Absolutely gorgeous. You reminded me that I saw a bald eagle gliding back to the woods one morning last week, the rising sun hitting its belly and wings, and it filled me with awe.
You do so much with kids. That also fills me with awe.
Very nice. Really looking forward to seeing the film.
I’ve been keeping the Hays Eagles company (online) as they sit on their three eggs. It’s been so great watching them. I know it’s ridiculous but seeing their reactions towards each other, and the mother (larger of the two I assume) as she suffers through a snowstorm, and when the male occasionally brings food for her, or takes a share on the nest. It’s been fascinating.
As close as I feel to those eagles, I can just imagine how you must feel about your students. They’re lucky to have you.
Chris, Please keep working with children. I can only imagine how you are impacting their lives and how much your attention and teaching is valued.
I am looking forward to the documentary.
I have never seen an eagle but one day, standing in my yard, I sensed a presence. I looked up to see an owl perched in a nearby tree. ‘He’ swiveled his head and looked directly into my face. It was a very moving experience. I felt a bit of fear but mostly I felt awe. There was definitely some connection and I am unsure of the meaning to this day but choose to believe that it was something profound.
We have great blue herons here in Lewiston. I’ve watched them for years. But somehow I had never recognized their cry until one day last summer at Lummi Island when a heron was fishing on the tidal flat. And then she lifted into the air and made this Big Sound. It was a surprise and I just felt, well, amazed and delighted. I will have to look for stories about them.
I love herons. I see them all the time here too. My latest new experience with them was accidentally discovering not one but TWO heron nests high in the bare branches of the cottonwoods on the other side of the Clark Fork River. I will be watching them with my binoculars, you can count on it!
I was just thinking how much I miss your writing (not because of any slowdown on your end, only because life has been a whirlwind and I've been too scattered to keep up) and this was such a gift to read tonight. Your words always bring me right back to what's important. Thank you. ❤️
I know. I feel so tired. I just read about Russia's portable crematoria and omfg, those are cruel weapons of war. Sickening. How many (women/children/elders) will be disappeared? <retch/weep>
It was a true gift to have you join us in class this week. I am grateful down to my bones for the marvelous community of writers and creators in this place. Gratitude to you and for you! (Remind me to share my eagle story next time we cross paths.)
"...such a beautiful and humbling gift..." /// Blackfoot River; winter; 30 below zero; no wind; I stepped outside my 12x12 cabin and listened to the very last sound of the big freeze, as the fading shush of the river ice finally stopped cold, and utter silence became the All-That-Is.
This morning as I was pulling a sled with a steaming from the cold, minutes old heifer calf aboard to the warming barn, overhead a bald eagle flew north into the cold blue sky.
Your experience with the eagle and the stick made me think of this one from Boncho.
At an eagle's nest on dead camphor branches, the sun goes down
Absolutely gorgeous. You reminded me that I saw a bald eagle gliding back to the woods one morning last week, the rising sun hitting its belly and wings, and it filled me with awe.
You do so much with kids. That also fills me with awe.
The documentary sounds like so much fun!
It was so much fun!
Very nice. Really looking forward to seeing the film.
I’ve been keeping the Hays Eagles company (online) as they sit on their three eggs. It’s been so great watching them. I know it’s ridiculous but seeing their reactions towards each other, and the mother (larger of the two I assume) as she suffers through a snowstorm, and when the male occasionally brings food for her, or takes a share on the nest. It’s been fascinating.
As close as I feel to those eagles, I can just imagine how you must feel about your students. They’re lucky to have you.
That does sound fascinating....
Chris, Please keep working with children. I can only imagine how you are impacting their lives and how much your attention and teaching is valued.
I am looking forward to the documentary.
I have never seen an eagle but one day, standing in my yard, I sensed a presence. I looked up to see an owl perched in a nearby tree. ‘He’ swiveled his head and looked directly into my face. It was a very moving experience. I felt a bit of fear but mostly I felt awe. There was definitely some connection and I am unsure of the meaning to this day but choose to believe that it was something profound.
Sincerely,
Melissa
Owls are messengers. Given you still think about it, I'm sure you heard whatever message was meant to be delivered.
We have great blue herons here in Lewiston. I’ve watched them for years. But somehow I had never recognized their cry until one day last summer at Lummi Island when a heron was fishing on the tidal flat. And then she lifted into the air and made this Big Sound. It was a surprise and I just felt, well, amazed and delighted. I will have to look for stories about them.
I love herons. I see them all the time here too. My latest new experience with them was accidentally discovering not one but TWO heron nests high in the bare branches of the cottonwoods on the other side of the Clark Fork River. I will be watching them with my binoculars, you can count on it!
A heron poem from Yosa Buson:
The evening breezes—
The water splashes against
A blue heron's shins
I was just thinking how much I miss your writing (not because of any slowdown on your end, only because life has been a whirlwind and I've been too scattered to keep up) and this was such a gift to read tonight. Your words always bring me right back to what's important. Thank you. ❤️
Anni, I've missed you. I've assumed you're up to your ears in it, though. I hope you are doing well, all things considered.
I know. I feel so tired. I just read about Russia's portable crematoria and omfg, those are cruel weapons of war. Sickening. How many (women/children/elders) will be disappeared? <retch/weep>
These thoughts bring me peace. Especially in an on-the-cusp-of-war world.
Thank you, Julia. Cusp-of-war world, ugh. Hard to believe people still think "rolling tanks across a border" is the solution to anything.
Chris
Loved your letter to the editor, in this past Sunday's edition.
My exact thoughts that I spoke out loud when I saw the original article.
Thank you for putting my thoughts into words!
Thank you, Teresa.
It was a true gift to have you join us in class this week. I am grateful down to my bones for the marvelous community of writers and creators in this place. Gratitude to you and for you! (Remind me to share my eagle story next time we cross paths.)
Thank you, Erin. It was a gift to see you!
"...such a beautiful and humbling gift..." /// Blackfoot River; winter; 30 below zero; no wind; I stepped outside my 12x12 cabin and listened to the very last sound of the big freeze, as the fading shush of the river ice finally stopped cold, and utter silence became the All-That-Is.
💜
I had an eagle experience today too.
This morning as I was pulling a sled with a steaming from the cold, minutes old heifer calf aboard to the warming barn, overhead a bald eagle flew north into the cold blue sky.
Your experience with the eagle and the stick made me think of this one from Boncho.
At an eagle's nest on dead camphor branches, the sun goes down
"Steaming from the cold." I love that.
This was a beautiful and inspiring read.
And thank you so much for sharing it with us. :).
Thank you for reading, Olga.
You are most welcome. :).