66 Comments

I hope you get some sleep my friend.

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Thanks, Pam! Putting the laptop away right now.

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Take a long breath . I need same. I’ve been writing off and on for years . Rarely shared on media . Just with a few trusted friends . Some well known writers . All of whom sans BS ( I’ve a fine tuned antenna to smell ) insist I’ve got talent . 6 months ago I joined Substack. It’s become a tad too obsessive. Instead of writing. I’m reading others and right now responding to you. Lesson this morning. Slow down I will. Put my cell , iPad and lap top on hold along with a story I was about to dig into. Header. The Princess Playboy &I. Sub head We’ll Always Have Paris.

It’ll wait …. Thankyou for the support! Jenn

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Thank you, Jenn! It does get overwhelming. And addictive.

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Truism and I stopped smoking 42 years ago. Again merci beaucoup for the lesson . I needed a kick in the pants

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Congrats on your anniversary! Keep at it!

I agree with your advocacy of including poetry as a recognized subject. There are already some very eloquent poets who share their work in this space, and I hope that there will be more.

I hope you will continue to allow comments without requiring a paid subscription. My expenses on paid subscriptions, mostly politically related, are getting to the point where I am paring them down now after the election. I am also paring down subscriptions that require a paid subscription to comment, because I find it too frustrating not to be able to comment unless I have to "Pay to Play".

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L.D., I don’t intend to paywall anything, and will always allow comments from all readers. (Including those who are not subscribers.) And I’m so glad that you agree with me about a poetry category on Substack. Some really outstanding poets write on Substack. Thank you for reading.

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Congratulations, Mary - your substack journey is such a wonderful story and you’ve earned it

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Thank you, Eliza! You are so kind.

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Sending hugs, Mary. So glad you, your poems and your words are here xo ps where do we sign the Poetry category petition?

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Hugs back to you, Antonia, and I’m not sure what the status of the petition is. I’ll have to look into it.

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Married 40 years. Husband has cancer. Thank you for showing the way beyond this. Blessings to you. ❤️🙏

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Thank you, Mary. I didn’t think this would ever happen to me. I’m just glad to shine a light on the experience, and let others know that there’s’ light on the other side.

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Best wishes on your second Substack year!

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Thank you, Jill!❤️

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Happy one year on Substack! Congratulations on your achievements here. 🎉 I joined on Nov 10 last year but because my life was interrupted by Covid I didn’t publish anything until February. It’s been a joyful challenge; the best part is the community and meeting people like you.

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Carol, I’m sorry that the Covid experience, and happy to hear that you made it through. This is a wonderful community. I’m glad you’re here.

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So happy to have found your writings on Substack!

I truly love reading every single post and can’t wait for the next ones to come. Congrats on all the success! It is well deserved.

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Manuela, thank you for your generous words! It’s always been difficult to hit “publish,” not knowing how people will respond to one more message in the inbox. I’m honored to hear that you look forward to mine.

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Congratulations, Mary, for your writing and for having the courage to press the button and press "Publish" over a year ago. I know it takes some nerve :-) and I am very happy that you did. Your work is most enjoyable! Keep it coming

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Thank you, Christina, for your kind comments. I have to say that hitting “publish” was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m so glad that you’re enjoying my work.

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Pondering, processing, wondering, writing. You are not alone, Mary.

When you look out the window between the hours of 2 and 4 A.M. Pacific Time, one of the lights in the sky is mine.

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Kim, I’m very sorry to hear that we’re both having these white nights. I’m glad we’ve connected here on Substack and in CWC. You’re always welcome to send me a message.

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I’d welcome a message from you any time as well, Mary!

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Hugs, my friend in poetry and life.🙏🫶

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Thanks for the update, Mary. I could hear your wheels spinning from across town. I’m happy to hear you’re taking care of yourself. Sleep well.

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Colleen, it’s been a challenge. There’s a point at which things slip beyond sleep disruption into chaos. I’m doing my best to stay away from that edge.

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Congratulations on the recocgnition awars. It must feel fantastic to have won it. I'd love to read you story and I'm gong to find it.

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Thank you, Sandy.

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Hi Mary,

Is there such a thing as writing too much? Maybe. Maybe not.

I am looking forward to reading whatever you write in year two! Hope you got some sleep.

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Thank you, Nancy. It is a challenge, especially when I’m involved and deeply invested in a writing project, to get to a point where I can say, It’s enough. But it was hard to get used to the “email disabled” messages in my inbox. I no longer take them personally; it’s good to know that my readers are engaged. I’m so glad to have you as a reader and friend.

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And thank you for the good wishes! I’m going to remember to take better care of myself this year. I hope you do as well.💙

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Congratulations on your first year Mary. And I love your cooking analogy... that's exactly how it feels often with pieces simmering away, baking and cooling in various stages of readiness 😀

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Thank you, Vicki! It really does feel like a Thanksgiving dinner, doesn’t it? I never give up on these posts; I just try to keep an eye on them, and correct the seasoning.😊I’m so grateful for your warmth and kindness.

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Yes, and then there are the ones that get forgotten at the back of the freezer and rediscovered six months later 😂

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That is intense work Mary. Like others here, I strongly support a "Poetry" category on Substack. Also, like everyone else, I wish you some heart's ease and a large dose of peaceful sleep....

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Thank you, David.🙏

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