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Nikki Broadwell's avatar

The wealth disparity is astounding--I could barely believe the prices you mentioned! It means that there a lot of people who can afford to pay them...disgusting at best and horrifying at worst. The company of an animal YES. Hummingbirds at my feeder...dappled light, wind...

thanks for this piece--well written and to the point!

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Komal's avatar

You are such a powerful writer! ✨️

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much. 💛

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J.T. Murphy's avatar

So many of your ideas made me pause to think more deeply. I am grateful for your insights!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you! That means a lot.

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Christina's avatar

Thank you Caroline! Your words always feel like a balm.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Christina!

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Justine's avatar

This article is why I subscribe! Thank you

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you for being here.

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Claire Star's avatar

I so admire how you manage to articulate (beautifully, no less) the fleeting thoughts in my mind and take the time to carefully catch them, examine them, and ponder their meaning with us. Your writing is a gift.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much, Claire.

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David Roberts's avatar

When I saw the debate, i thought about the Emperor folktale. I was sad and afraid that Biden would not give way. I was elated when he stepped down for Kamala..

As for the Hamptons, some people live down to the stereotypes. On the other hand, on Saturday night I was with a friend who held his annual benefit at the East Hampton airport for a school he started in Haiti after the earthquake many years ago.

Hundreds of people bought tickets to come and local artists donated their art to help raise money. it was heartwarming to be part of the event. Nothing fancy at all about the event. Such a contrast to the prices at that store. In Haiti, two dollars can feed a child at the school.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

This is just beautiful. It soothed my soul. And that Pagan Otherworlds deck!! How lovely! ❤️

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, friend. ❤️

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Kristin's avatar

Top notch post, thank you for sharing your heart.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Kristin.

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Meg Wardle's avatar

Thank you for this ✨ such a powerful piece.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Meg.

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Sally Jupe's avatar

As always Caroline you literally show us in your writing the truly ‘pointy and barbed’ parts of experiencing life on this earth as a human being and then smooth them off so beautifully with a finale of words that etch deep into our souls. I only thought today as I sat happily tending my garden in the shade of a beautiful pine tree, who needs anything more than this. Long may you bring us joy 🌷

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Nishant Jain's avatar

> Hope, against a ticking clock.

❤️

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

❤️

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Sharyn NT's avatar

Caroline,

Have you equated President Biden as one of the emperors with no clothes? Perhaps I'm missing something. There is no equal comparison between Biden and Trump.

As I am old enough to be your mother, with a daughter just about your age, I have felt the angst of the "end of the world" since my youth. Population explosion, environmental degradation, corporate and individual greed, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, and religious intolerance has led me to long think that my Biology professor was correct in saying the insects shall inherit the earth. Humans will destroy themselves.

And yet I try with all my might to never give up hope and continue to do what I can, what is in my control, to delay the inevitable. I will continue to champion the good causes that lift up all people and remain hopeful that the younger generations will, once and for all, save the planet.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

No, that was not my intention. I agree that there is no equal comparison between them. What I meant to invoke is that the last few weeks (particularly since the debate) have been rife with the sort of noise and blame and pageantry at the heart of this tale, and the public (including some folks whose inclination was to look away) has been forced to take note — and hopefully, to grasp the stakes. Not a perfect metaphor. I share your hope for the future and the faith that we may do what is needed to save our planet.

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Sharyn NT's avatar

Thanks for clearing that up for me and pointing out that, hopefully, everyone has now grasped that our democracy is what is at stake. It had been excruciating for me to witness the ageist vitriol and such disrespect for President Biden after such a poorly moderated "debate".

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Patti's avatar

I love this. Thank you for the Tuesday surprise!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Patti. 💛

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Ramya Vivekanandan's avatar

What a joy to come back home after three weeks out of the country to Kamala as our nominee - the hope and excitement are palpable, at least where I live. Another joy? Catching up on my favorite Substacks, yours being towards the top of that list, Caroline! Loved this piece and the sentiment about hands: “Hands translate excitement into action. They connect. They build bridges. They unite. They write beautiful music and provocative comments and fiery manifestos. They set the world ablaze, and they build it back anew.” May all of our hands work in service of a better world 🙏🏾

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Anna Schott's avatar

"I am also intimidated by gallery-style minimalism — white clothing, white carpets, white furniture — as though my presence will spontaneously manifest a large, lidless coffee that I have no choice but to spill." ...reminds me of my husband, who refuses to eat anywhere with white linen tablecloths.

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