Strangers old and new
I created this picture with Microsoft’s AI image creator.
I asked for a picture with books and tea, and this was one it came up with.
Pretty, creepy, or both? You decide.
“Wherever I’ve lived my room and soon the entire house is filled with books; poems, stories, histories, prayers of all kinds stand up gracefully or are heaped on shelves, on the floor, on the bed. Strangers old and new offering their words bountifully and thoughtfully, lifting my heart. But, wait! I’ve made a mistake! how could these makers of so many books that have given so much to my life– how could they possibly be strangers?” – Mary Oliver
When I was scheduling posts to re-blog from seven years ago, for some reason there was no post for December 22. So I decided to share with you a quote I love. It has been true of my life for as long as I can remember, but never more true than now. I honestly don’t know how I could have faced the ups and downs of life as happily as I have, without the scores of authors, living or long dead, who became my friends by sharing their worlds with me. I am deeply grateful for these strangers who are, as Oliver said, not strangers after all.
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Defeat Despair 
I relate to this! Funny enough I don’t naturally think of reading as a social activity – but it is isn’t it?
Yes, it really is! At least for me. Some of my best and closest friends are authors long dead, and characters who have lived only in our collective imagination. If that makes me rather an oddball, it’s a label I gladly celebrate! And the proliferation of book clubs is evidence that there are many of us for whom reading is indeed a social pastime.
Hullo Julia it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me ! During Covid Lockdowns anyone living on their own could choose a friend as your “buddy”. This friend and only this one could visit. My friend, Faith, came here every Friday afternoon for tea/coffee, food and conversation. It was lovely and we still meet as often as we are able. During this time and even now, Faith borrowed many of my books. Yesterday, when she visited she gave me a beautiful book called A Garden a Day by Ruth Chivers ( published in UK 2023 by BT Batsford Books) and has a different garden featured on a page for every day of the year! What a marvellous book, can’t wait to start reading, maybe early new year. Dorothy 🌟
Dorothy, it is so good to hear from you. Even though we are in touch only occasionally, I do think of you often, especially when I hear any news from down under. How lucky that you had such a wonderful “buddy” to cut through the isolation of the Covid shutdown! As difficult as it was, I think we all learned some valuable lessons from that very strange time. Among which, at least for me, was the importance of those rare and special people who are “keepers,” by which I mean, whose friendship does not require ideal circumstances or nonstop excitement. I will look up the book you mentioned. It sounds lovely. This year, for my birthday, a friend of mine sent me a very special book about the Chelsea Flower Show, held yearly in London. We had planned to attend in 2020, but of course Covid had other ideas. The flower show went online during Covid and we did enjoy it, but it wasn’t the same as actually being there, of course. Nevertheless, we have not given up that ambition, though her numerous health challenges (and also my injury and Matthew’s surgery) have kept us from getting there so far. It’s on that list of travel to-do’s that still also includes a trip to Australia! You can be sure, if I ever make it there, I’ll give you plenty of notice so that we can find some way for me to treat you to a nice lunch or tea at some charming place. And of course, if you ever head to the USA, please let me know! I’ll fly out to meet you if I can. Until then, thanks so much for being here with me! ❤