Holly, I'm so excited for you! You're moving along in more ways than you might have imagined before Substack, and your writing is just glorious! Your descriptions, your conversations, your look at your world always leaves me wanting more. I'm hopping with joy for you! (Well, not exactly hopping. Those days may be over. But you know what I mean.) 😉❤️🤜
Back in 1973, I traveled around the US by bus. They had what was called an Ameripass and it was only $40, I think. Now I don't remember the price. Anyway, you could travel anywhere in the US with this pass. I traveled for 2 months, visited friends and family along the way. I was 19 years old, I'm 71 now. I would like to have that adventure again. 'Berta
Oh what a wonderful memory, ‘Berta! I’m so glad you shared. What a fabulous idea, the Ameripass. I wish something like that existed today. Mostly I wish we had better bus and rail systems in the States.
I can just picture you at 19, years younger than I was on my Greyhound story. You must have felt so free, so alive!
Thank you, Jan. What a beautiful thing to say. I think gentleness and openness were sort of defining characteristics of that trek up the East Coast the bus trip in this story kicked off. Not every minute of it, of course. But the overall place my heart and head were in.
Me too, Sherry! I love trains. My longest ride so far was a five-day journey from Montreal, Canada, to Salt Lake City, Utah. Was a wonderful occasion. I think this is one of the ways you and I are kindred souls. ;)
Thank you, Ally! Sorry I didn't get to this comment with a link before you went looking and found it. Thank you so much for doing that! (I'd meant to link it in the post. But it's been a very full week.)
And thank you so much for your well wishes on this new adventures. I'm really excited about it! 💕
"You’re out there on the page, solo but not alone. You long to reel someone in with the glint of your words. You delve into the words of other writers. This one spin tales like reflections. This one you fall in love with and gobble everything they’ve ever written till the rhythm of their phrasing lives in your belly. This one got you through a rough patch, and you return to the work again and again."
I think you've captured the essence of it right here in this paragraph: reading and writing isn't about showing off, but about connecting with kindred spirits, however oblique that connection might be, whether you're on the road and wandering or firmly planted in one spot. The delight -- the sheer joy -- of finding a writer whose words, cadence, and phrasing -- their voice -- resonates deep within ... that never gets old. It's pure magic.
Ah! This is so exciting!!! I can’t wait to learn more.
Every time you describe your nomadic encounters I feel myself zooming out to some larger conductor, not God, but an intelligence that can’t help but create connections, some small, some lasting, but always orienting the heart’s path toward a truer true. Your commitment to a life that chooses to nurture and follow those mystical sparks is truly beautiful.
Kimberly! This is among my favorite comments to receive. To think of my words enabling this. I think maybe that's the way I see things. And the intelligence is us (as in every creature and even object, ever constituting and reconstituting of the same matter, sometimes making leaps forward, sometimes tripping, always learning, always evolving, always connecting via an unseen mycelial web). So what a treat to hear you describe your experience of these encounters in this way.
Okay, so, firstly, I have a feeling I’ve read this like before (and that I liked it then too) but either way, this —
“The guy a few rows ahead of me keeps looking back—gaze like a fly fishing lure, tossed back, dangling momentarily, tossed again, hopeful of the moment I’ll be caught by the tantalizing glint of an iris.” —-
was amazing!
Secondly, I’m so happy to hear your story Lucky, is being shown all the love it deserves.
And thirdly, holy cow does this Caravan sound incredible. I look forward to checking out what you’ll be putting on offer.
P.S — I just checked my emails (and my spam) and I didn’t get an email about thr Caravan sign up. Just thought I’d let you know. :)
Yes, indeed. This is a retooling of an earlier telling of the same story (the guy on the bus). I love that you remember it.
And thank you, thank you!
Oh no! I'll send you an email posthaste. Thank you for telling me! I know you know well the ... shall we say frustration ... of emails not going out as they should!!
I remember it well, I think it’s must of been pretty early on in your interaction here on Substack because I distinctly remember thinking “damn this ladies good”.
Hahaha yes, frustration is a fitting word for it. :)
Yes, the glint in your words, I see it...I'm doing the thing in a tent and bringing the glint and hopefully the talon to my writing...that caravan though!
Love the writing/nomading analogy, love this news. The adventure begins!
Thanks, Rona! To know me is to know I love a new adventure!
I appreciate you. 💕
Holly, I'm so excited for you! You're moving along in more ways than you might have imagined before Substack, and your writing is just glorious! Your descriptions, your conversations, your look at your world always leaves me wanting more. I'm hopping with joy for you! (Well, not exactly hopping. Those days may be over. But you know what I mean.) 😉❤️🤜
Awww! Thank you, Ramona. I so very much appreciate your “hopping support. 💕💕
I wish you well in your new writing adventure. Sounds wonderful!
Thank you, Todd! I much appreciate you.
Back in 1973, I traveled around the US by bus. They had what was called an Ameripass and it was only $40, I think. Now I don't remember the price. Anyway, you could travel anywhere in the US with this pass. I traveled for 2 months, visited friends and family along the way. I was 19 years old, I'm 71 now. I would like to have that adventure again. 'Berta
Oh what a wonderful memory, ‘Berta! I’m so glad you shared. What a fabulous idea, the Ameripass. I wish something like that existed today. Mostly I wish we had better bus and rail systems in the States.
I can just picture you at 19, years younger than I was on my Greyhound story. You must have felt so free, so alive!
And very nervous. I am a nervous bunny now. I need to take in my 19 year old to get past my nerves.
Congrats on the new project!
Thanks, Michael!
love the gentleness and openness of the story. And the Caravan Crew sounds like a great venture.
Thank you, Jan. What a beautiful thing to say. I think gentleness and openness were sort of defining characteristics of that trek up the East Coast the bus trip in this story kicked off. Not every minute of it, of course. But the overall place my heart and head were in.
And thanks for your enthusiastic support !
Excited for this new venture!
And trains. I will always choose the train--the older and slower, the better. That gentle sway is like a slow dance as the landscape glides past.
Me too, Sherry! I love trains. My longest ride so far was a five-day journey from Montreal, Canada, to Salt Lake City, Utah. Was a wonderful occasion. I think this is one of the ways you and I are kindred souls. ;)
Exciting news of your new adventure! Good luck ... xo
Thank you, thank you, my friend!!
Wagon train! Love this for you and aspiring writers near and far!
Thank you!! 🚌🚚🚙🚌💕
I love this, Holly. I want to go find your older post, too, and see if I get to know more about the man on the bus.
And I’m wishing y’all a great new adventure, this sounds fantastic.
Thank you, Ally! Sorry I didn't get to this comment with a link before you went looking and found it. Thank you so much for doing that! (I'd meant to link it in the post. But it's been a very full week.)
And thank you so much for your well wishes on this new adventures. I'm really excited about it! 💕
I was very happy to go hunting amongst the treasures ❤️
Awwww! 🥰
"You’re out there on the page, solo but not alone. You long to reel someone in with the glint of your words. You delve into the words of other writers. This one spin tales like reflections. This one you fall in love with and gobble everything they’ve ever written till the rhythm of their phrasing lives in your belly. This one got you through a rough patch, and you return to the work again and again."
I think you've captured the essence of it right here in this paragraph: reading and writing isn't about showing off, but about connecting with kindred spirits, however oblique that connection might be, whether you're on the road and wandering or firmly planted in one spot. The delight -- the sheer joy -- of finding a writer whose words, cadence, and phrasing -- their voice -- resonates deep within ... that never gets old. It's pure magic.
Wolves howl to speak to each other, and so do we.
“Wolves howl to speak to each other, and so do we.” Swoon. This, too, is the essence!
Thank you, Michael.
Great writing and great news!
Here's a poem I found to help up celebrate the moment:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/oct/03/poem-of-the-week-the-caravan
"the sky turning heather with night,
the moon a huge cauldron of light,
the chill wind blasting away our mortgage,
emails, bills, TV, our broken washing machine"
Gah! Fantastic. And thanks for the intro to Clare Pollard.
My goodness, I appreciate our connection, Jeffrey.
You're welcome, Holly, and the feeling is mutual. Glad you liked the poem!
PS I've just started reading her “Ovid's Heroines” - beautiful.
I'm with Rona, such a great analogy of life. Congratulations on this new expansion of your writing and offerings, Holly.
Thank you, thank you, Paulette! 🥰
Ah! This is so exciting!!! I can’t wait to learn more.
Every time you describe your nomadic encounters I feel myself zooming out to some larger conductor, not God, but an intelligence that can’t help but create connections, some small, some lasting, but always orienting the heart’s path toward a truer true. Your commitment to a life that chooses to nurture and follow those mystical sparks is truly beautiful.
Kimberly! This is among my favorite comments to receive. To think of my words enabling this. I think maybe that's the way I see things. And the intelligence is us (as in every creature and even object, ever constituting and reconstituting of the same matter, sometimes making leaps forward, sometimes tripping, always learning, always evolving, always connecting via an unseen mycelial web). So what a treat to hear you describe your experience of these encounters in this way.
Thank you. 🥰🥰🥰
Okay, so, firstly, I have a feeling I’ve read this like before (and that I liked it then too) but either way, this —
“The guy a few rows ahead of me keeps looking back—gaze like a fly fishing lure, tossed back, dangling momentarily, tossed again, hopeful of the moment I’ll be caught by the tantalizing glint of an iris.” —-
was amazing!
Secondly, I’m so happy to hear your story Lucky, is being shown all the love it deserves.
And thirdly, holy cow does this Caravan sound incredible. I look forward to checking out what you’ll be putting on offer.
P.S — I just checked my emails (and my spam) and I didn’t get an email about thr Caravan sign up. Just thought I’d let you know. :)
Yes, indeed. This is a retooling of an earlier telling of the same story (the guy on the bus). I love that you remember it.
And thank you, thank you!
Oh no! I'll send you an email posthaste. Thank you for telling me! I know you know well the ... shall we say frustration ... of emails not going out as they should!!
Grateful for you, my friend.
I remember it well, I think it’s must of been pretty early on in your interaction here on Substack because I distinctly remember thinking “damn this ladies good”.
Hahaha yes, frustration is a fitting word for it. :)
Yes, the glint in your words, I see it...I'm doing the thing in a tent and bringing the glint and hopefully the talon to my writing...that caravan though!
Awwww, fantastic. I do love a tent. So many wonderful nights have I enjoyed in a tent. I just had a flash of memories of tents. So thank you for that.
And yes to bringing the glint and the talon!!
Thanks Solitary Rebel!! 🥰