14 Comments
Oct 25Liked by Robyn Ryle

Thoughtful as always. Yes we need to remember life’s pleasures when faced with an uncertain future. It’s the only way.

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I think it is the only way, Betsey. And to keep on taking care of each other which, luckily, we do a pretty good job of here in Madison.

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Oct 25Liked by Robyn Ryle

I love this so so much.

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I love you so much!

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Oct 25Liked by Robyn Ryle

Oh, this really brought back a memory for me. My mom is driving us home at night and I realise that the lightening bugs disappear in the headlights but reappear in the dark behind us among the birch trees. I am looking out the back window, fascinated by them. Such magic and such peace. Good to hold onto in these times.

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Thanks, Catherine. I think we might all have a lot of good memories of riding in cars and lightning bugs. Something about the safety of the car and travel at night.

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I loved this. Summoning the moments that "are everything" resonated with he, particularly this week when I finally recalled one of my own that I needed very much. Thank god for the memories that keep us going. Thank you, Robyn, for this thoughtful and beautifully written piece.

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Listening to and playing music is my #1 coping mechanism! I've been listening to R.E.M. more lately, too (and Lacuna Coil's cover of "Losing My Religion" is perfect for when you need EVEN MORE bitterness than Michael Stipe brings). Fontaines DC's "Starburster" catches and holds my panic (it's about a panic attack, fittingly) and Chappell Roan reminds me that there's still a lot of great energy out there. And when I really need to feel held (and distracted), I head off to play tunes with friends at one of our local Irish sessions!

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Tes, yes, music is such a survival strategy. I’ve been playing a lot of Sinead O’Connor, channeling my rage. R.E.M. for my melancholy. Yes, to Chappell Roan when I want to feel like the world isn’t total shit.

So jealous of your Irish jam sessions! We used to have one in town and I went when I was first learning fiddle and guitar. I was never very good, but it was lovely to stand in a circle and play old-time music.

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Yes! A special kind of community forms in those moments!

Also, we probably know people in common in Madison :-) (I taught at Beloit for 7 years and used to go up and play in some of the Irish sessions.)

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Oh, different Madison. I’m in Madison, Indiana, which is a wee bit smaller than Madison, Wisconsin. Also a wee bit warmer. Still a very lovely little town with the largest contiguous national historic landmark district in the country, just to toot our own horn a bit.

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Oh! I had somehow totally missed that! Yay for lovely little towns--especially when they're not in the frozen tundra (as a Virginian, I struggled with WI temperatures).

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Oct 28Liked by Robyn Ryle

Yep! I hear ya' Sister. It is Everything.

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Thanks, Ann!

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