My random thoughts on covid-19 and much more..
- I don't go out anymore. Not to the grovhery store, nowhere. I'm lucky to have a nice, warm home to quarrentine in, but it gets stale after a while. I'm sure I'm not alone feeling this way.
It would be worse if it was warmer outside. It will be in the 70s soon. In April the flowers and dogwood trees will be in full bloom. The most beautiful time of the year! We can still go outside, just not in packs.
We had a new deck added to the back of the house. I can't wait to get outside and enjoy it. Rain is good in the spring but every day seems gray and gloomy, sort of like life now.
WIP SportsRadio is always fun to listen to. I call my friend, Steve Trevelise, overnights on weekends. WIP is needed more than ever now. It's a source of comfort in an uncertain world. Familar voices, both hosts and callers, add a relaxing tone. I watch a lot of news now, probably too much. I need a break from the depression. WIP gives me that.
I'm grateful that Holly and I haven't gotten sick yet. I feel sorry for people all around the world who are sick or have died. It's scary to see the refrigerated trucks in New York, lined up outside of hospitals, used as temporary morgues. It's like we see this in other countries, not here in America.
It's like waking up daily and living in an episode of the "Twilight Zone." I almost expect to see Rod Serling around every corner, smoking cigareet in hand, all dressed up in dark suit and tie.
How did this virus get so bad so fast? Social Distancing seems to be working. This is worse than 9/11. Covid-10 effects the entire globe, and it goes on and on. There is no end game to date. If we knew an end to this sickness and sheltering it would be better. But this can go on for months, maybe years?
The virus has made rock stars out of Gov. Cuomo and Dr Fauci. President Trump thinks he is a rock star but he's not. He crows about the ratings for his circus-like daily briefings press conferences. He purposely has them in the late afternoon to challenge the local news ans get maximum audiance. Poor Joe Biden is fighting for air time to get his views expressed. Trump's poll ratings are going up, only 2 points behind Biden. Trump's base believes he is doing a good job because he says so.
They choose to ignore that Trump downplayed the threat of the virus early in the year, when he referred to the virus as a "democratic hoax." We have been behind the virus from the get-go. The so-called "apex" of this disease may be in two week or four weeks. no one knows for sure.
I doubt this is the extinction of the human race. I think it's just a sign from God, saying, 'Hey there, I'm still here!"There are no weekends anymore. Every day seems the same. I'm retired, so weekends don't matter to me. But I did go out a lot, especially when the weather gets nice.
We are seeing the best and worst of humanity. People who hoard and price gauge are the worst. People who help each other, check on the elderly and care for each other are the best. Health care workers, and other essential workers are the best. Is it any solace knowing that people all ove rhte world are enduring what we are? Somewhat. But, individually, we have to endure alone.
Lonliness and wearing down emotionally are hidden issues. I feel for the elderly who are alone, separated from family. I feel for nursing home residents, who not only fear a potential death sentenc ein the virus, but are sad because they are out of touch with family and friends. They have each other ansd staff, who ar enow surrogate family.
I miss sports, especially Baseball, which should be starting up now. The real prospect of games being cancelled or postponed is real. The springtime games I looked forward to so much will not be played. I hope the summer games, especially in July with the great Mike Trout, will be okay. I try to watch classic games on TV. Sometimes it's cool to watch famous games or individual feats once again, reliving history so to speak. But, like the very same film itself, it gets old after a while.
On a personal note, I'm shopping around my book, "An Unbreakable Spirit," hoping to hook up with an agent. So far no takers. It hets deflating after a while, but rejection is part of the game. So is money.
I can always self-publish but I don't want to just yet. It only takes one agent and one publisher to believe in the story.
I promise to blog more often. It helps me too, to vent.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
proposal- blogging
Please add to proposal, at the end of Marketing ..
I also write a daily blog called "Wheeling Around Phoenixville," which I have been writing since October 2016. I have offered free chapters for readers to check out during the writing process and I have received very favorable reaction to the story! Promoting the book on my daily blog would be essential, as readers already have a taste of my writing, and of "An Unbreakable Spirit."
I also write a daily blog called "Wheeling Around Phoenixville," which I have been writing since October 2016. I have offered free chapters for readers to check out during the writing process and I have received very favorable reaction to the story! Promoting the book on my daily blog would be essential, as readers already have a taste of my writing, and of "An Unbreakable Spirit."
Sunday, March 29, 2020
proposal changes
Competitive Analysis:
1. Finding Chika by Mitch Albom. Harper Publishing. 256 pages. Published 11/15/19.
NY Times Best Seller.
2. Angels Among Us by Jack Canfield. Chicken Soul for the Soul Publishing. 400 pages. Published 1/1/13. NY Times Best Seller.
3. Tough As They Come by Travis Mills. Convergent Books. 272 pages. Published 11/25/16. NY Times Best Seller.
4. The Promise by Rachelle Friedman. Skirt! Publishing. 229 pages. Published 5/6/14. NY Times Best Seller.
5. The Sun Still Shines by Jodi Ogill Brown. Fulfill Publishing. 256 pages. Published 11/7/15
6. Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorus. Thomas Nelson Publishing. 288 pages. Published 11/19/13. NY Times Best Seller.
7. Perfectly Imperfect by Denise Goldhammer. Amazon Publishing. 232 pages. Published 11/23/15.
8. The Unbreakable Boy by Scott Michael Levette & Susy Flory. Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishing. Published 11/4/14.
9. Change The Moment by Michael Kiel. Amazon Publishing. 233 pages. Published 8/5/19.
10. Prognosis: A Memoir of My Brain by Sarah Vallance. Little A. Publishing. 284 pages. Published 8/1/19
11. Being Heumann by Judith Heumann. Beacon Press. 240 pages. Published 11/5/19.
Marketing Strategies:
Other than bookstores like Barnes & Noble, my story should have a strong presence on-line. Amazon.com is key. I plan to open a website to sell my book on-line. I have a major involvement on both Facebook and Twitter, which would help a great deal to promote my story.
I love to play Words with Friends, and have a regular opponent list of about 50 players. The common link is words. I've found that most of the players I interact with love to read as well. Getting out the word through Words would be of great value. tHis opens up a constant resource of new readers.
I have a really good friend who is a radio talk show host on two major stations, one in Philadelphia and the other in New Jersey. He has read my daily blog and has promoted my work in the past. I'm sure he will promote the book a great deal. Free PR, literally reaching millions of listeners.
I know other talk show hosts in my area. Getting the word out to them would lead to more marketing opportunities.
Getting on Philadelphia TV would be an option. 6 ABC does a "Localish" segment daily, so they would be great exposure for the book.
On the personal side, word of mouth is key. Luckily, my local mayor is very on board with the book. An Unbreakable Spirit would be featured at local stores. I consider Book Signings very important. Not only to sell books but to reach readers in a personal way. Meeting readers would be essecial, since the story is very personal. I want their reactions, good and bad. I know the thrill it is for me to meet an author!
1. Finding Chika by Mitch Albom. Harper Publishing. 256 pages. Published 11/15/19.
NY Times Best Seller.
2. Angels Among Us by Jack Canfield. Chicken Soul for the Soul Publishing. 400 pages. Published 1/1/13. NY Times Best Seller.
3. Tough As They Come by Travis Mills. Convergent Books. 272 pages. Published 11/25/16. NY Times Best Seller.
4. The Promise by Rachelle Friedman. Skirt! Publishing. 229 pages. Published 5/6/14. NY Times Best Seller.
5. The Sun Still Shines by Jodi Ogill Brown. Fulfill Publishing. 256 pages. Published 11/7/15
6. Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorus. Thomas Nelson Publishing. 288 pages. Published 11/19/13. NY Times Best Seller.
7. Perfectly Imperfect by Denise Goldhammer. Amazon Publishing. 232 pages. Published 11/23/15.
8. The Unbreakable Boy by Scott Michael Levette & Susy Flory. Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishing. Published 11/4/14.
9. Change The Moment by Michael Kiel. Amazon Publishing. 233 pages. Published 8/5/19.
10. Prognosis: A Memoir of My Brain by Sarah Vallance. Little A. Publishing. 284 pages. Published 8/1/19
11. Being Heumann by Judith Heumann. Beacon Press. 240 pages. Published 11/5/19.
Marketing Strategies:
Other than bookstores like Barnes & Noble, my story should have a strong presence on-line. Amazon.com is key. I plan to open a website to sell my book on-line. I have a major involvement on both Facebook and Twitter, which would help a great deal to promote my story.
I love to play Words with Friends, and have a regular opponent list of about 50 players. The common link is words. I've found that most of the players I interact with love to read as well. Getting out the word through Words would be of great value. tHis opens up a constant resource of new readers.
I have a really good friend who is a radio talk show host on two major stations, one in Philadelphia and the other in New Jersey. He has read my daily blog and has promoted my work in the past. I'm sure he will promote the book a great deal. Free PR, literally reaching millions of listeners.
I know other talk show hosts in my area. Getting the word out to them would lead to more marketing opportunities.
Getting on Philadelphia TV would be an option. 6 ABC does a "Localish" segment daily, so they would be great exposure for the book.
On the personal side, word of mouth is key. Luckily, my local mayor is very on board with the book. An Unbreakable Spirit would be featured at local stores. I consider Book Signings very important. Not only to sell books but to reach readers in a personal way. Meeting readers would be essecial, since the story is very personal. I want their reactions, good and bad. I know the thrill it is for me to meet an author!
Saturday, March 28, 2020
book- breaking
(Place on page 1, at the very beginning after title China Baby)
Things break every day. Vases. Glasses. Phone screens. Your heart. Windows. A contract. Promises. Mirrors. World records. Dreams. The list goes on and on.
Almost everyone breaks a bone at least once in a lifetime. There are 270 bones in the human body at birth; 206 when adulthood is reached. Sooner or later you are bound to break a bone, even if it's a tiny one like your pinkie finger or little toe. Breaking a bone is a feeling almost everyone can relate to.
I break bones. Lots of them. I can't prove it but I may have broken more bones in my life then anyone else in the world, seeing how I've had so many and have lived so long. This is my story. The story of a broken body but an unbreakable spirit.
Things break every day. Vases. Glasses. Phone screens. Your heart. Windows. A contract. Promises. Mirrors. World records. Dreams. The list goes on and on.
Almost everyone breaks a bone at least once in a lifetime. There are 270 bones in the human body at birth; 206 when adulthood is reached. Sooner or later you are bound to break a bone, even if it's a tiny one like your pinkie finger or little toe. Breaking a bone is a feeling almost everyone can relate to.
I break bones. Lots of them. I can't prove it but I may have broken more bones in my life then anyone else in the world, seeing how I've had so many and have lived so long. This is my story. The story of a broken body but an unbreakable spirit.
Friday, March 27, 2020
bbok-corona
(Place on page 343, after para 2)
Like everyone else in the world, we were effected by the deadly 2020 Coronavirus outbreak. Thank God we didn't get sick. I was thinking each day of residents in nursing home everywhere, the physical illness and suffering they endured, plus the fear and anxiety they had to feel; of the health care workers, who risked their own well-being to care for the elderly and compromised; of the families and friends who could not visit, facing an uncertain fate of their most special loved ones. Even if I didn't know each personally, I still knew their stories so well and could relate to their plight in so many ways.
Like everyone else in the world, we were effected by the deadly 2020 Coronavirus outbreak. Thank God we didn't get sick. I was thinking each day of residents in nursing home everywhere, the physical illness and suffering they endured, plus the fear and anxiety they had to feel; of the health care workers, who risked their own well-being to care for the elderly and compromised; of the families and friends who could not visit, facing an uncertain fate of their most special loved ones. Even if I didn't know each personally, I still knew their stories so well and could relate to their plight in so many ways.
book-outbreak
(Place on page 207, after para 1)
One of my jobs during an outbreak was to keep families informed, especially when visiting was restricted. We would coordinate other ways to "visit"- such as telephone or window visits. Communication methods such as Skype didn't exist yet. If a resident was able to use a wheelchair we would arrange for family to locate outside of a first floor window. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, especially if an occasion such as a birthday occured during a quarrentine. Everyone loves hugs anytime but especially on your birthday. Frustrating when a family celebrated for so many years together and now could not. But we did the best we could to make it as best we could.
I was used to the possibility of residents getting really sick or dying, almost on a daily basis, when I worked in nursing homes. That was a tough part of the job, to say the least. But during an outbreak crisis it was dreaded but almost expected, that fatalities would happen. Leaving work every day I never knew who I might see again in the morning or not.
One of my jobs during an outbreak was to keep families informed, especially when visiting was restricted. We would coordinate other ways to "visit"- such as telephone or window visits. Communication methods such as Skype didn't exist yet. If a resident was able to use a wheelchair we would arrange for family to locate outside of a first floor window. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, especially if an occasion such as a birthday occured during a quarrentine. Everyone loves hugs anytime but especially on your birthday. Frustrating when a family celebrated for so many years together and now could not. But we did the best we could to make it as best we could.
I was used to the possibility of residents getting really sick or dying, almost on a daily basis, when I worked in nursing homes. That was a tough part of the job, to say the least. But during an outbreak crisis it was dreaded but almost expected, that fatalities would happen. Leaving work every day I never knew who I might see again in the morning or not.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
book- whchair
Place on page 53, after para 4
Getting a new wheelchair was always a big deal, similar to when someone got a new car. My chairs ( I always kept a spare, just in case I had a flat) were ( and still are) my lifeline. Without a chair I'm immobile. My wheelchair goes everywhere I go. So when it's time to get a new set of wheels, it is important, at least to me.
A shiny, new wheelchair was exciting to break in. From the new and improved bearings and tires to that new chair " smell," every five years or so I looked forward to test driving and finally selecting my transportation.
Getting a new wheelchair was always a big deal, similar to when someone got a new car. My chairs ( I always kept a spare, just in case I had a flat) were ( and still are) my lifeline. Without a chair I'm immobile. My wheelchair goes everywhere I go. So when it's time to get a new set of wheels, it is important, at least to me.
A shiny, new wheelchair was exciting to break in. From the new and improved bearings and tires to that new chair " smell," every five years or so I looked forward to test driving and finally selecting my transportation.
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