51 Comments

Marjie, you have been, and continue to be, important to me and to where I am in life. We are the "Let's have coffee on Zoom" women, who are then too busy to do so. Or at least I have slacked for ... years. Still, you resonate in my head and body, and I go to Pieces Too Small to Use and see myself in your journey. Or pieces of myself, and I am able to use them to continue. May 2025 not be what we are afraid it is going to be, and may we rise above.

Expand full comment

And may we please find time for that coffee and zoom. We'll need the company either way.

Thank you. <3

Expand full comment

Oh dearest Marjie, friend through travail and so many oddnesses: I am so very excited and proud that your piece on adoption was selected as one of the best of 2024. Not surprised though because it’s deserved.

Onward you go!

Knees and all.

Expand full comment

Fucking knees and all! Thank you, Val.

Expand full comment

You go girl! Congratulations!

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Excited about your article's recognition and enjoying reading along your writing journey. Thanks for always showing up.

Expand full comment

Thanks for being my chosen family. <3

Expand full comment

This, and you, have been a bright spot in the utterly crazy and crazed world we live in.l

Expand full comment

Thank you so much.

Expand full comment

Marjie you write so well . Hope the vertigo clears up.

Expand full comment

Thank you! It’s here to stay I’m afraid, but it’s now intermittent. A huge improvement!

Expand full comment

Came for the tea, stayed for the lovely anecdotes. You have a way with words. Sending warm(er) weather vibes from SoCal.

Expand full comment

Thank you! The tea shall return. Moving and tea content are difficult, it turns out.

Expand full comment

I understand the Settling In process after a move. Take your time. I have plenty of tea. 😉

Expand full comment

First, let me say that while I knew most of the tough things you’ve been through (and you didn’t even mention renovating a wooden box into a house from far away, and then moving house) over the last two years, I didn’t know all of it. Damn.

I have been, and continue to be enormously grateful for your love, humor, company (even when not physical), and inclusion of me and mine. I know, we’re family, but some family is more family than others.

Congratulations on making the Best Of list. It is, I’m sure, entirely well deserved. I look forward to hearing more self-deprecating tales of your success.

Expand full comment

Thanks, cousin o' mine. I look forward to more face time together when the weather isn't as... whatever the hell THIS is.

Expand full comment

Hard to keep up with you Marjie, so I’ll be content to follow a few feet behind, listing slightly to the left. I didn’t realize you’ve been pecking away here for two years making people cry and think and laugh and maybe even hit the pause button and relax. Lucky them, lucky me. So glad life stumbled us on our paths and we fell in together. BTW, you signed up for a class on January . . .

Expand full comment

Seriously, did I? 😳

So glad our paths tripped across each other. Soon I’ll be recommending your Substack to all!

Expand full comment

I like you. Very honest

Expand full comment

Thank you

Expand full comment

I like you.

Honest

Expand full comment

Thanks!

Expand full comment

It's been a pleasure to read along!

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Congratulations on survival, reinvention and recognition! I do wish there were fewer miles between so a pop in for tea, coffee and beagle judgement was possible. In lieu I have been glad there is the dreaded social media and your Pieces of String.

Big virtual hug, my friend❤️

Oh, and, ya know those moving, wistful memes that make the rounds asking "if you could give younger you one piece of advice what would it be?" with all the "love yourself more", "see your beauty" responses? Mine would be "take care of your fucking knees, the bastards are unforgiving".

Expand full comment

Now that is wisdom. 💕

Expand full comment

Marjie, amazing, just amazing. I am thrilled for you your piece was selected by Cognoscenti's Best Essays 2024!!!! I so look forward to reading your posts each week. You have a true gift of incorporating both humor and seriousness into your subjects. You go girl!!!!!!!!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much!

Expand full comment

You are deeply appreciated here in the frozen north. I look forward to your posts. I’m often pleased and surprised by how a virtual stranger’s sense of life May sync with mine. Gratifying.

May you have a good year.

Expand full comment

Thank you. You as well!

Expand full comment

Marjie congratulations on the Cognoscenti recognition!!! I enjoy your writing. I find that I am laughing, smiling, nodding along as I read them. Keep writing and may 2025 bring you joy, happiness, and success. Please finish the book, your adoption story needs to be heard. Merry Christmas … xoxo

Expand full comment

Thank you. I’m soooo closeeee…

Expand full comment