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Sandra Ann Miller's avatar

So good, Caroline. And Warsan Shire put into perfect words my feelings on relationships. Need to put that on a pillow, a t-shirt and a tattoo (if I could commit to something that long). xo

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

YES! I want it on a tote. Maybe a hat. And also a tattoo which I, too, struggle to commit to. It makes me slightly sad I didn't have that quote during my filling-out-a-dating-profile days, but maybe that's better for everyone.

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Nicole Christie's avatar

Isn't that just the best relationship advice? I like your idea of putting it on something - if there's an illustrator out there who would like to create something from that quote, I know I'd gladly snap up a print and frame it for my house. :)

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Sandra Ann Miller's avatar

Exactly. It makes me want to whip out my old cross stitch stuff (which I haven't done since middle school LOL)! xo

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Oh my god. That Annie Dillard quote is like medicine to my soul. My natural impulse is to hoard and grasp at all my intellectual pursuits - I scratch them into notebooks or notes on my phone...but then never look at them again 😅 I’m immediately hanging this quote over my desk. Thank you!

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SKM's avatar

What a digest of gems! To digest, actually, and to save for reflection. Grateful for your hard work in assembling this post! Wonderful. Thank you!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Patty Barrett's avatar

Tawdry is such a fun word! Its synonyms - gaudy, trashy, garish, showy, vulgar, tasteless - all sound like insults thrown at women who are just TOO MUCH. I love the idea of embracing those qualities and being kind at the same time. It's the ultimate 'fuck you' to society to wholly embrace who you are, poor taste and all, and be kind to others even when the world itself is unkind.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Hear, hear! Tawdry is a great word. (I appreciate that it almost sounds like a nice name... like Audrey.) As someone who holds glitter, women, and kindness in very high regard, I couldn't agree more.

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

Yowza. Thank you for this feast of goodness. I feel the need to become a paid subscriber...right...now.

And thank you for this:

Because right now, there is

someone

out there with

a wound

in the exact shape

of your words.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you! ❤️ I really appreciate it.

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Maddie Burton's avatar

Re: "You can’t arrange life, it happens around you" from @Madeleine Dore—oof, going to be thinking about that one for awhile!

If you're still taking questions for your AMA, I'd love to hear more about your relationship to writing, as both a creative outlet and a career, and how that relationship has shifted and changed over the years.

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Meg Wardle's avatar

So many gems to bookmark from this edition! Okay, some questions below but totally okay if it’s too late :)

Favourite podcast or podcast episode?

What do you love most about NYC? I’ve never visited and live in another country so I’m always curious about this. I feel New Yorkers in general can’t really pinpoint specific things but rather describe a more intangible attachment. A feeling or a magnetism, if you will. Would love to know your thoughts!

What is something that’s been surprising this year?

If you’d like to, speak to a time when something didn’t live up to your expectations.

💛

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Such wonderful questions! I love them all. And no, not too late. :) Thank you so much, Meg!

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Ramya Vivekanandan's avatar

So much wisdom and sage advice! Upon turning 45 a few days ago, I found myself penning and sharing a list of life lessons I've learned, so reading this round-up resonated loudly. Thank you!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you! Happy belated birthday! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

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Caitlin's avatar

This was so good Caroline, thank you! I enjoyed the condensed version of the Wednesday

post and it’s funny how even something I’ve read before can hit different on another day. Other things I would love to know for your Ask Me Anything: how you decide what tarot deck to use each week, daily rituals, favorite NYC restaurants. Thank you!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much. Wonderful question topics, I love them all!

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Kenneth Mills's avatar

A beautiful reflection on your selection of interviewees! And another intriguing tarot. My friend Henry reads the cards too. You and Henry are the only ones to get me intrigued... Would you pull a card for me, in due course, of course? (I know you're swamped!, a good thing)

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you! And of course! I would be most happy to.

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neema's avatar

How did you become such an expert with tarot? Thanks again!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Love this one. I was about to write out the answer here and then remembered I asked for questions. :) Thank you!

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dangie's avatar

This was immensely helpful to read--thank you!

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June Girvin's avatar

Annie Dillard. Every time.

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Thomas De Moor's avatar

Great post! That Sean Thomas Dougherty is fantastic.

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