Ok, as a faithful reader, and someone you trust to tell the truth, as I do you, I will tell you mine. Usually, I listen to my favorite Stack people, (you firmly planted within my small but elite circle) when walking through the forest in one of my favorite places. I read on days when just the thought of a favorite post in my mailbox, already has me filled with delightful anticipation.
I admit it, I read Iceland on a sub-ordinary day when reading consisted of not much more than swimming laps when you’re not in the mood.
Thanks to Joe, and your brilliant reply, I will settle in to soft leather, later this afternoon. A warm hearth across from dangling feet. Iceland , on my laptop.
The letter meant so much to me on a bunch of levels: knowing a story was read with care, persisting in a reader's mind, feeling understood and not appalled, and then, best of all, directly engaged in the thinking. Yes, a reader to keep a writer writing. (And not a half bad writer himself as the letter makes clear.)
I’ve recently become deeply interested in garden design. Seems a fitting hobby for a man of my age and a far more appropriate mid-life crisis than some of the alternatives. A recurring theme is the idea of mystery and discovery. That a garden which lays out everything plainly before you is boring, or perhaps only fleetingly interesting. A garden should lure you down strange paths, invite new perspectives, and inspire a person to ‘feel something’.
I love that about the story and about your writing broadly. It rewards engagement. It invites us to see through different eyes and to go down strange paths. That’s where you find inspiration, beauty, and truth. We need more of that. It matters.
Joe gets a thousand gold stars; what an insightful, generous comment! I’ll admit, I’m one of your dummies who didn’t see the deeper layers on first read. I should know by now that an Adam story is never quite what it seems. Going back for another pass!
A thousand and one. Yes, 100%. Letters like that are few and far between, because those readers are few and far between. (You happen to be one of them.)
You are forgiven of a speed(ier) first pass. The second pass, I hope, is better.
It's painful because I am a mirror, in a way- and it's painful to understand why people don't want to look into you anymore. No sense of some illusory vindication, no understanding can make it less painful
One can just break himself I guess, and maybe that's what I'm doing. Did. But the cost is high. I wonder sometimes whether I'd rather stay a mirror.
Hi Chen, this sounds like it was written from a sub-average day. (Half of them are.)
Everytime I feel really bad (and sometimes when I feel really good) I remind myself I will feel those exact same feelings many more times, in some alternating fashion. There's something comfortingly Zen about knowing the cycle of human feelings is reliably repetitive, low and high and high and low. This feeling, alas, will return, as will all the wonderful ones. A philosophy of sorts. I hope my comment finds you feeling lighter.
Ok, as a faithful reader, and someone you trust to tell the truth, as I do you, I will tell you mine. Usually, I listen to my favorite Stack people, (you firmly planted within my small but elite circle) when walking through the forest in one of my favorite places. I read on days when just the thought of a favorite post in my mailbox, already has me filled with delightful anticipation.
I admit it, I read Iceland on a sub-ordinary day when reading consisted of not much more than swimming laps when you’re not in the mood.
Thanks to Joe, and your brilliant reply, I will settle in to soft leather, later this afternoon. A warm hearth across from dangling feet. Iceland , on my laptop.
First of all, thank you. 'Tis an honor to be so included.
It was not a good story for delighted anticipation or a walk through a forest. Maybe it was better you saved it for a cold, grey day.
What a treasure box of a letter. Thank you for sharing it. Readers like Joe keep a writer writing.
The letter meant so much to me on a bunch of levels: knowing a story was read with care, persisting in a reader's mind, feeling understood and not appalled, and then, best of all, directly engaged in the thinking. Yes, a reader to keep a writer writing. (And not a half bad writer himself as the letter makes clear.)
Thanks for this post, Adam.
I’ve recently become deeply interested in garden design. Seems a fitting hobby for a man of my age and a far more appropriate mid-life crisis than some of the alternatives. A recurring theme is the idea of mystery and discovery. That a garden which lays out everything plainly before you is boring, or perhaps only fleetingly interesting. A garden should lure you down strange paths, invite new perspectives, and inspire a person to ‘feel something’.
I love that about the story and about your writing broadly. It rewards engagement. It invites us to see through different eyes and to go down strange paths. That’s where you find inspiration, beauty, and truth. We need more of that. It matters.
Thank you for writing and for the invitation.
Thank you, Joe. 🙏
Joe gets a thousand gold stars; what an insightful, generous comment! I’ll admit, I’m one of your dummies who didn’t see the deeper layers on first read. I should know by now that an Adam story is never quite what it seems. Going back for another pass!
A thousand and one. Yes, 100%. Letters like that are few and far between, because those readers are few and far between. (You happen to be one of them.)
You are forgiven of a speed(ier) first pass. The second pass, I hope, is better.
You will never be mistaken for anybody's Dummy.
I've re-read it.
It's painful because I am a mirror, in a way- and it's painful to understand why people don't want to look into you anymore. No sense of some illusory vindication, no understanding can make it less painful
One can just break himself I guess, and maybe that's what I'm doing. Did. But the cost is high. I wonder sometimes whether I'd rather stay a mirror.
Thank you, Adam (and thank you, Joe)
Hi Chen, this sounds like it was written from a sub-average day. (Half of them are.)
Everytime I feel really bad (and sometimes when I feel really good) I remind myself I will feel those exact same feelings many more times, in some alternating fashion. There's something comfortingly Zen about knowing the cycle of human feelings is reliably repetitive, low and high and high and low. This feeling, alas, will return, as will all the wonderful ones. A philosophy of sorts. I hope my comment finds you feeling lighter.
"it was an ordinary day"
Thank you, Adam✨✨✨