nice things, many nice things
I do not know where the days have gone. It’s mid-August! What have I been doing, for God’s sake? No idea. The usual – chores, cooking, cleaning, eating, drinking, reading, watching TV, sitting here tapping and scrolling. A tornado hit the west of the city, in some places causing huge flooding; there was extreme weather by my son’s house in Parkdale, thunder and lightning terrifying his dog. But almost nothing a few miles away here, in C’town. Bizarre! But then bizarre is the name of the weather game these days. We’ve had the wettest summer on record. This morning was freezing; I rode to the Y in a fleece jacket and scarf. But later, hot again. No wonder my veggies are not thriving, except the ever-reliable cukes. Which auto-correct just changed to nukes. Fortunately, those are not growing in my garden.
And yet – things are happening. My piece came out on Friday on the Brevity Blog, and I’m proud of it. Hope it helps. https://brevity.wordpress.com/2024/08/16/the-spielberg-list/
A few days ago, I couldn’t stop myself from responding to a front page article about the deaths of cyclists in Toronto, since I’m directly affected by these tragedies, always relieved to get home in one piece. I spent a few hours drafting a letter to the Editor of the Star. I’ve written a number of letters to the Star, as well as op-ed articles, which have mostly gone unpublished. This one seemed to sink also — no word from the paper.
So I was astonished to find it there this morning. In the online version, it even has a big headline. I hope it provokes some interest. Change? Not much chance. But it’s good, even so, to feel that what I care about deeply might be read by someone out there.
Speaking of someone reading out there, I heard from someone who’d just read Midlife Solo, and emailed, “What a treasure trove of words, written with brutal honesty, compassion and love. You have traveled a long, difficult road, and, in sharing your experiences and vulnerability, you have bravely helped many … Thank you, thank you Beth. I will continue to spread the word and will steer my friends to buy their own copy. Certainly, your wisdom bears more than one reading.”
And on the same day, I received an email from Mike in England. “I am about to publish my first book (my memoir). And you really helped me; in no small way I am indebted to you. I was looking for help on how to write and I discovered your podcast ‘True to Life: Talking about Memoir’ and listened to it all (avidly) several times. I have even referenced one of your references and mentioned your good self. I took your guidance and held it as a reference point along the whole journey to final publication, invaluable on every step. It was of course a long haul, but I loved the process and I am enriched as a result of it, whatever people think about the final product. Thank you from afar again, and please feel free to share my endorsement of your great help and advice.”
Wow! So good to hear from you both. Many many thanks. Dropping stones into the pond and watching the ripples.
Last night, on TCM, I watched most of the film State of the Union from 1948, directed by Frank Capra, with Spenser Tracey and an adoring Katherine Hepburn; the chemistry between them is beautiful to see. It’s about an idealist who gets sucked into the maw of the political machine and nearly loses his soul but, thanks to his wife, climbs back out of hypocrisy and hype to his true self. And he’s a Republican! In what world? Not ours.
Speaking of which, it’s 8 p.m. Time to watch Democrats at work.
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