For a while now, Barbie, I’ve been trying to live my life like a cancer survivor without having cancer. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Carpe diem
My jaw is agape. I love this essay VERY much. I can just see you floating down the river, casting off the oars. And I want to be on the next raft. As for capitalization: I’m a fan. Your writing is so beautiful, the lack of them distracts me a bit. I say “Shift away, Baby.”
A quick editorial comment from the old, self-styled decapitator editor, who hewed to the ChiMano'Style in the never-ending campaign against the cascade of capricious capitalization: Stick with lower case. (For observers of such things, do cap a full sentence after a colon, but not an incomplete one.) The thought at work was that capitalizing a common noun made it more important. There were nights when I left the office itching to disable every shift key on every computer. Better to be on the style side of e.e. cummings than DJT. I also think that caps, especially extraneous ones (which you would never use) are visual clutter. Your lower-case meanderings are easy on the eyes, leaving more energy for our hearts and minds to absorb your wisdom. I have always appreciated your distinctive lower-case style, and I hope you continue with it.
dear realist editor! first, what a lovely defense. so far the Caps are beating the Littles/Lowers, and in my head i’ve been pondering the Case for Both Cases, especially the one for which reach is required. your comparison of DJT and e.e. surely adds oomph to one side of the equation (need you guess which?!?!?). i think i might be leaning into Misters Strunk & White, who remind over and over: clarity is everything. will reach judicious verdict, i promise. all sides and cases duly considered. xox
i sorta realize it's harder to read. um, and i am always slow to the uptake. i know my from-the-heart emails will still be lower case, but maybe just maybe i need to reach toward the printmaker's upper drawer, the one where the less commonly used larger letters were kept.
As a stickler for details, I do love a well placed Capital letter. I also like your fervent reminders to carpe diem. Cancer or not, time is marching on for all of us. As a recent retiree, I am well aware of making good use of the time while the body is willing and able.
i love how you say that: "a well placed Capital letter." i promise to place in the right place. once i exercise the finger muscle that will reach for that shift key....
Your nephew will read next week a short story by Sherwood Anderson. That author revolutionized American short stories and influenced Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner.
Anderson’s gravestone, designed by Wharton Esherick, bears his epithet, “life not death is the great adventure.”
Look, you've plunged into social media, so how radical is it now to occasionally use capitals? I feel like every shift after this first seismic move is no big deal. And wow, do I love the image of floating in a river and dropping the oars. !!
I too have thought and written about how we actually have so little agency, really, over much of anything at all, and my tiny view into this is through the Orthodox practice of fasting. Cancer, or TB, ups the ante, makes it all real, and not like Sunday school flannel graphs. Thanks for this beautiful, real, lived meditation.
Oh, Jules….we have been reading each other across so many years now. Your thoughts are always such an incredible warm, deep embrace. I write to be in conversation, so thank you for chiming in. And thank you Substack for making it a wee bit easier to do so. Yes, I think the shift key is just part of the natural evolution. Maybe part of it too is owning what I write, letting it occupy the full space rather than hiding behind my wee little (somewhat shy) letters….
shy letters! How adorable is that image? Your letters, anyway the ones thusly arranged personally, have been sashaying about for two decades now in a blog and six books and may be as loud and brassy as they please. Also thank you for being a reader of my shy and rarely seen letters
Beautiful essay, Barb. When we are pulled into the infirma, I can't help but retreat to thoughts of terra firma, a place where we learned of connection and belonging and security. . . our childhood homes, perhaps. (Caps for me, btw!)
blessedly i have a vivid eye in my mind and your mere mention brought matisse images clear into view. maybe if you come to chicago we can pack lunches, buy train tickets and go there together. a brother and sister drinking in rapture....
For a while now, Barbie, I’ve been trying to live my life like a cancer survivor without having cancer. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Carpe diem
that's the genius, isn't it? to live full throttle without needing the electro-shock of hearing those words......
My jaw is agape. I love this essay VERY much. I can just see you floating down the river, casting off the oars. And I want to be on the next raft. As for capitalization: I’m a fan. Your writing is so beautiful, the lack of them distracts me a bit. I say “Shift away, Baby.”
we now have two votes FOR (the shift key employment agency), and zero against. the caps are taking the lead.....
A quick editorial comment from the old, self-styled decapitator editor, who hewed to the ChiMano'Style in the never-ending campaign against the cascade of capricious capitalization: Stick with lower case. (For observers of such things, do cap a full sentence after a colon, but not an incomplete one.) The thought at work was that capitalizing a common noun made it more important. There were nights when I left the office itching to disable every shift key on every computer. Better to be on the style side of e.e. cummings than DJT. I also think that caps, especially extraneous ones (which you would never use) are visual clutter. Your lower-case meanderings are easy on the eyes, leaving more energy for our hearts and minds to absorb your wisdom. I have always appreciated your distinctive lower-case style, and I hope you continue with it.
Love, the grumpy old editor
dear realist editor! first, what a lovely defense. so far the Caps are beating the Littles/Lowers, and in my head i’ve been pondering the Case for Both Cases, especially the one for which reach is required. your comparison of DJT and e.e. surely adds oomph to one side of the equation (need you guess which?!?!?). i think i might be leaning into Misters Strunk & White, who remind over and over: clarity is everything. will reach judicious verdict, i promise. all sides and cases duly considered. xox
Am trying hard to learn all this. Thank you, as always, for sharing your wisdom.
As for capitals, lowercase has been your trademark. Curious what is making you think of changing?
i sorta realize it's harder to read. um, and i am always slow to the uptake. i know my from-the-heart emails will still be lower case, but maybe just maybe i need to reach toward the printmaker's upper drawer, the one where the less commonly used larger letters were kept.
As a stickler for details, I do love a well placed Capital letter. I also like your fervent reminders to carpe diem. Cancer or not, time is marching on for all of us. As a recent retiree, I am well aware of making good use of the time while the body is willing and able.
i love how you say that: "a well placed Capital letter." i promise to place in the right place. once i exercise the finger muscle that will reach for that shift key....
Let's drop our aprons and rush to get matching ink with the following:
time, you’ve found out, is your luxury—not your due
It's a dare for the next time I'm in town and ring you for a last-minute visit. Love you. xo
love YOU, my sweet sweet LH. can mine be in crayon?
As always, you have a way to touch my heart ( and many others) with your wisdom, honesty and the ability to write so beautifully.Thank you!
Not using Caps has never bothered me, so go with whatever you feel is right for you . Sending hugs
i love finding you here, beautiful Ronit. xox
Thank you for the link that brought me here. Now I will never miss your postings
Love you Dear Barbie……..Caps or no caps keep filling our souls with your beautiful and compelling Prose. Xoxo 🩷
❤️❤️❤️ love you right back!!!!
Each week you touch my heart with your wisdom. No capitalization is my vote. Just keep on writing and sharing.
well, you just melted mine. bless you. and thank you.
Your nephew will read next week a short story by Sherwood Anderson. That author revolutionized American short stories and influenced Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner.
Anderson’s gravestone, designed by Wharton Esherick, bears his epithet, “life not death is the great adventure.”
Look, you've plunged into social media, so how radical is it now to occasionally use capitals? I feel like every shift after this first seismic move is no big deal. And wow, do I love the image of floating in a river and dropping the oars. !!
I too have thought and written about how we actually have so little agency, really, over much of anything at all, and my tiny view into this is through the Orthodox practice of fasting. Cancer, or TB, ups the ante, makes it all real, and not like Sunday school flannel graphs. Thanks for this beautiful, real, lived meditation.
Oh, Jules….we have been reading each other across so many years now. Your thoughts are always such an incredible warm, deep embrace. I write to be in conversation, so thank you for chiming in. And thank you Substack for making it a wee bit easier to do so. Yes, I think the shift key is just part of the natural evolution. Maybe part of it too is owning what I write, letting it occupy the full space rather than hiding behind my wee little (somewhat shy) letters….
shy letters! How adorable is that image? Your letters, anyway the ones thusly arranged personally, have been sashaying about for two decades now in a blog and six books and may be as loud and brassy as they please. Also thank you for being a reader of my shy and rarely seen letters
til death do us part, baby!
Thank you, Barbara! How lovely to experience your gorgeous word craft and how important to remember this message of our fleeting presence.
Beautiful essay, Barb. When we are pulled into the infirma, I can't help but retreat to thoughts of terra firma, a place where we learned of connection and belonging and security. . . our childhood homes, perhaps. (Caps for me, btw!)
love this & you!!
and love YOU in return, sweet soul. xox (and i miss you!)
beautiful. on the topic of rapture, Matisse images came to mind. I tried to paste it but alas...a reason to go the Art Institute of Chicago!
blessedly i have a vivid eye in my mind and your mere mention brought matisse images clear into view. maybe if you come to chicago we can pack lunches, buy train tickets and go there together. a brother and sister drinking in rapture....
This is so very beautiful, especially coming into a weekend. Time is not a promise, it's a gift, every day. Thank you for sharing this!