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Holly Starley's avatar

Am I right to see Robert as both so astute and somewhat blind to himself? He sees Lena‘s mother looking down on them, but is certain he is not sentimental, certain he is only rational.

What I’m saying really is that your beautiful writing does such a brilliant job of painting character, giving us whole people.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Yes, Holly. He's in the process of discovery on multiple levels, himself the major one.

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Ellen Kornmehl MD's avatar

love this analogy for EQ..."But because she was the one with perfect pitch, she heard despair in my simple sentence and also anger."

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Ellen, what does EQ mean? Would like to reply intelligently but am dumb on this acronym. In any case, my heartfelt thanks for reading and quoting that sentence that means so much to Robert’s conflict and self realization.

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Ellen Kornmehl MD's avatar

All your comments are intelligent- emotional quotient or emotional intelligence

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Del's avatar

I love the interplay of image and metaphor with the dialogue and actions of your characters. The worn, coverless copy of Madame Bovary. Maimonides and the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Matisse and Vermeer’s works with contrasting styles. And the old oak— the sentinel that ultimately disrupts. Just wonderful.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Oh, how kind. I am so grateful for this generous comment, Del.

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Mary Roblyn's avatar

“My body is defined with muscle, perfected in my discipline.” So haunting that Robert has always seen the world through a lens of mastery and control, but that he is beginning to realize how the perspective of Vermeer is as valid as that of Matisse. “We learn too late how the imperfections tug at memory,” is a fine sentence, and shattering. The oak tree planted as a symbol of the permanence and strength of the family becomes the means of its undoing. Beautifully crafted, Mary. I’m opening my heart to Robert as he searches for meaning.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Oh, Mary, I'm so glad we found each other here. Again, a deep read that means so much to my creative process--just what I needed today. xx

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Such a beautiful final sentence! And I love the use of Vermeer and Matisse!

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Imola's avatar

Always love reading you Mary! For some reason, this line really spoke to me: “She’d married me. I’d taken her as she was. She should have taken me as I was.” I think I know why. Beautiful writing Mary. Thank you!

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Ah, You do know why by now, don't you, lovely Imola! Great choice of line. ... xx

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Alisa Kennedy Jones's avatar

The theme of orthogonality is at work on so many levels here. In relationships, events, and thinking--things that seem completely unrelated and separate... yet at the right angles hold a whole universe together. So good! 👏👏👏💜

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Ah, perspective and ah, you! xx

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Buku Sarkar's avatar

I must buy your book. I can’t do audio books or ebooks. I’m too old fashioned! Will order right away. Nice way to relax as mine is just about to launch in the U.S. this month

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Oh, lovely ... and your photos blow me away: your use of black and white and movement.

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

“Perspective comes through longing.” I love this so much Mary.

Experiencing the world from the outside looking in vs. full immersion—how can we ever gain the infinite perspectives of this earthly existence without cracking open and letting animal longing mend our illusions of separation? The Matisse is not flat Isaac!!! It’s alive!

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Kimberly, just reading this comment and will edit my reply tomorrow because what you say here makes you a reader like no other. So more to say here. . …You understand exactly how perspective in Robert's view comes through longing. Such a sensitive and insightful read.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

"We learn too late how the imperfections tug at memory."

Oh Mary we do... what a beautiful way to say something so sad ♥️

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

As I think I said also to Susan Campbell, this line, one of my favorites, is also paradoxically, one of the most hopeful things Robert says. His discovery intrigues me as I write him. Thank you for your lovely compliment: so needed as time goes by ...

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Susan Campbell's avatar

"We learn too late how the imperfections tug at memory." What a magical sentence; what truth in these words! Another lovely chapter; thank you for sharing it with us. 😍

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Susan, What a line to choose, one of my most hopeful, paradoxically, and I so thank you for the restack, as well: Means so much that you continue to read. I love the way you read with such intensity: Honored here.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I'm hooked, Mary. I must know what happens to these lovely and complicated people. And your writing is spectacular❣️

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

So kind! xxoo

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Tim Burns's avatar

As I've said before, some of your most beautiful writing is between the lines, what you choose to give us is a gift. And you're so masterful with punctuation, I can feel the cadence you want and it brings me so much pleasure to not have to stumble over words. Well done!

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Tim, Your words lift me heart as the writing such an intense process. And I thank you as well for being moved to restack: means so much.

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Tenny Kilmore's avatar

Enjoyed this passage. It was deep and thought provoking. As I sat reading it sparked some immediate self reflections around death and life, love and lust. Thank you for that gift this morning.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Oh, Tenny, beautiful thoughts from you. My heart lifts reading yours. 💝

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