29 Comments
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VeronicaInProgress's avatar

My favorite and completely dysfunctional literary couple are Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Their fiction was nothing compared to the harrowing real life relationship of two utterly shattered people. The letters between them are incredible as well and the level of tragedy is staggering.

Joan Cotta's avatar

These ‘light’ stories are among your best work. Looking forward to the next chapters.

And…..the best thing about cataract fixin’ is getting color back. I had no idea I had lost so much. I am so grateful that saturated color is back in my life.

Red B's avatar

You took me by surprise with your story of love and magnets, post and wire. At first I thought you were talking about the last year and a half. It did make me happy to think you were looking at it from a different perspective. Still, you drew me into the story once I realized what it was about. Great writing Mike. Can’t wait to read more.

Compass and Counsel's avatar

This is really beautifully written. You have a very engaging “voice.”

Stevie Abbott's avatar

Well. This took me by surprise. It's really good. Off to read the rest.

CharlyB's avatar

We visited Giverny a few years ago, and I didn't say much the whole trip. Just wanted to soak it all in, the beauty, the light, the dark, and appreciate what Monet had created.

Peg Grimes's avatar

I adore this piece and your story telling. And how you weave things in that surprise us. Can’t wait for the sequel! I’ve been to Giverny and to Monet’s home and grounds. It’s a magical place. I am of French heritage, and my mom sadly never made it to France during her life . So the year after she passed, I spread a small vial of her ashes adjacent to the pond amongst the lilies. A piece of her rests amongst all the beauty. I weep at the memory.

Vicki's avatar

I do like your style. It was great to read an article that was about a different subject than yourself for a change.

Deborah's avatar

This is inspired writing that I’ve missed. Looking forward to the next installment.

Alecia's avatar

You are a gifted storyteller, Mike. I've enjoyed watching your talent grow over the years. The way you bring life to the stories you tell has inspired me to get out of the rut I was in, pick up my pen and a pad of paper, and venture out to write the story of my life. Thank you.

Sindey's avatar

You have such a way of writing that makes people want to absorb into it….

BECA's avatar

This is stunning. What an incredible piece 🖤

Pamela A's avatar

I never want your writings to end. Please tell us you will be getting the surgery.

Thomas Heaney's avatar

I am a slow reader, but some things are better savored when I take my time digesting them.

As an unrelated note this story reminds me of the time we got my daughter her first pair of eyeglasses in 5th grade. Nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other eye she had the best of both worlds, and the worst as well. Anyway we were on the ride home and she put them on, looked up at the trees, and started commenting on how many different and fantastic colors she was able to see that she never knew before. (Yes I started singing Cream in my head). It was a moment of discovery that she was able to articulate clearly at her age. It was also a moment of realization that she began to draw in her artwork. She had about 20 color pencil sketches of Messi on her walls. She is fair to good with her freestyle drawings. The colors she began adding and the shades and hues were amazing to watch evolve in her drawings. Almost like she had a new sight or an enhanced vision.

While I feel for you and your loss, as well as the loss of vision of artists, which is a net negative, I look to the other side of the coin and find something positive along the same vein of magnetism pulling down and shifting it around.