These are the moments that make a marriage and family.
If I am permitted to make a distinction between men and women, I think you've perfectly delineated it here.
Let the schlock writers write their blockbusters about super heroes and super events. It takes a real artist to depict everyday life and show it's meaning and depth.
Thank you for the inspiring comment, brother. Everyday life and everyday people are what I'm most interested in writing about. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
You have the touch, Jim. Catching the little moments in life where yearning and reality collide. Can't really call the birth of a baby a missing opportunity but how many slip by like that when there is no baby, just the pot roast? It's sweet and sad ... yet hopeful too. Pinch in my heart.
Thank you Kyle, appreciate the comment. I could see you, me and Wilsky meeting up for a couple of beers at the Harbor House someday (If there is such a place)
This was a delight, Jim. Very real, very (as Jim W notes) slice of life, but also just exquisite in the way the words flow. There's an almost tidal pull to some paragraphs, where the words sweep you along because of the long sentences. They really work. I've been reading a lot of Bolano lately, and he's a master of these kind of continuous sentences.
Thank you Nathan. I enjoy writing about everyday life and everyday people and when I do, the structure seems to give-way to cadence and train-of-thought. I love your analogy to "tidal pull." So appropriate to this piece. Thanks again for reading and for your thoughtful comment.
Thank you so much Justin for your very generous comment. I'm just dipping my writing foot back in here and encouragement like this may lead me to jump back in with both feet.
I loved the run on structure of sentences that give the sense of excitement and how it turns on a dime to a diferent but not hopeless ending changing our sympathy that he's not getting his dinn er at a favorite spot to a time yet to come with his grandchild. Beautiful Jim!
Yes, Tim. I feel like you caught what I was pitching. And I do love me some run-on sentences once in a while. Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. Great to have have you here.
Yeah Jim, I'd be heading for Portugal even if I had to work tomorrow! Have had those horizons readjusted for sure; at least temporarily! Thanks for this one, Jim.
I sympathize, Ron. We may never get to Portugal but we can look through that railroad trestle and imagine what it's like. Thank you for reading and commenting, my brother.
Thank you, Jim. I’m doing great, albeit in the midst of a respiratory thing that has slowed me down briefly. It gives me opportunity to show up for life differently. Your writing reminds that I enjoy writing. I just haven’t done anything creative in that vein for a while. Instead I’ve been trying watercolors with some happy results. I’ll write again.
Charlotte will have her time at the trestle with grandpa when she is old enough to understand, rest assured. I have four granddaughters who never cease to amaze me.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Sue. I love the interaction here.
The husband doesn't give up, but the wife just isn't in the mood to go out. You do a great job with the back and forth. Neither trys to gain leverage by employing guilt. That is where I see the love and respect. In the end, the phone call decides the matter, but he doesn't give up and imagines taking his grandson to that special place to view the ocean. You have to love him for that. Great job, Jim.
These are the moments that make a marriage and family.
If I am permitted to make a distinction between men and women, I think you've perfectly delineated it here.
Let the schlock writers write their blockbusters about super heroes and super events. It takes a real artist to depict everyday life and show it's meaning and depth.
Thank you for the inspiring comment, brother. Everyday life and everyday people are what I'm most interested in writing about. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Jim is a master at illuminating the depth of day to day reality.
My kind friend.
Great job Jimbo. A slice of real life and how dreams or plans collide with it. Beautiful, bittersweet and just real. Enjoyed it very much. - Jim
Thanks,Jim. I appreciate your support always.
You have the touch, Jim. Catching the little moments in life where yearning and reality collide. Can't really call the birth of a baby a missing opportunity but how many slip by like that when there is no baby, just the pot roast? It's sweet and sad ... yet hopeful too. Pinch in my heart.
Thank you Martine. I'm always interested to read your reactions.
Just beautiful, a little sad, a little hilarious, a little sweet-all of life. Loved this.
Thank you so much Liz. I appreciate your kind comment.
I'm late to reading this, but I know I'd love the Harbor House. Your description made it feel like I'd been there.
The line "why do I get myself in a Friday mood when I have to work Saturdays anyway" — that line rang clear as a bell in this beautiful life story.
Thank you Kyle, appreciate the comment. I could see you, me and Wilsky meeting up for a couple of beers at the Harbor House someday (If there is such a place)
Love that idea...
This was a delight, Jim. Very real, very (as Jim W notes) slice of life, but also just exquisite in the way the words flow. There's an almost tidal pull to some paragraphs, where the words sweep you along because of the long sentences. They really work. I've been reading a lot of Bolano lately, and he's a master of these kind of continuous sentences.
Thank you Nathan. I enjoy writing about everyday life and everyday people and when I do, the structure seems to give-way to cadence and train-of-thought. I love your analogy to "tidal pull." So appropriate to this piece. Thanks again for reading and for your thoughtful comment.
Wonderful story Jim, it brought a bigger perspective to me and a smile to my face.
Thank you Mark. It's good to know this gave you a smile. You deserve a smile.
Yeah man. Quick little throat grabber. Beautiful.
Thank you, Jimmy. Appreciate your comment very much.
I loved everything about this story, Jim. The details, the storytelling…you knocked it out of the park!
Thank you so much Justin for your very generous comment. I'm just dipping my writing foot back in here and encouragement like this may lead me to jump back in with both feet.
I loved the run on structure of sentences that give the sense of excitement and how it turns on a dime to a diferent but not hopeless ending changing our sympathy that he's not getting his dinn er at a favorite spot to a time yet to come with his grandchild. Beautiful Jim!
Yes, Tim. I feel like you caught what I was pitching. And I do love me some run-on sentences once in a while. Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. Great to have have you here.
Yeah Jim, I'd be heading for Portugal even if I had to work tomorrow! Have had those horizons readjusted for sure; at least temporarily! Thanks for this one, Jim.
I sympathize, Ron. We may never get to Portugal but we can look through that railroad trestle and imagine what it's like. Thank you for reading and commenting, my brother.
This is wonderful writing, Jim! I especially like how you wove in the part about sharing the light in some future time with the little boy.
So good to hear from you, Shielagh. I appreciate your wonderful comment, neighbor. Hope all is well with you.
Thank you, Jim. I’m doing great, albeit in the midst of a respiratory thing that has slowed me down briefly. It gives me opportunity to show up for life differently. Your writing reminds that I enjoy writing. I just haven’t done anything creative in that vein for a while. Instead I’ve been trying watercolors with some happy results. I’ll write again.
Feel better soon. The watercolor painting sounds like a great creative outlet.
So good, Jim! And I hope little Curtis will be fascinated by the thought of another land out there beyond that trestle and light.
Thank you cowboy. I have the feeling that Curtis will catch the vibe from Grandpa. Appreciate you, brother.
Such is married life. Well done.
Thank you Mark. Yup, give and take.
I guess Charlotte wouldn't be interested in seeing the light blink through the gap in the trestle and imagine the big wide world beyond it.
Good story, Jim. Thank you.
Charlotte will have her time at the trestle with grandpa when she is old enough to understand, rest assured. I have four granddaughters who never cease to amaze me.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Sue. I love the interaction here.
I enjoy the conversations here on Substack too. It's so much more rewarding and fun than other platforms.
The husband doesn't give up, but the wife just isn't in the mood to go out. You do a great job with the back and forth. Neither trys to gain leverage by employing guilt. That is where I see the love and respect. In the end, the phone call decides the matter, but he doesn't give up and imagines taking his grandson to that special place to view the ocean. You have to love him for that. Great job, Jim.
Thank you for reading and commenting, KC. I'm glad the love and respect was apparent. Always appreciate your kind and considered comments, my friend.