We have made it to the end of October, dear readers!! Autumn is officially here in the north, and spring is started in the southern hemisphere. Today we’re joining Sheryl at “A Chronic Voice” for her monthly Link Party. This month’s prompts are Producing, Acquiring, Switching, Disappointing, and Forming.
Producing
First of all, this has not been a productive month. I spent the beginning of the month being ill, and spending 5 days in the hospital with Atypical Pneumonia. Leave it to me to get a not-typical type of pneumonia. It took some antibiotic switches to find one that worked.
I had plans to get a few blog posts ahead so I wasn’t scrambling each week to get one written. LOL! Also, I wanted to get started on a writing project for a new e-book. Oh, well. November is almost here.
Acquiring
Next, the only thing I’ve acquired this month besides pneumonia, is more medical bills.
Disappointing
Then at a follow-up appointment after I was discharged from the hospital, my doctor told me that I needed to “hibernate for the next 6-7 months” so I don’t get covid. I am so very SAD!!!
I already have been staying at home all the time, except for essential outings to doctor appointments, and to get groceries. What to do when I long to see my elderly parents and my kids? When I want to go to church like normal, and spend time with my friends. This social distancing is so hard when one lives alone!
Also, seasonal depression is already something that I struggle with at this time of year. This week all the golden days of autumn have given way to gray, cold, rainy ones. Yuck. Coping this winter is going to be a real challenge. I better start collecting tools/ideas for coping now.
Taking some writing tips from Dr. Seuss, “Do I like this?? No, I do not!!”
Switching
Then to make the month extra special, I’ve completely fallen off the healthy eating wagon due to prednisone and sadness. And at the moment I have no motivation to change my bad eating habits. ):
Also, I’m wracking my brain for ways to make the holidays less lonely. Wishing I was a ground hog, who can pack on the pounds and hibernate for real.

Forming
My girlfriends and I had been getting together every Thurday morning to read and study the Bible. I’m now not able to meet in person with them, so I’m trying to lead the group with Zoom. This didn’t work very well this past Thursday, because they forgot to sign in so I could join them until after I had waited for 25 minutes. Meanwhile they all chatted. ):
I do not know if I can continue to lead this group this way. It’s so awkward, and is causing old anxieties and fears to raise their ugly heads in my soul. Perhaps it will be an opportunity to adapt. Gracefully, I hope.
Wrap-Up of October 2020’s Link Party
Well that wraps up my answers for this month’s prompts. The only advice I have for myself, and you all today is this: If all else fails, take a nap.

You can read the other Link Party submissions here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see them.
Next, if you missed my September Link Party post you can read it here.
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Till next time, stay safe, Kathy
Thank you for your blog. Thanks Again. Much obliged. Vilhelmina Lockwood Durwyn
Hi Kathy, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences with us for the monthly challenge. I am so sorry to hear you have been so unwell and that it has been such a difficult time for you. I really hope you find a way to utilise Zoom with your meetings, I agree that it can have its many hiccups and can be really awkward when using it, but it can give us a much-needed lifeline in staying connected when needing to isolate. Take care of yourself and wishing you an easier November!
Hi, Rhiann! Thanks so much for your kind words. I hope November is a good month for you as well!!
It sounds like you’ve had such a rough month Kathy. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been struggling. I hope your Zoom meetings work out better in the future. They really can be a lifeline during a time when we can’t get together in person. Praying that this upcoming month will be a much better one for you sweet friend. Sending love and hugs your way!
Thank you Terri for your encouraging words!