Self Care And Weekend Plans

Mental Illness and neurological disorders affects 1 in 4 people according to a 2001 article from the World Health Organization. Self care is part of mental health. But, really, even those who don't have some form of mental health, either diagnosed or not, can benefit from self-care. Taking care of ourselves helps us interact with our friends and family and the world in general, better. A form of self-care for one of my best friends is tinkering in office-work room or playing video games.

This weekend is dinner at my mom's, which I don't mind, but it's with my siblings and assorted guests, which is stressful. So, while I do plan on finishing this current round of edits this weekend, I also plan on sewing. I have a quilt that I need to finish quilting and several blocks for new quilts I want to complete. I'm participating in a quilt challenge from Northcott Fabrics for their Stonehenge fabrics, which are some of my favorites. I have a couple of road trips planned for this summer so I can hit some of the quilt stores in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.

What I'm Reading -- Audio Books

I have a love hate relationship with audio books. I'm hard of hearing. This makes listening to audio books a challenge. Depending on the audio quality as well as the narrator's voice, I may not be able to hear the story. The only way I can listen to them is with my headphones and the volume cranked all the way up. I'm fine with that. I am bummed that there are some really good books that I can't listen to because I can't understand what is being said.

Last fall I decided to try a subscription to Audible. Free trial period. The monthly fee is just about $15 and I basically get 3 books a month for that. The best part for me is that there is a sample that I can play before I buy to see if I can understand the narrator.

One of the cool things I found is that there are The Great Courses lectures available. I love learning new things. I've listened to the one on "Espionage" twice. And I just finished listening to "The Other Side of History", which was fascinating.

I've just started listening to "A Chip In His Shoulder" by L.A. Witt. You can get from Audible here. So far, I'm enjoying it.

What are you reading or listening to?
Simone.

Spring Is Here!

It's April, and in Michigan that generally means that spring is here. And not just because the calendar says so. The weather warms up, although there is always a chance of an unexpected ice or snow storm. But the sun is out more often and it's lighter longer.

Last year, in May, I talked to my counselor about things I hadn't told anyone else. It's been a very long, very difficult time as I've tried to process things and have begun to heal. What I've realized lately is how hard of a time I have managing everything. I'm developing new skills and taking a step back from things. Which has been very freeing, even if it's been difficult.

I've been working on the edits for Behind the Masque for several months, and every time I think I'm finished, I read or listen to another bit of craft advice that has me questioning what I've written so far in an attempt to make it better. I'm hoping it will be ready to submit by the end of May. It needs edits and both beta and sensitivity readers. I want to make sure I get things right.