March 16, 2020 PEOPLE GET READY

Times like this bring out the worst in people.  MANY become irrational, selfish and down right crazy. That's what SCARES ME more than Coronavirus. When people feel threatened--they often act without thinking. They act on emotion and NOT reason. BUT being reasonable is what separates us from others animals.  We need to demonstrate this behavior--NOW. It would be a shame for a person to die over a roll of toilet paper or loaf of bread. RIGHT?  People need to get a grip and remember that we are all in this together. The enemy is not another person but a virus that will pass if we practice social distancing and take proper sanitation precautions. Is it really so awful to stay home for a bit?? Are you afraid of a little free time? It's a great time to reevaluate your life. Just think--you could finally learn how to use PEAPOD and have your groceries delivered--help someone in need-- take a virtual class--exercise--catch up on Netflix--take a walk or run--read a book--play a game--do a puzzle--get rid of that wall paper you've been looking at for 27 years.  Whatever you do--be kind, take a deep breath and remember--THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
 Just finished another good book if you're looking for something to read this week called Tangerine by Christine Mangan. I was initially drawn to the book because I loved the title and the cover, but once I saw it compared to Donna Tartt, Gillian Flynn and Hitchcock--I was all in. The main character, Alice Shipley,  has lived through her share of tragedy. She lost her parents to a terrible fire when she was younger, and during her senior year of college at Bennington in Vermont, she lost her boyfriend in a mysterious accident. After the accident, a devastated  Alice returns to England to re-cooperate with her Aunt Maude. She later agrees to marry a family friend named John and finds herself living in Tangier. Shortly after their arrival, Alice gets an unexpected visit from her old college roommate Lucy Mason, the last person she ever expected or wanted  to see again. Alice and Lucy's relationship is bizarre, twisted and disorienting to say the least. After John goes missing, Alice begins to question her sanity and the book spirals to a shocking finish. This is a dark, frightening thriller that sort of reminded me of The Talented Mr. Ripley. If you liked that book,  than you are sure to enjoy this novel of 380 pages too. It's a real page turner--so I'd say--it's about a 4 mile run full of twists, hills and turns.