Congratulations, Portia! I didn't know about your big day on Dec.14. (As I understand now, my husband was overloaded with all Substack information on his computer and his cell phone, which Substack sent not only to me but to him also, and he unsubscribed to all of the people. That is why I stopped receiving emails!) Portia! I am your friend, and I am grateful to Substack for that. I enjoy our friendship tremendously. I know almost nothing about Substack's rules, politics, philosophy, or money and don't care about it. I am just happy to find you and others spiritually alike. Happy New Year, stay healthy and happy!
Congratulations on completing the first year of Bread and Roses, Portia—it’s a 2024 Christmas gift you’ve given to yourself! I hope to read more of your work in 2025.
Thanks Paul! Not only are you a gifted poet, you're a kind, gracious person to boot. I wish you the merriest of Christmas, and a 2025 full of inspiration, good health, and serendipitous moments!
Oh. I never got this post. It appears it goes both ways-more than 20% of my readers don't get mine; it only makes sense I also don't see some. Quite maddenning.
Ok, that was a prelude, now to the main part:
you're braver person than me, as I, being whatever I am, kinda tried to keep it a secret from real life people, with few exceptions. Or didn't want to bother some.
I am very grateful for meeting you here, Portia.
I relate to a lot.
Approximately once a day, I just want to delete it all, you know. But I also know myself, and I know I'd write somewhere. and I'm outta places to write; and isn't a miracle to meet people that...here I lost the thread of my incoherent thoughts, thanks G d, and can at last say "hooray!" and "congrats!" and ...I'm so glad you're here. ❤️
Chen, I got to meet you and other amazing people on Substack, whom I could never have met otherwise, isn't that miraculous? Don't go away: your poetry, your translations, your writing are precious to me and to many others. Your voice is being heard. You don't have to write every day or every week, but you have this place to which you can come back when you feel like it. I'm so glad too, that you're here.
Sizes suede suits . Wrings wrinkles rhymes with willow weeping wide open mouths; gapes that grip the tongue twisting tourniquet to take you down to the edge and close the eyes to sleep.
Wring out the new year with joy and write the notes that will bring music to the symphony .
Hey Portia, I don’t think you’re cold and aloof here on Substack! I think you’re cool and supportive and write interesting stuff and good to be around.
All the bombardment and advice and success and pitches. Man! On and on and on they go.
But in the midst of it all one just has to look out for those strangers you talk about and if we dig them, be there for their writing.
My sentiments exactly. When, hesitantly I must admit, I first joined Instagram, it was only to promote my debut novel, The Hesitant Architect.
I stayed on for the meaningful rapport with readers from around the world. But Insta is not a place for expanding on literature. So when Substack came along, it was a gift. I still haven't figured out how it works, and networking is time consuming, time better spent on writing. I do enjoy reading the articles on this platform, there is an air of leisurely musings at one's own pace, an element sorely lacking in other platforms where a frenetic demand for posting is in order. This is not a job, it is doing what we love best...
Here's a conundrum of sorts. I have more subscribers than you, but your posts regularly gather more likes and especially longer and thoughtful comments. Which one is better?
One thing I can say for sure is that, generally speaking, I'm not too keen on reading online, but I always look forward to your stories.
"I find people scary and exhausting. They do fascinate me though, and so I study them from a distance, hoping they won't notice me, or else they'll try to engage with me, only to end up disappointed and bored. I'd rather be thought of as cold and aloof. I'm not sure how I made the friends I have, but I think they deserve more credit for our friendship than I do." I feel like we are twin souls, Portia! I'm grateful for your support for my Substack and for your graceful essays. Your Substack is a haven from the storms of human egotism that rage outside. I feel lucky to have found your presence here!
What a beautiful, honest and heartfelt post, Portia. You’re not just a gifted writer but also have a super appreciated perspective and intelligence. Happy birthday to your Substack and it ain’t got nuffink to do with quantity, only quality. And that you got in zillions. ❤️
Your post leans into something I was just thinking about today: Substack is the first social media site I've been on where one is immediately bombarded with success stories, hints, and pitches from "gurus," some who offer cogent advice of course, and others, well...
I was a "dinosaur blogger" and had probably been blogging for three years before I timidly googled ways to make my blog more successful -- and not even financially! Just to get more readers!
On Substack, all of that is coming at us daily, and although I do hope to build my Substack to a certain degree of success, I feel that ambient pressure too and don't particularly like it.
Thanks Betty. I enjoy reading your Substack very much, it's like visiting a lesser known, but still beautiful France with the most charming, witty host. I think we should forget about all kinds of pressure, and stay here for the sheer pleasure of writing and discovering new things.
I thought it was a great read , a good article about how your family has been impacted. Hey write some more stories and follow your heart
Welcome, Richard, and thank you. Happy New Year, I hope to see you around!
Congratulations, Portia! I didn't know about your big day on Dec.14. (As I understand now, my husband was overloaded with all Substack information on his computer and his cell phone, which Substack sent not only to me but to him also, and he unsubscribed to all of the people. That is why I stopped receiving emails!) Portia! I am your friend, and I am grateful to Substack for that. I enjoy our friendship tremendously. I know almost nothing about Substack's rules, politics, philosophy, or money and don't care about it. I am just happy to find you and others spiritually alike. Happy New Year, stay healthy and happy!
Thank you, dear Larisa, I'm grateful I found you! Happy New Year to you and your family!
How did I miss this? Congratulations! I didn't realize we were 1 year buddies as well. Here's to a gazillion more newsletters from you...
Yes, we are! Let's walk/write together, my Substack bro!
In the words of Homer Simpson, WooHoo! :-)
Congratulations on completing the first year of Bread and Roses, Portia—it’s a 2024 Christmas gift you’ve given to yourself! I hope to read more of your work in 2025.
Thank you & Merry Christmas!
Thanks Paul! Not only are you a gifted poet, you're a kind, gracious person to boot. I wish you the merriest of Christmas, and a 2025 full of inspiration, good health, and serendipitous moments!
Oh. I never got this post. It appears it goes both ways-more than 20% of my readers don't get mine; it only makes sense I also don't see some. Quite maddenning.
Ok, that was a prelude, now to the main part:
you're braver person than me, as I, being whatever I am, kinda tried to keep it a secret from real life people, with few exceptions. Or didn't want to bother some.
I am very grateful for meeting you here, Portia.
I relate to a lot.
Approximately once a day, I just want to delete it all, you know. But I also know myself, and I know I'd write somewhere. and I'm outta places to write; and isn't a miracle to meet people that...here I lost the thread of my incoherent thoughts, thanks G d, and can at last say "hooray!" and "congrats!" and ...I'm so glad you're here. ❤️
I’m glad you’re here, too, Chen! 😊
Chen, I got to meet you and other amazing people on Substack, whom I could never have met otherwise, isn't that miraculous? Don't go away: your poetry, your translations, your writing are precious to me and to many others. Your voice is being heard. You don't have to write every day or every week, but you have this place to which you can come back when you feel like it. I'm so glad too, that you're here.
💕
RE: In December 2023, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I embarked on a recruitment campaign for my newsletter.
You’re distain for self congratulatory posts does you credit - please teach me.
Do I get your newsletter I guess I do.
I love this idea of a subscription drive!
Your use of English is wonderful
‘I get it, I really do.
209 is brilliant - well, rather I’d be happy.
Introverts think, contribute and yes are maybe better placed to make sense of the world.
Tim, it's always a pleasure to hang out – albeit virtually – with you, thanks for being here!
Accolades. May your bread rise and roses be fragrant.
Sizes suede suits . Wrings wrinkles rhymes with willow weeping wide open mouths; gapes that grip the tongue twisting tourniquet to take you down to the edge and close the eyes to sleep.
Wring out the new year with joy and write the notes that will bring music to the symphony .
Right back atcha, Richard. With you on Substack, joy and music will follow me everywhere.
Richard, you always say the right words, thank you!
Right, left, words that knead the response of a written message when I am awake wondering why.
The alliteration, the brilliant, bonkers brightness of your mind!
Hey Portia, I don’t think you’re cold and aloof here on Substack! I think you’re cool and supportive and write interesting stuff and good to be around.
All the bombardment and advice and success and pitches. Man! On and on and on they go.
But in the midst of it all one just has to look out for those strangers you talk about and if we dig them, be there for their writing.
Thanks Nicolas, you're a wise man and your writing is exquisite.
You know those celebrity endorsements published thwack all over the covers of their books? Can I use this on my Substack?
Use and abuse it even. 😂
Bravo, Portia!
Too kind!
Thanks Marco & Sabrina, travelers/raconteurs extraordinaires!
My sentiments exactly. When, hesitantly I must admit, I first joined Instagram, it was only to promote my debut novel, The Hesitant Architect.
I stayed on for the meaningful rapport with readers from around the world. But Insta is not a place for expanding on literature. So when Substack came along, it was a gift. I still haven't figured out how it works, and networking is time consuming, time better spent on writing. I do enjoy reading the articles on this platform, there is an air of leisurely musings at one's own pace, an element sorely lacking in other platforms where a frenetic demand for posting is in order. This is not a job, it is doing what we love best...
Thanks Maria, you hit the nail on the head, brilliantly said.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone, Portia. My considered view: slow and steady wins the race!
You're so right, David, thank you!
Here's a conundrum of sorts. I have more subscribers than you, but your posts regularly gather more likes and especially longer and thoughtful comments. Which one is better?
One thing I can say for sure is that, generally speaking, I'm not too keen on reading online, but I always look forward to your stories.
Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Grazie di cuore, Gianni! I think you're doing great work, making Japan seem less further but still extremely fascinating.
Congrats on your one year Substack anniversary! It is quality and not quantity that matters! 😊
谢谢, Yi Xue, I agree, and my subscribers are top quality fellas!
"I find people scary and exhausting. They do fascinate me though, and so I study them from a distance, hoping they won't notice me, or else they'll try to engage with me, only to end up disappointed and bored. I'd rather be thought of as cold and aloof. I'm not sure how I made the friends I have, but I think they deserve more credit for our friendship than I do." I feel like we are twin souls, Portia! I'm grateful for your support for my Substack and for your graceful essays. Your Substack is a haven from the storms of human egotism that rage outside. I feel lucky to have found your presence here!
Jeffrey, we're two peas in this Substack-pod, どうもありがとう. I'm even luckier to have found you!
What a beautiful, honest and heartfelt post, Portia. You’re not just a gifted writer but also have a super appreciated perspective and intelligence. Happy birthday to your Substack and it ain’t got nuffink to do with quantity, only quality. And that you got in zillions. ❤️
❤️
Thank you, my dear Margo, so happy to hear from you! You're generous and supportive, just like all the best women and men.
Congratulations on this milestone!
Your post leans into something I was just thinking about today: Substack is the first social media site I've been on where one is immediately bombarded with success stories, hints, and pitches from "gurus," some who offer cogent advice of course, and others, well...
I was a "dinosaur blogger" and had probably been blogging for three years before I timidly googled ways to make my blog more successful -- and not even financially! Just to get more readers!
On Substack, all of that is coming at us daily, and although I do hope to build my Substack to a certain degree of success, I feel that ambient pressure too and don't particularly like it.
At any rate, carry on!
Thanks Betty. I enjoy reading your Substack very much, it's like visiting a lesser known, but still beautiful France with the most charming, witty host. I think we should forget about all kinds of pressure, and stay here for the sheer pleasure of writing and discovering new things.