So happy to have stumbled upon your Substack—my last ten minutes reading this post were a beautiful break in my day, a chance to slow down and consider some of the small delights in life, as well as something so ambitious as a life-by-eulogy.
I’ve lived in NM for almost 4 years now, and moved here because something vaguely spiritually pulled me. Between the vastness of the landscape—which also feels ancient in a way that just north in Colorado it doesn’t—and the type of people who live here and move here, and of course, famously, the light, I feel every day the proof that I am living in the land of enchantment.
I'm glad you found it here! New Mexico is a lovely place. My wife and I are very plugged in where we are now, but it's on a short list of places we'd move if we ever left.
I wanted to share a few small things that happened to me this week that gave me great joy.
I was allowed to hold an eight week old baby. He is so innocent, pure, beautiful, and content. He observed everything around him with total wonder. It was a rare gift.
I was also blessed to honor a woman in my life who has energy, talent, perseverance, intelligence, and passion for life and uses her gifts to enrich the lives of others.
I received a text from a golden friend with brain cancer who reported that she is traveling to Chicago in July to reunite her oldest gals on her "I'm not dead yet tour."
Thank you for reminding me to celebrate these wonders.
I love your writing and look forward to your next inciteful post.
This new format is like meeting you for coffee. It’s relaxing and entertaining. The one thing for me was that I found an open art studio 20 miles from my small town. It’s only open once a week but that beats never.
…new format works good…and echo what i said in person but these trio of stories/ideas lived in and expanded would make a great novella…maybe even with some diversions into the stories of your uncles and even further family and characters…life as a tesseract is really cool…
Great post here, Charlie. Enjoyed reading all of it. The bird’s nest is special. We had doves on our condo deck maybe 10 years ago and (I know this cliche is overused with our own kids) but it’s shocking how fast it goes by. The nest, eggs, then the babies hatch, if you’re lucky you see the day they practice leaving the nest. And then they’re gone. It’s fun to watch.
Also enjoyed your reflections on journaling. Was bummed about the part when your journal was taken. Real gut shot there. I don’t journal, mostly because I never feel like I have enough time for my writing projects. The line about noticing yourself rather than defining yourself is a great one. I’ll remember that for a long time.
So happy to have stumbled upon your Substack—my last ten minutes reading this post were a beautiful break in my day, a chance to slow down and consider some of the small delights in life, as well as something so ambitious as a life-by-eulogy.
I’ve lived in NM for almost 4 years now, and moved here because something vaguely spiritually pulled me. Between the vastness of the landscape—which also feels ancient in a way that just north in Colorado it doesn’t—and the type of people who live here and move here, and of course, famously, the light, I feel every day the proof that I am living in the land of enchantment.
Thanks again!
I'm glad you found it here! New Mexico is a lovely place. My wife and I are very plugged in where we are now, but it's on a short list of places we'd move if we ever left.
I wanted to share a few small things that happened to me this week that gave me great joy.
I was allowed to hold an eight week old baby. He is so innocent, pure, beautiful, and content. He observed everything around him with total wonder. It was a rare gift.
I was also blessed to honor a woman in my life who has energy, talent, perseverance, intelligence, and passion for life and uses her gifts to enrich the lives of others.
I received a text from a golden friend with brain cancer who reported that she is traveling to Chicago in July to reunite her oldest gals on her "I'm not dead yet tour."
Thank you for reminding me to celebrate these wonders.
I love your writing and look forward to your next inciteful post.
thank you for sharing your uncle and your family's stories. new mexico calls to me too...i do find it enchanting every time i get to visit in winter.
Thanks Christin! I love New Mexico. Would love to talk about your experience there sometime.
This new format is like meeting you for coffee. It’s relaxing and entertaining. The one thing for me was that I found an open art studio 20 miles from my small town. It’s only open once a week but that beats never.
Thank you, I appreciate this feedback. That is exactly what I'm aiming for.
…new format works good…and echo what i said in person but these trio of stories/ideas lived in and expanded would make a great novella…maybe even with some diversions into the stories of your uncles and even further family and characters…life as a tesseract is really cool…
Thanks man! That's what I love about this format. I will try to think about how to expand these.
Great post here, Charlie. Enjoyed reading all of it. The bird’s nest is special. We had doves on our condo deck maybe 10 years ago and (I know this cliche is overused with our own kids) but it’s shocking how fast it goes by. The nest, eggs, then the babies hatch, if you’re lucky you see the day they practice leaving the nest. And then they’re gone. It’s fun to watch.
Also enjoyed your reflections on journaling. Was bummed about the part when your journal was taken. Real gut shot there. I don’t journal, mostly because I never feel like I have enough time for my writing projects. The line about noticing yourself rather than defining yourself is a great one. I’ll remember that for a long time.