Dec 1, 2022·edited Dec 1, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray
Every time I read your writing I feel like I learn something new. One sentence can contain the world sometimes. Thank you for writing and sharing widely.
I love this, Chris! One-Sentence Journal was one of my favorite reads this past fall (after which I bought copies for both my brother and my best friend). I'm a sucker for any kind of daily practice and love seeing/reading/hearing the products of other people's ideas, especially ones that are as beautiful, poignant, and sometimes funny as yours.
I love this so much. I love one-sentence journal and reading these accounts. Something about the brevity gives such attention, a moment turned towards one view, one feeling that can open up so many others. You inspired me to start keeping my own. Yours in magpie admiration. 💜
"On a day swinging hard toward frustration and crabbiness, a reminder that the world is beautiful and that the cutting out and eating of the hearts of the colonizers is always an option." CLASSIC!! (This colonizer has had days like that.)
I love your sentences as always. I write these too sometimes -- and use the same date format, I love writing dates like this and having them line up so tidily -- but I often get all chatty and end up writing a paragraph. I admire your discipline & grace.
I get chatty too, and sometimes challenge myself to see how long I can make a sentence and still make it intelligible. That happens in the newsletter occasionally with varying degrees of success. The thing about the sentences is they are just a starting point for opportunities to grow into something bigger ... or not. I love that you write them too, and I love sharing an appreciation for how the dates line up! Ha ha. We are weird creatures, aren't we? I mean, my desk is a mess right now but my dates are STRACK.
SAME SAME. My life in general can be chaos but those dates, man -- it all hinges on those dates. 😁
Oh, now I’m gonna read your newsletter with an even closer eye for which sentences began as *those* sentences, which sentences are those sentences run a little wild, a little amuck, a little tangential as they tangled with the page. Can’t wait.
This makes me feel things. Like I might be able to write a single sentence a day. Hemmingway struggled with it -- just write one true thing, he said. Just one thing that is true.
Lol love this. Don’t worry about the “true” part. No such thing as “good” shower. Just take the shower! Eat the waffle! Etc etc. Feed yourself and get on with the day...
I'm ever so glad to have full access again (thank you for understanding, Chris) AND thank you for sharing these well-aimed, perfectly shaped poems with us.
Dec 1, 2022·edited Dec 1, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray
Your "winter" sentences were my favorite in your book. Love reading new ones! You capture the feel, sound and look of the season so well. It's a strong bulwark against my near-instinctual poor attitude toward this time of year.
These are wonderful Chris! Thank you for sharing. I laughed at 11/17.
Magpie Manifesto:
Argue Every Toss!
Gossip, Bicker, Yak and Snicker All Day Long!
Pick a Fight in an Empty Room!
Interrupt, Interject, Intercept, Intervene!
Every Magpie for Every Magpie against
Every Other Walking Flying Swimming
Creeping Creature on the Earth!*
*Except eagles, for they are too scary...
From The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
I have seen magpies mess with eagles too though.
warm regards
The Lost Words is such a delightful book. I'm going to fetch it from the shelf and read it again, Thanks Patty!
such a beautiful book! 💜
I'm with everyone here. That book is about eight feet away from me right now.
Every time I read your writing I feel like I learn something new. One sentence can contain the world sometimes. Thank you for writing and sharing widely.
Thank you, Kia. 💚
I love this, Chris! One-Sentence Journal was one of my favorite reads this past fall (after which I bought copies for both my brother and my best friend). I'm a sucker for any kind of daily practice and love seeing/reading/hearing the products of other people's ideas, especially ones that are as beautiful, poignant, and sometimes funny as yours.
Thank you, Sarah. And thank you for sharing my books! I appreciate it very much.
I love this so much. I love one-sentence journal and reading these accounts. Something about the brevity gives such attention, a moment turned towards one view, one feeling that can open up so many others. You inspired me to start keeping my own. Yours in magpie admiration. 💜
Thank you, friend. I hope to read some of yours!
"On a day swinging hard toward frustration and crabbiness, a reminder that the world is beautiful and that the cutting out and eating of the hearts of the colonizers is always an option." CLASSIC!! (This colonizer has had days like that.)
Also my favorite! I want to write this on a post it note in my office.
I hear they're tasty. 🍽
I don't whether it's easier to find food in the cold woods, but it's a lot easier on the soul, that's for sure.
Those magpies! The things they get up to in my garden ...
I love magpies.
I love your sentences as always. I write these too sometimes -- and use the same date format, I love writing dates like this and having them line up so tidily -- but I often get all chatty and end up writing a paragraph. I admire your discipline & grace.
I get chatty too, and sometimes challenge myself to see how long I can make a sentence and still make it intelligible. That happens in the newsletter occasionally with varying degrees of success. The thing about the sentences is they are just a starting point for opportunities to grow into something bigger ... or not. I love that you write them too, and I love sharing an appreciation for how the dates line up! Ha ha. We are weird creatures, aren't we? I mean, my desk is a mess right now but my dates are STRACK.
SAME SAME. My life in general can be chaos but those dates, man -- it all hinges on those dates. 😁
Oh, now I’m gonna read your newsletter with an even closer eye for which sentences began as *those* sentences, which sentences are those sentences run a little wild, a little amuck, a little tangential as they tangled with the page. Can’t wait.
💚
So many favorites in these, but I think this my top one:
2022_1111: Reflections on how some healing can feel almost diabolical.
Ugh.
I love these and may have to try to adopt this habit for myself
Thank you, Katie. I urge you to!
This makes me feel things. Like I might be able to write a single sentence a day. Hemmingway struggled with it -- just write one true thing, he said. Just one thing that is true.
Just one thing.
Lol love this. Don’t worry about the “true” part. No such thing as “good” shower. Just take the shower! Eat the waffle! Etc etc. Feed yourself and get on with the day...
A one sentence journal is a brilliant idea. I immediately purchased your book after reading this. Thank you!
Thank you, Cayly! I hope you like it.
I'm ever so glad to have full access again (thank you for understanding, Chris) AND thank you for sharing these well-aimed, perfectly shaped poems with us.
Thank you for reading!
Your "winter" sentences were my favorite in your book. Love reading new ones! You capture the feel, sound and look of the season so well. It's a strong bulwark against my near-instinctual poor attitude toward this time of year.
Thank you, Greg. I've been called the pollyanna of winter and I'm happy to bear that burden. 😂
Hi Chris!
Love your observations! Keep sharing!
Sincerely,
Melissa
Thank you, Melissa. I plan to!
Love your sentences.
Thank you, Victoria. You've been reading them longer than most!
Love this so much.
Not so different from what you do with photos, Karen.
That’s a kind compliment, thank you.