I’ve had the same intentions at different times and ended up returning books as well. When I have the space, I have the space (I read A Flat Place by Noreen Masud recently, a memoir of complex trauma and its effects as seen through “empty” landscapes). When I don’t, I don’t. I haven’t read Harrison’s novels but love his poetry. I seem to connect with my grandfather through him. Not sure why, but my grandpa is definitely there when I read Harrison. Let me know what you think about the book. I hope you’ve had a better week (I’m remembering you saying that things had shifted a bit a couple of weeks ago).
Harrison’s character in this book is a construction worker who is dying. I’m not dying yet, but I like books about working men. That’s why I enjoy him and Russell Banks and Richard Russo.
Yes, the shift had to do with my son, who has some complex anger at me. He agreed to do therapy with me, so that’s good, but it’s been tough. We’ve had three visits so far. That last week was especially difficult.
I forget if you and I have DMed, but just letting you know that I am open to any of my subscribers DMing me. (Not open to non-subscribers, lol. They are usually just trying to get me to look at their work).
So funny! Yes, we have numerous similarities. Thanks for the invite to DM. Comment threads aren’t exactly private! I will take you up on it, and you can do the same for me. I’ll just say here, that I understand that kind of therapy session. Hard.
I haven’t read it. I should look at it again. I don’t always have the capacity(there’s that word again) to read memoir, which might be why I shy away from writing my own.
Lately I have had three different memoirs out of the library and returned them unread. My intention was to absorb the genre’s best in order to gain some skill for my own. But I don’t seem to have the capacity, either.
The Glass Castle included a scene where the kid fell out of the car going around a curve and the parents didn’t notice for a while.
Right now I am reading Returning to Earth by Jim Harrison. My renewed interest in him is due to your posting his poetry. 😊
Thank you, Diane. I am so glad you felt the piece! That is always my intention in my writing. That particular sentence is meant to be evidence of my old catastrophic mindset at work. To plan for a future in Iowa City is healthier version of future thinking that I’m growing into. I don’t want to go anywhere, and I don’t know where I would go if I did. Welcome to A Thin Space!
Love this piece , your vulnerability and imagery and the connection to the poem was powerful - a great way to start a new day. I agree with the memoir comment below, if you find yourself able to go there.
This is beautiful and so heartfelt, Emily. I have a love-hate relationship with just the thought of death. I'm not afraid of death and in fact, curious about the future and the beyond but at the same time I do everything I can with the mindset that tomorrow is not a given. I love your imagery of holding the feather...perfect!🙏🏽❤️
Thank you, Steve. My relationship with death has certainly changed over the years, and I’m sure it will continue to as I keep circling it. It’s definitely curious!
Your car door reference reflected The Glass Castle for me. It also made me want to read YOUR memoir, Emily, as soon as you write it!
Thank you, Don! The memoir is there, I think. I just have to acquire the capacity (mostly emotional) to write it.
You and me both, I think. Did you read The Glass Castle, Emily?
I’ve had the same intentions at different times and ended up returning books as well. When I have the space, I have the space (I read A Flat Place by Noreen Masud recently, a memoir of complex trauma and its effects as seen through “empty” landscapes). When I don’t, I don’t. I haven’t read Harrison’s novels but love his poetry. I seem to connect with my grandfather through him. Not sure why, but my grandpa is definitely there when I read Harrison. Let me know what you think about the book. I hope you’ve had a better week (I’m remembering you saying that things had shifted a bit a couple of weeks ago).
Wow, you and I have gone through the same thing!
Harrison’s character in this book is a construction worker who is dying. I’m not dying yet, but I like books about working men. That’s why I enjoy him and Russell Banks and Richard Russo.
Yes, the shift had to do with my son, who has some complex anger at me. He agreed to do therapy with me, so that’s good, but it’s been tough. We’ve had three visits so far. That last week was especially difficult.
I forget if you and I have DMed, but just letting you know that I am open to any of my subscribers DMing me. (Not open to non-subscribers, lol. They are usually just trying to get me to look at their work).
So funny! Yes, we have numerous similarities. Thanks for the invite to DM. Comment threads aren’t exactly private! I will take you up on it, and you can do the same for me. I’ll just say here, that I understand that kind of therapy session. Hard.
I haven’t read it. I should look at it again. I don’t always have the capacity(there’s that word again) to read memoir, which might be why I shy away from writing my own.
Lately I have had three different memoirs out of the library and returned them unread. My intention was to absorb the genre’s best in order to gain some skill for my own. But I don’t seem to have the capacity, either.
The Glass Castle included a scene where the kid fell out of the car going around a curve and the parents didn’t notice for a while.
Right now I am reading Returning to Earth by Jim Harrison. My renewed interest in him is due to your posting his poetry. 😊
This was a beautiful read, Emily. I’m holding that vision of your future home in mind for you and sending good vibes for whatever comes next. 💙
Thanks, Amanda. I appreciate the holding. I was really happy with this piece:)
I feel every throb of your feelings in this open-hearted piece.
But I wonder about "political situation might become so inflammatory that we will be forced to leave the country."
Are you in a targeted demographic? Where else could you go?
Thank you, Diane. I am so glad you felt the piece! That is always my intention in my writing. That particular sentence is meant to be evidence of my old catastrophic mindset at work. To plan for a future in Iowa City is healthier version of future thinking that I’m growing into. I don’t want to go anywhere, and I don’t know where I would go if I did. Welcome to A Thin Space!
Love this piece , your vulnerability and imagery and the connection to the poem was powerful - a great way to start a new day. I agree with the memoir comment below, if you find yourself able to go there.
Thanks for this Becky. I really liked this piece. And I appreciate the thoughts on the memoir:).
This is beautiful and so heartfelt, Emily. I have a love-hate relationship with just the thought of death. I'm not afraid of death and in fact, curious about the future and the beyond but at the same time I do everything I can with the mindset that tomorrow is not a given. I love your imagery of holding the feather...perfect!🙏🏽❤️
Thank you, Steve. My relationship with death has certainly changed over the years, and I’m sure it will continue to as I keep circling it. It’s definitely curious!