33 Comments
User's avatar
Alena F's avatar

I used to be a pioneer too :) We often take technology for granted or see it in as negative thing these days but how amazing is it that we connected through substack - not something I could possibly imagine when I was a pioneer in Siberia.

Portia's avatar
3dEdited

Bolshoe spasibo, Alena! I'm way older than you, so this Internet thing still amazes me. The negative feelings should be directed to those who want to exploit and profit mercilessly from our data, and God knows what else.

And remember, young pioneer: vsegda gotov!

F.O. Gameiro's avatar

I'm excited that the story continues!

Portia's avatar

Obrigada, F.O.! I'm trying hard, and I hope you'll like it.😣

Tim Baynes Painter and Writer's avatar

No difficult. These sparsely crafted episodes are a real treat! Hope the sun shines on Schubert Street this morning! T

Portia's avatar

It does! I hope it shines on you too, Tim.🌞 And thanks again for the restack.😊

Tim Baynes Painter and Writer's avatar

Good to see the team again. And showing such high regard for one another.

The passage "Inside, the Big House was all marble and granite – noble materials coveted by despots and tyrants, extracted from the bowels of the Earth only to be buried again in megalomaniac tomb-like palaces" is exceptionally descriptive THANK YOU Tim

Portia's avatar

Thank you, dear Tim, always so kind and supportive!

Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Welcome back, Portia!

Portia's avatar

Thanks, Amanda, you're so sweet!

Michael B. Morgan's avatar

"We want to sell communism as a product, if you let me borrow a term from capitalism. Fight fire with fire, if you will.”

As always, you nail those deep ideas with just the right touch. That John le Carré vibe… you know I love it.

Portia's avatar

Don't make him turn in his grave! But thank you so much for this sweet comment, Michael. Oh, and for the restack.😊

Michael B. Morgan's avatar

And… believe me when I say you’ve got some le Carré vibe. It's true :)

Michael B. Morgan's avatar

Prego, Portia :)

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

"We want to sell communism as a product, if you let me borrow a term from capitalism. Fight fire with fire, if you will." Deliciously funny, Portia!

Portia's avatar

Thanks, Jeffrey, I'm flattered. Happy Easter!

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

You too!

Gianni Simone's avatar

I love your love for detail. Отличная работа, товарищ.

Portia's avatar

Grazie mille, Gianni, bravo! Buona Pasqua a te e famiglia.🐣 E grazie del restack.

Gianni Simone's avatar

Altrettanto a te... Mi ero dimenticato che era Pasqua... ecco perche' mia sorella mi ha telefonato...

Portia's avatar

In Giappone però avete la fioritura dei sakura. Sei riuscito a vedere qualche bello scorcio?

Gianni Simone's avatar

Come no, anche se ieri ha piovuto tutto il giorno. Ormai siamo gia' quasi alla fine.

Portia's avatar

🌸🌸🌸 Torneranno l'anno prossimo...

Gianni Simone's avatar

E' quello che mi preoccupa: ogni anno sembra passare sempre piu' in fretta.

Larisa Rimerman's avatar

It is sarcastic and funny. And Bol'shoy Dom, exactly in the same place, when I was there 40 years ago. Love your style, and all the accessories, especially medovye prianiki. Never saw or ate so beautifully made as a subject of art.

Portia's avatar

Thanks Larisa, that makes me happy.😊

Larisa Rimerman's avatar

Glad that you continue your tale about the Soviet KGB. Your tone is great.

Chen Rafaeli's avatar

PS new idioitic thing here as of late- sometimes doesn't let me share as a Note

Portia's avatar

I had to copy and paste this post onto another draft, because I couldn't publish it. Apparently, there was a network issue, maybe it's still there.🙄

Chen Rafaeli's avatar

Funny as hell- thank you, Portia!

Portia's avatar

Thank you, dear Chen!