You tell yourself you can’t go through life angry because everyone says anger is a stupid emotion and you don’t get invited out that much. Get older and get treated as the girl who is old. Never shut up about what a load of shit that is. - This is so brilliant. I'm sorry it takes us so long to wake up to being manipulated. Thanks for your genius, Laurie. And your mesmerizing voice.
I can't get away from the anger comment. Mine is bubbling out all over the place. I almost wrote to a cousin canceling an earlier raging note, in embarrassment, but you stopped me.
"The speed with which blood is only too happy to leave your body gets you up and searching for a belt." Today's post filled me with a sense of urgency, Laurie.
This is one of my favorites of your Substack articles that I've read! Every story reminded me of how different my life would be if I were not born a girl. And, like you wrote, sometimes it's a lot of "hey wait a minute that’s a load of shit," but most of the time I'm thankful, because there are so many amazing women like you to look up to.
And it seems like maybe your response to Paul Schrader convinced him to delete his post, because I can't find it - hahaha.
Laugh-out-loud funny. “I don’t want to be kind to the ground hog. I don’t want to hurt him, either, but I wouldn’t be sad if, for example, two burly men in leather coats surrounded him, loaded him into a car, and drove him to New Jersey.” Oh God, I love your writing. And yes, brilliant response to Paul Schrader. The French say, “Vlan!” ❤️
The story of the mother and the cat reminds me of my mother. After I left for college, our border collie named Mozart started to pee more in the house during thunderstorms. She put him down, in my opinion, too soon. She said she saw the ghost of Mozart greet her ex boyfriend when he came over and then he crossed over. I know she loved Mozart even though she hurried his death
Birthdays to me are worth a nod as I count the years. Moment: Liz and I are in a bookstore just after her birthday month ends. "Are we still celebrating your birthday?" I ask. "Yes." "The books are on me." The bookseller at the register as I pull my credit card: "My birthday is next month." "I'll leave the card," I flirt insincerely.
1. There were many men who didn’t, wouldn’t assault women decades ago so the fact that times and mores have changed is no good excuse for Weinstein’s behavior 2. I dream about rooms in a house/apartment l.They are recurring dreams that are one point I had dreamed every night- I can describe them in detail 3. I wonder about the woman in your story who hated the cat and then loved it.
Your words both break me and make me. Thanks for being an authentic voice in this world. Once I was telling my partner how I loved this Canadian journalist Heather Mallick and he said 'but she's so bitter' and I said 'yes and?'.
I love how your writing creates a beautiful way which allows me to incorporate all my senses. You have a profound way with words and imagery that is simply fantastic!
i just love the playfulness of this post (well, mixed in with righteous rage) and how i HOWLED at the whole groundhog section, especially this line: "If he can hate this animal, who am I to rein myself in." tears, laurie, streaming tears. such a great picture of richard too. (btw, did paul schrader every reply?) xc
You tell yourself you can’t go through life angry because everyone says anger is a stupid emotion and you don’t get invited out that much. Get older and get treated as the girl who is old. Never shut up about what a load of shit that is. - This is so brilliant. I'm sorry it takes us so long to wake up to being manipulated. Thanks for your genius, Laurie. And your mesmerizing voice.
Thanks, love, this stack and meeting readers like you are giving me the best life as a writer. Happy Wednesday! xxL
I can't get away from the anger comment. Mine is bubbling out all over the place. I almost wrote to a cousin canceling an earlier raging note, in embarrassment, but you stopped me.
"The speed with which blood is only too happy to leave your body gets you up and searching for a belt." Today's post filled me with a sense of urgency, Laurie.
How exciting!
This is one of my favorites of your Substack articles that I've read! Every story reminded me of how different my life would be if I were not born a girl. And, like you wrote, sometimes it's a lot of "hey wait a minute that’s a load of shit," but most of the time I'm thankful, because there are so many amazing women like you to look up to.
And it seems like maybe your response to Paul Schrader convinced him to delete his post, because I can't find it - hahaha.
He was responding to a post by David Edelstein . . . it's there. xxL
wonderful especially the response to Paul Schrader!
It makes me happy you are engaged by a piece with a structure like this. xxL
I love this structure! I really enjoy a smorgasbord! Especially when random things taste good together.
Ah, nothing here is random, however it may appear to you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Laugh-out-loud funny. “I don’t want to be kind to the ground hog. I don’t want to hurt him, either, but I wouldn’t be sad if, for example, two burly men in leather coats surrounded him, loaded him into a car, and drove him to New Jersey.” Oh God, I love your writing. And yes, brilliant response to Paul Schrader. The French say, “Vlan!” ❤️
Thanks, love!
The story of the mother and the cat reminds me of my mother. After I left for college, our border collie named Mozart started to pee more in the house during thunderstorms. She put him down, in my opinion, too soon. She said she saw the ghost of Mozart greet her ex boyfriend when he came over and then he crossed over. I know she loved Mozart even though she hurried his death
Also I love the response to Paul the imbecile
Mozart is the perfect name for a border collie.
Oh, I think this is the best one in a long time!!
Wow! I never know why anyone likes anything. Happy to hear. More now in the mix, maybe?
Your life, story, structure, pov, rage, joy and humor are gold. Thank you.
Thanks, love! Very pleased the design of this piece sits easily with readers. xxL
In the “ghosting” column: Paul Schrader definitely, you NEVER. Thank you for being a warm hug.
Thank you for being the same!
Devil to Schrader: Shape up.
Birthdays to me are worth a nod as I count the years. Moment: Liz and I are in a bookstore just after her birthday month ends. "Are we still celebrating your birthday?" I ask. "Yes." "The books are on me." The bookseller at the register as I pull my credit card: "My birthday is next month." "I'll leave the card," I flirt insincerely.
I also remember all the women who lost their careers and livelihood because people like Harvey Weinstein thought harassment was just one of the perks
1. There were many men who didn’t, wouldn’t assault women decades ago so the fact that times and mores have changed is no good excuse for Weinstein’s behavior 2. I dream about rooms in a house/apartment l.They are recurring dreams that are one point I had dreamed every night- I can describe them in detail 3. I wonder about the woman in your story who hated the cat and then loved it.
Your words both break me and make me. Thanks for being an authentic voice in this world. Once I was telling my partner how I loved this Canadian journalist Heather Mallick and he said 'but she's so bitter' and I said 'yes and?'.
Thank you!
I love this post, the whole movement from vignette to vignette. I once left my own birthday dinner to finish an assignment in college.
I love how your writing creates a beautiful way which allows me to incorporate all my senses. You have a profound way with words and imagery that is simply fantastic!
i just love the playfulness of this post (well, mixed in with righteous rage) and how i HOWLED at the whole groundhog section, especially this line: "If he can hate this animal, who am I to rein myself in." tears, laurie, streaming tears. such a great picture of richard too. (btw, did paul schrader every reply?) xc