I do too and I missed it for ages ... I love the way I can see no one at all and yet feel part of a commune that doesn't stink here xx all love nan and all live abigail xx
Yes indeed - and we need as much of that kind of feeling that we can get.
Just speaking briefly with someone when I’m walking my dog through their neighborhood (dogs are the perfect conversation topic starter), just sort of cracks the shell just a little, and I always feel so much better after even a brief exchange of simple, uncomplicated humanity.
I write a series here based on the journal I have been keeping for 35 years and a whole lot of it is my incidental interactions with people who cross my path as I am out at the grocery, Walgreens, my favorite Dairy Queen, or the shelter for homeless men where I volunteer, or wherever. For me life is made of these tiny moments. They are the threads that weave meaning into life. And as it happens I did not sleep well last night and I am really dragging but I am looking forward to going to the grocery and seeing my community there.
I love that - it has never ceased to amaze me how impactful even the smallest, seemingly random encounter can be. It is one of those "threads," yes.
The next level of this is becoming a "regular" at some place where there is that bit of connection and friendly familiarity. I have that at the neighborhood grocery store.
Enjoy your trip to the store - I hope there are some good threads there for you!
As it happens my grocery store is closing for a new development. So every visit now is part of a good-bye. In a few weeks I will be threading my way through Kroger somewhere.
I turned 80 this month. One thing I've noticed about becoming ancient is that I appreciate things more. Usually every day there is a moment of appreciation. Today that moment is reading your thoughts. Oh, and that tall pine.
I get it. At the end of this semester one of my community college students told me she’d felt like an outsider through high school, “a weirdo,” but in my class she made three good friends. Watching those kids find each other was a real joy.
It must be a wonderful class and you a wonderful teacher to have a student come up to you and share a sweetness like that. Bless you, and Abby for all the wonderful things you both teach that aren’t in books❣️
“And if this is silly to say, I don’t care”. It most definitely is not silly, but I agree with you in that who cares if something IS silly to say? 🥰 You made me smile and feel community on this Monday morning. Thank you. 😘
Your Substack is special that way. You've managed to pull together a disparate group of people who will most likely never meet in person but we all share a passion for the humanity that comes to us in your writing, and in your replies and notes to us! ♥️
I agree, Abby. Your words can bring people together. So can mine. Heavens yes. Good writing is a wonderful catalyst. Look at book groups. Thanks for pointing this out.
I belong to a writing group comprised of a bunch of us who completed a certificate together through the University of Washington. I’ve been promoting your work, Abby, to one of my colleagues in this group as I love and admire your writing style. I shared this piece, and it grabbed her: the icebox broke the ice. I am considering a breakfast beer to celebrate.
You'll all think I am making this up but just recently, before Abby's post and all these comments, I was thinking about the connection I find in the local shops, and yes, the local grocer (I know the grocery checkout guy by name and he wanted to read my stories!), and even the fitness center, which is not a brassy, uber-tank top, 24-Hour Fitness one, but a home-grown variety. I wondered, are these connections like a fiber that runs through life, something that ties us together? Are they part of life's meaning? I don't even know these people, not really, the ones I connect with. But I think of them all like pebbles covering my personal ground, the ground that is made of the deeper stuff--my family, kids, grandkids, good friends. The people-pebbles are organic, they drift in and fill in the small spaces, cover us, when we need it most.
Does this make any sense? I can let this stream of consciousness go here, right?
I just have to add, Abby, that Manhattans AND Amaro are absolutely my drinks of choice, too. Try Amaro Montenegro--my favorite.
I love what you said, and yes! As for the Amae=ro, that might be s tep too far to take without falling back in the habit. But I love tht you love both amaro and Manhattans. Wonderful stuff.
I laughed out loud when I saw your post, Abby, because it's absolutely true --Manhattans and Amaro are IT for me. We should all find a way to come together and toast Abby with the stuff!
I love love notes like this. XOXOXOX!
Same! It's the upside of Substack - and one that needs to be highlighted more :)
Me too.
Thank you Nan and Sue and Bar. What I'm talking about! Substack rules!
Correct, Abby. It rules, indeed!
Sparkled my day, Abby🤗
I do too and I missed it for ages ... I love the way I can see no one at all and yet feel part of a commune that doesn't stink here xx all love nan and all live abigail xx
I am fortunate to be sitting around the campfire that you have made for us--the humor, compassion, quirkiness, and love that means so much. Thank you.
Thank you, John. I love that you are here, and love what you write.
Thank you! I feel the same about you.
Is there room for one more around that campfire? I’ll come with a story or two and something delish to share.
My goodness, please please please yes,
that's the one xx
Having strange things in common with others helps overcome being strangers.
Yes indeed - and we need as much of that kind of feeling that we can get.
Just speaking briefly with someone when I’m walking my dog through their neighborhood (dogs are the perfect conversation topic starter), just sort of cracks the shell just a little, and I always feel so much better after even a brief exchange of simple, uncomplicated humanity.
I write a series here based on the journal I have been keeping for 35 years and a whole lot of it is my incidental interactions with people who cross my path as I am out at the grocery, Walgreens, my favorite Dairy Queen, or the shelter for homeless men where I volunteer, or wherever. For me life is made of these tiny moments. They are the threads that weave meaning into life. And as it happens I did not sleep well last night and I am really dragging but I am looking forward to going to the grocery and seeing my community there.
I love that - it has never ceased to amaze me how impactful even the smallest, seemingly random encounter can be. It is one of those "threads," yes.
The next level of this is becoming a "regular" at some place where there is that bit of connection and friendly familiarity. I have that at the neighborhood grocery store.
Enjoy your trip to the store - I hope there are some good threads there for you!
As it happens my grocery store is closing for a new development. So every visit now is part of a good-bye. In a few weeks I will be threading my way through Kroger somewhere.
Oh dear! I'm sorry! Savor the little stores!
Yes! I don't have a dog anymore....but I chat with people as they walk by my home with their dogs. I love those exchanges!
I turned 80 this month. One thing I've noticed about becoming ancient is that I appreciate things more. Usually every day there is a moment of appreciation. Today that moment is reading your thoughts. Oh, and that tall pine.
And that tall pine! Yes!!
Happy 80th, Carol! How wonderful!
Happy Birthday!!! I’ll always picture you as I did when I was 10 but now I’m 62! You’re beautiful inside and out!
Happy birthday!
I get it. At the end of this semester one of my community college students told me she’d felt like an outsider through high school, “a weirdo,” but in my class she made three good friends. Watching those kids find each other was a real joy.
It must be a wonderful class and you a wonderful teacher to have a student come up to you and share a sweetness like that. Bless you, and Abby for all the wonderful things you both teach that aren’t in books❣️
How absolutely lovely. Hooray for you!
We have things in common—observing, writing, our 80s! And I like that, too.
and so many other odds and ends of things! Yes!
It's communion. Thanks, Abby. You invite to realize who we can be for each other . XXX
And we already are! Thanks, Ann. It's so lovely!
“And if this is silly to say, I don’t care”. It most definitely is not silly, but I agree with you in that who cares if something IS silly to say? 🥰 You made me smile and feel community on this Monday morning. Thank you. 😘
So glad to know that, thank you.
Your commenters are my favorite! I love reading what they have to say and being able to tap that little heart. What a community you’ve created!
Thank you, Bridget. But it has created itself, so unexpectedly wonderful.
How very splendid, Abby. So wonderfully “you.”
Thank you, Susan.
I so appreciate your use of the word ‘splendid’, Susan!
What a lovely note! It's rainy here and things are certainly hard, but you're right...it's nice to not feel alone. xo
and it matters! thank you.
Your Substack is special that way. You've managed to pull together a disparate group of people who will most likely never meet in person but we all share a passion for the humanity that comes to us in your writing, and in your replies and notes to us! ♥️
I am delighted by and grateful for the communion.
Me too! :)
Me too! Thank you.
That's so very nice of you to say, I'm not sure what it is, but I am so grateful.
I agree, Abby. Your words can bring people together. So can mine. Heavens yes. Good writing is a wonderful catalyst. Look at book groups. Thanks for pointing this out.
It hit me suddenly, I had to say something!
I belong to a writing group comprised of a bunch of us who completed a certificate together through the University of Washington. I’ve been promoting your work, Abby, to one of my colleagues in this group as I love and admire your writing style. I shared this piece, and it grabbed her: the icebox broke the ice. I am considering a breakfast beer to celebrate.
The icebox broke the ice! I love that. Thank you!
We have things in common—writing, our 80s
so many things in common! it's surprising and wonderful!
You'll all think I am making this up but just recently, before Abby's post and all these comments, I was thinking about the connection I find in the local shops, and yes, the local grocer (I know the grocery checkout guy by name and he wanted to read my stories!), and even the fitness center, which is not a brassy, uber-tank top, 24-Hour Fitness one, but a home-grown variety. I wondered, are these connections like a fiber that runs through life, something that ties us together? Are they part of life's meaning? I don't even know these people, not really, the ones I connect with. But I think of them all like pebbles covering my personal ground, the ground that is made of the deeper stuff--my family, kids, grandkids, good friends. The people-pebbles are organic, they drift in and fill in the small spaces, cover us, when we need it most.
Does this make any sense? I can let this stream of consciousness go here, right?
I just have to add, Abby, that Manhattans AND Amaro are absolutely my drinks of choice, too. Try Amaro Montenegro--my favorite.
I love what you said, and yes! As for the Amae=ro, that might be s tep too far to take without falling back in the habit. But I love tht you love both amaro and Manhattans. Wonderful stuff.
I laughed out loud when I saw your post, Abby, because it's absolutely true --Manhattans and Amaro are IT for me. We should all find a way to come together and toast Abby with the stuff!