I ‘bumped into’ American writer Rachel Stolzman a few weeks ago. We were both participating in Blogging 101, and found each other in the usual technological way. That’s to say, entirely fortuitously.
I stumbled onto Rachel’s blog, or she stumbled onto mine, and we liked what we saw and ended up having a conversation. She had some questions about Ireland that I was able to answer, and the fact that we live three thousand miles apart was inconsequential.
I asked Rachel for permission to reblog the piece she wrote about our meeting. She’d done such a nice job explaining the serendipity behind it. But when I reread her post, I was embarrassed by her kind words about me. I’ve decided instead to reblog a piece she wrote about reading a Flannery O’Connoressay while travelling on the subway in New York.
As it happens, this piece is a further illustration of internet serendipity. I’ve been thinking about birds recently and the Flannery O’Connor essay is a lovely tribute to one of the most beautiful: the peacock. Rachel’s post, in itself charming and pitch-perfect, led me to the O’Connor essay, which in turn led me to a wonderful Pathé video of a young O’Connor showing off her backward-walking chicken.
Which just goes to show, you should always follow the links.
I am very much an urban dweller and probably always will be. I love the city I live in and I love urban capitals in faraway lands. I love learning about the cities of antiquity too. Several years ago I visited what is touted to be the oldest city in civilization in Oaxaca. If I rememebr correctly 100,000 people dwelled on this mountain top, playing an early form of soccer and holding public trials and beheadings when laws were broken.
Like many of us though, I have rural fantasies. For the twenty years I’ve lived in NYC, my sister has lived a rural life in Northern California. The fact that she’s had chickens, goats, alternate high-maintenance power sources, and a cottage made for Snow White, has probably aided me in not succombing to my own rural fantasies. But I’ve decided in advance, in case I go rural, that the animals I want…
I loved this post and I am now following Rachel’s blog. Her book sounds fascinating, I’m adding it to my books to read list. I tried to write a comment in the comments section, but it wouldn’t work. Must be something I did or didn’t do? 🙂 ~ ellen
Rachel is a fine writer, and I heartily recommend following her blog. Her novel The Sign for Drowning is a lovely lyrical exploration of language and identity. I enjoyed it very much. I haven’t forgotten I promised a post with reading recommendations, Ellen. Consider Rachel’s novel my first suggestion. (And Flannery O’Connor’s essay the second!)
Hi Aileen, I’m so happy you chose the O’Connor blog piece to share about our lucky meeting of the minds through wordpress. Of course, I hope people also read the kind words I shared about you and how much help you offered me with my writing. We all should celebrate the kind and giving things that transpire on the internet. Speak with you soon!
Rachel, I really like that piece – and not just because it led me to the O’Connor story. It’s a lovely, leisurely tribute to the joy of reading. Looking forward to seeing what catches your eye next.:)
I am very much an urban dweller and probably always will be. I love the city I live in and I love urban capitals in faraway lands. I love learning about the cities of antiquity too. Several years ago I visited what is touted to be the oldest city in civilization in Oaxaca. If I rememebr correctly 100,000 people dwelled on this mountain top, playing an early form of soccer and holding public trials and beheadings when laws were broken.
Aileen Hunt 
Aileen,
I loved this post and I am now following Rachel’s blog. Her book sounds fascinating, I’m adding it to my books to read list. I tried to write a comment in the comments section, but it wouldn’t work. Must be something I did or didn’t do? 🙂 ~ ellen
Hi Ellen,
Rachel is a fine writer, and I heartily recommend following her blog. Her novel The Sign for Drowning is a lovely lyrical exploration of language and identity. I enjoyed it very much. I haven’t forgotten I promised a post with reading recommendations, Ellen. Consider Rachel’s novel my first suggestion. (And Flannery O’Connor’s essay the second!)
Hi Ellen, thanks for checking out my blog! I’m going your way now. Was it my comments section that wasn’t working? All best! Rachel
Thank-you Aileen!
Hi Aileen, I’m so happy you chose the O’Connor blog piece to share about our lucky meeting of the minds through wordpress. Of course, I hope people also read the kind words I shared about you and how much help you offered me with my writing. We all should celebrate the kind and giving things that transpire on the internet. Speak with you soon!
Rachel, I really like that piece – and not just because it led me to the O’Connor story. It’s a lovely, leisurely tribute to the joy of reading. Looking forward to seeing what catches your eye next.:)
This one of my favorite things about blogging. It’s the virtual friends I’ve met.