Big round tables, endless personal galleries of inspiration, Gertrude Stein's salon, panel practice and the search for the right palette, resilience, and more.
Speaking of Tom Lake, I had this on my TBR list as soon as I read a synopsis. Then Barnes and Noble put it as their book club book, so it seemed like a sure winner. I really loved The Dutch House. I get an email from a book group, and from them I !*won*! a copy of Tom Lake (and None of This is True) after I wrote a book review on their website. I missed the email telling me I won, so when the package arrived, I was extra surprised! How many times have I entered a drawing for a book? Too many to count.
I also do not enjoy the dog-eat-dog it takes to rise to the top. I don’t want to do it or watch it happen. I like to think that I include a much as possible--but do feel the overwhelm. My mantra in almost all things has always been “variety is the spice of life” but there’s comfort in routine too! I am always trying to balance it out.
It is a balance. Of course I want to include all the people and the diversity they bring. At the same time, change and large groups make me very anxious.
I hear you. And I really don’t want to literally be at a large table either -- but I do like to appreciate “it all” and not have others suggest only a handful are worth valuing.... which is what I was thinking about. The table doesn’t work very well since I would be pretty unlikely to show up to a table!!
Congrats on the book win! That’s exciting! It’s the Reece pick, too. When I saw that, I knew I should have already placed the hold. Lol. I agree about overwhelm and my own efforts to streamline and simplify life are at odds with embracing and being open to “so much” -- being open but mindful I guess is the guiding thread.
Blueberry lighthouse! I went to a book store because what I wanted at the library was not immediately available (I'm so impatient!) And mostly because I want to write in my books! I bought a few recommended short story anthologies so I could tuck into (and finish) a story now and then! As for the table, I was a kid that was comfortable finding a seat at most tables. I remember specifically model UN in high school where there was a world cafe style conversation happening in one big room; we were encouraged to go to different thematic tables, introduce ourselves and engage in the discussion. I like to think of the communities that I frequent now (mostly on Substack thanks to your introduction!; Instagram has really gotten me down with all of the performative posts and the incessant art challenges). Here at Substack, I have found a bunch of tables to sit at, engage, learn, connect, and play. Where there is good facilitation and intention/action to create community.
I am really glad you are finding good and nurturing + inspiring communities -- I do moving around in multiple communities helps keep us diversified in some important way. Blueberry lighthouse is a great response. Which short stories collection are you most excited about?
As usual, reading your Sunday posts makes me wish it was a conversation over coffee. I always resonate with your words, and think yes, I see you, me too.
When I was in art school, my classmates and I used to frequently joke about the need to photograph or paint each other, so that when we got famous, people would see our connection in our work.
Good morning Amy. I’m #272 of 44 copies for the audio of Tom Lake. Had no idea Meryl Streep was the reader. Whoopie! (So enjoy Tom Hanks reading The Dutch House!) Very sweet story of your walk in the sand with M. He acted as your cheerleader, no doubt. You eventually gained footing and voila!
It’s a simple paper toy. Videos will show you. Put fingers in the pockets and you open and close the device as you count off letters in a selected color (or whatever is shown in the outer panels), and then the number selected, and then choose from the numbers shown and lift to reveal the fortune underneath.
I love the buttons that turn on the lights at the lighthouse!
Your whole piece spoke to me. I grew up with and truly believe in the biblical version of there is always room at the table (and yet - I do not want to sit at a crowded table! Too overwhelming!). And Seattle has it’s own tale of Stein, who I’ve always found fascinating. Even the story of climbing the hill up from the beach resonated.
Of all of this, these lines are what spoke the loudest: “All I know to do is to say out loud again and again and again that there is beauty in the mix. That the loudest bird or the one with the widest wingspan doesn’t necessarily sing the only song you need to hear.” To this I say yes and yes and yes again!!
PS - while I am a bit behind, I am still plugging away at illustrating my week. It has not fallen by the wayside.
Thank you so much for picking up those last lines! I really appreciate that - and knowing they had resonance. I'm glad you are still working on your journal. You've had such amazing adventures.... so many wonderful options for recording! I can't wait to see what makes it to the page. I hope the week ahead is good.
Blueberry. I appreciate your perseverance as I do enjoy hearing your musings and the resonance.
"There’s always room at the table" is a phrase I have used, even recently. I feel the "salon" model is what works. It’s what the internet and the different people/groups I follow feel like. A stationary place that we all visit; the members ebbing and flowing as life and interests direct us, room to shuffle about in our smaller groups, space to gaze out at what everyone else is doing. You can even eavesdrop on a conversation and mull it over or tag along to another salon to see what it is all about.
Blueberry scone with a spritz of lighthouse (finished a library ebook this week). Great post and so true. I’m always falling into different 🕳️ internet rabbit holes as evidenced by my open tabs.
Lighthouse! Or would that be lighthouses? Maybe a small community of revolving lighthouses. In different colors because the topic is always changing.
Yes! I like that ... revolving and in color.... constant beacons of light and inspiration. Nice! Thanks for commenting.
Lighthouse
Speaking of Tom Lake, I had this on my TBR list as soon as I read a synopsis. Then Barnes and Noble put it as their book club book, so it seemed like a sure winner. I really loved The Dutch House. I get an email from a book group, and from them I !*won*! a copy of Tom Lake (and None of This is True) after I wrote a book review on their website. I missed the email telling me I won, so when the package arrived, I was extra surprised! How many times have I entered a drawing for a book? Too many to count.
I also do not enjoy the dog-eat-dog it takes to rise to the top. I don’t want to do it or watch it happen. I like to think that I include a much as possible--but do feel the overwhelm. My mantra in almost all things has always been “variety is the spice of life” but there’s comfort in routine too! I am always trying to balance it out.
It is a balance. Of course I want to include all the people and the diversity they bring. At the same time, change and large groups make me very anxious.
I hear you. And I really don’t want to literally be at a large table either -- but I do like to appreciate “it all” and not have others suggest only a handful are worth valuing.... which is what I was thinking about. The table doesn’t work very well since I would be pretty unlikely to show up to a table!!
Congrats on the book win! That’s exciting! It’s the Reece pick, too. When I saw that, I knew I should have already placed the hold. Lol. I agree about overwhelm and my own efforts to streamline and simplify life are at odds with embracing and being open to “so much” -- being open but mindful I guess is the guiding thread.
Blueberry lighthouse! I went to a book store because what I wanted at the library was not immediately available (I'm so impatient!) And mostly because I want to write in my books! I bought a few recommended short story anthologies so I could tuck into (and finish) a story now and then! As for the table, I was a kid that was comfortable finding a seat at most tables. I remember specifically model UN in high school where there was a world cafe style conversation happening in one big room; we were encouraged to go to different thematic tables, introduce ourselves and engage in the discussion. I like to think of the communities that I frequent now (mostly on Substack thanks to your introduction!; Instagram has really gotten me down with all of the performative posts and the incessant art challenges). Here at Substack, I have found a bunch of tables to sit at, engage, learn, connect, and play. Where there is good facilitation and intention/action to create community.
...I like to think of the communities that I frequent now as akin to world cafe style conversation... (didn't finish my thought ⬆️)
I am really glad you are finding good and nurturing + inspiring communities -- I do moving around in multiple communities helps keep us diversified in some important way. Blueberry lighthouse is a great response. Which short stories collection are you most excited about?
Go to the lighthouse
Inspire, enrich, explore
Friends, circle around.
As usual, reading your Sunday posts makes me wish it was a conversation over coffee. I always resonate with your words, and think yes, I see you, me too.
When I was in art school, my classmates and I used to frequently joke about the need to photograph or paint each other, so that when we got famous, people would see our connection in our work.
I smiled this morning when I saw the haiku come through! Excellent. We could have coffee -- and thank you. I’m glad we got to draw today at least!
Good morning Amy. I’m #272 of 44 copies for the audio of Tom Lake. Had no idea Meryl Streep was the reader. Whoopie! (So enjoy Tom Hanks reading The Dutch House!) Very sweet story of your walk in the sand with M. He acted as your cheerleader, no doubt. You eventually gained footing and voila!
Glad you are in the hold queue! Not sure how much cheerleading was happening. Lol. Good thing I made it up. Hah!
😁. Every time I see fortune teller I’m thinking of the lady with a crystal ball. 😂. I think I saw a couple of people had
made these things, not really sure how or how they work. I may have to check YouTube 😁
It’s a simple paper toy. Videos will show you. Put fingers in the pockets and you open and close the device as you count off letters in a selected color (or whatever is shown in the outer panels), and then the number selected, and then choose from the numbers shown and lift to reveal the fortune underneath.
But a crystal ball works. There are all kinds of “fortune tellers” -- as a prompt it was open ended for that very reason.
Lighthouse!
Excellent :)
Lighthouse! And Tom Lake is my pick for my bookclub’s 2024 list.
At least by 2024 it will be more available. Lol!
I love the buttons that turn on the lights at the lighthouse!
Your whole piece spoke to me. I grew up with and truly believe in the biblical version of there is always room at the table (and yet - I do not want to sit at a crowded table! Too overwhelming!). And Seattle has it’s own tale of Stein, who I’ve always found fascinating. Even the story of climbing the hill up from the beach resonated.
Of all of this, these lines are what spoke the loudest: “All I know to do is to say out loud again and again and again that there is beauty in the mix. That the loudest bird or the one with the widest wingspan doesn’t necessarily sing the only song you need to hear.” To this I say yes and yes and yes again!!
PS - while I am a bit behind, I am still plugging away at illustrating my week. It has not fallen by the wayside.
Thank you so much for picking up those last lines! I really appreciate that - and knowing they had resonance. I'm glad you are still working on your journal. You've had such amazing adventures.... so many wonderful options for recording! I can't wait to see what makes it to the page. I hope the week ahead is good.
Blueberry. I appreciate your perseverance as I do enjoy hearing your musings and the resonance.
"There’s always room at the table" is a phrase I have used, even recently. I feel the "salon" model is what works. It’s what the internet and the different people/groups I follow feel like. A stationary place that we all visit; the members ebbing and flowing as life and interests direct us, room to shuffle about in our smaller groups, space to gaze out at what everyone else is doing. You can even eavesdrop on a conversation and mull it over or tag along to another salon to see what it is all about.
Yes! I love this description of an open and free-flowing system where we move in and about and around, free to explore, inspire, and be inspired!
Blueberry scone with a spritz of lighthouse (finished a library ebook this week). Great post and so true. I’m always falling into different 🕳️ internet rabbit holes as evidenced by my open tabs.