Thank you so very much, for your most delightful writing.
We, in London, have a surprisingly towering (for me) enormous statue of the brave human, Mr Shakleton, up on a raised - ten feet high, I reckon - pedestal at one corner of a lovely London street. It's in situ at the Exhibition Road, in Kensington, just across from a section of the huge vista of Hyde (&Seek) Park. A stone's throw (not that I'm into throwing stones or anything else, for that matter) from the Royal Albert Hall (my favourite music venue). RAH is right opposite the Albert Memorial...and which one can see, if one is on an incoming London flight, in that landing lane, the glide path into Heathrow, from air is so beautiful and welcoming...Albert Bridge in Battersea, aligning with these two landmarks...a gorgeous splash of pink - I love it. I'll be looking out for Mr Shackleton, next time I'm coming in...
Having earlier (awed) walked, driven past Mr Shakleton, countless times, since my substack encounter with you, I have always recalled you and your adventures...to whoever may listen to me...
My substacked shortcut to the South Pole, goes via a New Yorker. Unbelievable-y easyyy.
I love your writing it all and sharing with the world. Thank you.
Happy Spring Equinox🌛 🌌🙏🏻warmest, to you and your family, from London🙏🏻🧘🏻♀️ 💙
what a wonderful vision, sir Ernest in London, standing tall. I'll look for it next I'm in London. ever since "endurance" the book and the traveling exhibit he's been lionized -- and before, too, when his heroic story came out in the press. in many ways, I don't think he was a great man. a great leader, perhaps, and an equalizer unlike the imperious Scott and other navy men of the era. "Shack" as his men called him, was forever returning to Antarctica until he died en route to yet another (failed) expedition. I believe his wife was a long suffering soul, repeatedly left behind and never much money to feed the kids. oh well. thank you for your generous words and for reading! my warmest back at you!
Love your writing. Even with everything you’ve said, I would still fantasize about all the constraints and complaints of being a cook in Antarctica. I don’t think it’s high enough on my bucket list to do it though. But I’m really grateful that you’ve represented. And beautifully.
When I read the title that we all have our white south, I literally thought your underlying meaning was that everybody has an oppressive white racist south!
I know! that Shackleton comment has a whole other meaning and I did consider not using it but it served my purposes so I went ahead. and thanks so much for reading and for the kind words. I hope you find your way to knocking off a few items on your own list!
I'm happy that you will continue this SubStack, I look forward to hearing about baking and dead houseplants.
I can relate to your first paragraph. On returning from the ice people often say, "This must feel so hot to you." My answer is always no. I (we all?) just adapt quickly. I suppose it can be chalked up to expectations - I know it will be cold on the ice, I prepare for the cold, so it seems normal. At home I'm prepared for home temperature, and if it is chilly for home I feel chilly. Similarly, I expect long hot showers, fresh produce, and family/friends - so those very quickly feel normal. As you say, we must work to remember and appreciate that normal.
Welcome back!
Thank you so very much, for your most delightful writing.
We, in London, have a surprisingly towering (for me) enormous statue of the brave human, Mr Shakleton, up on a raised - ten feet high, I reckon - pedestal at one corner of a lovely London street. It's in situ at the Exhibition Road, in Kensington, just across from a section of the huge vista of Hyde (&Seek) Park. A stone's throw (not that I'm into throwing stones or anything else, for that matter) from the Royal Albert Hall (my favourite music venue). RAH is right opposite the Albert Memorial...and which one can see, if one is on an incoming London flight, in that landing lane, the glide path into Heathrow, from air is so beautiful and welcoming...Albert Bridge in Battersea, aligning with these two landmarks...a gorgeous splash of pink - I love it. I'll be looking out for Mr Shackleton, next time I'm coming in...
Having earlier (awed) walked, driven past Mr Shakleton, countless times, since my substack encounter with you, I have always recalled you and your adventures...to whoever may listen to me...
My substacked shortcut to the South Pole, goes via a New Yorker. Unbelievable-y easyyy.
I love your writing it all and sharing with the world. Thank you.
Happy Spring Equinox🌛 🌌🙏🏻warmest, to you and your family, from London🙏🏻🧘🏻♀️ 💙
what a wonderful vision, sir Ernest in London, standing tall. I'll look for it next I'm in London. ever since "endurance" the book and the traveling exhibit he's been lionized -- and before, too, when his heroic story came out in the press. in many ways, I don't think he was a great man. a great leader, perhaps, and an equalizer unlike the imperious Scott and other navy men of the era. "Shack" as his men called him, was forever returning to Antarctica until he died en route to yet another (failed) expedition. I believe his wife was a long suffering soul, repeatedly left behind and never much money to feed the kids. oh well. thank you for your generous words and for reading! my warmest back at you!
I like where you’re going with this and I LOVE the family photo. ❤️
Love your writing. Even with everything you’ve said, I would still fantasize about all the constraints and complaints of being a cook in Antarctica. I don’t think it’s high enough on my bucket list to do it though. But I’m really grateful that you’ve represented. And beautifully.
When I read the title that we all have our white south, I literally thought your underlying meaning was that everybody has an oppressive white racist south!
I know! that Shackleton comment has a whole other meaning and I did consider not using it but it served my purposes so I went ahead. and thanks so much for reading and for the kind words. I hope you find your way to knocking off a few items on your own list!
I'm happy that you will continue this SubStack, I look forward to hearing about baking and dead houseplants.
I can relate to your first paragraph. On returning from the ice people often say, "This must feel so hot to you." My answer is always no. I (we all?) just adapt quickly. I suppose it can be chalked up to expectations - I know it will be cold on the ice, I prepare for the cold, so it seems normal. At home I'm prepared for home temperature, and if it is chilly for home I feel chilly. Similarly, I expect long hot showers, fresh produce, and family/friends - so those very quickly feel normal. As you say, we must work to remember and appreciate that normal.
indeed! and I am cold in NYC as well--humidity and lack of proper clothing?
Cree: Thanks for taking us along!
thanks for reading!