Comments on: Out of Place http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/ online literary magazine Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:42:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: kenju http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-380 kenju Tue, 31 Jan 2006 15:09:05 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-380 A beautiful essay, Lorianne. I love your writing and your insight. A beautiful essay, Lorianne. I love your writing and your insight.

]]> By: Rachel http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-379 Rachel Mon, 16 Jan 2006 14:29:19 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-379 “Why do you live there?” a sister asked after I’d e-mailed photos of my car buried by a recent snowstorm. Implicit in her question is an accusation: Why do you live there rather than here; why did you leave the state where your family lives? I know that feeling; I hear it often from my mother, usually for the same ostensible reason ("why would you live where there's so much snow?" usually really means, "why would you choose to leave us behind?") I've been in northern Berkshire since 1992 and I can't yet say I fully know my adopted home, either. I love how well I know it...and I also love the way there's always more to learn. “Why do you live there?” a sister asked after I’d e-mailed photos of my car buried by a recent snowstorm. Implicit in her question is an accusation: Why do you live there rather than here; why did you leave the state where your family lives?

I know that feeling; I hear it often from my mother, usually for the same ostensible reason (”why would you live where there’s so much snow?” usually really means, “why would you choose to leave us behind?”)

I’ve been in northern Berkshire since 1992 and I can’t yet say I fully know my adopted home, either. I love how well I know it…and I also love the way there’s always more to learn.

]]> By: leslee http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-378 leslee Thu, 12 Jan 2006 17:52:33 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-378 Lorianne, this is great. I, too, feel that single and childless in the midst of couples and families. I have never planted bulbs in the fall at my condo, convinced I won't still be here in the spring - and now it's been 18 1/2 years in this small town! Yes, the breath and the mat are always home, as I'm beginning to discover. Lorianne, this is great. I, too, feel that single and childless in the midst of couples and families. I have never planted bulbs in the fall at my condo, convinced I won’t still be here in the spring - and now it’s been 18 1/2 years in this small town! Yes, the breath and the mat are always home, as I’m beginning to discover.

]]> By: Tom Montag http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-377 Tom Montag Wed, 11 Jan 2006 09:27:51 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-377 Dave, I can't begin to imagine what search strings this will bring: "editing, mindreading and palmistry." It should be interesting.... :) Dave, I can’t begin to imagine what search strings this will bring: “editing, mindreading and palmistry.” It should be interesting…. :)

]]> By: Dave http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-376 Dave Tue, 10 Jan 2006 18:29:05 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-376 Gee, maybe I should hang out a shingle: editing, mindreading and palmistry. Seriously, though, I felt privileged to be asked. (And don't think I won't return the favor one of these days!) Gee, maybe I should hang out a shingle: editing, mindreading and palmistry.

Seriously, though, I felt privileged to be asked. (And don’t think I won’t return the favor one of these days!)

]]> By: Lorianne http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-375 Lorianne Tue, 10 Jan 2006 07:03:43 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-375 Again, I have to thank Dave Bonta for his editorial input. That line about the "Buddhist and her mat" wasn't in either the first or second draft...I added it at the last minute after Dave remarked about a comment I'd left on another site claiming that meditation "feels like coming home." So, thanks, Dave, for knowing my heart's home better than I do! ;-) Again, I have to thank Dave Bonta for his editorial input. That line about the “Buddhist and her mat” wasn’t in either the first or second draft…I added it at the last minute after Dave remarked about a comment I’d left on another site claiming that meditation “feels like coming home.”

So, thanks, Dave, for knowing my heart’s home better than I do! ;-)

]]> By: Anna http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-374 Anna Tue, 10 Jan 2006 03:28:05 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-374 Yes, I agree with Fred Garber, "A Buddhist and her mat" is a powerful and empowering image. So, in Taoist thought, a bowl and stick is all you need. As I go through the years I get most happiness out of shedding stuff, possessions. We buy and then need to worry about and protect these things and they become more and more like anchors. Freeing myself as much as possible from buying; owning little, living simply (but well) has such appeal. Almost every day I look around for something to give away. Keeping my bags packed by the door... ooooh, I'm off into my fantasy again! Anna. Yes, I agree with Fred Garber, “A Buddhist and her mat” is a powerful and empowering image. So, in Taoist thought, a bowl and stick is all you need. As I go through the years I get most happiness out of shedding stuff, possessions. We buy and then need to worry about and protect these things and they become more and more like anchors. Freeing myself as much as possible from buying; owning little, living simply (but well) has such appeal. Almost every day I look around for something to give away.

Keeping my bags packed by the door… ooooh, I’m off into my fantasy again!
Anna.

]]> By: Trix http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-373 Trix Mon, 09 Jan 2006 11:07:36 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-373 Such a nice, honest, and open portrait of the town and the lady who makes it her home. Such a nice, honest, and open portrait of the town and the lady who makes it her home.

]]> By: Fred Garber http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-372 Fred Garber Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:10:10 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-372 The line about a Buddhist and her mat really hit home. I have moved twice in the last year and find that the stuff becomes a physical and spiritual burden. The line about a Buddhist and her mat really hit home. I have moved twice in the last year and find that the stuff becomes a physical and spiritual burden.

]]> By: Lorianne http://qarrtsiluni.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-371 Lorianne Mon, 09 Jan 2006 05:52:33 +0000 http://qarrtsiluni.wordpress.com/2006/01/07/out-of-place/#comment-371 Thanks for the kind remarks, everyone. I have to give an appreciative tip of the hat to Tom Montag & Dave Bonta, who gave great editorial input. The first draft of this was a real mess; the "mystery" that Dave admires in this version was confused ambiguity in the original. So I for one benefited from the editorial "tough love" that this forum affords. Thanks for the kind remarks, everyone. I have to give an appreciative tip of the hat to Tom Montag & Dave Bonta, who gave great editorial input. The first draft of this was a real mess; the “mystery” that Dave admires in this version was confused ambiguity in the original. So I for one benefited from the editorial “tough love” that this forum affords.

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