Todays read was very interesting and novel. Novella, maybe. Your introduction may be some of the finest imagery work I have read. And I learned a new word. I read all of your offerings. It’s overwhelming and sad to acknowledge lonliness in many of it’s ways. I often feel lonliness in specific ways while not really loving a lonely life. I love theater, opera, live concerts. My partner who is an outdoorsman does not. Together, we attend important function when a family member is performing. But not much else. I love my life with him but feeding the live of these other things means I have to seek someone out who might want to attend, it not. And attending alone. Or worse, using the media to provide content that I enjoy so much in person. And I am grateful for that but just feel unsettled and discouraged with my reality.
Do you remember when people used to "go postal?" And granola was a way to label someone as a hippy. We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship...
I share your fear of a demise going unseen. There was even mention of this in my neighborhood newsletter, urging people to check on their neighbors. I just talked to the head of the community garden about caregiving, and where to leave important information if something were to happen. She also cares for someone who is mostly non-speaking. Are they trapped with us when that nebulous thing happens?
"The organization side has mostly been temporarily derailed, and despite my intentions, I may just be replicating chaos in the new system." <-- This describes my unpacking perfectly.
🚀🖋️ thanks for mentioning the story about Denise P. at Wells Fargo. I have a few circles of thought about that circumstance that keep returning to me. I hope it is not the end of that story.
I loved this format of fragments and vignettes, Amy! I’m on the last day of my trip and my posts for next week are on my mind. Your post about loneliness and isolation (among other things) connects with some experiences I’ve had this week with friendship and shame. I think it may lead to a post, I’ll tag you whenever it goes out.
Stamp - I mail at least one card a week, and if it's just one, it's to my son. He and I talked every Monday evening at 7 CST, and he always tells me what he would like for the week's card, and I draw it. If he's saved every one, he should have over 200 by now. Stamps are some of my favorite things. I love to send mail.
I really appreciated the "assemblage of fragments" here, Amy. Life is like that so often, at least for me. A thought or experience emerges, takes a little shape, then gives way to something else. Sure, there are times I get stuck, typically when I'm anxious and my mind runs in an endless loop of 'what ifs.' But more often its waves on the sand, one coming in and going out, followed by another. I like that you're allowing for these thoughts to develop further, for new details to emerge.
I loved learning about CQ / Seek You and browsed through the sample read on Amazon. I've never been especially attracted to graphic novels, but that one looks to be one I could enjoy (most are too busy for me; my brain spends too much energy trying to find the storyline amid all the images).
This is the second time in a week that a writer has called me to think about the implications of dying alone. It may, in fact, become a piece of its own for me - we'll see. I keep pondering the nuances of this expectation but haven't come to anything ready for public consumption, just a sense that there is more there than being afraid to die alone. Beyond the fear of the unknown, I think it comes down to connection, to knowing that we matter. And how do we ensure that those around us know they matter? Are there ways we can do that daily as well as more deeply, for friends and strangers? I feel sadness around your loneliness and want to believe the grief group is a good thing, but of course, I can't know if this is true. Loneliness is case sensitive.
I had not seen the Wells Fargo story. I don't take in a lot of news, or at least not through traditional channels.
I haven't sent any postcards, but I have sent cards and letters. Do those count?
I just signed up for a free, 5 day "event" called Quiet 15 which will focus on silence and the sacred. That feels like the right kind of challenge for me. Happy to share the link for anyone interested. I'm not personally associated -- found it through another Substack writer.
Granola, only I don't really eat it much anymore, I used to make big batches of it.
Todays read was very interesting and novel. Novella, maybe. Your introduction may be some of the finest imagery work I have read. And I learned a new word. I read all of your offerings. It’s overwhelming and sad to acknowledge lonliness in many of it’s ways. I often feel lonliness in specific ways while not really loving a lonely life. I love theater, opera, live concerts. My partner who is an outdoorsman does not. Together, we attend important function when a family member is performing. But not much else. I love my life with him but feeding the live of these other things means I have to seek someone out who might want to attend, it not. And attending alone. Or worse, using the media to provide content that I enjoy so much in person. And I am grateful for that but just feel unsettled and discouraged with my reality.
This is a stunning post, Amy. Thank you.
❤️Stamp. Apple butter. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Do you remember when people used to "go postal?" And granola was a way to label someone as a hippy. We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship...
I share your fear of a demise going unseen. There was even mention of this in my neighborhood newsletter, urging people to check on their neighbors. I just talked to the head of the community garden about caregiving, and where to leave important information if something were to happen. She also cares for someone who is mostly non-speaking. Are they trapped with us when that nebulous thing happens?
"The organization side has mostly been temporarily derailed, and despite my intentions, I may just be replicating chaos in the new system." <-- This describes my unpacking perfectly.
Rocket!!!
🚀🖋️ thanks for mentioning the story about Denise P. at Wells Fargo. I have a few circles of thought about that circumstance that keep returning to me. I hope it is not the end of that story.
Rocket, stamp, postal, ink, granola.
I value that Sunday hour of conversation & drawing sooo much. I am so glad to be a part of that circle. See you next week!
I loved this format of fragments and vignettes, Amy! I’m on the last day of my trip and my posts for next week are on my mind. Your post about loneliness and isolation (among other things) connects with some experiences I’ve had this week with friendship and shame. I think it may lead to a post, I’ll tag you whenever it goes out.
Stamp - I mail at least one card a week, and if it's just one, it's to my son. He and I talked every Monday evening at 7 CST, and he always tells me what he would like for the week's card, and I draw it. If he's saved every one, he should have over 200 by now. Stamps are some of my favorite things. I love to send mail.
I really appreciated the "assemblage of fragments" here, Amy. Life is like that so often, at least for me. A thought or experience emerges, takes a little shape, then gives way to something else. Sure, there are times I get stuck, typically when I'm anxious and my mind runs in an endless loop of 'what ifs.' But more often its waves on the sand, one coming in and going out, followed by another. I like that you're allowing for these thoughts to develop further, for new details to emerge.
I loved learning about CQ / Seek You and browsed through the sample read on Amazon. I've never been especially attracted to graphic novels, but that one looks to be one I could enjoy (most are too busy for me; my brain spends too much energy trying to find the storyline amid all the images).
This is the second time in a week that a writer has called me to think about the implications of dying alone. It may, in fact, become a piece of its own for me - we'll see. I keep pondering the nuances of this expectation but haven't come to anything ready for public consumption, just a sense that there is more there than being afraid to die alone. Beyond the fear of the unknown, I think it comes down to connection, to knowing that we matter. And how do we ensure that those around us know they matter? Are there ways we can do that daily as well as more deeply, for friends and strangers? I feel sadness around your loneliness and want to believe the grief group is a good thing, but of course, I can't know if this is true. Loneliness is case sensitive.
I had not seen the Wells Fargo story. I don't take in a lot of news, or at least not through traditional channels.
I haven't sent any postcards, but I have sent cards and letters. Do those count?
I just signed up for a free, 5 day "event" called Quiet 15 which will focus on silence and the sacred. That feels like the right kind of challenge for me. Happy to share the link for anyone interested. I'm not personally associated -- found it through another Substack writer.
Granola, only I don't really eat it much anymore, I used to make big batches of it.
💙