outside during the day to get some sunlight.
7. Seek professional help: If cabin fever is affecting your daily life and mental health, seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can help you to manage your symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

It’s important to remember that everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. So, try different strategies and find what works best for you.

Wow … is it time to start looking for another job?

Yep, I bought it. First day out and off I trotted to my local Barnes & Noble. I didn’t even want to wait for the Amazon 2-day delivery (?) so I paid $5 extra.

Yep, I am fascinated by the royals. I was obsessed with Princess Diana and crushed when she died, as was the rest of the world. And like the rest of the world, I watched Harry and Willy as they emerged from awkwardness into handsome and talented young men.

However, Will never did much for me. I think he is boring. On the other hand, he chose a gorgeous and wonderful woman as his wife, and now there is the fascination of watching their adorable children grow up.

Harry – he is not boring. He has entertained and horrified with his antics throughout the years, but who can forget the little boy walking behind his mother’s coffin. Is there any doubt why he became the Windsor wild child?

Then along came Meg. Beautiful, brilliant Meg. The nemesis of the royal family, but the woman Harry loves and married. The woman who has been slayed by every British rag as well as her staff in the royal palace.

Quora. Do any of you subscribe to it? It has many excellent attributes and is credited with being a grassroots, authentic research tool. However, I’ve checked in on discussions about the royals, and am appalled at what is said about Meg. Most of the posts are unbelievably vicious and cruel, and these are from people who have never met her!

Anyway, my point here is that I am salivating to get into the nitty-gritty of this book for the truth of what really happened to Harry and Meg.

Part 1: Animal Shelters

The New Year is when many of us take stock and think about goals for the upcoming year. Volunteering is often one of those goals. For those of you who love animals, perhaps you want to pursue finding something you can do to donate your time and energy for them. One place where volunteering help for animals is in dire need is animal shelters.

The number of surrendered or stray animals in animal shelters is heartbreaking, with some estimates as high as 6.1 million pets entering shelters each year. Unfortunately, there is never enough staff to give these animals the extras they sorely need, and that’s where volunteers come in. The duties for volunteering in a shelter range from administrative tasks to many different kinds of hands-on activities with the animals. More specifically, here are some things shelter volunteers do:

• Cuddle with cats, kittens, dogs and puppies
• Walk, play with, or run with dogs
• Keep track of an animal’s needs and behavior after working with it
• Clean cages
• Take animals to vet appoints or adoption events
• Take pet photos
• Write pet bios
• Talk to potential adopters about a specific pet
• Lead tours through the facility
• Do laundry for pet bedding
• Perform basic care for wounds or other medical issues
• Participate in fund raising events
• Train new volunteers
• Read to animals

And this list is not all! Depending on the facility management, there may be other duties.

My next post will talk about volunteering by being a foster home.