I live in Louisville, Kentucky. In Kentucky there is a state law that gives seniors (over 65) the right to take classes at any state university, tuition free. I have been taking classes at the University of Louisville and I am mightily impressed with the quality of students I have been in class with. Their dedication to their studies and their friendliness to this oldster has impressed me greatly.
Lately I've been wandering around in a quagmire of my own making, trying to sort out multiple "#1" priorities in multiple geographies, most of which should have been long-ago done, occasionally jumping into the general swamp of various social/media worlds which, from any angle, seem grim. Today I decided I was just done in, and I would invest in a few hours of searching for hope, avoiding ugly stories about geopolitics and national collapse. Connie, you were first on the list. And what I found (again) is that you seem to look me in the eye as you tell your stories, so that I pay attention to the story AND the subtext. And so I do, and I find family, and love, and a commitment to trying, and, yes, hope. I need you today. Thanks.
Thank you for writing this. I have so much to say about LUCKY STRIKES, self worth, journalism vs journals mmmm but that's about me and not you. As my second or third cousin says that always makes me feel good, I share this with you. NEVER CHANGE. JUST BE EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE. THAT IS ENOUGH. Lovely rabbit hole I explored this last hour because of this piece. Brava!
And I want to thank Sherrod for his work on the Social Security Fairness Act that eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision. I worked many years as an electrical engineer and then 20 years as a physics teacher. I finally received what I earned. Thank you Sherrod for caring and fixing the problem.
Connie, I share that midwest aw shucks when someone praises me. It's a tough balance between not being braggy and standing up proud. I've been the recipient of unkind remarks from good church ladies because they perceive me as arrogant and I've been offered assertiveness classes during my work years for being 'too demure.' The truth lies somewhere in the middle, from putz to visionary. LOL. My aspergers precludes me from having a clue about these perceptions most of the time which is, in itself, problematic. We are justifiably proud of you and your Pulitzer!! And of Sherrod and his record too of course. But you, my dear, name things for all of us for which we are most thankful! And for me, the tag line elderly allows me to just be who I am finally and I'm enormously, quietly proud of that.
You both have touched me personally. Sherrod wrote me a letter of congratulations many years ago when I was nominated to be recognized in the PD for my work teaching computer skills to senior citizens. And Connie you wrote an article in the PD about my mother, Carolyn Hoppes, an artist with a studio in Murray Hill who started her life over after launching her children by getting her MFA from CIA when she was over 50 years old. You both are such positive people and you hold a dear space in my heart. THANK YOU BOTH!
Connie, I’m so thankful to have found you on Substack. Being from the West, I was not aware of your Pulitzer Prize and your many accomplishments, but am thankful for the honesty and genuineness that your columns exude. So happy to follow you and your life with Sherrod. Thank you both for your service. 🩷
Happy Anniversary! Love, support, and especially laughter -- the oxygen that keeps marriages alive. Please tell Sherrod thank you for fighting to pass the Social Security Fairness Act. It has made such a difference in our lives.
What a beautiful, beauriful essay! Happy Anniversary to both you and Sherrod. Would that we could all be so lucky, and blessed to have a marriage such as yours. Love, laughter, support….doesn’t get better than that! I wish you many, many more happy anniversaries
This is completely off the subject, but I received an email from Connie Schultz talking about a “great investment possibility“. I immediately deleted it because it did not sound like you, Connie. Please let me know if you knew about this. It even had your pictureon the front and looked a lot like your Substack publication. I’m really concerned that this is a spam target and that you are it?
proof of mutual tending - this has to be one of the best indicators of a loving partnership. I am always touched when my partner of many years does some small thoughtful thing for me, just because.
Happy Anniversary to you both. Count the blessings of your years
Connie,
I live in Louisville, Kentucky. In Kentucky there is a state law that gives seniors (over 65) the right to take classes at any state university, tuition free. I have been taking classes at the University of Louisville and I am mightily impressed with the quality of students I have been in class with. Their dedication to their studies and their friendliness to this oldster has impressed me greatly.
Thanks for all your essays.
Harry
Lately I've been wandering around in a quagmire of my own making, trying to sort out multiple "#1" priorities in multiple geographies, most of which should have been long-ago done, occasionally jumping into the general swamp of various social/media worlds which, from any angle, seem grim. Today I decided I was just done in, and I would invest in a few hours of searching for hope, avoiding ugly stories about geopolitics and national collapse. Connie, you were first on the list. And what I found (again) is that you seem to look me in the eye as you tell your stories, so that I pay attention to the story AND the subtext. And so I do, and I find family, and love, and a commitment to trying, and, yes, hope. I need you today. Thanks.
Thank you for writing this. I have so much to say about LUCKY STRIKES, self worth, journalism vs journals mmmm but that's about me and not you. As my second or third cousin says that always makes me feel good, I share this with you. NEVER CHANGE. JUST BE EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE. THAT IS ENOUGH. Lovely rabbit hole I explored this last hour because of this piece. Brava!
Happy Anniversary! I wish you both many more!
And I want to thank Sherrod for his work on the Social Security Fairness Act that eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision. I worked many years as an electrical engineer and then 20 years as a physics teacher. I finally received what I earned. Thank you Sherrod for caring and fixing the problem.
Happy Anniversary!
Sniffing because I just love this! Thank you.
You two are the best we can pray for in journalism, politics and humanity.
Connie, I share that midwest aw shucks when someone praises me. It's a tough balance between not being braggy and standing up proud. I've been the recipient of unkind remarks from good church ladies because they perceive me as arrogant and I've been offered assertiveness classes during my work years for being 'too demure.' The truth lies somewhere in the middle, from putz to visionary. LOL. My aspergers precludes me from having a clue about these perceptions most of the time which is, in itself, problematic. We are justifiably proud of you and your Pulitzer!! And of Sherrod and his record too of course. But you, my dear, name things for all of us for which we are most thankful! And for me, the tag line elderly allows me to just be who I am finally and I'm enormously, quietly proud of that.
You both have touched me personally. Sherrod wrote me a letter of congratulations many years ago when I was nominated to be recognized in the PD for my work teaching computer skills to senior citizens. And Connie you wrote an article in the PD about my mother, Carolyn Hoppes, an artist with a studio in Murray Hill who started her life over after launching her children by getting her MFA from CIA when she was over 50 years old. You both are such positive people and you hold a dear space in my heart. THANK YOU BOTH!
Connie, I’m so thankful to have found you on Substack. Being from the West, I was not aware of your Pulitzer Prize and your many accomplishments, but am thankful for the honesty and genuineness that your columns exude. So happy to follow you and your life with Sherrod. Thank you both for your service. 🩷
The stories about the love in your marriage that nobody needs to know shines through in everything you and Sherrod do....amazing.
Happy Anniversary! Love, support, and especially laughter -- the oxygen that keeps marriages alive. Please tell Sherrod thank you for fighting to pass the Social Security Fairness Act. It has made such a difference in our lives.
Happy Anniversary!! Thank you for sharing your lives with us. ❤️
What a beautiful, beauriful essay! Happy Anniversary to both you and Sherrod. Would that we could all be so lucky, and blessed to have a marriage such as yours. Love, laughter, support….doesn’t get better than that! I wish you many, many more happy anniversaries
This is completely off the subject, but I received an email from Connie Schultz talking about a “great investment possibility“. I immediately deleted it because it did not sound like you, Connie. Please let me know if you knew about this. It even had your pictureon the front and looked a lot like your Substack publication. I’m really concerned that this is a spam target and that you are it?
Connie, I’m sorry this happened. I’ve alerted Substack.
proof of mutual tending - this has to be one of the best indicators of a loving partnership. I am always touched when my partner of many years does some small thoughtful thing for me, just because.
Happy Anniversary to you both. Count the blessings of your years