Deidre Lewis, your post contains depths of real significance in relation to current values -
Our (un)caring society - no, it's not law that dominates, it's money - smiles, standing back, friendly greetings, real & felt understanding for disadvantage, disability, ageing effects, and simple respect for the vast array of varying human experience yet the commonality of need - these are either rare, close to disappearing or gone ...
How stark, yesterday and today - how paradoxical, the cold and hard old buildings filled with human connection and the modern, smooth, stylish, colourful, softly furnished tombs, devoid of smiles but equipped with guards & machines to deter the now ready eruption of hostility, blame & violence.
“Perfect little bits of jazz”…perfect description of Snaps.
After being able to renew my license online in my state for years…apparently now I’m too old so I have to drive 40 minutes to stand in line for a few hours because…? I will be thinking of today’s piece to entertain myself while I wait…getting older by the minute.
How wonderful, just recently went to the DMV to renew my license. They said the form they sent me was not good anymore and gave me a new one, the only difference being the issue date. I really needed to read this.
I love this. I was standing in line with you and both the voices in your head. You are me. Thanks for taking the time to write these, I love them. Congrats on the praises you are being given!!
Thankyou Deirdre - another gem. I’m with you in that courtroom queue - so visceral, and compassionate re- your fellow transgressors…
I also wanted to thank you for recommending Abigail Thomas’ “What comes next…” Can’t wait to read it.
And congratulations on your richly deserved shout-out from Liz Gilbert. It was via her ‘Letters from Love’ that I found my way to your ‘Snaps’ … so, multiple thank yous all round. 🧡
What Lizzy said is perfect! I think you should write something for the quarterly newspaper Country Highways. Your style fits. I look forward to your every next offering.
Huge congrats and hugs and yipppees on that mention from Gilbert. And what a validation for your attentive way in this world. You remind us all how to be more present.
Case in point, a simple, annoying, line at the courthouse and you reveal all the horror and wonder and absurdity of life, not in spite of but because of our humanity.
A huge shout of 'felicitations' for well deserved recognition Deidre! I hope you can hear my excitement for you!
Each time you write, I feel like you've written a new favourite, I love this, I love that you mention vulnerability, I love that EG describes your Snaps as 'perfect little bits of jazz' because they are!
Oh, this one! The bureaucracy of loneliness...
Deidre Lewis, your post contains depths of real significance in relation to current values -
Our (un)caring society - no, it's not law that dominates, it's money - smiles, standing back, friendly greetings, real & felt understanding for disadvantage, disability, ageing effects, and simple respect for the vast array of varying human experience yet the commonality of need - these are either rare, close to disappearing or gone ...
How stark, yesterday and today - how paradoxical, the cold and hard old buildings filled with human connection and the modern, smooth, stylish, colourful, softly furnished tombs, devoid of smiles but equipped with guards & machines to deter the now ready eruption of hostility, blame & violence.
Thank you Roger, I appreciate your reading. I'm always interested in those contrasts especially
“Perfect little bits of jazz”…perfect description of Snaps.
After being able to renew my license online in my state for years…apparently now I’m too old so I have to drive 40 minutes to stand in line for a few hours because…? I will be thinking of today’s piece to entertain myself while I wait…getting older by the minute.
Ha! Well good luck. Must be time for all the paperwork!
How wonderful, just recently went to the DMV to renew my license. They said the form they sent me was not good anymore and gave me a new one, the only difference being the issue date. I really needed to read this.
The DMV…that might be the worst place of all!
It was, but I came home and found ways to be happy
Thank goodness.
I love this. I was standing in line with you and both the voices in your head. You are me. Thanks for taking the time to write these, I love them. Congrats on the praises you are being given!!
... and I appreciate your writing. Glad that what I had to say was o.k. with you. Thanks. :-)
Congratulations again on your richly deserved recognition!
I enjoyed this peice, especially the wordless conversation in the queue.
I'm not familiar with the process, though. So the authorities issue you with a new licence which you then need to go to an office to show them?
Thank you , and no, the only reason I had to go was because I hadn’t renewed my license when I should have.
I see. An old-fashioned exercise in punishment.
I hope that old guy isn't still driving.
Ha!
Thankyou Deirdre - another gem. I’m with you in that courtroom queue - so visceral, and compassionate re- your fellow transgressors…
I also wanted to thank you for recommending Abigail Thomas’ “What comes next…” Can’t wait to read it.
And congratulations on your richly deserved shout-out from Liz Gilbert. It was via her ‘Letters from Love’ that I found my way to your ‘Snaps’ … so, multiple thank yous all round. 🧡
Oh I’m so glad Shelagh! Thank you and yes enjoy Abigail Thomas, I’m already onto the next book, Three Dog Life, she’s great.
What Lizzy said is perfect! I think you should write something for the quarterly newspaper Country Highways. Your style fits. I look forward to your every next offering.
Thank you!
Oops, it’s County Highways.
What perfect little morsels you served us here. I loved it.
Thanks Francesca.
All humanity is here, Deirdre. Poignant. A different kind of message in a bottle…
Thanks Wendy.
Huge congrats and hugs and yipppees on that mention from Gilbert. And what a validation for your attentive way in this world. You remind us all how to be more present.
Case in point, a simple, annoying, line at the courthouse and you reveal all the horror and wonder and absurdity of life, not in spite of but because of our humanity.
A huge shout of 'felicitations' for well deserved recognition Deidre! I hope you can hear my excitement for you!
Each time you write, I feel like you've written a new favourite, I love this, I love that you mention vulnerability, I love that EG describes your Snaps as 'perfect little bits of jazz' because they are!