39 Comments
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Tabitha Blair's avatar

This shit slaps harder than kourtney did to Kim kardashian.

Love it.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Ha, favorite comment so far!

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Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Something rather grim turned into something else, somewhat regal. You are the neck brace of writers, D... ;D

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

I’m going to put that on the back of my next book😂.

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Holly Starley's avatar

How ironic indeed.

Beautifully rendered, Deirdre.

I had meant to visit Slab City back in 2020, early on in my time living in Ruby the van. Then Covid made me hesitant. I’ve never been.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

I actually wondered Holly. My kids have been, but I never have. Maybe some day!

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Holly Starley's avatar

I was warned against going in alone. But I often find such warnings overhyped. I'd probably go of a morning if I didn't have someone who wanted to visit with me, play it by feel as to whether I stayed for a bit. Maybe some day for me as well. ;)

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Anna Schott's avatar

Wow!

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NJ Fiction's avatar

You are SO good at writing captivating text with accessible language. The language isn’t a distraction it’s the current to ride to the journey. EXCELLENCE

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Okay now I’m crying in the club. Thank you!

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Marc Typo's avatar

Agreed. That’s why I love it here. No fluff just goodness. Also, no desire here to ever visit a place like Slab City lol

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Ha, me neither, although maybe I'd go with NJ and wait in the car while she snooped around.

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Marc Typo's avatar

Going somewhere with NJ would make anyone safe. And if she shows with her husband who’s built like an action figure you are good to go!

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NJ Fiction's avatar

🫣🤣🤣 I can’t lie I’d go just cuz I’m nosey

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Noha Beshir's avatar

I love how you opened up this world to me I had no idea of. There is so much sadness in the world.

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SLART's avatar

What can I say, I hung on every word, saw every detail, heard every voice. Captivating writing! Thank you.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thank you for reading!!

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Rona Maynard's avatar

Harrowing. And it hits (so to speak) close to home. I walk my dog through a park where encampments approximate our local Slab City. Many neighbors are complaining. I haven’t seen any violence, only sorrow and need.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thanks Rona, I feel like everyone has a version of this place somewhere close by nowadays.

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Jaap STIJL's avatar

Limerick used to be called "Stab City" to highlight the city's reputation for frequent stabbings and violent altercations, often fueled by tensions over drug trade, territorial disputes, and criminal underworld activities.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Oh my gosh, I always love a little humor with the darkness! I think there are places like this all over for sure.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

The irony yeah... your words somehow always find a memory Deirdre - when I lived in Ireland there was a commune not far from us just like Slab City, its residents were all hedonistic, non conformists high on what ever mind altering drug they could afford. They were a peaceful bunch but the police hated them to the point of harassment, a shit show! Eventually they left, their art still stands in the fields as a reminder...

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

There's something that seems so alluring and interesting (and timeless! ) about these places but there's such darkness too , I'm sure they are all around the world.

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Will Boucher's avatar

This hits hard af. The desert visuals make me think of DeLillo's Underworld and the ending here was such a shock.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thank you!! I should check that out, I've never read anything by him before. It has a Mad Max vibe too , but there's something so desolate and abandoned that feels scary.

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

This slab snap is just brilliant. BRAVO Deidre!

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thank you Kim! It makes me happy that you are reading.

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Margi McGaan's avatar

Wow. Great writing. Saw a documentary on slab city here in U.K

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John Lovie's avatar

I've visited Bombay Beach several times, and I've been curious about Slab City, but never made it there.

This is amazing writing. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thank you so much. There’s a great documentary/movie called Bombay Beach by a director I love named Alma Ha’rel. I’ve never been to either place, but maybe someday.

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John Lovie's avatar

Good to know, thank you!

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Adam Nathan's avatar

You're onto something here, Deirdre.

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Fred "Doom" Dummar's avatar

Heavy stuff beatifully delivered.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Thanks Fred, I appreciate your reading!

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