26 Comments
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Asha Sanaker's avatar

Well, isn't finding this timely! I was over on Amanda Palmer's Substack this week (she gave you a shout-out, by the way, in her monthly AllThing post, which is how I found that you'd joined our Substack ecosystem. Huzzah!) and someone provided me with this quote from "the singer of Pat the Bunny", which is a true statement but also made me snort:

"Redemption stories are nice, but I think the reality is more like sweeping the floor. In our bare feet we notice that the floor is dirty, and then we can sweep the floor or not, but either way it will be a new situation tomorrow. We can't treat this as a problem; there is not a solution to it. But a clean floor is nice to walk on anyway, and someday we may even be able to sweep the floor because we respect the dignity of our feet and not because we are afraid of the dirt. Some days, that's why I sweep now."

The "Huzzah!" is entirely due to the fact that I've been binging The Great over on Hulu. Have you seen it? It's bawdy and beautifully acted and aesthetically opulent. Fabulous costumes and so many bosoms!

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Asha Sanaker's avatar

Oh, dang! I asked a question somewhat inadvertently in the course of conversation and didn't tell you where I am, which you politely requested. Bad form, that. I'm in Ithaca, NY.

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Glenn DeVore's avatar

This was a fantastic read, both in wisdom and wit!

The section about going for a walk without earbuds, without input, just raw, unfiltered existence, really resonated. It’s remarkable how often we deprive ourselves of our own thoughts in favor of an endless buffet of external stimuli. Silence, it turns out, isn’t empty at all. It’s just waiting for us to stop talking over it.

I also loved the clean workshop analogy. There’s something deeply satisfying about clearing space, whether physical or mental. It allows stillness to be the fertile ground where the next idea (or the realization that you forgot to call your mom) can take root. Creating contrast through walks, meditation, or even just sitting in the car for a moment before heading into the house feels as essential as sleep.

And of course, Thom Lange’s question was the cherry on top. As a follow up, to his question about birds, could it be that stars fall down from the sky for the same reason (not the part about worms)?

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Carl's avatar

Wednesday is the correct day for a bath

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Jessie Hammersmith's avatar

Great response! When I find myself swirling in a storm of worry, it's likely following too much time on a screen and not enough connecting with real live humans. This forum feels like a brief, comfortable hybrid of media and human connection. Thanks!

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Eric Brown's avatar

A good way to reduce is with subtraction. An excellent book by Leidy Klotz called " Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less". We naturally try to add but with sometimes less is the better answer.

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Jenny Wells's avatar

I have been working with my therapist a lot on the element of creating the space you seek. I recently received an ADHD diagnosis throughout my time with my therapist and it turns out, I frequently go with the ebbs and flows of whatever calls to me at that moment - so hearing your explanation of what it means to stay committed to what is sacred is so compelling and appreciated. Thank you for sharing!

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Daniel Strongman's avatar

On the day that you were born Nick, the angels got together, And decided to create a dream come true.

When was the last time you checked the expiration date on your woodshop’s fire extinguisher?

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Love Brenda Smith's avatar

hello

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Rewd Awakening's avatar

It is this simple. Get rid of META!! Get off this platform and like platforms. Stop giving this criminal money to steal your rights and democracy. All businesses have a choice to move to Bluesky or Substack and promote their businesses. If you diminish the severity of Meta and just how little effort this takes then you don’t get to bitch. You are stubborn and out of line. Find your way to stopping with the excuses and JUST DO THE RIGHT THING. Nobody is entitled to justify their use of these platforms stealing from us all. Get here and preferably NOW!!

We all need to punish Meta! Nobody should be using facebook or Instagram as they stole your election, fill your children’s minds up with garbage and allow sex trafficking, drug trafficking and more on their platforms. Why would you be using this toxic scumbags platform at this point? Do you have no moral compass whatsoever?

Every single company you use BIG or SMALL should already have deleted their #meta account.  It is not acceptable for you to turn a blind eye.  This will be a stain on you.  You know what to do.  No #facebook or #instagram #x or #tesla!! https://apple.news/A7nRT3aF7QvWjbfkYydVbgQ

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Girum Batire's avatar

Hlp from Ethiopia

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michael sides's avatar

Birds suddenly appear for love with love as love

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Razzle Ferron's avatar

I need to talk to Jimmy.

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blockchainbullhorn's avatar

Nice

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Cheryl's avatar

This was great! Laughed my Bo when you got to the question why do birds suddenly appear. I was a true fan with that alone! Thank you 😊

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E. Jean Carroll's avatar

Brilliant!

Brilliant!

Brilliant!

And do say hello to your "legendary bride."

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