Thanks Suzanne, your response to Jane's great questions inspire me to do and be better. I love that one of your intentions for the year is to notice when grace is tapping you on the shoulder. It is also my desire to live that way every day, in a state of allowing and surrender. This is a work in progress!
Being from Canada my childhood was heavily influenced by Anne of Green Gables, she was an adventurer who overcame a great deal to thrive. So good! Charlotte's Web and Judy Blume's work also held prominence, as did the Archie comics I got to read while waiting for my piano lesson, which was a good thing because the piano teacher was quite grumpy!
I agree, Jane's questions are so smart, Donna! I love, too, that they bring the readers to reflect on the answers. A sly double agenda! It's funny how I have only recently become sensitive to grace. Figuring out what is a gift in disguise, etc. Maybe it's a time of life thing after I've dodged so many bullets. Happy New Year! Long live Archie!
Charlotte's Web is just way too sad for me to read again. That book hit me so hard! It's probably why I let spiders share my (our!) home! I did reread Stuart Little about ten years ago and what I most remember about it is thinking that it's super weird. I can't quite remember why. I just remember wondering if I thought the book was that weird when I was a kid!! And I don't recall The Trumpet of the Swan at all. Perhaps I never read it. If it's not insanely sad (why are so many children's books involving animals insanely sad), perhaps I'll read it!! Let me know how you fare if you reread the trilogy!
I know, Charlotte's Web was SO sad which is why I may have gravitated towards it. Some sort of guidance lay within, about how to cope with loss. I grew up around what felt like a lot of death (lots of older relatives and family friends struggling with terminal illness) so the reading experience felt soothing! Stuart Little WAS weird. It wasn't on repeat as much as the other two, but now I want to revisit to identify the weirdness. I'm always surprised The Trumpet of the Swan wasn't more popular, about a swan named Louis who lived in Boston. He lost his ability to communicate, which is problematic for a swan. It's a funny novel for so many reasons that ultimately has to do with losing your voice and finding a workaround to get it back.
"Do no harm. Try to help." These have been part of my baggage on this long trip of life, the first part inspired by "First, do no harm" attributed to the Hippocratic oath taken by physicians early in their training. I trained 3rd-year residents in family medicine at one time in my career and have been part of the larger medical community for a long time. The second part of trying to help was reignited by Larry Mellon in Haiti whom I visited a couple of times there to see his work where he built Hopital Albert Schweitzer. Larry dedicated the hospital to Schweitzer because of his mantra, "Help life where you find it." For all of us who want to share more kindness, compassion, and caring in 2024, these are the gold standard. Thanks, Suzanne, and thanks Jane for a great start to another year.
As always, Gary, I so appreciate your thoughts and insight. I do my best to live by "do no harm." I think those words nearly every day. Of course, it's impossible. For one thing, with every step I take, I'm smooshing something. Nevertheless, it is one of my compasses. I like adding on "help life where you find it!" The perfect partner! What a fascinating life you've had, Gary. Happy New Year! Happy to see you here in 2024! And glad you enjoying the questionnaire!
Thank you, Jane. I hope 2024 will bring you days of glad surprises, and new revelations as you continue to share your gifts with us out here in la la land. I wonder at the wonder of it all and yes, I have had and continue to have a fascinating life, full to overflowing with grace and gratitude.
I actually forgot that 'Do No Harm' comes from the Hippocratic oath! Of course doctors are obliged to live by it, and I like your use of the term 'baggage' here--much more positive.
Another great interview! I now have The Guest on my reading list. Heard so many people praise it! As a child, The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew Up made me feel safe and courageous, as the five children and Mamsie stayed happy and safe despite their poverty. The Wizard of Oz had the same impact on me. Personal and professional goals: Personal, to live more in the present, to truly inhabit my word of 2024, Abundance, and professional, to find a publisher for my first novel of adult contemporary fiction (I've finished two previous young adult novels).
I somehow had not heard of that book, but now I'm captivated by the Peppers! I will have to check it out. Those are wonderful goals, Amy! I hope you find a publisher! The world needs your novel!
I tend to skip interviews but I’m so glad I read this one! Not least because I also dance to Linda Ronstadt in the kitchen :) Loved her description of the encounter with the bear.
Oh, I love hearing this, Elizabeth! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Yes to dancing to Linda Ronstadt in the kitchen! And I know: Suzanne's encounter with the bear is astounding!
Yes, and it blew me away! Especially because I grew up hearing her on my parents' stereo, and while I loved her I didn't understand that what she was doing was extraordinary. Then the doc filled in all the gaps. I almost couldn't comprehend! The crazy touring schedule as a solo female, the Pirates of Penzance...for fun! The Mariachi band!
The Guest was also at the very top of the books I read in 2023. To create a protagonist you root for and dismays you at the same time is no easy feat, and Emma Cline pulls off that ambivalence brilliantly. As well, I'm familiar with her setting, and she's faithful to it where many other authors stumble.
I could talk for hours about The Guest for these very reasons, David! Yes, as you mention both the setting and the protagonist's particular engagement with the setting was unparalleled!
Thanks Suzanne, your response to Jane's great questions inspire me to do and be better. I love that one of your intentions for the year is to notice when grace is tapping you on the shoulder. It is also my desire to live that way every day, in a state of allowing and surrender. This is a work in progress!
Being from Canada my childhood was heavily influenced by Anne of Green Gables, she was an adventurer who overcame a great deal to thrive. So good! Charlotte's Web and Judy Blume's work also held prominence, as did the Archie comics I got to read while waiting for my piano lesson, which was a good thing because the piano teacher was quite grumpy!
I loved Archie comics!! I had boxes filled with them! And your last sentence made me laugh out loud!
I'm so glad Suzanne's beautiful words resonated with you, Donna. Yes, allowing and surrender. How beautiful! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too Jane❤
I agree, Jane's questions are so smart, Donna! I love, too, that they bring the readers to reflect on the answers. A sly double agenda! It's funny how I have only recently become sensitive to grace. Figuring out what is a gift in disguise, etc. Maybe it's a time of life thing after I've dodged so many bullets. Happy New Year! Long live Archie!
Totally! Wonderful and inspiring.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer!! ❤️
Haha, yes long live Archie. Very glad you dodged those bullets❤️
Oh wow now I want to reread Charlotte’s Webb, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. I wonder why there aren’t more animal novels for adults?
Charlotte's Web is just way too sad for me to read again. That book hit me so hard! It's probably why I let spiders share my (our!) home! I did reread Stuart Little about ten years ago and what I most remember about it is thinking that it's super weird. I can't quite remember why. I just remember wondering if I thought the book was that weird when I was a kid!! And I don't recall The Trumpet of the Swan at all. Perhaps I never read it. If it's not insanely sad (why are so many children's books involving animals insanely sad), perhaps I'll read it!! Let me know how you fare if you reread the trilogy!
Stuart Little still inspires me to do calisthenics!
Oh my gosh, I am laughing out loud!!
I know, Charlotte's Web was SO sad which is why I may have gravitated towards it. Some sort of guidance lay within, about how to cope with loss. I grew up around what felt like a lot of death (lots of older relatives and family friends struggling with terminal illness) so the reading experience felt soothing! Stuart Little WAS weird. It wasn't on repeat as much as the other two, but now I want to revisit to identify the weirdness. I'm always surprised The Trumpet of the Swan wasn't more popular, about a swan named Louis who lived in Boston. He lost his ability to communicate, which is problematic for a swan. It's a funny novel for so many reasons that ultimately has to do with losing your voice and finding a workaround to get it back.
Great point! There are some, in fact I read in today's NYT, the story of a new novel about an acerbic octopus!
Oh wow I will check that out!
"Do no harm. Try to help." These have been part of my baggage on this long trip of life, the first part inspired by "First, do no harm" attributed to the Hippocratic oath taken by physicians early in their training. I trained 3rd-year residents in family medicine at one time in my career and have been part of the larger medical community for a long time. The second part of trying to help was reignited by Larry Mellon in Haiti whom I visited a couple of times there to see his work where he built Hopital Albert Schweitzer. Larry dedicated the hospital to Schweitzer because of his mantra, "Help life where you find it." For all of us who want to share more kindness, compassion, and caring in 2024, these are the gold standard. Thanks, Suzanne, and thanks Jane for a great start to another year.
As always, Gary, I so appreciate your thoughts and insight. I do my best to live by "do no harm." I think those words nearly every day. Of course, it's impossible. For one thing, with every step I take, I'm smooshing something. Nevertheless, it is one of my compasses. I like adding on "help life where you find it!" The perfect partner! What a fascinating life you've had, Gary. Happy New Year! Happy to see you here in 2024! And glad you enjoying the questionnaire!
Thank you, Jane. I hope 2024 will bring you days of glad surprises, and new revelations as you continue to share your gifts with us out here in la la land. I wonder at the wonder of it all and yes, I have had and continue to have a fascinating life, full to overflowing with grace and gratitude.
I actually forgot that 'Do No Harm' comes from the Hippocratic oath! Of course doctors are obliged to live by it, and I like your use of the term 'baggage' here--much more positive.
Thanks, Gary. I love hearing about all the fascinating and varied forms of help you provide.
Another great interview! I now have The Guest on my reading list. Heard so many people praise it! As a child, The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew Up made me feel safe and courageous, as the five children and Mamsie stayed happy and safe despite their poverty. The Wizard of Oz had the same impact on me. Personal and professional goals: Personal, to live more in the present, to truly inhabit my word of 2024, Abundance, and professional, to find a publisher for my first novel of adult contemporary fiction (I've finished two previous young adult novels).
I somehow had not heard of that book, but now I'm captivated by the Peppers! I will have to check it out. Those are wonderful goals, Amy! I hope you find a publisher! The world needs your novel!
I haven't read the Five Little Peppers, but now I want to know how they grew up!
Me, too!
I tend to skip interviews but I’m so glad I read this one! Not least because I also dance to Linda Ronstadt in the kitchen :) Loved her description of the encounter with the bear.
Oh, I love hearing this, Elizabeth! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Yes to dancing to Linda Ronstadt in the kitchen! And I know: Suzanne's encounter with the bear is astounding!
LR is such an incredible artist, Elizabeth!
Have you seen the documentary about her? Released about two years ago?
Yes, and it blew me away! Especially because I grew up hearing her on my parents' stereo, and while I loved her I didn't understand that what she was doing was extraordinary. Then the doc filled in all the gaps. I almost couldn't comprehend! The crazy touring schedule as a solo female, the Pirates of Penzance...for fun! The Mariachi band!
The Guest was also at the very top of the books I read in 2023. To create a protagonist you root for and dismays you at the same time is no easy feat, and Emma Cline pulls off that ambivalence brilliantly. As well, I'm familiar with her setting, and she's faithful to it where many other authors stumble.
Yes, that is so so hard to pull off! I haven't yet read that book. But I want to. All the more with your recommendation!
I hope you do read it soon so we can discuss!
I could talk for hours about The Guest for these very reasons, David! Yes, as you mention both the setting and the protagonist's particular engagement with the setting was unparalleled!