I love this, because I feel it. I was literally the child out on the back porch writing with my mama watching through the screen door, trying to figure out what to do with me. Thanks for these words.
I love how often I write something and then someone comes along and says oh my gosh, me too. It's about the best feeling. Which is a long way of saying I loved your comment, and thank you! :)
So, so beautiful. Moves me to tears. I love that you were able to tell her your writing paid for it. I have been using my artistic skills for 40 years and it has sustained me. I think that blew my Depression Era parents away. Love your descriptions so much. Thank you for never stopping your writing. My high school art teacher was that person for me. 💕
I just love that you've sustained yourself for 40 years using your artistic skills. That's just amazing. I'd love to know more about what you do. And thank you :)
Thank you, Linda! Mostly, I work with designers in Scottsdale and do wall finishes, plaster, murals. I started my business as a muralist 32 years ago, doing children’s rooms. I published a book about it in 2006 (I don’t think it’s available anymore but it is called, “Creative Kids’ Murals You Can Paint.”) I have done school murals, I have illustrated children’s books, illustrated for other books and newspapers, just wherever my skills were needed. It was a lot of hustling for many years. I got my BFA back in the 80s but didn’t do a lot of Fine Arts, per se. And then returned to it about 5 years ago and created the exhibit: www.NoteworthyAmericanWomen.com. It was on display in 2022, after the worst of COVID was over. Not at all a moneymaker, just driven to make it because of what is happening. I am currently looking for its next venue (to get it out of my son’s empty room, lol!). And I decided most recently to compile essays I’ve written over the years as something to leave my kids and/or be affirming for people also frustrated with current events, divorce, caretaking of a sibling with disabilities, etc. I just self-published “Finding My Own Gold Star.” …sorry, I didn’t mean to write a novel here. 🤣 … but you asked. Lol! Anyway, if you are on facebook, my professional page is: www.facebook.com/suzanne.whitaker.murals
My God. I love everything you're doing. I followed on FB. Your work is just am absolute delight. And then I checked out the exhibit. Oh my gosh. Did you know I have another Substack? It's called History of Women. And I wonder if there might be a thing we can do together with my pub and your art.
I noticed you're using Notes, but you don't have posts yet, and I'm wondering if you plan to. Because what you're doing? It's wonderful. And I'm curious if you plan to bring any of your work here. :)
Linda! This is exciting! I will check out your other Substack. I am not very tech savvy. I’m not sure what Notes is. 🤣 I also have Instagram but I’m not great at posting regularly. It would be wonderful to collaborate in some way!
Like is too small a word for what I feel about this. I learned the word fissure before I was 5, my daddy bragged about it - the first word that stuck. Now when I think about that word I'm in the car with my sister, my mother in front pats daddy's leg, they laugh, and comfort overwhelms me. Soon we'll be in the mountains.
She is a flirt, she is the moon and turns away and leaves me in the dark sometimes, but how I enjoy when she comes back to smile at me. Thank you Judy. :)
This makes me think that writing is to stay sane, as much as its to create beauty. Thank God significant humans in your life recognised that and encouraged you, or left you alone to do it. Here's to all the significant, encouraging humans. All the mentors. In fact, all the writers alive and dead who inspire us daily (yourself included, natch)
Hi Linda. Your story is wonderful filled with such emotions. I definitely relate to take on how time flies by quickly. For a writer sometimes it stays in the same place until you finish writing. I had that happen for a long time. I wrote a play with pieces of storys that rolled into a short play. I felt accomplished afterwards. Have a fantastic day, can't wait to read more. Blessings xx
Hi Linda, you are very welcome. It has taken me a long time to see that. I thought I was the only one that happened to. It’s unreal, right? Do you think all writers get that way?
Sometimes you really have to immerse yourself into your story. Make it your alternate reality. To me that’s how you get into the deep connection between reality and fiction.
What a beautiful reply, Jocelyn. A pencil has always been my most faithful companion. Mama didn't understand me one little bit, but she let me be and that's not a small thing. Thank you for saying that xoxo
Oh, I love "when words won't leave you alone". I have latelly been realising that ideas have been coming to me because they are loooking for a way out, and if I give them that, I too feel better. I don't know who said it, but, if I don't occupy my brain with something it will create something to occupy it.
I love this, because I feel it. I was literally the child out on the back porch writing with my mama watching through the screen door, trying to figure out what to do with me. Thanks for these words.
I love how often I write something and then someone comes along and says oh my gosh, me too. It's about the best feeling. Which is a long way of saying I loved your comment, and thank you! :)
And they never do leave us alone…
They sure do not. Boy, are you ever right about that.
So, so beautiful. Moves me to tears. I love that you were able to tell her your writing paid for it. I have been using my artistic skills for 40 years and it has sustained me. I think that blew my Depression Era parents away. Love your descriptions so much. Thank you for never stopping your writing. My high school art teacher was that person for me. 💕
I just love that you've sustained yourself for 40 years using your artistic skills. That's just amazing. I'd love to know more about what you do. And thank you :)
Thank you, Linda! Mostly, I work with designers in Scottsdale and do wall finishes, plaster, murals. I started my business as a muralist 32 years ago, doing children’s rooms. I published a book about it in 2006 (I don’t think it’s available anymore but it is called, “Creative Kids’ Murals You Can Paint.”) I have done school murals, I have illustrated children’s books, illustrated for other books and newspapers, just wherever my skills were needed. It was a lot of hustling for many years. I got my BFA back in the 80s but didn’t do a lot of Fine Arts, per se. And then returned to it about 5 years ago and created the exhibit: www.NoteworthyAmericanWomen.com. It was on display in 2022, after the worst of COVID was over. Not at all a moneymaker, just driven to make it because of what is happening. I am currently looking for its next venue (to get it out of my son’s empty room, lol!). And I decided most recently to compile essays I’ve written over the years as something to leave my kids and/or be affirming for people also frustrated with current events, divorce, caretaking of a sibling with disabilities, etc. I just self-published “Finding My Own Gold Star.” …sorry, I didn’t mean to write a novel here. 🤣 … but you asked. Lol! Anyway, if you are on facebook, my professional page is: www.facebook.com/suzanne.whitaker.murals
Thanks for asking. And again, thanks for sharing this beautiful essay. I will continue to follow!
My God. I love everything you're doing. I followed on FB. Your work is just am absolute delight. And then I checked out the exhibit. Oh my gosh. Did you know I have another Substack? It's called History of Women. And I wonder if there might be a thing we can do together with my pub and your art.
I noticed you're using Notes, but you don't have posts yet, and I'm wondering if you plan to. Because what you're doing? It's wonderful. And I'm curious if you plan to bring any of your work here. :)
Linda! This is exciting! I will check out your other Substack. I am not very tech savvy. I’m not sure what Notes is. 🤣 I also have Instagram but I’m not great at posting regularly. It would be wonderful to collaborate in some way!
" . . . just like that, my hair is pulled by the stars and I’m gone." A phrase a writer can live on for a week. Well done, Ms. Carroll.
Right? I love that phrase so much. God there's a few like that, phrases I could feed on for a week.
Beautiful, weaving words an elegant tapestry unfolds. Behold with wonder! Thank you 🌹
And thank you, too
Simply beautiful and poignant writing, Linda. All I can say right now - but it's everything. Thanks for sharing that. - Jim
Thank you Jim, you said plenty right there. Some of the best words do the work of many
Like is too small a word for what I feel about this. I learned the word fissure before I was 5, my daddy bragged about it - the first word that stuck. Now when I think about that word I'm in the car with my sister, my mother in front pats daddy's leg, they laugh, and comfort overwhelms me. Soon we'll be in the mountains.
Oh Terri, that's beautiful. Could you have said anything more tender? xoxo
This is the most beautiful work of literature I have read in a while. I aspire to such beauty. Thank you for writing it, thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Maryann. What a truly lovely thing to say.
Thank you for leaving this comment. It led me to read this and I will never be the same.
Wow, wow, wow! I’m so glad your muse found you and you her. How sad would it be if these words didn’t find their way out into the world. Thank you.
She is a flirt, she is the moon and turns away and leaves me in the dark sometimes, but how I enjoy when she comes back to smile at me. Thank you Judy. :)
This makes me think that writing is to stay sane, as much as its to create beauty. Thank God significant humans in your life recognised that and encouraged you, or left you alone to do it. Here's to all the significant, encouraging humans. All the mentors. In fact, all the writers alive and dead who inspire us daily (yourself included, natch)
You are so right. Kafka said a non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity and oh, I have been that. Thank you, Lorna :)
"...stories aren’t plucked out of thin air, they’re dug from inside." How true! You either have it or don't! I like the post.
It is, isn't it? I think the day we realize that, a light turns on somewhere. Thanks, Sybill
Hi Linda. Your story is wonderful filled with such emotions. I definitely relate to take on how time flies by quickly. For a writer sometimes it stays in the same place until you finish writing. I had that happen for a long time. I wrote a play with pieces of storys that rolled into a short play. I felt accomplished afterwards. Have a fantastic day, can't wait to read more. Blessings xx
Omg, that's so true. We do indeed stay in the same place until the writing is done. Thank you Bonnie :)
Hi Linda, you are very welcome. It has taken me a long time to see that. I thought I was the only one that happened to. It’s unreal, right? Do you think all writers get that way?
I don't know if they all do. But I think a lot do.
Sometimes you really have to immerse yourself into your story. Make it your alternate reality. To me that’s how you get into the deep connection between reality and fiction.
"Trying to puzzle out what she’s seeing." That about sums it up. 😃
Doesn't it! It was such a poignant moment, watching her.
I’m a peony petal falling off a stem on your desk,
You slay me with the full bloom
Even when I’m withered
So a breeze blows me off the stem
The story curls the blooming
Inside me so I can
Revisit when snow falls.
God bless your pencil and notebook Linda.
And God bless your Mama for letting you write your stories even if she didn’t understand what moved you so.
What a beautiful reply, Jocelyn. A pencil has always been my most faithful companion. Mama didn't understand me one little bit, but she let me be and that's not a small thing. Thank you for saying that xoxo
Such a sweeeet story. Your Mama, your teacher, Kafka, the nursing home and the puzzle piece. Thank you for your art 🙏.
Thank you Jill :)
Oh, I love "when words won't leave you alone". I have latelly been realising that ideas have been coming to me because they are loooking for a way out, and if I give them that, I too feel better. I don't know who said it, but, if I don't occupy my brain with something it will create something to occupy it.
Our brains are like border collies that way lol.
Yes!