We ended our summer with a wedding in Columbus this past weekend. It was the first double generations set of weddings we've attended. My college roommate's circa 1990 and now his son. What made it even more special was that we discovered in 1990 that I was related to his bride. So I had lots of cousins at the wedding.
I can't seem to leave my loop of weekly posts.
Congrats on getting some time off and the success of that last post.
And you were working; it just happened to be something you love doing. Nothing better than being in the zone. Nothing.
Ah, this strikes a chord with me. My dear husband loves his weekends and completely detaches from work, while I rarely stop. Even if I'm not writing, I'm thinking about it. But this gray line between "work" and "fun" isn't for everyone, certainly.
I find knowing our LOVE LANGUAGE helps. My husband's love language is quality time and mine is words of appreciation. Too many times our disagreements were because we were expressing our love differently. I needed him to tell me, not show me. He needed me to spend time with him ... then he would tell me. Once we figured this out, our love deepened and the tension dissipated. Magic!
I so relate to having a piece buzzing around in my head and needing to get it out. :) It's a deep little pocket of joy I'm very protective of. Having lived with a writer for many years, whenever we planned a holiday we always compromised... ok we're in France, we're giving ourselves four hours a day to both write and we'll save the rest of the time for adventures. That way no one felt neglected or neglectful. It seemed to work :) Still, there's something to be said for completely unplugging from it all. Btw, all these events for fall, look great! Love seeing Substack spring to life in this way :)
Thanks Holly. It doesn't happen very often when it practically writes itself with such ease. Gotta take those wins when they roll your way and hubby had no idea he was tramping on my inspiration.
I think you are living my life Kim - without the boat and the retirement part! But you are living the part where you want to write, it doesn't feel like work, but your partner is de-escalating the flow and stamping on the mojo without even realizing it.
I find it very difficult to get into my writing when my husband and I are together even though he tries to be supportive. His perspective is very different than mine, he is not a writer, and it is a challenge to reconcile the two. Or, at least it seems like a challenge to me. I think the hardest part to come to terms with is how much time it simply takes. All that to say, I could appreciate your angst that you had to write the piece even though you were away.
Your description of that essay needing to get out of you is wonderful. It was so successful and hit a chord with all of us because it flowed directly from you to us with ease and grace. I love it when that happens! A high energy post.
Well done on having so much great stuff lined up. I can't wait for all of it!
Thanks Donna. Most posts aren't like that, but I knew this one was, which is why I think I was also ultra-sensitive when he was trying to take me out of the flow. And it's not like I could go to another room and shut the door and ignore him! The boat isn't that big. lol. Now that he's back at work (he's a teacher), I have my days more to myself, so when I do get in the zone, I likely won't have too many interruptions. I wonder if this is why many writers choose to write super early in the morning when their spouses/kids etc are still sleeping? If so, I totally understand that now.
Yes, that is exactly what I have been doing this morning. I got up at 5:30 to write because it’s the weekend coming up so I will have less uninterrupted time. Yesterday when I thought I would get stuff done I had to have a nap. I knew you would approve!
Oh my. I remember those emotions when my own daughter got married 10 years ago. It was beautiful but it also felt like a loss in a weird way. Especially when she changed her last name. So many mixed emotions, but in the end, also so much love as another family member and his family joined ours. But I totally understand what you’re saying.
We have had an amazing crazy summer. It started with a little trip during Eid Al Adha (a Muslim holiday celebrating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son) in June to Georgia, the country not the state. We made our way up into the Caucasus mountains (only 22 km from the Russian border) to baske in the beauty and fresh air. Then we went down through crazy winding roads into wine country. Georgia is home to the oldest known wine making techniques. Finishing our trip in the capital of Tbilisi, enjoying the city and sulfur baths.
We had one last trip booked before our big move back to Canada - Greece. We had booked a yoga retreat that I had attended with a friend two years ago. This time both our husbands were coming and it would be the first time I had seen them since they retired and moved back to the UK a year ago. The retreat took place on the pastoral island of Kefalonia in a rustic set of villas on a cliffside. It was perfect! Our yoga sessions were twice a day in an open shala overlooking the Ionian Sea. It was hard work but then we had free time to walk down to our almost private beach or to go exploring. It was the best holiday! We spent the last day trying to figure out how we could manage doing it again from Canada.
Two weeks later we moved from Saudi Arabia to Kamloops BC, Canada. One missed flight, 2 cats, 7 pieces of luggage and 37 hours later we arrived at the house we bought with our daughter and partner. It was supposed to be ready...two fully separate suites but city inspectors had other plans so we moved in with the kids. Two cats, a rottweiler, one bathroom and four adults in under 900 sq ft with a full reno happening underneath us! It's been A LOT! But we are all managing and we are making progress. Now what to do with our shipment (a 20' container) that arrives in the next couple of days 🫨😬
Woah!! This sounds like an epic adventure. One of those lifetime/bucket lists kind of summers. Thanks for sharing, my friend. I’m so happy for you. Welcome back to Canada, despite the chaotic re-entry. 🫣❤️
We ended our summer with a wedding in Columbus this past weekend. It was the first double generations set of weddings we've attended. My college roommate's circa 1990 and now his son. What made it even more special was that we discovered in 1990 that I was related to his bride. So I had lots of cousins at the wedding.
I can't seem to leave my loop of weekly posts.
Congrats on getting some time off and the success of that last post.
And you were working; it just happened to be something you love doing. Nothing better than being in the zone. Nothing.
I love being in the zone. It’s intoxicating.
‘Tis the season for weddings. 😊
Ah, this strikes a chord with me. My dear husband loves his weekends and completely detaches from work, while I rarely stop. Even if I'm not writing, I'm thinking about it. But this gray line between "work" and "fun" isn't for everyone, certainly.
I hear you! If not writing, always thinking about it.
I don’t know how my husband does it in terms of detaching from work, but I’m learning to be more like him and that’s a good thing!
I find knowing our LOVE LANGUAGE helps. My husband's love language is quality time and mine is words of appreciation. Too many times our disagreements were because we were expressing our love differently. I needed him to tell me, not show me. He needed me to spend time with him ... then he would tell me. Once we figured this out, our love deepened and the tension dissipated. Magic!
I wonder if my love language is "read my mind, I'm working in the zone, leave me alone if you really love me."😂
That has to be the 6th love language!
When the muse calls, you must answer! Love this, KVB. Congratulations on it all! xo
Right??! 😜
I so relate to having a piece buzzing around in my head and needing to get it out. :) It's a deep little pocket of joy I'm very protective of. Having lived with a writer for many years, whenever we planned a holiday we always compromised... ok we're in France, we're giving ourselves four hours a day to both write and we'll save the rest of the time for adventures. That way no one felt neglected or neglectful. It seemed to work :) Still, there's something to be said for completely unplugging from it all. Btw, all these events for fall, look great! Love seeing Substack spring to life in this way :)
I'm both glad you took a break...and so glad to see you back here!
Thanks Maddie. ❤️
“Don’t burst my happiness bubble.” 🫧💕 Glad you took the time to write that brilliant post.
Thanks Holly. It doesn't happen very often when it practically writes itself with such ease. Gotta take those wins when they roll your way and hubby had no idea he was tramping on my inspiration.
I think you are living my life Kim - without the boat and the retirement part! But you are living the part where you want to write, it doesn't feel like work, but your partner is de-escalating the flow and stamping on the mojo without even realizing it.
I find it very difficult to get into my writing when my husband and I are together even though he tries to be supportive. His perspective is very different than mine, he is not a writer, and it is a challenge to reconcile the two. Or, at least it seems like a challenge to me. I think the hardest part to come to terms with is how much time it simply takes. All that to say, I could appreciate your angst that you had to write the piece even though you were away.
Your description of that essay needing to get out of you is wonderful. It was so successful and hit a chord with all of us because it flowed directly from you to us with ease and grace. I love it when that happens! A high energy post.
Well done on having so much great stuff lined up. I can't wait for all of it!
Thanks Donna. Most posts aren't like that, but I knew this one was, which is why I think I was also ultra-sensitive when he was trying to take me out of the flow. And it's not like I could go to another room and shut the door and ignore him! The boat isn't that big. lol. Now that he's back at work (he's a teacher), I have my days more to myself, so when I do get in the zone, I likely won't have too many interruptions. I wonder if this is why many writers choose to write super early in the morning when their spouses/kids etc are still sleeping? If so, I totally understand that now.
Yes, that is exactly what I have been doing this morning. I got up at 5:30 to write because it’s the weekend coming up so I will have less uninterrupted time. Yesterday when I thought I would get stuff done I had to have a nap. I knew you would approve!
Naps are the best! I definitely approve. 👍
Hi Kim. I’ll be taking off for a few weeks. My daughter is getting married which is very exciting but it also brings up a lot of emotions.
Oh my. I remember those emotions when my own daughter got married 10 years ago. It was beautiful but it also felt like a loss in a weird way. Especially when she changed her last name. So many mixed emotions, but in the end, also so much love as another family member and his family joined ours. But I totally understand what you’re saying.
Safe travels and happy wedding mama! ❤️
🥰❤️🙏
We have had an amazing crazy summer. It started with a little trip during Eid Al Adha (a Muslim holiday celebrating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son) in June to Georgia, the country not the state. We made our way up into the Caucasus mountains (only 22 km from the Russian border) to baske in the beauty and fresh air. Then we went down through crazy winding roads into wine country. Georgia is home to the oldest known wine making techniques. Finishing our trip in the capital of Tbilisi, enjoying the city and sulfur baths.
We had one last trip booked before our big move back to Canada - Greece. We had booked a yoga retreat that I had attended with a friend two years ago. This time both our husbands were coming and it would be the first time I had seen them since they retired and moved back to the UK a year ago. The retreat took place on the pastoral island of Kefalonia in a rustic set of villas on a cliffside. It was perfect! Our yoga sessions were twice a day in an open shala overlooking the Ionian Sea. It was hard work but then we had free time to walk down to our almost private beach or to go exploring. It was the best holiday! We spent the last day trying to figure out how we could manage doing it again from Canada.
Two weeks later we moved from Saudi Arabia to Kamloops BC, Canada. One missed flight, 2 cats, 7 pieces of luggage and 37 hours later we arrived at the house we bought with our daughter and partner. It was supposed to be ready...two fully separate suites but city inspectors had other plans so we moved in with the kids. Two cats, a rottweiler, one bathroom and four adults in under 900 sq ft with a full reno happening underneath us! It's been A LOT! But we are all managing and we are making progress. Now what to do with our shipment (a 20' container) that arrives in the next couple of days 🫨😬
Woah!! This sounds like an epic adventure. One of those lifetime/bucket lists kind of summers. Thanks for sharing, my friend. I’m so happy for you. Welcome back to Canada, despite the chaotic re-entry. 🫣❤️