Hello darlings of Oldster-land, if you would like to come to the next Zoom conversation hosted by me and Richard Toon, it will take place on Saturday February 22 from 3 to 4 EST. The topic will be creating an intimate narrative voice that speaks directly to the reader, and we will also be continuing our discussion of taking risks in content and forms of writing--and life! If you would like to come and learn more about the event, please RSVP to me here: lauriestone@substack.com.
“A line of pleasure you could hang clothes on”. I too, loved that line. It’s one of my secret pleasures—hanging freshly washed clothes outdoors on a sunny, slightly windy day. Watching them dry and turn sweet smelling.
Looking back, I’ve done it when I could in many countries where I gave academic research talks. No affairs, just smelly laundry.
Looking forward, when my daughter visits next week to celebrate my 87th birthday with me I will keep that line in mind and on it clothespin happy memories.
This was beautiful, especially this line, "When I look back at my life, it’s the people who walk with you, you remember." Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
"He didn’t know who I was, and he didn’t need to know. I was his child." Yes. You captured my experience exactly, too. As always, thank you for this column. I look forward to it, and it always pleases me, even when I delete all the other writers in impatience without reading them.
Yes, Happy Birthday, "Notes," and congratulations, Laurie!
Loved this post, and especially appreciated the observations about resentment as well as violence in shows. I'm increasingly careful where I allow my attention, or "put in my head" as my husband says. Because it also goes to the heart.
You make us feel it...the old brain is still firing on all cylinders...the connectivity snaps, crackles, and fizzes over circuits, memories notched in time
What a wonderful phrase "between us was a line of pleasure you could hang clothes on". Really enjoyed this. I'm an oldster and have my own memories that come haunting me in the night - some sweet and some not so sweet. Thanks for helping me call them up.
I appreciate this nuance and acceptance of resentment. It’s a logical and normal response to some common events/persons. The 12 step programs vilify it in a delusional 100% rejection. It just is. Just another emotion that we surf, getting through the days and nights. Cultivating little ones as a couple is very endearing actually!
And I am always fascinated when writers share their encounters with odors; so vivid, puts me right there at the fence. I have only smelled purified lanolin in a jar. Must fix that now.
The beautiful photo of Ms Faithful with a cigarette (and the others too) made me recall just how terrible most people and places smelled in those days and how different it is now. With so much progress under threat now, it’s one area that has definitely improved. It made me stop and try to think when I last was even around it!
Thanks Ms Stone (and Sari). It’s always a pleasure to see your byline in my morning line up. Happy V day you two
Thank you for this, and for these lines especially: "When people talk about 'facing reality,' I often think they are depressed. Many people are taught to believe the things that give you pleasure can destroy your life. Things that give you pleasure seldom destroy anything." And also: for the passages about your father. Yes.
the comedy and horror when you realized you'd misidentified your bad ex mid-hug! in a way, the fact you'd essentially forgotten him is its own revenge. and this line made me cackle: 'When people talk about “facing reality,” I often think they are depressed.' and what richard said at the very end—nice to wrap things up on a sweet note. (on that note, happy birthday "notes"!)
Hello darlings of Oldster-land, if you would like to come to the next Zoom conversation hosted by me and Richard Toon, it will take place on Saturday February 22 from 3 to 4 EST. The topic will be creating an intimate narrative voice that speaks directly to the reader, and we will also be continuing our discussion of taking risks in content and forms of writing--and life! If you would like to come and learn more about the event, please RSVP to me here: lauriestone@substack.com.
"Certain smells in nature, even the rubbery smell of skunk, are so brilliantly glandular they remind you you’re an animal."
Love this.
Thanks!
I love “a line of pleasure you could hang clothes on.”
I had to cut and paste that one. Absolutely brilliant. Gave me goosebumps.
“A line of pleasure you could hang clothes on”. I too, loved that line. It’s one of my secret pleasures—hanging freshly washed clothes outdoors on a sunny, slightly windy day. Watching them dry and turn sweet smelling.
Looking back, I’ve done it when I could in many countries where I gave academic research talks. No affairs, just smelly laundry.
Looking forward, when my daughter visits next week to celebrate my 87th birthday with me I will keep that line in mind and on it clothespin happy memories.
Thank you Laurie.
Happy almost birthday, Irwin! 🎂
Thanks, love. xxL
This was beautiful, especially this line, "When I look back at my life, it’s the people who walk with you, you remember." Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Thanks you for being a thoughtful and attentive reader. It matters hugely knowing there are readers like you.
There is infinite beauty in your yearning prose. Thank you.
"He didn’t know who I was, and he didn’t need to know. I was his child." Yes. You captured my experience exactly, too. As always, thank you for this column. I look forward to it, and it always pleases me, even when I delete all the other writers in impatience without reading them.
Well, of course, you are a reader of discernment.😎 xxL
Yes, Happy Birthday, "Notes," and congratulations, Laurie!
Loved this post, and especially appreciated the observations about resentment as well as violence in shows. I'm increasingly careful where I allow my attention, or "put in my head" as my husband says. Because it also goes to the heart.
Love "put in my head"! xxL
Moments of light in the dark. The light shows you the dark. It doesn't cure it. But it gives a little blast of fresh truth.
You make us feel it...the old brain is still firing on all cylinders...the connectivity snaps, crackles, and fizzes over circuits, memories notched in time
Lovely comment. xxL
Fantastic piece. I’m right behind you. 75. It’s strange, especially now with the new world order. Or maybe old world order.
Yes, yes, exactly. xxL
What a wonderful phrase "between us was a line of pleasure you could hang clothes on". Really enjoyed this. I'm an oldster and have my own memories that come haunting me in the night - some sweet and some not so sweet. Thanks for helping me call them up.
I appreciate this nuance and acceptance of resentment. It’s a logical and normal response to some common events/persons. The 12 step programs vilify it in a delusional 100% rejection. It just is. Just another emotion that we surf, getting through the days and nights. Cultivating little ones as a couple is very endearing actually!
And I am always fascinated when writers share their encounters with odors; so vivid, puts me right there at the fence. I have only smelled purified lanolin in a jar. Must fix that now.
The beautiful photo of Ms Faithful with a cigarette (and the others too) made me recall just how terrible most people and places smelled in those days and how different it is now. With so much progress under threat now, it’s one area that has definitely improved. It made me stop and try to think when I last was even around it!
Thanks Ms Stone (and Sari). It’s always a pleasure to see your byline in my morning line up. Happy V day you two
💞
What a beautiful comment! Huge thanks, Laurie
I enjoyed your post today. Your writing drew me in.
Thank you for this, and for these lines especially: "When people talk about 'facing reality,' I often think they are depressed. Many people are taught to believe the things that give you pleasure can destroy your life. Things that give you pleasure seldom destroy anything." And also: for the passages about your father. Yes.
Thanks so much!
I love this post, delightful and razor sharp. XXX
Thanks, dearest Dian. I'm so glad our paths crossed. xxL
the comedy and horror when you realized you'd misidentified your bad ex mid-hug! in a way, the fact you'd essentially forgotten him is its own revenge. and this line made me cackle: 'When people talk about “facing reality,” I often think they are depressed.' and what richard said at the very end—nice to wrap things up on a sweet note. (on that note, happy birthday "notes"!)