Matthew, I’m honored to be included in your April wrap-up, among with so many distinguished authors. My best wishes for your retirement, although I don’t see you slowing down soon. Looking forward to reading more of your work.
Mary, I actually took this past week off from work because I had some extra vacation days to use up. It was a blast! I got so much done around the house and yard. You are right. I don't plan to slow down; I will just shift gears a bit and devote my energy to hobbies, family, and Substack. Always glad to share your work with my readers.
You were so kind to include me. And you’ve introduced some wonderful writers here. I’m making my way through your very thoughtful list. Am really looking forward to your “retirement.’ 😊
Rebecca, I can't believe I didn't know about her previously because I really enjoy her style of music. Very grateful to my boss for bringing her to my attention. Hope all is well for you and yours.
Thank you so much for including one of my pieces in your wrap-up, along with so many other great ones that I am saving to read soon. I appreciate your community orientation to reading and writing, and look forward to staying connected!
Maia, that piece really resonated with me. I think I found it when someone shared on Notes or something but however it came across my desk, I am grateful. I look forward to reading more of your work in the future and I hope that some of these other writers resonate with you as well.
Wow. What a month, and still so much writing/reading related work accomplished. Once the retirement is fully in place, you may feel you're luxuriating in time to read and write. Not a bad feeling. Many thanks for including me in your list of recommendations, my friend.
I am definitely going to make an indent on my to be read list. My wife asked me if all I was going to be doing was reading and writing. I asked what was wrong with that!
This week was a good test run actually though as I had some vacation days to burn. I was able to do a lot of stuff around the house, took the dog for a walk every day, planted some flowers in our back yard, etc... so it was fun to think ahead to how I might be managing my time in a couple months. I don't think I will get bored for awhile. Lots of little projects and dreams that were put on the backburner during the Navy years.
Always glad to include your writing here Jay. The world needs to see more of it.
Oh how generous and kind, Matthew--I feel so honored to be included in your list of and those marvelous words about me and my memoir--what a good soul you are. From my heart to yours! Mary
Mary, you are very welcome and I am grateful for the opportunity to share you with others. I love sharing these treasures I find with others so they can also be inspired.
You are marvelous. I haven't really known how you viewed the memoir, because if I recall correctly, you only hit the "like" button--and I don't think commented. Some folks do that just to get past the post and move on. Clearly, you did read! Thank you for the lovely recommendation: beautifully stated and eloquent too. I have now subscribed to you and will be reading and commenting.
Don't tell anyone but I still have a couple chapters to go before I finish, however I couldn't wait to share it any longer. I think I commented on a couple posts but I was too eager to keep reading. I will go back and drop some words in the comments soon.
Oh, lovely. I'm so glad we are connected now and that I've subscribed to your Substack newsletter. I realize I've been missing a grand newsletter and when I've read more and know more, I will write for you a well thought-out recommendation. Thank you again, Matthew.
Wow, what a crazy month you've had! Retiring from the military is no joke. I can't even imagine all the paperwork and appointments you must have to go through. But it's really great that you're still finding time for the things you love through the chaos. I read Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead, too, and found it interesting. It's a big change from her Animal, Vegetable, Miracle book I read years ago. Wishing you all the best as you transition into this next chapter!
Mary, it has been one for the record books for sure! The only other book of hers I had read was The Poisonwood Bible and this was a big different from that as well. Thank you for the kind wishes and glad to have you here for the journey!
Very busy month! I am looking forward to your Steinbeck and copperhead/copperfield articles! And I liked 3 body problem, too. Good luck with all the transition details!
Thanks Jenn. The summer will continue to be busy through the end of July and then things should slow down a bit. It is going to be a great time though, lots of family and friends coming into town as well as a trip to Italy in July.
Congratulations on your 21 wedding anniversary! Also, I'm reading The 3 Body Problem, and yes, it's very sciencey. Glad to hear the Netflix series came through. Cheers.
Lani, thank you! I hope you are able to digest the book better than I was. Not saying it was bad, just hard for me to understand. But the show really helped me to understand it. Some great acting and storytelling.
Digesting Steinbeck and Zach Snyder in same month. Quite an accomplishment. I thought the Rebel Moons contained cardboard characters, little in the way of originality not seen in Star Wars. And you sure don’t want to fight as per the script- blades against guns. Starships but no missiles?
Geoff, you may be right! I will be honest that I am not much of a judge of what makes for great cinema. My one criterion is - Did I enjoy it? In this case I did and while it was an obvious play on Star Wars (which I love) I thought it had interesting twists. I don't believe it will win any awards but it made for an fun afternoon of entertainment so I call that a win. And yes, my tastes are eclectic and all over the place! Glad to have you here.
Thank you Abra, I really appreciate it. I just read that article you linked. It was good. I used to be in the camp of having to understand everything. I am getting more comfortable with just going with the flow.
thanks for reading and sharing!
Nancy, you are welcome. I appreciate you providing helpful guidance.
Matthew, I’m honored to be included in your April wrap-up, among with so many distinguished authors. My best wishes for your retirement, although I don’t see you slowing down soon. Looking forward to reading more of your work.
Mary, I actually took this past week off from work because I had some extra vacation days to use up. It was a blast! I got so much done around the house and yard. You are right. I don't plan to slow down; I will just shift gears a bit and devote my energy to hobbies, family, and Substack. Always glad to share your work with my readers.
You were so kind to include me. And you’ve introduced some wonderful writers here. I’m making my way through your very thoughtful list. Am really looking forward to your “retirement.’ 😊
Lots of great things in here, but I had to pipe up when you mentioned Patty Griffin. I’m a longtime fan! She’s wonderful.
Rebecca, I can't believe I didn't know about her previously because I really enjoy her style of music. Very grateful to my boss for bringing her to my attention. Hope all is well for you and yours.
Thank you Matthew. Very kind of you to mention my work.
Always a pleasure Will. You are a treasure to be shared with the world. Thank you for sharing your gifts of cooking and writing with all of us.
Thank you so much for including one of my pieces in your wrap-up, along with so many other great ones that I am saving to read soon. I appreciate your community orientation to reading and writing, and look forward to staying connected!
Maia, that piece really resonated with me. I think I found it when someone shared on Notes or something but however it came across my desk, I am grateful. I look forward to reading more of your work in the future and I hope that some of these other writers resonate with you as well.
Thank you Matthew, a very interesting roundup.
You are welcome Maureen. I hope you find something to tickle your fancy! All the best.
Wow. What a month, and still so much writing/reading related work accomplished. Once the retirement is fully in place, you may feel you're luxuriating in time to read and write. Not a bad feeling. Many thanks for including me in your list of recommendations, my friend.
I am definitely going to make an indent on my to be read list. My wife asked me if all I was going to be doing was reading and writing. I asked what was wrong with that!
This week was a good test run actually though as I had some vacation days to burn. I was able to do a lot of stuff around the house, took the dog for a walk every day, planted some flowers in our back yard, etc... so it was fun to think ahead to how I might be managing my time in a couple months. I don't think I will get bored for awhile. Lots of little projects and dreams that were put on the backburner during the Navy years.
Always glad to include your writing here Jay. The world needs to see more of it.
Oh how generous and kind, Matthew--I feel so honored to be included in your list of and those marvelous words about me and my memoir--what a good soul you are. From my heart to yours! Mary
Mary, you are very welcome and I am grateful for the opportunity to share you with others. I love sharing these treasures I find with others so they can also be inspired.
You are marvelous. I haven't really known how you viewed the memoir, because if I recall correctly, you only hit the "like" button--and I don't think commented. Some folks do that just to get past the post and move on. Clearly, you did read! Thank you for the lovely recommendation: beautifully stated and eloquent too. I have now subscribed to you and will be reading and commenting.
PS, I only found your post because of Mary Roblyn's note--and so glad I did! xx ~ Mary
Don't tell anyone but I still have a couple chapters to go before I finish, however I couldn't wait to share it any longer. I think I commented on a couple posts but I was too eager to keep reading. I will go back and drop some words in the comments soon.
Oh, lovely. I'm so glad we are connected now and that I've subscribed to your Substack newsletter. I realize I've been missing a grand newsletter and when I've read more and know more, I will write for you a well thought-out recommendation. Thank you again, Matthew.
Wow, what a crazy month you've had! Retiring from the military is no joke. I can't even imagine all the paperwork and appointments you must have to go through. But it's really great that you're still finding time for the things you love through the chaos. I read Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead, too, and found it interesting. It's a big change from her Animal, Vegetable, Miracle book I read years ago. Wishing you all the best as you transition into this next chapter!
Mary, it has been one for the record books for sure! The only other book of hers I had read was The Poisonwood Bible and this was a big different from that as well. Thank you for the kind wishes and glad to have you here for the journey!
Very busy month! I am looking forward to your Steinbeck and copperhead/copperfield articles! And I liked 3 body problem, too. Good luck with all the transition details!
Thanks Jenn. The summer will continue to be busy through the end of July and then things should slow down a bit. It is going to be a great time though, lots of family and friends coming into town as well as a trip to Italy in July.
That sounds amazing! Enjoy!
Congratulations on your 21 wedding anniversary! Also, I'm reading The 3 Body Problem, and yes, it's very sciencey. Glad to hear the Netflix series came through. Cheers.
Lani, thank you! I hope you are able to digest the book better than I was. Not saying it was bad, just hard for me to understand. But the show really helped me to understand it. Some great acting and storytelling.
Awesome, yeah, we'll see how it goes, I'm about 60% of the way through.
Digesting Steinbeck and Zach Snyder in same month. Quite an accomplishment. I thought the Rebel Moons contained cardboard characters, little in the way of originality not seen in Star Wars. And you sure don’t want to fight as per the script- blades against guns. Starships but no missiles?
Geoff, you may be right! I will be honest that I am not much of a judge of what makes for great cinema. My one criterion is - Did I enjoy it? In this case I did and while it was an obvious play on Star Wars (which I love) I thought it had interesting twists. I don't believe it will win any awards but it made for an fun afternoon of entertainment so I call that a win. And yes, my tastes are eclectic and all over the place! Glad to have you here.
Matthew, thank you for the treasure trove of great article and book recommendations! Can’t wait to dive in! My best to you!
Your head scratching about The Villagers made me think of something EJ wrote over at Point of Departure recently: https://pointofdeparture.substack.com/p/why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-getting. Happy retirement, Matthew. I hope the celebrations send you off on a great note.
Thank you Abra, I really appreciate it. I just read that article you linked. It was good. I used to be in the camp of having to understand everything. I am getting more comfortable with just going with the flow.