Reading is Good.

"If you're like us, you're spending quite a lot of your time alone in your home or office. Reading is a fine activity to engage in. Monique, in fact, is an inveterate reader. When you're NOT reading, we hope you enjoy the Photosensualis images coming your way in our activity feed. Thank you all so much for your continued support and enthusiasm for our work. We wish you all good health in these troubling times."

^ I opened my email to this beautiful memory, posted by my dear friends, Photosensualis. The memory is so sweet, and the message is so good, I couldn't not repost. I can't thank you all enough for your continued support through these strange times, and I hope you are all staying healthy and sane.

Photosensualis hit the mark when they highlighted reading as one of my favorite activities. However, during this quarantine, I've had so little time, now that I write for the newspaper. Our weekly paper has turned into an hourly paper with how rapidly things are developing. As overwhelming as it is, I am so grateful to be heavily employed, and able to work from home. If this had happened last year, while I was still modeling full time, I would be financially devastated. I am certainly counting my blessings.

I was tipped off that our governor will likely be mandating a statewide lock-in, meaning we are not allowed to leave our houses except for groceries or medical emergencies. I welcome this as a restorative and introspective period.

I only wish that ALL states in the U.S. would mandate this, so we can stop the needless spread of this virus to high risk persons. My biggest concern is for my mother, who works in a grocery store down in Virginia, where they have shown zero reaction, and have implemented no policies in response to COVID-19. If you could think a warm thought for my mama (and my younger siblings) that would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Aside from typing my life away for the newspaper, I do plan on spending my quarantine doing lots of yoga (my local studio is graciously posting free classes online), going for walks,  making art, writing poetry, and READING!!

How are you spending your time away from society? If you're reading, what are you reading?

Have hope, friends. XO.