“Whaaaaah-t’s our nehhx-t fruhhhhn-teer?” Nia agrees that the fear factor of making videos has evaporated. It’s time to take another step. “Today we’ll make an unannounced visit to the cancer clinic — with copies of Poise.” Calliope feels the pull of two against one and begins drafting a mind story about how exciting today’s adventure will be.
On Saturday's bookstore adventure, I asked passers-by if they'd write down the name of an inspirational figure with Sharpie on a leaf. (As you can see, my participants were low in number, but high in diversity!)
I also wrote on two leaves that are not in the photograph.
Charlotte from Charlotte's Web and Viktor Frank from Man's Search for Meaning
The idea to ask sprang from an anthology my editor published just days ago titled Dearest Devised Darling. The book is a collection of gratitude letters written to characters who've impacted individual lives.
You and Deb are Heaven sent! The two if you are better at carrying forward my escapades than I am! 😂
I did give my dad and Jean GoSK envelopes for their birthdays. IIIRC you might be the one who suggested making the “gratitude packet” (love that name!) without the “gift of a gift” big card. Seems simpler.
Thanks, Jack. I was raised on “The best servant does his/her work unseen.” I’d say that promoting mirth and gratitude qualifies as work. How few knew the full story? Especially USPS.
With no intention of being cheeky, I’d have to say YOU! I’ve had the opportunity to know you for a while now. And in the process learn about your striving to be the very person you’ve become! Expressing gratitude for so much of your life, even some gnarly parts, and sharing the message of gratitude, immediately comes to mind when I think of you. BRAVA!
This might sound cliche, but my children. They inspire me to read more, play more, and be silly! ( log roll down all the hills you can find.) I'm becoming more "chill" and not take life or myself so seriously. I'm making progress. Thank you Gail for this great question and link to your editor's book.
You know Yaroslava Antipina from Kyiv, Ukraine, from Twitter. She, too, has resolved to develop her skills as a videographer very recently. As long as I’ve followed her, she strives to share her country with the world. Focused on beauty, art, their proud history, and her dreams. She receives criticism for not showing the death and destruction that abounds. She doesn’t cringe at that line of dialogue. She believes in herself. Hmmm... a familiar ring?!
In your LoveLetters that also is evident. “Let the rough side drag, Let the smooth side show” was a fav of mine performed by Jesse Winchester in the sixties.
Calliope demonstrates how we create stories about our life circumstances. Playing the victim is not her cup of tea, but sometimes our past history is ripe for putting a negative spin on our todays. 🎶 Let the rough side drag!🎵
I stopped receiving emails from Twitter/x some time ago and therefore lost track of Antipina. Thank you for reminding me! I am delighted to hear she believes in herself!
I remember her once saying, “If it’s the catastrophes of war you seek, there are many war correspondents in Ukraine. I want to focus on the Ukraine that is worth fighting for.” Last winter I remember long stretches of loss of power, water, and heat when charging phones or laptops was impossible. Enterprising as Ukrainians seem to be, shop keepers, gas stations, and other locations installed generators with inside spots for charging devices. Allowing her and thousands of others to stay abreast of daily events and check on families in other parts of the country. Connection.
Two opportunities in one day to accept heartfelt compliments. 😉 That took me more than 50 years to even say, “Thank you.” The energies in today’s SubStack posts was extraordinary.
A note from LoveLetterist:
On Saturday's bookstore adventure, I asked passers-by if they'd write down the name of an inspirational figure with Sharpie on a leaf. (As you can see, my participants were low in number, but high in diversity!)
I also wrote on two leaves that are not in the photograph.
Charlotte from Charlotte's Web and Viktor Frank from Man's Search for Meaning
The idea to ask sprang from an anthology my editor published just days ago titled Dearest Devised Darling. The book is a collection of gratitude letters written to characters who've impacted individual lives.
Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Dearest-Devised-Darling-Afarin-Rava/dp/B0CK3ZX97P/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=341GUSQ1IDJFY&keywords=dear+devised+darlings&qid=1697121087&sprefix=dear+devised+darlings%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1-fkmr0
Who inspires you?
To do what?
(Thank you, Gary!) Well, Gail, you inspired Deb and me to pass out gratitude packets on our latest cruise adventure (and other times at restaurants, cab rides, and hotels); and make masked raids in the dark around Christmas time. https://medium.com/gift-of-shared-kindness/chat-with-deb-sneaking-around-on-a-mission-d9c708ae75ff
You and Deb are Heaven sent! The two if you are better at carrying forward my escapades than I am! 😂
I did give my dad and Jean GoSK envelopes for their birthdays. IIIRC you might be the one who suggested making the “gratitude packet” (love that name!) without the “gift of a gift” big card. Seems simpler.
I haven’t forgotten! 😄
Thanks, Jack. I was raised on “The best servant does his/her work unseen.” I’d say that promoting mirth and gratitude qualifies as work. How few knew the full story? Especially USPS.
With no intention of being cheeky, I’d have to say YOU! I’ve had the opportunity to know you for a while now. And in the process learn about your striving to be the very person you’ve become! Expressing gratitude for so much of your life, even some gnarly parts, and sharing the message of gratitude, immediately comes to mind when I think of you. BRAVA!
#Ditto
https://youtu.be/5fLlgS6aO9k?si=uBpULriQGV29SRYh
I enjoyed the clip you shared!
Thank you Bobby! I’m not sure if I ever watched Ghost from beginning to end. Thanks for sharing the clip. It made me smile.
Thank you Gary! 😊
This might sound cliche, but my children. They inspire me to read more, play more, and be silly! ( log roll down all the hills you can find.) I'm becoming more "chill" and not take life or myself so seriously. I'm making progress. Thank you Gail for this great question and link to your editor's book.
Hi Julie! I don’t think it sounds cliche. I swear my son has been my greatest teacher.
Do you get dizzy when you log roll?
Good morning Gail, I believe that too. I see how much I've grown since becoming a mother.
I get dizzy for a moment then it passes. :) Do you have a hill you roll down?
We live on a hill. I haven’t rolled in a loooong time! I did make a snow Angel last year. 😁 And I sometimes dance while walking Henny.
Wow! So much fun...living on a hill is the best (I think) :)
It has its ups and downs. 😂
Couldn’t help myself.
Nothing like a failed decoupage experiment to make a statement...
“Life is a laboratory, start experimenting!”
~Bobby Kountz, TheEarthHeARTist
☺️👇🏼🙌🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼👇🏼☺️
https://instagram.com/stories/gailboenning/3211936983395430513?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Ha! Yes… 😂 I am using the glass, leafy-bit covered, decorative yogurt container as a votive holder. 👍🏻
Never know unless you try!
You know Yaroslava Antipina from Kyiv, Ukraine, from Twitter. She, too, has resolved to develop her skills as a videographer very recently. As long as I’ve followed her, she strives to share her country with the world. Focused on beauty, art, their proud history, and her dreams. She receives criticism for not showing the death and destruction that abounds. She doesn’t cringe at that line of dialogue. She believes in herself. Hmmm... a familiar ring?!
In your LoveLetters that also is evident. “Let the rough side drag, Let the smooth side show” was a fav of mine performed by Jesse Winchester in the sixties.
Calliope demonstrates how we create stories about our life circumstances. Playing the victim is not her cup of tea, but sometimes our past history is ripe for putting a negative spin on our todays. 🎶 Let the rough side drag!🎵
I stopped receiving emails from Twitter/x some time ago and therefore lost track of Antipina. Thank you for reminding me! I am delighted to hear she believes in herself!
I remember her once saying, “If it’s the catastrophes of war you seek, there are many war correspondents in Ukraine. I want to focus on the Ukraine that is worth fighting for.” Last winter I remember long stretches of loss of power, water, and heat when charging phones or laptops was impossible. Enterprising as Ukrainians seem to be, shop keepers, gas stations, and other locations installed generators with inside spots for charging devices. Allowing her and thousands of others to stay abreast of daily events and check on families in other parts of the country. Connection.
Two opportunities in one day to accept heartfelt compliments. 😉 That took me more than 50 years to even say, “Thank you.” The energies in today’s SubStack posts was extraordinary.