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A personal note first. What would have been my son's 53rd birthday was yesterday.

Here's one stanza from poem that for me does it all:

VI

And yet all the while you are you, you are not me.

And I am I, I am never you.

How awfully distinct and far off from each other’s being we are!

Yet I am glad.

I am so glad there is always you beyond my scope,

Something that stands over,

Something I shall never be,

That I shall always wonder over, and wait for,

Look for like the breath of life as long as I live,

Still waiting for you, however old you are, and I am,

I shall always wonder over you, and look for you.

And you will always be with me.

I shall never cease to be filled with newness,

Having you near me.

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author

Love it Mary. I know it’s an emotional time for you each calendar year. ❤️🙏

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The poem is by D.H. Lawrence. I shoulda added that!

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Jul 30Liked by Dee Rambeau

Damn Dee! That is some wonderful writing and thinking. My how you've grown these last many years (I mean this without condescension) in such remarkable and wonderful ways. I think back on the manuscript you shared with me in 2015 or so. Good, dexterous writing, but vapid, look-at-me content, IMHO then. Never shared that with you, it was the beginning of our blue period, and I just didn't feel like it; didn't know where to start and there was just too much anger coming out your mouth and pen. And now, such great depth of thinking and clarity. And examination. Softness and firmness, light and weight. RPS. How gratifying to see you take this simple game we all know, and add dimensions to it many of your readers never even thought to consider. I certainly never did. Gobsmacking and flat-out wonderful. I'll never look at that game the same way again. Thank you for that! And for what you now write in Of Sober Mind. You've brought back to my life the man who was my dear, important friend for so long. Fills my heart. Enjoy the woods. xoxo

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author

Thank you Peter—from my heart. There’s a reason I never published that self-important drivel so long ago. I appreciate you reading along now and love so much your learned comments. Love brother ❤️

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We flip a lot of coins in my house.

I’d prefer to play dodge ball sometimes, but hey I do at least attempt to use my love of balls for good. 😜

Well done Dee

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author

Dodge ball is wicked. So fun.

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So fun even though I do remember the wicked rubber burns

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Love this metaphor for context and timing! Good medicine in nature. Soak it in.

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author

Thank you DuAnne 🙏

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After Dwayne Johnson I was waiting for Edward Scissorhands. 😁. Seriously, this perspective grabbed me: “Only when we truly call into question our relationship to things can we live an examined life.” 👏

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author

I thought about Edward—but then couldn’t find a Paper follow-up 🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanks for reading James 🙏

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You might like to hear Sam Parr's newest podcast about 6 things he learned about not drinking:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5siS59iLGPi7oBtAyDMLUs?si=99d1272cfe8642f3

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author

Thank Paul. I’ll check it out.

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Jul 29Liked by Dee Rambeau

Looks like the two of you AND the dogs are in heaven. Enjoy every moment.

And thank you for the perspectives on relationships once again 😊

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author

We ARE ☺️

Thank you for reading my friend.

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I like it! Guess I have to go look at your old posts now-enjoy the outdoors my friend.

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author

Thank you sir 🫡

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