I’ve concocted a list of 10 things that make me happy and might help you. Many of them are free (or I offer free alternatives).

Over on the Parasol Protectorate Group, Gentle Reader, I put a Chirrup Special to the vote.

As you can see: stuff making me happy narrowly lost out to books making me happy. So I thought I’d do a blog post of the stuff, while sending the Chirrup the books. (That sentence makes sense in someone’s universe.)

Simply put, here’s shizz to cheer you up!

Disclaimer: It works on me. Might not work on you, but I’m not in your head, so how can I judge?

Food

Ayako & Family Jam A darling friend gifted me with a box. The hanabi plum blew my tiny mind. The AB actually declared it “almost as good as my mother’s jam.” Which, let me tell you, is VERY high praise. They are a Seattle operation who survive at farmer’s markets, so your support right now would be most welcome. (I intend to try every single one of their plum flavors.) They have a sampler gift set, too.

FREE options?

I tried this chicken marsala recipe recently It was tasty and easy. It’s one of the few that doesn’t require cream and is better spiced than my experience with this dish. I added onions along with the mushrooms and used Chianti instead of Marsala and it was delish. Also we don’t eat salt, so I added a little mustard and reduced balsamic glaze to finish. This recipe would work with firm tofu (I’d not dredge it but sear in soy sauce first). Next time I’m going to try it with dark meat chicken and half the butter.

Take Free Cooking Classes With Michelin Star Chef Massimo Bottura

I also recommend this excellent blog: Nom Nom Paleo. (I’m not paleo but some of these are so good I just add lots of veg). Her Indian lamb curry recipe is probably one of our favorite dishes. More…

Entertainment

Sex Education on Netflix. This show is a work of true genius, it’s charming and funny and warm and honest while also managing to be this strange fantasy alternate high school experience. Don’t be put off by the title, it’s not super sexy, and it’s not super camp high school drama, either. It’s something truly special.

FREE options?

Check out my YouTube Channel for not just my own Live Q&A sessions, but lots of lists with fun videos that I love, so you might too.

For example, here’s Alan Cumming singing Taylor the Latte Boy

Beauty

Coconut Milk Body Scrub with Exfoliating Gloves. My favorite Fiji scrub seems to be no more, so I tried a new coconut scrub. It’s salt based (I prefer sugar, doesn’t sting after shaving). I was skeptical of the weird “scrub gloves” that came with. Well I loved it. Particularly the weird gloves. Who knew? (If you don’t like coconut I also love Giovanni Hot Chocolate Sugar Body Scrub.)

Poshmark. Certain persons have been trying to get me to try Poshmark for AGES. In desperate need of replacement flats I went on to see if maybe someone was selling my old favorites there, the Mia Nomad. And lo there they were. So exciting. I got two pairs, and some Miz Mooz flats and a cute teal cashmere cardigan. The sweater has arrived and I LOVE it. On the other hand, one of the the flats got cancelled on me. I might have liked a ton more but I am trying to be good.

I recommend using Poshmark to buy replacement items for items/brands you already know you love/fit. Since there is basically no return.

FREE options?

In line with above, I’ve been playing dress up in my own wardrobe. Using this as an opportunity to go through and clean out, but also just to look pretty and swish about the house in a cape. Why not?

Also, you can always SELL on Poshmark, if you have the time and goods to list.

Practical Joy

Octopus Hanging Dryer I hang dry my clothing. I don’t believe in dryers except for sheets and towels. I have two of these Octopus hangers for, as grandma would call them “my smalls.” They work great and are awesome space savers.  

The perfect phone tripod UBeesize 51″ Extendable Tripod Stand, heavy duty aluminum, lightweight, and so much more stable and easy to use than my old one. I’ve been using this for Lives, Zoom, and Hangouts.

FREE options?

If you’re home schooling may I remind you that you can get the educator’s guide for the Finishing School from me for free. A lot of other education/workbook authors offer PDFs via their websites. PDFs you can print out at home.

Virtual Interactions

The Popster on Facetime I taught my 80+ year old popster how to Facetime. Well, to be fair, I was freaking out because I couldn’t get hold of him. Tried calling him the regular way, no answer. Desperate, I tried Facetime. He picked it up because it was something new and confusing. I have never seen someone so joyful about something so simple in a long long time. “You’re right there, in the palm of my hand!” It was charming.

The Mum on Hangouts Guided her via a landline. Finally connected her to Hangouts, but could only see the top of her head.

Gail: Mum, tilt the phone. Nothing. Gail: MUM TILT THE PHONE. Mum’s hand comes into view holding the land line above her head. Gail: The CELL phone, Mum.

Skype with Friends I’ve been doing Skype or Zoom “write ins” with some of my author friends and others trapped at home. It’s almost as good as the real thing.

Bonus – Quick Picks from Previous Posts

Here’s a few things that I have mentioned before that might help you survive self isolation or quarantine.

Upbeat, Funny, Escapist Podcasts (all FREE)

All Fantasy Everything

Ask Me Another

Doughboys

Go Fact Yourself

Judge John Hodgman

No Such Thing As A Fish

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Rule of Three

Troubled Waters

Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me

Some of these might not have new episodes right now, but the back eps are great!

Pretty-up your environment

Ridiculous Ruffled Ball or Sunflower Accent Pillow

Octopus Tentacles or Realistic Silver Birches Wall Decals

Expandable End Table (write from the couch)

FREE option? Rearrange the furniture. Put stuff into storage. Organize the garage or basement. Pull out the Christmas lights and just hang them for fun. Make yourself a blanket fort.

Check out more on my Writer Wants & Education Pinterest Board

Treat yourself

Twinings 1706 English Strong Breakfast or Hot Cinnamon Spice or Thai Tea

Cadbury Selection Box of 10 Full Size British Chocolate Bars

Soft Warm Cozy Fuzzy Socks

FREE option? Make a point of dressing in your favorite clothing, soft and fuzzy. Cashmere, fleece, cotton, silk, satin, whatever that is. Indulge yourself in texture.

Take care of your body

CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Mouthwash & COCOFLOSS

SpaPure Georgia Peach Bath Bomb

Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper

FREE option? It’s okay to take a break and not do anything constructive right now. I give you permission, in case you needed it.

I hope some of these things help!

Incidentally, from LifeHacker:

You Can Still Order Whatever You Want on Amazon

You Probably Aren’t Going to Get COVID-19 From a Package

Take care of yourselves,

Miss Gail

Want updates of things making me happy? Chirrup members get them monthly, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.

The Best Horror Movies of 2018

At this point, it’s pretty much an indisputable fact that we’re living in a new golden age of horror cinema. 2016 was incredible, 2017 was even better, and 2018 has been a horror show through and through, with exceptional on-screen nightmares to match the real-life tumult and discord dominating the airwaves worldwide. It’s no secret that horror thrives during the dark times, offering people a…

Horror’s 10 Most Disturbing Moments of 2018!

Horror films seek to evoke fear in a variety of ways; some opt for creeping dread, some for unbearable mounting tension, and others employ jump scares. And some decide to elicit a primal sense of revulsion, leaving viewers recoiling in their seats from disturbing imagery on screen. While horror tends to be subjective, not even the most hardened of horror fans are usually immune to this tactic.…

Top Christmas Slasher Films of All Time

Christmas. One of the most polarizing holidays of the year, with many loving the festivities and many hating their mere existence. What we can agree upon is that Christmas is an excellent opportunity for special holiday-themed horror movies. The art of the Christmas slasher is a complicated one, with filmmakers trying to create a balance between comedy, festivity and horror within their movies.…

plural n. [usually treated as sing.] the branch of science concerned with the processes of listening to some animal species.

plural n. [usually treated as sing.] the branch of science concerned with the processes of listening to some animal species.