Over and above the call of friendship, Jim. Thanks for having a second look. I oftennre-post and do not apologize. Some of my favorite things are hidden down in the archive. For you, too, I imagine.
Your story from a dream and artist painting inspires. I think a story read to bed bound people could have an impact on their lives and dreams. Even to read beside or on radio to the blind that listen and see in their own way places imagined.
You are right, Richard. Some times just sitting quietly with a old one is enough, and sharing a story and talking about it can be very special. And provides wonderful memories.
I hope that sometimes visiting these old posts can bring back memories of your own, James. And an appreciation of the time we've spent with our old ones. Thank you.
Well I’ll be darned….. interesting and poignant story of the origins of Bartle Clunes…. A sensitive story of your relationship and caring for your mom in the later years.
You have read the entire story of Bartle Clunes, Wade, and I always appreciated so much your comments. It is a unusual tale for the year 2024, but even for the younger generations, it can bring waves of nostalgia -- nostalgia for things they have never even experienced!
I can picture her hands, holding that piece of artwork, tracing the boots with her finger, and asking you about this man. And, between the two of you, you got to know all about Bartle Clunes, and he sat with the two of you, all those last months together, and wove an easy kind of conversation of a simple life, uncomplicated by age, illness, and how to let go. You are such an amazing writer, Sharron, and you have a way of getting to the heart of the story, and you certainly touched my heart with this one.
Aww. For heaven's sake. Thank you Sharon for these kindnesses. Whenever I begin dragging out old regrets and feelings of having failed mom in some way, I do remember all the months of us reading Bartle together. And I feel somehow better about the care I gave her.
Mighty fine. A slice of the whole world invented. I've sent it on to my daughter and grandkids. They should know there is this place. Dreams open up rooms in your mind, and the inside people take over. Its a good thing. )))
Oh, thank you Kate, for stopping and reading this post for the second time. I appreciate so much that you read all of Bartle Clunes and found something there that rang bells for you -- and that you shared it with others. A true friend.
This was really lovely, Sharron and a wonderful explanation of how a tale came to be.
“He was either going to ask her to marry him or he was going to buy one of her dogs. He hadn't decided which. The only thing he did know was that he was done living alone."
Such a great paragraph in a story I’m really looking forward to reading 🙂
Oh, thanks, Daniel. Bartle Clunes is not for everybody and I do not pretend to having any great expertise. Far from it. But, darn it, you might give two chapters a try? You are too young to feel any nostalgia for the setting, but the older rhythms of the language might appeal, the English from the rural west of 1949. It is the English of my mom and grandma. I tried to stay true to it.
I'm not sure I read this story previously, but how perfect. You and your Mom sharing the writing of this lovely book together. . . and it is a very special book.
Oh Sharron, this is absolutely wonderful. I must have missed this post the first time around, because I didn't know that Katy and her question about a picture had sown the seed for Bartle Clunes. What a gorgeous story. x
I really enjoyed reading Bartle Clunes and how that community grew as people found their way into its heart. So refreshing and calming and REAL in these days of social media mayhem and disaster news reports. The world may blow up, but little places back in the hills of the world will survive. I still have my copy in the basket next to my favorite chair. It's a special book by a special friend and to stow it in a bookcase with the other "stuff" would be a travesty.
Thanks Jim. I KNOW how many Substack stories are collecting in your inbox right about now, so it means a lot to me you would give my post a second glance. I think it would be nice to bring two or three of your first stories out of the archive and re-post for your new subscribers ( and me.). Dianna and the Sharks, My Own Son, Weather Report? All terrific.
Thank you, Sharron. I always look forward to reading your stories. It would just be a little easier to concentrate if I weren't on hurricane watch every two weeks. Another one incoming!
When I first read Bartle Clunes, I fell in love with the story. It was an amazing read. And this, this just adds so much more to it. I loved it Sharron, thank you.
What an amazing gift Sharron.
Thanks so much, Vikki. Truly! It was an amazing time for us both.
Sharron, just as good, the second time around. - Jim
Over and above the call of friendship, Jim. Thanks for having a second look. I oftennre-post and do not apologize. Some of my favorite things are hidden down in the archive. For you, too, I imagine.
What a good reminder of how you got started on this book, so very sweet, visualizing you there with your mother reading your story to her...
Thanks, Linda , for having a second look. It is certainly one of my favorite memories, that time with my mom.
You are a gifted writer my dear Sharron.
Oh, thanks, Susan. I lose some and win some, I know, but this is one of my best memories with my mom.
Your story from a dream and artist painting inspires. I think a story read to bed bound people could have an impact on their lives and dreams. Even to read beside or on radio to the blind that listen and see in their own way places imagined.
You are right, Richard. Some times just sitting quietly with a old one is enough, and sharing a story and talking about it can be very special. And provides wonderful memories.
Always like hearing about Katy, and Bartle. Really neat how "Bartle" came to be. Thanks, Sharron.
I hope that sometimes visiting these old posts can bring back memories of your own, James. And an appreciation of the time we've spent with our old ones. Thank you.
Well I’ll be darned….. interesting and poignant story of the origins of Bartle Clunes…. A sensitive story of your relationship and caring for your mom in the later years.
You have read the entire story of Bartle Clunes, Wade, and I always appreciated so much your comments. It is a unusual tale for the year 2024, but even for the younger generations, it can bring waves of nostalgia -- nostalgia for things they have never even experienced!
I can picture her hands, holding that piece of artwork, tracing the boots with her finger, and asking you about this man. And, between the two of you, you got to know all about Bartle Clunes, and he sat with the two of you, all those last months together, and wove an easy kind of conversation of a simple life, uncomplicated by age, illness, and how to let go. You are such an amazing writer, Sharron, and you have a way of getting to the heart of the story, and you certainly touched my heart with this one.
Aww. For heaven's sake. Thank you Sharon for these kindnesses. Whenever I begin dragging out old regrets and feelings of having failed mom in some way, I do remember all the months of us reading Bartle together. And I feel somehow better about the care I gave her.
Mighty fine. A slice of the whole world invented. I've sent it on to my daughter and grandkids. They should know there is this place. Dreams open up rooms in your mind, and the inside people take over. Its a good thing. )))
Oh, thank you Kate, for stopping and reading this post for the second time. I appreciate so much that you read all of Bartle Clunes and found something there that rang bells for you -- and that you shared it with others. A true friend.
This was really lovely, Sharron and a wonderful explanation of how a tale came to be.
“He was either going to ask her to marry him or he was going to buy one of her dogs. He hadn't decided which. The only thing he did know was that he was done living alone."
Such a great paragraph in a story I’m really looking forward to reading 🙂
Oh, thanks, Daniel. Bartle Clunes is not for everybody and I do not pretend to having any great expertise. Far from it. But, darn it, you might give two chapters a try? You are too young to feel any nostalgia for the setting, but the older rhythms of the language might appeal, the English from the rural west of 1949. It is the English of my mom and grandma. I tried to stay true to it.
I'm not sure I read this story previously, but how perfect. You and your Mom sharing the writing of this lovely book together. . . and it is a very special book.
Thanks so much, Janice. It was a special time, and it drew us even closer to share this imaginary setting, these imaginary people.
For sure and I would guess somewhere in your hearts.
Oh Sharron, this is absolutely wonderful. I must have missed this post the first time around, because I didn't know that Katy and her question about a picture had sown the seed for Bartle Clunes. What a gorgeous story. x
You are so generous, Rebecca. If my posts give you half the pleasure that yours give to me, I am glad for it. Thank you.
Oh! What a lovely thing to say! X
I really enjoyed reading Bartle Clunes and how that community grew as people found their way into its heart. So refreshing and calming and REAL in these days of social media mayhem and disaster news reports. The world may blow up, but little places back in the hills of the world will survive. I still have my copy in the basket next to my favorite chair. It's a special book by a special friend and to stow it in a bookcase with the other "stuff" would be a travesty.
You are too sweet. Thank you. When you plan a trip to California, you know where Ilve.
Bartle Clunes...The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks....gifts given...and passed along to others Ah yes!
Perfect. Yes, both are pass-along books. Thank you.
I read this last time around but it is still so touching. What a wonderful tribute to Katy.
Thanks Jim. I KNOW how many Substack stories are collecting in your inbox right about now, so it means a lot to me you would give my post a second glance. I think it would be nice to bring two or three of your first stories out of the archive and re-post for your new subscribers ( and me.). Dianna and the Sharks, My Own Son, Weather Report? All terrific.
Thank you, Sharron. I always look forward to reading your stories. It would just be a little easier to concentrate if I weren't on hurricane watch every two weeks. Another one incoming!
Hang on to your wife, your dogs and your laptop, my friend. We are praying to all the gods in your behalf. (Covering all bases.)
When I first read Bartle Clunes, I fell in love with the story. It was an amazing read. And this, this just adds so much more to it. I loved it Sharron, thank you.
Thank you, Ben, for reminding me that you have read Bartle Clunes. One of the “enlightened” crowd. Ha ha ha! I am so touched by it.