When I decided to write monthly, about the happy moments during each month, I had no idea that Covid-19 was about to appear in our lives, causing life, as we know it, to change. I’m sure most would say that the past few months have been quite stressful and worrying. But this post isn’t to dwell on the worries of Covid-19.
My smiles posts, every month this year, have all been very similar. As we are in self isolation for the duration of the virus, until there is a vaccine, we aren’t getting out and about, so there is very little to talk about. This month my Smiles post is about the things that I’ve listened to, and watched, that make me smile
Smiling About:
Podcasts: While in isolation, we have watched the entire seven series of West Wing. During November,I’ve been listening to the West Weekly Podcast. Each episode discusses an episode of the TV series. What I really love about it, is listening to the real politicians and the experts that they have on, to discuss what happens in the storyline, and compare it to life in the real West Wing. It’s been particularly interesting, considering what is going on in US politics, during November.
Audiobook: I came across “Waltz for Matilda” written by Jackie French, by accident, when I was doing a quick search for something to listen to while walking. I saw the author’s name, and that the subject matter was Australian history, and that was enough for me. Jackie French is a wonderful, and much loved Australian author, so I had no doubt that this would be an audio book that I would enjoy. Waltz For Matilda is the first book in The Matilda Saga, and as I found very quickly, it was written for Young Adults. Even so, I really enjoyed this story, about the early years of colonisation and life on the land in the 19th century.
“Drawing on the well known poem by A.B. Paterson,
and from events rooted in actual history,
this is the untold story behind
Australia’s early years as an emerging nation”
– goodreads
It seems that I’m not the only one who has enjoyed this book, as there are a further nine books in the series. I’m quite looking forward to what happens next, so will definitely read number two, and see what happens from there. It will need to be a great story to keep me enthralled for nine books. This audio book has been one of the highlights of my audio book listening for 2020.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: I watch very little television, but have fallen into the habit of watching the beginning of this show at 1am on weeknights. I came across it by accident, as I don’t sleep well, and most nights, I’m awake at this hour. I’ve come to love Colbert’s opening monologe, about President Trump. It’s been specially funny and insightful, since the election.
The Split: Having said I watch very little television, now I’m going on to say that I watched the entire series of The Split on Iview, as I was working on my genealogy. The Split is a six part British legal drama series, following the Defoe family, their family law business and the frictions between the matriarch and her daughters. The Split was written, produced and directed by women, and is so much more than a legal drama. The personal dramas of the characters are interwoven with the legal dramas. I’ve watched both series, and have my fingers crossed that there will be a season 3.
Garden: I’ve had a huge amount of pleasure from watching the garden waking up from winter and burst into spring. It’s made all the hard work, during the cold wintry days, worth it.
Birds: I’ve been captivated by the many birds that are on our property. It seems that this spring there are more than usual, but it may be that I’m more aware as I am home more often. There are many bird boxes in the trees on the property. I’m not sure of the number, but the previous owner said there were over 100. These boxes are a haven for birds, with the beautiful sound of babies coming from them in spring. Lying in bed in the early morning, I can hear the lovely sound of baby finches in boxes close to the house.
Today I’ve been watching the beautiful, dainty blue finches. They are everywhere in the garden at the moment. I haven’t been able to get a photo as they are very shy and fly off when they hear me.
birdlife.org.au
Virtual Conferences and Seminars: These have become an unexpected highlight of 2021. As seminars and conferences needed to be cancelled, all around the world, many societies and companies began to present them online, mostly making them free to attend. I’ve lost count of the number that I’ve attended but it is many. The majority have originated in the northern hemisphere, and have required being awake into the wee small hours, but that hasn’t deterred. I’ve learned a huge amount from these presentations. There is talk that some of these events will continue post Covid. My fingers are crossed that they do.
This post is linked to Denyse’s Life This Week
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Hi Jennifer – great to see that you’ve been making good use of your time. It doesn’t sound like you’ve wasted a minute of the last few months! Glad the garden is springing into life and that the birds are taking advantage of it. Thanks for sharing your highlights (my November list is tomorrow). x
Thanks Leanne. I’ll watch out for your November wrap up. I always enjoy it
Oh I love the West Wing. I haven’t watched it in a while though but watched it several times when I still had a DVD player. I’ve not listened to the podcast but follow most of the actors on Twitter and they often talk about it. They seem to have a good relationship all of these years later.
I agree Deb. I love watching WW tweets. They came together for a one off show Last month and they still Seemed to have the magic.
Thanks, Jennifer, for sharing your November smiles. Books/ audio books, shows, nature, etc are good resources to keep our minds engaged, entertained, or at least distracted from the bad news. Have a wonderful December! #lifethisweek
Thanks Natalie. I hope December is kind to you too
Plenty to smile about this month! It’s so good when you find a book, TV programme or podcast that you really enjoy, isn’t it?! We’ve just finished the last season of Schitt’s Creek and we loved it so much we might start watching it again from the beginning but not until I have watched ALL the Christmas movies! How lucky are you to have all those birds visiting your garden, that finch is so pretty!
I love the Christmas movies too Sammie, especially Love Actually. Never tire of it
I absolutely believe that there is almost always some reason to smile and you have lots of great ones on here.
I agree Joanne. Thanks for visiting
It’s lovely to read about your smiles Jen and those blue finches are adorable! #lifethisweek
They are beautiful Deb. Thanks for visiting again
I am glad you found quite a few things there to smile about.
I am afraid I couldn’t socially isolate myself…I need to be “out” and about but I admit I am cautious. I understand your reluctance to do so of course. And, I live in NSW…things have been so different in each state.
My daughter, a teacher librarian, got to meet Jackie French pre covid after she spoke at her school or maybe at an event and she was a delight and happy to answer many of the questions the kids and teacher had. Jackie and her husband had very intense time during the NSW bushfires.
Take care, keep on tweeting..I see what you are up to via twitter and your ‘other persona’ relating to ancestry.
Thank you so much for linking up this week for #lifethisweek. We are nearly at the end of 2020 and only a few optional prompts left! Next week is 49/51 Lucky 7.12.2020. Hope to see you there. Denyse.
Hi Denyse I do find social isolation but my partner wouldn’t survive covid so we have no choice. I’m sure you have a chuckle at my other life on Twitter. 😂
Hello Jennifer. Happy to hear of the many small things that keep you smiling in the midst of this ongoing pandemic. I love the photo of the bird. Good work catching him in a still moment. I haven’t watched West Wing, but I think it would be very interesting watching it along with the podcast of politicians comparing it to life in the actual White House. There’s no doubt President Trump has given the comedians and reporters plenty of material in the past four years. I’m eager to see what President-elect Biden brings to the next four. Take care of yourself and keep smiling!
Hi
Hi Christie my apologies for not replying to your comment. I just found it in spam. It must be dreadful for you to see what Trump is doing to America. Like you I can’t wait until Inauguration Day.
Thanks for sharing everything that made you smile! Lots to be grateful for and they are usually the simple things! Hope December is good for you!
Thanks Sanch. Happy December to you too.