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Susan Campbell's avatar

That kitchen! Why not cook in such a beautiful space? I do related to being the mad woman in search of the perfect recipe. Since it doesn't exist, it was a futile exercise that I couldn't recognize at the time. But I cannot imagine seeing my beloved kiss another; that would rob me of all my desire to cook anything for any one.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

I knowww ...

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Holly Starley's avatar

Oh, man the title for this one just hit me. Ooof. Love your writing, Mary.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Loving you back, Holly. You are, as I keep saying, such a generous soul and full of heart.

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Ollie Redfern's avatar

What a beautiful home you shared with D.! And what an amazing kitchen. I get a better sense of what you lost - almost like a fairy tale in reverse (the house does look almost like a little castle). I can see also why you loved D. He must have been a very youthful like man - though in this case, behaving like a teenager, or someone in a very late midlife crisis. But, before all this, he must have been a very fun companion.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Yes, yes, and yes. I sound like Molly Bloom at the end of Ulysses. I did love him so much! He overwhelmed me--and isn't that how love should feel?

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Ollie Redfern's avatar

"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" - Tennyson

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

I think my wife would gladly sell me off as a sex slave to have that kitchen. Or...did I volunteer for that? That's probably it. O, the sacrifices we have to make for the women in our lives!

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Made me laugh, and I adore you more, Ben, with this comment. I love your sense of humor and your comments on this live tale.

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William Colson's avatar

The dessert story reminds me of airline instructions: "Put on your oxygen mask first before helping others." Sounds cruel, but it's compassion.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

I'd not ever thought of that, Bill--though I do think the water in the dessert story presents an even more difficult dilemma.

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John Halbrooks's avatar

This is mesmerizing. But I must say: I would kill for that kitchen. Well, maybe I wouldn’t kill, but I might maim...

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Love that you are reading this--and your comments are amazing ... big xo ~ Mary

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John Halbrooks's avatar

I love it, Mary. So much so that I just ordered the paperback. I don’t want to wait for the serialized installments, and, after all, I want a physical copy ❤️

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Oh, golly!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I had the strangest sensation reading this, like the words were washing over me. Very evocative, and a beautiful way of telling a bit so beautiful experience. I've read the R. Akiva teaching before, and although at first it's surprising, it makes sense to prioritise yourself in that situation

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

These are breathtaking words, Mary. ♥️

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

You are a blessing, Rebecca. 💕

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Russell C. Smith's avatar

Here is where life, memory, history, and dreams intermingle. Clear and often startling details, of scenes and emotions. Refrigerators, stolen kisses, Michelle wowing Paris, and not cooking anymore.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

That's a good take, Russell, on what I was trying to do in this chapter. I so appreciate the read and the insightful comment.

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Isabelle's avatar

Incredibly interesting especially the part about fireflies, their behaviour and what happened after the bar encounter. Beautiful imagery too.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Oh, Isabelle, means much. Thank you,

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A. Jay Adler's avatar

I'm taken with your associative style in this memoir, like a dream (nightmare), a blur of experiences, the mind is struggling to see sense in, make meaning of. Like Charade, I think, as I recall it. The presentation of D and S is like that. Flashes in the memory. The kiss at the bar. Walking home alone. Coming upon them, confused, in the kitchen. I hear Henry Mancini. Are you Stanley Donen?

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

You made me laugh with your last line. Your comment describes exactly what I was trying to do in this chapter--perhaps without fully realizing it at the time. When I posted yesterday, I did wonder if anyone would see that you describe.

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