Jan, I always look forward to reading your posts. I was hooked from the beginning on your home theme since I struggle with my own moves and how it home became a more loaded issue after my profound loss. I also simply enjoy the way you write and how its so relatable. I felt your angst along with you on some of your tougher shares. I loved being on your Italy house journey too. I am invested in you, as a person, and the writer. And yes-I am reading this on my phone. But I am reading a book almost monthly and savor that time, usually in the mornings to George Winston or Miles Davis vinyl records on my portable record player. My cat Sophie sits nearby. I just love a real book too. No kindle for me. But I am happy to read the substack by phone, though I am behind as you are. Its hard to fit it all in! I was so happy to see your shout out to me on my Blue sunflower! Thank you! Thank you from my heart. You reading my posts means a lot to me, and recommending me is-wow! Be well! 🙏
Jan, I love your writing - your clarity, thoughtfulness, and authenticity, and the sheer beauty of your prose. When I began reading your newsletter, I was curious. How is it possible to run an entire newsletter on the subject of home, I wondered. So I began reading, and the more I read your writing, the more I loved it. Each new post brings new thoughts, new perspectives, and I enjoy that.
And I identify with much of what you write.
As for reading per se, that’s almost as essential to me as breathing. So this post, in particular, truly resonated with me.
And the best part? I have found a friend in you. ❤️
First of all, thank you for the shout out. My reading has changed a great deal in recent years. I used to read only fiction. And now it’s almost exclusively non-fiction --particularly memoirs and personal essays. On top of that, there are two Canadian newspapers plus the New York Times and several Substacks that compete for my interest every day. When I walk I listen to Podcasts. To be honest, it’s so much information that I don’t find it relaxing. I once did.
Of course, I enjoy your content, but it’s the vehicle of your prose that brings me your content. Simply, I enjoy the way you write, it flows to me, it’s easy to read and illustrates your content. Keep truckin!
Ah, the mention of lost parents and lost elders leads me to suggest a subject for your “Home.” I’ll be 83 in 60 days, my father died of a heart attack and when I was 35, my mother 6 years later, and now all elders are gone. We often talk of the grief at the time of those losses, and of the missing and the nostalgia of times gone by, but a wonderful friend and former boss who then lived in London wrote me a hand written letter of understanding at that time as he too had lost a father at a similar time in his life.
He observed an old saying which is still good and true in many facets of my life. He said, “A man (gender is irrelevant) doesn’t really become a man until his father dies.” A man then takes a mantel previously afforded only to those his senior. It comes to our shoulders, wisdom begins, responsibility is realized, new doors are opened as loss is accepted. It’s true to me even when the many of my pets pass, a new puppy soon appears. It does not diminish the loss but it certainly transfers a man’s relationship to the “bucket.” Another old boss observed to me when I received a business promotion into the “officer” rank of a public company, he said, “Phil, all of our employees need a place to set their bucket down. You are now a bucket stand. New doors were opened in both instances, they opened as they could not have before the loss. So, loss is a beginning, when grief resides, open the new door it afforded you! So I wax!
Your article is really speaking to my mind! In the past, I was always reading wherever I could—but how the time goes, I had less and less time and mainly desire to read something. I think people are constantly changing, as their lives are; but I always found these changes a little hateful—they always shake with my vision of the future, present and myself. But I suppose it's natural and normal in some type of way, to change your time management and move from one stage of life to another. And there might be something really fun and interesting waiting for you in the next stage. Your post means a lot to me and thank you for writing it! Can't wait to hear more from you.
Hi Jan, this post has made me feel so seen and heard. I wait for my email to buzz and for there to be at least one of the 30-odd substack's I've subscribed to, and then proceed to take out time to read each one. Much like you, my relationship with reading has changed dramatically in the last 6-8 months. Reading a book feels like a luxury. I read on my phone whenever I can, and I make it a point to read substacks with more concentration and dedication than I did before. There's something so heartwarming to be reading about how someone else thinks, how they go about their day, and what makes their life worth living for. I believe that there is magic in the mundane, provided you have the ability to see it.. to move through the weeds and see the treasure that lies beneath. So, thank you, for making me feel seen and heard through a post as simple as this one. Here's looking forward to your next piece, thank you. :)
Jan, thanks so much for mentioning “Italicus”--there’s nothing more powerful than that kind of validation. Your writing always comes from the heart, one reason I never miss any of your posts. The topic of home is both specific and vast, personal and universal--and thus has no horizons--and you find ways to approach it that often surprise me ( in a good way, of course). I too loved “The Sentence” (Erdrich is such a literary force), and given that, I’d like to suggest “Great Circle” by Maggie Shipstead. It’s one of those books you carry in your being for a long time. And if I may be so nervy, let me say that you *should* write to be seen and heard, because only then can you see and hear us. Writing and reading are equal parts of an equation; don’t minimize your part (please!). Looking forward to the next one!
Coming here I always find a comfort of sorts, something that just clicks. I download books but branch off to places such as this, blogs I've followed for years. But today I'm reminded clean up this phone of the nonsense, dust off my Kindle and make a commitment even if just a few minutes. I remember once you wrote about no home to go to. That's huge for me. Ten years since I've left and the distance with others making relationships almost nonexistent. I'm aging, have a husband and we are looking for a place to finish out retirement, a new home. It's been really dark for me but I'm eyeing my dreams so hard, they will come true. I love how you share personal takes on doing life. When my ship comes in, I'll at least buy you a coffee. I wish I could find someone who could help navigate my 60s, sure miss my mother.
Yay for readers! We are experiencing a medium-change, just like the slow expansion of printing in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and learning to stretch and adapt to the new medium: digital.
Shamelessly, I am going to refer to one of my posts, https://headscratcher.substack.com/p/week-4, wherein I muse on the purpose of reading. And yes, I still assign real books in my classes, though I'm sure many students opt for the digital version.
Jan, I always look forward to reading your posts. I was hooked from the beginning on your home theme since I struggle with my own moves and how it home became a more loaded issue after my profound loss. I also simply enjoy the way you write and how its so relatable. I felt your angst along with you on some of your tougher shares. I loved being on your Italy house journey too. I am invested in you, as a person, and the writer. And yes-I am reading this on my phone. But I am reading a book almost monthly and savor that time, usually in the mornings to George Winston or Miles Davis vinyl records on my portable record player. My cat Sophie sits nearby. I just love a real book too. No kindle for me. But I am happy to read the substack by phone, though I am behind as you are. Its hard to fit it all in! I was so happy to see your shout out to me on my Blue sunflower! Thank you! Thank you from my heart. You reading my posts means a lot to me, and recommending me is-wow! Be well! 🙏
Thanks for being there
Jan, I love your writing - your clarity, thoughtfulness, and authenticity, and the sheer beauty of your prose. When I began reading your newsletter, I was curious. How is it possible to run an entire newsletter on the subject of home, I wondered. So I began reading, and the more I read your writing, the more I loved it. Each new post brings new thoughts, new perspectives, and I enjoy that.
And I identify with much of what you write.
As for reading per se, that’s almost as essential to me as breathing. So this post, in particular, truly resonated with me.
And the best part? I have found a friend in you. ❤️
First of all, thank you for the shout out. My reading has changed a great deal in recent years. I used to read only fiction. And now it’s almost exclusively non-fiction --particularly memoirs and personal essays. On top of that, there are two Canadian newspapers plus the New York Times and several Substacks that compete for my interest every day. When I walk I listen to Podcasts. To be honest, it’s so much information that I don’t find it relaxing. I once did.
Of course, I enjoy your content, but it’s the vehicle of your prose that brings me your content. Simply, I enjoy the way you write, it flows to me, it’s easy to read and illustrates your content. Keep truckin!
Phil
Jan,
Ah, the mention of lost parents and lost elders leads me to suggest a subject for your “Home.” I’ll be 83 in 60 days, my father died of a heart attack and when I was 35, my mother 6 years later, and now all elders are gone. We often talk of the grief at the time of those losses, and of the missing and the nostalgia of times gone by, but a wonderful friend and former boss who then lived in London wrote me a hand written letter of understanding at that time as he too had lost a father at a similar time in his life.
He observed an old saying which is still good and true in many facets of my life. He said, “A man (gender is irrelevant) doesn’t really become a man until his father dies.” A man then takes a mantel previously afforded only to those his senior. It comes to our shoulders, wisdom begins, responsibility is realized, new doors are opened as loss is accepted. It’s true to me even when the many of my pets pass, a new puppy soon appears. It does not diminish the loss but it certainly transfers a man’s relationship to the “bucket.” Another old boss observed to me when I received a business promotion into the “officer” rank of a public company, he said, “Phil, all of our employees need a place to set their bucket down. You are now a bucket stand. New doors were opened in both instances, they opened as they could not have before the loss. So, loss is a beginning, when grief resides, open the new door it afforded you! So I wax!
Phil
Your article is really speaking to my mind! In the past, I was always reading wherever I could—but how the time goes, I had less and less time and mainly desire to read something. I think people are constantly changing, as their lives are; but I always found these changes a little hateful—they always shake with my vision of the future, present and myself. But I suppose it's natural and normal in some type of way, to change your time management and move from one stage of life to another. And there might be something really fun and interesting waiting for you in the next stage. Your post means a lot to me and thank you for writing it! Can't wait to hear more from you.
M.
Hi Jan, this post has made me feel so seen and heard. I wait for my email to buzz and for there to be at least one of the 30-odd substack's I've subscribed to, and then proceed to take out time to read each one. Much like you, my relationship with reading has changed dramatically in the last 6-8 months. Reading a book feels like a luxury. I read on my phone whenever I can, and I make it a point to read substacks with more concentration and dedication than I did before. There's something so heartwarming to be reading about how someone else thinks, how they go about their day, and what makes their life worth living for. I believe that there is magic in the mundane, provided you have the ability to see it.. to move through the weeds and see the treasure that lies beneath. So, thank you, for making me feel seen and heard through a post as simple as this one. Here's looking forward to your next piece, thank you. :)
Jan, thanks so much for mentioning “Italicus”--there’s nothing more powerful than that kind of validation. Your writing always comes from the heart, one reason I never miss any of your posts. The topic of home is both specific and vast, personal and universal--and thus has no horizons--and you find ways to approach it that often surprise me ( in a good way, of course). I too loved “The Sentence” (Erdrich is such a literary force), and given that, I’d like to suggest “Great Circle” by Maggie Shipstead. It’s one of those books you carry in your being for a long time. And if I may be so nervy, let me say that you *should* write to be seen and heard, because only then can you see and hear us. Writing and reading are equal parts of an equation; don’t minimize your part (please!). Looking forward to the next one!
Coming here I always find a comfort of sorts, something that just clicks. I download books but branch off to places such as this, blogs I've followed for years. But today I'm reminded clean up this phone of the nonsense, dust off my Kindle and make a commitment even if just a few minutes. I remember once you wrote about no home to go to. That's huge for me. Ten years since I've left and the distance with others making relationships almost nonexistent. I'm aging, have a husband and we are looking for a place to finish out retirement, a new home. It's been really dark for me but I'm eyeing my dreams so hard, they will come true. I love how you share personal takes on doing life. When my ship comes in, I'll at least buy you a coffee. I wish I could find someone who could help navigate my 60s, sure miss my mother.
Yay for readers! We are experiencing a medium-change, just like the slow expansion of printing in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and learning to stretch and adapt to the new medium: digital.
Shamelessly, I am going to refer to one of my posts, https://headscratcher.substack.com/p/week-4, wherein I muse on the purpose of reading. And yes, I still assign real books in my classes, though I'm sure many students opt for the digital version.
An almost forgotten art- reading
I always love to read what you have written