I love this diary entry, Amanda. I love and appreciate your writing. I would like to print it and hang it on my refrigerator. I am 86 years old with a midwestern upbringing modified by 40 years of various kinds of living in the Southwest. I hear you! I follow Walter and Matt as well, because their erudition and plain old sanity help to keep me tethered. I'm so happy that you overcame your cough. Thank you so much for posting this!
Thank you so much for this Sally! And for subscribing. I truly appreciate it. I read your comment to Walter, too, and he was delighted by it. We are glad to have you among our readers/listeners!
I was had a workmate in Washington State who was locally known as Distresslie. (Leslie) I finally caught Covid in Bozeman. Hadn't gotten it before despite spending time in hospitals with prostate cancer. The Paxlovid worked its magic in a week but the next week the symptoms, including cough returned. But it didn't last. I wish I could say that for all the troubles in the world but I can't. Great observations in this piece. Stay well.
Gorgeous. We had a woman here in Honolulu who was once well off but living in a banyan tree. It went up in flames one night and took her with it. This is such a beautiful piece, you are like a Wim Wenders angel passing through life. I also think of Rilke in his novel -- I so often think of this line of his when he is writing about Paris: "I have been out: I saw..." I copied this phrase myself recently -- here is a tidbit: "I have been out. I saw: farmland of corn, orchards of apples, young boys in slacks and white shirts and suspenders dressing miniature ponies, a tall young Amish mechanic who removed his black hat to slide underneath my car to make a repair." A wonderful piece Amanda F!! I love it. Beautiful work.
Louise, This means a lot to me as I know what a discerning reader you are. Thank you for reading. Thank you for this quote, too. I had not ever seen and I love it.
I love this kind of writing- someone's meandering thoughts and observations as they go about their days. Your words are lovely.
I had a similar cough about fifteen years ago. Still remember the those coughing fits and the panic at thinking I wasn't going to be able to get it to stop.
So glad to see you back on substack. :) Well said description of: "friends and colleagues peeling off as if by some cosmic force." It just seems to happen without any explanation more than ever. I've had more than one dialog with people about how much time has passed since we have seen each other and how we must get together again. And then we don't speak again for months beyond "social media."
Hi Amanda. I had the same cough for two months that culminated in pneumonia which took three antibiotics to rid. However, the cough remained until my doctor prescribed a steroid inhaler. Hope the shock from your homeless neighbor’s disappearance took it away for good though I hope you found out what happened to him. P.S. I loved that you called your mom (my friend) soigné. She is! xo Marcy
You described precisely what my wife had been dealing with for months up until last week. The coughing was off the charts and very concerning to me, as I’m sure it was for Walter. The Urgent care Dr. who treated her on the second visit said it was one of those things “that was going around.” Small comfort, but did nothing to ease her anxiety of going out in public and missing out on time with the grandchildren over the holidays. The coughing fits were brutal. So again I’m glad you’re over it and able to produce another nice essay.
I really enjoyed reading this! It was deeply personal and very touching!
Feeling melancholic and nostalgic is something that can take hold at any time, but its magnified so much by illness and winter itself. The way these feelings were interwoven into your observations was fantastic writing.
Beautiful, Amanda. You've articulated that feeling of returning to New York - seeing ghosts of your past life everywhere - so perfectly. Something that I've struggled to explain and now see mirrored back to me in the most gorgeous way. Glad you're feeling better :)
Yeah… They keep shaking our snow globe, don’t they? Those shaker types don’t deserve such a beautiful metaphor, but I’m glad you wrote it.
We live in anxiety-inducing times. It gets even more challenging when old connections and places that used to give us strength … instead end up adding to our disillusion.
You and Walter both have unique talent for sharing your insights, and the emotions we all feel … but can’t put into words nearly as well. Which is why I’m a fan! Thanks.
I feel guilty that Amanda suffered through months of coughing and social disillusionment to give us a great read. Thank you, Amanda! Great piece.
Thank you so much, Jeff! It's what we writers do. :)
I love this diary entry, Amanda. I love and appreciate your writing. I would like to print it and hang it on my refrigerator. I am 86 years old with a midwestern upbringing modified by 40 years of various kinds of living in the Southwest. I hear you! I follow Walter and Matt as well, because their erudition and plain old sanity help to keep me tethered. I'm so happy that you overcame your cough. Thank you so much for posting this!
Thank you so much for this Sally! And for subscribing. I truly appreciate it. I read your comment to Walter, too, and he was delighted by it. We are glad to have you among our readers/listeners!
I was had a workmate in Washington State who was locally known as Distresslie. (Leslie) I finally caught Covid in Bozeman. Hadn't gotten it before despite spending time in hospitals with prostate cancer. The Paxlovid worked its magic in a week but the next week the symptoms, including cough returned. But it didn't last. I wish I could say that for all the troubles in the world but I can't. Great observations in this piece. Stay well.
Once had a workmate.
Demanda, that is funny. Love your writing. Soothing to my OCD the way you organize your thoughts. The flow is beautiful. Thank you.
Gorgeous. We had a woman here in Honolulu who was once well off but living in a banyan tree. It went up in flames one night and took her with it. This is such a beautiful piece, you are like a Wim Wenders angel passing through life. I also think of Rilke in his novel -- I so often think of this line of his when he is writing about Paris: "I have been out: I saw..." I copied this phrase myself recently -- here is a tidbit: "I have been out. I saw: farmland of corn, orchards of apples, young boys in slacks and white shirts and suspenders dressing miniature ponies, a tall young Amish mechanic who removed his black hat to slide underneath my car to make a repair." A wonderful piece Amanda F!! I love it. Beautiful work.
Louise, This means a lot to me as I know what a discerning reader you are. Thank you for reading. Thank you for this quote, too. I had not ever seen and I love it.
I love this kind of writing- someone's meandering thoughts and observations as they go about their days. Your words are lovely.
I had a similar cough about fifteen years ago. Still remember the those coughing fits and the panic at thinking I wasn't going to be able to get it to stop.
Love it. Bet you feel better now that you've posted this! Always do myself.
I dig lobelia, mullein, and Dr. Tierra's Wild Cherry Bark syrup for lung healing.
Wonder if you've read the artsy, racy novel SPENDING by Mary Gordon. I enjoyed.
Thanks, Demanda!
So glad to see you back on substack. :) Well said description of: "friends and colleagues peeling off as if by some cosmic force." It just seems to happen without any explanation more than ever. I've had more than one dialog with people about how much time has passed since we have seen each other and how we must get together again. And then we don't speak again for months beyond "social media."
Hi Amanda. I had the same cough for two months that culminated in pneumonia which took three antibiotics to rid. However, the cough remained until my doctor prescribed a steroid inhaler. Hope the shock from your homeless neighbor’s disappearance took it away for good though I hope you found out what happened to him. P.S. I loved that you called your mom (my friend) soigné. She is! xo Marcy
Glad to hear you’re feeling better!
You described precisely what my wife had been dealing with for months up until last week. The coughing was off the charts and very concerning to me, as I’m sure it was for Walter. The Urgent care Dr. who treated her on the second visit said it was one of those things “that was going around.” Small comfort, but did nothing to ease her anxiety of going out in public and missing out on time with the grandchildren over the holidays. The coughing fits were brutal. So again I’m glad you’re over it and able to produce another nice essay.
Great piece. Made me feel as if I were wandering along with you.
Thank you so much!
brilliant !
I really enjoyed reading this! It was deeply personal and very touching!
Feeling melancholic and nostalgic is something that can take hold at any time, but its magnified so much by illness and winter itself. The way these feelings were interwoven into your observations was fantastic writing.
Glad the cough has gone!
Beautiful, Amanda. You've articulated that feeling of returning to New York - seeing ghosts of your past life everywhere - so perfectly. Something that I've struggled to explain and now see mirrored back to me in the most gorgeous way. Glad you're feeling better :)
Yeah… They keep shaking our snow globe, don’t they? Those shaker types don’t deserve such a beautiful metaphor, but I’m glad you wrote it.
We live in anxiety-inducing times. It gets even more challenging when old connections and places that used to give us strength … instead end up adding to our disillusion.
You and Walter both have unique talent for sharing your insights, and the emotions we all feel … but can’t put into words nearly as well. Which is why I’m a fan! Thanks.
The charred mattress is under a sign that warns, "No Loitering."