My husband and I recently went to vote for our school board and budget, and outside of the auditorium there were several displays of student art. It was so wonderful I wanted to cry. You can tell that the kids there are well supported, and it just filled me with hope.
Early voting for the recent federal election was held at a nearby elementary school. As I was leaving I stopped to read two hallway bulletin boards. One was titled Our Strength is Our Diversity In Our Community with statements like "we celebrate differences" and "we all belong". The other was titled Your Voice Matters which included the statements "all are welcome, empowered, encouraged, important, respected here" and "diversity is the one thing we ALL have in common". I was so moved, like you brought to near tears standing there. And grateful for the teachers who hold the line against hate and a school curriculum that supports them. Hopeful too that my fellow Canadians would vote in a way that allows this to continue (and we did!) My country is far from perfect but this moment in the hallway encouraged me not to give up on it.
Thank you, Chris, for mentioning Call of the Wild. Buck was one of my first friends, too, and he had a huge impact on my life, having been the first inspiration for my love of dogs. It's amazing to realize I read that book about 60 years ago, and to remember, thanks to your post, how I fully inhabited the world of that book (and White Fang, too, maybe more so) as a child re-re-re-reader. Wishing you all the best in your work!
Joe Abercrombie came to my fav local indie shop Eagle Eye Books in Decatur GA. Huge crowd squeezed into a not-too big store, but it was a great event. The new book (and audiobook!) is great.
I recently self published a lifetime of poems that had been squashed in my filing cabinet. Feedback from readers fuels my dedication to more words, feelings and images splashed across white sheets of paper or yellow lined pads. I am thrilled you are loving your travels and thanks for letting us know about Hannah's recent honoring. We are not voices in the dark. We are voices in the Light! Drive on!
Thank you for coming through Paonia. You left your mark, Chris--folks are still coming through the store and talking about you. We're all so lucky that you're willing to travel and talk.
Thank you for mentioning books as your sanctuary and art for bringing us together. Books, libraries, and librarians have always been my sanctuary and savior in many phases of my life.
To your question about experiences and things that reinforced it? What reinforces for me is our writing group.
When CMarie Fuhrman became our Idaho Writer in Residence, Covid interrupted her plans for the first year, but she was able to start the Write Here group at the McCall Public Library. I was first in line for the first meeting with six other writers. CMarie is our neighbor, a lovely writer, poet, teacher, mentor, and sometimes my therapist.
She is in demand and busy with writing, teaching, and life, so she does not attend the group as much as we would like because we were spoiled by her presence at every meeting during the group's first year. We meet once a week. Since CMarie started the group, we have grown to 30 writers, held 20 open mics, held our first-ever McCall poetry crawl(#3 this year), and hosted six visiting writers who held classes and readings.
CMarie also encouraged, or strongly recommended, that I attend the Elk River Writers Workshop three years ago, my 4th this summer.
I was nervous and intimidated in my first year (I had never attended a writing workshop) and didn't read at the student readings until my third night. CMarie held my hand that first year. So, CMarie's friendship, books, art, and writing have become my sanctuary in this crazy interim in our nation, reinforcing my faith and hope that art, books, and love will always win against tyrants.
CMarie is magnificent. I'm going to see her next week at a conference we are on a panel together on, and then I'm visiting the Elk River thing during the summer. I'm looking forward to both very much.
Very cool. Congratulations to Hannah! I have The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie on my reading desk, and I'll crack it eventually. Right now I'm reading The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, by Louise Erdrich... I read a thriller recently that was so ridiculous in its characters that I needed to read Erdrich to remember that compelling stories can be written without murders that only exist as puzzles, and that trauma doesn't have to be a plot twist.
I worked at The King's English the whole six years I lived in SLC doing my PhD. The BEST part of the entire experience. Loved bookselling. Loved Betsy and Barbara (who sold it to these great new owners a few years back). They threw me the best book launch party on the back patio, took me to the Mountains & Plains banquet to introduce me to booksellers, were super fun to work for and so supportive.
I might cheat a little and not suggest an art form of sorts (or maybe it is?) Baseball brings out the true bonding between the family—Mariners and Twins fans. The light ribbing, the talk of ballpark food, the “I can’t believe he plays for YOUR team now” texts—baseball is the great joiner all sides of my family, a nice break from the more serious topics in a family full of the anxious types.
I would be remiss not to mention books, however. It’s Adult Book Bingo season at Seattle Public Libraries, and that has led to great conversations and sharing with my co-workers. Thrilled to work with such voracious readers and friends.
And yes yes yes to fun & joy & fandom & lifting each other up. As you know, my fandom of your work led to a canoe adventure I never would have dreamed of otherwise, and my fandom for Timber Fox has led to a very welcome friendship.
Let’s see, other fandoms … well, I was just at The Black Cat last weekend at their erotic art expo watching a rope demonstration & was very impressed with the way the rigger called out, “people, watch out for the cervical spine!” I told her so afterwards & we had a good conversation about the difference between rope & shibari. I love how eager most people are to talk about their personal areas of fascination.
Way to go, Hannah! The bug pictures are awesome and the article linked was a lovely portrait of a lot of hard work and passion. Thanks for sharing!
My moment is from a class given by Apsáalooke artist Lark Real Bird. The knowledge about art (and life and learning) that was shared continues to impact every part me from parenting to eating to creating. Fuel is the right word. And you shared the class in one of your newsletters so thank you!!!
If you haven’t already, listen to Abraham Verghese’s recent commencement address to Harvard in which he encourages reading fiction as a way to nurture imagination, and says a lot of other things, too.
I always look forward to reading your posts. Thank you
Go Hannah! I am a fan of making friends with folks we meet at random. Upset the algorithm!
Yes!
Congratulations, Hannah!
My husband and I recently went to vote for our school board and budget, and outside of the auditorium there were several displays of student art. It was so wonderful I wanted to cry. You can tell that the kids there are well supported, and it just filled me with hope.
I love this. Thanks for sharing.
Early voting for the recent federal election was held at a nearby elementary school. As I was leaving I stopped to read two hallway bulletin boards. One was titled Our Strength is Our Diversity In Our Community with statements like "we celebrate differences" and "we all belong". The other was titled Your Voice Matters which included the statements "all are welcome, empowered, encouraged, important, respected here" and "diversity is the one thing we ALL have in common". I was so moved, like you brought to near tears standing there. And grateful for the teachers who hold the line against hate and a school curriculum that supports them. Hopeful too that my fellow Canadians would vote in a way that allows this to continue (and we did!) My country is far from perfect but this moment in the hallway encouraged me not to give up on it.
Thank you for this. It's wonderful.
Congratulations Hannah!
Miigwech!
Congrats to Hannah!
Thank you, Chris, for mentioning Call of the Wild. Buck was one of my first friends, too, and he had a huge impact on my life, having been the first inspiration for my love of dogs. It's amazing to realize I read that book about 60 years ago, and to remember, thanks to your post, how I fully inhabited the world of that book (and White Fang, too, maybe more so) as a child re-re-re-reader. Wishing you all the best in your work!
I'm moments away from heading up to the Jack London Ranch before I fly home later today. I'll say hello to Buck for you....
Joe Abercrombie came to my fav local indie shop Eagle Eye Books in Decatur GA. Huge crowd squeezed into a not-too big store, but it was a great event. The new book (and audiobook!) is great.
I've got the audio version of the new book queued up to listen to on a crosscountry drive next week. I can hardly contain my enthusiasm.
That's going to be a fun drive, no matter where you’re going.
I recently self published a lifetime of poems that had been squashed in my filing cabinet. Feedback from readers fuels my dedication to more words, feelings and images splashed across white sheets of paper or yellow lined pads. I am thrilled you are loving your travels and thanks for letting us know about Hannah's recent honoring. We are not voices in the dark. We are voices in the Light! Drive on!
Congrats on getting your poems out there!
How wonderful that you had opportunity to be invisible, taking in everything-everyone around you while in a sea of people.
I reveled in it.
Thank you for coming through Paonia. You left your mark, Chris--folks are still coming through the store and talking about you. We're all so lucky that you're willing to travel and talk.
I've been talking up my experience there too. I can't wait to visit again! What a lovely little community you have there.
Thank you for mentioning books as your sanctuary and art for bringing us together. Books, libraries, and librarians have always been my sanctuary and savior in many phases of my life.
To your question about experiences and things that reinforced it? What reinforces for me is our writing group.
When CMarie Fuhrman became our Idaho Writer in Residence, Covid interrupted her plans for the first year, but she was able to start the Write Here group at the McCall Public Library. I was first in line for the first meeting with six other writers. CMarie is our neighbor, a lovely writer, poet, teacher, mentor, and sometimes my therapist.
She is in demand and busy with writing, teaching, and life, so she does not attend the group as much as we would like because we were spoiled by her presence at every meeting during the group's first year. We meet once a week. Since CMarie started the group, we have grown to 30 writers, held 20 open mics, held our first-ever McCall poetry crawl(#3 this year), and hosted six visiting writers who held classes and readings.
CMarie also encouraged, or strongly recommended, that I attend the Elk River Writers Workshop three years ago, my 4th this summer.
I was nervous and intimidated in my first year (I had never attended a writing workshop) and didn't read at the student readings until my third night. CMarie held my hand that first year. So, CMarie's friendship, books, art, and writing have become my sanctuary in this crazy interim in our nation, reinforcing my faith and hope that art, books, and love will always win against tyrants.
CMarie is magnificent. I'm going to see her next week at a conference we are on a panel together on, and then I'm visiting the Elk River thing during the summer. I'm looking forward to both very much.
Very cool. Congratulations to Hannah! I have The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie on my reading desk, and I'll crack it eventually. Right now I'm reading The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, by Louise Erdrich... I read a thriller recently that was so ridiculous in its characters that I needed to read Erdrich to remember that compelling stories can be written without murders that only exist as puzzles, and that trauma doesn't have to be a plot twist.
Ain't that the truth. I hope you love Abercrombie's stuff half as much as I do.
I worked at The King's English the whole six years I lived in SLC doing my PhD. The BEST part of the entire experience. Loved bookselling. Loved Betsy and Barbara (who sold it to these great new owners a few years back). They threw me the best book launch party on the back patio, took me to the Mountains & Plains banquet to introduce me to booksellers, were super fun to work for and so supportive.
I love every bit of this. Bookstore people are the best.
Congrats Hannah!
I might cheat a little and not suggest an art form of sorts (or maybe it is?) Baseball brings out the true bonding between the family—Mariners and Twins fans. The light ribbing, the talk of ballpark food, the “I can’t believe he plays for YOUR team now” texts—baseball is the great joiner all sides of my family, a nice break from the more serious topics in a family full of the anxious types.
I would be remiss not to mention books, however. It’s Adult Book Bingo season at Seattle Public Libraries, and that has led to great conversations and sharing with my co-workers. Thrilled to work with such voracious readers and friends.
Back-to-back walk-off wins for the M's! And the Big Dumper keeps tearing it up!
Delightful!
Congratulations Hannah!
And yes yes yes to fun & joy & fandom & lifting each other up. As you know, my fandom of your work led to a canoe adventure I never would have dreamed of otherwise, and my fandom for Timber Fox has led to a very welcome friendship.
Let’s see, other fandoms … well, I was just at The Black Cat last weekend at their erotic art expo watching a rope demonstration & was very impressed with the way the rigger called out, “people, watch out for the cervical spine!” I told her so afterwards & we had a good conversation about the difference between rope & shibari. I love how eager most people are to talk about their personal areas of fascination.
Fandom, FTW!
Way to go, Hannah! The bug pictures are awesome and the article linked was a lovely portrait of a lot of hard work and passion. Thanks for sharing!
My moment is from a class given by Apsáalooke artist Lark Real Bird. The knowledge about art (and life and learning) that was shared continues to impact every part me from parenting to eating to creating. Fuel is the right word. And you shared the class in one of your newsletters so thank you!!!
If you haven’t already, listen to Abraham Verghese’s recent commencement address to Harvard in which he encourages reading fiction as a way to nurture imagination, and says a lot of other things, too.
I always look forward to reading your posts. Thank you