There is something special about Fridays. It’s the end of the work week and it’s a day filled with expectations of a weekend ahead, free to relax, socialise and recharge the batteries.
Today I am introducing a new post, Free Friday. It is inspired by The Positivity Wave created by the wonderful Meggy, in which she highlights the positive things, which have happened during the week. I think it’s a great idea and have regularly told myself to join in. Never happened.
Instead I’ve created Free Friday, which I can use to support Meggy, Jonetta, Nicki and the other positivity bloggers, but it may also be used for general musings, which are not necessarily related to books. So basically a Free Format post. Today I will do the positivity wave, though.
Proper Bread (and cakes)
My favourite bakery has finally reopened – yay – and I can get proper bread again. You can’t imagine how much I’ve missed it. Their cakes aren’t half bad either, in particular the strawberry tarts, which are a small bite of heaven with an abundance of strawberries on dark chocolate with almonds and vanilla custard. Mmmmm. I am actually half drooling, just thinking about them. During my lifetime I’ve eaten my fair share, but my older, slightly more calorie conscious self, is trying to show restraint.
Hair Salons Reopening
Normally, I am sporting a short pixie cut. But during the lockdown, with hair which grows ridiculously fast, my hairstyle has transformed from something like this:
To something like this:
Besides from being really impractical and getting in my eyes all the time, there has also been the distinct risk, that the time police would show up and send me straight back to the 70s. So did I get my hair cut yet? No, not really, I didn’t even get an appointment. But I am on the wait list to get an appointment and as Meggy has taught me, you need to appreciate the small things in life.
Writing Mojo is Back!
During the lockdown I had a period, where my urge to write was dwindling. After running out of reserve posts, I had to muster some willpower to avoid my blog going into prolonged hibernation. But now my writing mojo is back and I have several ideas for posts, which might be a bit more fun and creative.
One thing I am looking forward to is a new series, Literary Locations, in which I will combine my love of traveling via the literature with my love of traveling in the real world. And you will get to see some of my numerous travel photos (because there is nothing better than looking on other people’s holiday photos, right?! ๐ ). The above is from The Ganges River in India. It was freezing cold and extremely foggy, when I went, but the enthusiastic traveller can always find something to admire (and take photos of).
This was my first Free Friday post. I hope you enjoyed it, since the format may appear from time to time here on the blog. But for now the only thing left to say is:
I’m delighted your writing mojo is back! And yay to Free Fridays! I’m looking forward to the literary locations – especially as you are so much more widely travelled than I am!
So am I! Normally, I love writing and thinking of ideas for new posts, so it was a bit sad, when the motivation disappeared. Let’s see if I can get these Literary Locations posts to work, but I really like the idea.
I am so thrilled to see your new post, Stargazer๐ I was first in line with my hairdresser when she was allowed to reopen. She had to chop off three inches of raggedy hair๐
Congrats on getting your writing mojo back!!! Thatโs fantastic.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Glad to hear! ๐ Ah, you are so lucky! A colleague told me about being number six hundred and something on the waiting list for a hairdresser. I don’t think, I’m that far down, but it’s a given that there are lots of people out there, desperate for a haircut.
A wonderful weekend to you too and thanks for supporting my first Positivity Post!
No wonder I felt a familiar tinge the moment I saw the pic! I live barely 5 minutes away from the Ganges.
Nooo, really? That must be nice. I would love to live close to a river or to the sea. I enjoyed walking along the Ganges and the boat trip was nice as well, although I should definitely have worn some warmer clothes.
Wonderful post and new feature! Looking forward to more of these! ๐
Thanks Nicki, I quite enjoyed doing something different than a book review, so there will definitely be more! ๐
Literary locations sounds fantastic, Iโll keep a look out for it.
Iโm ok haircut wise but my husband has developed a shaggy hairdo that must go!
I hope it will be fantastic – or at least ok! Haha, yes, it has been fun looking at everybody getting more and more shaggy during the lockdown, but I think it has been worst for people with short hair.
OMG your hair pic made me laugh so bad!!!!
The only good thing with being stranded in France for now is that I get to visit my favorite bakeries a lot!!
Yay for the writing mojo! Go you!
Thanks so much for this wonderful post! xxx
Haha, I’m glad it made you laugh! I sometimes laugh at myself, when spotting my hair in the mirror, can’t wait to have it cut. Ah yes, France has good bread. In London you have to search for it, but luckily I’ve found some good places. You are welcome, I am glad you inspired me to start these posts ๐
Oh, I am so happy that your favorite bakery has reopened. What a treat! Interesting how every small thing before is just so much precious now. It can only be a good thing. And all the best for Literary Locations, sounds fun and interesting. Looking forward.
Yes, that is so true. We seem to notice and appreciate the small things more in a situation like this. I am glad you like the sound of Literary Locations and thanks for stopping by! ๐
Glad you’ve got your writing mojo back! And I’m sure you’ll get that hair appointment before you find yourself being chatted up by yetis…
Yetis!! Now you’ve made me want a haircut even more! Luckily, the population of Yetis in central London is relatively limited (as far as I know…).
Aww, I love this! You made me smile with your hair. I can definitely relate. My hair was last cut in January. ๐ฑ Right now, Iโm still to scared to go, so itโs going to be a while more. I canโt wait to see your travel pictures and new feature! And yay for bakeries reopening! My favorite has still not reopened fully but they have done a few preorders.
Aww thanks. It is so funny, how our hairstyles have deteriorated during the lockdown. Sometimes when we have video conferences at work we can’t help laughing at each others hippie hair. I think it’s worse with short hair though. Hope your favourite bakery reopens soon, good bread and cakes is essential. ๐
I won’t lie. Your hair transformation made laugh out loud hahahahaha I’m glad to see this feature on your blog too now. On top of making you realize the good stuff in life, it puts a smile on our faces too! ๐
Haha, trust me, I have often laughed about it myself, when I came across a mirror! Yes, a bit of positivity doesn’t go amiss in these strange times. That is why I finally decided to join in.:-D
I laughed out loud when I read your comment about being arrested and sent back to the 70s! Good one! The week our hair salons opened, going in for a cut was my first priority! I was just ready to return for another cut and weโre locked down again! ๐ซ Argggg!
Haha, I’m glad it made you laugh! I’ve had a few laughs myself when looking in the mirror, but now I got a haircut, so I’m back to normal. Oh, no, you have a second lock-down? I fear something like that might happen here, since people seem to take social distancing very lightly where I live. Hopefully, your lock-down will be of short duration!
Yup. Iโm in California and weโre locked down again and schools closed for fall. Hoping people will cooperate!
Oh, of course I’ve heard about California having many new cases at the moment. I too hope people will cooperate. Take good care of yourself and your family!
You too! ๐ท๐ท๐ท