I heard Judd Apatow say “there’s a universality in specificity” and I think about that quote at least once a week. It’s the drudgery and the treadmill parts of life that speak to readers, I think.
When I read what you packed, similar to what I would too… I thought: this is a gal that treats hospital like a holiday. She needs a break :)
THANK YOU! I love this quote. Absolutely. I love those intimate granular details that work as a snapshot of a person. And yes, very much need a break. I've behaved the last three days. Had quite a telling of.
Truly hoping you are on the mend, and that you DO give yourself a break. You made me think of that old question - what would you gather in the house if it was on fire (assuming you had time). I was in a situation close to this once, but luckily lived in a bedsit so there really wasn't much to choose from other than my cat and my computer and a couple of photo albums.... sending hugs.
I have given myself a break, still very tired and sore, a long week but on the mend. But you have reminded me of Nick Laird's Property, the last lines are:
'Cocteau was asked if his home was on fire, what one thing would he save? The fire, he said, only the fire.'
Of course, besides the fire, I'd save the photographs, like you. And the children, but they appear to be an afterthought...here's a link to the whole poem, it's very good.
How do you cope in settings inside with lots of people then? Myself not great - I'd rather the one person at a time and their tells, out in the open air, that's where the music can flow especially if it is a chance encounter as was yours.
I heard Judd Apatow say “there’s a universality in specificity” and I think about that quote at least once a week. It’s the drudgery and the treadmill parts of life that speak to readers, I think.
When I read what you packed, similar to what I would too… I thought: this is a gal that treats hospital like a holiday. She needs a break :)
THANK YOU! I love this quote. Absolutely. I love those intimate granular details that work as a snapshot of a person. And yes, very much need a break. I've behaved the last three days. Had quite a telling of.
Feel better - I hope you get everything you need, and everything you don’t realise you do too!
Truly hoping you are on the mend, and that you DO give yourself a break. You made me think of that old question - what would you gather in the house if it was on fire (assuming you had time). I was in a situation close to this once, but luckily lived in a bedsit so there really wasn't much to choose from other than my cat and my computer and a couple of photo albums.... sending hugs.
I have given myself a break, still very tired and sore, a long week but on the mend. But you have reminded me of Nick Laird's Property, the last lines are:
'Cocteau was asked if his home was on fire, what one thing would he save? The fire, he said, only the fire.'
Of course, besides the fire, I'd save the photographs, like you. And the children, but they appear to be an afterthought...here's a link to the whole poem, it's very good.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/25/property
How do you cope in settings inside with lots of people then? Myself not great - I'd rather the one person at a time and their tells, out in the open air, that's where the music can flow especially if it is a chance encounter as was yours.
("I know the music" by Wilfred Owen)