What you say about villains reminds of the Toni Morrison quotation about how evil is ultimately boring. “Evil wears a top hat and it has tap shoes and a cape and it's on stage and it's hollerin'. And goodness is always backstage, sort of waving, but [evil] takes up all the energy because it is nothing. It gotta have a costume. It's gotta be loud. It's gotta be bloody.”
“What can I do, but keep writing increasingly escapist fare and show you one more pretty dress?” - I love this. Escapist fare and pretty dresses are much needed right now.
I was smitten with the final black/white dress and THOSE shoes!!! Then I went back and looked at all the shoes. You, my dear, are the reigning shoe queen!
(In the 90s, one of my extra jobs was playing piano at Pentagon City Nordstrom. The piano was right next to salon shoes. I spent all my breaks admiring the shoes, and all my paychecks buying shoes!)
I just loved Mrs. Blossom. I read the book Saturday night and finished Sunday. If a book about murder(s) can be lovely, it absolutely was. I’m lending the book to my mom this week.
I'm very happy to be listening to your book as I drive up to Seattle, then ride Amtrak to Vancouver BC tomorrow. I have my fancy dresses ready to pack, but I'm wearing my Tevas and Danskos because that way I can walk more than 10 feet. The hotel is fancy, and odds are pretty good I'll also be listening to you by the rooftop pool.
Possession! I just insisted that my father read it because it is the kind of book that has lingered in my brain long after I finished it. What a moody, thoughtful masterpiece.
And agreed on the evil -- we all want to believe it is intentional because the idea that it is an unintended consequence of unprincipled living would force us to meditate more on our own difficult choices. Alas. Pretty dresses and neverending to-do lists it is.
What a coincidence -- I am rereading "Possession," too! Was totally enraptured by it when it first came out and decided I needed something meaty and all-encompassing again.
Two questions:
Who makes that fabulous brown-and-white off-the-shoulder dress you're wearing?
And who makes those fabulous hot pink platforms?
As for Hannah Arendt, she was always right, even though so few seem to heed her observations. The macro is indeed a mess. And yes, the cruelty is the point.
The pink platforms and the animal print platforms are both Stuart Weitzman, which I bought five years ago this month. We all handled the pandemic in our own ways.
What you say about villains reminds of the Toni Morrison quotation about how evil is ultimately boring. “Evil wears a top hat and it has tap shoes and a cape and it's on stage and it's hollerin'. And goodness is always backstage, sort of waving, but [evil] takes up all the energy because it is nothing. It gotta have a costume. It's gotta be loud. It's gotta be bloody.”
“What can I do, but keep writing increasingly escapist fare and show you one more pretty dress?” - I love this. Escapist fare and pretty dresses are much needed right now.
Yes, Hannah Arendt was right. I may have to copy your micro, macro answer. It feels true for me, too.
I was smitten with the final black/white dress and THOSE shoes!!! Then I went back and looked at all the shoes. You, my dear, are the reigning shoe queen!
(In the 90s, one of my extra jobs was playing piano at Pentagon City Nordstrom. The piano was right next to salon shoes. I spent all my breaks admiring the shoes, and all my paychecks buying shoes!)
Congratulations on the successful tour.
I just loved Mrs. Blossom. I read the book Saturday night and finished Sunday. If a book about murder(s) can be lovely, it absolutely was. I’m lending the book to my mom this week.
Well, I for one, greatly appreciate both your escapist fare and your pretty dresses. Loved my time spent with Mrs. Blossom on (and off) the Seine!
I thought at first your title meant you were leaving Substack and I was UPSET.
That’s what I thought! I have never opened an email so fast, hoping to be proved wrong.
I'm very happy to be listening to your book as I drive up to Seattle, then ride Amtrak to Vancouver BC tomorrow. I have my fancy dresses ready to pack, but I'm wearing my Tevas and Danskos because that way I can walk more than 10 feet. The hotel is fancy, and odds are pretty good I'll also be listening to you by the rooftop pool.
Micro/macro — what a perfect response. I will likely steal it.
Also perfect (for the micro part of my summer): Mrs. Blossom’s adventure. More, please.
"Micro good, macro —” [makes helpless gesture]" is... perfect.
Possession! I just insisted that my father read it because it is the kind of book that has lingered in my brain long after I finished it. What a moody, thoughtful masterpiece.
And agreed on the evil -- we all want to believe it is intentional because the idea that it is an unintended consequence of unprincipled living would force us to meditate more on our own difficult choices. Alas. Pretty dresses and neverending to-do lists it is.
Nice to see you in Westminster.
Happy to be meeting Miss Blossom in her stand alone When Murder Takes A Vacation.
Your dresses are beautiful, your elbows - finely etched.
The Domino's Sugar Factory is indeed an iconic structure having watched the history of Baltimore unfold before her eyes.
Tess Monaghan is surely a wonderful role model for a sixteen year old aspiring PI.
Love your dresses. See you on the 10th.
Love your dresses. Thanks for sharing.
Yes. Banal it is. Love your dresses!
What a coincidence -- I am rereading "Possession," too! Was totally enraptured by it when it first came out and decided I needed something meaty and all-encompassing again.
Two questions:
Who makes that fabulous brown-and-white off-the-shoulder dress you're wearing?
And who makes those fabulous hot pink platforms?
As for Hannah Arendt, she was always right, even though so few seem to heed her observations. The macro is indeed a mess. And yes, the cruelty is the point.
P. S. I just looked up the dress with Google Image Search:
Adam Lippes
Printed Off-Shoulder Midi-Dress
Love it!!
The pink platforms and the animal print platforms are both Stuart Weitzman, which I bought five years ago this month. We all handled the pandemic in our own ways.
Beautiful shoes are always in order, pandemic or not!