2025.02.07: After four hours immersed in text inside the university library, I am heartened (if a bit surprised -- and surprised at my surprise) to step outside and find that the trees are still upright, roots still embracing the beloved soil of our continued co-existence.
"Nookomis rises almost full above Mount Jumbo and the artificial lights of the UM campus seem to dim for a moment, as if they take the opportunity to bow in recognition of Her."
That spoke to me as if I were there. True story in one sentence.
Any time I get to spend in Nature or in the presence of the People of Nature, I am at home. Unfortunately, I live in the first "pioneer" city of the Northwest Territory, Marietta, Ohio, whose American Revolutionary officers were "granted" lots to "settle" in lieu of monetary payment for their service in the war, which they began in 1788. My Scots-Irish Appalachin ancestors arrived here in 1820 and fled to WV by 1850 for affordable living space. As you are no doubt fully aware, the East has become massively overpopulated by the descendants of those early interlopers since, and they have shown no respect for Mother Nature or indigenous Native Americans. Thank you for touching this old man's heart and may you journey on in peace.
Peter Stark wrote a great book called "Gallop Toward the Sun" that covers a lot of the history of that area. I lived in the region for three years myself.
Escaping the apocalypse for seven hours, I drive to a sanctuary of forest, mudflats and bay, meeting a friend and reveling in birdsong, connections with earth.
"2025_0203: Newspaper headline reads, "Banks hesitate to lend in Indian Country...." and I bet every one of those despotic institutions has a land acknowledgement on their website."
Epic winter dump here in Ashland at the foot of the Siskiyous and Cascades this month gave us a snow WEEK, but of course I’m teaching online this term. I still enjoyed the slowness of that week.
I’m reminded of a stop I used to make just outside of Roy on the way to Malta from Bzn. I used to run the dog on a square of school land just off the Highway to get some exercise after a few hours in the car. We learned that late in the bird season (mid December), the ruffies would bunch up and post sentries, so it was really hard to get the jump on them - they’d bust if Deacon (the Griff pointer) got w/in 20+ yds. It was still a treat though, as Deac would get a run, I’d get a walk, and we’d both arrive in Malta jonesin for birds.
One winter it was sub zero, I’ll never forget nearly walking over a grouse that busted from its cover under about 6” of snow. After recovering from my surprise, I looked down to behold a set of wing prints on the snow, perfectly symmetrical, perfectly imprinted. I stopped at that point and thanked the place for being there, bidding it farewell until next December.
I love that neighborhood. I even got to supervise a student teacher in Roy one year a long while back.
Greetings from the Comfort Inn on Hwy 50 in Salida, CO, where I'm finishing off home-made carrot cake with cream cheese frosting to die for. I've been attempting to spend less time looking at screens, which is working out fine. Subscribing to Substack writers' feeds is a boon, though, especially when I stumble into places like this and writing like yours. In 2023, I posted a photo a day, each one a moment in time that is embedded in my heart because I was paying attention to my little life. Now I'll try words. Thank you.
Here's mine for today: looking for a name as the sun sets is like shouting through empty branches and into the hollows of the moon- tangled echoes in my throat.
2025_0207: Surliness at bedtime proves I kept at it for thirty minutes too long and looked at my email one time too many.
This one really hit me. Unfortunately I usually get there about noon these days.
In retirement with way too much time on my hands in winter and too many email threads to deal with. Might be time for a long road trip someplace I’ve never been to distract me and listen to audio books.
Email is a nightmare. I don't carry access to it with me anymore, which has been helpful. Take that drive, Bob. I'll be taking a long one over the next few days myself.
It was good seeing you on Chickadee's NASfE discussion last week. Thanks for taking time to join in from your motel room - on the road again! And thanks for helping to make the course available. I'm enjoying it and learning quite a bit.
Here's one from me this month:
2025.02.07: After four hours immersed in text inside the university library, I am heartened (if a bit surprised -- and surprised at my surprise) to step outside and find that the trees are still upright, roots still embracing the beloved soil of our continued co-existence.
I love how they just keep on keeping on. 🌲
"Nookomis rises almost full above Mount Jumbo and the artificial lights of the UM campus seem to dim for a moment, as if they take the opportunity to bow in recognition of Her."
That spoke to me as if I were there. True story in one sentence.
🌕
there's always one of these that punches me in the face with self-recognition.
2025_0207: Surliness at bedtime proves I kept at it for thirty minutes too long and looked at my email one time too many.
Any time I get to spend in Nature or in the presence of the People of Nature, I am at home. Unfortunately, I live in the first "pioneer" city of the Northwest Territory, Marietta, Ohio, whose American Revolutionary officers were "granted" lots to "settle" in lieu of monetary payment for their service in the war, which they began in 1788. My Scots-Irish Appalachin ancestors arrived here in 1820 and fled to WV by 1850 for affordable living space. As you are no doubt fully aware, the East has become massively overpopulated by the descendants of those early interlopers since, and they have shown no respect for Mother Nature or indigenous Native Americans. Thank you for touching this old man's heart and may you journey on in peace.
Peter Stark wrote a great book called "Gallop Toward the Sun" that covers a lot of the history of that area. I lived in the region for three years myself.
What a balm to get these sentences. Thank you.
💚
Pleased to know the Dubois rest area ultimately came back from that grim episode of "clumps and smears." 😂
This one was a riveting and terrifying turn of events!
😂
My one sentence, Feb 28, 2025:
Escaping the apocalypse for seven hours, I drive to a sanctuary of forest, mudflats and bay, meeting a friend and reveling in birdsong, connections with earth.
Sounds perfect.
"2025_0203: Newspaper headline reads, "Banks hesitate to lend in Indian Country...." and I bet every one of those despotic institutions has a land acknowledgement on their website."
👏 👏 👏
✊🏽
Epic winter dump here in Ashland at the foot of the Siskiyous and Cascades this month gave us a snow WEEK, but of course I’m teaching online this term. I still enjoyed the slowness of that week.
I’m reminded of a stop I used to make just outside of Roy on the way to Malta from Bzn. I used to run the dog on a square of school land just off the Highway to get some exercise after a few hours in the car. We learned that late in the bird season (mid December), the ruffies would bunch up and post sentries, so it was really hard to get the jump on them - they’d bust if Deacon (the Griff pointer) got w/in 20+ yds. It was still a treat though, as Deac would get a run, I’d get a walk, and we’d both arrive in Malta jonesin for birds.
One winter it was sub zero, I’ll never forget nearly walking over a grouse that busted from its cover under about 6” of snow. After recovering from my surprise, I looked down to behold a set of wing prints on the snow, perfectly symmetrical, perfectly imprinted. I stopped at that point and thanked the place for being there, bidding it farewell until next December.
I love that neighborhood. I even got to supervise a student teacher in Roy one year a long while back.
Thank you Chris for your generosity in sharing these monthly gifts of focussed attention and art.
Thank you for reading them.
Wish I could've been at Timber, congrats!
I think you'd like it!
Greetings from the Comfort Inn on Hwy 50 in Salida, CO, where I'm finishing off home-made carrot cake with cream cheese frosting to die for. I've been attempting to spend less time looking at screens, which is working out fine. Subscribing to Substack writers' feeds is a boon, though, especially when I stumble into places like this and writing like yours. In 2023, I posted a photo a day, each one a moment in time that is embedded in my heart because I was paying attention to my little life. Now I'll try words. Thank you.
Miigwech! I've been making a huge effort to stay off screens as well. So far, so good.
Here's mine for today: looking for a name as the sun sets is like shouting through empty branches and into the hollows of the moon- tangled echoes in my throat.
Beautiful.
2025_0207: Surliness at bedtime proves I kept at it for thirty minutes too long and looked at my email one time too many.
This one really hit me. Unfortunately I usually get there about noon these days.
In retirement with way too much time on my hands in winter and too many email threads to deal with. Might be time for a long road trip someplace I’ve never been to distract me and listen to audio books.
Email is a nightmare. I don't carry access to it with me anymore, which has been helpful. Take that drive, Bob. I'll be taking a long one over the next few days myself.
It was good seeing you on Chickadee's NASfE discussion last week. Thanks for taking time to join in from your motel room - on the road again! And thanks for helping to make the course available. I'm enjoying it and learning quite a bit.
I'm very happy to be part of that, thanks for taking it on.
You're a sojourner, standing in the Super 8 at 4 in morning taping the wind. I could hear it and feel it. And sooo glad that restroom got cleaned!
Sojourner! I like that!
Me too.