I love the good ancestor piece, and your choice. I think part of it is creating a space for people to imagine being social without lubrication. When it's all around you, it's hard to imagine yourself not participating, and it can help to see someone having fun without it.
Every single writing residency I've been at has seemed to rely heavily on drinking, sometimes with not-great consequences. I don't mean to say that in judgment at all; it's just something that seems to happen. It's nice to go to a cabin by yourself and slide away from the expectations one way or another.
The Grotto piece is so powerful. I’m white and there is both alcoholism and fervent tee-totaling on both sides of my family. I was married to an alcoholic for 18 years, trapped into thinking that my kids would choose him and his income over me if I left or outed him. I developed some really toxic drinking habits during that time, although it seems that perhaps I have not inherited whatever alcoholic genetic predisposition my ancestors had. I have noticed though that with the stress of pandemic isolation (which continues for vaccinated vulnerable populations in Idaho) I have found myself thinking that cocktail hour is going to bring some relief. But it doesn’t. There is no cocktail that we can gulp to burn away the horror of these deaths, this neglect of the common good, the defense of racism, the elevation of patriarchy and nationalism. I’ve been listening to Clint Smith read his book “How the Word is Passed.” It is keeping me on the narrow path of not numbing the pain I feel, thinking about the pain his ancestors felt. And now your ancestors, too. Because it’s so fucking personal, your testimony and Clint’s. It’s not so much that we’re matching up pain on some balance scale as I am thinking that there is more strength in me as a human being than I know.
I look forward to seeing you next week for Poetry as Consolation. As always, we will do a bit of writing during the first half of the hour, so yes, there is a workshop element as well as a celebration of 'Descended,' which is keeping me good company these days.
'Fire' is in the rearview as I am now focused on a new collection, coming later this fall--assuming we can overcome some issues with the printers, who are backed up due to paper and labor shortages. So it goes.
Good for you, Chris. It's hard to beat the "alcohol is a scourge" drum without being a dick about it, but I think you managed it here. Thank you.
I love the good ancestor piece, and your choice. I think part of it is creating a space for people to imagine being social without lubrication. When it's all around you, it's hard to imagine yourself not participating, and it can help to see someone having fun without it.
Every single writing residency I've been at has seemed to rely heavily on drinking, sometimes with not-great consequences. I don't mean to say that in judgment at all; it's just something that seems to happen. It's nice to go to a cabin by yourself and slide away from the expectations one way or another.
The Grotto piece is so powerful. I’m white and there is both alcoholism and fervent tee-totaling on both sides of my family. I was married to an alcoholic for 18 years, trapped into thinking that my kids would choose him and his income over me if I left or outed him. I developed some really toxic drinking habits during that time, although it seems that perhaps I have not inherited whatever alcoholic genetic predisposition my ancestors had. I have noticed though that with the stress of pandemic isolation (which continues for vaccinated vulnerable populations in Idaho) I have found myself thinking that cocktail hour is going to bring some relief. But it doesn’t. There is no cocktail that we can gulp to burn away the horror of these deaths, this neglect of the common good, the defense of racism, the elevation of patriarchy and nationalism. I’ve been listening to Clint Smith read his book “How the Word is Passed.” It is keeping me on the narrow path of not numbing the pain I feel, thinking about the pain his ancestors felt. And now your ancestors, too. Because it’s so fucking personal, your testimony and Clint’s. It’s not so much that we’re matching up pain on some balance scale as I am thinking that there is more strength in me as a human being than I know.
Cheeto. That bolo tie. Everything else.
Big fan here!
Wonderful 574 bison bolo tie. Having chosen to be a good ancestor, too, I want to thank you so much for that concept.
Cheeto: That one knows how to relax. Inspiring!
I look forward to seeing you next week for Poetry as Consolation. As always, we will do a bit of writing during the first half of the hour, so yes, there is a workshop element as well as a celebration of 'Descended,' which is keeping me good company these days.
'Fire' is in the rearview as I am now focused on a new collection, coming later this fall--assuming we can overcome some issues with the printers, who are backed up due to paper and labor shortages. So it goes.