175 Comments
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I'm catching up a bit here..interesting how much we can share memories of reading...bringing us together across very different times and spaces...

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You mentioned that gorgeous icon that you have and that makes me think of the Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton, MA. I think you’d really appreciate a visit.

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Patti, I am grateful for many things and one of them is you! I love your musings, your writing and your music. You have brought much joy into my life for sure.

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I finally managed to take time for your post. It means a lot to me to sit down and listen to you. It is special and I wait at times to tune in, since I never know what you may trigger within me. I just loved your story about how your father discussed that poem with you. Absolutely lovely and kind. Also, you list books surrounding you and all have a story to go with. Then the ring! I totally notice your ring, thinking ‚wow, that’s different on her. She usually wears delicate jewelry if anything.‘ Ha, and then I had a whole inner conversation about rings and big rings and rings I wear etc. etc. That’s just another little trigger I got off on. Then Rumi - we honored Rumi on our wedding day by giving a poem to our guests - and lo & behold, this year‘s Thanksgiving fell right on our 24th wedding anniversary. And that’s another reason I delayed listening to your post…. Ahhhh….. time.

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I forgot to add to my previous message (sorry for the long ramble here!) that your memories of your father and of you looking for the little people reminded me of the little miniature letters that my dad / the tooth fairy would make for me!

I always wanted to keep my teeth so would leave something in exchange. Sometimes it was a shell, sometimes a flower. The notes ( that were in tiny handmade envelopes!) would describe what the tooth fairy would use my gifts for. The shell would become her new wash basin and the flower would be her hat to the summer ball. She also told me that they used the teeth to line the garden pathways as they would help guide them at night and then collect dew in the morning to water the garden wity ✨ childhood is magic ✨ I truly wish that all children could touch this magic.

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Dear Patti,

Thankyou for all that you share with us. Todays story was such a little gem.

It always moves me deeply when you share your childhood poems. I, like you (and many others! ) was transfixed and transported by my own copy of A child’s Garden of Verse (I’m 37 and it was my grandmothers). I also loved the land of counterpane but also adored ‘Escape at Bedtime’, which was what I always wanted to be doing at that time..

‘The Dog, and the Plough, and the Hunter, and all,

And the star of the sailor, and Mars,

These shown in the sky, and the pail by the wall

Would be half full of water and stars.’

The illustration of the pail of stars is one I still keep in my mind during sleepless nights ✨

Sadly I recently lost my copy in a storage unit fire which destroyed all my most cherished belongings during the pandemic (I’d had to move in a hurried manner and couldnt retrieve my things before the tragedy struck as sadly had also become quite unwell longterm after having covid) I’ve been grappling with this loss and trying to make peace with losing so many important things of late, material and physical. So when I listened to your previous video it was illuminating to hear you discussing your own shedding of material things and I was interested to hear more of your thoughts on this as I’ve been finding it so hard to let go (but I’m getting there!). However in light of the great losses that have been suffered by so many these past weeks my own now seem increasingly insignificant..

Im just now curious if Stupidity Street was the bedtime story relating to our relationship with material things that you mentioned you might read in that previous message?

Thankyou for everything!

Sophie ✨

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Did your copy have the beautiful illustrations by Jesse Wilcox Smith?

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Yes it did! The image of the pail of stars is in my minds eye now ✨ I loved it so very much.

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I forgot to add to my previous message (sorry for the long ramble here!) that your memories of your father and of you looking for the little people reminded me of the little miniature letters that my dad / the tooth fairy would make for me!

I always wanted to keep my teeth so would leave something in exchange. Sometimes it was a shell, sometimes a flower. The notes ( that were in tiny handmade envelopes!) would describe what the tooth fairy would use my gifts for. The shell would become her new wash basin and the flower would be her hat to the summer ball. She also told me that they used the teeth to line the garden pathways as they would help guide them at night and then collect dew in the morning to water the garden wity ✨ childhood is magic ✨ I truly wish that all children could touch this magic.

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Grateful for your stories. And I look forward to hearing about your ring.

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I am grateful for you, your work, your substack... thank you

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You mentioned A Child's Garden of Verses. This was a favorite of mine, with the beautiful illustrations by Jesse Wilcox-Smith. Sadly, my original copy was lost, but I found a reprint with the same cover art and drawings. I passed a copy of this book on to my step-granddaughter, but I fear it was not her cup of tea. It makes me sad. I loved the poems so much. The Swing, Bed in Summer, My Shadow. Anyway, it was nice to be reminded. Happy Thanksgiving from another Patti.

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I’ve just written a message expressing my love of the book too and then saw your message after posting. I loved Escape at Bedtime ✨

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Happy Thanksgiving, Patti. I am thankful for you, for your sharing of your talent and wisdom. I treasure the moments that I spend @with you” in your Substack, and I am grateful to be part of this community. Peace, Patti.

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Happy thanksgiving Patti, to you and your family. I'm grateful to you for sharing your insight, wisdom and love with all of us so generously. It's a true privilege to be invited into your warm, brilliant world. Thank you.

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Happy Thanksgiving Patti, I am very grateful for your insight, your musings. These posts are a treasure.

💙🙏🏻💛✨

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We still have time to clear the decks.

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I had such high regard for you but the position you have taken vis a viz Israel and Gaza indicates that you are far from truly thoughtful and open-minded. The majority of Israelis have great sympathy for the Palestinians in Gaza as well as the West Bank and yearn for peace. Many who were slaughtered by Hamas were stauch peace advocates. You are not helping the cause of peace. Dig deeper into all the facts. Until then I will no longer be a subscriber to your substack.

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Always love to hear you talking about the things, paintings, books, which surround you and then drifting into memories, so precious. Thank you

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Sincere gratitude for you, Patti and this wonderful space you share with us. I'm excited to hear about your beautiful Robert ring, the talisman of deep river friendship. And I am definitely gifting my partner with that Sly Stone book as he's a huge fan and enlivened me to his music and spark!

I always step away from your posts with a feeling of peace, knowledge and a sense of community that I float on for days. Thank you!

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