I was 13 at my first earthquake, walking down the 3rd floor hall on my way to lunch at Balboa High School. My only thought when the floor began to roll was, "Man, that was a BIG truck going by." Wasn't till I got home and saw the crack in the hall plaster that I understood that the truck had been an earthquake. The first of many during my California life. Must admit I got a bit blase about the whole thing. The fires, on the other hand, NEVER got blase. They still scare the be-jesus out of me. Even from 3,000 miles away.
Your piece is jaunty,upbeat. and lovely! I used to live in SF and man oh man, once you've been in an earthquake you don't forget it quickly. Sending love
Reading something you've written will never not make me happy. Even the bits that tighten my throat to prevent sobbing: something about the way you regard the universe and repackage it into language just makes me think, while reading it: "Now, THIS is a wonderful reason to be human -- that I can read this." Thanks as always!
Dear, dear Susan--oh, how I have missed thee and thy wonderous wordings! Thanks to Brenda, I've found you. Reading the excerpt from "The Library Book" hit me again with the power of your writing. Your unique blend of head and heart, purpose and passion, along with your deliciously wicked sense of humor has never failed to satisfy. I'm so happy to catch up with you here on Substack and look forward to delving into Wordy Bird archives!
When I read your writing I feel like I can breathe. In these tumultuous times that's no small thing. Thank you, dear one, for shining your light in the darkness and modeling for those of us who wrestle with words how to bring your most authentic being to the page. And, of course, your inimitable sense of style...love you, gal.
Perfect word picture of a quake. Brings back memories of the ‘71 quake - the aftershocks put you on edge for weeks. Even now, when a small quake rumbles we freeze and look for a table to crawl under.
Wow! Encountering flames on a drive to the grocery could be considered next-level dystopian. Stay safe and thanks for re-posting the 1994 Talk of the Town piece.
Yesterday at a Zoom event someone said, "We are all Angelenos now..."
Thanks for, as usual, the wonderful writing. My very tenuous connection to the Northridge Quake is that it caused Ian McLagan, keyboardist for the Faces and the Small Faces, to decide to leave LA. (The quake also caused Bruce Springsteen to relocate back to New Jersey since, as he wrote in his memoir, whatever its faults, at least in Jersey, the earth doesn't move.) McLagan ended up in Austin, TX, where he formed a band, called The Bump Band. For many years, the band would play and Mac held court during happy hour at the Lucky Lounge (now gone). My late husband and I came so often that Mac got to know us and would always greet us by name when we arrived. He was a lovely man, a great storyteller as well as a first-class musician. I made a lot of lasting friends among the other "regulars." Sadly, Mac passed away in 2014, but many people here still remember him fondly and miss him. He added a lot of enjoyment to our lives, and so I will be forever grateful to that terrible earthquake for bringing Mac to Austin.
Thanks for the memories. I mean, I remember reading it, not living through it. It does somehow tie in the tragic fires we are dealing with. LA has some of the finest humans anywhere, and I’m proud to have made it our home some five years back. Her diversity is her strength, and we are united.
adapting to circumstances like you did here is quite a skill🤗
I was 13 at my first earthquake, walking down the 3rd floor hall on my way to lunch at Balboa High School. My only thought when the floor began to roll was, "Man, that was a BIG truck going by." Wasn't till I got home and saw the crack in the hall plaster that I understood that the truck had been an earthquake. The first of many during my California life. Must admit I got a bit blase about the whole thing. The fires, on the other hand, NEVER got blase. They still scare the be-jesus out of me. Even from 3,000 miles away.
Your piece is jaunty,upbeat. and lovely! I used to live in SF and man oh man, once you've been in an earthquake you don't forget it quickly. Sending love
As I have been reading "The Library Book," I keep calling out to Annie and reading passages aloud. So timely.
That’s a huge compliment! To write something that calls out to be read aloud!!!!
Reading something you've written will never not make me happy. Even the bits that tighten my throat to prevent sobbing: something about the way you regard the universe and repackage it into language just makes me think, while reading it: "Now, THIS is a wonderful reason to be human -- that I can read this." Thanks as always!
Dear, dear Susan--oh, how I have missed thee and thy wonderous wordings! Thanks to Brenda, I've found you. Reading the excerpt from "The Library Book" hit me again with the power of your writing. Your unique blend of head and heart, purpose and passion, along with your deliciously wicked sense of humor has never failed to satisfy. I'm so happy to catch up with you here on Substack and look forward to delving into Wordy Bird archives!
When I read your writing I feel like I can breathe. In these tumultuous times that's no small thing. Thank you, dear one, for shining your light in the darkness and modeling for those of us who wrestle with words how to bring your most authentic being to the page. And, of course, your inimitable sense of style...love you, gal.
Love your writing. So concerned about LA area. My Great Aunts lost their home.
Perfect word picture of a quake. Brings back memories of the ‘71 quake - the aftershocks put you on edge for weeks. Even now, when a small quake rumbles we freeze and look for a table to crawl under.
Vivid from start to finish
Wow! Encountering flames on a drive to the grocery could be considered next-level dystopian. Stay safe and thanks for re-posting the 1994 Talk of the Town piece.
Yesterday at a Zoom event someone said, "We are all Angelenos now..."
Thanks for, as usual, the wonderful writing. My very tenuous connection to the Northridge Quake is that it caused Ian McLagan, keyboardist for the Faces and the Small Faces, to decide to leave LA. (The quake also caused Bruce Springsteen to relocate back to New Jersey since, as he wrote in his memoir, whatever its faults, at least in Jersey, the earth doesn't move.) McLagan ended up in Austin, TX, where he formed a band, called The Bump Band. For many years, the band would play and Mac held court during happy hour at the Lucky Lounge (now gone). My late husband and I came so often that Mac got to know us and would always greet us by name when we arrived. He was a lovely man, a great storyteller as well as a first-class musician. I made a lot of lasting friends among the other "regulars." Sadly, Mac passed away in 2014, but many people here still remember him fondly and miss him. He added a lot of enjoyment to our lives, and so I will be forever grateful to that terrible earthquake for bringing Mac to Austin.
I love your imagery and humor. That poor guy.
Thanks for the memories. I mean, I remember reading it, not living through it. It does somehow tie in the tragic fires we are dealing with. LA has some of the finest humans anywhere, and I’m proud to have made it our home some five years back. Her diversity is her strength, and we are united.