Zoom and My First Zoom Meeting
First, I am so pleased with myself; a few hours before the meeting happened, I was invited to a Zoom meeting. I've been wanting to try that so I said yes, and it worked for me right away! Amazing but true. I think it is beginner's luck. About 5 households managed to join in, hurray. Several people were frustrated and could not join. I think they will sort it out for the next Zoom meetup next week. What fun to see people's laughing faces, there was a lot of humor as people signed in, tried to sit so the top of their heads showed, we could see them but they couldn't see us, etc. A couple of the ladies joked about how long their hair is getting. The leader asked if we had read any good books and I told them about Falling Forward. See below for more on this wonderful book.
Books, books, books.
If you know me you won't be surprised I am telling you what books I am enjoying.
Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship by Ruth Chou Simons. Ruth is a brilliant watercolor artist and the book is overflowing with her dainty paintings of nature. Plus Ruth has six sons, wow! The first photo is from the book, each page is glorious, and the second photo is of the cover with more of her art. In 850 detailed watercolors the author explains how God demonstrates His love and His faithfulness even in our mundane moments. Her paintings and words remind us that God created all things. Thank you FlowerLady for recommending Beholding and Becoming.
Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled by Dorothy Gilman. This is a great book that will take you to the wild deserts of Syria with the world's most unlikely and very capable spy, Mrs. Pollifax. A senior citizen, she accidentally is recruited by the CIA to become a spy because when you see her, you know she could no way be a spy. The first book in the series is The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax and there are at least 14 books. I am not reading them in order, but must tell you the first book has its special charm as we learn how bored Emily Pollifax is with her routine life of a widow. She sure seized the day when she finagled her way into her first work as a spy.
An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor. This is the first and very entertaining book in a series set in the small village of Ballybucklebo. A young doctor finds his first job there assisting the large, kind and gruff village doctor. The villagers are an eccentric lot and very appealing and the book has plenty of humor in it. The series has about 15 books in it. Patrick Taylor retired as a doctor and lives in Canada and Ireland, and was born and raised in Bangor County Down in Northern Ireland.
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. This book is a fabulous find and I am very excited about it, since it applies to me and everyone who is in the second half of life, and anyone who wants ideas about growing closer to God. I guestimate that people who are 45 and up are in the second half of life, so that includes not only us senior citizens. Rohr says that the first half of life may end sooner, sometimes through difficulties at a young age, and this deepening second half could begin even in your twenties. I am just beginning this book and am underlining like crazy (I rarely do that) but so many thoughts of the author's are helpful and wise. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest for the last 40 years and founded The Center for Action and Contemplation, and he explores how our failings in the first half of life can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth.
Happy Trails To You
Who else remembers Roy Rogers and Dale Evans riding their horses and singing Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Happy trails to you, keep smiling until then. Dale's horse was a buckskin named Buttermilk and Roy's horse was Trigger. Happy trails for you today, whether still out in the world working at essential jobs, or staying home and reading, knitting, painting, creating, nurturing family and others. Don't forget to nurture yourself. For me I recommend a Lindt chocolate truffle every day.
40 comments:
Congratulations on Zooming. I haven't done it yet!
And the books look like good ones. It's good to see you, know you are well!
I'm so glad you were able to take part in the Zoom meeting. We're having our third weekly Bible study tonight on Zoom and it's been working really well. My neurologist's appointment on Tuesday worked great too. I would love to be able to do that even after all of this mess is over. It was five minutes instead of 2 hours out of my day!
Take care my friend.
Blessings,
Betsy
Oh fun! Nice that you can connect via Zoom. Be sure to upload a fun photo for your backdrop!
The only book I recognized was the one by Patrick Taylor. I read several of those but then they got to be too much the same. I think I read the last one very recently.
Zoom is fun. we hope to do it several times a week with youngest granddaughter.
Thanks for your card. You made my day. Definitely remember Roy and Dale. Happy Trails was one of my favorite songs growing up and loved their show. I had trouble with my first Zoom, but now I'm getting much more comfortable with it. Love being able to connect with friends and family.
What fun to have a Zoom meeting! First I have heard of this!
I always love your book reviews and wish I could read as fast as you do.
Congratulations on a successful Zoom meeting! I have not tried Zoom yet but I know many people that are now using it to keep up with family.
Thanks for the book reviews. Falling Upwards sounds like a book I would like. Take care!
Hi Terra - so pleased you were able to join in your zoom meeting ... well done. Your book selections look interesting - love the glossary look ... amazing art work - take care - Hilary
I remember Roy and Dale. Can't say I ever watched a lot of that and maybe it was old reruns I was seeing but I do remember them.
Our family was doing FaceTime but this week we switched to Zoom for Meetings. My son set it up and he said that we could have 100 people on it, however, we would not see all and would have to scroll over. We had eight and it worked well but I think that I like FT better.
I too have been wanting to use Zoom....just not sure I know how. I certainly admire people who love to read. I am not a big reader as I can't sit still long enough to get through a book.
I wish I had a chocolate truffle right now but can't get out to the shops. Oh dear.
Zoom is keeping many connected in this difficult time. My daughter plans to do a Zoom birthday party for their girls later in the month. Stay safe
Zoom sounds a lot like Skype. I like your choice of reading material. I have read all the Mrs, Pollifax books and 3 of the Irish books. I like reading by authors. Right now I am working my way through D.E. Stevenson's books as well as Colin Dexters Morse novels. Happy Trails!💖
Dear Terra, books by Richard Rohr are always a real fine! i learn so much from his writings. And I've read all the Patrick Taylor books and so enjoyed them. They remind me of james Herriot's books on being a vet in Britain in the 1930s. Thanks for sharing what you are reading. Today it's cold, wet, and windy here and a good e-book is just what I need! Take care; stay safe. Peace.
I am hearing about Zoom everywhere these days. I guess I need to check it out! Your books all look so good. I will have to see if our library has any of them. So glad you are doing well and that reading is something you enjoy. I know it is my favorite past time in the evenings in particular. I don't read anything too heavy...mostly light "cozy mysteries" for now. My brain gets too overloaded when I try to do anything that requires real "thinking". LOL., Except for the Bible. I read that every day. We will all get through this time and I believe we will end up the better for it. Praying that is so, anyway. Take care and God bless you.
Glad you are able to keep connected. The books sound pretty good. Happy Friday. Stay safe and well.
xoxo
Kris
Nice to learn new things, like Zoom. My family is using Marco Polo, a video app easy enough for ages 5-93! The 5 year old does better than the 93 year old, but we all cope.
We did our first Zoom time last weekend. Our kids and spouses, along with the grandkids were on and we had fun!
The Irish Dr book sounds like one I would enjoy!
I'm so pleased with your book recommendations and have written them down for when libraries are once again open. I would like to own Beholding and Becoming but the others I'll try borrowing. I have several of the Mrs Pollifax books but have not read the one you feature. Improbable as Mrs P's adventures are I love reading about them. Stay well.
I enjoyed ... something you recommended before ... Miss Hargreaves, that's it. Mrs Pollifax looks good as does the Richard Rohr book.
No truffles ...
Some great ideas for books. Thanks. I will check them out.
Thanks for visiting my blog. It means a lot in these times. Here in very Catholic Manila, it was sad to know we won't go to Easter Mass in person. Stay safe.
I have recently used Zoom for the first time as well. We do a church prayer meeting twice a week, and my women's group and our community group are meeting up that way as well. I find it very awkward and uncomfortable, but at least it gives me a chance to SEE beloved faces, so I will keep on doing it for as long as the quarantine lasts.
I have both of Ruth Simons's books. Her artwork is stunning, and her words so God-honoring. I've gifted Gracelaced (the first book) several times.
Blessings,
Patti
Thanks for the book recommendations. Glad you were able to join on Zoom.
Super book recommendations, Terra! I'm on a reading kick. Congrats on learning Zoom. I'd love to get the whole family on board. I FaceTime with the grandchildren, and the immediate family and extended family has text threads.
I am sickened and sad by what's happening. I've never prayed so hard.
Take care, my friend.
Jane😘
Hello Terra!
Thank you very much for visiting and comment left.
Great book recommendation.
I also hope that we will all soon return to our places of worship.
Greetings from far away Poland.
Be healthy and safe:)
Lucja
I loved the Mrs. Polifax books. You might also enjoy the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters.
Congrats on your success with zoom for the first time! I've not tried it yet, but have been doing cocktails with friends using Facetime. It is fun to see people. So much more like really visiting together than just a phone call. I made a note of An Irish Country Doctor, that sounds like my cup of tea. I was really enjoying lots of English series, but have run out, so perhaps this will fill the void. Thanks for the referral. Am out blog walking today and found you through a mutual blog friend. Always fun to meet new bloggers.
Sandy's Space
I have never heard of Zoom – have to check it. I enjoyed reading your book recommendations.
I have also used Zoom several times since the lockdown in Malaysia. It is easy and smooth for meetings. Hope the pandemic virus will end soon. Stay safe.
I also love reading books like you. Your collection looks interesting and new to me.
I came over from Jeevan's blog.
Oh, I feel so old never having used Zoom or such! My PC doens´t even have a mike.
I just read a great book on food via kindle, "Comfort me with apples" by Ruth Reichl, and one in paper, but German and, stupid as I am one on Hiroshima now - so much for staying at home...
The Irish doc sounds good - but, please... I have too many books in row anyways!
Oh, we are using Zoom for our church and it's pretty cool! You mention Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. I loved them and he was my hero as a little girl. They were such wonderful people. She came to our church in the late 1980s and talked and sang and I played the piano for her to sing! I was so excited!
Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Great that you can connect in such a way. Thank you for sharing all the books.
I was looking for your email address to thank you so much for the card. My email is not working I think due to the weather. I loved the card, the black Lab, Faith thinks it is her, of course. It's so nice of you to think of others in that way. I do live in the country, the mountains of So. Cal. - Tehachapi. It's been snowing and raining and snowing again, so I'm now stuck in a muddy mess. Happy Easter - Inger
I remember reading about Mrs. Polifax many years ago. I liked her. I'm going to look for that book "Falling Upward".
I need to read these books thank you. I hope you are doing well. I chuckled about Zoom. Our middle is working from home and during their Monday morning meeting on Zoom someone dressed like Spiderman came on and acted like he was drinking coffee from an invisible cup. Fortunately they were able to block him but everyone enjoyed the laughter. We had Easter snow and more headed here this week. Ah....Colorado natives so the hubby and I understand never plant anything outdoors until after Memorial Day.
Hoping your well and staying happy and healthy. Virtual hugs across the miles.
I grabbed a pen and started a list of 'I want these'. You really peaked my interest this morning. And, as for Dale Evans... my second child was born with many problems (he died at 3 months) so I wrote to Dale Evans and i got the sweetest letter from her and a copy of her book 'Angel Unaware'. She and Roy were very special people. As you can tell I loved your post today!
I am reading again now I am so long at home.
Yes, I have read these. No, I haven''t read the Taylor volumes. I'm locked down in aa nursing home and very uncreative. But my husband has brought me bags of books, and that's helping.
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