30 Comments

I realized halfway through your post that I was smiling to the point where my cheeks were hurting. I felt cocooned in your softly illuminated setting. Beautiful!!

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Aww, Cathy! Now I'm smiling! Thank you so much. Happy Holidays. I loved your story about gifts.

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Wow - thank you for that! Happy Holidays to you, as well!

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Oh my— your description of the horse quilt! What WOULD we make if we weren’t glued to our screens? Let’s experiment!

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We can either form a band or make a horse quilt…

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Right?! I am so with you. Time to get back to playing guitar! (I can feel my husband and children rolling their eyes.)

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I want to see that delightful horse quilt! I wonder where it is now?

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I think it went to someone who collects and deals with folk art. It truly was a piece of art. The horses were sort of crudely sewn, which made it even better. I wish I'd bought it. But I probably would have spilled coffee on it. I'm sure whereever it is it's making someone happy.

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The memory might be giving you more joy than the possessing would have :)

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100%. If I had it, I'd probably be looking at it thinking, "What am I going to do with this beautiful thing I love but can't really use because I'm afraid I'll spill coffee on it?"

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I really love this piece. Full of magic.

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Repeating this line to myself over and over:-) Thank you. "Maybe in the eyes of the Universe we are always like this—carrying on, saying whatever, bedecked in flowers and soft light."

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Thanks, Jocelyn! That means so much to me. Happy New Year!

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Your voice. This writing. These scenes. The wisdom. I am blown away! 🙌🏼💪💥

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Hey Smiley!!! I’m so happy to see you! Happy Holidays! Thanks for reading.

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I saw your handwriting and it reminded me of high school! I don’t mind the dark and cold of winter. It’s a time for all living things to slow down, rest and recover. We can pick up the pace again, come springtime. Then again, I do love to ski and snowshoe, so…!

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I know! It hasn’t changed. Isn’t that terrible? Yes, I know what you mean about winter. We got our first real snowfall yesterday and I was so happy to see it. I’m looking forward to some cozy downtime to renew and refresh the next few weeks. Have a great holiday! Enjoy skiing and snowshoeing, and say hello to the pine trees and foxes for me.

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What a delightful memory and I love the tenderness of the children placing the adornments for the hats throughout the entire scene. Happy solstice!

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Thanks Jill! Happy solistice back to you and the new pup!

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The horse quilt, and the milliner's flowers--it's fun to think about the different lives those objects have, or touch.

Just finally read your NYT op-ed about your father's alzheimer's. A lovely essay. Hugs and winter light to all of you.

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You would have LOVED the horse quilt. I wish you had seen it--you would have seen/felt exactly what I did. Write a poem about it!

And thank re: the Times piece. I'm glad you liked it. Hugs back to all of you!

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Thank you for the glorious ride you took me on, as the trees whispered their secrets and the children spied the beautiful antique hat tidbits and knew they must use them to decorate their fathers. I was right there with the 2 sisters who sat in their own secret world, sending their contagious laughter rippling out into the stratosphere. I sat rocking next to the aging woman with her slight smile as she embroidered the equine village onto her handmade quilt. You, Rebecca Barry, are such a blessing to me, to all of us. Ain't life grand!?! Sending big love!

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I am so happy to hear from you Maggie! How are you doing? Send me an email some time when you get a chance--I'd love to hear how things are going. And thank you so much for this comment. It fills me up. Lots of love back to you.

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So evocative of a time and place I can't put my finger on, but know exists! Happy solstice to you Rebecca 🌞

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Thank you so much Maria! Happy solstice back.

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a truly beautiful reflection -- I know some of my female cousins will treasure this when I share it with them...

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I am so lucky to have you as a reader, Mike. Thanks for sharing! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

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Oh, so beautiful, Rebecca! You brought a tear to my eye again. Also, I just read your piece in the NY Times last night & loved it. Thank you for sharing these things with us. ❤️

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Aww, Diana, you're the best. Thank you. Are you writing? I hope so. Have a great holiday!

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Only writing in my journal, but that's an improvement over nothing, haha! Hope you're having a peaceful January.

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