Autobiography of a Yogi led me to yoga and meditation and read twice to sense the communication from the universe known through meditation for eons. Yoga is a way of life and discipline.
I'm gonna read it. Then I'm gonna forget your comment. Then I'm gonna see you talking about it somewhere. Then I'll be like, we're book buddies, totally forgetting the fact that your rec, along with recs from other people, was what put the book on my radar and moved it up my TBR.
Love this interview and Michael's writing often brightens my day (real yogi here btw, daily practice for 10 years, not that I want to brag... that wouldn't be very yogic 😜)
That's so beautifully put! Yes, Michael's writing often brightens my day, as well. And how wonderful that you're a real yogi! I'm not surprised. Daily practice is wildly impressive! ❤️
For many years, i thought hoodies were boys-only clothes (my brothers wore a lot of hoodies), until one day my mom asked me if i wanted to have one for myself. Although i wasn't sure whether it would look good on me or not, i said yes and now i have one which i love wearing.
About pets, i have none. If in the future i decide to have one, i prefer to have a cat than a dog.
I love hoodies! I was slow to them, as well. But now I have quite a few! Cats are the coolest!! I've only lived one year of my whole life without a kitty cat! I hope you adopt one, Negar!
So expensive here, as well! I was just talking with a friend about this yesterday! I would love to adopt more sweet little kitties but financially it's impossible! Frustrating as so many animals need homes.
I see videos of these homeless animals in "The Dodo" channel in Whatsapp and its Instagram page. One thing i love about cats is that they can be very much like us. I don't know much about other animals.
Ahhh I love this interview with Michael! Seriously- your questions are so great, Jane!
Here's my answers :)
What books make you laugh your butt off?
Nora Ephron - I Feel Bad About My Neck made me laugh a hundred+ times.
How do hoodies make you feel?
Hidden and comfy cozy
Who did you name your cat or dog after?
About 25 years ago I had a dog named Merlin. He was my magician, constantly making things disappear or sitting wisely with me while I tried to decide if I should go an adventure. He was the best.
Are you an occasional or real yogi?
I am not a yogi, but have always wanted to be.
Whose kindness changed your life?
Two people come to mind when I think of this- my grandmother and Elizabeth Gilbert.
If it weren't for my grandmother I don't think I would have survived childhood. She rescued me from a very bad situation and took me in when she didn't have too.
Liz shared something I wrote in 2018 during the Kavanaugh hearings and she built on it. I had written a very simple sentence, but it was full of heavy implications. When she added her own story to it, I felt seen in a way that I hadn't before. It felt like a kindness to me, to be seen.
Merlin!! That sounds like the perfect name for your sweet doggo! What would we do without our babies. And thank goodness for your grandmother. I'm so glad she took you in. And what an incredible story about Liz! Yes, indeed, being seen or witnessed is an act of kindness. I'm so glad you had that experience. ❤️
Yes to an O'Neill hoodie I picked up in a thrift store not knowing it was a brand favored by Surfers. Made a couple of kids think I was a cool old Dude. I'm not that cool. I like it for the same reason most others do, cozy warmth, plus it's my size, XLT. I also favor a Barbour lightweight quilted vest, gifted to me by my brand-conscious daughter, as if I'm not. I am willing to pay a good price for quality. As Will Rogers said, you have to be willing to pay a fair price for good oats. If you want it after it's been through the horse you can get it for a lot less. Enough silliness for now, this Monday morning. Thanks, Jane and thanks Michael for getting me going today.
You are very cool, Gary!! That's why your radar took you right to an O'Neill hoodie! Hah. And your daughter clearly has impeccable taste and is quite generous! Glad you enjoyed the interview!
Hoodies are my ham when the weather gets cold, as it's about to do here in MN. A book that made me laugh out loud--something that rarely happens, even if I think something's really funny; I may need more visual cues to LOL while reading--was Julie Schumacher's Dear Committee Members. And I remember starting that book in a really bad mood, so the fact it could ultimately make me laugh out loud is borderline miraculous.
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay. Cornelius Otis Skinner. I would read it aloud in bed together with my newly wed wife 30 some years ago and often couldn’t go on we were laughing so hard. A forgotten gem
What books make you laugh your butt off? Amber Fossey’s- Wild & Free. It’s an adult (non sexually explicit) book of illustrations. How she personifies animals brings me such delight. The purposeful way that she uses explicit language cracks me up.
How do hoodies make you feel? Smothered. Something about those damn neck-drawstrings!
Who did you name your cat or dog after?
My Sheepadoodle’s name is actually Robert Rufford (a play on celebrity) ...but we all call him Bob.
Are you an occasional or real yogi?
I fluctuate year to year.
Whose kindness changed your life?
My son’s.
His compassion always leaves me undone. I birthed him at the age of nineteen, so there are many circumstances I wish I could redo. One day, while we were driving together in the car, he asked, “Mom, at what age did you marry my dad?”
I looked at him regretfully, and winced, “Eighteen.”
A look of sheer surprise and tenderness overcame him, “Oh mom! You were just a child!” It was the way he said it...with so much forgiveness. It was also followed by his hand patting my back as I tried to see the road past the tears.
I am an embarrassingly late oversized hoodie discoverer and I don’t think any outfit is as giving and abundant as them. 🥺 If I relived my non hoodie years again with ‘em hoodies, they’d be remarkably different. And remarkable too.
Dude was one of the first LabraDOODLES. Big black Lab Dad and black Standard Poodle Mom. Before all the designer crossbreeds A gentle giant, he was irreplaceable. Jackie Trehorn? Could be good for a laugh.
Autobiography of a Yogi led me to yoga and meditation and read twice to sense the communication from the universe known through meditation for eons. Yoga is a way of life and discipline.
Loved that book too 😀
That book is on my TBR, thanks for the reminder, Richard!
It’s a good one!
I'm gonna read it. Then I'm gonna forget your comment. Then I'm gonna see you talking about it somewhere. Then I'll be like, we're book buddies, totally forgetting the fact that your rec, along with recs from other people, was what put the book on my radar and moved it up my TBR.
Yes, that's how it's done!
That's wonderful you have that practice, Richard! I'm very hit and miss with mine!
when will mortimer get his own substack?
Yes! 🐶
Soon! He's pitching Dog Day Afternoon, but legal has concerns.
I feel the same of hoodies.
They're the best!
Thanks, Jane, I accept your label. Lebowski one of our fav movies And we had a most wonderful dog for 16 years named Dude and he did abide well.
That's a great name for a dog, Gary! My wife wants to name our next dog Jackie Treehorn, but I think she's asking for trouble.
Love this interview and Michael's writing often brightens my day (real yogi here btw, daily practice for 10 years, not that I want to brag... that wouldn't be very yogic 😜)
That's so beautifully put! Yes, Michael's writing often brightens my day, as well. And how wonderful that you're a real yogi! I'm not surprised. Daily practice is wildly impressive! ❤️
Daily practice has been a game changer for me - taught me how to live in my body 😊
Thank you, Vicki! Also who cares if it's not very yogic, 10 years of practicing is something to celebrate! Congrats!
Haha thanks Michael 😊
For many years, i thought hoodies were boys-only clothes (my brothers wore a lot of hoodies), until one day my mom asked me if i wanted to have one for myself. Although i wasn't sure whether it would look good on me or not, i said yes and now i have one which i love wearing.
About pets, i have none. If in the future i decide to have one, i prefer to have a cat than a dog.
Hoodies for all humans, that's my policy!
I love hoodies! I was slow to them, as well. But now I have quite a few! Cats are the coolest!! I've only lived one year of my whole life without a kitty cat! I hope you adopt one, Negar!
Yes, i've realized that hoodies are gender-neutral, meaning i can wear them, too and they're perfect for cold seasons.
Unfortunately, taking care of pets in Iran is very expensive. I can't adopt a pet.
So expensive here, as well! I was just talking with a friend about this yesterday! I would love to adopt more sweet little kitties but financially it's impossible! Frustrating as so many animals need homes.
Thanks for telling me this, Jane.
I see videos of these homeless animals in "The Dodo" channel in Whatsapp and its Instagram page. One thing i love about cats is that they can be very much like us. I don't know much about other animals.
Ahhh I love this interview with Michael! Seriously- your questions are so great, Jane!
Here's my answers :)
What books make you laugh your butt off?
Nora Ephron - I Feel Bad About My Neck made me laugh a hundred+ times.
How do hoodies make you feel?
Hidden and comfy cozy
Who did you name your cat or dog after?
About 25 years ago I had a dog named Merlin. He was my magician, constantly making things disappear or sitting wisely with me while I tried to decide if I should go an adventure. He was the best.
Are you an occasional or real yogi?
I am not a yogi, but have always wanted to be.
Whose kindness changed your life?
Two people come to mind when I think of this- my grandmother and Elizabeth Gilbert.
If it weren't for my grandmother I don't think I would have survived childhood. She rescued me from a very bad situation and took me in when she didn't have too.
Liz shared something I wrote in 2018 during the Kavanaugh hearings and she built on it. I had written a very simple sentence, but it was full of heavy implications. When she added her own story to it, I felt seen in a way that I hadn't before. It felt like a kindness to me, to be seen.
Merlin!! That sounds like the perfect name for your sweet doggo! What would we do without our babies. And thank goodness for your grandmother. I'm so glad she took you in. And what an incredible story about Liz! Yes, indeed, being seen or witnessed is an act of kindness. I'm so glad you had that experience. ❤️
Thank goodness for your grandmother! Also, Nora Ephron rules!
Yes to an O'Neill hoodie I picked up in a thrift store not knowing it was a brand favored by Surfers. Made a couple of kids think I was a cool old Dude. I'm not that cool. I like it for the same reason most others do, cozy warmth, plus it's my size, XLT. I also favor a Barbour lightweight quilted vest, gifted to me by my brand-conscious daughter, as if I'm not. I am willing to pay a good price for quality. As Will Rogers said, you have to be willing to pay a fair price for good oats. If you want it after it's been through the horse you can get it for a lot less. Enough silliness for now, this Monday morning. Thanks, Jane and thanks Michael for getting me going today.
You are very cool, Gary!! That's why your radar took you right to an O'Neill hoodie! Hah. And your daughter clearly has impeccable taste and is quite generous! Glad you enjoyed the interview!
Hoodies are my ham when the weather gets cold, as it's about to do here in MN. A book that made me laugh out loud--something that rarely happens, even if I think something's really funny; I may need more visual cues to LOL while reading--was Julie Schumacher's Dear Committee Members. And I remember starting that book in a really bad mood, so the fact it could ultimately make me laugh out loud is borderline miraculous.
Hoodies are best! And, yes, MI just took a turn to the cold side! Ooooh, I'll have to check that book out!
My kitty Maya: 80% love bug, snuggle bunny | 20% stinker
Sounds perfect!
Oh and Emily Kimbrough co authored
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay. Cornelius Otis Skinner. I would read it aloud in bed together with my newly wed wife 30 some years ago and often couldn’t go on we were laughing so hard. A forgotten gem
Oh my goodness, I will have to check this out!! I love laughing that hard!! Thank you!
What books make you laugh your butt off? Amber Fossey’s- Wild & Free. It’s an adult (non sexually explicit) book of illustrations. How she personifies animals brings me such delight. The purposeful way that she uses explicit language cracks me up.
How do hoodies make you feel? Smothered. Something about those damn neck-drawstrings!
Who did you name your cat or dog after?
My Sheepadoodle’s name is actually Robert Rufford (a play on celebrity) ...but we all call him Bob.
Are you an occasional or real yogi?
I fluctuate year to year.
Whose kindness changed your life?
My son’s.
His compassion always leaves me undone. I birthed him at the age of nineteen, so there are many circumstances I wish I could redo. One day, while we were driving together in the car, he asked, “Mom, at what age did you marry my dad?”
I looked at him regretfully, and winced, “Eighteen.”
A look of sheer surprise and tenderness overcame him, “Oh mom! You were just a child!” It was the way he said it...with so much forgiveness. It was also followed by his hand patting my back as I tried to see the road past the tears.
I just googled Amber's book: that's beautiful!! It made me laugh but also really touched my heart!
I LOVE the name Bob for a dog! Especially one named after Robert Redford.
And, Shalamar, what a beautiful moment. And you were so young. We don't think it at the time, of course. But, dang. Glad your son saw it, too! ❤️
I think hoodies and dogs might be half the battle.
Always so fun to hear more from the always delightful Mr. Estrin!
I'm thinking more than half! Yes, Mr. E is rather delightful!
Okay, 80%. Truly!
I am an embarrassingly late oversized hoodie discoverer and I don’t think any outfit is as giving and abundant as them. 🥺 If I relived my non hoodie years again with ‘em hoodies, they’d be remarkably different. And remarkable too.
So yes, big yay to hoodies.
Definitely big yay to hoodies!!
Dude was one of the first LabraDOODLES. Big black Lab Dad and black Standard Poodle Mom. Before all the designer crossbreeds A gentle giant, he was irreplaceable. Jackie Trehorn? Could be good for a laugh.