Hey there. Hope all is well with you, readerfriend. So, this week I messed up and hit the publish button on a piece I had just written, By the time I realized what I had done/ it was too late. Which means my Friday essay got born on Wednesday. Oh well. I’m an idiot sometimes. What can you do? Even so, I didn’t want folks who are used to hearing from me on Friday mornings to have to miss out on their tiny fix.
No surprise here, I love this space, the words, the photos. All of it. I value your honestly. Your willingness to bare (and yes, I almost wrote bear...) your soul. It's raw, this writing, and that's what makes it feel real. It's why your words resonate with me.
I think you can guess what I'd love to read more of. But I think that's a part of your soul you aren't prepared to share right now. And maybe that's better. For you. For me. That it remain a mystery. Someday though I wanna hear it all. I'll bring the wine.
In this world, where it's so easy to feel disconnected, your words break down that barrier. They give me something to look forward to, like the prize buried in the cereal box (why doesn't adult/low card cereal come with prizes? we all need prizes).
In much the same way your writing has helped you through hurtful experiences, it's helped me process the same in my world. Great writing does that.
When I can find my reading glasses it’s a pleasure to read Thunder Pie. There are months that I am so busy that I don’t take the time to check in, and then i start to think I’m wasting 10 bucks but then that’s my fault. You always write far more than I can process and sit still reading, so it’s a good long couple of reads for me, and interesting since my own life is somewhere between boring ( my fault) and peacefully blessed. While we have never met, the person you represent here seems quite transparent, interesting and well meaning. I like the fact that you love your wife and kids. That’s so important to me as a reader. So sick of hearing about people sneaking around and getting so tangled up in the vices that they lose the heart and soul intimacy of their relationships. You guys seem to make time for each other and the kids. You’re honest with your ups and downs. It’s important to see how that’s just normal and part or dealing with being vulnerable. Being real. I like the balance you and Arle seem to have.. the comfort of knowing you’re all in and nobody’s leaving anyone. That somehow you guys will remain, whatever weather blows in. That’s a comfort to read about. You may not even realize that it matters to readers. Maybe that’s weird. It’s stability even when things don’t feel that way. I like the voice, the nature, the analogies and poetry. The kid stories. Reflactions and insights. Not much one for dead birds or stumbling upon skull heads but I accept that there is also a comport in history and old rusty finds. Goes nice with Arles talent with photography. I thing y’all are blessed to patch together a beautiful tapestry with your families. Guess I will stick around. Read up when i find my glasses. Thanks. - G
The authenticity, the rawness, the realness. You exhibit more bravery than most people I know. If even a small sliver of humanity had as much self reflection as you did, I think we'd be doing ok.
You remind me each week to take time and reflect and maybe write, but you're a hell of a lot more consistent than I've ever been.
You know what I'd love to see? A conversation essay with you and Arle or you and the kids. Like a back and forth, or pastiche.
Also, how about a recommendation essay. Like, here's this book/movie/album you're loving and why we should give it a shot.
I can't remember how I came across Thunder Pie, Serge, but I can tell you that every piece I've read has been deeply resonant and caused me to sink into that place from which art is made (you know what I mean). I adore your writing and find it totally aspirational. And yes, believable and respectable and relatable and devoid of bullshit, too. You've probably bullshat here and there, but I can't say I've noticed. Furthermore- give yourself a break, you're only human. We sometimes learn that we're bullshitting ourselves by hearing ourselves lie to others. Whoops. All for the learning. Write on, man, and thank you for what you do.
When anyone asks me how I'm doing, I always say, "I'm doing all right so far." Which is true. So, you want to know how you're doing? Near as I can tell, you're doing all right so far.
I'm a fan. Just keep writing what's important to you. I like to read honesty. That's how you write. I would like reviews on books, movies, and music that your listening too. Every try a short story? Shit, I'd read it.
Hey Serge. Essays are great as always and the Wednesday surprise was nice....I actually have about 20 of them that I really need to sit down an knock out so you may have already covered it, but the essays that captured my mind the most were the Private Deviney ones. Did you write the third edition of this yet? Your writing of history in general is always great so if you ever need a topic anything history related works. The characters of Milheim may also be a good one...all small towns have them.
Hi Serge- can you please check if I am a paying member of Thunder Pie? I thought I was, and I saw it on my statement but perhaps it’s my other entail address. I haft two- gcm4610@gmail and gcm121361@gmail.com. Thank you. The latter is current but I believe the substack account is on the former. Thanks.
No surprise here, I love this space, the words, the photos. All of it. I value your honestly. Your willingness to bare (and yes, I almost wrote bear...) your soul. It's raw, this writing, and that's what makes it feel real. It's why your words resonate with me.
I think you can guess what I'd love to read more of. But I think that's a part of your soul you aren't prepared to share right now. And maybe that's better. For you. For me. That it remain a mystery. Someday though I wanna hear it all. I'll bring the wine.
In this world, where it's so easy to feel disconnected, your words break down that barrier. They give me something to look forward to, like the prize buried in the cereal box (why doesn't adult/low card cereal come with prizes? we all need prizes).
In much the same way your writing has helped you through hurtful experiences, it's helped me process the same in my world. Great writing does that.
Random aside--I'd totally rep TPie merch...
When I can find my reading glasses it’s a pleasure to read Thunder Pie. There are months that I am so busy that I don’t take the time to check in, and then i start to think I’m wasting 10 bucks but then that’s my fault. You always write far more than I can process and sit still reading, so it’s a good long couple of reads for me, and interesting since my own life is somewhere between boring ( my fault) and peacefully blessed. While we have never met, the person you represent here seems quite transparent, interesting and well meaning. I like the fact that you love your wife and kids. That’s so important to me as a reader. So sick of hearing about people sneaking around and getting so tangled up in the vices that they lose the heart and soul intimacy of their relationships. You guys seem to make time for each other and the kids. You’re honest with your ups and downs. It’s important to see how that’s just normal and part or dealing with being vulnerable. Being real. I like the balance you and Arle seem to have.. the comfort of knowing you’re all in and nobody’s leaving anyone. That somehow you guys will remain, whatever weather blows in. That’s a comfort to read about. You may not even realize that it matters to readers. Maybe that’s weird. It’s stability even when things don’t feel that way. I like the voice, the nature, the analogies and poetry. The kid stories. Reflactions and insights. Not much one for dead birds or stumbling upon skull heads but I accept that there is also a comport in history and old rusty finds. Goes nice with Arles talent with photography. I thing y’all are blessed to patch together a beautiful tapestry with your families. Guess I will stick around. Read up when i find my glasses. Thanks. - G
The authenticity, the rawness, the realness. You exhibit more bravery than most people I know. If even a small sliver of humanity had as much self reflection as you did, I think we'd be doing ok.
You remind me each week to take time and reflect and maybe write, but you're a hell of a lot more consistent than I've ever been.
You know what I'd love to see? A conversation essay with you and Arle or you and the kids. Like a back and forth, or pastiche.
Also, how about a recommendation essay. Like, here's this book/movie/album you're loving and why we should give it a shot.
I can't remember how I came across Thunder Pie, Serge, but I can tell you that every piece I've read has been deeply resonant and caused me to sink into that place from which art is made (you know what I mean). I adore your writing and find it totally aspirational. And yes, believable and respectable and relatable and devoid of bullshit, too. You've probably bullshat here and there, but I can't say I've noticed. Furthermore- give yourself a break, you're only human. We sometimes learn that we're bullshitting ourselves by hearing ourselves lie to others. Whoops. All for the learning. Write on, man, and thank you for what you do.
When anyone asks me how I'm doing, I always say, "I'm doing all right so far." Which is true. So, you want to know how you're doing? Near as I can tell, you're doing all right so far.
Serge
I had one of those ouija board Marah t-shirts years ago
Wore it till it was more hole than shirt
Loving the essays and will check the latest tonight
I'm a fan. Just keep writing what's important to you. I like to read honesty. That's how you write. I would like reviews on books, movies, and music that your listening too. Every try a short story? Shit, I'd read it.
Hey Serge. Essays are great as always and the Wednesday surprise was nice....I actually have about 20 of them that I really need to sit down an knock out so you may have already covered it, but the essays that captured my mind the most were the Private Deviney ones. Did you write the third edition of this yet? Your writing of history in general is always great so if you ever need a topic anything history related works. The characters of Milheim may also be a good one...all small towns have them.
Hi Serge- can you please check if I am a paying member of Thunder Pie? I thought I was, and I saw it on my statement but perhaps it’s my other entail address. I haft two- gcm4610@gmail and gcm121361@gmail.com. Thank you. The latter is current but I believe the substack account is on the former. Thanks.