A writer pulls into the woods. Finds three fishermen, a man cradling a chubby accordion next to a woman with a knowing smile, and nowhere to lay her weary head.
Holly, I long for your chapters to be made into a series someday. It’s so easy to slip inside your experience, feel your interior and exterior landscapes. Your words, vessels delivering me here, then here, then here. And in this piece, the writer, discovering how her outer journey informs and mirrors her writing. And vice versa, I suspect? “This too, she reminds herself, is part of the traveling life, part of the writing life. Perhaps she misread the signs. Perhaps she’s meant to be elsewhere. Perhaps there are no signs.” Just beautiful.
But of course, Mary! LOVE your gorgeously written novel. Anyone reading this note who hasn’t yet checked it out, head on over to Mary’s stack! You’re in for a treat—audio version available if you like listening. Binge worthy either way.
Thank you, thank you. I had fun putting this one together. Duwan and Greg (Make Like An Apeman) are such delightful humans. We’ve camped each other a handful of times since, both planned and just happening to be in the same forest or desert at the same time. And we stay in touch.
Thank you!! And me too. They’re a wonderful duo. Currently, they’re nomading through South America. I’d had plans to meet up with them and travel alongside them for a month or so that were interrupted by my health stuff. But they’re having a blast, reporting about it on the Substack I helped convince Duwan to start, and posting lots of photos—so I’m living it vicariously. :)
I really liked how the traveler/writer answered the question about owning a gun — very witty. And, of course, I like how the traveler/writer told this tale, it was replete with their magnetic prose. :)
Holly, have you read WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER by Jandy Nelson? It’s a touch-of-magic novel about a girl who lives in a van with her mom. It’s YA, but the writing is so, so gorgeous and reminds me a bit of your writing
"The world's gone mad." This line resonated deeply with me. It's a sentiment that I think many of us are feeling these days, as we witness the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds us. But amidst the madness, there is also beauty and hope. And it's stories like yours that remind us of that.
Thank you, Alexander. I remember feeling this way in 2020. It was odd to see things change “from a distance.” Being out in the desert and only coming into towns to stock up felt a little like being away and visiting friends with kids on the holidays—surprised to see how much they’d grown. I’d come into town and see lines outside hardware stores, people arguing about masks in stores, and just a whole lot of hostility and think, holy hell, how has this all changed so much?
I am honored that my stories remind you of the beauty and hope that does, for sure, remain—always.
oh heart shape. Good morning. You are bringing up so many memories for me. Because really the stories are all the same, but you tell them so beautifully.
Holly, I long for your chapters to be made into a series someday. It’s so easy to slip inside your experience, feel your interior and exterior landscapes. Your words, vessels delivering me here, then here, then here. And in this piece, the writer, discovering how her outer journey informs and mirrors her writing. And vice versa, I suspect? “This too, she reminds herself, is part of the traveling life, part of the writing life. Perhaps she misread the signs. Perhaps she’s meant to be elsewhere. Perhaps there are no signs.” Just beautiful.
Oh, Kimberly. Your attention is a gift. And vice versa for sure. Maybe that’s how we writers operate when it comes down to it—mirrors everywhere.
Thank you.
Happiest of new years to you, my friend.
I loved this passage in particular too. Holly's writing is such a gift to us all.
Awwwww!
You never disappoint, Holly. Another compelling story! Thank you for these.
Thank you, thank you, Cathy. I so appreciate this. 🥰
"And building a fire in her heart"--what a line, from a searcher through fire. Love to you, Holly, for this terrific story and your heart.
You are for sure a searcher through fire. Isn’t it one of the most perfect elements to search through.
Love back your way. Thank you ever so much for reading and commenting. It means a lot.
And thank you for reading my search through "fire" in _Who by Fire_--my serial novel that you are reading with devotion, making my heart sing.
But of course, Mary! LOVE your gorgeously written novel. Anyone reading this note who hasn’t yet checked it out, head on over to Mary’s stack! You’re in for a treat—audio version available if you like listening. Binge worthy either way.
the kindness of strangers seems to run through so many encounters at the moment.
Yes!! It’s a truth in the world that gives me hope. ♥️♥️♥️
I remember this story, and I remember your answer - clever.
;) Thank you, my friend.
The world really is small, isn't it? I wonder why it's so hard for us to trust that.
This was a joy to read, Holly. I love how the pieces fit together, and how you put them in proximity to each other so deftly. Happy New Year!
Thank you, thank you. I had fun putting this one together. Duwan and Greg (Make Like An Apeman) are such delightful humans. We’ve camped each other a handful of times since, both planned and just happening to be in the same forest or desert at the same time. And we stay in touch.
Happiest of new years to you too, dear friend.
Holly! I'm always drawn in by the beauty you paint and the story. I look forward to your next meet-up with the Make Like An Apeman duo.
Thank you!! And me too. They’re a wonderful duo. Currently, they’re nomading through South America. I’d had plans to meet up with them and travel alongside them for a month or so that were interrupted by my health stuff. But they’re having a blast, reporting about it on the Substack I helped convince Duwan to start, and posting lots of photos—so I’m living it vicariously. :)
Sweet. And I hope you’ll be back experiencing the joy and misadventures of travel soon, Holly. May the new year bring health and vitality.
Yasss! To you too.
I really liked how the traveler/writer answered the question about owning a gun — very witty. And, of course, I like how the traveler/writer told this tale, it was replete with their magnetic prose. :)
Thank you, my friend.
such a lovely story!
Thank you, Skylar!
Wow! Make like an apeman -- synchronicity! Really beautiful story, Holly.
Right?! I love synchronicity. Thank you, Jeanine. 🥰
Yes!!
I love this story. It feeds your soul to find kindness and goodness in the world.
Agreed! It really gives you hope.
Holly, have you read WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER by Jandy Nelson? It’s a touch-of-magic novel about a girl who lives in a van with her mom. It’s YA, but the writing is so, so gorgeous and reminds me a bit of your writing
I haven’t. But now I’m excited to read it! I just put it in my Libby cue. Thank you! 🥰
This is wonderful, Holly! What a moment!
Make like an ape woman Holly and bring us joy in the new year! You do tickle me!
Thank you, Sandy!! I so very much appreciate you coming along on these treks and adventures and discoveries.
Happiest of new years to you, my friend! ♥️
"The world's gone mad." This line resonated deeply with me. It's a sentiment that I think many of us are feeling these days, as we witness the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds us. But amidst the madness, there is also beauty and hope. And it's stories like yours that remind us of that.
Thank you, Alexander. I remember feeling this way in 2020. It was odd to see things change “from a distance.” Being out in the desert and only coming into towns to stock up felt a little like being away and visiting friends with kids on the holidays—surprised to see how much they’d grown. I’d come into town and see lines outside hardware stores, people arguing about masks in stores, and just a whole lot of hostility and think, holy hell, how has this all changed so much?
I am honored that my stories remind you of the beauty and hope that does, for sure, remain—always.
oh heart shape. Good morning. You are bringing up so many memories for me. Because really the stories are all the same, but you tell them so beautifully.
♥️♥️♥️
Awwwwww! I love this.
Good morning to you many days later. ;)