This is a great read. I remember days like these being way too high on way too many drugs with people who were just a bit too far gone. I’m glad those days are behind me. Either way this piece captured that experience really well.
Do you know how many times I had to read that? Okay, I mighta smoked a bowlful, but still, grade 12 millworker here. Just kidding. 'just fuckin with ya' as we used to say. First thing I thought of when I saw "Dangling Mystery" was "The Dangling Conversation" by Simon and Garfunkel. And then I saw O'Henry, and I was totally lost. But I LOVE your comments. They make me look at myself as something more than I am. I don't have the MFA whatever-it-is, and simply write the kind of story I'd like to read. My stories of the mill are a totally different world, though. I still laugh at parties when I tell the story of "Gordie and the Acid Trip." But I'm putting the mill stories behind the paywall. People say they want me to write stories about the mill, and I say, but that's not what I'm about. I want to write stuff like this...not that. I told myself a long time ago that I'd get into trouble with a lot of these stories. I won't change the names of those that died and passed. It's the only thing that lets us know they were here.
Jul 19, 2023·edited Jul 19, 2023Liked by Ben Woestenburg
You're one hell of an instinctive writer...THAT'S ALL THE LITTLE POEM STATED.
You're such a guy to be so intrigued by the mystery. 🤔
THAT is fascinating for me as the best people to be around are THOSE WHO FEEL AND LIKE TO THINK AND EXPRESS WHAT THEY THINK, but are not cheap and easy.
While not into the Arthurian Tales...The rest of what you write is superb and up my alley. Enjoy the portraits of the people, places, times and 'Bowl or an 8 Ball'; it's a natural given that you're a writer and stoned, high or trippin' you'll continue to write.
A 'Dangling Mystery' is the method O'Henry used in his mysteries and they're what I term 'God Stories', sort of as Pablo Coelho's 'The Alchemist'; and there are many others. Yes, Simon and Garfunckel were/are terrific and never dreamed anybody could cover 'Sound of Silence' as Disturbed does.
Guess it's possible the comments make you feel as more than you see yourself to be because somebody sees beneath the superficial and into the less conscious; as that's the dimension I originate from...It's a blessing of God; which can also be a curse. The story you told indicated you didn't feel as though you measured-up to that girl you had once known when with her and after many years and life...You've reached maturity allowing you to more consciously see what was intuited to exist within her...THEN. You also clearly see the contribution she's made to life...THE SELFLESS GIVING WHICH IS LOVE FROM GOD OR HIS ANGELS.
You spoke about an ex sister-in-law and how she was strong and a psychic? Indeed, we exist. These were the skills providing the insight ALWAYS based in our Lord used for the benefit of the lost to bring 'em back home in my vocation and the work I did before early retirement.
You're a bright man...Bowl and all. You're obviously in a new phase of life and working your way around and into new rules or the lack of rules...New mores, norms and boundaries in many areas of life. Didn't suspect retirement itself would be such a challenge, huh?
I haven't had time to get in here much; but I've kept your story continuations in my Downloads to read when time arrives on a rainy day. The farm TAKES SO MUCH...There's hardly time for the rides around the farm with the Kids and Grandkids on Sunday Afternoons after Church, family brunch, the garden weeding and harvest. Never dreamed to become 'Prepper'; but here we are...God, never imagined to would work so hard at this age. THANK GOD FOR GOOD HEALTH regardless of whatever the narratives from the Freaks are designed to manipulate us to think.
Well told. In my drinking days I knew many guys like this. Felt very true. I love the road so wide they divided it in half. Grateful I’m sober 👍
This is a great read. I remember days like these being way too high on way too many drugs with people who were just a bit too far gone. I’m glad those days are behind me. Either way this piece captured that experience really well.
Quite a story Ben. And I bet you have a million more stories that you would like, and have, to tell.
Dangling Mystery similar to O'Henry
provides substance and the solution to
the mystery in the last line as the thesis.
Retrospective dimension in seeing the
evolution of character to have grown to
finally reach worthiness of the saintly girl wasting
no time with the night lights, drugs and fights.
Do you know how many times I had to read that? Okay, I mighta smoked a bowlful, but still, grade 12 millworker here. Just kidding. 'just fuckin with ya' as we used to say. First thing I thought of when I saw "Dangling Mystery" was "The Dangling Conversation" by Simon and Garfunkel. And then I saw O'Henry, and I was totally lost. But I LOVE your comments. They make me look at myself as something more than I am. I don't have the MFA whatever-it-is, and simply write the kind of story I'd like to read. My stories of the mill are a totally different world, though. I still laugh at parties when I tell the story of "Gordie and the Acid Trip." But I'm putting the mill stories behind the paywall. People say they want me to write stories about the mill, and I say, but that's not what I'm about. I want to write stuff like this...not that. I told myself a long time ago that I'd get into trouble with a lot of these stories. I won't change the names of those that died and passed. It's the only thing that lets us know they were here.
You're one hell of an instinctive writer...THAT'S ALL THE LITTLE POEM STATED.
You're such a guy to be so intrigued by the mystery. 🤔
THAT is fascinating for me as the best people to be around are THOSE WHO FEEL AND LIKE TO THINK AND EXPRESS WHAT THEY THINK, but are not cheap and easy.
While not into the Arthurian Tales...The rest of what you write is superb and up my alley. Enjoy the portraits of the people, places, times and 'Bowl or an 8 Ball'; it's a natural given that you're a writer and stoned, high or trippin' you'll continue to write.
A 'Dangling Mystery' is the method O'Henry used in his mysteries and they're what I term 'God Stories', sort of as Pablo Coelho's 'The Alchemist'; and there are many others. Yes, Simon and Garfunckel were/are terrific and never dreamed anybody could cover 'Sound of Silence' as Disturbed does.
Guess it's possible the comments make you feel as more than you see yourself to be because somebody sees beneath the superficial and into the less conscious; as that's the dimension I originate from...It's a blessing of God; which can also be a curse. The story you told indicated you didn't feel as though you measured-up to that girl you had once known when with her and after many years and life...You've reached maturity allowing you to more consciously see what was intuited to exist within her...THEN. You also clearly see the contribution she's made to life...THE SELFLESS GIVING WHICH IS LOVE FROM GOD OR HIS ANGELS.
You spoke about an ex sister-in-law and how she was strong and a psychic? Indeed, we exist. These were the skills providing the insight ALWAYS based in our Lord used for the benefit of the lost to bring 'em back home in my vocation and the work I did before early retirement.
You're a bright man...Bowl and all. You're obviously in a new phase of life and working your way around and into new rules or the lack of rules...New mores, norms and boundaries in many areas of life. Didn't suspect retirement itself would be such a challenge, huh?
I haven't had time to get in here much; but I've kept your story continuations in my Downloads to read when time arrives on a rainy day. The farm TAKES SO MUCH...There's hardly time for the rides around the farm with the Kids and Grandkids on Sunday Afternoons after Church, family brunch, the garden weeding and harvest. Never dreamed to become 'Prepper'; but here we are...God, never imagined to would work so hard at this age. THANK GOD FOR GOOD HEALTH regardless of whatever the narratives from the Freaks are designed to manipulate us to think.
Hm-m-m! SIGH!!! 🙋🏻♀️😎🤪