• About
  • marygriggs.com
  • Mouth Brothels

Mary Griggs

~ The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Mary Griggs

Monthly Archives: July 2020

2020 GCLS Goldie Awards

11 Saturday Jul 2020

Posted by marygriggs in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

GCLS

I’m really missing all my friends at the Golden Crown Literary Society. This time of year, I’d usually be at their Annual Literary Conference. With the concerns about coronavirus, the in-person conference was cancelled and moved to a modified virtual one.

Today, was the awarding of the Goldies – awards given for excellence in lesbian literature.

Check out this list for this year’s finalists. Here are the 2020 winners:

General Non-Fiction

Carmen Maria Machado for ‘In the Dream House’

Romantic Blend –

Carrie Hunter for ‘Breath’
EJ Noyes for ‘Alone’
Ali Vali for ‘Stormy Seas’

Contemporary Romance Short

Kris Bryant ‘Listen’
Karin Kallmaker ‘Because I Said So’

Poetry/Poems Collections

Jessica Jacobs ‘Take Me With You, Wherever You’re Going’

Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Pascal Scott for her book, ‘Hard Fall’
Ann McMan for her book, ‘Galileo’

Young Adult

Rachel Gold for her book, ‘In the Silences’
Aimee Herman for ‘Everything Grows’

Contemporary Romance Mid-Length

D. Jackson Leigh for ‘Ordinary is Perfect’
Gerri Hill for ‘After the Summer Rain’
Jane Cuthbertson for ‘Game Changers’
Jenn Alexander for ‘The Song of the Sea’

Paranormal/Occult/Horror

Charlotte Greene for ‘Legacy’
Caren J. Werlinger for ‘A Bittersweet Garden’

Erotic Novels

Brenda Murphy for ‘Double Six’

General Fiction

Nan Higgins for ‘London Undone’

Historical Fiction

Elena Graf for ‘Acts of Contrition’

Contemporary Romance Long

EJ Noyes for ‘If the Shoe Fits’
Jae for ‘The Roommate Arrangement’
Melissa Brayden for ‘Beautiful Dreamer’

Science Fiction and Fantasy

Lina Rather for ‘Sisters of the Vast Black’
Brey Willows for ‘Changing Course’
Katharine Duckett for ‘Miranda in Milan’
Anna Burke for ‘Thorn’

Debut Novel

Jane Cuthbertson for ‘Game Changers’
Jenn Alexander for ‘The Song of the Sea’
Aimee Herman for ‘Everything Grows’
Paul Skenazy for ‘Temper CA’

Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award

Cheryl A. Head for ‘Judge Me When I’m Wrong’

Tee Corinne Award for Outstanding Cover Design

Judith Fellows for the cover of ‘Alone’

The Lee Lynch Classic Award

Sally Miller Gearhart

Trailblazer Award

Barbara Wilson Sjoholm for her mystery/crime books, short stories and general fiction novels.

The GCLS Board of Director’s Award goes to Carleen Spry

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

 

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

June 2020 Coronavirus Journal

06 Monday Jul 2020

Posted by marygriggs in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Coronavirus

Situation summary: June saw more than 800,000 new cases, bringing the total number of cases in the United States to more than 2.6 million.

June 1 – Louisiana is reporting 40,341 positive cases of COVID-19 today. Alabama reports 18,020 cases.

I went out to watch the sunrise from the end of the dock. Not many birds and, those that were flying, were too far away to capture with my camera. On the walk back, I took a picture of the day lilies mom planted 21 years ago and have reappeared every year since.

The Louisiana governor announced that Phase 2 will begin on June 5th. I’m not sure we can all Open Safely but the alternative is more and more know-nothings flaunting their non-compliance and we’ll all be in worse shape.

The New Orleans mayor announced that NOLA would not be moving into Phase 2.

June 3, 2020 – 1,842,080 cases in US with 105,852 deaths

My uncle and aunt stopped by with some shrimp they had picked up from a shrimper buddy of theirs. Made shrimp toulouse for lunch recipe here

Finished another puzzle. This one was part of a trade and was mailed from my friend in California. Maria has been doing some difficult puzzles but this one was not only a pretty picture but just the right level of challenge.

One of the organizations on whose board I serve (Independent Women’s Organization) put out a message in support of Black Lives Matter.

June 4 – Louisiana has 41,562 positive cases of Covid-19. Alabama has 18,766 positive cases.

Today was Michelle’s birthday. I mailed a card on Monday and she didn’t mention it so I think it hasn’t arrived. I’ve also been teasing her with the birthday gift I’ve ordered for her.

I imagine this pelican is singing the happy birthday song, very loudly and most definitely off key.

I decided I needed more sweet in my life, so I made these pecan joys with chocolate morsels, sweetened condensed milk, pecans and coconut. Yum. Recipe here.

June 5 – Cases in US are now at 1872,097 with 107,110 deaths. Louisiana is 41,989 cases with 2,801 deaths.

Louisiana begins Phase 2 reopening but New Orleans is staying at Phase 1.

They announced a Tropical Storm Watch for all of Southern Louisiana ahead of Cristobal making its way across the Gulf. The storm will cover all of the Gulf of Mexico by Sunday, so who knows how much wind/rains we’ll be getting.

June 6 – Louisiana has 42,486 cases with 2,814 deaths. Alabama has 19,709 with 685 deaths

I got up at 4:30 am and drove to New Orleans to storm proof my house. I took down the hanging plants, pulled in the glass tops to the tables and shelves, secured the porch plants and other outside items, grabbed my mail and got back on the road. I was back in Foley by noon, being chased by rain the entire way back.

I storm proofed Dad’s dock (securing the boat and all the loose items like crab traps, ladders, coolers, chairs, etc) and around the house. I think we’re ready for the tropical storm.

June 7 – today the Louisiana Department of Health reported 42,816 positive cases

Tropical storm Christobel had a surge, wind and rain bands (we got a total of 3 inches) but other than a very wet lawn, no damage. Here is a short video:

Christobel

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QQaYytVAc1X3GxDk9

June 8 – Alabama reported 20,590 cases with 714 deaths. Louisiana is reporting 43,050 cases

I drove dad to the Pensacola Naval Air Station Hospital for xrays and for him to get more pain pills. While sitting in the parking lot, I watched a lady with snow-white, short cut hair go in with the rolling gait of a hip replacement. She comes out later with a nurse pushing another older woman (short, snow-white hair) in a wheelchair.

They get into a minivan and I can’t help thinking they are long-term lesbian lovers, survivors of the post war purges and DADT. They were WAVES or WACS, perhaps. A patriotic love story just begging to be written.

I had a Forum board meeting in the evening. We discussed the national LGBTQ statement on Black Lives Matter and have decided to craft one for us.

June 9 – 1,952,442 cases in US with 109,507 dead

Neighbor came by to help with a leak in the roof after the storm. Found out the squirrels had been chewing up the lead protectors of the vent pipes and had given themselves access. He put on sleeves and I helped use flex tape to protect the places where they had dug into the roof. Hopefully that will fix things.

My Dad and I got into a conversation after he made a statement about All Lives Mattering and I asked him how he would have felt if the radiologist in the emergency room started x-raying his legs or ribs or even the other arm. All bones matter but we must focus where the pain is. Right now, with all the black victims of extrajudicial execution by police officers, is when Black Lives Matter.

June 10 – Louisiana had 44,030 cases with 2,855 deaths.

Neighbor came by with a repellent to heat up the squirrels feet. He started up the ladder, after waving me off, and then came tumbling down as he hadn’t locked it. He was a little bloody and scrapped up but nothing broken and still insisted on finishing the job on the roof. Such a good neighbor.

Ran to the credit union, cigarette store, bank and H&R Block. Deposited my stimulus check and dropped off my taxes to be done.

Had a FFE PAC board meeting

Placed amazon order for laser thermometer and extra long reach toilet paper wand for Dad.

June 11 – 2,012,500 cases in US with 112,200 dead

Took dad to the orthopedist. He has shattered his shoulder, not fractured his humurus The X-ray shows the multiple pieces of his shoulder:

They immediately scheduled surgery for Monday at 9am for a reverse total replacement. We then went to the preadmit clinic for him to have a COVID test, EKG, chest xray, blood and urine analysis.

Walgreens didn’t have his pain medications ready so I ran by Krystals and then took him home to eat, take a pill and nap.

Made puddin pops after dinner with homemade chocolate pudding and cool whip. Recipe here.

June 12 – 44,472 cases in Louisiana with 2,874 deaths. Alabama 22,474 cases with 750 dead

Made pizza for lunch, pretzels for happy hour. We are doing a socially distant happy hour now that my niece has made it down from DC with her sister, my sister and her husband with Mom, Dad and I staying at least 10 feet away.

Made sangria with the fruit I had in the house plus the remainder of a bottle of Lambrusco we had left over from dinner the other night. Recipe here.

Another organization on whose board I serve (Forum for Equality) has put out a statement supporting Black Live Matter.

June 13 – US cases are at 2,062,890 with 113,595 deaths

Went to fix a flat tire then to Kurpensky farm for sweet corn, Home Depot for charcoal and a farmers market for honey and tomatoes

Made a tomato pie with the heirloom tomatoes. Recipe here

Picked up meat that my brother-in-law smoked today – boston butt stuffed with sausage and wrapped in bacon.

June 14

Had a bit of an issue at lunch with my swallowing and hiatal hernia that meant I couldn’t get anything into my stomach. I regurgitated water and spit until my diaphragm finally relaxed around 5am. Not fun at all.

June 15 – Alabama cases 25892 with 769 deaths. Louisiana 47,172 with 2906 deaths

Took Dad to the hospital for shoulder surgery. Because of the Coronavirus, I dropped him at the main entrance with a suitcase – I wasn’t allowed in the building.

I ran several errands on my way home – got groceries, replaced the key fob batteries for my mom’s car at the Honda dealership, stopped by the post office, got gas and lunch at Arby’s, then got more charcoal and picked up my completed taxes.

Dad’s surgery was successful and finished before 3pm. The doctor says he should be released in the morning.

I was so pleased to see the Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ employment. The decision on Title VII was a critical win for equal rights and its a big fucking deal for people like me who like in Southern states and who have been fighting for employment non-discrimination laws for years (I’ve been fighting since 2009 in Louisiana with Forum for Equality).

June 16 – US cases 2,103,240 with 114,389 deaths

Picked up Dad a little after 3pm. He was groggy and compliant, so it made an easy trip home.

June 17 – Louisiana cases 48634 with 2950 deaths. Alabama 26914 cases with 784 deaths

Ran errands in the morning and then took Dad to physical therapy in the afternoon.

Cut dad’s toenails – he hasn’t been able to cut his own since his hip replacement.

June 18 – US has 1,177,951 cases with 116,587 deaths (more than WWI)

Started the day with my nieces doing a walk in the Weeks Bay Pitcher Plant Bog. There is nothing like walking among carnivorous plants to put things back into perspective.

Got ahold of my doctor and was able to get an urgent referral for a gastroenterologist to rescope my esophagus. I was able to get them to make an appointment for July 15th

The United States has been stuck at more than 20,000 new cases a day for nearly three months.

June 19 – US 2,209,604 cases with 117,275 deaths

Repotted plants, dad to pt, ran a bunch of errands

June 20 – US 2,242,081 with 117,819 deaths

Swept the screened in porch, farmers market, virtual IWO annual meeting. I was elected president of the organization.

US has 4% of global population. 27% (and rising) of global #COVID19 cases.

June 21 – Louisiana 49,778 with 2993 deaths. Alabama 29598 with 829 deaths

Grilled steak for Dad and then grilled pears for dessert. Grilled and Filled Pear recipe here.

Mom and I finished another puzzle. This one was super hard as the lavender was just a blur of purple.

June 22 – Worldwide 8,986,000 cases with 467,000 deaths. US 2,282,399 cases with 118,182 deaths

Home health nurse came to asses Dad. Took him to PT in the afternoon and I traded another puzzle and filled the car with gas.

June 23 – Louisiana 51,595 with 3021 deaths. Alabama 30,670 with 854 deaths

Fajitas for lunch. Started a new puzzle

The President of the United States has threatened anyone who destroys a statue with 10 years of prison time. My response – Statues are not history. Statues are mythology. Statues are hagiography. History is a discipline. It is a way of analyzing the past and using a critical examination of source material to present an explanation for causes and events. Tear them all down!

June 24 – Alabama has 31,624 cases while Louisiana has 52,447 cases.

Took dad to physical therapy, bought corn and peaches at the farm stand. Terrible rainstorm as I drove back to pick him up.

Today marks the 47th anniversary of the Up Stairs Lounge arson. The fire remains the deadliest in New Orleans history (32 victims) and, until the Pulse massacre in Orlando in 2016, was the deadliest crime against #LGBTQ folks in U.S. history.

June 25 – Louisiana has 53,415 cases with 3051 deaths. Alabama has 32,753 cases with 880 deaths

June 27 – 125,000 dead Americans and President Trump goes and plays golf today

Went to the farmers market for tomatoes

June 28 –  56,236 cases in Louisiana with 3086 deaths. More than 500000 people worldwide have died from the coronavirus.

Grilled chicken and sweet potatoes. Did the beer can up the butt method and managed to drop the chicken after I took it off the grill. Hot beer and a few grassy notes to the chicken but it still was darn tasty and super moist. Recipe here for Rosemary, Garlic, Sage Rubbed Grilled Chicken.

June 29 – 2,575,029 cases in US 124,289 deaths

Took dad to PT. I stayed outside as I just read that half of the new COVID-19 cases detected in recent weeks have been in adults under 35 and I didn’t want to be around anyone!

June 30 – The country is now seeing more than 40,000 new infections a day while the European Union, which has more people, is seeing fewer than 6,000. About half the new cases are coming from California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. Florida’s cases increased by 277 percent in the past two weeks; Texas’s by 184 percent, and Arizona’s by 145 percent. The national confirmed deaths are approaching 130,000 people.

Took dad to see the surgeon. He is healing well, incision looks good and his range of motion is coming back. This is what a total reverse shoulder replacement looks like:

We’re 160 days into the US pandemic and are averaging 16,500 cases per day and have lost the lives of more than 126,000 Americans. I have to wonder what the next month will bring in terms of loss and the national response.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Recent Posts

  • I’m on Team KCP for LA02!
  • Coronavirus Journal – January 2021
  • DWP – I Had Hope
  • Coronavirus Journal for December 2020
  • Coronavirus Journal for November 2020

Archives

  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • February 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • November 2009
  • September 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • August 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007

Twitter Updates

  • RT @CassRMorris: @whimsicalwriter Sometimes fanfic is a love letter to canon; sometimes it's a polite disagreement; sometimes it's 95 thing… 6 hours ago
  • I've updated my food blog with a #recipe for Chili Con Carne mouthbrothels.wordpress.com/2021/02/27/chi… via @wordpressdotcom 11 hours ago
  • Karen Carter Peterson could make Louisiana history with run for Congress #GeauxVote @TeamKCP thegrio.com/2021/02/26/kar… 18 hours ago
  • @LindaKocher3 Oh, yeah - mom is a big fan. 1 day ago
  • Exodus 32: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, b/c your people,@have become corrupt. They have been quick to tur… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 1 day ago
Follow @griggsme

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    %d bloggers like this: