i wait eagerly each week for your words, knowing they will buoy me. every once in a while i print them to be able to read again and again and again, until your phrases become like favorite lyrics i can sing to myself. this is one of those.
Gah! Roe, this is such a warm and lovely comment. I'm honored. And knowing what I know about your singing voice, I'd say we're in good harmony together. Thank you!
Gosh, Shifra, I don't think anyone has ever specifically noted the afterwords before. Thank you for that, and for staying engaged all the way through! It's always a pleasure to see you here.
Elizabeth, to follow your lead, I want to tell you… thank you.
Decades ago, I once asked an elderly friend how he was doing. His answer:
Could be better.
Could be a whole lot worse.
Now I carry that humble offering with me like the small round pebble in my pocket. Spotted along the trail, inspired by its unique ordinariness, stolen and stashed, a literal touch stone of love’s assurance.
Despite everything, and because you asked, I’m doing okay. I hope.
Deb, I love, love, love the beautiful story of your stone and how it reminds you of your friend's wise gift! Such comfort there, and a steady reminder of the choices we get to make about how we see the world. Thank you so much!
Dear, dear Elizabeth. You know how to make each day worth more than first appears and then live it up to the brim, spilling over with gratitude. That's what you did for me today and today is just one day. These days accumulate, one after another, and suddenly we have a whole week of blessings revealed and shared. Thank you, my friend.
What a kind comment, Gary. I don't know how much I know, but I can say with confidence that any day that gives me the gift of joy is a good one. Blessings, indeed. Thank you so much for joining in the conversation today. I hope you are feeling stronger.
Despite it all, your posts arrive and lighten the load, my chipmunk friend, Gus, has returned, the rhubarb has 3 leaves unfurling, the daffodils are blooming, my friend's chickens are again laying the delicious and beautiful eggs. Despite it all...
This is just so lovely. Thank you. It's reminding me that the joys we can find when we're living through a "despite everything" time are often the sweetest and deepest. And that it's good and necessary to allow ourselves to feel them.
Good and necessary, for sure, Rita. I imagine you've been feeling heaps of that during your time with your lovely daughter. I'm happy you were able to spend time together. And, I'm so glad to see you here!
So beautiful. I want to tell you that I’m so glad we met in this space. And, when I was a teen, I dabbled in unicycle, too. But I wasn’t very good at it! I was a better juggler. And I wasn’t a very good juggler either. Which will give you a better idea what a terrible unicyclist I was! And despite everything, I’m really okay xo.
I really love the format of this, Elizabeth, the poetry of this list and the cadence of the repetition. So many wonderful things juxtaposed this way, and you wound around to a story of an individual and a connection. I love that.
Amy, I'm sincerely grateful for how your comment centers on format and style. This was one of those pieces that I could hear before it went down in words, much like poetry, as you note. The process itself was fascinating, from a construction lens, because early on, the story of the man was how it began, not how it ended. I enjoy looking back on the evolution of some writings, this one included. Thanks for being someone who is dialed into that. Always appreciate your thoughts.
In a difficult week, I want to tell you how your words light up my day like sunshine and my night like fireflies. And I want to tell you I am so GLAD I found Chicken Scratch. I want to tell you once again, that I'm in awe.
Aw, Prue. Hugs for the difficult week, and more hugs for being glad to have discovered each other. I think I've mentioned it before but it bears repeating that I enjoy having opportunities to say, "My Tasmanian friend, Prue..." Thank you for being such a fan. The feeling is mutual.
Oh Elizabeth, how I appreciate your ability to see the things that others miss and present them in such a heartfelt package. I love the longing of wanting to tell these things to someone who gets it. I want to listen to all of your little moments that you polish into gems. Also banana cookies! I am on that recipe like nobody's business as I am a banana princess (can only eat during perfect ripeness, no brown biz for me) so often my brown bananas need a call from the governor to save their lives (or perhaps a play date with an apple)
I was only listening and not reading along so I didn't see the shout out coming. THANK YOU for your kind words. You are such a blessing. That is not a word I use often, but I take it out when I need an exalted description. 💗 Thanks for firing up the hope machine like you do.
Well, friend, you have successfully made my eyes leak. 🥹 Thank you for being someone who also notices and *gets it!* Maybe the cookies will hit just the right spot like they did for me. Definitely not as decadent as some, but hey - that means we need less justification to eat five!
You and your writing deserve to be lifted up, and how great to have a platform to do that from. About your use of blessing and exalted in one paragraph? What can a [blushing] girl say about that other than thank you, and catch! 'Cause I'm sending it right back in your direction. Hope lives on!
I hope your balanced brilliance is seen by many, Elizabeth. All those new subscribers are in for a taste of your heart felt life, which is so open to wisdom and keen observation. Thank.you for sending my own publication out to others, I hope you know how much I have appreciated your guidance here. I hope often. J
Aw, thank you, Janice. I guess, if I have a wish for what comes of Chicken Scratch, it is that someone might make a connection they hadn't already thought to make, or one they've been afraid to consider. Always grateful to see you here. (By the way, it looks like there's a link there embedded in your "thank you," but when I click on it, it goes to a non-page. I didn't even know we could link in comments, so 🤷♀️...)
i wait eagerly each week for your words, knowing they will buoy me. every once in a while i print them to be able to read again and again and again, until your phrases become like favorite lyrics i can sing to myself. this is one of those.
Gah! Roe, this is such a warm and lovely comment. I'm honored. And knowing what I know about your singing voice, I'd say we're in good harmony together. Thank you!
I deeply appreciate your incredibly moving and helpful shares 🙏especially your questions at the end 💗
Gosh, Shifra, I don't think anyone has ever specifically noted the afterwords before. Thank you for that, and for staying engaged all the way through! It's always a pleasure to see you here.
😍
So sweet, thank you, Elizabeth! 🙏💚
Back atcha, Don. And thanks so much for the restack!
Thank you for this good news!
In this case, Darrell, it is truly my pleasure. Great to see you!
Elizabeth, to follow your lead, I want to tell you… thank you.
Decades ago, I once asked an elderly friend how he was doing. His answer:
Could be better.
Could be a whole lot worse.
Now I carry that humble offering with me like the small round pebble in my pocket. Spotted along the trail, inspired by its unique ordinariness, stolen and stashed, a literal touch stone of love’s assurance.
Despite everything, and because you asked, I’m doing okay. I hope.
Deb, I love, love, love the beautiful story of your stone and how it reminds you of your friend's wise gift! Such comfort there, and a steady reminder of the choices we get to make about how we see the world. Thank you so much!
Dear, dear Elizabeth. You know how to make each day worth more than first appears and then live it up to the brim, spilling over with gratitude. That's what you did for me today and today is just one day. These days accumulate, one after another, and suddenly we have a whole week of blessings revealed and shared. Thank you, my friend.
What a kind comment, Gary. I don't know how much I know, but I can say with confidence that any day that gives me the gift of joy is a good one. Blessings, indeed. Thank you so much for joining in the conversation today. I hope you are feeling stronger.
A friend to play with. Love that. ❤️
Sure made me smile. Good to see you, Janet. I hope you are doing okay, despite everything. ❤️
Despite it all, your posts arrive and lighten the load, my chipmunk friend, Gus, has returned, the rhubarb has 3 leaves unfurling, the daffodils are blooming, my friend's chickens are again laying the delicious and beautiful eggs. Despite it all...
Gus! Welcome back, wee friend! There really is so much goodness, isn't there. Thank you, Susan, for noticing and chiming in here today.
This is just so lovely. Thank you. It's reminding me that the joys we can find when we're living through a "despite everything" time are often the sweetest and deepest. And that it's good and necessary to allow ourselves to feel them.
Good and necessary, for sure, Rita. I imagine you've been feeling heaps of that during your time with your lovely daughter. I'm happy you were able to spend time together. And, I'm so glad to see you here!
And I want to tell you that you are loved... And that your words are lovely....
☺️ Precious friend -- thank you. Love you back!
So beautiful. I want to tell you that I’m so glad we met in this space. And, when I was a teen, I dabbled in unicycle, too. But I wasn’t very good at it! I was a better juggler. And I wasn’t a very good juggler either. Which will give you a better idea what a terrible unicyclist I was! And despite everything, I’m really okay xo.
Same, Nan, same, on being glad we met, and not being a very good juggler (I never tried the unicycle). It's always great to connect with you!
I really love the format of this, Elizabeth, the poetry of this list and the cadence of the repetition. So many wonderful things juxtaposed this way, and you wound around to a story of an individual and a connection. I love that.
Amy, I'm sincerely grateful for how your comment centers on format and style. This was one of those pieces that I could hear before it went down in words, much like poetry, as you note. The process itself was fascinating, from a construction lens, because early on, the story of the man was how it began, not how it ended. I enjoy looking back on the evolution of some writings, this one included. Thanks for being someone who is dialed into that. Always appreciate your thoughts.
So often I have to invert my work during the process...the beginning and the end....it is a fantastic format, Amy's comments spot-on!!
In a difficult week, I want to tell you how your words light up my day like sunshine and my night like fireflies. And I want to tell you I am so GLAD I found Chicken Scratch. I want to tell you once again, that I'm in awe.
Aw, Prue. Hugs for the difficult week, and more hugs for being glad to have discovered each other. I think I've mentioned it before but it bears repeating that I enjoy having opportunities to say, "My Tasmanian friend, Prue..." Thank you for being such a fan. The feeling is mutual.
One more hug...just because. 🥰
Oh Elizabeth, how I appreciate your ability to see the things that others miss and present them in such a heartfelt package. I love the longing of wanting to tell these things to someone who gets it. I want to listen to all of your little moments that you polish into gems. Also banana cookies! I am on that recipe like nobody's business as I am a banana princess (can only eat during perfect ripeness, no brown biz for me) so often my brown bananas need a call from the governor to save their lives (or perhaps a play date with an apple)
I was only listening and not reading along so I didn't see the shout out coming. THANK YOU for your kind words. You are such a blessing. That is not a word I use often, but I take it out when I need an exalted description. 💗 Thanks for firing up the hope machine like you do.
Well, friend, you have successfully made my eyes leak. 🥹 Thank you for being someone who also notices and *gets it!* Maybe the cookies will hit just the right spot like they did for me. Definitely not as decadent as some, but hey - that means we need less justification to eat five!
You and your writing deserve to be lifted up, and how great to have a platform to do that from. About your use of blessing and exalted in one paragraph? What can a [blushing] girl say about that other than thank you, and catch! 'Cause I'm sending it right back in your direction. Hope lives on!
It's a lovely stroll down the lanes of my synapses, awakening those I didn't know needed a little boost! Thanks
☺️ Here's to unexpected boosts, Jill! Your presence here is much appreciated.
I hope your balanced brilliance is seen by many, Elizabeth. All those new subscribers are in for a taste of your heart felt life, which is so open to wisdom and keen observation. Thank.you for sending my own publication out to others, I hope you know how much I have appreciated your guidance here. I hope often. J
Aw, thank you, Janice. I guess, if I have a wish for what comes of Chicken Scratch, it is that someone might make a connection they hadn't already thought to make, or one they've been afraid to consider. Always grateful to see you here. (By the way, it looks like there's a link there embedded in your "thank you," but when I click on it, it goes to a non-page. I didn't even know we could link in comments, so 🤷♀️...)