A wispy cloud of smug envelopes me as I complete my climb up Queen Anne hill. A tolerable conceit warding off descent into feeble idleness measured by consuming that third glass of bourbon or, resisting it. Either providing its own cloud of smug.
Wow. I especially loved the Family Pride story, Barrie. Mission accomplished, if you ask me! Now, I want me one of those knitted dolls and a long-ass needle! No - I want TWO of them....
To be named in the breath before Family Pride is a quiet honour. That chair, that doll, that final stitch—each carried the weight of memory, fury, & inherited fire. I felt the spell take hold.
Both stories made me smile, the utter frustration coupled with sinister satisfaction...
You do yourself a disservice Barrie! Maybe a short while has passed since you found words to sew into fictional tales but every week you send us out curios stitched between your own thoughts and photographs like a beautifully embroidered map leading us hither and thither to places unknown then loved the moment we arrive!
Always very kind and encouraging. Thank you. I always enjoy the moments of fiction writing (I love the curations and the threads between them, but making up stuff is such great fun - I wish I could transport myself there more often).
I like how the blanks are slowly filled in Family Pride, the slowly rising tension, the resentment coming to the surface, the unexpected retribution. Beautifully done, Barrie. Hope to read more from you soon.
So lovely to see your kind comment pop up; your fiction sets a high bar, Jim … the sort of stories and characters I aspire to write. I really appreciate the encouragement for this one, thank you.
A wispy cloud of smug envelopes me as I complete my climb up Queen Anne hill. A tolerable conceit warding off descent into feeble idleness measured by consuming that third glass of bourbon or, resisting it. Either providing its own cloud of smug.
You sound in good form, my friend … raising a glass to you!
Wow. I especially loved the Family Pride story, Barrie. Mission accomplished, if you ask me! Now, I want me one of those knitted dolls and a long-ass needle! No - I want TWO of them....
haha, sounds like there’s some wrongs to right, Sharron!
Oh, yeah.
To be named in the breath before Family Pride is a quiet honour. That chair, that doll, that final stitch—each carried the weight of memory, fury, & inherited fire. I felt the spell take hold.
Thanks for reminding me of the power of words and the need for me to sit down quietly to conjure up a few of them.
Both stories made me smile, the utter frustration coupled with sinister satisfaction...
You do yourself a disservice Barrie! Maybe a short while has passed since you found words to sew into fictional tales but every week you send us out curios stitched between your own thoughts and photographs like a beautifully embroidered map leading us hither and thither to places unknown then loved the moment we arrive!
Always very kind and encouraging. Thank you. I always enjoy the moments of fiction writing (I love the curations and the threads between them, but making up stuff is such great fun - I wish I could transport myself there more often).
Winter months are not so distant Barrie, make the most of summer notes first!
Excellent point … dipping in the pool today was bliss … road testing it for Fin and Olivia!
I like how the blanks are slowly filled in Family Pride, the slowly rising tension, the resentment coming to the surface, the unexpected retribution. Beautifully done, Barrie. Hope to read more from you soon.
So lovely to see your kind comment pop up; your fiction sets a high bar, Jim … the sort of stories and characters I aspire to write. I really appreciate the encouragement for this one, thank you.
Beautiful work, Barrie. It was wonderful to read your fiction again!
That’s very kind, Justin. Thank you so much.