My Lemons My Lemonade

Charity in the Most Unlikely Places

I thought this week’s Lemonade of the Week could honor two fundraisers that came from two unexpected sources.

Frank the Christmas Gargoyle

In December, I honored Frank the Christmas Gargoyle for bringing joy to many people with his shenanigans. Well Frank did more than bring joy to thousands of Facebook fans, he also (at last count) raised almost 74 thousand dollars for the Ohio’s Foodbank Inc. As his owner, Denise (an earlier post misidentified her as Vicki), continued to decorate and post about his adventures, the more people wanted to contribute items to the cause. Frank’s owner asked, in lieu of decorations for Frank, that people donate to the Ohio’s Foodbank or to their local food banks, continuing to exemplify the true spirit of the season. Denise has decided to continue to decorate as it is still raising donations.

Bernie Sanders Meme

It’s the meme seen round the internet – Bernie Sanders, bundled up, attending Joe Biden’s inauguration. The photo by Agence France-Presse/Getty Images was meme’d (yes, I made it up, seems to fit) and became a viral sensation known as “Chairman Sanders”.

Since the meme was getting so much attention, Senator Sanders took the opportunity to create merchandise (t-shirts and sweatshirts)to be sold on his website with the proceeds going to charities in Vermont. He had products available by Thursday the 21^st and was sold out by the following Monday, raising 1.8 million dollars. Charities that will receive funds from his viral sensation include area agencies on aging to fund Meals on Wheels throughout Vermont, Vermont community action agencies, Feeding Chittenden, Vermont Parent Child Network, The Chill Foundation, senior centers in Vermont and Bistate Primary Care for dental care improvements in the state.

He also inspired others to find ways to contribute as well. The creator of the mittens made 3 more pairs to donate to Passion for Paws fundraising efforts. Burton Snowboards, the makers of Bernie’s Jacket, donated 50 jackets to the Burlington Department for Children and Families in his name. A crocheted doll of Sanders in his inauguration garb was auctioned off online for charity. And Getty Images will donate its proceeds as part of the licensing agreement to put the photo on T-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers to Meals on Wheels of America.

Charity can come in all forms and fashion. Let this inspire you to find your own way of giving to your community.

Guardians Trilogy

Last week I had just started Nora Roberts Guardian trilogy (Stars of Fortune, Bay of Sighs, Island of Glass). Thinking I was moving this week, I had placed the two of the three in the box of “to be read” preparing to seal them in. But circumstances changed and I had finished Stars of Fortune, so I decided to pull out Bay of Sighs.

A week later and I am nearly through the third book (less than half to go). This is my first foray into reading Nora Roberts, and I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn’t sure if her writing would appeal to me and there were so many other books on my pile, I hadn’t gotten around to giving her a try (also I had shoved this series in a cupboard and forgot about it until I found the books a year later🤦‍♀️). However, her characters drew me in quickly and I drowned myself in the story. And as I gave myself over to the books, I realized it was centering me and quieting the chaos I had been feeling with the move.

At some point in the last few years, I had forgotten how much reading grounds me and feeds me emotionally, like working out does for other people. I have spent the last few years in a weird limbo state, always feeling like reading should be a reward for accomplishing something more tangible (like packing, cleaning, working out, or just figuring out my life). But spending this past weekend getting lost in these books, I realized that reading is just as tangible of an activity (and personally more enjoyable than working out), and that it was okay to not always work on the running list in my head.

So, I dove in and just now surfaced for air, feeling a little like my old self. And what should be a shock to no one who read my piece on bibliotherapy (https://mylemonsmylemonade.com/2021/01/06/bibliotherapy/), the series is about a group of friends on a quest. Now I didn’t know that going in, but just the same I can’t seem to get away from that theme 🤷🏼‍♀️. I’m beginning to think these types of books find me, not the other way around.

Whatever grounds you, run at it full tilt and throw yourself in until your balance is restored. If you are a book lover, don’t come out from between the pages until you are ready, or you have to pee, whichever comes first 😁.

This series will be completed within a day or two and I happily recommend checking it out to see if it’s up your alley, as everyone has different tastes.

Next up -The Falling Mask by Samantha Shannon. The four-year wait is finally over!!

The Fickle Hand of Fate and Other Thoughts

As you recall, last week I talked about my neurosis about moving back in with my parents, if only for a month(ish). However, fate decided to throw a curveball my way and shorten my visit with my folks to about two and a half weeks. The wonderful people buying my home are needing a little longer time to close and while this is a good thing, that stupid negative voice in my head starts messing with me. Since I have (finally) emotionally checked out of the house that I love, any deviation from the plan causes my anxiety to rear its ugly head – hence the negative voice.

Not to worry though, because I have chosen to remain optimistic that it will all work out as it is meant to. Optimism and stronger CBD gummies are keeping me sane for the time being 🤪🤪🤪.

Speaking of CBD gummies, I have found a stronger product that seems to last longer than the bears. The lovely young woman who works at the shop recommended the worms instead of the bears as they had a higher level of CBD and the worms are working so much better. I had started with the bears because it was my first foray into CBD so I wanted to be conservative. Now that I know how it interacts with my system, I’m willing to branch out. I may even try the water additive one day. For now, the worms are keeping demons are at bay.

If you have ever considered CBD, I would like to suggest finding a store that a) focuses on CBD – that it’s not a side gig, and b) they have information on their products so that you can do your research. Not all CBD companies are made equally. Shockingly (yes sarcasm), CBD companies are not made equally and some skimp on CBD levels in their products. You want to make sure you are choosing the best product for you.

So, while things are looking up for 2021, the shadow of 2020 still seems to loom over this month. I, however, have faith that it will soon fade, and the good of 2021 will start to show itself as we move through this year.

Find time to commit a random act of kindness – show the good in this world.

The Problem with Book Series Part 2 – The Waiting

Me waiting for the next book in the series
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Currently reading: Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts. 1^st in a three-part series – thankfully I have them all.

If you remember, part 1 of problems was about how it sucks when your favorite series comes to an end. You just want your favorite characters to go on forever.

Just as frustrating? Waiting for the next book to come out. When a book ends, I’m left wondering will happen next with our intrepid protagonists? Will they survive the latest cliffhanger they were left in? Did they finally bed whomever they were after? Are they even still alive???? These are just a few of my burning questions!

Yes, I know I’m being overly dramatic – it’s part of my charm… 😁😁😁

For example, I started “The Bone Season” series by Samantha Shannon summer of 2013. It’s a seven-book series (I’m glad to know what to expect) and the last book came out in spring of 2017. I had to wait while she wrote a book unrelated to this series before my beloved characters would return this month. 4 years of my dear friends in limbo and I do not like it, not one bit!

Then there was Camilla Lackberg’s Patrick Hedstrom series, the first eight books I binged in 2014, only to find myself at the mercy of the author as I waited for a new novel to arrive. Binging a series is great until your caught up and then what’s left? You guessed it – WAITING. Fortunately, the next novel came in 2016, followed by the another in 2017. But now I’m back to waiting and I’m not sure if another novel in this series will be written.

I wonder if I did a deep dive into series and release dates, what the average wait time for a new novel would be…

As I wait for any of my favorite authors to release a new book in their respective series, I’m left to scour their websites, as well as Amazon, and publishers’ emails looking for any information about upcoming novels. And when I find that gem of information I’m looking for, I note the novel and it’s date into the “upcoming releases” spreadsheet on my computer, so I know when to hit the bookstore.

This is where my meticulous tracking (ok obsessive tracking) of books comes in handy 😁😁😁.

Currently I am awaiting (see what I did there?) the publication of 4 new books in 4 different series, set to be released this year.

Now, as much as I jokingly complain about waiting for the next installment of a series, I completely acknowledge the fact that writing takes time, and that I would rather have a good book than a rushed one.

I also give a lot of credit to our favorite authors who craft amazing characters that I want to visit over and over again. They have earned my loyalty, if not my patience. It’s just not in my nature 😆😆😆.

52 Years Old and Moving Back in with My Parents

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

As I’ve mentioned before, I have sold my house and in less than two weeks I am moving back in with my parents. It was that or pay exorbitant rent for a local place for a monthish. While it beats wasting money on an expensive rental, it’s kind of awkward for me, as I’m sure it would be for anyone at this age.

The last time I lived with my folks was around 1993. Yep almost 30 years ago. I think that’s why it’s knocking me off kilter a bit. When you are used to your own space (especially since you’ve been living alone for 2+ years), it’s a hard to move into someone else’s home and feel comfortable. I also notoriously do not like putting people out (truthfully, I’m not really good at asking for favors/help either for the same reason).

It’s just that I’m the person that stays at hotels when visiting out of town so that I don’t inconvenience my hosts and I don’t feel the need to consult their plans while making mine. Living with my parents amplifies the feeling that I’m back in high school, needing permission to go anywhere or do anything. I know that’s not how they see it and the rational part of my brain realizes it’s my issue, not theirs (the “it’s me not you” conundrum 😁😁😁), but my anxiety likes to try to convince me otherwise.

Couple those insecurities with trying to plan for what I might need to pack separate from what the movers are storing is just stressing my last nerve. Not being able to move into my new home from my old home sucks. And Murphy’s Law is bound to poke it’s head out during this process. Don’t forget, we’re still under the shadow of 2020 😳.

And the reality that my time in a home I lovingly built is coming to an end is very bittersweet for me.

However, in a glass half full vein, there are some advantages – I will be closer to my youngest nephew for a short while, so spending time with him will be great. Also, I will have REAL INTERNET – WOO HOO! When you’re at the mercy of mobile hotspots that drop to KB speed when you’ve used up you 15 gigs of high-speed data you long for unlimited streaming.

And it is a new year! I will soon be in a new space with a fresh energy and a chance to continue building the new me. That’s worth focusing my attention on.

What positive changes will you focus on this year?

Eugene Goodman

In a continuation of last week’s Lemonade of the Week, I wanted to recognize one other person who made a lifesaving decision during the Capitol Riots at great danger to himself

Eugene Goodman, an Army veteran and officer with the Capitol Police initially encountered the rioters on the first floor and attempted to hold them off. Realizing he was out numbered, he called for backup and led them up the stairs where reinforcement was waiting, all the while telling the rioters to back up. When he gets to the top of the stairs, he realizes an unguarded door that leads to the Senate floor was open. Acting quickly and keeping the focus of the rioters on him, he heads in the opposite direction from that door, allowing time for it to be bolted. Making that split second decision undoubtably saved people from injury and possibly death. He also led them directly into the hands of his reinforcements.

See the video here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eugene-goodman-us-capitol-riots-police-officer-senate-chamber/

There are two things that struck me about the entire response by Officer Goodman. First, he never drew his weapon even though he was outnumbered and didn’t use force during the encounter, save for pushing the lead aggressor back once. And second, he has chosen not to engage the media, preferring to keep his privacy intact over fame – a rare and admirable quality.

A bill has been introduced to award him the Congressional Gold Medal. I think that is the least that he deserves, and I hope that his privacy is respected.

I raise a glass in his honor.

Moving My Library and Finding More Books

Have I’m mentioned I’m moving? And that I have to hire movers? And what does this have to do with books?

To start, I’ve had movers in to quote the move. To make my life simpler, I want them to pack the books because I have a lot and the last time I packed them, I was a tad overzealous and weighted down the boxes massively (oops!). Needless to say, the movers were not happy with me. If they pack – no making movers upset, win-win.

So, the estimators came by and one said it would take about 8 boxes, the other estimated 11. Each box holds approximately 6-8 books. I think my “to be read pile”, which sits on a table in my library, will be one box itself. This is my bookshelf

I’m thinking of taking over-under bets to see how many boxes it will actually take.

And if that isn’t crazy enough, I found more books in my kitchen while I was packing! Yes, in my kitchen island, I found 3 books I had stashed there last year when my house was being photographed. Forgot all about them, 🤦‍♀️. I think this may qualify me for book hording status.

But since I will be displaced for about a month as my new home is being finished, I figured I would start one of the 6 Nora Roberts books my folks have given me in the past year (the three in the island were by Nora Roberts). I think finding those books was a sign I should give her a go and see what I think. However, the new Samantha Shannon book in The Bone Season series comes out in the next two weeks and I may only get through one Nora Roberts in the meantime, since I’ve been waiting since 2017 for this sequel. The life challenges for a constant reader or book hoarder 😁.