Pandemic Blues Review

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

 I could barely put this book down!

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2023

I was immediately drawn in to Kayla’s words and experiences. This book showed me I wasn’t alone in my pandemic blues, and Kayla was able to put words to many of the same thoughts and feeling I had. A great read, with engaging photos. Highly recommend!

Kate

October Silent Retreat

The drive went well despite Route 1 being washed out past Lucia. I went to Cafe Ivita for a feta spinach croissant and a mocha for breakfast, plus a muffuletta sandwich for a picnic lunch later. I stopped at Nepenthe for a pricey beer and poked around the Phoenix gift store.

The monk who registered me was very kind and complimented my earrings. I unpacked, made my altar, went for a walk around the loop, picked up supplies from the kitchen, and read my new book This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal Rl-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. 

I saw plenty of quail, and the crickets were so loud this evening that I thought someone was playing heavy metal music nearby. I ate Pringles and cheese for dinner, along with the other half of the mocha. My word at the moment is “excellent” and my intention on this retreat is a connect with the lunar eclipse in Libra, taking in balance, moderation, diplomacy, justice, and harmony.

The three cards from the Goddess Power Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid and three runes (from the Ralph Blum set) I pulled for my heart, my soul, and my mind for today were: Ma’at- Justice with Berkana - Birch; Skuld-Future with Sowelu, The Sun; and Freya- Radical Acceptance with Wunjo - Joy.

Day of the Dead

Tuesday

It was 112 degrees

As we sped through the valley

Calculating every minute

Before visiting hours were over

Intern

It took me a few times

To curl my tongue

Around your name

Encrypt

My minds script

Saying I meditate

Is like

Saying I exercise

Begs questions

What form

How often

What does it bring

I don't usually

Blurt out my story

As I sort

Plastic macro

Charismatic fauna

Into plastic bins

But when I saw your

Pearlescent fingernail polish

I knew I was safe

Clarifiers

 

What do I need

I don't know

It will come to me

Just like the crows

They act as if 

There's something 

I need as I compost

Camelias

Pulling the sour yellow

Oxalis bursting

Next year's deep 

Brown seed 

Pods

Lemon verbena

Always exuberant, sassy

I hear my mom's voice

Only retired people 

Spend their time 

Pruning the 

Geraniums 

Tiny daddy-long-legs on 

My knee, are you

Papa “Leg”-ba

Dad joke

He whispers

Don't give away the farm

 Go slow

Little turtle

Go slower

Welcome the Tower

Clean slate

See the

Stars

Pandemic Blues Review

Kaileigh O.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful, Heartfelt Journey from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2023
Kaileigh O.

Pandemic Blues is a heartfelt journey through the rollercoaster of emotions that was the COVID-19 pandemic. Kayla Garnet Rose captures the essence of those times with her beautiful collection of poetry, prose, letters, and photographs.

Reading this book felt like revisiting a period of lockdowns, long walks, and virtual friendships. It beautifully encapsulates the sense of isolation and the moments of connection we find in unexpected places, like chalk art and free libraries.

What I loved most about this book is how it resonates with the collective experience of living through such a tumultuous time - the impeachment, infections, and insurrections. Kayla Garnet Rose's words provide a sense of comfort, reminding us that we were not alone in our pandemic blues.

As a 27-year-old woman, I found solace in the pages of this book, knowing that others felt the same way I did during those challenging days. It's a poignant reminder of our shared humanity, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to reflect on the past and find hope for the future.

Modern Hue Tarot

Here's my reading from the last New Moon. I used the Modern Hue Tarot, a brand new deck for me, which is the Rider-Waite deck redone in watercolor. It is a softer deck, in terms of the colors and artwork, and has more of a dreamy quality. For clarifiers, I pulled from the mini Medicine Cards. 

My three intentions were to focus on publishing my next books, my health (high blood pressure), and to release the last six months (sister-in-law's death, father-in-law dying, three other deaths).

1. Change This - Ace of Cups (Happiness, New Emotional Beginnings), reversed. Dog (Loyalty, Integrity, being true to yourself), reversed.

A reminder that with all these planets in Aries that it's ok to put myself first.

2. Unravel This - Nine of Pentacles (Abundance), reversed. Elk (Persistence, Support Health & Stamina, Endure)

I did a cord-cutting ritual I'll share if anyone is interested, as far as unraveling goes...

3. Light This Up - The Star (Shine), Owl (Outsmart Deception, Intuition, Trust First Impressions). 

Funny, I realize this was the card I held up during my tarot salon session, so I guess it did light me up. 😊

4. Be Like This - King of Swords (Intellectual power and authority), Spider (Weave your dreams alive)

Be the master of my mind.

5. Mama Moon Says - Seven of Pentacles (Appraisal), reversed; Tower (Destruction of Negative Beliefs), reversed; Porcupine (Trust your process, Honor Connection, Have Faith)

It's okay to be spiny, I have good (organic) boundaries

Blessed be,

I am the garden. And also the gardener. -Eve Drecker