What do we need to know about a person in order to like them? Before she wrapped her leftover buttered toast inside a paper napkin, I didn’t know whether I liked her or not. Then, when she wrapped up her toast in the napkin, I suddenly loved her. Before she wrapped up her toast, she had been making an effort to show herself to be a sophisticated and an impressive young editor from a respected magazine. Then, when she did that, the performance dropped; not only was she underpaid, the gesture said, but she really liked toast. She liked toast even more than she liked being admired.
~ Sheila Heti, Motherhood: A Novel (Henry Holt and Co., May 1, 2018)
Portrait: Sheila Heti
Live & Learn 
I love it!
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Thanks Marlan. Me too….
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Oh, to write like that…
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Exactly.
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what a beautiful expression… I loved it too, sometimes details hit us more…. Thank you, Love, nia
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Yes. Exactly Nia. Thanks.
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the real person revealed. human connection
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Yes.
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So beautiful…
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It is….
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Nothing more delightful than the ruminations of a keen observer. This is wonderful, pal, and not for nothing, but it made me think of your writing. You have a wonderful way of watching and describing the world around you, noting behaviors or sartorial details that help to tell a story….
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Awwww. Thank you Lori
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I could not agree more, Lori!
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Lori, you took the words out of my mouth – I had the feeling I should read the comments before giving my thoughts away (on the reader only where one can’t see the comments!). I am glad I did that – because we are truly on the same wavelength! 😉
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
It’s always best to reserve a decision until more information is known … being oneself if better than being fake!!
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And that is why I have a ziplock bag in my handbag …. 😉
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Ha!
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The little things…
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Words. 😀
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Little things can say a lot.
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Don’t they though.
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I would love to have learned to be an expert in interpreting body language. I know it’s not exactly the same as what you’re saying in this post, but little actions say a lot and people’s facial expressions and movements of head, arms, legs, hands – they all send non-verbal messages. I find it a fascinating subject.
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Me too Anneli
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sometimes people say when they are done or finished beyond a reasonable foreseeable future ” i’m toast”
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Love that! Smiling.
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To see authenticity in a world where everyone is pretending, is a gift. Beautiful writing
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Really is.
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My mother always wrapped up the toast and took it. Not for herself, but for the birds and squirrels. Her heart was big and kind. How I miss that little gesture, and her.
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What a wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing Lee.
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