50 Comments
User's avatar
Linda Randall's avatar

Marjie, you have been, and continue to be, important to me and to where I am in life. We are the "Let's have coffee on Zoom" women, who are then too busy to do so. Or at least I have slacked for ... years. Still, you resonate in my head and body, and I go to Pieces Too Small to Use and see myself in your journey. Or pieces of myself, and I am able to use them to continue. May 2025 not be what we are afraid it is going to be, and may we rise above.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

And may we please find time for that coffee and zoom. We'll need the company either way.

Thank you. <3

Valerie Pollard's avatar

Oh dearest Marjie, friend through travail and so many oddnesses: I am so very excited and proud that your piece on adoption was selected as one of the best of 2024. Not surprised though because it’s deserved.

Onward you go!

Knees and all.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Fucking knees and all! Thank you, Val.

Line F's avatar

You go girl! Congratulations!

Havis's avatar

Excited about your article's recognition and enjoying reading along your writing journey. Thanks for always showing up.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thanks for being my chosen family. <3

Debbie Foster's avatar

This, and you, have been a bright spot in the utterly crazy and crazed world we live in.l

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thank you so much.

Doris R Oppenheimer's avatar

Marjie you write so well . Hope the vertigo clears up.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thank you! It’s here to stay I’m afraid, but it’s now intermittent. A huge improvement!

Victoria SkyDancer's avatar

Came for the tea, stayed for the lovely anecdotes. You have a way with words. Sending warm(er) weather vibes from SoCal.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thank you! The tea shall return. Moving and tea content are difficult, it turns out.

Victoria SkyDancer's avatar

I understand the Settling In process after a move. Take your time. I have plenty of tea. 😉

Luke Alonso's avatar

First, let me say that while I knew most of the tough things you’ve been through (and you didn’t even mention renovating a wooden box into a house from far away, and then moving house) over the last two years, I didn’t know all of it. Damn.

I have been, and continue to be enormously grateful for your love, humor, company (even when not physical), and inclusion of me and mine. I know, we’re family, but some family is more family than others.

Congratulations on making the Best Of list. It is, I’m sure, entirely well deserved. I look forward to hearing more self-deprecating tales of your success.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thanks, cousin o' mine. I look forward to more face time together when the weather isn't as... whatever the hell THIS is.

Char Wilkins's avatar

Hard to keep up with you Marjie, so I’ll be content to follow a few feet behind, listing slightly to the left. I didn’t realize you’ve been pecking away here for two years making people cry and think and laugh and maybe even hit the pause button and relax. Lucky them, lucky me. So glad life stumbled us on our paths and we fell in together. BTW, you signed up for a class on January . . .

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Seriously, did I? 😳

So glad our paths tripped across each other. Soon I’ll be recommending your Substack to all!

Jan Wilson's avatar

I like you. Very honest

Jan Wilson's avatar

I like you.

Honest

Susan A.'s avatar

It's been a pleasure to read along!

Kristie Swan's avatar

Congratulations on survival, reinvention and recognition! I do wish there were fewer miles between so a pop in for tea, coffee and beagle judgement was possible. In lieu I have been glad there is the dreaded social media and your Pieces of String.

Big virtual hug, my friend❤️

Oh, and, ya know those moving, wistful memes that make the rounds asking "if you could give younger you one piece of advice what would it be?" with all the "love yourself more", "see your beauty" responses? Mine would be "take care of your fucking knees, the bastards are unforgiving".

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Now that is wisdom. 💕

Andrea Giso's avatar

Marjie, amazing, just amazing. I am thrilled for you your piece was selected by Cognoscenti's Best Essays 2024!!!! I so look forward to reading your posts each week. You have a true gift of incorporating both humor and seriousness into your subjects. You go girl!!!!!!!!

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thank you so much!

Ann Turkle's avatar

You are deeply appreciated here in the frozen north. I look forward to your posts. I’m often pleased and surprised by how a virtual stranger’s sense of life May sync with mine. Gratifying.

May you have a good year.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thank you. You as well!

Marj Lazzara's avatar

Marjie congratulations on the Cognoscenti recognition!!! I enjoy your writing. I find that I am laughing, smiling, nodding along as I read them. Keep writing and may 2025 bring you joy, happiness, and success. Please finish the book, your adoption story needs to be heard. Merry Christmas … xoxo

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thank you. I’m soooo closeeee…