This space is supposed to be fun—sexy excerpts, new releases, puzzles, games…fun. Well, today, I’m going to get serious.
I’m an avid news watcher—many different news channels and newspapers every day, and not just US news. What I’ve been reading over the last weeks has me very concerned for my family, myself…you.
Last night, I went to bed a little late and did my usual scrolling through Twitter to see what was happening in the world. The more I read, the less sleepy I was. Suddenly, my daughter DM’d (direct messaged) me. She and the 15-year-old girl had been exchanging messages back and forth. (Which is hilarious all by itself, because we live in the same house!) They were both a bit freaked out. We met on the back patio while everyone else slept to talk about it. Mind you, this was 11:30 at night. I brought a pen for a grocery list. Because the only thing we could do for ourselves, at that moment, was to decide what we needed to have on hand if we self-quarantined.
Yes, self-quarantined. As in doing something to try to prevent the spread of the virus to our family members—and no, I’m not some weird prepper, although now, I’m thinking they’re better prepared than the rest of us. With list in hand, for things like toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, home cleansers, Dinty Moore stew cans, rice, beans, decongestant, cough syrup, cough drops, etc., the two of them headed off to Walmart. Being over 60, I’m no longer allowed to go out and about unless I absolutely have to!
This is what the TP shelves looked like last night at Walmart…
So, I know there are a lot of you who think people are going crazy. But what if there’s something to this? What if there is something you could do now to keep you and your family safe? Information is key.
When Germany’s leader tells her people that 2 out of every 3 Germans are projected to be infected… When Congress’s own medical staff tells them that 70 to 150 MILLION Americans can be infected… Maybe we should take some precautions.
I’ve heard things like, “It’s just another flu.” Well, flu’s been around a while. We have some immunity—and immunizations. The Novel Coronavirus (novel means NEW) is something we have no immunity built up inside us. It spreads far fast. It lives up to 3 days on surfaces and for hours in the air after an infected person exhales. The incubation period appears to be 4 days, but you can appear asymptomatic for a long while! Which means everyone you come in contact with after that fourth day following exposure could be infected—by you! And it’s not just an old person’s disease. If you smoke, if you’re fat, if you have an immune system deficiency… All are factors in mortality.
But let’s not talk mortality rates…oh, hell. Let’s do. With the present statistical mortality rate applied to the figure that the experts think will be the total infected, we’re talking hundreds of thousands, maybe millions.
So, I’m taking a deep breath. This isn’t seasonal flu, which seems to die off when the weather gets warm. This is the new pandemic. It’s related to SARS—remember that scare a few years back? This is more virulent! But don’t take my word. Listen to an expert who’s a guest on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Joe isn’t a “Democratic hoaxter” (Coronavirus is no hoax!). He’s a libertarian, and actually, a pretty smart guy. I’m sharing this podcast because the guy he has on is easy to understand. Listen to what the expert says. Let it scare the pants off you. Then take steps.
If this turns out to be a big “nothing burger”, then you don’t have to buy TP until the next millennium! No worries. If it’s as dire as the experts say, we need to be ready.
I’d love to hear whether you’re doing anything to get ready. Or whether you think this will all go away. No snarking, folks! Let’s just talk.
Posted in Real Life|15 People Said|Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Gayle Lazur - Laura Le Capelain - Jennifer Beyer - Joy Boutwell - flchen1 -
UPDATE: The winners are…Delaine McLafferty and Mary McCoy!
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I’m pleased to see that the number of subscribers to my blog is growing! You’re discovering that there’s always something happening here! Whether it’s seeing what other authors are giving you in the way of new stories or playing puzzles or entering to win prizes—there is always something new. Thanks for stopping by and being a part of this romance writer’s community! If you haven’t already subscribed, check out the left-hand column of this page and do it now! ~DD
Flashback: Slow Rider (Contest–2 Winners!)
When Joe Chavez and fellow sheriff’s deputy, Logan Ross, pull over a speeding motorcycle in the middle of the night, neither is particularly shocked to find Paraiso’s wild child, Sarah Michelson, riding bare-assed naked, nor are they surprised when she invites them to join her in a sexy threesome.
Talking her way out of an embarrassing date with the county judge, who just happens to be her daddy, Sarah promises the officers the ride of their lives. Having the men turn the tables on her and introduce her to some scary D/s play, she learns some things about herself she never suspected. Too bad Joe will never see her as anything but a sexy hell cat in need of taming…
Comment on this post to win your choice of one of the books in the Texas Cowboys series! This series is a very sexy set of stories set in a small town in Texas, where cowboys and lawmen are “bound & determined” to win their ladies any way they can!
Here are all the stories in the Texas Cowboy series!
I have a challenge for you! And I can’t wait to see what you will do with it!
See the picture below? Well, you tell me a story based on that photo. I’m not saying it has to be a good story or even longer than a sentence. I’m not judging your writing. Just have fun with this photo prompt. Everyone, play! Comment for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!
With each book I write, I’m continually inspired by nature. Recently, I had a pair of Baltimore Orioles visit. They’re stunning birds, and I’ll miss them once they continue their journey north.
As hints of spring fill the air, with flowers beginning to nudge through the earth, and migration starting, I’m keeping watch for birds as they travel through, including the Blue Grosbeaks.
Walking through the woods, fragrant with the scent of pine, I spot birds that I see year-round, like the chickadee.
On a recent visit to the marsh, with the scent of salt and the sea filling the air, I saw these gorgeous does at the edge of the woods.
I enjoy watching the sunrise. There’s something magical about when the first rays stream through the sky, slowly illuminating the land. With the beauty that unfolds, as I never know what I’m going to see, each morning’s sunrise is like a gift. With each day, regardless of where I go, nature’s beauty surrounds me, and the sights, scents, and sounds are continual inspiration for my muse.
About Diana Cosby
A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers Series have been translated in five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.
After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothers Series, The Oath Trilogy, and the first four books of The Forbidden Series, she’s now preparing for the release of book #5, Forbidden Realm, on 14 April, 2020.
Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.
Contest
***ONE winner will be drawn from everyone who posts on my guest blog post about, ‘Nature – Continual Inspiration For My Muse,’ on Delilah’s blog between 8 March 2020 – 15 March 2020. The winner will receive a signed copy of His Woman.
Did I mention how many dogs we have? My mother had four when she passed away—two Yorkies and two Shelties. My dd has two Jack Russels, a German shepherd, an Anatolian shepherd, a pit bull mix, and a Great Pyrenees. Needless to say, it’s been interesting blending our family dogs.
We thought we had it managed. The two largest dogs, the Pyrenees, and the Anatolian were thrown into the pasture with the horses, with the barn cracked open for them to sleep in the hay. Well, this morning, one of them was missing.
Of course, we wondered whether a horse had killed him. So, my dd and the 15-year-old male walked the property, looking in any hollow, behind every tree for a body. Then we found a section of fence that was bent beneath a fallen tree and figured he might have escaped. They drove down the highway, into a neighboring subdivision, but no Troy.
Then my dd’s old neighbors said they saw a large tan dog lounging on her old front porch…
Gah. A morning consumed worried about the dog. No more pasture. Now, we have a menagerie of animals in our large front yard. I feel for anyone who comes through the gate.
It’s lunchtime, and I decided to make myself persona non grata, so I could have some peace and quiet. How did I accomplish that? 🙂
I have cups of kimchi soup. A cup of soup type thing, only with kimchi spices. If you aren’t familiar with Korean food, kimchi is heavy on the garlic and fermented—so super stinky. My dear brother gifted me with a jar of the fresh, fermented stuff, so I added that to the top of my noodle cup. It’s soooo fragrant everyone complained, so here I am—alone at my desk. Before too long, the smell of garlic will seep from my pores. Guaranteed isolation.
Do you think they will catch on? Do you have a favorite stinky food?
It’s Friday! You have the entire weekend ahead of you to do what you love most. For me, that would be writing my next story! But realistically, it will also mean cleaning out the pool shed and starting the long process of cleaning the pool before the hot weather comes in April! I’m being optimistic about that. Generally, I freeze my butt off getting into the pool in April! (But I still do it!)
Anyways, since you’ll be eager to kick off your reading spree, here’s something short and sexy that will transport you to another, nearby world. Just click on the cover to get your FREE copy of Red Dawn!
Happy reading!
Red Dawn
A colonist living on a lonely Martian plain receives her new mate, a man culled from among the newly transported convicts…
And if you loved this short story, I have many more: Short Stories
Did I mention how many dogs we have? My mother had four when she passed away—two Yorkies and two Shelties. My dd has two Jack Russels, a German shepherd, an Anatolian shepherd, a pit bull mix, and a Great Pyrenees. Needless to say, it’s been interesting blending our family dogs.
