This week was a joy, both professional as well as personally. My novel was nominated fro The Pacific NW Booksellelrs Award - which is lovely 'cause I'm kind of a big nobody around here and I'd like to be a somebody! However, most important to me, I am up and around!! I've been resigned to my bottom since September due to a knee injury, eventually having to have surgery. That was January. Finally, finally, finally, I went to a glittery party last night! I couldn't dance, but I could walk to the hall from the car and enjoy the conversations and -- SEEING FRIENDS! I am so grateful for my friends, and my family who have been total mensches, taking care of me.
That's wonderful news! I'm so happy your novel is doing so well. I love forward to sharing an excerpt here in the next few weeks. And yay for being up and about. Physical struggles can take such a toll. Glad you were able to be glittery and see friends and have had loved take caring of you. That is pretty much everything!
Wow, congratulations!!!! A shout out for "As Far as You Can Go Before You Have To Come Back." Also nominated for The National Book Award! I am ordering it right now. I wish you lots more glittery parties, you deserve them.
What an amazing sentiment! Thank you, Maria. And please do let me know what you think of the novel - even if you don't like it. I really get a lot out of hearing from reader.
YOU! You brought me joy this week -with your very generous offer, your beautiful words, and your vulnerability that inspires the rest of us to share our stories with the world.
I'm in wet, dismal Michigan, too, and not even at home in the Upper Peninsula, where the chance of snow is almost a given, even now. So, while I miss home, and still have about a month to go in the dread city, no fault of my own, I'm grateful that it's just rain and not snow.
But Jane, I love that you couldn't think of the name of the plant but chose to publish this piece anyway, promising to get back to it when you found it. I can't tell you how many times I've put a piece on hold because I couldn't think of something that needed to be in there. Why didn't I think of that?
This is just one of the many things I've learned from you, so I guess you would be second on my Gratitude list today.
I didn't realize you're in Michigan! (or perhaps I did and have forgotten, in which case apologies!) Yes, Michigan in April is awful. It can even snow in May and that's down state. Forget about the UP! What dread city are you currently in?
Oh, gosh, Ramona, you brought tears to my eyes. Thank you! I so deeply needed to counter the stream of bad news I'd just taken in, I decided that was more important than figuring out the word. A first for me! Thank you for receiving it so kindly!
That's okay. I'd forgotten you were in Michigan, too! I'm at my daughter's house in Southgate, trying to finish up a long, long, long ordeal at my friendly dentist office. I should have been done with it all a month ago, but between necessary postponements and a slower than planned healing process I'm still here.
I love being at home in time for ramps, morels, and the bird migration, but I think I'll be too late. Still, it's cold up there and there's still snow in the woods. Here in Southgate flowers are blooming, so it's not all bad.
I have to confess I am in sunny Catalonia, where my husband and I are based each winter. I'm grateful to be in this beautiful, peaceful part of the world, in a small village where we have been embraced by the local community. However, I haven't been out of doors yet today as I'm working on the final, final edits of a book - a memoir about opting for an adventurous life instead of having children, where that choice led me and how it is panning out in later years. (I recently turned 71. ) Finally seeing the book done and in published form later this year will be a source of gratitude! But what I'm most joyful about and grateful for right now is that my partner and I are in good health and that, after many years of marriage, we still delight in each other's company. Those are the greatest gifts and I never take them for granted.
Oh, Maria, that is quite a list! Yay! Health is everything. As is spending many years with someone in whose company you still delight! And congrats on your book! How wonderful! What an accomplishment! And where you live sounds idyllic. I long for the English equivalent of that--although I can give up hopes of sun! Hah.
The snow and mud are gone (finally) here in northern Vermont. I'm feel joy when I here the Peepers and tree frogs. I ordered 5 lbs of wildflower seed and will be turning a 1/4 acre if lawn into a meadow. The thought if it makes me smile.
I love that feeling. Nature can really nurture us. And your comment is a good reminder that I also want to order wildflower seed! May both our meadows thrive!
Celebrating my twins 18th birthday, alongside my 16 closest family members. Seeing my 12yr old nephew totally smash his DJ event in London, and witnessing such joy from his little fans, along with helping my sister move into her long-awaited forever home. It’s been a big week and there’s So much to celebrate! ❤️
Spending the weekend with my grandchildren while their parents were in CA at a concert celebrating Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday has supplied me with many moments of joy.
Today is a sunny breezy cool one. Very grateful for my shady wilderness yarden the birds that sing and the small squirrel who really was begging my attention. Once my eyes finally found him directly above and in front of where I sat, he chirped once more and left. Took me awhile to see him. I know he knew. Maybe he wanted to take me somewhere to see something? Maybe a visit from beyond? I dunno. But I like it .
I'm so glad you mentioned squirrels! After I sent this round, I realized I'd left out my beloved squirrels! So I'm awfully happy you also have a beloved and chatty squirrel. I often feel a similar connection with the squirrels who live here--that they know me and, yes, are possibly inviting me on an adventure. Wonderful!
Thank you, Jane. Thank you, everyone. I am grateful to be in this community again. A cardinal landed in the dogwood tree as I opened my eyes from a quick nap before dinner on this rainy Friday. We had no cardinals during our ten years in California; even after a year back home here to see the bright red in a grey-green background is sublimely profound. I floated through a challenging Saturday in the very right leaning public eye, in part due to the perfectly timed arrival of a single cardinal.
This is such a beautiful meditation on how every moment truly can matter. And why it's important to be present as much as possible. Not saying I'm particularly good at it. But this inspires me! And glad that lovely cardinal helpful you through such a difficult Saturday!
Thank you, Jane for your graceful understanding. I find myself guilty of responding to validation, be it a crow cawing outside my window at dawn, or kind words such as yours on my large print computer screen.
There is starlight to navigate by when the fog choses to let go of us, after dusk. I stood staring at the pitch black on a Pacific cliff when the fog did unexpectedly lift, little by little, presenting first one faint light, then two, and so on, and I was the only one there paying attention. Tears came, as darkness ebbed, and I knew yet again that I never, ever, had been alone.
The weather was so sunny and warm where I live in California that I got to sit outside on my patio with my cats for the first time since last summer! We all loved basking in the warmth and sun!
I know that feeling well. Nothing fills me up like sitting in the sun with my beloved kitty and dog. It is truly the best feeling. I'm so glad you're experiencing that!
What a lovely idea! It’s damp and rainy in Ny, but we have cherry blossoms 🌸 and they are gorgeous! I’m also so grateful for the lovely community people like you are building here on Substack. And for your gorgeous writing, Jane. Your words rádiate care & compassion.
Ooooooh, thank you, Jillian! Damp and rainy here, as well. But cherry blossoms!! They go right to the heart. I'm grateful for all your gorgeous writing, too. It also goes right to the heart!
I absolutely love everything about this. There is a particular joy to going on holiday. A particular joy to returning home. And, oh my, the very particular joy of being reunited with our babies! And, of course, a nice cuppa! Sounds perfect to me!
Among the guests at my book launch party was a gifted young writer I’ve been following on social media. She has written her way through a few brutal years, attracting a community of supporters with the clarity and confidence of her emerging voice. I read her posts with rising anticipation for what is to come but have never offered more than a line or so of encouragement. If I’d had more children, she could be my youngest, the daughter who never was.
Someone took a photo of us together, both smiling with delight at finally meeting in the so-called “real world.” She was holding her signed copy of Starter Dog. When I shared the photo online, she commented that I had made her week. I’m not Margaret Atwood. My book is not a bestseller. And yet I have the power to lift someone up and give her hope for the next story asking to be told. I couldn’t be more grateful for the privilege.
Oh, Rona, that's wonderful! I know my version of that feeling from all my years of teaching. Yes, it's such a privilege. And I'm not the least bit surprised she turned to you for hope! And congratulations of your book and your launch party!! Such good news!!
When you’re not sure what to do for yourself, as is often the way in the tumult of a launch, it’s clarifying to help someone else. And it takes so little.
Love this idea. It's been a hard and rainy week here in Auckland too. What brought me joy was a fresh delivery of firewood, lighting my first fire of the Autumn and seeing my two gorgeous kitties snoozing side by side in front of it... the little things....
It filled my heart reading that! Those are exactly the moments that are so nourishing and help sustain us through the rest. Glad you have your sweet babies beside you.
Happy to report a terrific week! Helped get three dogs off Death Row and into rescue via Twitter! And my writing is going again, so no complaints here. Love these threads, Jane. It's really an excellent reminder that there are still good things happening ;-)
Oh, Marie, this is fantastic news! I'm so grateful that you saved those sweet doggies. And also delighted to hear you're writing again. Yay! That is a good week. And thanks for the kind words. I definitely needed a reminder today and it seemed others did, as well. It's been heartening!
Oh Jane , what a wonderful invitation to gratitude! Thank you.
Sitting in my air conditioned office while my husband is outside in the searing, unforgiving summer heat of San Pedro Sula, I felt an overwhelming (if somewhat cliched) desire to yell from our rooftop "I love Denis Alexander Amaya Paz" (my husband). I chose instead to voice message him with my overwhelming desire to shout the same, which I hope brought a little respite to his heart as he works outside.
There is a saying in Spanish to the effect "To long for something, like we long for the rains in May". On a day like today that yearning is real! I feel gratitude for the relief we truly feel when that oppression lifts and the cool fresh air blesses us again after the May rains.
Finally, (running with the tradition of three) I feel thankful that my body is demanding I discover me, as I am, right now, at this wonderful point in life, to embrace a me I haven´t felt before, and to "grow into her" with a beautiful, courageous, vulnerability.
I love all of this! Your relationship with your husband sounds beautiful, Melanie! Wouldn't it be fun to stand on your rooftop and shout your love. I wish we all felt more comfortable doing things like that! But wonderful that you left a vm.
And what a great expression. I'm in Michigan where it's been in the nineties for about two weeks and...no rain! Ugh. So we're longing for it here, as well.
I think one of the marvels of getting older is to make friends with our bodies in such tender, deep ways. I'm grateful for that.
Thanks Jane! i actually had a little "I am shouting from the rooftops" moment as I typed my gratitude on your post :) And yes, my husband is a beautiful man and we share a beautiful love. I am very grateful.
Hello everyone. I have just found Substack and this community. The sharing on this thread feels like real connection, heartfelt and authentic. I am drinking it in. The writing, oh the writing! Thank you everyone.
Jane, a special thank you for sharing vulnerability, and for inviting this subject. Such gratitude for your post, and the responses.
I read somewhere recently that the meaning of Solstice in Latin is “ the sun standing still.” This summer, my personal solstice has ended, and I am glad to feel “me” moving inside myself again. For the past few years, after a traumatic event, everything inside stood still; just absolutely still, waiting, trusting. The silence of not hearing myself was terrifying.
Gratitude is pouring out as I find I can read poetry again, be deeply moved by the details on the posts above, and celebrate the joy of connecting to my inner life.
And gratitude too for finding this thread🌞. Going to subscribe right away.
Hello Kumkum! Welcome to Substack and to Beyond. It's lovely to have you here. It sounds like you have been through a great deal. I'm sorry for that but am so glad you are hearing yourself again. That's so important and beautiful! And thank you for subscribing!
Isn't it though! Well said KumKum, I heartily agree
"I have just found Substack and this community. The sharing on this thread feels like real connection, heartfelt and authentic. I am drinking it in. The writing, oh the writing! Thank you everyone." And thank you KumKum for bringing your own authenticity and vulnerability and courage to this space. Be kind to you.
This week was a joy, both professional as well as personally. My novel was nominated fro The Pacific NW Booksellelrs Award - which is lovely 'cause I'm kind of a big nobody around here and I'd like to be a somebody! However, most important to me, I am up and around!! I've been resigned to my bottom since September due to a knee injury, eventually having to have surgery. That was January. Finally, finally, finally, I went to a glittery party last night! I couldn't dance, but I could walk to the hall from the car and enjoy the conversations and -- SEEING FRIENDS! I am so grateful for my friends, and my family who have been total mensches, taking care of me.
That's wonderful news! I'm so happy your novel is doing so well. I love forward to sharing an excerpt here in the next few weeks. And yay for being up and about. Physical struggles can take such a toll. Glad you were able to be glittery and see friends and have had loved take caring of you. That is pretty much everything!
Many thanks, Jane. Here's hoping that progress is, if non-liner, at least on the general upswing. Glitter glitter!
Wow, congratulations!!!! A shout out for "As Far as You Can Go Before You Have To Come Back." Also nominated for The National Book Award! I am ordering it right now. I wish you lots more glittery parties, you deserve them.
What an amazing sentiment! Thank you, Maria. And please do let me know what you think of the novel - even if you don't like it. I really get a lot out of hearing from reader.
YOU! You brought me joy this week -with your very generous offer, your beautiful words, and your vulnerability that inspires the rest of us to share our stories with the world.
Oh, thank you, Amy! And I love hearing your stories told in all your beautiful words!
I'm in wet, dismal Michigan, too, and not even at home in the Upper Peninsula, where the chance of snow is almost a given, even now. So, while I miss home, and still have about a month to go in the dread city, no fault of my own, I'm grateful that it's just rain and not snow.
But Jane, I love that you couldn't think of the name of the plant but chose to publish this piece anyway, promising to get back to it when you found it. I can't tell you how many times I've put a piece on hold because I couldn't think of something that needed to be in there. Why didn't I think of that?
This is just one of the many things I've learned from you, so I guess you would be second on my Gratitude list today.
I didn't realize you're in Michigan! (or perhaps I did and have forgotten, in which case apologies!) Yes, Michigan in April is awful. It can even snow in May and that's down state. Forget about the UP! What dread city are you currently in?
Oh, gosh, Ramona, you brought tears to my eyes. Thank you! I so deeply needed to counter the stream of bad news I'd just taken in, I decided that was more important than figuring out the word. A first for me! Thank you for receiving it so kindly!
That's okay. I'd forgotten you were in Michigan, too! I'm at my daughter's house in Southgate, trying to finish up a long, long, long ordeal at my friendly dentist office. I should have been done with it all a month ago, but between necessary postponements and a slower than planned healing process I'm still here.
I love being at home in time for ramps, morels, and the bird migration, but I think I'll be too late. Still, it's cold up there and there's still snow in the woods. Here in Southgate flowers are blooming, so it's not all bad.
I have to confess I am in sunny Catalonia, where my husband and I are based each winter. I'm grateful to be in this beautiful, peaceful part of the world, in a small village where we have been embraced by the local community. However, I haven't been out of doors yet today as I'm working on the final, final edits of a book - a memoir about opting for an adventurous life instead of having children, where that choice led me and how it is panning out in later years. (I recently turned 71. ) Finally seeing the book done and in published form later this year will be a source of gratitude! But what I'm most joyful about and grateful for right now is that my partner and I are in good health and that, after many years of marriage, we still delight in each other's company. Those are the greatest gifts and I never take them for granted.
Oh, Maria, that is quite a list! Yay! Health is everything. As is spending many years with someone in whose company you still delight! And congrats on your book! How wonderful! What an accomplishment! And where you live sounds idyllic. I long for the English equivalent of that--although I can give up hopes of sun! Hah.
The snow and mud are gone (finally) here in northern Vermont. I'm feel joy when I here the Peepers and tree frogs. I ordered 5 lbs of wildflower seed and will be turning a 1/4 acre if lawn into a meadow. The thought if it makes me smile.
I love that feeling. Nature can really nurture us. And your comment is a good reminder that I also want to order wildflower seed! May both our meadows thrive!
Celebrating my twins 18th birthday, alongside my 16 closest family members. Seeing my 12yr old nephew totally smash his DJ event in London, and witnessing such joy from his little fans, along with helping my sister move into her long-awaited forever home. It’s been a big week and there’s So much to celebrate! ❤️
Imagining your nephew put a huge smile on my face! I can feel the joy bursting out of you in this post! And Happy Birthday to your twins!
Spending the weekend with my grandchildren while their parents were in CA at a concert celebrating Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday has supplied me with many moments of joy.
Oh, that's wonderful! The energy of children is everything!! And I envy their parents! Happy Birthday, Willie!
Today is a sunny breezy cool one. Very grateful for my shady wilderness yarden the birds that sing and the small squirrel who really was begging my attention. Once my eyes finally found him directly above and in front of where I sat, he chirped once more and left. Took me awhile to see him. I know he knew. Maybe he wanted to take me somewhere to see something? Maybe a visit from beyond? I dunno. But I like it .
I'm so glad you mentioned squirrels! After I sent this round, I realized I'd left out my beloved squirrels! So I'm awfully happy you also have a beloved and chatty squirrel. I often feel a similar connection with the squirrels who live here--that they know me and, yes, are possibly inviting me on an adventure. Wonderful!
Thank you, Jane. Thank you, everyone. I am grateful to be in this community again. A cardinal landed in the dogwood tree as I opened my eyes from a quick nap before dinner on this rainy Friday. We had no cardinals during our ten years in California; even after a year back home here to see the bright red in a grey-green background is sublimely profound. I floated through a challenging Saturday in the very right leaning public eye, in part due to the perfectly timed arrival of a single cardinal.
This is such a beautiful meditation on how every moment truly can matter. And why it's important to be present as much as possible. Not saying I'm particularly good at it. But this inspires me! And glad that lovely cardinal helpful you through such a difficult Saturday!
Thank you, Jane for your graceful understanding. I find myself guilty of responding to validation, be it a crow cawing outside my window at dawn, or kind words such as yours on my large print computer screen.
There is starlight to navigate by when the fog choses to let go of us, after dusk. I stood staring at the pitch black on a Pacific cliff when the fog did unexpectedly lift, little by little, presenting first one faint light, then two, and so on, and I was the only one there paying attention. Tears came, as darkness ebbed, and I knew yet again that I never, ever, had been alone.
Truth. If only we could remember that.
The weather was so sunny and warm where I live in California that I got to sit outside on my patio with my cats for the first time since last summer! We all loved basking in the warmth and sun!
I know that feeling well. Nothing fills me up like sitting in the sun with my beloved kitty and dog. It is truly the best feeling. I'm so glad you're experiencing that!
What a lovely idea! It’s damp and rainy in Ny, but we have cherry blossoms 🌸 and they are gorgeous! I’m also so grateful for the lovely community people like you are building here on Substack. And for your gorgeous writing, Jane. Your words rádiate care & compassion.
Ooooooh, thank you, Jillian! Damp and rainy here, as well. But cherry blossoms!! They go right to the heart. I'm grateful for all your gorgeous writing, too. It also goes right to the heart!
Getting to go on holiday and getting to come home and especially bring reunited with our dog who had his own mini break at a friends 🥰
And a proper cup of tea 😊
I absolutely love everything about this. There is a particular joy to going on holiday. A particular joy to returning home. And, oh my, the very particular joy of being reunited with our babies! And, of course, a nice cuppa! Sounds perfect to me!
Among the guests at my book launch party was a gifted young writer I’ve been following on social media. She has written her way through a few brutal years, attracting a community of supporters with the clarity and confidence of her emerging voice. I read her posts with rising anticipation for what is to come but have never offered more than a line or so of encouragement. If I’d had more children, she could be my youngest, the daughter who never was.
Someone took a photo of us together, both smiling with delight at finally meeting in the so-called “real world.” She was holding her signed copy of Starter Dog. When I shared the photo online, she commented that I had made her week. I’m not Margaret Atwood. My book is not a bestseller. And yet I have the power to lift someone up and give her hope for the next story asking to be told. I couldn’t be more grateful for the privilege.
Oh, Rona, that's wonderful! I know my version of that feeling from all my years of teaching. Yes, it's such a privilege. And I'm not the least bit surprised she turned to you for hope! And congratulations of your book and your launch party!! Such good news!!
When you’re not sure what to do for yourself, as is often the way in the tumult of a launch, it’s clarifying to help someone else. And it takes so little.
Love this idea. It's been a hard and rainy week here in Auckland too. What brought me joy was a fresh delivery of firewood, lighting my first fire of the Autumn and seeing my two gorgeous kitties snoozing side by side in front of it... the little things....
It filled my heart reading that! Those are exactly the moments that are so nourishing and help sustain us through the rest. Glad you have your sweet babies beside you.
Happy to report a terrific week! Helped get three dogs off Death Row and into rescue via Twitter! And my writing is going again, so no complaints here. Love these threads, Jane. It's really an excellent reminder that there are still good things happening ;-)
Oh, Marie, this is fantastic news! I'm so grateful that you saved those sweet doggies. And also delighted to hear you're writing again. Yay! That is a good week. And thanks for the kind words. I definitely needed a reminder today and it seemed others did, as well. It's been heartening!
Oh Jane , what a wonderful invitation to gratitude! Thank you.
Sitting in my air conditioned office while my husband is outside in the searing, unforgiving summer heat of San Pedro Sula, I felt an overwhelming (if somewhat cliched) desire to yell from our rooftop "I love Denis Alexander Amaya Paz" (my husband). I chose instead to voice message him with my overwhelming desire to shout the same, which I hope brought a little respite to his heart as he works outside.
There is a saying in Spanish to the effect "To long for something, like we long for the rains in May". On a day like today that yearning is real! I feel gratitude for the relief we truly feel when that oppression lifts and the cool fresh air blesses us again after the May rains.
Finally, (running with the tradition of three) I feel thankful that my body is demanding I discover me, as I am, right now, at this wonderful point in life, to embrace a me I haven´t felt before, and to "grow into her" with a beautiful, courageous, vulnerability.
I love all of this! Your relationship with your husband sounds beautiful, Melanie! Wouldn't it be fun to stand on your rooftop and shout your love. I wish we all felt more comfortable doing things like that! But wonderful that you left a vm.
And what a great expression. I'm in Michigan where it's been in the nineties for about two weeks and...no rain! Ugh. So we're longing for it here, as well.
I think one of the marvels of getting older is to make friends with our bodies in such tender, deep ways. I'm grateful for that.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jane! i actually had a little "I am shouting from the rooftops" moment as I typed my gratitude on your post :) And yes, my husband is a beautiful man and we share a beautiful love. I am very grateful.
I'm so glad!
Hello everyone. I have just found Substack and this community. The sharing on this thread feels like real connection, heartfelt and authentic. I am drinking it in. The writing, oh the writing! Thank you everyone.
Jane, a special thank you for sharing vulnerability, and for inviting this subject. Such gratitude for your post, and the responses.
I read somewhere recently that the meaning of Solstice in Latin is “ the sun standing still.” This summer, my personal solstice has ended, and I am glad to feel “me” moving inside myself again. For the past few years, after a traumatic event, everything inside stood still; just absolutely still, waiting, trusting. The silence of not hearing myself was terrifying.
Gratitude is pouring out as I find I can read poetry again, be deeply moved by the details on the posts above, and celebrate the joy of connecting to my inner life.
And gratitude too for finding this thread🌞. Going to subscribe right away.
Hello Kumkum! Welcome to Substack and to Beyond. It's lovely to have you here. It sounds like you have been through a great deal. I'm sorry for that but am so glad you are hearing yourself again. That's so important and beautiful! And thank you for subscribing!
Isn't it though! Well said KumKum, I heartily agree
"I have just found Substack and this community. The sharing on this thread feels like real connection, heartfelt and authentic. I am drinking it in. The writing, oh the writing! Thank you everyone." And thank you KumKum for bringing your own authenticity and vulnerability and courage to this space. Be kind to you.
🌞🌞