Zipper-rift hypothesis and deuteragonist— my sister is wicked smahhht! And even more impressive: you sew it all together and I am again left stunned and amazed by your excellence! To make all of these connections so beautifully— it’s just… I’m gobsmacked. Book deal, much!!?! I know I will be reading your words in a bound book on baby beach some day! I just know it.
Pretty sure I learned both on instagram, my primary source of any knowledge, true or otherwise at this point! Thank you, B. For reading and supporting and being gobsmacked. Tucking your words in my Beloved Collection. And I'd love to think you'll carry my book down to baby beach some day, but I also know that you will not read it there as that is our Little Thing Exchange Headquarters :)
I am always so excited—like, opening a present excited—when your Substack pops into my inbox, and this one, like all of this predecessors, absolutely 100 percent delivered. I love so much here: the deuteragonists (!!), the terror and travail of travel with small children, the workouts of letting go that never seem to build any kind of muscle, and this passage: "In general, he wants less this year—fewer bins and hooks and t-shirts. He doesn’t want that weird cube that I’d stocked with extra toiletries and cleaning supplies and medicines and a flashlight and a tape measure last fall; the one he never opened, but is now also, somehow, broken."
Of course it's unopened but also broken, but also, hooray for less and fewer, which is one of the many grammar molehills I will die on. And for learning the term deuteragonist, which I also managed not to learn until now, although I do still remember what a diazeugma is. (why? WHY?)
Thank you for your opening present excitement and comments that are always themselves like little gifts. And, listen: if it's our fate to be emotionally flabby, I'm glad we share it ;) That and our English majordom...and now that you and Tiffany, two of the smartest English majors I know, have both also just learned deuteragonist, I don't feel half bad! But I also didn't know diazeugma until just now: "The writer learns a new word, googles it, realizes she employs the concept frequently, and tries it in a sentence."
As the mother of two grown daughters and the grandmother of five (!) grown grandchildren, I so clearly remember and respond to your observations. You’ll always be working on that six pack. Thank you for nudging the memories.
Ah, the spread-thinness of it all! And the #2 drop off -- the departures six pack is obvi the only kind you don't have ;) Thanks for reading, Kathryn❤️
The life of a mother, the overwhelming umbrella of motherhood, constantly changes, but remains the same. It's a lifetime commitment, a journey, a privilege despite its never ending challenges. You got this!
The umbrella that definitely does not keep all the rain out ;) But yes-- a challenge, a journey and a privilege as you say! Thanks for reading, Laurie❤️
Zipper-rift hypothesis and deuteragonist— my sister is wicked smahhht! And even more impressive: you sew it all together and I am again left stunned and amazed by your excellence! To make all of these connections so beautifully— it’s just… I’m gobsmacked. Book deal, much!!?! I know I will be reading your words in a bound book on baby beach some day! I just know it.
Pretty sure I learned both on instagram, my primary source of any knowledge, true or otherwise at this point! Thank you, B. For reading and supporting and being gobsmacked. Tucking your words in my Beloved Collection. And I'd love to think you'll carry my book down to baby beach some day, but I also know that you will not read it there as that is our Little Thing Exchange Headquarters :)
cry, laugh, cry again. thanks for nailing all the feelings for the drop-offs, new and seasoned.
also an English major, also learned today the definition of deuteragonist. thank you!
Thank you, my friend. And well we knew this part of parenthood would be FOR THE BIRDS! Grateful I have you to squawk with❤️
I am always so excited—like, opening a present excited—when your Substack pops into my inbox, and this one, like all of this predecessors, absolutely 100 percent delivered. I love so much here: the deuteragonists (!!), the terror and travail of travel with small children, the workouts of letting go that never seem to build any kind of muscle, and this passage: "In general, he wants less this year—fewer bins and hooks and t-shirts. He doesn’t want that weird cube that I’d stocked with extra toiletries and cleaning supplies and medicines and a flashlight and a tape measure last fall; the one he never opened, but is now also, somehow, broken."
Of course it's unopened but also broken, but also, hooray for less and fewer, which is one of the many grammar molehills I will die on. And for learning the term deuteragonist, which I also managed not to learn until now, although I do still remember what a diazeugma is. (why? WHY?)
Thank you for your opening present excitement and comments that are always themselves like little gifts. And, listen: if it's our fate to be emotionally flabby, I'm glad we share it ;) That and our English majordom...and now that you and Tiffany, two of the smartest English majors I know, have both also just learned deuteragonist, I don't feel half bad! But I also didn't know diazeugma until just now: "The writer learns a new word, googles it, realizes she employs the concept frequently, and tries it in a sentence."
Lovely !
Thank you, Jill❤️
As the mother of two grown daughters and the grandmother of five (!) grown grandchildren, I so clearly remember and respond to your observations. You’ll always be working on that six pack. Thank you for nudging the memories.
Thank you for reading and writing, Paula! Motherhood is a lifetime of reps ;)
Like too little cream cheese for too much bagel. Mom of 4 relating:)
Also just did # 2 drop off . Kicking my ass.
Love this:)
Ah, the spread-thinness of it all! And the #2 drop off -- the departures six pack is obvi the only kind you don't have ;) Thanks for reading, Kathryn❤️
I love these posts so much. I feel like I’m reading about my life every time I read one. Your words are so funny and poignant. You are a talent!
The life of a mother, the overwhelming umbrella of motherhood, constantly changes, but remains the same. It's a lifetime commitment, a journey, a privilege despite its never ending challenges. You got this!
The umbrella that definitely does not keep all the rain out ;) But yes-- a challenge, a journey and a privilege as you say! Thanks for reading, Laurie❤️
Perfect Sunday morning read! 0% brings joy is just like my boys 😂
Men of few needs ;) Happy to spend a little Sunday time with you❤️
So, so beautiful Jen. Thank you for this.