March 2025 SOLC–Day 31
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
I just finished reading “The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year” by Margaret Renkl. It’s been my companion for weeks and weeks now. It was my “breakfast book”–the one I read every day before school while I’m eating my cereal. Knowing I could turn to Margaret Renkl’s eloquent words each morning was a gift, and I turned the last page with thanks and sorrow. I will miss it.
Finishing Renkl’s book on the last day of the challenge feels particularly appropriate, as participating in the challenge has been a gift as well. This has been a year when being a part of a supportive community has felt more necessary than ever. At times, it’s been like putting on an oxygen mask. I know I can come here and breathe.
This was my eleventh year participating, and I always have such mixed feelings when the month ends. To be honest, first there’s a rush of relief. Oh, no slice to ponder over today! But then there’s regret–I wish I’d read more, commented more, had time to linger and learn. Each post I’ve read has enriched me in some way or another. Sometimes it’s a turn of phrase, or a new perspective. Sometimes it’s a shared feeling or a new connection. And I know, even as I celebrate its end, that I will miss it, too.
As I read “The Comfort of Crows”, I highlighted and underlined along the way. Sometimes I simply wrote “Yes! This whole chapter!” (It really is fabulous, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.) Renkl ends her book with these words: “I am far from feeling any confidence in the future, but when I look at the busy tableau before me, something flutters inside — something that feels just a little bit like hope.”
Obviously, she was not referring to writing in the Slice of Life Challenge, but those words sum it up for me quite nicely. Looking at this tablueau–at all of you, at all of us, sharing our lives, our highs, our lows, our dreams and our sorrows in this community– is, ultimately, hopeful. In a time of division and schism, we’ve opted to take the time to make connections. Right now, that truly is priceless.
Margaret Renkl also wrote, “If you never close your thumb around your fingers, you will make of your hand a sanctuary. You will make of your hand safe passage to the world.” Her reference was the natural world, but it occurs to me, that as we type or write with pen or pencil, our hands are cupped or open. There are no fists here.
So, thanks to all of you for building this community and a heartfelt thanks to TWT for the opportunity to do so. It’s been a privilege to write alongside all of you this month. I hope I’ll see you on some upcoming Tuesdays (although maybe not tomorrow! lol). Be well and thank you.
Nix the comfort zone 
A big ending- our breakfast book and the SOLC! We did it! You showed us this challenge is so much more than just blogging- it’s the connection and sanctuary we need so desperately.
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Yay for us! I loved our hallway cheer 🙂
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Beautiful reflection. Ordering the book.
Loved connecting this month. Hoping that spring makes its way up to Maine and that more artworking-like moments fill your days.
See you on Tuesdays whenever we both make it!
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Oh, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It’s so beautifully written.
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I’m adding this to my list. I’ve seen the book, and looked at it, but as always – – life is so busy, and with a book club going I barely have time to read the month’s selection. But…..Spring Break is coming a week from today, and I will be driving to Mississippi and needing a great listen for the ride. Thanks for sharing this one, and thanks for the month of great writing.
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I am counting the days to Spring Break (13). I will admit that each March I am supremely jealous of those who are slicing during a break.
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We did it! What a joy to write and read alongside you this month. I loved the idea you shared of writing as hands cupped or open. It is a hopeful coming together. ❤️
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It was so much fun to read your slices, now that we’ve met! I hope our paths cross IRL again before too long, but for now, I hope I’ll see you on Tuesdays!
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It’s a privilege to read your posts! I love the line you quoted from Comfort of Crows…”far from feeling confidence….but something flutters…something that feels a little bit like hope.” That sums up this month and this community beautifully.
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Your posts are a highlight of the month for me, and I so appreciate your comments on mine. It’s a comfort to be a part of this community.
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”In a time of division and schism, we’ve opted to take the time to make connections. Right now, that truly is priceless.” Thank you for this hopeful post. When you mentioned crows in the title of the book you finished (which I need to check out), I was hooked. Cheers to another year of slicing!
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It’s a lovely accomplishment, isn’t it!?
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More books? One about birds? I’m all in! I so appreciated your posts and comments.
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It’s really about so much more than birds, but it’s definitely a love song to the natural world. So beautifully written, too. I hope you get a chance to read it. I definitely will be checking out her other books.
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My daughter gave me the book for Christmas. It’s time I open its gift. Your reflection about the slicing community is so well said. We breathe together when we write together. And the connections are priceless and rich. I think I’m with you on 11 years. Maybe 12. I always end with gratitude and guilt. Feeling I could have read more, commented more. Isn’t that always the way?
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I always think I’ll be able to read and comment more, but March is such a bear of a month! The challenge is a lovely counterbalance to some of that stress, though.
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ahhh yes, we’ve taken the time to make connections – that is a gift to ourselves and other – a lasting gift! thank you for showing up every day Molly — here’s to you and all of us!
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It’s been a wonderful month writing together! I seriously considered not doing so this year, and can’t express how grateful I am that I did.
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I’m inspired with your recommendation of The Comfort of Crows-interesting concept, “if you never have to wrap your thumb over your fingers…” And then yours with writing, still with an open hand. I always enjoy reading your stories, so thank you. 🙂
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Thanks! I hope you get a chance to check out Margaret Renkl’s book. It’s definitely a new favorite of mine.
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What a beautiful reflection on the SOL challenge! It’s been so wonderful to connect with you again. I so love reading your slices and seeing your beautiful photos. You are right- we have chosen connection instead of division, and in the times that we are in right now, this is more meaningful than ever. Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable. Until next time…
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It’s such a treat to read about your adventures and you’ve sparked some more travel urges at my house. Last year we went to Croatia and Slovenia, but I just floated Georgia as a possible destination to my husband after reading your post. I admire your intrepid spirit and loved reading all your slices, even if I didn’t find time to comment on all of them.
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Molly, this was such a great post for me this morning. I have seen so many posts about The Comfort of Crows. I finally placed a request for it at my library, so it will come soon. I just wrote my poem of the day as a Golden Shovel, using her so-perfect last line as the striking line. Thank you for sharing. I love that you finished it today, along with the March challenge. It seems fitting.
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It felt so appropriate to finish up the challenge and her book together. I now need to find a new morning book though…I guess that’s my next challenge.
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Beautiful lines to highlight and share today!
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Great connection to end the challenge!
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This was gorgeous, Molly. Thank you for your always thoughtful connections and your company this month. I loved picturing your face as I read your slices each day.
These words will echo in my head for a while: “it’s been like putting on an oxygen mask. I know I can come here and breathe.”
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Ana, it’s been a joy to write alongside you this month and to read your slices. Even when I haven’t commented, I’ve read almost all that you’ve written and enjoyed every word. What a treasure you’re creating for your daughter.
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Thanks, Molly! I look forward to “seeing you” on Tuesdays (hopefully)
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