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Rick Lewis's avatar

"These words trailed me like a tin can strung from the back of a bicycle." So what's the membership, club, or service you belong to that grants you a lifetime supply of original, delightful and arresting metaphors?

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Haley Brengartner's avatar

That will be $9.99 a month for you sir.

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Thank you, Rick. In school I was always told my writing was too metaphoric. Not concrete enough. I hated that I felt like I had to ditch my craft to convey my point. It is so wonderful to find readers that feel the opposite of that notion.

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E.L. Zeitgeist's avatar

I feel soooo much the opposite of whatever silly goose told you that!! Bring on the metaphors! The more sopping wet, dripping with prose, the better!

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Wyatt Ehler's avatar

Haley!! I absolutely love this! Thanks for allowing me to a part of the journey! And for guiding us through this with your voice. What a treat.

How exciting for you! This is huge! A new chapter. A new you. How exhilarating!

I feel welcome. I feel loved. ❤️

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Haley Brengartner's avatar

Wyatt! That is all I strive for in my writing. Thank you so much for reading and leaving me this warm comment.

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James Bailey's avatar

Since Rick took the tin can passage I pick this one: “Homes are not just dwellings, they are our feelings taking form in the physical world.”

Love love love how this piece turned out. I’m with Tommy - it feels like home. 🏡

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Rick Lewis's avatar

I have to try and get to these essays before you do because you always wind up citing the same passages that knock my socks off.

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James Bailey's avatar

We have a knack for the shine on the dime! I’m on a long biz trip. Look forward to getting back in the saddle next week and putting pen to paper. Hope you are well!

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Haley Brengartner's avatar

You guys are cracking me up. Much love for you both. Thank you for always leaving me comments that make me feel loved. James best wishes with your travels!

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Jack Dixon's avatar

I felt this essay deep in the marrow of my bones. Since leaving for university at age 18, I've floated from city to city for six years, finding myself in a new, somewhat unfamiliar bed every week or month. The freedom nomadic living provides can be enchanting, but I'm starting to crave the love and warmth of a home. Of a place I can call my home.

Thanks for sharing this Haley. It was so beautifully written with a lovely and deeply relatable message.

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Haley Brengartner's avatar

Thank you, Jack! I wonder what will happen within me in the upcoming months. I wonder if I will miss the freedom to pick up and move wherever, whenever. I know I am torn between those two lives - I will constantly be pulled between the lure of them. There is a life where both can be true, but I am not there yet. I wish you all of the best as you explore the road to creating your own home. Thank you for reading and for commenting, it means a great deal.

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Jack Dixon's avatar

And I love the art you used as a cover for this essay!

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Catalina Muñoz's avatar

What a beautiful essay Haley! And congratulations on the new home. Very happy for you!

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Haley Brengartner's avatar

Aw! Thank you Catalina. I appreciate you taking the time to read and leave me a comment. Sending you all of my best wishes.

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Alex Michael's avatar

What a beautiful piece Haley. Thrilled for your next chapter and grateful to get to read your phenomenal writing.

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Haley Brengartner's avatar

Thank you, Alex. Likewise, I am grateful to have you in my life. Once my life settles from the chaos of moving, we have no reason to postpone the three hour drive between us haha.

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Tommy Dixon's avatar

Haley, this essay felt like home.

I really resonate with the sense of rootlessness and the craving for familiarity and belonging you capture so beautifully. I’ve moved more times than I can count. I haven’t felt like I had a home since I moved out to go to university at 17. It’s frustrating at times. To not feel I have a place. To lack any permanency.

I look forward to the period in my life when I plant roots. I suppose I trust it exists on my timeline somewhere.

Congrats on closing the house. It sounds perfect :) no more concrete quandaries. I hope you can fill it with art and friends and good memories.

Also... apple cider. So underrated.

Beautiful essay as always.

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Haley Brengartner's avatar

Oh my! I can't believe you remember my Concrete Quandaries, wow. I anticipate having roots will pose its own set of challenges in my life but I've never felt more prepared to take those on. I believe that exists somewhere on your timeline too. I thought I would be transient for the next few years of my life. Buying a home was not anticipated, but it feels right. That is all we can do I suppose.

In the meantime, I am enjoying hearing your stories of grand travel. Thank you dearly for always supporting my writing.

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Phil's avatar

Beautifully written Haley, as usual! Congratulations on the new home, that is so so exciting. I'm excited to read about how both you and your home will develop and grow over time. And thanks for giving me another thing to look forward to as I contemplate where I'm at now and where I want to go.

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Haley Brengartner's avatar

Hi Phil! Thank you so much reading and dropping me a comment. I hope that you are doing well. I hope we can catch up soon and you can fill me in on where you are at and where life may take you next. Sending you all my best, friend.

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