"But if you told me what this country would become, and how close to the precipice of something we'd be, and how far we’d have fallen by now, I'd have said, I know."
In your writings, you capture things about our country most of us miss. This line feels like Chekhov's gun to me--but it never went off.
Is there an Act 3: dying to know. Perhaps in *checks notes* Part 3?
Fair criticism, Robin, and good point - I err on the side of implication too often, and this may well be one of those times. I so appreciate your readership and your response!
Not at all - a call for me to spit it out and not dillydally 😏 I appreciate the chance to think more about how to walk a line between too much understatement and the risk of contributing to the tension rather than reflecting on it - I have by no means figured out how that’s done
I saw the rogue lorry parker who took both spaces just because he could as a kind of parallel with abuse of power everywhere. And the conversation with the trucker indoors a reminder that people still notice when a code has been broken. I’ve been thinking about this piece a lot, since I read it at 5am UK time!
Thanks for this, Wendy. Yes, Rules of the Road. Thanks for clueing me in to that moment. In the context of Marya's piece, that feels small and local--perfectly framed.
Given the moment in our country today, I guess I was looking for a pull out from the scene to something more generalizable.
But as usual, Marya nails it--here, now, we still have rules. And bullies that break them must be shunned.
Same, Robin! As often happens with Marya’s writing, it was like looking at a Magic Eye picture waiting for it to come into focus. I’m sure there are different ways to interpret it, though. I love the way it makes me think!
Thank you, my friend - and lord knows you know what you’re talking about when it comes to dialogue 😏 folks, go check out Matt’s class on dialogue tomorrow post haste!
Nobody hits it dead between the eyes like you do, Marya. With every single word and turn of phrase you remind me that we all have our gifts and we damn sure better use 'em while we're here (and there, as it were.) Also, I really must get myself some red nail polish. It's been ages. :)
Yessir, I will. Stay safe this weekend, please - and take some footage for me if you see any? I’m gathering video from as many sources as I can - anybody else reading this note, you too - message me if you do get any video of public life this weekend
I'm still getting over some nasty bug-- not Covid, according to the four at-home tests I took, all of which were negative -- and although I'm up and around again, I won't be out in public this weekend. I'd hoped to add my voice to those raising against tRump and his malignant minions, but I'm not back to 100% ... and sometimes discretion, as the saying goes, is the better part of valor.
Where to start? The opening -- the anaphora of 'If you told me' pulling us in and the last one, "But if you told me what this country would become, and how close to the precipice of something we'd be, and how far we’d have fallen by now, I'd have said, I know." What we don't see coming, what we do see coming -- how we live in the belly of that and still notice what is good -- fresh fruit and walnuts... And the details of a day, how close or distant safety is, how it turns on such tiny events. The texture of encounters -- the old guy at the end -- the men shuning the one who took 2 spots, the line: "Somebody like to give you the bird every day. But it hits a little different when the bird's got its nails painted bright red.” So vivid and in its precision so poignant.
To be taken into a world so far from mine, to feel and see and smell it, to make connections across the globe -- this is such a gift.
Ah Marya, I love that within your small frame, you pack a punch, and speak the rig drivers’ lingo so well they recognize you as kin.
The gnarled knuckles on the table brought home the truth. In spite of bloated power mongers who imagine they have won, (whatever it is they were attempting to intimidate the rest of us into giving up) true strength and kindness wins. We see each other, we speak to each other as we pass by, and we know we can outlive all those suckers.
I wish you could see me while I'm reading your posts. Those first five paragraphs, the "if you told me" ones--the ones that totally held me, right up to the banger of an answer in paragraph six and the gut punch in seven-- I was in full schoolgirl mode, biting my lower lip, scribbling notes. Brilliant pace and structure! And then, not two minutes later, the schoolgirl was gone. I banged on the counter, hard, and yelled, "Fucker!" (you know when) and my husband jumped and asked what happened and I looked at him-- does he even know me??-- and just said "Shhhhh. I'm reading!"(Doesn't everyone yell at the words like they're watching the world cup??) And then all the goosebumps came, after the knuckle rap, and I was wiping my eyes and hitting the counter again and my husband didn't ask why, so I guess he knows me a little. Anyway. I'm exhausted. So good, Marya.
Oh. Good one, Marya. The weird thing is, everyone knows what's what all the time. It was good of that guy to say something, though you'd had your good night's sleep and were ready for a nice shower and a new day. I can never figure out jackas%*#. Then I read somewhere, they just like to troll people. That made it a little easier for me to stomach--they're just so diminished they've got to push their low self esteem on someone else.
I love the conversation that's going on here. Not a nomad, but an occasional road-tripper, mostly I5/The Five, or 90/84, and, yes, Love's is it for me, I mean, look at my last name!
The conversation here puts a finger on it. It's a place where people respect the rules. Well, except in the parking lot apparently. But really. There's an order and a predictability to it. I've never taken a shower there, but I've heard those PA announcements, and they're ... reassuring? Like there's a system here that works.
that spark of justice coming out of the blue from a stranger at a diner table - as slight as it is is most gratifying in the telling. As the empire tumbles we'll need more of those moments.
I'm wondering why you were driving so late. But it's not important. The last truck stop we stayed at, there were announcements on a loud speaker all night long. Never stayed at one again. But it seems like a real culture. A totally different world. I'm a little surprised that the truckers connect with the nomads. But I'm sure that red fingernail must have endeared you to them.
"But if you told me what this country would become, and how close to the precipice of something we'd be, and how far we’d have fallen by now, I'd have said, I know."
In your writings, you capture things about our country most of us miss. This line feels like Chekhov's gun to me--but it never went off.
Is there an Act 3: dying to know. Perhaps in *checks notes* Part 3?
Fair criticism, Robin, and good point - I err on the side of implication too often, and this may well be one of those times. I so appreciate your readership and your response!
I appreciate the subtlety, Marya. And Wendy's reading helped pinpoint the gun's blast for me.
We are living through times of high drama, though, and this felt a bit unfinished to me.
A call for greater reflection in my reading, perhaps? And my writing as well?
Not at all - a call for me to spit it out and not dillydally 😏 I appreciate the chance to think more about how to walk a line between too much understatement and the risk of contributing to the tension rather than reflecting on it - I have by no means figured out how that’s done
Funny, but from what I know of you from reading your posts and seeing your pods, I wouldn't take you as someone who has trouble "spitting it out" :)
Ha!! No trouble doing it - perhaps just exercising undue caution about when it’s time 😆
I saw the rogue lorry parker who took both spaces just because he could as a kind of parallel with abuse of power everywhere. And the conversation with the trucker indoors a reminder that people still notice when a code has been broken. I’ve been thinking about this piece a lot, since I read it at 5am UK time!
Wendy, appreciate this insight - I wish I could say I’d drawn that connection deliberately, but I did not - thank you for pointing it out!
Well however subliminal it was, it worked, Marya!
Thanks for this, Wendy. Yes, Rules of the Road. Thanks for clueing me in to that moment. In the context of Marya's piece, that feels small and local--perfectly framed.
Given the moment in our country today, I guess I was looking for a pull out from the scene to something more generalizable.
But as usual, Marya nails it--here, now, we still have rules. And bullies that break them must be shunned.
Same, Robin! As often happens with Marya’s writing, it was like looking at a Magic Eye picture waiting for it to come into focus. I’m sure there are different ways to interpret it, though. I love the way it makes me think!
Top drawer, as usual. Still making me homesick for the road with every post, Marya.
Thank you, Peter!! I almost feel bad - but at least I can be your eyes and ears on the road till you’re back out here 🙏🏻
The knuckles rapping on the counter before and after that convo…that small description makes that convo a KO.
Thank you, my friend - and lord knows you know what you’re talking about when it comes to dialogue 😏 folks, go check out Matt’s class on dialogue tomorrow post haste!
Nobody hits it dead between the eyes like you do, Marya. With every single word and turn of phrase you remind me that we all have our gifts and we damn sure better use 'em while we're here (and there, as it were.) Also, I really must get myself some red nail polish. It's been ages. :)
Thank you for you and stay safe!
Allison, thank you - I so appreciate your time and thoughtful responses - I’m glad to know these connect 🙏🏻🩷
🩷🙏🏻
Nice ... again.
Drive safe.
Yessir, I will. Stay safe this weekend, please - and take some footage for me if you see any? I’m gathering video from as many sources as I can - anybody else reading this note, you too - message me if you do get any video of public life this weekend
I'm still getting over some nasty bug-- not Covid, according to the four at-home tests I took, all of which were negative -- and although I'm up and around again, I won't be out in public this weekend. I'd hoped to add my voice to those raising against tRump and his malignant minions, but I'm not back to 100% ... and sometimes discretion, as the saying goes, is the better part of valor.
Was with you all the way, Marya. Picturing battered roadmaps and intuiting broken codes. Then noticed again the opening image: boxing gloves. Perfect.
Wendy 🙏🏻🥰
Where to start? The opening -- the anaphora of 'If you told me' pulling us in and the last one, "But if you told me what this country would become, and how close to the precipice of something we'd be, and how far we’d have fallen by now, I'd have said, I know." What we don't see coming, what we do see coming -- how we live in the belly of that and still notice what is good -- fresh fruit and walnuts... And the details of a day, how close or distant safety is, how it turns on such tiny events. The texture of encounters -- the old guy at the end -- the men shuning the one who took 2 spots, the line: "Somebody like to give you the bird every day. But it hits a little different when the bird's got its nails painted bright red.” So vivid and in its precision so poignant.
To be taken into a world so far from mine, to feel and see and smell it, to make connections across the globe -- this is such a gift.
Ah Marya, I love that within your small frame, you pack a punch, and speak the rig drivers’ lingo so well they recognize you as kin.
The gnarled knuckles on the table brought home the truth. In spite of bloated power mongers who imagine they have won, (whatever it is they were attempting to intimidate the rest of us into giving up) true strength and kindness wins. We see each other, we speak to each other as we pass by, and we know we can outlive all those suckers.
Carry on, wonderful you. Hugs to you and Ms Luna.
I wish you could see me while I'm reading your posts. Those first five paragraphs, the "if you told me" ones--the ones that totally held me, right up to the banger of an answer in paragraph six and the gut punch in seven-- I was in full schoolgirl mode, biting my lower lip, scribbling notes. Brilliant pace and structure! And then, not two minutes later, the schoolgirl was gone. I banged on the counter, hard, and yelled, "Fucker!" (you know when) and my husband jumped and asked what happened and I looked at him-- does he even know me??-- and just said "Shhhhh. I'm reading!"(Doesn't everyone yell at the words like they're watching the world cup??) And then all the goosebumps came, after the knuckle rap, and I was wiping my eyes and hitting the counter again and my husband didn't ask why, so I guess he knows me a little. Anyway. I'm exhausted. So good, Marya.
You aren't alone with the yelling at the words. Or the exhaustion! 🫂
Ha! Thanks Nicole- I’m glad to have company here.
"Fresh-cracked walnuts from a tree in California, smuggled into Arizona in a child's flowered sock."
Just read this aloud to my wife. I see - or, rather, hear - what you did with that cargo.
Oh. Good one, Marya. The weird thing is, everyone knows what's what all the time. It was good of that guy to say something, though you'd had your good night's sleep and were ready for a nice shower and a new day. I can never figure out jackas%*#. Then I read somewhere, they just like to troll people. That made it a little easier for me to stomach--they're just so diminished they've got to push their low self esteem on someone else.
What a world we are in … however, that’s one of the best Zeke anecdotes. 😂 She’s been on my mind. ♥️
I love the conversation that's going on here. Not a nomad, but an occasional road-tripper, mostly I5/The Five, or 90/84, and, yes, Love's is it for me, I mean, look at my last name!
The conversation here puts a finger on it. It's a place where people respect the rules. Well, except in the parking lot apparently. But really. There's an order and a predictability to it. I've never taken a shower there, but I've heard those PA announcements, and they're ... reassuring? Like there's a system here that works.
Unlike the rest of the country.
that spark of justice coming out of the blue from a stranger at a diner table - as slight as it is is most gratifying in the telling. As the empire tumbles we'll need more of those moments.
I'm wondering why you were driving so late. But it's not important. The last truck stop we stayed at, there were announcements on a loud speaker all night long. Never stayed at one again. But it seems like a real culture. A totally different world. I'm a little surprised that the truckers connect with the nomads. But I'm sure that red fingernail must have endeared you to them.
Just love. 💋