17 Comments

Mary Oliver always puts things in perspective. I've found it nearly impossible to write this summer because of all that is going on around us. Maybe that is what happened with your latest manuscript. Keep on keeping on.

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I will, Carol, I will, but honestly, I have no idea if this is going to come out okay.

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“…life comes with sharp edges and long tests of endurance for people we love.” Oh, this spoke to me. Thank you for this piece. Your week felt so familiar, and I suspect we take comfort from similar things. May the next week bring you more beauty.

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Thank you, Judith. Here's to the coming week and whatever beauty it brings.

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I loved this so much! Mary Oliver is wonderful. Apologies if this is lame but I wanted to share my own newsletter as a recommendation consideration! Every week, I recommend one novel along with a film and song pairing that I think fits it's flavour profile. Maybe check it out?

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Thank you! And I just subscribed to your very fun newsletter.

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Thank you for the beautiful thoughts and the poetry. Hope cool breezes and refreshing mindsets are in the air for you soon! Thank you also for the Allameddine recommendation - this writing sounds gorgeous and I don't know how I have missed this until now, but am grateful to Spark for introducing me to it. :)

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Thank you, Janet. I suggest beginning with "An Unnecessary Woman" and then just going back and checking out the others. His voice, humor and terrain make for wonderful reading.

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Been picking blackberries on my morning walks all week. Warm blackberry compote on pancakes is great, btw. Loved the song and poems too. Mary Oliver is my guru.

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Blackberries and walks. A lovely combination. I never spent time with Mary Oliver's work until fairly recently. She occasionally just nails it for me.

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I live in NC, but spent last week paddling around the Adirondacks where loons are everywhere. Listening to them calling to one another as I sat in my canoe was truly a moment of Zen.

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I got to pick some of the biggest, most beautiful Vermont blueberries this week. The blackberry poem made me happy right down to my toes.

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She’s just the queen of wonder, isn’t she?

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I think Fitzgerald's book would be so interesting as, like you, walking and writing are two of my favorite ways to spend time.

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I'm about half-way through. I like it and I like his writing but I find myself waiting for something... I'm not sure what it is. Perhaps I'll have a better idea when I'm finished. But you should really check out his newsletter. It's a wonderful read.

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Thank you - sounds wonderful. Will report back!

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August 14, 2022
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I read it and am amazed! Thank you, Courtney, for sharing where the questions took you. I'm sharing the link here so others can find it that much more easily. It's a wild and wonderful ride! https://courtneycook.substack.com/p/062-metamathematics

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