It’s a dreary Monday here, but things are happening in my area. Our governor announced KY will follow the new CDC guidelines saying those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear a mask in most public places. We went to a restaurant with friends Saturday evening to celebrate a couple of birthdays and although the tables were still spaced, servers and most customers weren’t wearing masks. I’ve had Covid and have been fully vaccinated, and it felt almost like walking around naked without my mask! Guess this means sales for lipstick/lipgloss will go up now. Hubby and I still wore masks at the grocery store yesterday, as did most other patrons, but it sure is nice to see some restrictions easing up and things getting back to normal.
I have a new beta reader! My previous one is in the process of relocating several states away and starting a new job (all with a little one at home), and the last thing she needed was added pressure. She was with me through two books and was reponsible for one of my characters having a larger role than planned in Subject A36. I hate to see her go, but I’m so excited for this new chapter in her life. I have no doubt my new beta reader will make significant contributions toward the sequel and keep me in line when it comes to my more than occasional lack of description and hiccups that come with my habit of writing out of sequence.
After seeing a rec for Big Shot on a friend’s blog (thanks, Tessa!), hubby and I tried it. I’ve mentioned before how hard it is to please him when it comes to TV shows and movies, so I’m always looking for something to try. The premise is about a temperamental college basketball coach who gets fired from his job and must take a teaching and coaching job at an elite all-girls private high school. We were afraid it might be kind of dorky, and at times it is, but we’re both enjoying it. John Stamos does a great job at portraying a single dad out of his depth with a teen daughter. If you’re looking for something light, sometimes awkward, and a little humorous, give it a try.
Have a great week!
Books and Such 
I’m glad things are heading back to normal this year. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. We are in the home stretch now.
I haven’t seen Big Shot, but I’ll look for it. John Stamos is a favorite from childhood.
Congrats on finding new beta reader! Have a good week, Teri.
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So am I – more than ready for normalness (did I make up a word?) again. We watched the newest episode of Big Shot last night and while it won’t be winning any awards, it’s still better than a lot of other offerings out there right now. I’m excited about my new reader and what she’ll contribute. Trust me when I say she’s got her work cut out for her, lol.
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It’s nice to have some of these restrictions lifted…now, if we could get gas! Big Shot sounds good… thanks for the recommendation.
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It sure is, Jill. I only came across one place last week without gas, but apparently they were the only station that was out. Hope you’re not having trouble in your area.
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Don’t you feel like your being kind of naughty not wearing your mask? I do. Lol. I don’t imagine it will take too much time to get over that though. Nobody is wearing them anywhere at the beach, even the places that are still trying to require it. The genie is out of the bottle (and I am so okay with that 🤫)
I was so surprised my husband likes Big Shot, because as you point out, it can be a bit dorky at times, and I don’t remember him being a particular fan of John Stamos. Maybe the sports/coach thing is something guys can relate to. 🤷🏻♀️
Glad you found a new Beta reader ❤️. Have a wonderful week!
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Told hubby I felt like a rebel walking around without my mask Saturday! I think you’re right about the sports angle. That’s probably what got my hubby to even try it.
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I still wear a mask. I guess I will until I see the vaccination percentage hit 70%. At the current rate, that won’t be until next year. I’m sure your beta reader will work out.
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Sounds like a good plan to me, John. I still plan to wear one in most places for a while at least. I think my new reader will be a huge help – I need it!
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😁 Don’t we all need someone?
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I think PA’s governor is lifting restrictions by Memorial Day for fully vaccinated people. I’m sure it’s going to feel weird going out and about without a mask!
Sorry to hear about your beta reader, but glad you already have someone new lined up.
And I want to give Big Shot a try. It looks like something I’d like!
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Our restrictions were just lifted at the end of last week, and businesses will go back to 100% capacity on June 11th. Such a relief! Hope you enjoy Big Shot, Mae. It’s a nice diversion for forty minutes or so. And it’s not fair that Stamos hasn’t aged that much.
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That’s great that you’re starting to see things going back to normal!
I want to watch Big Shot too once I’ve finished some of the other shows I’ve already started!
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I usually have a few shows going at once, but try to finish one before I start something new also. Just finished Shadow and Bone over the weekend and have several on the wait list.
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Yeah I’m the same! Shadow and Bone is on my list too!
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I’m so ready to get back to normal, but it does feel a like strange. My husband had outpatient surgery last Friday and we still needed to wear a mask.
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Masks are still required here in healthcare settings, schools, public transportion, etc., which is a good thing. Seems weird to think just a year ago we were struggling to get used to masks, and now we feel weird without them, lol.
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I said last year it would be like seat belts. When they first past seat belt laws, I hated buckling up. Now I wouldn’t feel right not doing it. 🙂
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I heard the CDC announcement when I was visiting my grandkids in Oregon. My husband said people still wore masks in the stores. Later on we heard the CA governor announced the masks are still reinforced. I think CDC set the general guidelines but each states reinforce accordingly.
I sometimes get confused with the lipstick thing. I was so used to wear lipsticks. One time I put the lipstick on then put the mask on, and had to take off the mask to clean the lipstick on the mask.
I sing in a chorale group. The director is actively seeking guidelines for singers to get together to sing in a safe manner. She got the advice that the people who got the second vaccine could sing outdoor but people who are immune compromised may still be at risk.
I know the feeling of being naked after wearing mask for more than a year as part of our clothing. It does feel funny without it. I flew home on Friday night and the airport and airlines still reinforce the mask guideline.
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I think you’re right about the individual states, Miriam. I still plan to wear one most places for at least a while longer. I know what you mean about the lipstick – I quit wearing any last year (just used vaseline for the most part) and it felt strange putting it on again, lol.
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I’ll wear the mask for a while longer also, Teri! My immune system is not at its best. We’d do what makes sense to us.
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Yes, it is good to see things getting back to some semblance of normality as far as the masks go. Texas is pretty opened up, but the stores still require a mask to enter. I think that’s because they don’t know who has been vaccinated and who hasn’t and there are still lots of folks out there refusing to get it. Thanks for sharing the thoughts on the movie. I watched a really good psychological thriller last night on Netflix “Girl In The Window.” It was really good. Have a great week!
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That’s a problem here also – who’s been vaccinated and who hasn’t? Our numbers are down significantly, but there are still folks out there who refuse to get their shot.
I saw that movie listed on Netflix last night and wondered about it. Thanks for the rec, Jan and have a great week!
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We are kind of all over the map on masks and whatnot here in Illinois. Some places still have the signs up, but I know that a lot of people are just going to go maskless. We’re right on the line – my two weeks will be up on the 20th and I’m going to a restaurant for the first time with a friend on that day. No masks = naked. LOL.
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So you’ll be streaking at the restaurant – good for you, Sue!
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LOL. No one wants to see that, believe me! 🙂
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Nice to see some normalcy on the horizon! Congrats on finding a new beta reader, they’re worth their weight in gold!
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They sure are, Jacquie. I’ve been in a book club with this new reader for four years, so we’re comfortable with each other. Hope you’re getting some more of the normal life up your way also!
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Hope the new beta reader works out. And good luck to the old one… Sounds like she has her hands rather full right now.
The idea of nobody needing masks makes me excited and nervous at the same time. On the one hand, it will be nice to get back to some degree of normalcy, and not have to explain every time I go somewhere why I have a mask exemption badge (things covering my face trigger anxiety attacks that if they get bad enough have been known to trigger asthma attacks… It’s bad enough that they have to put tubes up my nose to give me oxygen if I need it whenever I’m in hospital, because I can’t deal with even the oxygen mask). On the other hand, all those people wandering around breathing in my direction is sort of anxiety-inducing in itself, especially since apparently social distancing didn’t do what I’d hoped it would and stop the thing where people insist that to talk to a blind person you have to be physically touching them (you don’t, it’s annoying, and I wish people – especially strangers – would stay out of my personal space, just so you know). So, I’m glad restrictions are being lifted all over the place, but really worried about it at the same time, especially since I think it might be a little soon to think we can fully return to normal as quickly as the governments – and I use the plural because of different countries and states – seem to think we’ll be able to.
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I have some friends in the same situation with panic attacks and they’ve struggled, but I can’t imagine people crowding into my personal space to “help” me. I had a wide bubble around me even before COVID. Why anyone would think they needed to be touching you just to talk to you is beyond me. You can hear them just fine. Folks should learn to be more respectful of personal space – especially considering what’s happened this past year.
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Exactly… Personal space, people! I didn’t like it before social distancing came in, and I like it even less now.
I don’t know why, but they’ve always done it, and it’s happened with every other blind person I’ve asked about it too. None of us like it, and none of us can understand why people think being blind means we have to be in physical contact with someone to talk to them. The worst one was a certain neighbour we had once, who not only felt she had to be in contact with me to talk to me, but would actually stroke my arm while talking to me in a sympathetic voice. I tried politely asking her not to. I tried moving away whenever she did… In the end it got that I’d try to avoid being in the hallway at the same time as her.
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You have the patience of a saint, Tori – I wouldn’t have handled it so well.
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Getting someone new to beta for you is always scary. It will probably be a good thing, though. I’m glad things are easing up, but hope it’s really based on science and not fatigue.
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You’re right – it is a little scary, Craig. Writers are always so hard on themselves anyway, but deep down we all know we need the feedback. And I agree with you about the science vs. fatique. Our numbers are up in vaccinations and down in new cases, so I’m hoping it’s the science here.
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