We don't get prairie wolves down here, our four-legged Anansis hang out in the pine stands and eat turkey eggs and whatnot. I always loved the dusk walks where you could hear them yipping and chatting it up. Almost makes the Hueys-blaring-Ride-Of-The-Valkyries-on-their-way-to-attack drones of the summer mosquitoes worth it.
Another thing - if you think that you "feed" another person, you're a shit-stain motherfucker with your head so far up your own ass that you can lick your own molars.
This was so damn good and I'm really excited for you having this month and diving deep into your work and biting all the hands. That coyote is beautiful and I hope was giving you a nod and a good send-off to this months of new things happening.
(I wrote a thing about entitlement that included that Nick Bowlin piece and my take on the wealthy second homeowners' attitudes was "it was clear that what those residents expect is not service but subservience." I stand by that. A new feudalism is growing from the sickly roots of colonialism. BITE THE HANDS. Those morsels they're handing out were stolen in the first place.)
Wow, what an honor. You'll be rubbing elbows with some pretty fine writers. I know just the article you are referencing in HCN. And I share your mixed feelings about the community. You have pretty much described how I feel about Sun Valley. Yeah, they have a pretty great writer's conference in the summer and some spectacular arts events which wouldn't be possible if they had only the old school locals to rely upon. Wealth does make some things possible, but oh is it difficult to not bite one's tongue in two when faced with the wealth makers. Good luck. I hope you get at least 2/3 of what you expect to accomplish while you're there. And don't kick yourself if you don't meet all of your lofty goals.
Enjoy your time in retreat. Occasionally I see coyotes (and deer) in my highly urban hilly neighborhood with pockets of forest. The small part of me that is wild and the large part of me that is uncomfortable with my wealthy neighborhood feels joy seeing those coyotes. Wealth cannot drive out the wild.
I'm looking forward to reading whatever comes of the residency.
Oh, the "bite the hand that feeds them" crowd. Just finished a short vaccine-related stay with one of those allegedly self-made wealthy white people who's great at getting people to do things for them for free, and resentful as hell when someone sees the con and the free labor dries up. I'm now in a lovely Franciscan guesthouse that's simple, reasonable in cost, devoid of silent expectations, and presided over by cats.
Last night after dark I was driving on a rural road in eastern Cochise County when my headlights hit a small, oddly shaped pile of carnage in the road. Much to my surprise, as I approached slowly in the car, part of the pile sprouted large buff-colored wings and a telltale dish-shaped face, and flew off. I never see owls except when I don't expect to.
What a story about the owl. I love it. I have so many memorable encounters with the magnificent creature it's almost startling. What a gift you were given!
Have fun, man! Telling your truth aloud and on paper ain't biting the hand, it's what you do. If they don't like that, why the fuck did they invite you? I'm guessing they want to hear it. Fuck any "biting the hand" assholes. That sounds like Trump! And anyone one that page isn't listening, so enjoy your time there and all those who come to hear you.
I knowwww, was literally just thinking it's been way too long since I've sent anything out! I need to be less precious about it. I've been writing a ton of film reviews for the $$, but I have a light assignment load this week so I'll have to give the newsletter some much-needed love. I miss it!
I keep going back to your last one and I was just thinking of the letter it has inspired me to write you. Now I just have to inspire that letter out of my brain. Maybe we should make a "if I write, you'll write!" pact, eh? Heh.
Wonderful as ever, Chris. Much to think about here. Enjoy your residency! Sounds like a marvellous place to write, think and meet some wonderful people.
This was fucking great. Makes sure you say hi to Pam Houston; I was so intimidated when I met her while down in Santa Fe profiling Terese and Tommy and she was just....the best.
I will say hello to Pam. Last time she was in Missoula I had to show a drunken fan out of her reading for being gross. The only time that's ever happened, heh.
Enjoy your writing retreat, Chris. Wonderful piece, as ever! We don't get coyotes here but we do get urban foxes who carry that same jaunty trot and expression. It lifts me up every time I catch a glimpse.
That made me laugh out loud! I’m not sure my name will matter much to Arvin ( he is the coolest!!!) but Jen knows me well and she’s pretty great. Townie Books is wonderful. 🥰
Oh look! My old Telluride friends Art Goodtimes and Rosemary Wahtola-Trommer. Looks like a good group -- Art is a wiley old trickster disguised as a harmless old hippie, and Rosemary's husband was a dear friend back in the day. Telluride was how I came west -- I'd been guiding rafts in NC and needed a winter gig so I came out to be a nanny. Saw sunshine in January and vowed never to go back east of Denver to live. Have to say though, Livingston feels like Telluride did as it turned bad all those years ago -- too many fucking rich people moving in. If I didn't love my dude, I'd be moving on to someplace shaggier ... travel safe and get some good writing done!
Right on, getting a residency. I hope you get a lot accomplished in that quiet zone. I also love that coyote Trickster. I can see him laughing now. Good writing to you, sir.
"...is it "biting the hand that feeds you" if you never gave a fuck about the morsel and were after a big chunk of the hand in the first place?"
This sentence—this solid punch up—is a DELIGHT.
Thanks, Tara.
We don't get prairie wolves down here, our four-legged Anansis hang out in the pine stands and eat turkey eggs and whatnot. I always loved the dusk walks where you could hear them yipping and chatting it up. Almost makes the Hueys-blaring-Ride-Of-The-Valkyries-on-their-way-to-attack drones of the summer mosquitoes worth it.
Another thing - if you think that you "feed" another person, you're a shit-stain motherfucker with your head so far up your own ass that you can lick your own molars.
Agreed, Chris. Agreed.
That Bowlin piece: Christ what assholes.
Enjoy taking their money.
Thanks, Charley.
This was so damn good and I'm really excited for you having this month and diving deep into your work and biting all the hands. That coyote is beautiful and I hope was giving you a nod and a good send-off to this months of new things happening.
(I wrote a thing about entitlement that included that Nick Bowlin piece and my take on the wealthy second homeowners' attitudes was "it was clear that what those residents expect is not service but subservience." I stand by that. A new feudalism is growing from the sickly roots of colonialism. BITE THE HANDS. Those morsels they're handing out were stolen in the first place.)
I read that piece, Nia. I'll bite for both of us.
Wow, what an honor. You'll be rubbing elbows with some pretty fine writers. I know just the article you are referencing in HCN. And I share your mixed feelings about the community. You have pretty much described how I feel about Sun Valley. Yeah, they have a pretty great writer's conference in the summer and some spectacular arts events which wouldn't be possible if they had only the old school locals to rely upon. Wealth does make some things possible, but oh is it difficult to not bite one's tongue in two when faced with the wealth makers. Good luck. I hope you get at least 2/3 of what you expect to accomplish while you're there. And don't kick yourself if you don't meet all of your lofty goals.
Thank you, Linda. I'll do my best.
Enjoy your time in retreat. Occasionally I see coyotes (and deer) in my highly urban hilly neighborhood with pockets of forest. The small part of me that is wild and the large part of me that is uncomfortable with my wealthy neighborhood feels joy seeing those coyotes. Wealth cannot drive out the wild.
I love coyotes. It is always a gift to see them.
I'm looking forward to reading whatever comes of the residency.
Oh, the "bite the hand that feeds them" crowd. Just finished a short vaccine-related stay with one of those allegedly self-made wealthy white people who's great at getting people to do things for them for free, and resentful as hell when someone sees the con and the free labor dries up. I'm now in a lovely Franciscan guesthouse that's simple, reasonable in cost, devoid of silent expectations, and presided over by cats.
Last night after dark I was driving on a rural road in eastern Cochise County when my headlights hit a small, oddly shaped pile of carnage in the road. Much to my surprise, as I approached slowly in the car, part of the pile sprouted large buff-colored wings and a telltale dish-shaped face, and flew off. I never see owls except when I don't expect to.
What a story about the owl. I love it. I have so many memorable encounters with the magnificent creature it's almost startling. What a gift you were given!
Have fun, man! Telling your truth aloud and on paper ain't biting the hand, it's what you do. If they don't like that, why the fuck did they invite you? I'm guessing they want to hear it. Fuck any "biting the hand" assholes. That sounds like Trump! And anyone one that page isn't listening, so enjoy your time there and all those who come to hear you.
Thanks, Mark. I'll spill a couple for you.
Always so happy to see your writing in my inbox ❤️
Same when I see yours! *checks watch* :P
I knowwww, was literally just thinking it's been way too long since I've sent anything out! I need to be less precious about it. I've been writing a ton of film reviews for the $$, but I have a light assignment load this week so I'll have to give the newsletter some much-needed love. I miss it!
I keep going back to your last one and I was just thinking of the letter it has inspired me to write you. Now I just have to inspire that letter out of my brain. Maybe we should make a "if I write, you'll write!" pact, eh? Heh.
Deal--gonna hold you to it because I for sure want that letter from you! (Which means it'll be a good kick in the ass to get myself to write, too.)
Wonderful as ever, Chris. Much to think about here. Enjoy your residency! Sounds like a marvellous place to write, think and meet some wonderful people.
Thanks, Joanna.
This was fucking great. Makes sure you say hi to Pam Houston; I was so intimidated when I met her while down in Santa Fe profiling Terese and Tommy and she was just....the best.
I will say hello to Pam. Last time she was in Missoula I had to show a drunken fan out of her reading for being gross. The only time that's ever happened, heh.
Enjoy your writing retreat, Chris. Wonderful piece, as ever! We don't get coyotes here but we do get urban foxes who carry that same jaunty trot and expression. It lifts me up every time I catch a glimpse.
You are so good. Have a great time and say hi to Jennifer Hillebrandt if you come across her! (Townie Books)
She works for Arvin, btw!
You know Townie Books will be my first expedition to town! I'm really looking forward to that.
They are so great--Danica as well. I went to college with Jennifer and met Arvin and Danica last fall. Such good folks! Have fun, my friend.
I'm not afraid to name drop to make myself look cooler, friend, and I am going to drop yours SOOOO HARD now....
That made me laugh out loud! I’m not sure my name will matter much to Arvin ( he is the coolest!!!) but Jen knows me well and she’s pretty great. Townie Books is wonderful. 🥰
Oh look! My old Telluride friends Art Goodtimes and Rosemary Wahtola-Trommer. Looks like a good group -- Art is a wiley old trickster disguised as a harmless old hippie, and Rosemary's husband was a dear friend back in the day. Telluride was how I came west -- I'd been guiding rafts in NC and needed a winter gig so I came out to be a nanny. Saw sunshine in January and vowed never to go back east of Denver to live. Have to say though, Livingston feels like Telluride did as it turned bad all those years ago -- too many fucking rich people moving in. If I didn't love my dude, I'd be moving on to someplace shaggier ... travel safe and get some good writing done!
Thanks, Charlotte!
Right on, getting a residency. I hope you get a lot accomplished in that quiet zone. I also love that coyote Trickster. I can see him laughing now. Good writing to you, sir.
Laughing, yes. Thank you.
Enjoy your writing jaunt, Chris. Can't wait to read what comes next.
Thank you, Frances. Still waiting for you to pop into the store and announce yourself....
I did once and you weren't there, will you be there this week before you leave?
I am, Mon/Tues/Weds, generally 10-6 though I'm leaving early Tuesday at 3:45 or so.