Hi Everlastings, remember last Friday when I said I’d publish a Friday Boost in two weeks? And you believed me?
Of course, I always want you to believe me. Of course! But you must know by now I change my mind. Often. So, I’ve done it again today. I’m doing a Friday Boost a week early—but it’s not my fault. It’s the fault of all of these great writers who published the most delicious stuff, all in one week.
What am I supposed to do? Ignore them? Put them all in book form next week, because I’ll have so many I’ll have to do it in chapters??
No, I’ll take the chance that you’re okay with another Friday Boost in your inbox.
You’re okay with it, right?
Okay then…
(UPDATE: I’ve added some thoughts to each link. Something I should have done right from the start! See my conversation with Melanie Newfield in the comments below. Thanks, Melanie!)
Any day now I’m going to submit something to Oldster Magazine. I love going over there! I found this wonderful piece by Elissa Altman and it wrung me out like a dishrag! I laughed, I cried (well, almost), I laughed again. And I fell in love with Elissa Altman.
As Sarah Miller writes, we’re all living in a collective grief these days. Grief hangs in the air and haunts us during these days of COVID, these times when death comes unexpectedly and instantly through violence, and sometimes when it’s time; when life has exhausted itself and the light goes out. How do children deal with death? Naturally, if we do it right, and Sarah had some great ideas here.
I admit I might not have read this piece but for a cousin who is a Lego nut. I read it initially so I could send the link to him, but I enjoyed it so much I wanted to share it here. The World of Lego is fascinating and complex. Everyone wants to get in on the action—including the fakers. It’s a lucrative, quirky business and Justin Davis knows it inside out.
Michael Maiello, host of Middlebrow Musings, is a good friend from way back. His brow is miles higher than mine, but I love the way he writes, and here he writes about Woody Allen’s latest movie. Whatever you think of Woody, if you’re a film buff you’ll latch onto what Michael sees in this piece. Loved it!
If you’re not following ‘Letters of Note’ you’re missing out. It’s a newsletter about historic letters, and Shaun Usher never fails to find the best of them. This letter is short but unforgettable. And if it serves to introduce you to his page, I’ve done my job.
In this piece, Eric Hoel makes a good case against the often artless intrusion of CGI. He makes points I never would have considered, but, as a human, I get it.
My friend Remington Write is PISSED! And why not! Me too! But she made me laugh as well as rage and because I’m in the same place I figured maybe you are, too.
And—shameless plug—this is mine from my sister publication, Constant Commoner. It is, indeed, rambling, but I had so much fun with it! It was like instant R&R.
If you like the pieces I’ve shared here, be sure to let the writers know on their sites. It’ll mean so much to them. But since I’m curious, too, please drop a line in the comments section below. Let me know if you want more of this. Can’t wait to hear from you!
Interesting to see what you're enjoying. The Lego story really appealed to me. In these boosts, I'd be interested to know what it is that interested you about the story or made you decide to boost it.
Great concept for discovery. I enjoyed "Letters of Note" and the "Paperwave"one. Thanks!