I enjoyed this glimpse of your life in the physical world. Where do you live, Mary? Oh, and congratulations on your warmly recognized paid subscribers. I haven't yet passed the hat.
I’m in Minnesota. Have lived here my entire life, as people here tend to stay put. Yes, I’m excited about giving the option of making a contribution. It took some time, and a new year, to make that choice available. It does feel validating to be paid - for the first time in my life - for my writing. But absolutely a choice for subscribers.
Good for you, Mary. I once made a decent living as a magazine writer, then wrote a well-read editor’s column for a decade. This last long while I’ve mostly been like Joni Mitchell’s one-man band by the quick lunch stand, writing real good (or as best I can) for free. I have pretty much given up hope of making any money from writing that matters to me. Much to consider, resolve and test. I wish you a fruitful year of storytelling.
And you as well, Rona. My action was symbolic, really. It gives me a chance to support more writers in Substack, and offer a few little extras. And I so love Joni’s song.❤️
I’m deeply honored that you’re here. Your scholarship - on Woolf, among other writers, especially women - is extraordinary. I love your focus on the dailiness of their lives. So very grateful for your support.
I love this whole room to yourself idea, as we talked about in the notes before. :) I'm typing this in my physical Room with a Door and working on my substack publication Room with a Door and I love it so much. I also love your name for this publication, as well, Writer, interrupted. Ha! This could be me, too.
Ontario, Canada had absolutely ridiculous, lengthy lockdowns during the pandemic and we were continuously reprimanded for trying to keep living a relatively normal life among all the rigorous restrictions. It was particularly difficult for my teenagers, and many of the province's children today are on some type of anti-anxiety medication and enrolled in therapy. I kept thinking then, and I keep thinking now, there has to be a better way to deal with these situations.
As far as the neighbourhood is concerned, we're all huddled indoors now with dark, gloomy, wet, cold, miserable winter days here in the Greater Toronto Area. I'm more of a hermit anyway, I don't mind, but by March, we're all going to get reacquainted with the 'hood, in person, I think. I hope.
Winter and the pandemic were a double blow. My daughter teaches web design at a nearby university. She’s stunned not only by the basic knowledge her first-year students lack, but they also don’t know how to interact in a classroom situation. They’re concerned more about grades than learning, and their anxiety levels are sky-high. They’re angry, and rightfully so. It’s troubling. An intellectual environment is crucial. So sad to see what’s been lost.
After the warmest December on record, we’re heading back to the deep freeze. It’s reassuring, actually. It feels like a return to normal.
Writer, interrupted: yes. It’s the only name I considered. It resonates. And, yes, it’s a reality for many of us. We are truly a neighborhood.
I love the outdoor coffee tradition. Definitely the silver lining of the pandemic era: creative ways to gather out of doors. Pandemic or no, getting outside to be social is the key to thriving in the long northern cold season. When we were hunkered down for the pandemic we'd all gather in the kitchen for tea in the afternoons between meetings and classes. My daughter would bake something and we'd sit around and look at old photos on our phones and tell stories about disastrous Zoom calls and the like. Then we'd scatter again to wrap up work and homework. We still do it today, with whoever is home, sometimes with somebody on FaceTime. We got piles of snow yesterday which is long overdue and very exciting. My daughter is still home from school and she loves storm clean up so we spent lots of time outside yesterday with shovels and we're headed to soon to help a relative dig out. Happy Monday! I hope you have an absolute avalanche of paid subscribers. Once the college bills are behind us, I'll be one of them!
Tara, the coffee tradition is what got me through the pandemic. It’s great to see that after three years, it’s stronger than ever. I’m glad to hear you found a way to make it through.
I’m thrilled to find neighbors here on Substack. Everyone here is welcome, paid or not! And I will comp. I know what it’s like to pay for an education. You are now comped.
And thanks for your kind comment! I’m a little out of it. Just got in from shoveling. It’s been such a warm winter, that I’m out of practice. Forgot how many brain cells it takes.😊
That was so lovely to learn about you and your neighbors. So happy to support new writers to Substck, just like me. You're going to do amazing things here Mary ✨️
So sorry, KassyDee! I typed your name carefully, but autocorrect is incredibly overbearing. I try to catch those things before I post, but sometimes one will slip through. I don’t know if it’s something with Apple’s latest update, but it seems to be happening more frequently. That, and when I want to correct something within a previous sentence, it hits on an adjacent piece of text and won’t let go. Arrgh.
So, KassyDee, you are definitely one of the people in my neighborhood, and I promise to proof my text more carefully. And if Kayden shows up, he/she/they are welcome, too.
I enjoyed this glimpse of your life in the physical world. Where do you live, Mary? Oh, and congratulations on your warmly recognized paid subscribers. I haven't yet passed the hat.
I’m in Minnesota. Have lived here my entire life, as people here tend to stay put. Yes, I’m excited about giving the option of making a contribution. It took some time, and a new year, to make that choice available. It does feel validating to be paid - for the first time in my life - for my writing. But absolutely a choice for subscribers.
Good for you, Mary. I once made a decent living as a magazine writer, then wrote a well-read editor’s column for a decade. This last long while I’ve mostly been like Joni Mitchell’s one-man band by the quick lunch stand, writing real good (or as best I can) for free. I have pretty much given up hope of making any money from writing that matters to me. Much to consider, resolve and test. I wish you a fruitful year of storytelling.
And you as well, Rona. My action was symbolic, really. It gives me a chance to support more writers in Substack, and offer a few little extras. And I so love Joni’s song.❤️
Mary, thank you for all of your kind mentions!
Teri, you are more than welcome. I really enjoy your posts.
Lovely to read about and see your neighbourhood, Mary! Your writing is wonderful. Honoured to be one of your first paid subscribers.
… and part of your Substack neighbourhood too! x
Yes. Substack is a great neighborhood. I feel at home.
I’m deeply honored that you’re here. Your scholarship - on Woolf, among other writers, especially women - is extraordinary. I love your focus on the dailiness of their lives. So very grateful for your support.
Oh that’s so nice of you, Mary! I enjoy how varied and beautifully written your posts are too. Will be doing my own round-up in my next post.
I love this whole room to yourself idea, as we talked about in the notes before. :) I'm typing this in my physical Room with a Door and working on my substack publication Room with a Door and I love it so much. I also love your name for this publication, as well, Writer, interrupted. Ha! This could be me, too.
Ontario, Canada had absolutely ridiculous, lengthy lockdowns during the pandemic and we were continuously reprimanded for trying to keep living a relatively normal life among all the rigorous restrictions. It was particularly difficult for my teenagers, and many of the province's children today are on some type of anti-anxiety medication and enrolled in therapy. I kept thinking then, and I keep thinking now, there has to be a better way to deal with these situations.
As far as the neighbourhood is concerned, we're all huddled indoors now with dark, gloomy, wet, cold, miserable winter days here in the Greater Toronto Area. I'm more of a hermit anyway, I don't mind, but by March, we're all going to get reacquainted with the 'hood, in person, I think. I hope.
Winter and the pandemic were a double blow. My daughter teaches web design at a nearby university. She’s stunned not only by the basic knowledge her first-year students lack, but they also don’t know how to interact in a classroom situation. They’re concerned more about grades than learning, and their anxiety levels are sky-high. They’re angry, and rightfully so. It’s troubling. An intellectual environment is crucial. So sad to see what’s been lost.
After the warmest December on record, we’re heading back to the deep freeze. It’s reassuring, actually. It feels like a return to normal.
Writer, interrupted: yes. It’s the only name I considered. It resonates. And, yes, it’s a reality for many of us. We are truly a neighborhood.
Looking forward to welcoming new neighbors!
I’m glad you’re here.
I love the outdoor coffee tradition. Definitely the silver lining of the pandemic era: creative ways to gather out of doors. Pandemic or no, getting outside to be social is the key to thriving in the long northern cold season. When we were hunkered down for the pandemic we'd all gather in the kitchen for tea in the afternoons between meetings and classes. My daughter would bake something and we'd sit around and look at old photos on our phones and tell stories about disastrous Zoom calls and the like. Then we'd scatter again to wrap up work and homework. We still do it today, with whoever is home, sometimes with somebody on FaceTime. We got piles of snow yesterday which is long overdue and very exciting. My daughter is still home from school and she loves storm clean up so we spent lots of time outside yesterday with shovels and we're headed to soon to help a relative dig out. Happy Monday! I hope you have an absolute avalanche of paid subscribers. Once the college bills are behind us, I'll be one of them!
Tara, the coffee tradition is what got me through the pandemic. It’s great to see that after three years, it’s stronger than ever. I’m glad to hear you found a way to make it through.
I’m thrilled to find neighbors here on Substack. Everyone here is welcome, paid or not! And I will comp. I know what it’s like to pay for an education. You are now comped.
Enjoy the snow.😊
That's so nice of you! Thank you so much.
Lovely article, Mary! ...also made me think of EM Forster’s “A Room With A View” ....
Yes. I thought of that too. It’s been ages since I read it. Another reason to drink coffee!☕️
And thanks for your kind comment! I’m a little out of it. Just got in from shoveling. It’s been such a warm winter, that I’m out of practice. Forgot how many brain cells it takes.😊
That was so lovely to learn about you and your neighbors. So happy to support new writers to Substck, just like me. You're going to do amazing things here Mary ✨️
Thank you. So lovely of you to say this. I hope to do my best.❤️
NIKI! How wonderful! Thank you so much for supporting me as a paid subscriber. I am so grateful! How very generous and kind.❤️
I just wrote about how I think about Mrs. Dalloway all the time. I hope you enjoy that book in a room of your own :)
LOL: ‘Brian (far right, in the photo but not politically)’ 🤣
Don’t know.
Kayden, you are one of the people in my neighborhood. Welcome!❤️
Kaden? R u referring to me?
So sorry, KassyDee! I typed your name carefully, but autocorrect is incredibly overbearing. I try to catch those things before I post, but sometimes one will slip through. I don’t know if it’s something with Apple’s latest update, but it seems to be happening more frequently. That, and when I want to correct something within a previous sentence, it hits on an adjacent piece of text and won’t let go. Arrgh.
So, KassyDee, you are definitely one of the people in my neighborhood, and I promise to proof my text more carefully. And if Kayden shows up, he/she/they are welcome, too.
I thought I was the only one. I have he same situation here.
It makes typos 2! Cf. he vs the. Feh!
Infuriating, isn’t it? It sometimes takes me three times as long to write a text as it did in the past. One more gremlin to deal with.
I was interrupted too!
So sorry to hear this. But glad you’re here, and writing again.❤️
Most of my neighbors take cream. I think. But I’ll probably need to think again, Mary. Thanks for sharing.
People of all coffee persuasions are welcome here.❤️
Admittedly I didn’t think soy milk would work, but after trying it I was convinced
I’m pretty fond of oat milk, myself.