40 Comments
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Lee Buchanan's avatar

I loved that. I'm glad you didn't go the route of branding such events as ageing brain glitches and memory failures. 😊

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I never read that kind of copy about aging. It makes me squirm.

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RACHAEL’S REFLECTIONS AT 85's avatar

Where serendipity (sp?) marries purpose = my junk drawer. I found this piece playful and light and let myself enjoy it and wonder which of you put the cheese 🧀 in the junk drawer—

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I claim complete innocence. It is a relief (for me and seventysomething readers) to include a humor piece from time to time.

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Karen Holby's avatar

Masterful! Thanks for the giggles!

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

It's a great delight to bring laughter into the world from time to time.

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Sandy Gerber's avatar

I couldn't help but draw a parallel between the cheese's reclamation of memory of prior iterations of life that were lovely and serene--meadows and clover and wildflowers--and my own intense desire during times like these to reclaim iterations of life that were more humane, sane, just, and aspirational toward the good.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I understand that impulse and can only suggest that there is a level at which our ancestral origins are always with us. We live in many different time frames simultaneously. I believe it's ok, in fact necessary, to remain in touch with our connection to a past that celebrates wholeness. It's there in us along with the fractious present.

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Jim Lawrence's avatar

"The cheese saw that there was a vast world beyond the dairy shelf..."

This whole piece is delightful, thank you Susie! I will never look at (or eat) cheese in the same way again.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

How's it going, Jim? It's a beautiful day in Minnesota and I'm not going to let them take that away from me.

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Jim Lawrence's avatar

Enjoy Susie. Best to you both! Everything's going great here, weather is not too hot, got some rain this morning so life is good.

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Peggy Reeves's avatar

You had me traveling on that longitudinal spaciousness between laughing and crying. What a wonderful trip! Blessings on the meal.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Peggy! So good to chat with you. It's an interesting experience when you laugh at your own writing. Highly recommended.

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Marysue's avatar

Hilarious and lovely! Thank you for this!!!

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

My pleasure. Sometimes you've gotta get goofy.

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Three Score and More's avatar

“The cheese stands alone”. ?

Hardly. Not in this adventure.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

My sense was that we were all in on it.

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Avivah Wittenberg-Cox's avatar

Love this Susie! There’s depth and metaphor in the common cheddar.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

You never know when a common entity like a piece of cheese will inspire. It's all in there!

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BKL's avatar

I believe I detect a trend in your writing toward the more poetic and fantastical. And I like it. A lot.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thanks, BKL It comes and goes. I seem to want to have permission to go in various directions.

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Rita C's avatar

I never enjoyed cheese as much as this peripatetic piece allowed me to savor🤗

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Always keep in mind that "the cheese stands alone."

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Bryan Demchinsky's avatar

My junk drawer resides between my ears. Occasionally, around lunchtime, a piece of cheese makes its presence felt.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

That's a tough one to play in. Always so crowded, yes?

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Bryan Demchinsky's avatar

Yes. Easy to get lost in thought.

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Mary Kate Jordan's avatar

What a blessing! Thanks.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I was influenced by Elinor's teaching yesterday...hence the cheese's origin in the cow. Very enjoyable to ponder.

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S Schaefer's avatar

Oh it's all so familiar! Thank you!!

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I used to treat my car like an overgrown junk drawer as well. I took particular pleasure in not keeping house in the car.

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Jinks Hoffmann's avatar

Hilarious! What a whimsical flight from the sometimes grim and flooded flood!

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I always have to convince myself that whimsical is ok. It's one of my greatest writing challenges....giving myself permission to play for laughs.

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Jinks Hoffmann's avatar

Your humor may be my favorite part of your take on life. Humor is certainly one of my most beloved ways of sidling up to the Divine.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Sidling is always a good way to go.

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Amy Cotler's avatar

Well done!

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thanks, Amy. What's the word for junk drawer in Spanish?

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