24 Comments

Elizabeth, I was in a pub by Hampstead Heath on New year's Day when a bus crashed into it. That's why the road was closed off! Inside the pub, it was the most English response ever. No evacuation, everyone carried on as before. Mulled wine, anyone?

Thank you for your lovely writing!

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Great metaphor. May we have the nimbleness and universe's grace to thread the needle and evade/avoid whatever catastrophe! catastrophe!(s) may loom in the next few years. And thanks for the word skirtling.

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This is wonderful. I've shared it with a bunch of my bay-swimming friends.

"In some arenas I am proud of my endurance, but I am not so fond of experiences in which I am thinking _I am enduring this_."

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Cold. Unsalted. Crystal clear MI lake waters revive my body. I walk in feeling soft sand under my bare feet. Slowly . Effortlessly. Dip down. Further. Baptism .

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These delightful little snippets “ chilly, with a chance of coziness, dark, quiet.” are giving short story hunger. 😊

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Threading and skirting— mending and twirling.

Lovely thinking of the morning coming to light wherever we may be in those early hours before the sun comes up.

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Your words are always exactly what I need. Threading the needle, yes, that’s how we’ll get thru… & skirtling. ❤️😍🤩💐

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Dearest Brenda! I was writing to you just as you were writing this.

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I was lucky enough to swim at Barton springs during an absurdly hot summer day. I'll never forget it. Thanks for writing. Brought back some beautiful memories

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I suppose it helps if one has such charming places to swim. I need to get into daily swimming!

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Catastrophe! Catastrophe! seems to indeed be the best phrase for the next four years. Just keep swimming. (And writing!)

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"skirtling raccoon" made such a mental image, that I had to make a doodle and send it to you.

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yes, indeed.

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Loved this. Thank you. I still can’t bring myself to swim at Barton Springs in winter but eventually will. Your essays are encouraging.

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Threading as we go...

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Wait! Raccoons or humans came at you diagonally?

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I think I’m feeling a little more light after reading this 💙

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