It’s validating when no less august a publication than The New York Times (February 3) publishes a piece about the merits of unstructured discovery, a way of being I’ve been advocating, mostly unconsciously, my whole life.
I loved your writing about leaving the doors open to what comes in. I am a textile jewelry artist and I love the way patterns and designs seem to follow a plan of their own. If I just watch closely, I will see which way they want to go! It always
So interesting to hear about that. I think I came to the understanding about life wandering in and out of the frame before I really saw that that's how I write.
Always a pleasure to read. I am going to look for my necklace with a green chrysoprase stone. It was given to me thirty years ago by a friend because the stone came from Poland, where we had just adopted our daughter. Your reference to chrysoprase brought a flood of memories.
Damn, you are good! What an awesome piece of meandering story - ending up just right. And writing with pneumonia....well, dear, like I said, you are damn good!
Important to notice the entrances. Our closest friends in the Berkshires just had their first grandchild (he's my age). I so appreciate your use of the word precious.
I have identified my love of serendipity... the way life comes and goes when all the doors remain open.
This whole essay is simply one of my favorite reflections of yours, Susie. Your doors are so open. You allow so much in and out, which gladdens this reader's heart immensely.
Thank you, Jinks. It seems to be important to allow it all to move around according to its own design. Not all of it sticks, of course. But it feels like the main thing is to pay attention, to notice.
Wow—to that last sentence/question. It not only supports your argument but makes the wandering with open curiosity a way of living we should all try. Thanks for another good read. P.S. I find books using the same approach—put myself nearby, and they find me.
We must be from the same tribe. I realize the meandering is also the way I write. The ideas and the language find me just as the books find you. Such good fortune.
Susie, this was delicious! I hope your ring reappears one day soon where you’ve not looked for it. What I’m curious about was your thread about dust— did you know when you first mentioned the dusty coat that you’d close this piece with the cycle of dust that we came from and will return to? As always I admire and adore your writing!💚
I did not know where the dust would fly! So the whole serendipitous process applies in particular to writing. Ideas and language wander in from around the corner. Then it's my process to figure out why they're there.
This is so provocative. Being seventysomething myself, I am more and more delighted by surprise and serendipity. Yes, indeed. Being intrigued by something/everything is a lovely way to navigate these years. Especially since, by now, most illusions of control are slipping away. Thank you for your words. I am sharing this widely. Hopefully, more readers will join.
Thank you Susie....I now know what to call myself
You'd make a great flâneuse!
And of course your title brings to mind George Costanza's "Serenity Now!"
Thank you for climbing on to my wavelength! It’s cozy.
I loved your writing about leaving the doors open to what comes in. I am a textile jewelry artist and I love the way patterns and designs seem to follow a plan of their own. If I just watch closely, I will see which way they want to go! It always
fascinates and thrills me! Sandy Swirnoff
So interesting to hear about that. I think I came to the understanding about life wandering in and out of the frame before I really saw that that's how I write.
Always a pleasure to read. I am going to look for my necklace with a green chrysoprase stone. It was given to me thirty years ago by a friend because the stone came from Poland, where we had just adopted our daughter. Your reference to chrysoprase brought a flood of memories.
Wonderful. I only know that word in relation to that particular vanished ring. Knowing it in relation to your necklace makes it less lost.
This was like a balm, Susie. Lovely, calming and deeply resonant.
In another lifetime, we would have strolled around together. So glad to reach you.
Oh I love that thought so much. ❤
Damn, you are good! What an awesome piece of meandering story - ending up just right. And writing with pneumonia....well, dear, like I said, you are damn good!
Thank you! Woke up really clear and comfortable in my body today....as if the breath was moving through me unimpeded.
Precious people exiting…and entering.
Important to notice the entrances. Our closest friends in the Berkshires just had their first grandchild (he's my age). I so appreciate your use of the word precious.
I was also referring to being open to the entrance of special people in our lives. Nurturing the magic of human serendipity.
YES. This has been a real learning for me in Minnesota. It's remarkable at this point in my life that people are continuing to arrive, unsolicited.
I have identified my love of serendipity... the way life comes and goes when all the doors remain open.
This whole essay is simply one of my favorite reflections of yours, Susie. Your doors are so open. You allow so much in and out, which gladdens this reader's heart immensely.
Thank you, Jinks. It seems to be important to allow it all to move around according to its own design. Not all of it sticks, of course. But it feels like the main thing is to pay attention, to notice.
Wow—to that last sentence/question. It not only supports your argument but makes the wandering with open curiosity a way of living we should all try. Thanks for another good read. P.S. I find books using the same approach—put myself nearby, and they find me.
We must be from the same tribe. I realize the meandering is also the way I write. The ideas and the language find me just as the books find you. Such good fortune.
A fine piece of writing by a very fine writer.
Always special to share it with you
Wonderful writing and sentiments!
Welcome to seventysomething! Really appreciate hearing from you.
Feel/get better soon/!
Thank you, Mary. A real study in the wonder of antibiotics
This makes me smile.
Just keep looking around. Surprises and smiling are a good team.
Susie, this was delicious! I hope your ring reappears one day soon where you’ve not looked for it. What I’m curious about was your thread about dust— did you know when you first mentioned the dusty coat that you’d close this piece with the cycle of dust that we came from and will return to? As always I admire and adore your writing!💚
I did not know where the dust would fly! So the whole serendipitous process applies in particular to writing. Ideas and language wander in from around the corner. Then it's my process to figure out why they're there.
This is so provocative. Being seventysomething myself, I am more and more delighted by surprise and serendipity. Yes, indeed. Being intrigued by something/everything is a lovely way to navigate these years. Especially since, by now, most illusions of control are slipping away. Thank you for your words. I am sharing this widely. Hopefully, more readers will join.
Thank you, Minx. It's a blessing of aging, I believe, that the gates are flung open to allow the unexpected to come pouring in.