I loved this post so much. I know from which you speak--about all of it--the pains, the planes, and the plans thwarted. Your stories never fail to impress and amuse. xx
Same. This was a fun read! Also, my day would have been SO full circle if you'd been on Air France and they called in this guy who is both an orchestra conductor in Rome AND a pilot for Air France (he trained as a pilot at 40) to fly you back to the US.
Glad you're feeling better, that your son's okay, and I hope that guy had a great trip to Turkey.
Thank you so much, and, wow, how did I miss this?! So interesting. Thank you for sharing it! I love this "We have to get as close as we can to catastrophe." I'm going to take that into my writing this year! Thanks for reading!
Love to read your stories! I’m glad Ben is ok! How did 2025 London at new years compare to 1993?? I also want to know if Hamilton actors have English accents when you see it there!
Ha! Thank you for reading! I'd say this was a quieter NYE! :) Not much dancing, unless you count my gyrating to try to relieve my sciatica :) So funny, another friend asked me that—they didn't have English accents but I think we were the only ones in the audience who laughed at the "Everything is legal in New Jersey!" line. xx
That was a wild ride! Glad you are feeling better and enjoyed the trip despite the snafus. I’m still working on my word of the year but I think it’s actually going to be a phrase about writing shorter stuff. Ironic for someone who doesn’t want just one word of the year!
Thanks, Julie! Oh I hear you! I felt it was a bit hypocritical for me to embrace “Talk less, smile more” at the end of a very long newsletter :) Looking forward to your phrase!
Oh my gosh, Liz, what a whirlwind! This read like a wild episode of a family drama series, but I'm glad everyone is okay and I love your positive attitude. And as I sit here spiraling over what's probably just a muscle strain in my neck (because...I'm getting old too, against my will) but what I've diagnosed as 3 different things today, I absolutely need to embrace the idea of surrender! Here's to going with the flow in 2025. :)
Oh no, I hope you feel better! My old muscle relaxers were actually from a neck strain I acquired while sleeping! It was so painful. Yes to going with the flow and somehow slowing this aging business! :) Thanks for reading!
Oh my gosh, Liz. What an adventure! I could picture every scene! I covered my ears and sang la-la-la through the expired meds part though. JK. I am sure I still have a bottle pain meds in my cabinet from my shoulder surgery in 2019. We're at the age where thing just happen for no reason. Where did that pain come from? Always entertaining. Love the obligatory cat Pic. Good luck with your 2025 ins!
Hi Tom! Thanks for reading (and I'll pass along your kind words to the cats!)! Yes, these random ailments can pop out of nowhere now! I'm moving very gingerly and keeping an eye out for cats trying to trip me : ) Hope your writing is going well!
Wow! What an adventurous last month you’ve had! Your writing had me both in suspense 😮 and stitches 😂. I’m so sorry about your back- I can relate (welcome to 58) 😩, so glad your son is fine, thrilled you spent time in London (one if my favorite cities!), and laughed about the large coffee/ no sleep- sorry of my life 😂. Thanks for the recommendation of the show. I’ve just added it to my watch list. Happy New Year 🥳
Hi Natalie, happy new year! Thanks so much for reading! Yes, I love London! I'm sorry you can relate to the random injury portion of this newsletter :) I can't wait to hear what you think of Colin from Accounts! xx
When I read, "I sat on the drafty floor..." I thought, "Oh wow. At 52, I can no longer sit on the floor to wrap presents." I guess you learned that lesson too!
Yes! I had a feeling when I sat down that there was probably a better place to tackle that task but I was too lazy to carry everything to a table. I've definitely learned that lesson! :) Thanks for reading!
LIZ!!! I loved your funny spin on the challenges life has been hurling at you lately. I mean it's all good content, if nothing else. Keep 'em coming. xo
Oh my god. What stories! Liz, I read this aloud to my husband because we are in our 50s and he continues to be surprised and appalled when he gets a sudden bizarre muscle pain—not when he’s running or doing yard work for hours but in situations like this. Oops, reached down. Oops, looked over my shoulder. My worst was a back spasm that happened when I sneezed while struggling to fasten a bra. Beware of that one! Had to dig up my own expired meds and get horizontal very quickly.
I have lots of resolutions but no word. Still thinking!
I can absolutely imagine sneezing wreaking havoc on the back! Yes, that's the thing that gets me--you can't anticipate what'll do it! I kept saying, "I would understand if I'd helped a friend move ... or lifted a car off a dog (thinking of Colin from Accounts again :) )" but gift wrapping!? Glad we are in this expired med club together. Mine were from a neck strain I got while sleeping. This aging is not for the faint of heart! Looking forward to your word!
Hi Laura! Yes, it was scary! I think I won't feel 100% better until he's back home. Hoping for a less eventful return flight for him :)
I loved your book! I want to research so many of the artists you mentioned!
I completely agree! I went to a panel at a book festival in October and saw Jean Hanff Korelitz and Susie Orman Schnall and the moderator said, "Oh your characters are both named Anna!" Great minds think alike! xx
My sympathies on soldiering on with back/leg pain. I probably should not keep patching our roof because it agrravates my sciatica. And it takes weeks to tame that nerve down no matter how much aspirin I throw at it. Lately I have been watering our landlords cattle, sometimes at below zero degrees, and feeding our wild birds 5 or 6 times a day. This cold snap may not end until winter does. At least I am not juggling a job as well. It is indeed a matter of survival.
Oh I'm so sorry about your sciatica. I've had that too and it truly is debilitating. And, wow, you are brave to go out there and face the elements! I'm sure the animals appreciate your efforts and attention! Stay warm and well! Thanks for reading!
I loved this post so much. I know from which you speak--about all of it--the pains, the planes, and the plans thwarted. Your stories never fail to impress and amuse. xx
Same. This was a fun read! Also, my day would have been SO full circle if you'd been on Air France and they called in this guy who is both an orchestra conductor in Rome AND a pilot for Air France (he trained as a pilot at 40) to fly you back to the US.
Glad you're feeling better, that your son's okay, and I hope that guy had a great trip to Turkey.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/arts/music/daniel-harding-conductor-air-france.html?unlocked_article_code=1.o04.CTW2.02M2IYOJ30RM&smid=url-share
Thank you so much, and, wow, how did I miss this?! So interesting. Thank you for sharing it! I love this "We have to get as close as we can to catastrophe." I'm going to take that into my writing this year! Thanks for reading!
Thank you for reading and for your kind words! Wish I'd consulted you for a headline: Pains, Planes, and Plans Thwarted is so much catchier! xx
Love to read your stories! I’m glad Ben is ok! How did 2025 London at new years compare to 1993?? I also want to know if Hamilton actors have English accents when you see it there!
Ha! Thank you for reading! I'd say this was a quieter NYE! :) Not much dancing, unless you count my gyrating to try to relieve my sciatica :) So funny, another friend asked me that—they didn't have English accents but I think we were the only ones in the audience who laughed at the "Everything is legal in New Jersey!" line. xx
That was a wild ride! Glad you are feeling better and enjoyed the trip despite the snafus. I’m still working on my word of the year but I think it’s actually going to be a phrase about writing shorter stuff. Ironic for someone who doesn’t want just one word of the year!
Thanks, Julie! Oh I hear you! I felt it was a bit hypocritical for me to embrace “Talk less, smile more” at the end of a very long newsletter :) Looking forward to your phrase!
Wow, Liz, that’s way too much excitement! Glad everything turned out ok and you’re feeling better!
Thanks, Andrew, me too! It was quite eventful!
Oh my gosh, Liz, what a whirlwind! This read like a wild episode of a family drama series, but I'm glad everyone is okay and I love your positive attitude. And as I sit here spiraling over what's probably just a muscle strain in my neck (because...I'm getting old too, against my will) but what I've diagnosed as 3 different things today, I absolutely need to embrace the idea of surrender! Here's to going with the flow in 2025. :)
Oh no, I hope you feel better! My old muscle relaxers were actually from a neck strain I acquired while sleeping! It was so painful. Yes to going with the flow and somehow slowing this aging business! :) Thanks for reading!
Oh my gosh, Liz. What an adventure! I could picture every scene! I covered my ears and sang la-la-la through the expired meds part though. JK. I am sure I still have a bottle pain meds in my cabinet from my shoulder surgery in 2019. We're at the age where thing just happen for no reason. Where did that pain come from? Always entertaining. Love the obligatory cat Pic. Good luck with your 2025 ins!
Hi Tom! Thanks for reading (and I'll pass along your kind words to the cats!)! Yes, these random ailments can pop out of nowhere now! I'm moving very gingerly and keeping an eye out for cats trying to trip me : ) Hope your writing is going well!
Wow! What an adventurous last month you’ve had! Your writing had me both in suspense 😮 and stitches 😂. I’m so sorry about your back- I can relate (welcome to 58) 😩, so glad your son is fine, thrilled you spent time in London (one if my favorite cities!), and laughed about the large coffee/ no sleep- sorry of my life 😂. Thanks for the recommendation of the show. I’ve just added it to my watch list. Happy New Year 🥳
Hi Natalie, happy new year! Thanks so much for reading! Yes, I love London! I'm sorry you can relate to the random injury portion of this newsletter :) I can't wait to hear what you think of Colin from Accounts! xx
When I read, "I sat on the drafty floor..." I thought, "Oh wow. At 52, I can no longer sit on the floor to wrap presents." I guess you learned that lesson too!
Yes! I had a feeling when I sat down that there was probably a better place to tackle that task but I was too lazy to carry everything to a table. I've definitely learned that lesson! :) Thanks for reading!
LIZ!!! I loved your funny spin on the challenges life has been hurling at you lately. I mean it's all good content, if nothing else. Keep 'em coming. xo
Ha! Yes, all good content, never dull, right? Also, I feel like this excuses me from gift wrapping for birthdays and holidays from here on out :) xx
Oh my god. What stories! Liz, I read this aloud to my husband because we are in our 50s and he continues to be surprised and appalled when he gets a sudden bizarre muscle pain—not when he’s running or doing yard work for hours but in situations like this. Oops, reached down. Oops, looked over my shoulder. My worst was a back spasm that happened when I sneezed while struggling to fasten a bra. Beware of that one! Had to dig up my own expired meds and get horizontal very quickly.
I have lots of resolutions but no word. Still thinking!
I can absolutely imagine sneezing wreaking havoc on the back! Yes, that's the thing that gets me--you can't anticipate what'll do it! I kept saying, "I would understand if I'd helped a friend move ... or lifted a car off a dog (thinking of Colin from Accounts again :) )" but gift wrapping!? Glad we are in this expired med club together. Mine were from a neck strain I got while sleeping. This aging is not for the faint of heart! Looking forward to your word!
1. I am so glad that your son is okay! That is terrifying!
2. Thank you so much for the shout out!
3. Anna is a great name for a character--and I thought a lot about this!!!
xx
Hi Laura! Yes, it was scary! I think I won't feel 100% better until he's back home. Hoping for a less eventful return flight for him :)
I loved your book! I want to research so many of the artists you mentioned!
I completely agree! I went to a panel at a book festival in October and saw Jean Hanff Korelitz and Susie Orman Schnall and the moderator said, "Oh your characters are both named Anna!" Great minds think alike! xx
My sympathies on soldiering on with back/leg pain. I probably should not keep patching our roof because it agrravates my sciatica. And it takes weeks to tame that nerve down no matter how much aspirin I throw at it. Lately I have been watering our landlords cattle, sometimes at below zero degrees, and feeding our wild birds 5 or 6 times a day. This cold snap may not end until winter does. At least I am not juggling a job as well. It is indeed a matter of survival.
Oh I'm so sorry about your sciatica. I've had that too and it truly is debilitating. And, wow, you are brave to go out there and face the elements! I'm sure the animals appreciate your efforts and attention! Stay warm and well! Thanks for reading!