I'm one of those people who subscribes to so many Substacks, reading them all would take a good part of every day...but so glad to have read yours this morning. Loved what you wrote, and the way you write. The part about your sister brought tears to my eyes, and grateful for your recommendations of things to watch (that's needed right now). Warm appreciation to you.
Fwiw, I am a subscriber specifically, because I think you have the whole writing and politics, so finally balanced that it’s always a pleasure and a learning experience. If anything, I will vote for more politics! I have always been a feminist, not just because I have two daughters, but for other reasons as well. But I never really realized How deep this abyss of fear and loathing of women goes for women in culture and history. It’s really been eye-opening. When you wrote about Jews and feminism in Austria for example. Over the last year or two, I can recall many other examples where I felt like I was getting Wonderful writing along with real meat and potatoes.
i love what you wrote about ellen, and how love can change throughout a relationship. i'm so glad you were able to fall in love with each other again as grown women. xx
Laurie, I love your work. I love your writing, your perspective, your energy and anger, your clarity and befuddlement. Just became a paid subscriber because your work is valuable to me. Thank you!
I got to know him. He told me something about goats and wisdom or goats and the opposite of wisdom or maybe it was a different animal, but I think it was goats.
so relate to the deep crazy cold. This was a lovely piece that I read out loud to my husband. And indeed, male writers seem to have no idea of the depth and importance of female friendship. None at all.
when i was a little girl i would ask my mum why i didn't have a sister. i so wanted one and even pretended i must have a lost twin somewhere in the world (i only have an older bossy brother-sigh.) i have some lovely women friends i cherish as sisters though.
i appreciate many things about your posts, but one is how i view shows more keenly since i started following you. asking "is this really how women treat each other (most of the time)?" and "who is writing these women into existence?" it makes for a much richer conversation after watching. thank you as always (sitting on the couch with my legs out straight, but with a pillow under my knees!)
"When Eliza told me not to sit with my legs straight out, it was a dead mouse I could present to Richard." Oh, oh, oh, the things we do! A new phrase for our old marriage. I can't wait to be wrong:-)
"He went on about being right for a second longer than I thought comradely..." I'm trying to smile for only a moment longer than needed. No balloons, but the moments are rare.
"This is what men imagine the world of women to be like, so the focus of female attention will remain on men." Do you apply the Bechdel Test to the shows you watch?
"You don't need to feel insulted." Often the case. It’s not an insult unless both sides recognize it as such.
My back hurts and I’m sure it’s because I sit with my legs straight out on the couch. Since you said this I keep trying to sit differently but then thought the pillow under my knees. You could ask your PT!
My best pal of 48 years died last week. I don’t even know who I am without the mirror of her mind to look in. I can’t watch or read anything that doesn’t nod to the importance of women’s friendships. I just start yelling at the book or show and that disturbs my fella and the dog. I no longer care why men are (generally) inept at being humans but believe their training in being entirely transactional might be a clue. I wonder what Briseis thought? Did she have friends?
It’s very cold here in Nova Scotia today and life seems a bit mean right now. Your writing warms me up. Thank you.
I love the description of your relationship with your sister. How beautiful that love blossomed in your sixties. I’m sorry you lost her but can feel her presence here. Also, if you weren’t pissing someone off with your politics, then your politics wouldn’t be strong enough, or clear enough. Especially in this moment in history. If we are silent, then we are participating. So the fact that someone left over your politics just means you’re standing up to some of the bullies in the world and he didn’t like it. Good work.
I'm here to piss people off. I didn't like the freedom he assumed to be obnoxious for no reason and to believe nothing would happen to him. It's easy to unsubscribe without trying to put me in my place. My feelings aren't hurt. I object to his arrogance and self-importance.
I'm one of those people who subscribes to so many Substacks, reading them all would take a good part of every day...but so glad to have read yours this morning. Loved what you wrote, and the way you write. The part about your sister brought tears to my eyes, and grateful for your recommendations of things to watch (that's needed right now). Warm appreciation to you.
Warm appreciation to you as well. xxL
I think Ellen might say you don’t need the spanx. I have an older sister named Ellen too. Xoxo
You know, the pants came. R said they look good. He is not a reliable witness. I don't look in mirrors below the shoulders.
Fwiw, I am a subscriber specifically, because I think you have the whole writing and politics, so finally balanced that it’s always a pleasure and a learning experience. If anything, I will vote for more politics! I have always been a feminist, not just because I have two daughters, but for other reasons as well. But I never really realized How deep this abyss of fear and loathing of women goes for women in culture and history. It’s really been eye-opening. When you wrote about Jews and feminism in Austria for example. Over the last year or two, I can recall many other examples where I felt like I was getting Wonderful writing along with real meat and potatoes.
Thanks so much, very happy to hear.
Privilege is invisible to those who have it.
I love your feminist Lenz never put it down. Thank you.
i love what you wrote about ellen, and how love can change throughout a relationship. i'm so glad you were able to fall in love with each other again as grown women. xx
Laurie, I love your work. I love your writing, your perspective, your energy and anger, your clarity and befuddlement. Just became a paid subscriber because your work is valuable to me. Thank you!
Thanks, darling. This is wonderful to hear. More to say but first: stink bugs. xxL
Millions and millions of them :)
The vacuum cleaner! OMG
And one day at breakfast I was raving about a book I’d loved… and the author was AT MY TABLE!!! (Joel Agee)
I got to know him. He told me something about goats and wisdom or goats and the opposite of wisdom or maybe it was a different animal, but I think it was goats.
I wish I could be your gym buddy! I'm good at that. Hope you enjoy the gym anyway!
Thanks! I'm doing PT, not going to a gym.
so relate to the deep crazy cold. This was a lovely piece that I read out loud to my husband. And indeed, male writers seem to have no idea of the depth and importance of female friendship. None at all.
Thank you! xxL
when i was a little girl i would ask my mum why i didn't have a sister. i so wanted one and even pretended i must have a lost twin somewhere in the world (i only have an older bossy brother-sigh.) i have some lovely women friends i cherish as sisters though.
i appreciate many things about your posts, but one is how i view shows more keenly since i started following you. asking "is this really how women treat each other (most of the time)?" and "who is writing these women into existence?" it makes for a much richer conversation after watching. thank you as always (sitting on the couch with my legs out straight, but with a pillow under my knees!)
So bappy to hear this, love. xxL
"When Eliza told me not to sit with my legs straight out, it was a dead mouse I could present to Richard." Oh, oh, oh, the things we do! A new phrase for our old marriage. I can't wait to be wrong:-)
🤣
The idea of being right as a dead mouse present is the insight and poetry i needed this morning — thanks
Meow.
"He went on about being right for a second longer than I thought comradely..." I'm trying to smile for only a moment longer than needed. No balloons, but the moments are rare.
"This is what men imagine the world of women to be like, so the focus of female attention will remain on men." Do you apply the Bechdel Test to the shows you watch?
"You don't need to feel insulted." Often the case. It’s not an insult unless both sides recognize it as such.
It was intended as an insult, R was saying I didn’t have to feel it.
Yes. Also the Moby Dick test (no women characters).
I never had a sister. Thanks for sharing yours.
What if we put a pillow under our knees? Can we sit with our legs straight out then?
I have no idea! This is just for me and my back. xxL
My back hurts and I’m sure it’s because I sit with my legs straight out on the couch. Since you said this I keep trying to sit differently but then thought the pillow under my knees. You could ask your PT!
My best pal of 48 years died last week. I don’t even know who I am without the mirror of her mind to look in. I can’t watch or read anything that doesn’t nod to the importance of women’s friendships. I just start yelling at the book or show and that disturbs my fella and the dog. I no longer care why men are (generally) inept at being humans but believe their training in being entirely transactional might be a clue. I wonder what Briseis thought? Did she have friends?
It’s very cold here in Nova Scotia today and life seems a bit mean right now. Your writing warms me up. Thank you.
See you later!
I love the description of your relationship with your sister. How beautiful that love blossomed in your sixties. I’m sorry you lost her but can feel her presence here. Also, if you weren’t pissing someone off with your politics, then your politics wouldn’t be strong enough, or clear enough. Especially in this moment in history. If we are silent, then we are participating. So the fact that someone left over your politics just means you’re standing up to some of the bullies in the world and he didn’t like it. Good work.
I'm here to piss people off. I didn't like the freedom he assumed to be obnoxious for no reason and to believe nothing would happen to him. It's easy to unsubscribe without trying to put me in my place. My feelings aren't hurt. I object to his arrogance and self-importance.