Helen Dotson’s Reviews > The Handmaid’s Tale > Status Update
Helen Dotson
is on page 291 of 311
Sun 020126 - 36 ORD Living Room on Spice Chair w/Buzz snuggled on my lap - Larry’s napping on the couch. I had a nice breakfast visit w/Merijha at The Blue Spoon Again & she gave me a beautiful light green sweater w/flowers on it for my birthday & treated me to breakfast. Ethan FaceTimed us from his Chicago apartment to catch up while he ate a late breakfast, second semester at Loyola is going well. Happy Sunday!
— Feb 01, 2026 02:13PM
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Helen Dotson
is on page 295 of 311
Sun 020126 - 36 ORD Living Room - All I have left to read now are the Historical Notes, what a book! I could not look away from the horrible things happening in this book even though it is so frightening! I’m definitely going to check more of her works. This one was riveting & I’m thankful I finally made time to read it.
— Feb 01, 2026 02:25PM
Helen Dotson
is on page 277 of 311
Sat 013126 - 36 ORD - Finishing this before Monday is within reach. It’s so well written. I got my walk done, double what I’ve been doing at 20 minutes so a great way to end January on a very high note. Although I tried a new cooldown afterwards that was NOT a good idea & it made me woozy so I had to rest afterwards. Oh well. Continuing with rest for the rest of the evening, perhaps another movie.
— Jan 31, 2026 04:42PM
Helen Dotson
is on page 229 of 311
Sat 013126 - 36 ORD - Having a very relaxing Saturday. We enjoyed watching a movie just for fun this morning, Nonna’s. Very sweet & endearing, brought me to tears several times. I enjoyed reading more of this very troubling narrative that ‘s so thought provoking. Women are NOT meant to merely bear children, we are so much more! Time to eat lunch & get my treadmill walk in. That’s helped me so much this month.
— Jan 31, 2026 11:15AM
Helen Dotson
is on page 212 of 311
Sat 013126 - 36 ORD - I anticipate finishing this over this weekend. I was thinking about watching a few episodes of this w/Alli late at night over a weekend back in 2020 during the pandemic & how uncertain & scary that time was in the world. That’s where that memory sits for me. And now I am thinking about how horrifying our America has become w/many freedoms being challenged. We must rally against that w/truth.
— Jan 31, 2026 08:10AM
Helen Dotson
is on page 191 of 311
Sat 013126 - 36 ORD Cozy Green Couch w/Buzz - Happy Saturday!! Larry & I are enjoying a relaxing weekend. The wintry weather continues & it was snowing again last night. The Carolinas are being slammed w/snow. I’m feeling so much better now than I was at the beginning of the year. My sleeping, morning, & reading routines have restored good energy & optimism to my life, grateful for progress & feeling renewed.
— Jan 31, 2026 07:30AM
Helen Dotson
is on page 183 of 311
Fri 013026 - 36 ORD - I enjoyed reading another chapter first thing this morning in bed before getting up because I COULD. This book is riveting & OMG horrifying w/what is happening. It’s neat Alli & I are reading this at the same time. I’m happy w/how well I’ve done this month w/establishing a much healthier sleeping & morning routine that fuels my day & has helped me feel so much better now. Feeling super!!
— Jan 30, 2026 04:54AM
Helen Dotson
is on page 171 of 311
Thurs 012926 - 36 ORD - I read one short chapter this morning before getting up & it’s just shy of 6 am. I remember some sabbatical mornings I started my day w/reading because I COULD, & today I did that too. I missed reading last night before bed as I stayed on the couch till quite late w/Stitch nestled on me. I think it made it harder for me to wind my mind down last night, I missed it! It was too late though.
— Jan 29, 2026 04:00AM
Helen Dotson
is on page 164 of 311
Weds 012826 - 36 ORD - I’ve been enjoying reading at bedtime after I’m ready for bed as part of my bedtime ritual in the new year particularly on weekdays. I still have enough energy to do it & it helps me be ready to fall right to sleep afterwards. This is a very interesting & horribly troubling book. Love the main character. It was a much better workday yesterday & I relaxed all evening due to a headache.
— Jan 28, 2026 03:47AM
Helen Dotson
is on page 144 of 311
Tues 012726 - 36 ORD - it was a long day yesterday. The temps have been so cold. Many people canceled their travels due to the heavy storms. I thought I’d have more of a “catch up day” with fewer meetings but it didn’t work out that way. I’m focused on doing my best & trying to put in place the best daily rhythms to feel my best and execute to the best of my ability while still having a life outside work.
— Jan 27, 2026 03:40AM
Helen Dotson
is on page 134 of 311
Mon 012626 - 36 ORD - Neat date - 26th of 2026! I read more right before bed. This story is hard to read yet also draws me right in to want to know what’s happening & why. Our country is in such turmoil right now & that’s also drawing our attention. What’s happening in Minneapolis is SO WRONG! The snow finally stopped falling. Happy to work from home this week. We watched Notting Hill last night to relax.
— Jan 26, 2026 04:14AM
