Ok, I'm SO glad you're here to ask about the countertop, NOT the white laundry basket you can see over to the left on the couch. Sigh. The countertop is made from recycled glass--Heineken bottles (green) SKYY vodka (blue) and traffic lights (yellow and red)! Please come see it in person. We will sit there and have a drink and ignore the laundry basket.
Ugh. I'm 73 and thankfully haven't been majorlyscammed, yet, but whenever I'm suspicious about something, I immediately call my son, who is in IT, and about 100% of the time he tells me it's scam and to hang up, delete, etc. These scammers are smart and look so real at times. Thanks for this story, and I'm glad it had a happy-ish ending!
Now I have a new life goal: train my children to work in IT so I have someone to tell me to hang up! Egads, the scammers really are good at their jobs. But yes, to the happy ending!
My great grandma Ferguson had Alzheimer’s, and as a Grey’s Anatomy fan, I have that tickle in the back of my mind about the genetic test that looks at whether you have increased risk for developing it…as a teacher, I’m kind of glad the cost would probably be prohibitive.
I recently bribed my 3 year old to wear socks; I am that mom. When I produced the dollar, he negotiated for two coins instead and prefers pennies because of the color. You could cash out 618 pennies, recruit an older kid to make a cool box, and bury it somewhere in the park with like a rock X over the top. Some little person would flip out about finding real treasure! Even better if you could get the mom to video the kid finding it. Poets reflecting and creating JOY!
I can’t wait for your new book. I just bought a cool chair at the thrift store for dedicated writing and reading. 2026 is too long, but at least we the fans have this Substack.
Ahh thank you! My 13-y-o still won't wear socks so I can't tell you things are gonna get easier. But I also like pennies for the color. YAY about your chair for reading and writing--I hope your 2025 is full of both! ❤️❤️
Thank you for posting the near-scam story. I got caught up in a minor version and all was trying to do was get a ticket for a David Joy reading in Belmont, NC!
That Apple scam has become fairly common, happened to a good friend’s mother. I assume they pay Google to appear on the first page of search results. Does Google have no responsibility in this case?
I want to steal the line “trying to steal money from a poet seems a new low.” Would that be even lower? Or just standard poet behavior? But thank you for that wild story! And thanks also for the nod to local writers and artists in a community. Although I can say this only because the years are ticking by and it appears I may never be a FAMOUS writer, yes, yes, yes. Writing community means so so much. Also, audio books: Have you listened to The Husbands by Holly Gramazio? My favorite audio book this year. Brilliant narrator!
I had the same kind of "almost cleaned out" scam-scare the day after my husband and I separated. And it's happened to good friends--almost always during times of extreme emotional vulnerability. People are often ashamed to admit falling for these things, so thank you for sharing. And huge congrats on your new book! I'm trying not to wish days away anymore, but very excited for that book in Spring '26.
Yes, I DO think we're ashamed to admit being scammed or coming as close as I did--we feel like idiots--but in truth we needn't--the scams are SO sophisticated these days. Anyway, thanks for your excitement about my book! Me tooooo!!!!
Love the title of your new book. Perhaps interestingly (perhaps not), I wrote something quick about my relationship with -- and love of -- Irish goodbyes for John T a couple of years ago. My best one was pulled off during a party I was hosting at my house. I just went upstairs and went to bed. Congratulations on the book (and sorry about the scam that almost ruined Christmas).
WOW, Kathy--I hadn't seen that article but it's amazing. I have a whole new insight into her situation now--that she could do something so out of character--that's exactly what I did. Sheesh. Thanks for sending.
"Sometimes I think the greatest joy available to us on earth is to be of use." A beautiful sentiment and post. Happy to have found this blog! Sending love from the northeast
We need to talk about that countertop - gorgeous. Also, smart idea to ask a phone-person about the view out their window. Noted.
Ok, I'm SO glad you're here to ask about the countertop, NOT the white laundry basket you can see over to the left on the couch. Sigh. The countertop is made from recycled glass--Heineken bottles (green) SKYY vodka (blue) and traffic lights (yellow and red)! Please come see it in person. We will sit there and have a drink and ignore the laundry basket.
I admit, I noticed the countertop AND the plastic basket…but the countertop won my attention. So gorgeous!
Ugh. I'm 73 and thankfully haven't been majorlyscammed, yet, but whenever I'm suspicious about something, I immediately call my son, who is in IT, and about 100% of the time he tells me it's scam and to hang up, delete, etc. These scammers are smart and look so real at times. Thanks for this story, and I'm glad it had a happy-ish ending!
Now I have a new life goal: train my children to work in IT so I have someone to tell me to hang up! Egads, the scammers really are good at their jobs. But yes, to the happy ending!
And how horrid about the scammer!
Right! SO horrid! Many thanks for reading, Reem!
Hi to my first favorite local poet!
My great grandma Ferguson had Alzheimer’s, and as a Grey’s Anatomy fan, I have that tickle in the back of my mind about the genetic test that looks at whether you have increased risk for developing it…as a teacher, I’m kind of glad the cost would probably be prohibitive.
I recently bribed my 3 year old to wear socks; I am that mom. When I produced the dollar, he negotiated for two coins instead and prefers pennies because of the color. You could cash out 618 pennies, recruit an older kid to make a cool box, and bury it somewhere in the park with like a rock X over the top. Some little person would flip out about finding real treasure! Even better if you could get the mom to video the kid finding it. Poets reflecting and creating JOY!
I can’t wait for your new book. I just bought a cool chair at the thrift store for dedicated writing and reading. 2026 is too long, but at least we the fans have this Substack.
Ahh thank you! My 13-y-o still won't wear socks so I can't tell you things are gonna get easier. But I also like pennies for the color. YAY about your chair for reading and writing--I hope your 2025 is full of both! ❤️❤️
Thank you for posting the near-scam story. I got caught up in a minor version and all was trying to do was get a ticket for a David Joy reading in Belmont, NC!
Whatever scammer was trying to punish you for going to a reading is seriously messed up!
That Apple scam has become fairly common, happened to a good friend’s mother. I assume they pay Google to appear on the first page of search results. Does Google have no responsibility in this case?
Right--I've wondered the same thing. Sigh.
Omg. Learned a lot from this. I thought I was pretty savvy, but! Thank you.
Good! Learn from my near-disaster! Save yourself! ❤️
Can’t believe how sophisticated it’s become. Sigh. Btw I still reread Heating & Cooling regularly. What a glorious collection.
Thank you!!!!
I want to steal the line “trying to steal money from a poet seems a new low.” Would that be even lower? Or just standard poet behavior? But thank you for that wild story! And thanks also for the nod to local writers and artists in a community. Although I can say this only because the years are ticking by and it appears I may never be a FAMOUS writer, yes, yes, yes. Writing community means so so much. Also, audio books: Have you listened to The Husbands by Holly Gramazio? My favorite audio book this year. Brilliant narrator!
I'll check it out! Thanks for the tip!! ❤️❤️
I had the same kind of "almost cleaned out" scam-scare the day after my husband and I separated. And it's happened to good friends--almost always during times of extreme emotional vulnerability. People are often ashamed to admit falling for these things, so thank you for sharing. And huge congrats on your new book! I'm trying not to wish days away anymore, but very excited for that book in Spring '26.
Yes, I DO think we're ashamed to admit being scammed or coming as close as I did--we feel like idiots--but in truth we needn't--the scams are SO sophisticated these days. Anyway, thanks for your excitement about my book! Me tooooo!!!!
Love the title of your new book. Perhaps interestingly (perhaps not), I wrote something quick about my relationship with -- and love of -- Irish goodbyes for John T a couple of years ago. My best one was pulled off during a party I was hosting at my house. I just went upstairs and went to bed. Congratulations on the book (and sorry about the scam that almost ruined Christmas).
And I thought I was good at Irish goodbyes--but leaving your own party--that's a pro move. Next level. Thanks for the inspo!
OMG--BAF! Scammers are so good, I'm so glad you figured that out and YES to Three Women. Love getting your newsletters! xo
Thanks, Kelli! ❤️❤️🎅🏽
I woud take the $6.18, buy some cool paper and write you husband a love letter. Then give him a piece to do the same.
scams are awful - glad you have a bank on the square :)
You might have the winning suggestion right here!
Made my night; all of it. Congratulations on the new Norton & Norton deal. Love you dearly!!
you too, my dear!
Congratulations on your new book Beth Ann! I can't wait to read it. I'm a huge fan 🙏💕
Thank you, Gaye! ❤️❤️🎅🏽
Beth Ann -- Did you read this article in THE CUT by a smart woman who got majorly scammed? It'll make you feel less alone in your experience. https://www.thecut.com/article/amazon-scam-call-ftc-arrest-warrants.html
WOW, Kathy--I hadn't seen that article but it's amazing. I have a whole new insight into her situation now--that she could do something so out of character--that's exactly what I did. Sheesh. Thanks for sending.
"Sometimes I think the greatest joy available to us on earth is to be of use." A beautiful sentiment and post. Happy to have found this blog! Sending love from the northeast
Ahh thank you! Love flowing back in that NE direction!