KISS was my youngest brother David’s favorite band, but their songs weren’t enough to rouse him from a coma, even at max volume, on the boom box my sister and I brought to the ICU.
Thoroughly enjoy reading your new book. Really connected with your history of Riel and the Red River Valley. I've recently been doing research and writing about the village of Ross north of Roseau MN on ND border during late 1800s and early 1900s. One of Riel's exiled lieutenan's, Albert Monkman, ended up in Warroad MN as one of the first homestead claims. Heading up to Buffalo Point First Nation next week in Manitoba for more research. Best wishes on your book tour. Will you be at any book festivals in the Midwest in coming months?
Hey great cuz that night I'm attending the Sahan Journal shindig in Mpls. I'll look for your other events and try to swing it. Might need to buy a fresh copy for your signature as I have marked up pages of your memoir. Half-way through and I know already I don't want it to come to an end. Good reading.
I don’t live in Richmond anymore (otherwise I wouldn’t have missed your signing), but I fondly remember the patty melt and fried pickles at the Galaxy.
A dense, emotional, exhausting month ya got here! (And then 0905 is there, a precursor to spooky season. And 0925 is foreboding as well...) Miigwech for this glimpse.
A few of mine:
2024.9.1 - While a night alone is good practice on occasion, I'm all the more grateful to share my home with my favorite person.
2024.9.4 - When rest turns to restlessness, an hour on eight wheels under autumn skies is the perfect response.
2024.9.5 - While I like to kid myself otherwise, I really do know what to do.
2024.9.6 - I much prefer to travel without an arbitrary schedule.
2024.9.7 - I haven't gotten enough time listening to the wind in trees and the birds twittering under blue sky.
2024.9.8 - Fresh air opens up musty baggage for unpacking.
2024.9.9 - Walking in darkness uproots that which is too much to greet in broad daylight.
2024.9.11 - I blame an endless yesterday for today's weary drift of time-blindness.
2024.9.12 - I've been looking for a "eureka!" moment, but perhaps insight more often comes in a slow, smoldering burn.
2024.9.15 - Once the novelty of a resolute intention wears off, there's a voice inside that wonders if it's not just another set of things on the to-do list to avoid.
2024.9.17 - I will happily embrace my persona as a compact body that wears a massive backpack.
2024.9.19 - Snapshots from the past are reminders that life may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.
2024.9.20 - Sometimes the wisest decision is best consoled with tacos.
2024.9.21 - As the day and night hang in balance, I am grateful for abundant harvests and upslope storm systems.
2024.9.24 - When the bus decides to leave without you, it's time to take the journey into your own hands.
2024.9.27 - A real-life black widow is both more fascinating and more terrifying than I expected.
2024.9.28 - The alpenglow on the alpine lake is enough to hook me on a new way to hike.
2024.9.29 - Return to cars, pollution and human-made chaos is tempered only by the best veggie burger in the land.
On 9/7/24 a foursome of old friends trundled 22 miles on road bikes through Portland, landing at the Pine State cafe for a Full Reggie, recalling our adventures of yore, most recent of which was a Red Fang head bang for the ages (and aged:)
I was so stoked to read you made it to Portland and so bummed I missed it by a few days. But it was time to go visit my mother in Kalispell.
2024_0903 ( I would definitely have included the kind of cake)
2024_0904 The Northern Cascades , yes stunning. You brought back great memories of climbing Desolation Peak and looking inside the cabin on the summit (which is surrounded by windows). Where Jack Kerouac wrote many of his ‘sentences’.
2024_0907: “The reunion is tearful and beautiful.”
I have lost count of my favorites. Really, 01 thru 30, all the days in between. I can feel the impact this trip has had on you, by your sentences.
And one for you;
2024_O930 Canadian geese passing through stop for an evening of arguments, posturing and merriment, as they decide who will have the honor of taking the lead in the morning, maybe they draw straws, or reeds.
Once again you've done it! I find your sentences - or moreso my sad attempt at deciphering them quite interesting. In one way I want to copy you, and in another I won't. Take good care - sending you lots of positive energy. Keep speaking truth!
I so enjoy being on the road with you, one sentence at a time.
I appreciate that. It's good to have you along too!
"From a chilly porch, first light spreads like love across the land…"
Sobering to see Chief Seattle's grave and heartening to remember him.
All the best to you and your beloveds.
It was an unexpected bonus of the trip crossing paths with him.
KISS was my youngest brother David’s favorite band, but their songs weren’t enough to rouse him from a coma, even at max volume, on the boom box my sister and I brought to the ICU.
❤️
Perhaps my favorite month of sentences! Though I'm likely biased as part of the folks who got to see you on tour.
I'm fortunate to be of the ones to see YOU on tour!
Perhaps a rarely-serviced pit toilet at Cree Crossing dubbed “The La Tray”?
You cracked me up this morning! Now I’m on a mind game to find (in) appropriate appropriations of artists and writers I know.
Thanks for the threads tying Montana winds to those of NC. We’re all in this together.
We sure are. ✊🏽
Thoroughly enjoy reading your new book. Really connected with your history of Riel and the Red River Valley. I've recently been doing research and writing about the village of Ross north of Roseau MN on ND border during late 1800s and early 1900s. One of Riel's exiled lieutenan's, Albert Monkman, ended up in Warroad MN as one of the first homestead claims. Heading up to Buffalo Point First Nation next week in Manitoba for more research. Best wishes on your book tour. Will you be at any book festivals in the Midwest in coming months?
No festivals in the Midwest but I've got two events in Minneapolis and one in Iowa City in just a few weeks.
Right after I posted this, the invite arrived from Milkweed Editions. Best wishes
That Milkweed thing you got is for a fancy fundraiser event. I'm also doing two "normal" events out there as well.
Hey great cuz that night I'm attending the Sahan Journal shindig in Mpls. I'll look for your other events and try to swing it. Might need to buy a fresh copy for your signature as I have marked up pages of your memoir. Half-way through and I know already I don't want it to come to an end. Good reading.
21st and the 25th!
https://www.chrislatray.com/events
Great. I plan to attend the event at Mill City Museum on the 25th.
'Light sprinkle of rain to accompany the campfire smell of morning in Oregon.' Yes!!
It was smoky in the area I was in!
May there be enough hills and ferries for all of us.
I don’t live in Richmond anymore (otherwise I wouldn’t have missed your signing), but I fondly remember the patty melt and fried pickles at the Galaxy.
I loved the place. I really enjoyed Richmond.
A dense, emotional, exhausting month ya got here! (And then 0905 is there, a precursor to spooky season. And 0925 is foreboding as well...) Miigwech for this glimpse.
A few of mine:
2024.9.1 - While a night alone is good practice on occasion, I'm all the more grateful to share my home with my favorite person.
2024.9.4 - When rest turns to restlessness, an hour on eight wheels under autumn skies is the perfect response.
2024.9.5 - While I like to kid myself otherwise, I really do know what to do.
2024.9.6 - I much prefer to travel without an arbitrary schedule.
2024.9.7 - I haven't gotten enough time listening to the wind in trees and the birds twittering under blue sky.
2024.9.8 - Fresh air opens up musty baggage for unpacking.
2024.9.9 - Walking in darkness uproots that which is too much to greet in broad daylight.
2024.9.11 - I blame an endless yesterday for today's weary drift of time-blindness.
2024.9.12 - I've been looking for a "eureka!" moment, but perhaps insight more often comes in a slow, smoldering burn.
2024.9.15 - Once the novelty of a resolute intention wears off, there's a voice inside that wonders if it's not just another set of things on the to-do list to avoid.
2024.9.17 - I will happily embrace my persona as a compact body that wears a massive backpack.
2024.9.19 - Snapshots from the past are reminders that life may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.
2024.9.20 - Sometimes the wisest decision is best consoled with tacos.
2024.9.21 - As the day and night hang in balance, I am grateful for abundant harvests and upslope storm systems.
2024.9.24 - When the bus decides to leave without you, it's time to take the journey into your own hands.
2024.9.27 - A real-life black widow is both more fascinating and more terrifying than I expected.
2024.9.28 - The alpenglow on the alpine lake is enough to hook me on a new way to hike.
2024.9.29 - Return to cars, pollution and human-made chaos is tempered only by the best veggie burger in the land.
These are so great, Lucy. I really love every single one and I so, so appreciate you sharing them. I hope you are enjoying the practice!
Thank you for sharing this practice, I do find it lovely! And thank you for reading, and for sharing yours.
On 9/7/24 a foursome of old friends trundled 22 miles on road bikes through Portland, landing at the Pine State cafe for a Full Reggie, recalling our adventures of yore, most recent of which was a Red Fang head bang for the ages (and aged:)
I was so stoked to read you made it to Portland and so bummed I missed it by a few days. But it was time to go visit my mother in Kalispell.
Peace and safe passage to the next thing. -Nigel
I'll be back out that way for the Portland Book Festival, Nigel. Hope we can cross paths!
2024_0901
2024_0903 ( I would definitely have included the kind of cake)
2024_0904 The Northern Cascades , yes stunning. You brought back great memories of climbing Desolation Peak and looking inside the cabin on the summit (which is surrounded by windows). Where Jack Kerouac wrote many of his ‘sentences’.
2024_0907: “The reunion is tearful and beautiful.”
I have lost count of my favorites. Really, 01 thru 30, all the days in between. I can feel the impact this trip has had on you, by your sentences.
And one for you;
2024_O930 Canadian geese passing through stop for an evening of arguments, posturing and merriment, as they decide who will have the honor of taking the lead in the morning, maybe they draw straws, or reeds.
I love all the recent Canada geese action here too. A favorite theme of the season!
Kiss guy comment made me laugh.
😂
Your words keep me afloat.
💚
Once again you've done it! I find your sentences - or moreso my sad attempt at deciphering them quite interesting. In one way I want to copy you, and in another I won't. Take good care - sending you lots of positive energy. Keep speaking truth!
I appreciate it, Lita. I hope you are doing well!