tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post2237803085100430254..comments2023-11-24T12:31:19.294-07:00Comments on Microcosm: PeripheriesStacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-10694242927856261022013-03-31T18:03:36.232-06:002013-03-31T18:03:36.232-06:00Jean, I can barely imagine how a diagnosis like th...Jean, I can barely imagine how a diagnosis like that must bring all parts of life into a different focus. I've actually always enjoyed the small things on the periphery, at least to an extent--probably the result of always being a slow-poke! The social part of the periphery is harder--I'm not naturally quite as reclusive as I'm forced to be. It means a lot to know that joy does come across in my writing. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that joy is a skill that can be practiced like anything else.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-668701266230252732013-03-11T11:22:40.148-06:002013-03-11T11:22:40.148-06:00Stacy, When I was diagnosed with cancer 15 years a...Stacy, When I was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, it jolted me out of the busy center of my life and forced me to pay attention to all the things I'd been ignoring on the periphery -- because they just weren't important enough to make a central focus. I hope this doesn't sound too Pollyanna-ish (I do have those tendencies :-|), but that experience taught me to slow down and pay attention to the small things on the periphery because that is where so much of the joy of living is. I find your writing imbued with that joy. -JeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-88386788835201894882013-03-10T20:14:09.634-06:002013-03-10T20:14:09.634-06:00Sunil, having to be on the periphery because of th...Sunil, having to be on the periphery because of the intolerance of other humans is just incredibly sad. I'm so glad that's changing. As far as "normal" goes, it does seem as we get older that <i>noone</i> is normal--I suppose life histories bend and tweak us into idiosyncratic people for one reason or another.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-20604584199870440092013-03-07T20:02:56.525-07:002013-03-07T20:02:56.525-07:00That's really beautiful, Stacy and leaves me l...That's really beautiful, Stacy and leaves me lost for words. It made me think about how I've firmly placed myself far out on the periphery for years due to societal stereotypes and prejudices and have only recently begun to feel more "normal" - if I can ever have an idea for what "normal" should feel like.Sunil Patelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17998062749546109287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-54175107109875265672013-03-03T21:42:16.217-07:002013-03-03T21:42:16.217-07:00Diana, my nephew is good at providing recordings o...Diana, my nephew is good at providing recordings of his playing every so often--I just haven't heard him play live since he was about 12, and now he's in his mid-20's and a professional! In addition to the pleasure of being present, it would be nice to have a visual image of him playing his cello and being taller than it... <br />And thank you so much--golden is much better!Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-47587606659840268652013-03-03T21:36:41.298-07:002013-03-03T21:36:41.298-07:00Dave, I have the sneaking suspicion that if I had ...Dave, I have the sneaking suspicion that if I had a more "normal" life, I would long since have run out of blogging ideas for my little garden and would have started an "Encounters with Cactus" kind of blog instead... I'm so sorry you've been ill! Here I was picturing you off tramping happily around the Dales, and instead you were reduced to daytime TV. Any time I can make you happy to be outside on cold, damp days, slogging through mud to the tops of your wellies, in drizzle and wind and fog, you just let me know. (She said, snuggling more deeply into her afghan.)Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-2209518901197783432013-03-03T21:09:37.552-07:002013-03-03T21:09:37.552-07:00Donna, what a beautiful, poetic response--thank yo...Donna, what a beautiful, poetic response--thank you. I find that I have different attitudes toward the periphery where people are concerned--I'm more likely to find that outer edge isolating and less a place of beauty. So it's wonderful to have friends who value it and are happy to make discoveries there, too.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-56567236416776315912013-03-03T08:15:55.010-07:002013-03-03T08:15:55.010-07:00I'm wondering if someone recorded your nephew ...I'm wondering if someone recorded your nephew and his cello for you? Not the same as being there, but still.<br />For your blog readers your posts bring that luminous golden glow you captured on the grass seedheads in your last picture. Not pink ;~)Diana Studerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286066768376135880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-74559146991848269532013-03-02T18:11:06.515-07:002013-03-02T18:11:06.515-07:00Sweetbay, I'm sorry that even in a small way y...Sweetbay, I'm sorry that even in a small way you have some experience of being on the periphery at times--it's a lonely place. And thank you--I think for the most part I am coping fairly well. Years of practice, no doubt... ;)Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-26980648175302527682013-03-02T18:07:41.591-07:002013-03-02T18:07:41.591-07:00Michelle, thank you so much--what a lovely gift yo...Michelle, thank you so much--what a lovely gift your words are.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-88062235105937567092013-03-02T16:33:53.909-07:002013-03-02T16:33:53.909-07:00Ah, Janet, thank you. I'm so glad you found t...Ah, Janet, thank you. I'm so glad you found this an uplifting post--I knew it would strike home for you one way or another more than anyone. One of the things I've always enjoyed about Plantaliscious is the way you live out your own words above so beautifully--making a life that's lovely and giving and enthusiastic, while facing the fact of illness honestly. I'm sorry you're missing out on (more) big, important events. Harrumph. If CFS were a person and standing right here, I'd blow a big raspberry in its face on your behalf.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-92210648980702293962013-03-02T15:52:20.117-07:002013-03-02T15:52:20.117-07:00Holley, thank you. I'm glad. It is hard to m...Holley, thank you. I'm glad. It is hard to miss out on big (and small) events all the time--I'm really fortunate, though, to have a family that goes out of its way to make things do-able for me to the extent possible. They're really stellar that way! I'm going to have to look for little hairs on false yucca stems now (Hesperaloe?)--I didn't know there were any!Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-113395341765430452013-03-02T11:21:45.169-07:002013-03-02T11:21:45.169-07:00Beautifully written, Stacy - and a jolt when I am ...Beautifully written, Stacy - and a jolt when I am reminded of your illness. I was enjoying your focus on such a tiny part of a small plant and berating myself for often struggling on what to post about (my workplace being so big in comparison). And so I forget that that Microcosmic emphasis is imposed on you (as incredible, beautiful and fascinating as it is) rather than your choice. If it is of any comfort, I've been ill and laid up on my sofa these past couple of weeks watching old movies (and new ones) and day time telly (yep, I was that bad!). I'm back at work now and was rather missing my day-time sofa. Thanks to this post I don't now and I realise how very lucky I am. Small comfort to you perhaps but thank you anyway. DaveDavid Marsdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10194429506546837258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-21871138371899686052013-03-02T10:58:13.870-07:002013-03-02T10:58:13.870-07:00Stacy I rely on the periphery for the magic to app...Stacy I rely on the periphery for the magic to appear...it is those things that appear in my periphery, that I do not miss, that seem to be the extraordinary...much like you. If I did not pay attention to the extraordinary that appears there, life would be less interesting and beautiful. Because you linger there, I am more blessed as your words express views I seem to lose track of.... but they are there right on my periphery. Donna@Gardens Eye Viewhttp://gardenseyeview.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-92137850585936953942013-03-01T21:34:09.414-07:002013-03-01T21:34:09.414-07:00Tony you said it so eloquently.Tony you said it so eloquently.Karen Chapmanhttp://www.lejardinetdesigns.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-21579884889075291902013-03-01T20:11:08.451-07:002013-03-01T20:11:08.451-07:00I don't have CFIDS but can relate in a small w...I don't have CFIDS but can relate in a small way, about fatigue and being relegated to the periphery. It's not easy, but it sounds to me like you are coping beautifully.sweetbayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248743114944736346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-20033296401930071512013-03-01T18:55:00.722-07:002013-03-01T18:55:00.722-07:00Finding beauty in the ordinary is extraordinary in...Finding beauty in the ordinary is extraordinary in and of itself. Magic happens everywhere, especially if we pay close attention. And you do, Stacy. A beautiful post that makes it a joy to read and ponder.The Sage Butterflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06252906325012065829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-36606722038024490972013-03-01T14:07:14.581-07:002013-03-01T14:07:14.581-07:00Your words weave the same kind of magic that the h...Your words weave the same kind of magic that the hairs on the periphery of those leaves do. You write so eloquently about what this wretched illness does to us. And you balance it with the fact that we can still matter, and have lives that contain beauty. Just perhaps on a rather smaller scale. As someone who has just missed yet another funeral,and who is about to miss a much loved nephew's dedication thanks to CFS, thank you for expressing some of the reality of this skewed version of life we have, and making it an uplifting rather than depressing post.Janet/Plantaliscioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605580157193047780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-9986827298715347062013-03-01T09:25:46.685-07:002013-03-01T09:25:46.685-07:00Yours posts are magical, Stacy. They brighten up ...Yours posts are magical, Stacy. They brighten up my day, enlighten my mind, and warm my heart. I am sorry that you have missed some experiences due to your illness. It must be very hard. I imagine your family and friends miss you much more than you realize. I am reminded of my false yucca. I initially bought it for its flower, but it's the little hairs on the stems that I look for, and bring me joy when I see. HolleyGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14892421871044249940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-43433801418654143762013-03-01T06:32:11.009-07:002013-03-01T06:32:11.009-07:00Tony, thank you for those beautiful words. You'...Tony, thank you for those beautiful words. You've really touched me to the core. Thank you. Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297253093260251145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534450478022541384.post-1057501939173540332013-02-28T21:48:00.932-07:002013-02-28T21:48:00.932-07:00The most beautiful music in the world contains a d...The most beautiful music in the world contains a delicate balance of lovely melody and stressful dissonance. It seems, Stacy, that you are caught in this balance, to the extent that your dissonance compels you to find loveliness in places many of us wouldn't even think to look. It's a blessing and a curse, but to me it is just a blessing that I am able to see these things for just a moment as you do.Tony F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12484831621101007902noreply@blogger.com