My Virtual Reading Room

Interpreting COVID Findings: Avoid These Dangerous Mistakes, by F. Perry Wilson on Medscape

Why we might not get a coronavirus vaccine, a well-thought-out article from The Guardian (thanks to lindahoyland for the link!)

A Quick Summary of the COVID-19 Literature So Far, from Medscape

Cats observing social distancing, from The Philippine Star, on Twitter

“Where is all the toilet paper going? Charmin and other manufacturers say they are producing 24/7. I haven't been able to buy any since March 6. I realize this is not the No. 1 problem we face, but I'm still curious as to how so much could be produced and not show up on grocery shelves.” —Eileen in Minnesota
( The answer, from The Washington Post )

Prince Charles wants furloughed workers to pick berries. Farmers wonder if Brits are up to the task., from The Washington Post

("Pick for Britain! We want pickers who are stickers!")

Virginia hotel uses empty rooms to illuminate messages of hope for commuters

And this cafe at a Japan zoo uses stuffed capybaras to enforce social distancing (here's another photo)

And on a more serious note, Studies find huge benefit from life-saving social distancing policies, despite economic pain

("The calculation — known as Value of a Statistical Life or VSL — is the amount people are willing to spend to cut risk enough to save one life. The VSL at most federal agencies, developed over several decades, is about $10 million. If a new regulation is estimated to avoid one death a year, it can cost up to $10 million and still make economic sense.")

"Face Toward the Spring," by Faith Baldwin--I'd written about it here, back in July, wondering who was right--the reviewer who gave it one star, or the reviewer who gave it five ;)

Bought the book last autumn, finished reading it last week. As I suspected, the truth is somewhere in between--I can't say I cared all that much for the book--many of the stories had been written for, and published in, "The Christian Herald" magazine, which, of course, colors the book. So yes, it's a bit preachy. Besides, it's the author's first non-fiction book, so that is another reason I think it's not as good as "Evening Star". It had a few good passages; as you probably saw, I quoted one the other day, over here

Anyway, it was good enough to finish reading, and inexpensive, and it'll go to The Little Free Library ;)

As a side note, there was a passage in the book which made me grateful for the times having changed...

My wishlist from holiday_wishes
~~( Here's the list: )

Not read any of his work myself before, but perhaps some of you might like to check it out
~~

BLACK FRIDAY GIVEAWAY. Today only, until midnight. These twelve New Sherlock Holmes Mysteries will be available for free download on Amazon Kindle regardless of what country you live in. Just enter “Craig Stephen Copland New Sherlock Holmes” in the Amazon search bar and all my stories should appear, including the 12 that are free today.
Download now and enjoy. All the best for the season, CSC.

~~

Sharing this on behalf of my good friend, Linda Hoyland. She is adopting a cute little ginger and white kitten from Greece, from the cat rescue called "God's Little People". Filipos Apollo is scheduled to travel on November 15th, only a month away.

Please see the post below for details and ways to help; also, if you cannot help financially, please do spread the word, here and/or on Facebook! I know Linda and the cat rescue would be very grateful.
~~~
Originally posted by lindahoyland at Filipos Apollo

5 Things You Should Bring to a Total Solar Eclipse, from Science Alert

How To Tell if Your Eclipse Glasses or Solar Viewers are Safe

Came across this site the other day (ad popped up); it seems to have good reviews.

Would you buy one? If so, which saying?

https://www.mantraband.com/collections

Here's one of those I like:

Originally posted by thnidu at Amazon "best-sellers" aren't--many thanks!

Something regarding Christmas shopping...;)
~~

"The toy shop in Diagon Alley was open late on Christmas Eve and doing a booming trade. Snape pushed past the simpering fairy dolls singing in annoyingly high voices (accessories sold separately) and the tiny gruesome figures who shrieked in agony as they transformed into werewolves, complete with drooling fangs.

"Brilliant," a breathless child said, nose pressed against the glass case leaving a greasy smear. Beside him a harried clerk was dealing with a customer.

"No, madam, we don't stock the self drumming kits any more. Because of the curses from the parents of children who received them, madam. Last year I spent most of January with a drumstick jammed in each ear."

(from a HP fanfic, "Mine" by Gillian Middleton)
~~
...the image is amusing, is it not? Poor clerk!

Another Christmas Carol: A Yuletide Fable

Book's description:

"Charles Dickens left us with the notion that Ebenezer Scrooge was "better than his word and became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old city knew."

Another Christmas Carol, by author Lee E. Woodard, picks up where Dickens left off. This story chronicles the life and times of Scrooge from the point of his reclamation throughout the balance of his life.

As the trials and tribulations of everyday life in Victorian London come alive, Woodard's continuing story highlights Scrooge's interaction with the Cratchit family and the other wonderful characters Dickens created.

As Scrooge attempts to spread his newfound happiness, he is forced to deal with painful parts of his past and must once again connect with the spirit world to fulfill his destiny.

What was true in Dickens' original classic work is true yet again. Relive the joy of the familiar characters as they grow up, grow old, and live out their lives."
~~~

Have a look via the Look Inside feature, folks--what d'you think? I must say I'm not terribly impressed...

Costco selling Christmas trees in July has people asking "Why"?

...in the barbecue aisle, no less! :P

...then you might want to check out these two shops:

Starcats on storenvy

and

StarfireSundries on Etsy

Both of these are run by the same gentleman. Please spread the word if you know anyone who might be interested!

P.S. There are also some Lovecraft-themed and Sherlock Holmes-themed items!

...Hmm, what d'ya reckon, folks, shall I ask for one for myself? ;)) (or, better yet, purchase one for my mother?)

Amazon launches store to sell 3-D printed products

As with everything we sell, there is a back-story to be told. In this case, the now-defunct Baker Street Emporium commissioned a limited edition bottling of a fine claret, the same red wine that Sherlock Holmes enjoyed.

Claret is the name used in England for various red wines from France, and clarets are specifically mentioned three times in the Sherlock Holmes canon. At the end of the Adventure of the Dying Detective, for example, Holmes has a glass of claret with some biscuits, declaring “I never needed it more.”

Etsy, sadly, prohibits the selling of alcohol. But, we thought, why not offer the container because the bottle is really the collectible. And so you have the opportunity to acquire, well, an empty wine bottle. But not just any empty wine bottle!

The label bears the profile of Sherlock with his calabash swirling smoke, as well as his signature in gold. Each 750ml bottle, though empty, is as-new with the commemorative Sherlock Holmes label in perfect condition. The cork has been sealed with red wax and embossed with the profile of Sherlock Holmes. Each bottle also wears a neck card with the three quotations about claret from the Holmes tales.

Your bottle is lovingly packed and shipped via Priority Mail with insurance. Put this collectible on display and create your own mystery about why it’s empty….but still corked. Or, tee-hee, you could fill it with cheap plonk and serve it to your Sherlockian friends!

Source:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/108343991/sherlock-holmes-wine-bottle?ref=sr_gallery_42&ga_search_query=sherlock+holmes&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=7&ga_search_type=all

With 16 colour photographs, and special pages for your personal details, daily/weekly appointments, and general notes, this 140-page 2013 weekly planner is perfect for fans and admirers of the talented British actor that was Jeremy Brett.

The photos present some of the most well-loved of Jeremy's performances, in such productions as "An Ideal Husband", "Dracula", "Rebecca", and "Sherlock Holmes", to name but a few.

The planner was created with The Krasnodog Animal Shelter, located in the city of Krasnodar, Russia. Founded in 2003, the shelter looks after and finds new homes for sick, injured, and unwanted cats and dogs.
It receives no government funding.

€5 from every sale shall be donated to the shelter.

www.amazon.com/Leh%C3%A1r-Merry-Widow-Cuvillier-Kerker/dp/B000SZEQ52/ref=wl_it_dp_o

(you can listen to samples)

Look what I found on Amazon...hee hee ;)
**