There’s no obvious connection between your endeavor and sports, but I’ll attempt one, however clumsy: You got GAME lady! Keep going and make us all better.
Oh Elizabeth. Sitting up so tall this morning. Thank you and Happy Birthday Chicken Scratch. Tutus and all. I love this. Love you. Value you SO so exceptionally much. You. this. Wow.
I am going to POST those four bullets from your essay on my newly emptied cork board, and someday soon (which is looking more and more like today) I am going to crack back open a project I started (geesh!) in 2001 and have obsessively hesitated over since then. Kick the fires and light the tires! (wait..that's not right...)
Oh, now that is exciting! Do keep me/us posted on how it's evolving. And hey, if you come at it from the right angle, with the right shoes, a little fire kicking is probably just what's needed. Thanks so much, Stewart.
Ah Elizabeth. It seems you are creating a lovely virtual community for folks who don’t have the good fortune to be in the same physical space as you (like us in the Eastern Shore community of regenerative farmers). I must say... your entry into the world of writing was much more thoughtful and brave than my entry into farming - which involved more of a spur of the week jump off a cliff.
Such a kind comment, Cleo. The way I see it, every creator meets the endeavor in the best way for them. You may have jumped off a cliff, but you landed in a bountiful sea! This community is so fortunate to have you.
Thank you so much for the beautiful, amazing, magical gems of your heart and mind that you share with us through your exceptional writing! Happy twotwo years! ❤️🎉🎊
Happy birthday and congratulations! So glad I found your writing and this space. I love the photos of the Tutus. You are so right about just getting in there (wherever There is) and giving it a go.
Thank you for the inspiration today, and for saying what’s on my mind too, about Substack in general & about the incredible connections I’ve made here. Your gorgeous writing fuels me to keep kicking off the ground...
It is just the right place for many of us, isn't it? Robin, I so appreciate you being part of the Scratch community, and yes -- keep kicking!! Surely between all of us, the inspiration is multiplying!
Much gratitude, Prue. Would you believe I'm starting to hear an Australian accent when I read your words? :) You've been such a positive part of my experience here. I'm deeply thankful.
Oh Lordy! I hope it's not too Australian! Having worked for the ABC (our national public broadcaster), back when broadcasting accents were required to be more 'English', I hope I still incline that way, although maybe the common touch is taking over! ;)
I love reading Chicken Scratch and was really surprised when you said you'd only been there 2 years as your column reads so professionally.
I think I started Knots in the String in Feb of 2022 after writing a blog for 15 years. We may have begun within weeks of each other!
Prue! ABC!? You keep revealing bits of your story that leave me awestruck. Your experience runs deep! I'll certainly adapt what I hear in my head to a more English version, and one day maybe, you'll share an audio voiceover so I can hear the real thing. 😊
Fitting that our launch dates were likely similarly timed. Thank you for the lift of your words here, and always.
There's an interview on a podcast called Rock Paper Swords (it was recorded in 2022 - seems like yesterday!) which will give you an idea. That's kind of me, now. Not quite as pukkah as when I worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0jB-6hxrig
Interesting mix of accents on that podcast. Best selling UK (English) author Matthew Harffy, best selling UK (Scots) author Steven Mackay and then me (Australian). :)
What a fun, cultural combination in that podcast! I don't know whether this will come off as a compliment or not, but I mean it as one: You sound the way I imagined, only your voice is a bit deeper than the one I'd dreamed up. Perhaps because my exposure to other Australian friends and acquaintances has been mostly those who live in Sydney, I'm less able to conjure up anything particularly rural. At any rate, you sound delightful!
Oh...dreams? Really!? That gives me goose bumps. :) Your persistent cheerleading has been a wonderful force, Barry, and I'm better for it. You were most certainly among those providing "external urges." It just took me a long time to find my own strength. Thank you!!
Rebecca -- no idea how I missed this before, and thank you, belatedly. You are a lively and inspiring member of the community here, and I'm grateful for that.
You were the first sub stacker I read, thanks to me dear friend Mary Robinson's sending me her enthusiastic recommendation. Since then, I have found others in the tribe of extraordinary writers who regularly touch my funny bone and my soul, sometimes simultaneously! And now, how delightful to frequently find that my favorite writers offer their comments, encouragement, and support to one another!!
Oh, Susan. I had no idea I was your first! (Please ignore any unintended associations with that phrase. 😊 ) You've been a wonderful addition to this community and to the platform as a whole, I'm sure. Thank you. And, thanks Mary!
Happy substack anniversary! I am so happy to have met you via substack. I always enjoy the interesting angles you take. The significance of the 2-2-22 start date is so wonderful. What a beautiful tribute -- and such great photos. I love the list of “don’t wait” rationales! Here’s to another great year!
🎉🎉🎉 Happy 2nd birthday to you and the team. 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you, Marcus. Team Scratch!
There’s no obvious connection between your endeavor and sports, but I’ll attempt one, however clumsy: You got GAME lady! Keep going and make us all better.
Thanks, Rob. I don't presume to have the capacity (or desire) to make anyone better. But, teamwork seems like a reasonable goal. :)
Oh Elizabeth. Sitting up so tall this morning. Thank you and Happy Birthday Chicken Scratch. Tutus and all. I love this. Love you. Value you SO so exceptionally much. You. this. Wow.
Appreciate that, Courtney -- and you!
Thank you, Elizabeth. Your pieces always make me think. I’m glad you got this baby off the ground.
Grateful to you, Suzanne, for being part of the flight crew!
Thank you, back at you.
I am going to POST those four bullets from your essay on my newly emptied cork board, and someday soon (which is looking more and more like today) I am going to crack back open a project I started (geesh!) in 2001 and have obsessively hesitated over since then. Kick the fires and light the tires! (wait..that's not right...)
Oh, now that is exciting! Do keep me/us posted on how it's evolving. And hey, if you come at it from the right angle, with the right shoes, a little fire kicking is probably just what's needed. Thanks so much, Stewart.
Ah Elizabeth. It seems you are creating a lovely virtual community for folks who don’t have the good fortune to be in the same physical space as you (like us in the Eastern Shore community of regenerative farmers). I must say... your entry into the world of writing was much more thoughtful and brave than my entry into farming - which involved more of a spur of the week jump off a cliff.
Such a kind comment, Cleo. The way I see it, every creator meets the endeavor in the best way for them. You may have jumped off a cliff, but you landed in a bountiful sea! This community is so fortunate to have you.
Thank you so much for the beautiful, amazing, magical gems of your heart and mind that you share with us through your exceptional writing! Happy twotwo years! ❤️🎉🎊
Ah, thanks, Cynthia for your support and consistency. Love that twotwo! :)
Happy birthday and congratulations! So glad I found your writing and this space. I love the photos of the Tutus. You are so right about just getting in there (wherever There is) and giving it a go.
Rita, it's great getting to know you and your writing. I really appreciate you being here.
Thank you for the inspiration today, and for saying what’s on my mind too, about Substack in general & about the incredible connections I’ve made here. Your gorgeous writing fuels me to keep kicking off the ground...
It is just the right place for many of us, isn't it? Robin, I so appreciate you being part of the Scratch community, and yes -- keep kicking!! Surely between all of us, the inspiration is multiplying!
Happy Birthday. I'm happy to be one of your readers. Thank you for your writings
I'm happy, too, Darrell. It means so much to me that you're here. Thank you!
Happy birthday to Chicken Scratch and thank you for the most thought provoking posts weekly.
May you keep that lovely writing style looping across the pages - stirring our grey cells to think harder and deeper.
Onward, Elizabeth, to the next milestone!
Much gratitude, Prue. Would you believe I'm starting to hear an Australian accent when I read your words? :) You've been such a positive part of my experience here. I'm deeply thankful.
Oh Lordy! I hope it's not too Australian! Having worked for the ABC (our national public broadcaster), back when broadcasting accents were required to be more 'English', I hope I still incline that way, although maybe the common touch is taking over! ;)
I love reading Chicken Scratch and was really surprised when you said you'd only been there 2 years as your column reads so professionally.
I think I started Knots in the String in Feb of 2022 after writing a blog for 15 years. We may have begun within weeks of each other!
Prue! ABC!? You keep revealing bits of your story that leave me awestruck. Your experience runs deep! I'll certainly adapt what I hear in my head to a more English version, and one day maybe, you'll share an audio voiceover so I can hear the real thing. 😊
Fitting that our launch dates were likely similarly timed. Thank you for the lift of your words here, and always.
There's an interview on a podcast called Rock Paper Swords (it was recorded in 2022 - seems like yesterday!) which will give you an idea. That's kind of me, now. Not quite as pukkah as when I worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0jB-6hxrig
Interesting mix of accents on that podcast. Best selling UK (English) author Matthew Harffy, best selling UK (Scots) author Steven Mackay and then me (Australian). :)
What a fun, cultural combination in that podcast! I don't know whether this will come off as a compliment or not, but I mean it as one: You sound the way I imagined, only your voice is a bit deeper than the one I'd dreamed up. Perhaps because my exposure to other Australian friends and acquaintances has been mostly those who live in Sydney, I'm less able to conjure up anything particularly rural. At any rate, you sound delightful!
Thank you... XXXX
I had dreams of you doing this.... It seems like years that I could picture words flying with wings from your creative mind... Congratulations....
Oh...dreams? Really!? That gives me goose bumps. :) Your persistent cheerleading has been a wonderful force, Barry, and I'm better for it. You were most certainly among those providing "external urges." It just took me a long time to find my own strength. Thank you!!
Happy Stackaversary. :).
Flockaversary! 😅 Thanks, Olga.
Oh, what a fabulous post - it's glowing with inspiration, Elizabeth! What joy! Happy, happy second birthday to Chicken Scratch! 🥳
Rebecca -- no idea how I missed this before, and thank you, belatedly. You are a lively and inspiring member of the community here, and I'm grateful for that.
Oh, such a pleasure, Elizabeth!!!! 😘
You were the first sub stacker I read, thanks to me dear friend Mary Robinson's sending me her enthusiastic recommendation. Since then, I have found others in the tribe of extraordinary writers who regularly touch my funny bone and my soul, sometimes simultaneously! And now, how delightful to frequently find that my favorite writers offer their comments, encouragement, and support to one another!!
Cheers abound!
Oh, Susan. I had no idea I was your first! (Please ignore any unintended associations with that phrase. 😊 ) You've been a wonderful addition to this community and to the platform as a whole, I'm sure. Thank you. And, thanks Mary!
Happy substack anniversary! I am so happy to have met you via substack. I always enjoy the interesting angles you take. The significance of the 2-2-22 start date is so wonderful. What a beautiful tribute -- and such great photos. I love the list of “don’t wait” rationales! Here’s to another great year!
Likewise, fist bumps, 'Stack-start sistahs, and all that! I may need to stick that "don't wait" list on my forehead. Thanks, Amy!