It's absolutely devastating wanting to be with a loved one at their dire need but not being able to be there. That part struck a chord especially. Poignantly captured, Kathleen!
"She hung up without any further information. So that was it. My mom was in a hospital, and I was not allowed to cross the border. Even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to get into the hospital. Maybe she would be discharged soon, I reasoned. I tried messaging her though she was not so responsive on her smartphone. There was only one check; perhaps the phone was switched off."
You capture so well the helplessness so many of us felt during the pandemic, with sick loved ones elsewhere in the world with no way of getting to them (or of getting back if we did). Marie is more isolated than ever...
I was disappointed to find out this morning that I'm three episodes behind on this. So, my catch-up phase officially starts now. Very evocative and well-constructed, as always, Kate. If I remember correctly, you were in Dallapiccola's Istria this summer, weren't you? Has that influenced the course of the narrative in any way? Just curious.
This phrase - “What are our emotions anyway but choices of perception?” - blew me away. I love Marie’s rumination. Interiority isn’t a strong suit for me, and I’m learning a lot from you. Also loved your evocation of the magic of snow. ❄️
A very intimate chapter as we follow Marie in her search for the painting and herself, bordering on paranoia fostered by increased isolation. Great writing, Kate!
(Second attempt at commenting. Think my computer just lost the first attempt.)
As others have noted, the sense of isolation that's imparted here is really impressive. An inner spiral.
Even though I wasn't alone during covid, this still brings with it that immediate sense of anxiety and uncertainty, except here we have the added layer of Marie's ongoing quest/mystery.
Favourite line. The use of "sublimate", which is a fantastic work, but even more so when it's absolutely the appropriate word for what's being conveyed.
"Paradoxically in the search to become someone meaningful, I had allowed myself to sublimate, hopefully without a trace except for this letter of explanation when this was all done."
Second favourite line: "What are our emotions anyway but choices of perception?"
Something weird has happened to email notifications (for me, anyway) where I receive like notifications and reply notifications to my own posts, but not reply notifications to anyone else’s posts.
Ha it is very kind to offer me a technical reason. :) Well I think that’s true for me, too, but in this case it is just that I am totally drowning in work! Holidays in 4 weeks 😅
It's absolutely devastating wanting to be with a loved one at their dire need but not being able to be there. That part struck a chord especially. Poignantly captured, Kathleen!
I missed these comments somehow! Thanks so much Nadia 💜
<3
The sense of almost hallucinatory isolation is well captured, Kate. I can't imagine how much more difficult lockdown was for single people.
I think for some it was absolutely hell. And although we have all these video devices, it shows even more that need for IRL and human connection.
"She hung up without any further information. So that was it. My mom was in a hospital, and I was not allowed to cross the border. Even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to get into the hospital. Maybe she would be discharged soon, I reasoned. I tried messaging her though she was not so responsive on her smartphone. There was only one check; perhaps the phone was switched off."
You capture so well the helplessness so many of us felt during the pandemic, with sick loved ones elsewhere in the world with no way of getting to them (or of getting back if we did). Marie is more isolated than ever...
Thank you Jeffrey!
I was disappointed to find out this morning that I'm three episodes behind on this. So, my catch-up phase officially starts now. Very evocative and well-constructed, as always, Kate. If I remember correctly, you were in Dallapiccola's Istria this summer, weren't you? Has that influenced the course of the narrative in any way? Just curious.
I was!! It was not a conscious effect but I can see this.
Thanks for reading at anytime at all, Silvio! I’m having a very very busy autumn myself and I don’t think we need to rush :)
This phrase - “What are our emotions anyway but choices of perception?” - blew me away. I love Marie’s rumination. Interiority isn’t a strong suit for me, and I’m learning a lot from you. Also loved your evocation of the magic of snow. ❄️
Oh I enjoyed writing those details and appreciate so much the comment of their affect on you, Julie! Thanks a lot ☺️
A very intimate chapter as we follow Marie in her search for the painting and herself, bordering on paranoia fostered by increased isolation. Great writing, Kate!
Thanks so much, Alexander. Apologies I missed all these comments!
(Second attempt at commenting. Think my computer just lost the first attempt.)
As others have noted, the sense of isolation that's imparted here is really impressive. An inner spiral.
Even though I wasn't alone during covid, this still brings with it that immediate sense of anxiety and uncertainty, except here we have the added layer of Marie's ongoing quest/mystery.
Favourite line. The use of "sublimate", which is a fantastic work, but even more so when it's absolutely the appropriate word for what's being conveyed.
"Paradoxically in the search to become someone meaningful, I had allowed myself to sublimate, hopefully without a trace except for this letter of explanation when this was all done."
Second favourite line: "What are our emotions anyway but choices of perception?"
I completely missed this comment, Nathan - sorry!
Sublimate is such a great word. Thanks for picking it out! And thanks for the lovely comment ☺️
No need to apologise! :)
Something weird has happened to email notifications (for me, anyway) where I receive like notifications and reply notifications to my own posts, but not reply notifications to anyone else’s posts.
Ha it is very kind to offer me a technical reason. :) Well I think that’s true for me, too, but in this case it is just that I am totally drowning in work! Holidays in 4 weeks 😅
Hope you're coping! "Only" a month to go.
It's semester break this week here, which is great for a breather, but I'm drowning in things I have to prepare for next week!
💪🏽