Comments for Intrepid Paper Girl

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by Rich Martin

Rich Martin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:14:58 +0000

Thank you for the great post. I love the poem and use it in my journalism classes. Think I may have passed it out in the newsroom ages ago, too.

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by bethmacy

bethmacy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:45:07 +0000

Wow. Thanks for posting, Bucky. Miss you but glad to hear from you, even in someone else’s words. xoxox

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by Rich Martin

Rich Martin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:12:23 +0000

MATERIAL

At fourteen, parked
by the depot
in the Chevy
pickup with its
motor running,
she studies flaked
B&M paint
on clapboard and
takes all edges
in – shapes of paint
flecks, dimensions;
wood-grainy, rain-
smudged, deep-textured
lumps and fadings;
Concentration
upraises things,
like bread, or grass
after warm rain.

– Donald Hall

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by bethmacy

bethmacy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:20:19 +0000

Rob, who knew? That’s a fantastic story about Don. He’s fun to correspond with, isn’t he? And I’m sure would delight in a visit from you! Thanks for sharing how he’s inspired you and your writing, too. Miss you, must catch up soon — Beth

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by Rob Neukirch

Rob Neukirch — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:43:39 +0000

Well, Ms. Macy, great minds think alike (forgive me for aligning myself with you.) Well over a year ago I came across my copy of “String Too Short to be Saved.” I’d read it years ago and passed it on to others and spontaneously wrote to Hall one day thanking him for that and other works, especially his memoir of Jane Kenyon…so dear. We began a correspondence and just yesterday I wrote to him about the N’Yorker essay. He certainly speaks his mind. I asked in one note about Kerouac and others, Ginsberg – “first word, best word.” He wrote back saying that was a lot of “bullshit” and probably not true anyway and explained to me his editing process. The last story I wrote I determined to edit at least 40 times – I did so and came away with a much better story. He and I both like “old” things and that is the connection. If I drive up to NH this summer to see some friends I’m determined to stop at Eagle Pond Farm. We’ll see.
Yours, Rob

Comment on Staycation, with company: Recessionary rules for being a good houseguest by Sayaka

Sayaka — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:59:44 +0000

You sure got the cfofee right! Lol Sry Grandma…!Oh yes, gifts and cleaning up after yourselves, bringing some food, (from Trader Joes’s or some other cool store, and even good strong Excellent cfofee is a must! Even if they are family! I am so lucky to be you’re niece.I Love Lucky! I’ll take him anywhere anytime!You and Tom are the best hosts ever and darnit you are the best cook ever!I will do you’re dishes and whatever else you need. I am your dodie bird ya know! I Love you and miss you much!!

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by Mary Bishop

Mary Bishop — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:31:10 +0000

That’s as real as real gets. I didn’t read your essay, Beth, until after I’d dug out Hall’s. To allow yourself to be your own authentic, unpredictable self — Is there any greater luxury, any greater fun, in the whole wide world?

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by bethmacy

bethmacy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:06:53 +0000

Thanks so much, Kurt! You and Gail and your Gray’s Anatomy hiker bodies will be able to fend off the idiot security guards of the world, I have no doubt! Let’s do one of your big old hikes real soon, K? Thanks! (And you seem to be doing just fine on FACEBOOK!)

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by Kurt Rheinheimer

Kurt Rheinheimer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:53:56 +0000

Yes, a perfect complement to the NYer piece, which I read, like Tom, thinking nearly as much about how much Beth was going to like it as about Donald Hall, tho’ that’s likely at least in part because he, like Updike before he left us, provides a sort of terrifying and unblinking preview of the things that are not so very far away at all for some of us, and you have to turn away from the awful glare now and then . . .
(Also strong enough for me to stumble into Facebook where I never go and don’t know what I’m doing.)

Comment on View from poet Donald Hall’s window: on ageism, writer’s block and the wonder of Andro-Gel by bethmacy

bethmacy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:21:18 +0000

Dear Gerald, thanks for the great comment. Pepper spray could be good.
When my mother turned about 70, she said overnight clerks started handing her bags and her change, saying, “There you go.”
As in, “There you go, little missy.” Babytalking my tough-as-nails mother!
I’m 47 with mostly gray hair, so please let me know when you figure out the perfect technique for combating such doofussery — time’s a wasting.
Thanks for writing, and take care. Beth