A Clothing Story Starter

This bunch of clothes on the ground in a strip mall parking lot caught my attention. Was this intentional?  Did an angry partner toss the other partner's clothes from a car window? Why are there no shoes in this pile?

Is that rectangular item a seat pad? Did the clothes fall off the back of a pickup truck without the driver noticing? Were they left near the collection box for a clothing donation and someone decided to pick through to see if  she or he could use some of the clothing? Did someone dig them out of the collection box just to be mean? Was someone searching for a treasured item in one of the pockets?
Scenes like this can stimulate a writer's imagination for a story. A writer can make the story from this picture ominous, joyous, or funny. I think I'm going to work on this and see what I can come up with. Any ideas?
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Now We Wear Masks

The CoronaVirus pandemic has brought many changes our way. We're encouraged to stay home in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Supermarkets often have limited amounts of select products and many have signs on the floor that remind us to stay six feet apart. We have virtual worship services and meetings, virtual workouts, drive by parades to celebrate birthdays, promotions, and graduations. We think twice before we let others outside of family members enter our homes. We get several calls from doctors' offices because they want us to schedule our routine checkups. Many of us don't want to go to these offices right now, and we truly don't want to go to the hospital emergency room. When someone walks by us and coughs, we pay attention.
"Is that you, 'Rona? Please stay away from me."
One of my friends says she holds her breath and turns her head when someone walks past her in the store. No more family/friends hugs and kisses. The last time I posted, I wore a mask to the store, and it was optional. It's not optional anymore. Businesses have signs outside that tell us we need masks to enter. We will likely face more changes. Prayerfully, things will get better. I believe they will, in time.
For now, we wear our masks.
Be safe. Be kind. Please pray for those on the front line in this battle and those who are ill and those who mourn.
Visit me at www.sylviabrownroberts.com

New Day, New Rules

Thanks to the coronavirus,we have new rules and practices, but I realized yesterday that all of us don't cooperate. My first compliance was to put on my mask before entering the supermarket. I wore my gold one. My new normal means I have a mask wardrobe.😊
I purchased the needed items and practiced the rule of 6 feet of space behind the lady in front of me. A lady got in line behind me and did not. She wanted to chat with me, but I politely cut it short. We both had on our masks, but she was too close to me, according to the new rules of social distancing.
Outside the store, a man in front of me stopped, took off his mask, sipped from a water bottle, and spat on the ground. I got 6 feet away from him in a hurry.
Finally, I saw a man leaning on his car which was parked near my car. He had his mask off while he dragged on a cigarette and blew the smoke into the air. I went to my car door farthest away from him and entered my car.
It was time to get back inside my house. Stay safe.
Smiles,
Sylvia
Visit me at www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Edit, Edit:Book 4

My fourth novel should be out into the world before too long. I submitted it to the publisher at the end of March and today I received the Editorial Review. I told myself I'd read it with fresh eyes tomorrow instead of reading it tonight.
Of course, I started reading it tonight. I agreed with some of the suggestions/corrections. Then I came across points I didn't agree with and started to explain my writing to no one in particular. My husband walked past my study and kept it moving.
Sometimes we authors are defensive of our work, even though we know constructive criticism is needed. It doesn't always feel good to me, but I've learned to vent a bit, then go back and reconsider the critique without bias. Before I got to that point tonight, I grabbed these miniature candies and the crunch helped level things out while I read. After five miniature candies, I put the candy away. I plan to read the rest of the review tomorrow and start the needed  work. BEHIND CHURCH DOORS BOOK 4: WON'T QUIT is the newest in my "Church Doors" series. I can't wait to get copies into readers' hands.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts,com

Valuable Paper

Another Covid-19 reality is the shortage of toilet paper and paper towels. Early on, many people rushed to the stores and bought lots of this stuff. Some folks hoarded it. Some bought it to make a profit by selling it to others at a marked-up price. For weeks, many stores had empty paper products shelves. When stores got paper products in, they had to limit how much each customer could purchase. Read the signs or get turned back at the checkout.
It's been jarring to see grocery store shelves with empty spaces. I actually stopped walking down the paper products aisle.
Imagine my surprise yesterday when I saw a woman at the store come out of the paper products aisle with a six-pack of paper towels! I backtracked, looked down the aisle. Lo and behold, I saw toilet paper and paper towels! I calmly picked up two of the four rolls allowed and one paper towel roll. No need to be greedy, I have some at home. Some other customer may have none at home. These are challenging times, but I believe we'll get through.
Stay safe, and please don't hoard the toilet paper.
Smiles,
Sylvia
Visit me at www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Coronavirus Behaviors

Right now, the coronavirus pandemic makes us spend lots of time at home. It's for the safety of all of us. Here are some of my house behaviors this week:
I checked in on my Mom.
I participated in a virtual Sunday morning worship service.
I participated in a virtual Noon Prayer session.
I plan to sing hymns in a virtual Church Group Sing today at 6 p.m.
I deleted lots of old emails.
I did lots of laundry.
I did housework.
I ordered hair color because the hair salon is closed.
I did virtual workouts because the gym is closed.
I organized my "junk drawer" in my dresser.
I looked out of the window when I heard human voices outside my house.
I cooked food instead of ordering takeout.
I hung up on telemarketers, but in a pleasant way.
I increased my prayer time to remind me that God has this under control, no matter what we see now.
I thought about what we need to learn from this pandemic.
Next week, I plan to re-pot this cactus. I'm so excited it's growing so fast.
How are you using your time at home?
Stay safe.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Missing Mom's Hugs

We've all been affected by the current CoronaVirus: Covid 19 pandemic.  We are told to wash our hands, not touch our faces, cover our coughs and sneezes. We use lots of hand sanitizer. Another one of the recommended strategies for fighting this fast-moving, easily spread, and often deadly disease is called Social Distancing, where we try to stay at least 6 feet from each other. Many wear gloves and masks. Today, we were told we should stay home in order to stop the spread of this virus. We aren't supposed to partake in gatherings of more than 10 people. This affects church services, weddings, parties, etc.
Non-essential businesses have closed, as well as schools. This is a strange time, and I pray that God will deliver us from it. We humans have much to learn. However, this pandemic has brought out the good in some people.
I visit my Mom to check in on her. One of the things I miss most is that until this virus clears up, I cannot hug her. Neither I nor my siblings. We can't take the chance of making Mom ill, or making each other ill. Social distancing, you see. My family is big on hugs and warm greetings when we see each other, and I miss that.
Be safe, everyone.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com