Thursday, April 2, 2020

Are You Going Stir Crazy? by Vickie McDonough


I have lots of things to keep me busy, including packing for a move, but there's something about being forced to stay home that makes me antsy, even though as a writer I'm used to working from home. I miss jumping in the car and running to the store or to grab some fast food or having lunch with a friend. Now we plan our trips and go mostly during senior hour. Of course, you can spend much of your free time reading, and this is just the place to find some great books, but here are a few more things you can do.


1. Organize your photos. Two years ago, I went through all of my boys' photos and sorted them into a pile for each boy. This included their own pictures, as well as pictures of each of their brothers. I also added school papers they'd made and reward certificates/pins/letters they'd earned at school. On top of the plastic box, I added a colorful starburst and wrote: "Brian McDonough, This is Your Life." Then I gave each one their box at Christmas. They loved it! I was ready to downsize, and size my sons are all grown up, so I knew they'd take care of the items I passed on to them.

2. Take a scavenger hunt walk. I've seen online where people are organizing scavenger hunts for their children while doing a nature walk. Kids can hunt for things like a purple flower, butterfly, acorn, a dandelion, cardinal, and so many other things. Even if you don't have children, this could be a fun thing to do with your spouse or a friend.

3. Clean a closet. You probably have one that needs it. 

4. Try a new recipe. I've been cooking more have come up with a few different things to make.

5. Try working some puzzles. It's a great brain exercise and helps keep you mentally alert. I have a word search book and a coloring book you might like: USA Word Find and Stained Glass Mandalas. Both are available on Amazon.





Let's circle back to reading. I have a fun book that's on sale for 99 cents for a few more days. 


The Prodigal's Shotgun Wedding

A prodigal’s hope for a happy homecoming is derailed.

Clay left home after his brother’s death—a death for which he was responsible. After years away he’s finally returning, hoping for reconciliation with his father. But when the stagecoach he’s riding in wrecks and he is injured, he finds himself in a fight for survival.

Jolie is fleeing a nightmare situation. She desperately hopes becoming a mail-order bride doesn’t land her in a worse place. When the stage crashes and she spends the night alone with a wounded man, she wonders if her intended will still want her. If he doesn’t, what will she do? She has no money and nowhere to go.
Available on Amazon / Free KU

3 comments:

  1. I am going stir crazy some of the time. I have been reading more.

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  2. Vickie, I am doing some spring cleaning. There seems to be pollen everywhere!

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  3. Vickie, good ideas. I started on the closets and drawers right after the new year, but I didn't finish them all. My granddaughters did a scavenger hunt with their friends online.

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