On 2 April 2020 my newest book was launched and late in the evening, tragically, we lost a much-loved family member. It will probably add to the list of deaths from the virus, but she was young and fighting her fifth, consecutive cancer.

It’s tough coping with this crisis, isn’t it? Like so many of my readers, I miss family hugs because we’re spread out over quite a distance. Skype/Facetime isn’t quite the same; less so at a time of loss.

It was nine days before her birthday and even knowing that I wouldn’t be able to send the card I’d bought for her to the hospital, I kept it next to my computer. In my heart I knew she wasn’t going to make it, but putting it away would mean I was giving up and she’d fought a long, and hard, battle.

The day she died I added a heart-felt letter to the envelope. Being miles away and unable to see her to say goodbye, I sat in the garden and sobbed. A young life that had taken away too soon – she was a wonderful, caring person – someone I was proud to have known.

That night, I cut the card up into small pieces and burnt it in a little dish. As I watched the smoke drift across the garden, because of my beliefs it gave me a sense of peace. And that’s what today is all about, finding a way of coping with the impossible.

What isn’t easy for me, is that I’m a research nut. If one of the characters in a novel flies off somewhere, it’s a real, scheduled flight including the taking off and landing times. In the same way that, up to now, I have flown off to research the locations.

When it comes to health issues it’s information overload these days, isn’t it? And with the virus it’s gotten worse. No matter what any of us believe (and my beliefs are not mainstream, by the way) all we can do is follow the new rules, because panic causes stress and stress causes illness.

Writers are used to isolation. My working life continues, almost as normal, and my workload for this year is a demanding one. It isn’t always easy to focus, I will admit, but I make myself. There is no point stressing about things you cannot affect, or alter. It’s in the lap of the Gods – or the government – according to your beliefs. Will the world end? No. But life will be very different going forward. So all I’m doing is taking it one day at a time and being very, very grateful that the rest of my family remain well at this time. Remaining strong, active and positive is about setting an example.

Hard work is good for the soul and it means I can’t dwell, which in turn means I’m less stressed. And less likely to get sick and worry those who love me! Because the stories I write are uplifting, the reviews are keeping me going. Readers tell me they are grateful to escape their worries for a while and that is humbling. With the launch of ‘Summer in Provence’, the book love coming back at me was a welcome boost when I was at my lowest ebb.

In between trying to keep up a normal routine, my husband – Lawrence – and I, will sit and watch a feel-good film, play music, or paint something in the house. If the sun is out then we make sure we sit in the garden after lunch to lift our spirits.

I’ve decided that there is absolutely no point in trying to preempt what the future holds – now, more than ever, it’s time to live life one day at a time. I believe we are experiencing a paradigm shift and many things will change going forward, some for the better.

Things I’m doing that make me feel as if I’m at least doing something positive:

Zero food waste. I plan meals around what needs to be eaten first.
The temptation is to comfort eat… so I’m trying very hard to keep meal portions small, but interesting. I’m thinking of ways to use less and adding things to bulk out a batch cook-up to make it go further.
Phoning people regularly whom I think might not be coping so well with isolation.
Keeping texts/messages short, but regular. You never know when someone isn’t in the mood to talk, or – conversely – might need a listening ear.
Staying calm and practical – if I panic, then those around me I interact with will sense that, too. Panic achieves nothing except for causing stress, and stress = illness, virus or no virus.
Keeping myself busy. If I wasn’t constantly working I would be reading, working on the garden, up-cycling furniture… hobbies (and work) are a life-saver!

Being, and staying, healthy

Non-virus related chatter! Because of my second bout of kidney stones in three years, which began about nine months ago, I started working with a kinesiologist. It began with a hair analysis test.

I’ve always used essential oils, taken various vitamins and supplements, and tried a number of holistic practices over the years – acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathy etc. So, I went into it with an open mind. Western medicine tends to treat the symptoms, rather than the cause and, clearly, amassing two lots of kidney stones so close together meant action was required – seven the first time (one had to be surgically removed) and three the second time around. Passing the stones is not easy. The last one took a month and it was agony.

I can only speak from my own experience BUT when the hair analysis came back showing (I’ll give one example) my magnesium levels were extremely low, I could confirm I had all of the symptoms related to that condition. And I’d had several trips to the doctor over a period of some months with classic symptoms which were getting worse. I’d been advised by my doctor to drink tonic water every day as a solution.

Anyway, it’s suffice to say that I felt the results of the test meant it was money well-spent – it cost about £80 with a full report and a one-to-one session with the kinesiologist. I was so impressed, that I now see her on a regular basis and slowly we are sorting out the problems.

I will be blogging in future posts about some of the interesting things I’ve learnt during this process – not just related to the alternative, holistic approach. But everything from cutting out chemicals, to being more aware about what I’m putting into my body. And why a low fat diet didn’t do me any favours.

Today, though, I’d like to mention two specific things, because I think it’s important to share.

1. My newest discovery…

The hair analysis showed that my aluminium levels were high – and I mean HIGH. Who knew? I also didn’t know that what I was using each day on my armpits had aluminium in it! I mean armpits – where we have lymph glands, which play an important role in our body’s immune system .

If you you want to find out more about this topic, there’s an interesting and very informative article here: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/deodorant-aluminum-safety-what-you-should-know

After a little research, I bought these two bottles from Amazon. After using the product for a couple of months, I gave two bottles to each of my sons and their partners for Christmas… hint, hint.

The company’s blurb: Salt of the earth natural unscented deodorant is made from 100 percent natural ingredients and fragrance-free. This natural deodorant spray is free from aluminium Chlorohydrate, kind to skin and offers long-lasting protection from body-odour. Not tested on animals. Suitable for vegetarian and vegans.

They do a whole range of products, not just sprays, and also sell re-fill bottles, making it cheaper. My favourite is the natural one and the melon & cucumber – but they do a large range from pure armour for men, to coconut, lavender and vanilla etc. Prices range from £2.99 to £5.99 for a standard bottle as in the photo. It does last quite a while.

For further info check out their full range on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Salt+Of+the+Earth&i=drugstore&search-type=ss&ref=bl_dp_s_web_0

2. My shock/horror discovery

Dark Waters (2019 film)
Everyone should watch this!

The story dramatises Robert Bilott’s case against the chemical manufacturing corporation DuPont after they contaminated a town with unregulated chemicals. … The film is based on the 2016 New York Times Magazine article “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare” by Nathaniel Rich.

‘https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/10/magazine/the-lawyer-who-became-duponts-worst-nightmare.html‘

Who doesn’t have T*e*f*l*o*n in their kitchen/homes? Here are two other articles worth reading, the first from the US perspective:

https://thedevilweknow.com/get-the-facts/

and:

https://www.ecoparent.ca/eco-home/teflon-really-so-bad

I have an induction hob, but I’ve found that Vision glass cookware pans work and I’m using ceramic dishes instead of baking trays. Note: since using the glass cookware pans I’ve noticed a slight ‘bloom’ has developed on the surface where the pans sit. Might be worth checking with the manufacturer first but personally it doesn’t bother me.

Like it, or not, we all have to make decisions for ourselves and for our loved ones. With so much fake news around these days and a lot of things being hidden/suppressed (how did I not know about the T*e*f*l*o*n thing until I saw the film recently) it’s important that each of us MAKE UP OUR OWN MINDS. Don’t believe everything you read – be discerning and decide what makes sense to you.

I will be honest – some of my beliefs have changed quite radically over the last year for a number of different reasons. And I will be admitting some of my more dubious decisions in later posts, in case it’s useful to anyone else.

I see every step forward I take that is likely to make me, or my family, feel healthier and/or better as a big positive. And this is a time for counting the positives and rejecting the negatives.

Stay strong – we are all in this together, world-wide, aren’t we? When we come out the other side of it, some of the changes will be from the results of lessons learnt and that’s a positive, too.

Sending a virtual hug for those in need… I know I’m one of those!

Please note – all opinions are my own. Any products/links I share are because I have purchased, or used the product, and I have no affiliation, do not accept free gifts or money with regard to any product/person/organisation. Until next time…