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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
😁. 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 😁
Lighthouse!
Lighthouse! And Tom Lake is my pick for my bookclub’s 2024 list.
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.
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.