19 Comments
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Lara Carlson's avatar

I’m loving the evolution of your Substack. I’m especially loving that you are the guinea pig that I can watch as I get closer to starting mine!

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My Personal Horror Show's avatar

Hi Lara! Irena inspired me to start mine and it’s already been a very rewarding experience.

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Irena Smith's avatar

I can absolutely vouch for Jeff's Substack (https://substack.com/@newcastlejeff) and I'm not just saying that because he's a good friend. Seriously, it's REALLY good.

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Yekaterina O'Neil's avatar

Oh, “The Love Song of Alfred J. Prufrock” is my favorite poem!

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Irena Smith's avatar

It’s gorgeous, right? “I should have been a pair of ragged claws / scuttling across the floors of silent seas.”

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Yekaterina O'Neil's avatar

"...licked its tongue into the corners of the evening..."

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Erynn-Irena's avatar

I am also an Irena. Very few people “let the a stay” - and try to make it Irene…

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Irena Smith's avatar

I get irrationally aggravated by the "e" at the end—I think because the "a" was so hard won!

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Donna McArthur's avatar

A fabulous hero post, well done Irena!

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Prufrock, binging White Lotus, the tangled threads that connect families? You had me at hello. Cynical middle aged women are my people!

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Irena Smith's avatar

In that case, welcome to the loony bin! I'm delighted that we found each other.

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Jess Chermak's avatar

If I were to ever be a parent, I hope my future nine year old is just like you were.

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Stacey Lorinczi's avatar

LOVE the picture of you arriving on these fair shores. You were—and continue to be—an imp. ADORABLE!

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Irena Smith's avatar

Can I just say how much I love the word “imp”? Best word ever. ❤️❤️❤️

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Stacey Lorinczi's avatar

It’s a good one right? Neck-and-neck with “gamine,” another word you personify. 🥰

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My Personal Horror Show's avatar

Phew! For a second there I thought the title of this one was a demand for me to do something. My brain was like “I’m trying! I’m trying!”

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Irena Smith's avatar

Ha! No, all the demands are usually directed at myself by my own relentless inner monologue.

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Christy Warren's avatar

Too bad so sad made me spit on my phone (in a good way.) Thank the good Lord you are writing about you and all your humorous/smart/clever/tart salad dressing/messy/genuine-ness and not growing organic vegetables in Vermont!! That’s what has gotten most of us in this mess - is reading too much about growing organic vegetables in a beautiful idyllic land. If was only allowed to read one Substack, it’d be yours.

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Justine's avatar

I LOVE the defiant “e” to “a” story 😂 Carry on as you were. 👏🏻

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