This Blog's from You

I'm taking the liberty of pasting some comments people have written recently.  disclaimer:  I didn't post these as a personal tribute to myself.. I just wanted to share some of your encouragement and insight with others. 

love susie

Mike Ingersoll:

are you there yet are you there yet are you there yet! the sun here in brattleboro is blessing us with more beauty than has ever been witnessed, even by the old timers. one old timer told me today, " I've waited my whole life for this special day here in brattleboro. I knew it would come and now my life is fulfilled." That my friend is a glorious endorsement. I'm really saddened that you had to miss this most wondrous of days. Enjoy the continent of Australia( southern land) and soak up all you can. E-mail us here and let us know what's going on. Mike I

Thanks for letting me know I just missed the best day in Vermont.  Bastard. 

Ali Lichtenstein: 

Hey, Susie!  I'm reading your blog every day and trying to post comments, but for some reason they keep getting "blocked"?  Wonder if it's happening to other folks, too.  I love hearing about your adventures and your inner dialogue.  As for non-blue plateaus, the question mark goes inside the quotation marks in this case. : )   See--the old PhD in rhetoric and comp is indeed good for a thing or two.  Love you!  Keep writing....

Thank you, Ali!

Mark Crowther (husband):

actually, the older you get in Australia, the more proud and public you want your age to be known! it's all backwards down there, right?  sorry you're back in the city, but there are napkinless people all around you!

Absolutely!  Love you, Markie!

Franny Aquino (my sister)

Susie - You sound a bit bummed being in the city...It'll pass.  Take every moment with a grain of salt.  You have become our icon here! We can't wait to run to our computers in the morning to read your blog! It is so interesting - even if you are miserable at times (aren't we all?).

Your picture was in the Brattleboro Reformer today - Movie Star!!

Gina, a woman that I work with that knew you were on the trip, came to me today with the paper and said, is that your sister?  I was blown away...I felt like crying!  There you were on the front page of the second section with your hat on and looking out into the wilderness with a smile on your face!!

After reading all of your blogs, Gina is now a "Susie In the Outback" blog groupie!!

Before you know it, we will have the entire tri-state area reading your blogs, By Golly!

You are truly an inspiration - AND - you must publish a book - THAT goes without saying!

Susie - I love you so much. Keep moving forward...don't stop!

I can't wait to hear about the Great Barrier Reef adventure.  Every morning, I wake up and run to the computer (even before I have my coffee)- your blogs are even more exciting than Sex and the City episodes - REALLY!!

We all miss you so much - absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Sam and Luc are doing well - you know how boys are...

Well - ta ta for now ma petite soeur (sister in French)!

I love you -
Freeb

I love you, too Freeb.  Thanks tons for your encouraging words.  You saved my life in the airport last week, when I was ready to turn around and bolt!

Mom & Dad Fagelson:  

Susan,

   I reread todays' blog--it was SO interesting! You writing has
   wonderful humor (the art gallery guy), thoughtful information,
   wonderful metaphors, & is real, real, real, honest, worthwhile
   reading! Lots of people-to-people learning is going on in your
   head & in ours.

   Seems like you're getting into the whole adventure more
   confidently, too, so you can begin
   to enjoy it by building meaning & memories from the stuff you
   choose to see & do. This will make one helluva
   book!

   Are you getting over your jet lag, "etc?"

   We love you,
   mom  & dad
   ps Dad may call you tomorrow--he's so impressed w/ your writing. 

moochka and doodsicle!
 Thanks for the comments-- they help pave the way to feeling more confident in the entries and in staying each day (still fighting the urge to hop on board a plane and get the hell out of here).
 Jet Lag hitting harder than I thought-- whew, impressive feelings in the body.  
 lovest.

Mike Ingersoll:

boy, that is some pretty goddamn good writing.. a lot of lol moments. i'm unsure why you are reticent about taking photos.. those two sounded like great photos. sorry, i can't help you with australian history, grammar, spelling or anything that you asked assistance with, see. I like the observation that being in a group elicits less interaction with the locals. that seems to be true. from what you said about your itinerary you will have plenty of solo time. it is so weird how everyday articles are different in a foreign land, how things that you indentify immediately as to their use here in the u.s.,  there, you probably have to stop and figure them out for a minute or two. that photo of you in the blue mountains does remind me of northern arizona/southern utah. keep the blog rolling, it really is great writing. maybe you can publish it and get rich. at some time during your journey imagine that you had lived there your whole life and that this was just another day.  be very well and take in all that you can. you will never forget this! Mike I

I always knew my writing was waaay better than yours, Mike.  Thanks!  ;) 

Mike Ingersoll:

hello again. Here's another thing to experience. notice how many and how often you will see dirt paths, patches of bare earth, weeds and overgrown grass as compared to a town here in the u.s. I think we've lost that aesthetic here. cheerio, g-day,slap one on for me,right,good-golly and a solid rainy-day cross-roads blues to you, Mike I

you're a right active bloke there, mate!  bullocks!

Chuck Crowther

Dear Susie,
I was very proud to show all my friends your picture in today's Reformer and your blog. We all missed you at your mother's birthday party which Mark hosted magnificently I might add. It even included fresh trout that he and Luc had caught at Lake Raponda the day before.
Your blogs are WONDERFUL and I read them religiously every day!  Do not worry about when any punctuation either should go in or outside the quotation marks. It is a simple detail which your editors should correct when you are ready to publish. (and I strongly believe that you should publish your collected memoirs.) You have a definite style and voice that needs to be shared, and Dave and I agree a talent like yours should not "be kept under a bushel".
Keep up the good blogs or e-mails and your journaling and take time to smell the roses along the way. We all LOVE you heaps and heaps!
Chuck

Thank you for your kind words, Chuck.  I will keep the grammar, usage and mechanics to the professionals.  Love susie

The other emails were pretty personal and gushy-- and if anyone minds my reprinting, please email and I'll delete them.  susiecrowther@gmail.com

Thank you all.  Let's keep writing.

love susie