March 2020 – Page 2 – Sonja Danielson

A Little Inspiration For You

This quarantining related to COVID-19 is changing day-by-day and keeping us from roaming around the world. It’s hard to stay at home when you want to sit in a crowd and people watch.

I’ve participated in three Tough Mudders and really appreciated this paragraph in a recent email:

“This is a time that Tough Mudder values ring more true than ever – the only way to defeat this pandemic is by working together – and Mudders know how to do that better than anyone else. In this strange time, in many ways, we have an opportunity to be even more connected.”

I’ve noticed this connection when I am out walking Guinness the Therapy Dog. Neighbors wave at each other and say hello, which didn’t often happen before the quarantine.

I hope this neighborly feeling will extend to the grocery stores, etc. next. There are so many instances that make me feel afraid of what the ‘other guy’ is going to do.

Keep your head up and watch out for your neighbors! Sonja

This Week’s Question

Who is your favorite Disney character?

Can I just point out how fabulous this photo is???

Back to the question-

I like Sleeping Beauty because she seems sensible, likes the outdoors, and dances with Prince Philip–and Wall-E because, well, Wall-E.

Enjoy your day. Sonja

It’s the First Day of Spring!

Today is also called the vernal equinox. That means that the hours of sunlight equal the hours of nighttime.

The amount of sunlight increases consistently until the longest day of the year-Summer Solstice. Then the hours of daylight slowly decrease until they equal the night hours at the autumnal equinox.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox happens every year on March 20th or 21st. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, it falls on September 22nd or 23rd.

Enjoy the run-up to summer! Sonja

Never Stop Playing

It’s the Day to Wear Green!

It’s because of massive emigration to the United States that the “wearing of the green”, dying drinks green, and shamrocks (the national plant of Ireland) became synonymous with all things Irish.

Prior to that, Saint Patrick was associated with the color blue. But Ireland has celebrated his date of death for more than one thousand years.

Saint Patrick was born in Britain under Roman rule. He was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave when he was sixteen years old. He escaped that situation but returned to Ireland in 432 AD to convert the masses to Christianity.

Saint Patrick died on March 17, 461 AD after establishing monasteries, churches, and schools.

In Ireland, March 17th is typically a day of morning church services and afternoon feasting. This day falls within the season of Lent, but the prohibition on meat is lifted and the traditional Irish meal of Irish bacon and cabbage usually grace the table.

Today, more than one hundred cities host parades in honor of Saint Patrick. In New York City, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is watched by almost three million people. The parade typically takes more than five hours to travel the 1.5 miles. Chicago dyes its river green. Most of the population of the U.S. wears a bit of green, delivers pinches to those who don’t, and claim Irish descent-warranted or not.

Erin go Bragh-Éire go Brách-Ireland until the end of time! Sonja

It’s Guinness’s Birthday!

Guinness the Therapy Dog turns four years old today! What a big boy!

Because of COVID-19, his therapy visits have ended–just for a short time. He misses all the kids at the shelter and at the library, so I read his book to him.

Did you see the weekend’s special pricing? Lots of people took advantage of the ‘free book weekend’ for the Fairies of Carlow series.

I hope you were able to download your copy.

Enjoy the books, and I hopy you send Guinness some birthday wishes! Sonja

This Week’s Question

If you had to switch professions tomorrow and could do anything you wanted, what would you choose?

I would probably choose archaeology. Not of Egyptian culture, as is so prevalent, but of medieval European culture–mainly England and Scotland. Maybe a bit of Ireland, too.

I used to watch a British show that followed archaeologists around Britain. It was fascinating! I love how they could pick up a shard from a plate or a jug and know the provenance.

After watching this for a while (and feeling jealous!) I decided I didn’t need to be an actual archaeologist to learn the history. And that’s what I wanted: to know history.

Not just dates, but how people lived from day-to-day. That’s where the magic is for me.

That may be why I write stories set in the Middle Ages in my alternate life. I like people to get along so I write romances, stories that tell of the daily events that lead up to love. It’s more fun that they are wearing gowns and tunics!

Let me know what you think! Sonja

A Cancellation and Sadness

Due to too many authors canceling their appearances at the Tucson Festival of Books, because of COVID-19, the festival has been canceled.

I know. I’m sad, too.

But, here’s the silver lining:

I will continue to offer my new books at a price cut! YAY!!!

Just go to Amazon.com and search for my name, or use the links in the left margin of this website to access the special pricing.

Please leave a review and let me know what you think of the books.

I’ll pass on your message to Guinness! Sonja

This Week’s Inspiration

My Second Cover Reveal!!!

Yes, that’s Book 2 of the Guinness the Therapy Dog series. Entitled ‘Guinness Goes to the Library’, this book tells about Guinness’s adventures when he takes part in the Read-to-a-Dog program at the public library.

He likes to listen to the younger kids read books to him, especially when they show him the pictures. In this book, Guinness reveals one of his special powers: he can see colors! Most dogs only see black and white, but he can see all the colors of the rainbow.

I hope you enjoy reading about Guinness’s adventures. Sonja