That Place You Love: Real People. Real Stories.
Round-Up on Hoax; Next-Up Surprise. Wrapping up the 2nd 4-month TPYL cycle.
Hello, September!
As if there were a thermostat, the temperature has dropped dramatically to perfection. There’s enough sun for warmth in short sleeves but with a cool breeze to keep me alert.
I’m almost at the point of putting on shoes instead of flip-flops to walk the dog.
I also started a new journal. I timed it so that September 1st would be page one.
IG REEL OF NEW NOTEBOOK PAGES FLAPPING IN THE WIND
Moleskine has added a new page to the beginning of their journals. It’s a manifesto to handwriting as a form of literacy and an essential expression of human civilization.
It states:
Handwriting is both universal & deeply personal.
I’ve been keeping a journal since my twenties. I definitely wasn’t doing it as a teen or younger. Those days were filled with drawing.
Somewhere in my early twenties, I started to notice patterns if I wrote down what I was doing, with whom, and where. I kept on from there.
One year was devoted entirely to writing my dreams when I woke up in the morning and nothing else. The only way I know where I was and when is by looking at the corresponding agendas.
I still handwrite my calendars as evidence of my existence on earth. For a number of years - recently - I drew the lines for the days.
I called the books: BOOK OF DAYS.
I was so happy to see Patti Smith’s newest book of photographs & text are called A BOOK OF DAYS.
I thought, “Well, yes. Of course!”
Starting a new journal on the first day of September feels like beginning a new chapter of my life. The turbulent & joyful summer months are now of the past.
I can recoup my writer’s mind and carry on with my work.
(Thanks to all of the Readers & Contributors who stayed tune during the summer)
Round Up on Hoax & New Theme - Surprise - below!
If you’re reading this for the first time…
And want to know more about the ZINE’s mission, go to ABOUT or FORUM on the Substack platform or read the introductory post I WAS AN EASY LIAR.
This officially closes the 2nd block of TPYL themes: May - August.
If you Contributed during this time, I’ll be in touch about Opting In or Out for the Anthology publication.
4 Contributors weighed in on HOAX:
I wrote about a time greed overrode common sense and how the stories we are taught in school are worth further examination before we accept them as truth.
Carole D shares a story of a night when the fear of a no-smoking $500 deposit hoax led to an upgrade in accommodations with a jacuzzi and a sweet view.
Pascale W feels the irony of what we do to protect ourselves from a hoax when she is locked out of her phone & house and relies on the kindness of a neighbor.
Tabitha B investigates big cats roaming the UK, descendants of luxurious Harrod’s purchases, and questions the veracity of the cottage-folk who report the sightings.
Intact Animal puts Wall Street on trial, knowing the get-rich-quick hoax of late 90’s E-Trading taught him a thing or two about skepticism, greed, and finance.
READ & HEART this week’s writers & SHARE your own story in the comments.
Tiffany went back to RECOVERY to write about the power of recovery as a mental reset for the imagination, like a triumphant rise from the ashes.
(Click on the unique theme hyperlink above to read Tiffany’s story).
Next Up: SURPRISE!
The theme isn’t going to be A surprise. The theme IS surprise.
What surprises you? When have you surprised someone? In what way?
I first thought of birthdays. Then I thought of my cheating high school boyfriend, but that wasn’t really a surprise.
One can take great risks in planning a surprise.
Or, it could be unbearable to keep a surprise a surprise.
Where does SURPRISE take you?
Read & Share on Monday in 150 - 200 words!
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More to come on Monday….
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely, for real.
Michelle