19 Comments
Sep 13Liked by Laurie Stone

You cut our foolish parts down to the bone, but with love. "Wake up, girlfriend!" I want to say, "I'm up." But I'm not sure I am. I'm working on it. Remember those dreams when you know this is bad and you struggle to wake up? Now I'm struggling to come to grips with how my children see me, or rather, don't, now that I'm 85. I'm a problem to solve! Though I've asked for nothing!

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author

I deeply love your comments. And thanks. xxL

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I'm only 76, and have accomplished diverse lifelong projects and generated two generations of offspring, yet realize that I too have become "a problem to solve," well put. None of this would be possible without my sense of humor, for which I am forever grateful.

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Sep 13Liked by Laurie Stone

It took me awhile to find my sense of humor again. it helps. But a strong sense of "Enough!" is also vital.

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Sep 13Liked by Laurie Stone

After being hustled twice

you held out your hand

he took it

This kindness took my breath away.

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author

Thanks, love . . . you know, it was the brown/white thing, the young/old thing, the who knows what thing with assumptions and boxes I just say no to. Starting a sentence with sweetheart is amazingly effective in the scariest zones. And of course I'm not shy. xxL

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Sep 14Liked by Laurie Stone

Just to say that I always enjoy your posts and the window they provide into your quirky mind…

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author

I’m making those spring rolls again for another party! I love the way our paths crossed, and I love you. xxL

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Sep 14Liked by Laurie Stone

I we would like to have another party just to be able to enjoy your excellent catering and to see you and Richard💕. Returned late last night from a brief family visit to Paris. Jet-lagging at home now with wonderful solitude (and my puppy, who doesn’t speak)

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author

Our house is getting the greatest facelift in the universe, and when it's done, you know we have a room for you. Any time you want to have another party with me, I promise I will do it, and Richard will come, too. (Of course.)

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Sep 13Liked by Laurie Stone

The street corner money dialogue and response was brilliant. That moment is available to us daily if we so choose.

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author

True. I don't know what came over me. xxL

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Sep 15Liked by Laurie Stone

Thanks, Laurie. I have some serious catching up to do.

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founding

"I miss everyone I've loved." That resonated.

"Recently, Literary Hub named Everything is Personal one of the seven best literary publications on Substack."

Congrats. Well deserved.

I'm reading Book 3 of Amy Stewart's Kopp Sisters series, Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions. Takes place in 1916 Bergen County, N.J., the unfairness of wayward-girls laws. "The unfairness of their lives in every moment shows the girl how the world works..."

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Sep 13Liked by Laurie Stone

your piece, "twelfth street," has always been one of my favorites. it's just the perfect little flash, and so you, because i have no idea if it happened or you invented it and i don't care. also cackled at this line: "I tried to picture a rodent strong enough to move the knives and restrained enough to leave the hummus uneaten." welp, anything in life is possible. that's what i see in your writing.

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You know, the thing with the kid really did happen. The crown had come loose the night before. I'd gone to see Gordon Beeferman perform in Greenpoint, and afterward we went to a restaurant, and as I was eating, oy, the thing came off. I was glad I didn't swallow it. That's why I remember the episode so keenly. It wasn't that long ago but when I was still in NY with the yoga mat on the street. The restaurant in Greenpoint was very veggie and vegany, of course, and I liked all the food until I had to stop eating.

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Sep 13Liked by Laurie Stone

at least you got in a few bites😀

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Oh well! I'm going to be at the birthday party of one of my bandies tomorrow.

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I appreciate the dangerous waters of honesty with a girlfriend who makes terrible romantic decisions.

When a trusted girlfriend speaks, not listening, not wanting to believe what you know is true is a denial deeper than our current generation. It spans decades.

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