Karen, I adore reading about your life—truly, it’s like falling into the warmest, most fascinating rabbit hole. You’ll casually drop the name of a suburb or a high school, and the next thing I know, I’m deep into Google Street View, mentally planning a walking tour of 159th Street. Thanks to you, I now know approximately 100% more about Yazoo City, Washington Heights, and George Washington High School than I did yesterday. Thank you, as ever, for sharing life with us.
Matt, thanks so much for this! It never occurred to me that someone might actually ‘visit’ (with GSV) the places I wrote about. As you say you “adore” reading about my life, I can tell you there is more to come and I am happy to have you as a reader-subscriber.
I keep thinking of where I was when you were roaming Washington Heights and going to Europe for the first time... I was secretly listening to WKBW radio after my bedtime with a radio that had glowing tubes in it; delivering papers at 5:00 AM to the Episcopal Bishop's house (he had 3 beautiful daughters)... You were one of the big kids, and very cool, and would not have noticed me had we met. I love your memories.
Yeah, I may have gotten "cool" at some point, but I started out as one of the skinny girls, with glasses--probably wishing someone like you thought I was somebody's beautiful daughter! I would have noticed you, for sure.
I do love how matter-of-factly you tell these stories, as if there was never any doubt (perhaps there truly was none, evidenced by your high school convictions) that they would not just happen but succeed. I've had some adventures in my day, but nothing that compares to yours. A shame it seems unlikely that any young person could do the same today.
Ah, “matter-of-factly” — I think that’s just my style of writing. (I don’t know any other way to write!) As for not having doubts, I don’t think I ever had a solid enough plan about the future to even be concerned about succeeding. I am glad that you, and so many others, find my life so interesting, even fascinating. What a joy it is for me to share my stories with you.
I am finally catching up with your Substack, Karen, and am loving your posts! Your life has been the embodiment of curiosity, adventure, and embracing difference. My French Canadian American dad lived in Japan (Kobe and Tokyo) for 50 years, but his was mostly an urban and Western expat experience. So I’m appreciating your very different and rich perspective. You are such a fine writer and observer (and I wish I’d experienced NYC in your time… I didn’t get there until ‘94!). Nanao must have some incredible early childhood memories! I look forward to more of your Substack posts!🌻
How wonderful to know you are “loving” my posts! I do hope you will continue to read them. Yes, regarding living in Japan, my perspective may be “very different and rich” and that is what I look forward to sharing with appreciative readers like yourself. Thanks so much for your comment.
Karen, I adore reading about your life—truly, it’s like falling into the warmest, most fascinating rabbit hole. You’ll casually drop the name of a suburb or a high school, and the next thing I know, I’m deep into Google Street View, mentally planning a walking tour of 159th Street. Thanks to you, I now know approximately 100% more about Yazoo City, Washington Heights, and George Washington High School than I did yesterday. Thank you, as ever, for sharing life with us.
Matt, thanks so much for this! It never occurred to me that someone might actually ‘visit’ (with GSV) the places I wrote about. As you say you “adore” reading about my life, I can tell you there is more to come and I am happy to have you as a reader-subscriber.
Off to a great start. I love it.
Thanks a lot, Mal. Well, it’s a start—and I’ll see where we go from here!
I keep thinking of where I was when you were roaming Washington Heights and going to Europe for the first time... I was secretly listening to WKBW radio after my bedtime with a radio that had glowing tubes in it; delivering papers at 5:00 AM to the Episcopal Bishop's house (he had 3 beautiful daughters)... You were one of the big kids, and very cool, and would not have noticed me had we met. I love your memories.
Yeah, I may have gotten "cool" at some point, but I started out as one of the skinny girls, with glasses--probably wishing someone like you thought I was somebody's beautiful daughter! I would have noticed you, for sure.
This going to be a great Substack. Good luck, Karen! I’m ready for more!
LOVE this, getting to know you, two in yet another way! And if anybody has lived a life worth writing about, it is YOU both!
Thanks so much! I'm glad to have you among my readers and trust you'll continue to enjoy reading my posts.
Congrats. Great to see you on Substack! Keep it going!
I do love how matter-of-factly you tell these stories, as if there was never any doubt (perhaps there truly was none, evidenced by your high school convictions) that they would not just happen but succeed. I've had some adventures in my day, but nothing that compares to yours. A shame it seems unlikely that any young person could do the same today.
Good to be connected here, Karen.
Ah, “matter-of-factly” — I think that’s just my style of writing. (I don’t know any other way to write!) As for not having doubts, I don’t think I ever had a solid enough plan about the future to even be concerned about succeeding. I am glad that you, and so many others, find my life so interesting, even fascinating. What a joy it is for me to share my stories with you.
😊
I am finally catching up with your Substack, Karen, and am loving your posts! Your life has been the embodiment of curiosity, adventure, and embracing difference. My French Canadian American dad lived in Japan (Kobe and Tokyo) for 50 years, but his was mostly an urban and Western expat experience. So I’m appreciating your very different and rich perspective. You are such a fine writer and observer (and I wish I’d experienced NYC in your time… I didn’t get there until ‘94!). Nanao must have some incredible early childhood memories! I look forward to more of your Substack posts!🌻
How wonderful to know you are “loving” my posts! I do hope you will continue to read them. Yes, regarding living in Japan, my perspective may be “very different and rich” and that is what I look forward to sharing with appreciative readers like yourself. Thanks so much for your comment.