32 Comments

Chaucer also was a diplomat and made two trips to Italy in that capacity. He grew up in the Vintry, which was the part of London where the wine merchants guild was based, and he likely gained knowledge of Italian there. He almost certainly brought home manuscripts from Italy.

Expand full comment

Great point, John. I'd forgotten that he was a diplomat. Thanks

Expand full comment

Oh my God, that Sinatra piece...

Expand full comment

Great, innit?😁

Expand full comment

Such a great start to the week, Terry. Thank you for so many things to think about, and of course for the very kind shout-out! 🙌

'...two of my accessories while working in a proper job were, along with a suit/jacket and tie and, indubitably, double cuffed shirt with cufflinks, a Moleskine notebook and fountain pen!' Gosh, quite the snappy business dresser, Terry! I used to use Moleskine pocket notebooks in the days I used to carry around a handbag (rather than just shoving things in my pocket or my rucksack), and got through about a dozen of them in my time. They're so robust, and lovely to write on. I find their sizing problematic, though - their medium-size is I think US half-letter, which is narrower than the A5 I'm used to. And these days, now that I use my back pocket for it all the time, my notebook of choice is a Traveler's Company passport size - it's the perfect fit!

Speaking of notebooks, I'm going to have a look at the Roland Allen book. Thank you.

Expand full comment

The size is weird, that's for sure. I've NEVER used a handbag. "quite the snappy business dresser, Terry!" Thanks. Somewhere here, in a 'safe place ' I have a couple of pics from that time. It was because I thought it very important to be a good role model for my students. And it gave me the moral authority to insist on high standards of presentation from them.

Expand full comment

I think you're absolutely right, Terry. 🙌

Expand full comment

The week has begun! Thanks as always, Terry. A great read.

Does @Jillian Hess know about this notebook book...?

A banquet of savvy advice? How could one resist?

RE: 9/11. That day is etched into my memory forever. My random browsing of YouTube the last few days has thrown up quite a lot of videos (suggested by The Algorithm; I wasn't specifically searching) and quite a few I hadn't seen before. There's a sort of morbid fascination, I think it part because it reconnects me back to that day so clearly. It was a few weeks before I was to start university and I was about to leave for the airport (!) to go on a quick holiday to Tenerife with my then girlfriend. I don't think my mum wanted us to fly.

Expand full comment

Hi Nathan

I emailed Jillian but noticed that it was stuck 8n Drafts! Just sent it, thanks for the unwitting reminder.

Your own story about 9/11 is very poignant isn't it.

Thanks for kind words, Nathan.

Expand full comment

Phew, I can say I've achieved something today now ;)

Expand full comment

You sound like me, Nathan. I'm never happy unless I've achieved something. I even put on my to-do list "relax", just so I can tick it off

Expand full comment

Haha, yes, very much so. I think one of the main reasons I have a to-do list notebook is purely for the ticking things off aspect!

Expand full comment

Quite!

Expand full comment

Great Start The Week Terry. Loved the Too Darn Hot video. Thank you for your thoughts on 911 and the link to Mary L Tabor's fine piece. Your Spark audio talk was simply hilarious--your British wit on full display.

Thanks for the mention in your comment on Sharron Bassano's "The Room." Yes, Sharron and I often send each other drafts of our works-in-progress for suggestions/critiques. She is the best friend I've never met and the only time she gets cross with me is when I say "lay" when I mean "Lie." I have found substack writers to be very generous and supportive.

Also, by all means subscribe to Meg Oolders and Jim Sarasu! They are both terrific

Expand full comment

Thanks for kind words Jim. Sending each other drafts is nice. @rebecca Holden and I send each other out draft letters in advance. Ha! I corrected someone (by email) a little while ago as they had used laid instead of lay. Lay, laid, lie, lied -- it all depends on context. Yes hee 😆

Expand full comment

It may well be too darned hot, but Terry Freedman, you are too cool for school today! So many interesting topics for the start of this week. I want you to know I recognize how much thought and work you put into building these posts, and you never fail. Your shout out was such a delightful surprise, Terry. I saw that and I turned into an 8 year old with brand new shoes. It does not take much to thrill me! Thank you.

Expand full comment

Ooh thanks Sharron. As it happens, one of my many names is Mr Cool 😎 Love your metaphor. You have a great command of literary language, Sharron

Expand full comment

Love that video! I don't do well with heat either.

Expand full comment

Yes it's great, innit. No, I prefer cold over heat, although heat without humidity is fine

Expand full comment

I just lose all energy when it's too hot out. Such a lightweight. 💜

Expand full comment

😉 you're not alone

Expand full comment

I hope the ability to upload photos is coming soon to comments. I'd post a completely wilted flower.

Expand full comment

It would be great if we could include pics. You can in Notes, so I suppose a workaround would be to post a Note with the photo of a wilted flower, and then post a link to the Note in a comment

Expand full comment

I've done a bit of posting on Notes. I'm always a slow grow with new technology. 💜

Expand full comment

I was just wondering if you still had the film of your sister eating the pear backwards?

Expand full comment

Yes and no, Olga. It's a cine film, so I need to get it converted. E met someone who does that, so hopefully I'll be able to feature it at some point 😂

Expand full comment

Oh my, those 2 books you mention look like they are perfect for me.

Expand full comment

From my brief look through I would recommend them.

Expand full comment

The variety and generosity in this post: marvelous, along with your sense of humor, Terry, always. And thank you so for the mention of this post that means so much to me on this day of all days--so I'll include the link, something I try not to do, but today, yes! https://marytabor.substack.com/p/speak-on-9-11

Expand full comment

Thanks, Mary. I did include a link (in the word 'speak') but a more explicit mention is very welcome.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
September 11, 2023
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Thanks, Mitchell. Sorry I should have been a bit clearer. I think New Journalism is different from just producing content. Or should be

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
September 12, 2023
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I definitely cannot afford to hire quality people. You know what they say: pay peanuts and you get monkeys. 😂

Expand full comment