21 Comments

You are doing the work.

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Right back at you, Stirling. 🙏

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I am just lumbering along.

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Lumbering is a great word. 🪵

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Thalia all I can say is that you are a beautiful person and I also love reading what you write

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Allan, I appreciate the kind words. Coming from you who directly helps people’s lives, it means a lot. 🙏

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Thank you for the shoutout.

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Absolutely, David. I hope you’re doing well and staying cool in the summer heat. 🤓

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Jul 29Liked by Thalia Toha

Just getting around to see what's new with my halting, "Slow Horse Subtack." And , despite my long lapses and dilatory deliberation ( really all the obsessive fussing I need to do to publish) I see mine mentioned. It's my pleasure to accept a Thank You.

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all thanks are due to you, your writing, your generosity… everything

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Jack, it’s been such a pleasure getting to know you (not to mention your furry friends). How are they doing this week, by the way? 🐕

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Jul 24Liked by Thalia Toha

When I was a teen and young adult, I felt fiercely certain that everything I wrote sprung from my mind whole, like Athena from Zeus.

As I've gotten older, I realize it's more like making tea or coffee- it moves *through* you, the ideas, getting stained and flavored by your feelings and your perspective.

You're the river, but not the water.

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GM- This is absolutely accurate. In a lot of ways, being the river not the water is very liberating. Hope the piglets are really growing. :)

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Jul 25Liked by Thalia Toha

I find it has a different level of responsibility that almost makes it feel weightier- you're changing words by touching them, and it's unavoidable. It's like magic in its traditional sense- you're messing with the underpinnings of reality in small, personal ways and have no way to fully know the extent of the ripples you make in that water.

Piglets are healthy, and there are even more now. Going through a bad heartbreak. Farm work is good for heartbreak- pigs are indifferent to your existential crises.

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Sounds like we all might need a bit of piglets in our lives. 🙌🏼

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I just had time to sit down and read this whole article. Wow. So intriguingly told...great job. Thanks for your friendship here on Substack. I also have found great delight in writing here...it's been an incredible experience, and it's a wondrous thing to open up our hearts and lives and find others who enjoy engaging with those stories.

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Susan, you’re too kind. And yes, your friendship is a balm to the sterility in the ways people do things online. I hope you’re recovering since your trip.

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I have loved getting to know you in recent months, Thalia, and love reading what you write. Thanks for being a bright spot in life.

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Same with you, Susan. Your spirit is always inspiring. And I’ve loved learning about your stories and your life. ❤️

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Thank you. I love our connection. You have a gift of asking such fun questions to ponder. You’re a wonderful conversationalist. I have a funny little story to share with you later from our trip.

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Can’t wait to hear it.

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