this essay ... I don't even have words. I LOVED reading every word of it. How I WISH you were still here, but ("Humidity is a spider, and Washington DC is her web." HA! so perfect!) so I get why you left ---> but I miss you and love reading this story of YOU (pl). ❤️
Old ass oyster crackers 🤣🤣🤣 phenomenal storytelling, Callie! This might be my new favorite piece of yours. I could pull a dozen quotes that made me laugh/smile/marvel. Your essays teach me a lot about writing.
I am speechless. Wow, Callie. This is stunning. The way you told a love story through place-all the pieces, all the memories-incredible. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Callie I didn’t want this essay to end. And now I feel a desire to walk down the block and sit myself on the Rehm bench and think about what is next. I’ll take more of these stories please.
I loved every line of this essay, Callie. You’re such a gifted storyteller, and I will never tire of reading your words.
The “old ass” oyster crackers made me laugh. 😆 I moved to DC in August 2006 (and it was my first time in the city ever) and I had never experienced humidity like that! It hit me like a wall when I stepped out of the airport. 🥵
The way you describe humidity cracked me up. My family has lived in Northern Virginia for over 20 years, but we spent three years in southern Georgia prior to that, so the humidity has never really phased me, but I always laugh when our friends from the north bemoan the humidity. 🤣
Haha! Yeah, we Northerners don't know what to do with ourselves in that there humidity. I used to say that June-August in DC was the Midwest's January - March.
I'd like to think that we did.
I get lost in your stories every single time. Beautiful work, Callie 👏🏽 You’re a master at weaving in the past.
Thank you, Becky. I think the past haunts me until I can make a story or two from it and it can live somewhere else.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
this essay ... I don't even have words. I LOVED reading every word of it. How I WISH you were still here, but ("Humidity is a spider, and Washington DC is her web." HA! so perfect!) so I get why you left ---> but I miss you and love reading this story of YOU (pl). ❤️
Thank you, Sonya. Oh, how we'd have so much fun if we were neighbors, wouldn't we? I'm certain we'd start a comedy show because WE ARE SO FUNNY.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
This Calvin College Alum's week has been made. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Calvin!!! I'm so glad to know this! Will you be at the Festival of Faith and Writing?
Thank you so much for reading!
Old ass oyster crackers 🤣🤣🤣 phenomenal storytelling, Callie! This might be my new favorite piece of yours. I could pull a dozen quotes that made me laugh/smile/marvel. Your essays teach me a lot about writing.
Thank you so much, Laura!
I don't know if I'll ever eat an oyster cracker again. Hahaha!
I am speechless. Wow, Callie. This is stunning. The way you told a love story through place-all the pieces, all the memories-incredible. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you, Fay.
I wasn't sure how to capture 25 years, you know? So I was grateful when the idea for place came up. I thought I'd give that a shot.
Masterful Callie. ❤️👏
Thank you, Julie!
This is so stunning. I felt like I could see every scene, it was so visual. Just lovely
Thank you, Jennifer. I was for sure trying to work that description muscle.
Thank you for reading.
Callie I didn’t want this essay to end. And now I feel a desire to walk down the block and sit myself on the Rehm bench and think about what is next. I’ll take more of these stories please.
Thank you, Rachel. I hope that bench is still there.
"More stories like this," is a very welcome request. What an encouragement. Thank you.
Loved this! Amazing storytelling. And this line will stick with me: “I do not know if teaching is a dementor or a patronus.”
Thank you, Lauren.
Yeah, teaching is a bit of an elusive wild thing. Can't seem to ever shake it.
Tuesday nights at Corby’s ☘️💙💛☘️ Thank you for sharing such beautiful moments of your family’s story, and for reminding me of my own!
Go, Irish! We're taking our oldest there for a college visit soon! (Well, not to Corby's. Haha!)
OH I hope he loves it! And that he is admitted!
This was excellent reading for my Saturday morning with coffee! Thank YOU!!!
Thank you! And thanks for reading!
I loved every line of this essay, Callie. You’re such a gifted storyteller, and I will never tire of reading your words.
The “old ass” oyster crackers made me laugh. 😆 I moved to DC in August 2006 (and it was my first time in the city ever) and I had never experienced humidity like that! It hit me like a wall when I stepped out of the airport. 🥵
Thank you, Stacy! I admit, I cracked up at the oyster cracker line when I wrote it.
Also, you were in DC in August of 2006?!?! SO WAS I!!!!!
Maybe we crossed paths! I lived there from August to December 2006!
The way you describe humidity cracked me up. My family has lived in Northern Virginia for over 20 years, but we spent three years in southern Georgia prior to that, so the humidity has never really phased me, but I always laugh when our friends from the north bemoan the humidity. 🤣
Haha! Yeah, we Northerners don't know what to do with ourselves in that there humidity. I used to say that June-August in DC was the Midwest's January - March.
Love this!!!
Thank you!